Minimalism is design through simplicity—of form, colour, volume and detail—yet this aesthetic isn't simple to achieve. Go too far in one direction, and the result is cold, even sterile; cross the line the other way, and messiness begins. Hitting the sweet spot involves an architectural and decorative language of unity and repetition and the clever manipulation of space—not as an element to be filled, but as one to be celebrated—as well as light.

Swaddled in a black fur coat against the chilly night air, an opera singer is standing on the sidewalk, belting out the Etta James classic “At Last.” Spotlights behind her illuminate the sky, while a crowd of expensively dressed people gathers around the velvet ropes, vying to get into one of the biggest parties of the season. This isn’t a gala or a movie premiere, however; it is the opening of Bisha, the newest addition to the growing roster of luxury hotels in downtown Toronto.

Over the years, Canadian architects and designers have crafted a wide range of attractive and architecturally significant residences across the country. Now, they are finally beginning to get the recognition they deserve. From Moshe Safdie’s treasured Habitat 67 to Morton Katz’s Le Corbusier–inspired designs, here are six homes by Canada’s top architects and designers.

Some design aficionados may claim that nothing beats the Art Deco buildings on Miami Beach, but push farther afield and you’re guaranteed to find architectural gems in new builds and traditional high rises alike. The Sunshine State is making waves with a crop of waterview condos featuring stunning penthouse suites. Dig into gleaming, streamlined kitchens, refreshing bathrooms with an oceanic feel, classic American comfort in plush living rooms, and long-table dining. Add in endless views of beach and ocean and bright splashes of color, and you may find that the state’s endless summer suits you just fine.

The best escapes aren’t always at a five-star hotel. A well-appointed home can be the place you let go, relax, and indulge in the good life in a style perfectly suited to your tastes. With these relaxing design concepts to spark your imagination, it’ll be easy to cultivate vacation tranquility, whether or not you ever leave the house.

When you graduate from a doored closet to a walk-in and yet again to a dressing room, your sartorial options jump from cramped collection to full-blown style gallery. Take the fashion site The Coveteuras an indicator of the popularity surrounding closets—since the site debuted, the founders have showcased over 800 closets (and counting). From floor-to-ceiling shelving to endless mirrors to boutique-influenced displays, the potential for showing off your watch collection or love of footwear is endless. And let’s not forget: if the closets are spectacular, the homes are too. Here are a selection of homes whose cladding suits the contents.

Color is powerful. It can be commanding, soothing, or energizing; therapeutic and mood-altering; and perhaps beyond all else, it can make (and leave) a solid impression. With such influence at your fingertips, deciding on a color palette for your home can feel daunting—deciphering the nuances, knowing when to go bold—but these tried-and-true shades never go out of style.

With fresh rains heralding the arrival of spring, renewed greenery and blooming trees remind us that our planet is filled with things worth protecting. 

Eco-conscious trends in home design and construction highlight how we can tread lightly on the planet and blend in seamlessly with elegant, low impact homes. From rainwater recovery to green roofs, here are some of this spring's top eco solutions. 

Clutter is far from conducive to calm, luxurious living. Instead, strike harmony with the proverbial “place for everything and everything in its place.” Storage has suffered a bad reputation in the past—plastic bins, haphazard shelves, and crowded wardrobes do little to inspire the sophisticated homeowner. Fortunately, modern design lends itself well to thinking outside the box. These six homes offer well-curated and practical solutions to any storage woe.

On the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix… We bring you “Life in the Fast Lane” | Motorsport fans often watch the laps of their favourite race play out over a big screen. But why watch from home when you can pull up at your own team headquarters right next to famous racecourses? Here are 10 homes to make your next pit stop a winner.

Until now, luxury real estate buyers have found inspiration in properties with a sense of grandeur. Whether via a stately brownstone in a major city, a quiet retreat in cottage country, or a tropical paradise somewhere abroad, they’ve opted for spaciousness, for homes that mirror their success.

While equally invested in purchasing an uplifting pied-a-terre, the next generation of luxury real estate buyers are redefining the priorities of home ownership. 

Where you open your eyes in the morning can set the mood for your whole day. Do you wake refreshed in a bedroom oasis, or stressed and harried in the middle of a half-finished project? By selecting a master bedroom design with the perfect blend of light, textures, and tones, you can set yourself up for a fruitful day ahead. If you’re considering a renovation, take inspiration from these five trending master bedroom design ideas.

A well-designed living room is a social hub. It invites guests and family members to pause and come together, to enjoy a glass of wine by the fire, to curl up side-by-side with the latest best-sellers. A living room is also a reflection of your personality and tastes: do you prefer a cozy, rustic design, or a subtle palette of trendy neutrals? A minimalist, mid-century modern vibe or a dramatic, Victorian-inspired look? Whether you’re redecorating or starting fresh in a new home, take inspiration from these five gorgeous living room design ideas.

As the blue and white tints of winter finally clear, shades of spring can be found rousing from hibernation. Out with heavy drapes and slate greys, and in with a fresh palette of Cinque Terre pastels, statement touches, and a seamless blend of country chic meets modern world.

Your space should evolve with the season. What softens the blow of winter winds and early evenings may hamper the enjoyment of those fresh yellow and green blossoms. So get ready with these home décor trends for spring.

In the ideal co-mingling of old and new architecture, the sum is greater than its parts. Smart adaptive-reuse projects employ the best contemporary design to showcase architectural heritage. They also breathe new life into the past, providing new uses, new contexts and new ways of experiencing the urban landscape. In some cases, adaptive reuse recasts buildings in unimaginably different roles — stables transforming into homes, industrial buildings turning into community hubs.

In the best examples — say, the 1989 addition of I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid to the Louvre in Paris, a building whose history goes back to the 12th century — it is the conversation between the old and new that itself becomes iconic. These six exemplary buildings from around the world prove that the past can find new life in designs built for the future.

hen it comes to eco-friendly living, tomorrow’s world is already here. A wealth of effortless choices await when looking to revamp and modernize a home into a sustainable, conscious enclave. Why sacrifice style when it comes to sustainability? Here are 4 energy efficient upgrades to invest in your home’s worth and propel it to the top of the market’s must-see listings.

With their endless amenities, ultramodern finishes, panoramic views, and trendy locales, today’s condos offer extensive value to the discerning buyer. Yet streamlining a space can help elevate a condo even further, and these design tips squeeze every drop out of square footage, without compromising on luxury to help you maximize your condo space.

Buzz, energy, boundless choice – that’s the lure of city living. To be in the thick of culture, art, gastronomy, and community; to be in the midst of change and witness the spark of a collective idea; where some see a metropolis as a weighty undertaking, choosing to retreat to the calm refuge of the countryside instead, others revel in the unique energy and character of a city.

If “location, location, location” is at the top of your property search priorities—after all, who doesn’t love close proximity to the best restaurants, venues, and events a city has to offer—consider the new wave of expertly designed or recently refurbished condos and townhouses cropping up across the country.

The warmer months of spring and summer are when the real estate market spikes and buyers are hot on the trail of a new home. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile to list your home in the new year—after all, winter offers sellers less competition with fewer properties on the market. Plus, once the cold sets in you have a chance to pull out all the stops to make your home feel comfy and cozy. Here are some tips to ensure you’re set up to wow potential buyers during the snowy season.