When did exposed ceiling beams become such a hot design feature? Beyond their structural necessity, the simple explanation is that they add dimension and character to every space. Wood beams add architectural interest to new builds, breaking up expanses of drywall or injecting interest to soaring ceilings. In rustic settings, beams are particularly appropriate when they express the structure of the building, and give a feeling of heritage and security. Beyond farmhouse-style kitchens, exposed ceiling beams also pop up in more formal spaces and can be juxtaposed by sleek, modern light fixtures for added visual tension.

Click through to see why exposed beams never go out of style!

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If you don’t think a stately study by day can morph into a sexy lounge with a bar and bank of wine fridges by night, then you’re not thinking like designer Brian Gluckstein. His 11th Princess Margaret Home Lottery Showhome sets the stage for both impromptu get-togethers and formal bashes. “We’re back to living,” says Brian. “In 2021 and 2022, it was about working and studying from home; there were areas with desks that you could close off. This year’s showhome is the opposite of that: it’s about entertaining and everyone coming back together.”

Located in Oakville, Ont., the 7,765-square-foot, five-bedroom showhome has a Tudor Revival spirit, courtesy of the steeply pitched, multi-gable roof. “Because of the pie-shaped lot, we thought a Tudor Revival style would be ideal because they aren’t typically symmetrical,” says Brian. “We haven’t designed a Tudor showhome before, and it’s always fun to change things up.” Step inside another Brian Gluckstein home below!

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For over a decade, Canadian designer Brooke Butler has been creating beautiful homes with the same guiding mantra in mind. “My goal is to design spaces that marry form with function and have a deep connection with nature,” says Brooke. In a recent cross-country move from Ontario to Alberta, Brooke brought it home in the transformation of a circa-1986 bungalow. The ranch-style house sits on a private golf course and is only one hour from Canmore. “It’s a rare blend of natural beauty and tranquillity within a city like Calgary,” says Brooke. As for the design style, it was evident from the first time she saw it. “I was drawn to this house for its mid-century modern vibe,” says Brooke.

See how Brooke weaves mid-century modern elements throughout her home, including the preservation of wood-clad ceilings, a sunken living room, a wood-burning fireplace and a handful of mid-century light fixtures. “My design approach is rooted in mid-century principles while my aesthetic is defined by clean, contemporary lines coupled with textures, materials and hues inspired by nature.”

We chatted with Brooke on her coast-to-coast move and what went into re-imagining this mid-century modern house. Scroll down to see the full transformation!

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Designer Jaime Polan Zimmerman of JPZ Interiors fell in love with this semi-detached Victorian house the moment she saw it. “It looked nothing like it does now, but its core foundation was absolutely remarkable,” she says. “There were high ceilings, stained glass windows and so much potential.” See how Jaime modernized each room of the house, including a beautiful marble kitchen, spacious walk-in closet and a fabulous home office for her design studio. Watch the full tour here!

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Put on your boots and take in this French Canadian destination: visit hot hotels, fab restaurants, great boutiques and the winter wonderland that is Old Quebec. Scroll down for the best of Quebec City!

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Kansas City NFL star Travis Kelce bought a multimillion-dollar mansion in Kansas after his former house became a “mini tourist attraction.” The two-time Super Bowl champ (and current contender for the 2024 championship title) drew attention after he started dating Time’s 2023 Person of the Year, Taylor Swift. According to Mansion Global, Travis Kelce’s house was built in 1998 on three acres of land. The nearly 17,000-square-foot home boasts six bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and plenty of space for entertaining and spending time with Taylor.

The property has plenty of sports and recreational zones, including a large pool with a waterfall, tennis and pickleball courts, and a miniature golf course. Scroll down for a look inside Travis Kelce’s house!

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Red symbolizes power, love, vigor and beauty, but a little goes a long way. That’s the thinking behind “Unexpected Red Theory,” coined by Brooklyn-based interior designer Taylor Simons (@intayriors), who explains the theory in a video that’s garnered 103,000 likes. “It’s basically adding anything that’s red, big or small, to a room that doesn’t match at all and it automatically looks better,” Taylor says. “I’m petitioning for red to be a neutral color because it just looks good with everything.”

Rather than going all-in on every room of your house, consider a red lamp shade, throw or bedding, or repainting an existing furniture piece. Click through to see 10+ rooms that prove the Unexpected Red Theory really works!

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We love when designers get creative in the laundry room, turning a utilitarian space into a joyful room. These fresh and functional spaces feature smart storage, pops of pattern and durable materials. If you don’t have the budget for a full laundry room reno, adding small elements like plants, art or textiles can instantly elevate a space.

“I love doing laundry now,” says homeowner Caitlin Alford of her charming laundry room, that features botanical prints, checkerboard-style floors and un-lacquered brass accents. In another unforgettable laundry room, designer Emilia Wisnieski, who typically reserves her daring design moves for powder rooms, infused her client’s condo laundry room (seen here!) with colorful wallpaper and a sculptural pendant light. “Laundry is so boring, so why not make that space a little more fun and exciting?” she says.

Keep scrolling for some of the best laundry room ideas from the H&H archives!

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A creative and artistic force, Colette van den Thillart first made her mark on the Canadian design scene — and my consciousness — back in 2010, when we published the beautiful restoration of her family cottage on Mountain Lake in Minden, Ont. It’s still one of my favorite covers of all time. Over the next 13 years, we featured Colette’s exuberant, sophisticated, eclectic homes as often as we could. You’ll remember her from the memorable images in this fabulous home from our May 2022 cover, where she shared the spotlight in the front room she designed for her friend Victoria Webster in Toronto.

It’s been exciting to follow Colette’s career, watching her style evolve and soar on three continents for clients with homes of all kinds, as well as her own. Most of all, it’s been wonderful for me to get to know Colette and to be able to honor her in our December issue as our 2023 Designer of the Year, where we featured her clients Jane Halverson and Bruno Vendittelli’s Rosedale house. “They’d been living in the house for quite a while when they called us in to do an extension. We ended up doing a makeover on the living and dining rooms, principal bedroom and bathroom, as well,” says Colette. Take a peek inside this bold and colorful house below and watch the full tour here. Plus, don’t miss my interview with Colette where she shares design tips and more on her lush and layered look.

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