Long days mean more time to take in everything going on. And Toronto has all the things – headline acts, major arts festivals and big league sports. Here are just some of the hot times that await.

Instagram is flooded with images of some seriously dreamy decor, and translating those trends into your home is a task worth tackling.

As the ancient iron gates majestically sweep open leading to the Botanica Whitsundays grounds, be prepared to fall in love. This majestic home was designed in the spirit of innovation. fusing classical and new age elements. The property presents an unparalleled combination: a glamorous private residence in the sub-tropics and an award-winning wedding and event venue.

While many are most familiar with the Aston Martin through it’s long and exciting relationship with Ian Fleming’s fictional MI6 agent, James Bond, it is of note that the prestigious car has a storied heritage in the racing world. RM Sotheby’s presents a piece of that history.

When a client tapped Homepolish designer Jae Joo to fix up his condo in the Lower East Side, he asked for a bathroom renovation and a light kitchen refresh—nothing more. 

But you know how those things go.

Until recently, Hong Kong equated formality with status and sophistication. In recent years, however, the city’s drinking and dining scene has flourished, led by innovative establishments that have regional authenticity and a sense of cultural identity at their core.

The bathroom may be one of the most overlooked rooms in the house, yet it is one of the most important. It’s where the day starts and ends. It’s where we go to relax, whether through soaking in a deep tub or indulging in a steam shower. It’s where we get ready to face the world, seated at a vanity or standing at the counter. Dial up the comfort and utility in your day with any of these bathroom renovations that best suit your style:

Opting for vertical living has long involved tradeoffs: services versus square footage, turnkey versus autonomy, convenience versus community. But with highly equipped, low-density condominium towers, buyers no longer have to compromise: Distinctive architecture, oversize residences and ultra-luxe services are turning high-rise structures into high-networth communities, with amenities fostering social interaction and a sense of place among affluent neighbours.

This looks to be the year for immersive travel. Or so says Eric Grayson, founder and CEO of Discover 7 Travel, a luxury-travel concierge service.

“People want to do more than go to Paris and stay at the Ritz,” he says. “Instead, individuals are looking for travel that touches more of their senses.”

Read on for five experiential travel spots worth journeying to this year.

Toronto has garnered quite the reputation among residents and visitors alike—and for good reason. Its landscape is comprised of a vibrant art sphere, burgeoning craft brewery scene, international film stage, and sought-after historical neighbourhoods. The most revered of these carry with them a few marked characteristics: innovative architecture, abundant amenities, and exceptional overall livability.

When Klaus Wowereit, a former mayor of Berlin, described his city as “poor, but sexy” in 2003, he was commenting on its growing appeal in the years following the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification.

In the design world, wallpaper is the great change artist. It has the power to transform the look and feel of a room in a blink—adding glamour, creating whimsy, lending refinement. Few decor modifications are as instantaneous or as drastic.

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.

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.

Western Europe is a brilliant kaleidoscope of intertwining yet distinct cultures, all imbued in history, culture, gastronomy, art, and architecture – always a pleasure to visit, even more satisfying to call home. Imagine waking up in Capri to the sound of crashing Mediterranean waves or taking in the incredible Catalonian designs of Gaudí over lunch, or poring over paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt in Holland. With spectacular settings and contemporary designs that seamlessly integrate a touch of antiquity, there is a vibrant, timeless allure to European villas.

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.

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. 

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.

For First-Time Home Buyers! | We tend to track forward momentum in life by a few key milestones—first job, first car, first home—but in reality, there are no one-size-fits all markers of success. Existence can be far more exciting when we opt to follow our own timelines. That said, purchasing real estate, whether for you, your family, or as an additional source of income, can be a point of pride and something to celebrate. If you’re keen, you may be deliberating over one specific question: when is the right time to buy your first property? Here are a few indicators that you’re ready to take the leap.