For an afternoon, I blocked out the world, listening only to the sounds of autumn leaves rustling in a gentle breeze, a gurgling waterfall and soothing meditative music.

I was in an outdoor room amid the trees and above the pools at Nordik Spa-Nature, the ever-expanding Scandinavian-style thermal jewel tucked in the woods in Chelsea, Que., in the glorious Gatineau Hills.

Nordik Spa-Nature is just a short 20-minute drive north of Parliament Hill.

I adore autumn, but was in need of a pick-me-up after a summer filled with endless sunshine and socializing and decided to check in to the spa for two treatments. The first was a relaxing Swedish massage ($105) with Joëlle, a therapist with deft hands who instinctively knew where to find all the kinks. She opened the drapes to let the afternoon sun pour into the pine-clad room and I felt the stress slowly start to peel away.

The next experience — the Källa treatment — was a visit to an underground magnesium saltwater floating pool ($40 extra) that made me feel like I was in a scene from Game of Thrones.

The Källa treatment consists of floating in an underground saltwater pool dug five metres into the rock. The only other pool like this in the world is in Switzerland.

After a quick rinse, I entered the large shallow pool slowly so as not to disturb the dozen or so people scattered throughout the space floating in waters that mimic the Dead Sea. (The water is salty enough to sting your eyes and any open cuts you may have.) It took a few minutes to get my bearings in the darkened room and grow accustomed to the 37.5 C water temperature and humid air.

Reading about the benefits of the Källa treatment (promotes restful sleep, reduces stress, relieves physical tensions), I wondered if I had the stamina to float aimlessly for the recommended time of one hour. I closed my eyes, mostly cleared my mind and listened to the piped-in music under the water for about 45 minutes. Later that night, I enjoyed my first decent sleep in ages.

Since it opened in July 2005, the 100,000-square-foot spa has undergone several major expansions costing millions of dollars. Nine massage rooms have morphed into 28, there are eight saunas, numerous pools in varying temperatures, waterfalls, four eating areas and two steam baths infused with orange and eucalyptus essential oil aromas. Dozens of indoor and outdoor sitting areas dot the landscape and there are numerous fireplaces to curl up beside with a book on cooler days.

Pamper yourself with a relaxing massage in one of several new outdoor rooms set in the woods overlooking the gurgling pools below and the Gatineau Park skyline.

A new outdoor lounge and grill area called Bïergarden, which serves Beau’s beer and fresh tacos, opened this summer overlooking the infinity pool and Zen garden.

Another building poised to open in October offers a Banyä ritual in a Russian sauna and includes a yoga, relaxation and meditation space, an exfoliation room and a hot tub. Next spring, Nordik will open a mud bath under the Bïergarden.

The biggest news to date, however, is the plan to open a 60-room hotel with work commencing in 2018. “Nordic Spa-Nature is a wonderful retreat on so many levels. Now that we’re connected to the municipal water system, we can open a hotel,” says Marianne Trotier of Nordik. “We get 200,000 visitors a year and have a site capacity of 625 people. Our thermal experience is beyond anything else out there.”

Tips for tackling Nordik Spa-Nature

Nordik Spa-Nature is an ideal destination for a mini fall getaway. Take a friend, partner or go by yourself to recharge your batteries.

Where: It’s a 20-minute drive north of Parliament Hill (15.7 km). The village of Old Chelsea is accessed off Highway 5 North via exit 12. Give yourself loads of time to park and pay. The spa is a hotspot and lineups are to be expected.

What about that spa? It’s based on a Finnish tradition and three-stage cycle of alternating hot, cold and rest. Start in a sauna or steam bath, walk under a freezing waterfall or wade through a cold pool and then sit by fire or on a lounger.

What to bring: Swimsuit, flip-flops and a water bottle. Rent or take your own robe. You’ll find a towel in your locker.

Tip: Make a day of it. It opens at 9 a.m. and goes till 11 p.m., midnight on weekends.

Packages: Numerous options for couples, girlfriend getaways, Foodie Wednesdays (four-course meal with wine pairings along with entry to the pools, $108.75 per person) and chocolate fondue and bath packages.

Anything else? If you plan to eat a meal, you can pre-authorize an amount from your credit card onto an electronic wristband when you check in.

Spa: 16 Nordik Rd., Chelsea, Que., lenordik.com

With crisp autumn temperatures comes an opportunity to set aside your summer fabrics and revitalize your decor for the cooler months ahead. Incorporating inviting elements like rich, warm fabrics and layered textures creates depth and can add a touch of refinement to your nest.

