Ah, condo patios—that beautiful little slice of outdoors in the sky, the oasis built into your urban home. An oasis that can quickly become overrun with pots of neglected plants, mismatched garden furniture, and bikes waiting to be stored.

A versatile space that works as a living area, an outdoor entertainment zone and a home extension, a beautiful patio can increase the value of your home. It’s also one of the least expensive upgrades you can make. If your patio is older or suffering from some wear and tear, or if you’re adding a new patio, a few carefully planned upgrades can help elevate the look and feel of your whole home. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

“Home sales result in substantial spin-off benefits to the economy, so the positive results over the last two months are encouraging. However, no one will argue that housing supply remains an issue. The new provincial government and candidates for the upcoming municipal elections need to concentrate on policies focused on enhancing the supply of housing and reducing the upfront tax burden represented by land transfer taxes, province-wide and additionally in the City of Toronto,”

‘Tis the season for pool parties, barbecues, and beach bonfires—and the backyard is the ideal spot for summer gatherings of all types, from casual evenings with friends to glittering soirées. No matter what your ideal when it comes to entertaining your guests, you’ll be inspired by the array of opportunities afforded by these six gorgeous properties across Canada.

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 neighbors.

When it comes to perfect cottage getaways, Ontario holds the coveted crown. Awash in picturesque islands, pristine beaches, and historic small towns, the province is a premier recreational destination in Canada’s great outdoors. Whether you’re venturing to Muskoka Lakes or the 1000 Islands, Ontario’s cottage country offers good food, great festivals, and the chance to unplug from hectic city life. From lakefront views to suppers beneath the stars, from cozy, wood-panelled dens to roaring fireplaces, see why weekenders and celebrities alike love to escape to Canada’s central countryside.

With over 117 million lakes across the globe, lakeside living is much more than Adirondack chairs and sunsets. Water is in and of itself life giving, so it’s no wonder civilizations have been drawn to it for centuries. From jetting out across its surface to standing in awe of its natural beauty, however you define a water-filled day, these unique properties on remote lakes are ready to host your next adventure.

With bohemian flair, an exuberant nightlife, and a fascinating blend of Portuguese and Indian influence, India’s resplendent resort state of Goa has long served as a popular vacation destination amongst travelers in the know. These days, rustic yoga retreats are as commonplace as five-star hotels, and the call of the coast is transforming an ever-growing list of former tourists into expats seeking to cultivate a lifestyle of wellness and relaxation. With ample expanses of golden sandy beaches, the smallest state in the subcontinent offers no shortage of captivating coastal homes.

True minimal design is all about letting the design elements in a space speak for themselves. Whether you’re looking to completely renovate your home or simply update one room, these minimal interior design ideas will help you maximize the impact of your next project.

Sweeping views are impressive, but rooms with abundant windows can present design challenges. Will that dramatic chandelier obscure a sight line to the mountains? You love all of that natural light, but what about the glare it creates on your flat-screen TV? Success lies in choosing well-proportioned furniture and paying close attention to the intended use of a space. 

The New York-based designer, potter and author Jonathan Adler is one of the great contemporary polymaths. Inspired by mid-20th-century design heroes such as Gio Ponti, Alexander Girard and David Hicks, he recognizes no boundaries between different disciplines and works across ceramics, furniture, lighting and textiles, as well as creating interiors for private and commercial clients. Adler’s unique take on “happy chic” has seen his business grow in the past 25 years to encompass more than 20 stores worldwide (including London), while landmark projects include the interior design of the Parker Palm Springs hotel.

WPP Plc, the global advertising and marketing company, will be the anchor tenant at a new development on Toronto’s waterfront.

The London-based firm will lease about 260,000 square feet (about 24,000 square meters) at Menkes Development Ltd.’s Waterfront Innovation Centre on Queens Quay East.

Summer is in full swing, bringing with it long days, shimmering pools, cocktails, and lazy afternoons with the latest bestsellers. For the innovative homeowner, the pool patio can be so much more than a functional space for dripping on the concrete. From cozy furnishings to vivid foliage, here are some ideas to refresh your backyard and turn your major water feature into a fabulous oasis.

The V12-powered Italian thoroughbred certainly makes for a unique interior accent piece.

What’s the one thing more opulent than tearing around town in your $1.5 million, 750-horsepower Italian race car? Mounting the fire-breathing beast sideways as a room divider in your luxury residence. This is exactly what the owner of a rare Pagani Zonda R supercar—reportedly one of just 15 manufactured—did inside their $8 million oceanfront Miami condo.

Toronto’s tech scene is so hot the city created more jobs than the San Francisco Bay area, Seattle and Washington, D.C., combined last year, while leapfrogging New York in a ranking of “talent markets.”

Toronto was the fastest-growing tech-jobs market in 2017, according to CBRE Group Inc.’s latest annual survey, released Tuesday. The city saw 28,900 tech jobs created, 14 percent more than in 2016, for a total of more than 241,000 workers, up 52 percent over the past five years, CBRE said. Downtown, tech accounted for more than a third of demand for office space.

Looking for what's new and cool in the worlds of art, architecture and design?

Last year, as fashion types posted pictures on Instagram of their weekends throwing clay, Vogue called the craft “the new yoga."

Certainly there is a growing appetite for beautiful homewares and sculpture, made from organic materials and produced by a talented generation of new ceramists.

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.