The theme this autumn is about being bold with your decor choices and to interpret this season’s top trends in a way that reflects your unique style. Here are five ways to capture the soulfulness of fall.

Inspiring editorial photography

Create a focal point in your home with intriguing large-scale photo art. Spanish photographer Antonio Mora’s image Mas Lejos would add a touch of intrigue to any room.

Statement photography — large-scale editorial and fashion-themed photographs —is a fresh new option for bringing a touch of glamour and whimsy to a space. It also can make a bold impact in an open-concept house or apartment. Incorporate large images (more than 76-by-76 centimetres) for maximum impact. Modern portraits of people will add an avant-garde twist to even the most traditional home. It’s best to use neutral frames to keep the focus on your show-stopping images.

Create a focal point in your home with intriguing large-scale photo art.

Into the green

Saturated pops of colour that capture the richness of the season is a top trend this season. Forest green is the hue of the moment — everything from emerald to hunter and spruce. Nature’s trademark colour brings balance, serenity and warmth into a space.

Saturated pops of colour is a top autumn trend. The forest green sofa with brass legs is from cb2.com.

Green is not only reserved for country cabins; it can look modern when paired with leathers, tans and gilded finishes, which add a touch of glamour and regality. If you want to start off modestly, add a pop of green with accessories, like bookends or decorative boxes. Alternatively, a rich brooding green couch or settee — which may seem daring — acts as a neutral element when layered into a space. Reupholstering a vintage chair with green suede or velvet is another way to bring this trend into your home.

Formal dining

Mixing modern and vintage decor adds interest to a room.

While formal dining rooms often don’t get a lot of use in summer, fall brings a renewed interest in cooking, wine tasting and entertaining at home. To add a touch of drama and heighten the interest in your home, think outside the box. Mix family heirlooms with modern furniture in an eclectic way. For example, pair a vintage clawfoot table with modern Eames plastic dining chairs or contemporary lighting with retro dishes.

Moody florals

Ashley Woodson Bailey wallpaper in Dutch Love captures this fall’s romance with warm florals.

The lovely floral trend that dominated summer fashion and decor in 2016 continues into autumn. The colour palette becomes deeper, darker and richer and will add a romantic feel to your home if done right. A sumptuous floral pattern on cushions and rugs, on wallpaper or in a painting or poster can work beautifully as an accent. Adding a taste of this trend can be as simple as visiting your local flower shop and purchasing an autumn bouquet. Arrange in an antique vase and you’ve got a lovely centrepiece.

A distressed velvet pillow and Mongolian lamb pillow in light sage, available at West Elm, speaks to this season’s neutral colour palette.

Layered to perfection

Adding different textures and thicker fabrics to a room is an easy way to increase the cosy factor while transitioning your decor into fall. Boucle, suede, distressed velvet and Mongolian lambswool are major trendsetters this season. Toss textured cushions and throws onto your bed and couch, or consider layering a faux cowhide or sheepskin rug in your living room. Try textured or patterned wallpaper in a room for a touch of drama. Mixing materials creates more dimension and depth in a space and can provide a soothing cocooning effect. A neutral palette of beiges, greys, blacks and whites works nicely when incorporating this trend.

Alessandra Salituri is an art dealer and decor expert who runs an online art gallery called Citizen Atelier.

It was curtains up Thursday on PAL Ottawa as its grassroots effort to create affordable housing for the arts community drew supporters to a soirée benefit at Cube Gallery in Wellington West.

Surrounded by an array of artwork and live music, guests mingled over drinks and canapés from caterer Epicuria while also bidding on silent auction items. Faces included such veterans of Ottawa theatre as John Koensgen and Janet Irwin, as well as visual artists Adrian Göllner and Jerry Grey.

There was celebration within celebration as Blues singer Maria Hawkins delivered a surprise birthday serenade to popular arts patron Barbara McInnes .

Well-known community leader Barbara McInnes, right, gets a birthday serenade from Ottawa singer Maria Hawkins at PAL Ottawaís benefit soirée, held at Cube Gallery on Wellington Street West on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

Cube Gallery co-owner Don Monet with Ottawa theatre director and playwright Janet Irwin at PAL Ottawaís benefit soirée, held at Cube Gallery on Wellington Street West on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

Eric Coates, artistic director of the Great Canadian Theatre Company, served as lively emcee while actor Peter Haworth, board chair of PAL (Performing Arts Lodge) Ottawa, was among the speakers to address the need for affordable housing for artists living on reduced and fixed incomes. Such a facility will not only help aging and ailing artists maintain a decent standard of living but allow them to continue working, he said.

From left, Eric Coates with visual artist Jerry Grey and Ottawa actor Peter Haworth at PAL Ottawaís benefit soirée, held at Cube Gallery on Wellington Street West on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

Haworth shared the cautionary tale of the late James Boyd. His famous Les Yeux mural of human eyes can be seen on the outside of the University of Ottawa’s McDonald Hall. Yet, the well-known artist spent his later years living in isolation with no running water, heat or car.

“When I see those eyes now staring at us I’m reminded that we have a powerful mission to make sure the James Boyds of this world can keep on working all the way up to their final days,” said Haworth.

PAL Ottawa currently runs a Supporting Cast volunteer outreach program to help ill or disabled artists. The non-profit organization’s next step – and it’s a big one – is to establish an affordable housing facility, as has been done with PAL chapters in cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Stratford.

Toronto resident and award-winning senior arts administrator Vivenne Muhling was invited up by Ottawa impresario and arts patron Harvey Glatt to talk about the unique and lively community that she’s been part of. “I think the best thing that ever happened to me in my whole life was going to live at PAL Toronto,” she told the room. “It is a godsend to everybody who is there.”

Ottawa impresario and arts patron Harvey Glatt with his guest Vivienne Muhling, an award-winning arts administrator up from Toronto to support PAL Ottawa and its benefit soirée, held at Cube Gallery on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It was a night to just sit back and soak it all in, from award-winning singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk‘s phenomenal performance, to Sophie Grégoire Trudeau lifting the spirits of an entire room with her passionate words, to an exciting bidding war to become a character in a Margaret Atwood book.

Then, there was the Canadian Tire-donated canoe, portaged into the ballroom of the Fairmont Château Laurier by strapping young lads in tuxedos. It sold off for $4,600, along with cherry paddles autographed by Grégoire and her other half, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

As parting gifts for everyone, there were brand new Woods sleeping bags.

The inaugural Nature Canada Ball on Friday attracted a sold-out crowd to raise funds for the country’s oldest national nature conservation charity and its Naturehood program aimed at connecting children to nearby nature.

The elegant event was chaired by Greenbridge Group president Sheefra Brisbin, who’s also board vice chair at Nature Canada.

Canadian broadcast journalist Marci Ien served as MC while Ottawa animal lover and photographer Sandy Sharkey helped out as celebrity auctioneer. Up for grabs were: a $38,000 Arctic cruise for two donated by Adventure Canada, a trip to Iqaluit courtesy of First Air, a work by wildlife artist Robert Bateman, and an embassy dinner for 10 with Irish Ambassador Jim Kelly and his wife.

Most intriguing was the donation by Atwood, the keynote speaker, to include the name of the highest bidder in volume three of her Angel Catbird graphic novel trilogy. It went for $11,000 to a woman who plans to surprise her father (the gift will be a creative far cry from a necktie, that’s for sure).

Grégoire, a self-professed “nature lover” was there as the ball patron. She’s also the 100th member of Nature Canada’s philanthropic initiative Women for Nature (just ahead of Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, who didn’t mind settling for the 101st spot).

Grégoire, who lived in the Laurentians during her early years, spoke of the outdoors as being such a vital part of her childhood. “My father used to tell me, ‘Just listen to the sounds of rocks,’ ” joked Grégoire, who’s since used that same line with her own three children.

She shared a poem that she wrote, describing some of her exhilarating experiences in nature, from surfing in Tofino, to exploring Gros Morne, to seal watching near the Magdalen Islands. There was even a reference to her inadvertent drowning of Ski-Doos, which would have made for good dinner conversation back at her table.

Chief Government Whip Andrew Leslie, Liberal MP for Orléans, and Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, Liberal MPP for Ottawa Centre, were also among the attendees.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It’s only fitting that Jeff Hunt’s personal “suite” at TD Place is also his home. It’s a perk that, as far as he knows, no one else in sports can boast about.

“I don’t know who else would be more appropriate to live here. It’s like this place was built for me,” beams the affable co-owner of the Redblacks, who can walk to work in about 30 seconds.

There’s nothing like watching a CFL football game live in the stadium. But if Hunt, 52, misses seeing a play on the field, all he has to do is turn around, look through his dining room window, and catch the replay on a giant TV screen mounted on his living room wall.

The key feature of Hunt’s Minto condo at Lansdowne Park is the terrace where friends can relax in the hot tub, lounge by the outdoor fire or sip drinks at a handful of bar tables while watching Redblacks or Ottawa Fury games.

Granted, he’s not the only one with a home overlooking the field — the main selling feature of the 20-storey condo tower The Rideau by Minto at Lansdowne Park was its stadium views — but he is the only one with a 1,000-square-foot terrace that also looks out over the Rideau Canal. Perched atop the two-storey podium, it’s close enough to the field to feel like you’re in the stands.

“It’s a unique experience,” he says. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

As a partner in the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, which brought CFL football back to town amid the revitalization of Lansdowne Park, and because he planned to live here, Hunt got first pick of units, disappointing a Minto executive who was eyeing the same space. (Hunt is also president of the Ottawa 67’s Major Junior hockey team, which is now part of OSEG, along with the Ottawa Fury of the North American Soccer League, although the Fury has a different president.)

With upgrades, Hunt, who is originally from Newfoundland, figures he spent more than $700,000.

The dining area, above, and contemporary living room, below, were finished in a masculine colour palette with the help of Catherine Pulcine of Decorating Den Interiors – The CPI Team.

The fact that the indoor space is barely larger than the outdoor didn’t faze the divorced father of two grown children.

“I lived in a 6,000-square-foot house for a long time and I’ve learned that when you have a 6,000-square-foot house, you have 6,000-square-feet worth of shit. I don’t miss the space at all.”

The two-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot condo might be a tight fit when his fiancée and her two young boys eventually move in, but Hunt says he’s learned to be a minimalist and they’re going to give it a try.

“I’m at a point where nothing comes in this door that we don’t have a spot already prepared for it.”

The kitchen features an island with bar stools and sleek stainless-steel appliances.

It was furnished with the help of Catherine Pulcine of Decorating Den Interiors – The CPI Team, and she says the goal was to maintain an uncluttered feel while making it entertainment-friendly and comfortable. The monochromatic colour palette has a masculine edge — not surprising for this sports pad — and creates a feeling of space without detracting from the views.

“It’s a very cohesive look and everything flows really nicely.”

But, by far, the key feature is the terrace, which earlier this summer held several dozen people for a fundraiser during a Redblacks game. Stretching from one end of the terrace to the other, some 50 people can line up to watch a game or, if they prefer, relax in the hot tub, lounge by the outdoor fireplace or sip drinks at a handful of bar tables while watching on an outdoor TV screen.

“I bought the unit because of this balcony,” Hunt says. “To have a view of the canal and a view of an outdoor stadium, if you’re a sports fan, is pretty special.”

Mike Clemann grins like a Cheshire cat as he surveys the dining areas inside The British. The place is jammed with customers enjoying platters of fish and chips, juicy burgers and pizzas.

They’re quaffing pints of beer and sipping glasses of wine.

“I see a few of my early doubters enjoying a bite to eat right now,” says Clemann, beaming.

Steeped in history, the charming limestone building in Aylmer, Que., was built as a luxury inn for weary travellers in 1834. It once catered to politicians, musicians and businessmen, including Darcy McGee, Sir John A. Macdonald and Charles Tupper.

A thick stone archway frames the entranceway to the British Public House, a family-friendly restaurant and live-music space with seating for 145. Built for a lumber baron in 1834 as a luxury inn, The British once hosted swinging big bands and later country music singers.

Mike Clemann is keen to restore The British to its glory days as a musical venue with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and themed parties like Cuban nights. During the 1930s and 1940s, it was a popular supper club venue with swinging big bands.

It was also a supper club featuring top swing bands and later a venue for country bands. In the late 1980s, it became known for bar fights and drugs and began a long slide into disrepair.

“It was a real dive when we bought it,” says Clemann, who has poured millions into the property since buying it in 2011. “The place smelt like a sewer. The British was pretty notorious for its brawls and drugs.”

Mike Clemann, who has been known to sing and play guitar during open-mic nights, stands in The British Pub, an attractive whisky bar and casual dining restaurant. After purchasing the property in 2011, Clemann spent five years renovating the stunning heritage building located on Principale Street.

Today, there’s the British Public House, a 145-seat family-friendly restaurant with live-music space, the British Pub, a cosy adults-only whisky bar and dining area with seating for 47, a boutique hotel and a massive outside patio and courtyard. The British Café, located next door in a former bank, is a coffee and lunch hotspot.

Glass cases display memorabilia, including old beer bottles and caps, sepia-toned photographs and newspaper clippings.

Clemann has held numerous events in the pedestrian-only courtyard, including artisan markets and concerts. The start/finish-line for a Canada National Bike Championships race in June, which saw 10,000 people attend, was also in the courtyard.

The 49-year-old owner is being credited with helping breathe new life into Aylmer’s historic Principale Street, which has been spruced up with wider sidewalks, pretty lampposts and hanging flower baskets.

When five years ago Clemann and several private investors purchased the property, they were met with jeers. He rhymes off all the opposition and roadblocks they faced.

“When we closed the doors, about 300 people came out to protest,” said Clemann. “Everyone was freaking out. They were worried that this was an end of an era and about the legacy of the place.”

Fresh fish and chips, burgers and pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven are some of the menu items at The British.

Clemann took a year to strip away decades of drywall and plaster and grimy carpets to reveal original wooden beams and beautiful stonework throughout the 23,000-square-foot building. The work was a labour of love.

“We never compromised on quality during the restoration. Our only objective was to bring The British back to its original beauty.”

During the renovation, he sought advice from five engineering firms and three architectural companies, which added value to the work.

Clemann had to adhere to strict construction and heritage guidelines and had numerous (sometimes contentious) meetings with members of Aylmer’s business improvement area and local heritage group.

Covering a city block, The British Pub and Hotel also features an outdoor patio, massive courtyard and Café British, a coffee and luncheon hotspot in what was once a bank and a hardware store.

Melissa Huard-Latrémouille serves a glass of whisky to a customer in the cosy British Pub, which boasts 67 whisky brands, 19 Molson beers on tap and Beau’s and Creemore craft beers.

But any skepticism has long since dissipated.

During a recent lunch, the riding’s Liberal MP Greg Fergus was full of praise.

“He’s done an incredible job here and has to be credited for building for the 22nd century. Mike is putting Aylmer on the map.”

With seating for 577 people, eating areas are decorated in rich espresso-coloured wood, chic pendant lighting and comfortable seating. Memorabilia from the hotel’s heydays are on display, including large black-and-white photographs of politicians, singers and bandleaders.

Sunlight pours into the stone-clad British Pub with views of the main street and patio. Decorated in rich espresso-coloured wood, retro pendant lighting and cushioned seating, Ottawa interior designer Andrea De Caria spent four years working on site overhauling everything from the electrical system to working alongside the carpenter to design the millwork. The boutique hotel at The British features 10 sophisticated guest rooms and suites with glass walk-in showers, marble countertops, luxe bedding, Nespresso coffee machines and large windows.

The boutique hotel at The British features 10 sophisticated guest rooms and suites with glass walk-in showers, marble countertops, luxe bedding, Nespresso coffee machines and large windows.

Designer Andrea De Caria gave the rooms a fresh contemporary feel with bright artwork, leather or fabric-covered furniture and a neutral palette on walls. Some rooms have electric fireplaces, Juliet decorative balconies and original stone accents.

One of the most impressive features of The British, which was built in 1834 as a luxury inn for merchant and timber baron Robert Conroy, is the front archway where horses once entered.

In 1860, the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, stood on a Juliet balcony to its left and proclaimed the Conroy Inn would be renamed The British. The prince, the first royal heir to travel to North America, came to lay the first stone of the future Parliament Buildings in Ottawa and attended a ball at the inn in his honour.

Above the entranceway stands the original 1958 neon sign, which Clemann had restored at considerable expense.

The hotel, which opened in April, boasts several banquet rooms and 10 suites on the second and third floors each named for a different patron, including former prime ministers, and Yvette Ayotte, who lived on the premises for 41 years.

Clemann, a graduate of Lisgar Collegiate Institute and Bishop’s University, spent a dozen years living and working in Zurich. He returned to Canada in 2001 with his Swiss-born wife, Christina, and started a real-estate business called Belmont Properties. The couple has three children.

While Clemann admits the past couple of years have taken a toll on him, he’s not finished: he has plans for a 50-room hotel, 110-unit condo building, a shopping gallery and two-storey underground parking.

“There’s vast potential for this site. Right now we’re booking weddings, business meetings, parties and holding events like whisky demonstrations. We’re just so happy to see this place thriving.”

Hull-Aylmer MP Greg Fergus has nothing but praise for the restoration project of The British by Mike Clemann and private investors. “He’s done an incredible job here and has to be credited for building for the 22nd century. Mike is putting Aylmer on the map.”

If you go

The British: 819-682-3000, thebritish.ca; 71 Principale St., Gatineau/Aylmer sector.

British Public House & Pub: from 11:30 a.m. daily; kids’ menu, gluten-free and vegetarian choices available. Live music Fridays, Saturdays.

British Café: 819-557-4757; from 7 a.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. Sat.-Sun. Open-mic Thursdays.

It’s the hottest part of the afternoon on one of the hottest days of the summer, well over 40 C with the humidity.

Vicki Heyman has a miserable head cold that she picked up during two weeks of appointment-packed travel in the North with her husband, U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman.

She must be wilting, but she excitedly pulls a heavy, hot jumpsuit over her clothes, complete with gauntlet-like leather gloves and full headgear.

Since Vicki Heyman, the wife of U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman, moved into Lornado, the official residence, she has entertained diplomats, politicians, artists, schoolchildren and thousands of others. She also recently made it home to 100,000 honeybees.

“We call them the Ghostbuster suits,” she says, referring to the three new beekeeper suits she has had custom-made for the embassy residence.

While the stately Rockcliffe home has long been a hive of political activity, it has never before had this much buzz: Heyman recently made it home to nearly 100,000 honeybees.

Ted Norris, a Kemptville beekeeper who has helped Vicki Heyman establish the tidy white apiary, says “bees are under pressure from global warming and pesticides. Having people of the stature of the ambassador and Mrs. Heyman promoting bee health is huge. There’s a ripple effect.”

When the Heymans leave Lornado, they will leave behind two projects that make the century-old estate not only a greener place, but one that Vicki hopes will spark conversations about wildlife, pollinating plants and the importance of bees. 

Each frame from the hives at Lornado was buzzing with bees and dripping with golden honey. They expect to extract about 100 pounds of honey, enough for 200 jars.

“I’m just thrilled about them,” she says, smiling happily as she turns up the heat even more, gently waving a smoke-emitting pot near the two white hives, a measure that helps persuade the bees to return to their hives. “I love learning more about the bees, and getting the conversation going about the pollination project.”

Heyman, bright-eyed and with a quiet, enthusiastic way of speaking, has brought diplomats, leading artists and thousands of guests to Lornado, the 32-room American ambassador’s residence in Rockcliffe Park, which she has dubbed “a welcoming door to the United States.”

Inspired by the White House vegetable garden established by Michelle Obama, already Le Jardin de Lornado has not only provided the Heymans and their guests with fresh produce, it has been a place to welcome visitors, especially children.

She won’t quite close that door when she leaves, however: she will leave behind two projects that make the century-old estate not only a greener place, but one that she hopes will spark conversations about wildlife, pollinating plants and the importance of bees.

The expanded garden overflows with 60 kinds of vegetables and herbs in neatly raised beds, including tomatoes, beans, strawberries and nasturtiums.

Over the winter, with the help of embassy staff, she planned a complete overhaul of the residence’s kitchen garden and worked on bringing in bees. On that blazing hot day in August, she was realizing the fruits of her labour.

“I haven’t been here in two weeks — I’ve been in the Arctic,” she said, as she beheld the lush garden, overflowing with 60 kinds of vegetables and herbs in neat rectangular raised beds. “Are you kidding me?  It’s just nutty beautiful.”

Nearby, the bees were doing their work even better than anticipated.

“I said not to expect too much honey the first year,” said Ted Norris, a Kemptville beekeeper who has helped Heyman establish the tidy white apiary. But as they lifted frames from the hive, each one buzzing with bees and dripping with honey, Norris revised his estimate.

“I’m guessing it will be 100 pounds of honey.”

Inspired by the White House vegetable garden established by Michelle Obama, already Le Jardin de Lornado has not only provided the Heymans and their guests with fresh produce, it has been a place to welcome visitors, especially children.

“We’ve hosted school kids, including some with special needs, to help with the planting, and we let them pull up things, like radishes,” says Heyman. “It’s been a great teaching space. It’s so different when you pick something off the vine and eat it. You think: what were you eating before.”

Ted Norris, a Kemptville beekeeper who has helped Vicki Heyman establish the tidy white apiary, says “bees are under pressure from global warming and pesticides. Having people of the stature of the ambassador and Mrs. Heyman promoting bee health is huge. There’s a ripple effect.”

“I’m just thrilled about them,” Vicki Heyman says, smiling happily as she turns up the heat even more, gently waving a smoke-emitting pot near the two white hives, a measure that helps persuade them to return to their hives. “I love learning more about the bees, and getting the conversation going about the pollination project.”

The garden, the beehives and efforts to observe and record plants and animals on the property — from birds and butterflies to groundhogs, foxes and even a deer they’ve dubbed Emily — resulted, in June, in Lornado becoming the first official U.S. residence to be officially recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the U.S. National Wildlife Foundation.

“It’s pretty cool,” says Heyman. “For me, the whole garden space has been just a dream come true. Not just for the physical beauty, but also to be able to share it and have concrete, tangible ways of saying ‘this is what is important to us, the preservation of nature.’
“It’s a way to share and tell our stories. If you visit the bees, you’ll never forget putting on your bee suit.”

Inspired by the White House vegetable garden established by Michelle Obama, already Le Jardin de Lornado has not only provided the Heymans and their guests with fresh produce, it has been a place to welcome visitors, especially children.

For his part, Norris, the Kemptville beekeeper, feels fortunate that he happened to be seated next to Heyman at an official dinner in Toronto last fall.

“It was a forum on urban aboriginals,” says Norris, who is part Cree. “I brought three jars of honey to the dinner. One was for our host, the lieutenant-governor of Ontario. Another was for the special guest, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex. And I didn’t know who the third jar was for.”

Over the course of the dinner, Heyman chatted with Norris in her usual forthright and friendly manner. By the end of the evening, she was the happy recipient of his third jar of honey and he had made a promise to help her set up the first-ever hives at the official residence.

“The bees are under pressure from global warming and pesticides,” says Norris. “Having people of the stature of the ambassador and Mrs. Heyman promoting bee health is huge. There’s a ripple effect.”

That ripple will spread over the next year as Norris and Heyman extract the honey and put it in 200 jars with the new Lornado logo, and as the Heymans share the golden honey — and the bees’ story — with guests to the U.S. Embassy.

But Heyman hopes the ripples won’t stop there.

“We’ve made this wonderful investment. Both the garden and the apiary are legacy projects. I hope the next person here doubles the size of the kitchen garden. I hope we’ll be seeing the results of the pollinators, the bees, and what everybody can do, for years to come.”

Lornado sous-chef Andrew Sasaki holds two dishes made from ingredients from the garden at the U.S. ambassador’s residence, the Heymans’ Honey Cake and Lornado Honey Shoyu Glazed Duck Breast.

The Heymans’ Honey Cake

Makes: One 8-by-8-inch (20-by-20-cm) cake, about 36 pieces
Preparation time: About an hour

For the cake:

• ¾ cup (180 mL) butter
• ¾ cup (180 mL) sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose sifted flour
• 1 ½ tsp (7.5 mL) baking powder
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) cinnamon
• ¼ cup (60 mL) milk
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) grated orange rind
• 1 cup (250 mL) pecans or walnuts, chopped

For the syrup:

• ½ cup (125 mL) sugar
• 1 cup (250 mL) honey
• ¾ cup (180 mL) water
• 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C). Grease and flour an 8-by-8-inch (20-by-20-cm) cake pan.
2. Cream the butter with the sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time. Sift the dry ingredients together and add to the batter.
3. Add the milk and the orange rind. Beat well, then stir in the nuts.
4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, until middle bounces back when touched.
5. Meanwhile, prepare syrup: Mix sugar, honey, water and lemon juice in a medium saucepan and simmer 5 minutes. Skim and cool.
6. Remove cake from oven and cut into diamond-shaped pieces while cake is still hot. Pour the cooled syrup over. Refrigerate and let the syrup soak in.

Lornado Honey Shoyu Glazed Duck Breast

Makes: 4 servings
Preparation time: about 40 minutes (but overnight marinating)

For the marinade:

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) apple cider
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp (10 mL) fresh ginger root, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) mirin (sweet rice wine)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dried coriander
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) fresh-ground black pepper
• ½ tsp (2.5 mL) sesame oil
• 1 green onion, minced
• 1 star anise pod

Two 1 lb. (454 g) duck breasts

For the soy glaze:

• 1 tsp (5 mL) unsalted butter
• 4 medium shallots, finely diced
• ¼ cup (60 mL) honey
• ¼ cup (60 mL) apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 mL) dark soy sauce

1. To make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, cider, minced garlic and ginger root, mirin, coriander, pepper and sesame oil. Stir in the minced green onion and star anise. Place the duck breasts in a shallow non-metal pan or zip-top plastic bag and pour marinade over. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavours to be well absorbed.
2. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
3. Remove duck breasts from marinade and pat dry. With a sharp knife, score the duck skin in a diamond-shaped pattern. Season with salt and pepper. Place duck breasts in an oven-safe sauté pan on stove over medium-low heat. Cook slowly until the fat has rendered and the skin becomes golden.
4. Place pan in the preheated oven and cook for about nine minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 135 F (57 C). Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
5. Meanwhile, make glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and lightly sweat the shallots. Once the shallots are translucent, add the honey, vinegar and soy sauce and simmer until the sauce reaches 240 F (116 C) or desired consistency. Strain the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the glaze over the sliced duck breast and serve.

Michael Blackie’s hands are fast. The whirling dervishes of the kitchen, they stir, measure and dart back and forth, precise in their movements.

One moment, they are quickly browning cauliflower for a polonaise. Another, they’re flipping fresh green beans and maple glazed
carrots roiling in bubbling butter. Potatoes lavished in the loving embrace of duck fat are mashed and whipped into lofty peaks.

They move, seemingly independently of the man himself.

Michael Blackie and his Stittsville restaurant staff at NeXT cook about 220 takeout meals for customers on Thanksgiving. After the work is done, he likes nothing more than joining his family for a sit-down meal.

While they feverishly chop and stir, Blackie smiles in the kitchen of his Kanata home and idly reminisces about the first time he made cauliflower polonaise (a curious combination of vegetables, hardboiled eggs and breadcrumbs only a French chef could have envisioned), the reception his mother’s gravy recipe had at European chef school (“your sauce is disgusting”) and the creative kitchen parties he has with his staff after work.

The hands stop — briefly — as he grins, reminded of the many young chefs he’s traumatized by getting them to take part in his Turkey Takeaway every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Aimed at foodies and those terrified of anything more complex than boiling water, the Turkey Takeaway at NeXT offers a chef-cooked dinner for 10, with all the trimmings, sides and dessert for $205.

Annabelle, 17, and her brother Liam, 18, join their parents for a Thanksgiving-inspired feast.

By the time he and the crew at his Stittsville restaurant finish up at 5:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving, they will have baked 220 free-range birds from Slipacoff’s Premium Meats, 220 apple pies, 317 kilograms of mashed horseradish potatoes with olive oil, 240 kilograms each of cooked heirloom carrots, peas and green beans and 270 litres of gravy.

And that doesn’t even cover his famous star anise and orange cranberry compote, his father-in-law Chick’s caramelized onion and brown butter stuffing, or the extras that can come with the meal, like sweet potato and cheddar biscuits ($18 for 10 people), candied yams ($26) or a honey-smoked Virginia ham in a pecan crust ($65).

“Yeah, there are a few chefs out there who have worked with me who never want to see another turkey in their lives,” he chuckles. “By the time they leave the kitchen, they’re saturated in turkey fat. Some of them never get over it.”

But not Blackie. He bends over and pulls out a perfectly cooked bird, generously coated with an exotic assortment of spices that speak to his time as executive chef at the Oberoi Bali and executive sous chef at Hong Kong’s Mandarin Oriental.

“Honestly, we clear out the spice rack. I don’t use onion or garlic powder — I don’t believe in that — but we use paprika, salt, cumin, star anise, nutmeg, sriracha powder and togarashi (Japanese chili powder).”

The family’s Boston Terrier, Lulu, also gets into the holiday spirit.

While the turkey settles, he deals with the real headliner, his Pommery mustard and herb gravy. According to him, the gravy itself attracts the most extra orders, at $15 a litre. (“A good 30 per cent of people order extras,” says his wife, Jillian, who handles the business end of things. He shrugs. “There are a lot of gravy lovers out there.”)

As he works, or rather his hands do, he recounts how the Turkey Takeaway came to be in the most unlikely of places.

“I was inspired when I was in Hong Kong. The problem with ex-pats living in Asia is kitchen space in apartments. You get two burners and a convection oven. People were paying $1,000 for a turkey dinner that we delivered in hampers by car.”

Upon returning to Ottawa in 2003 as executive chef at the Brookstreet Hotel, he was staggered by the prices Canadians were willing to pay for the same all-in-one meal.

“The pricing was insane, like $400 for a bird and no dessert. So the first year we did it, we were jacking them out at $169 for a seven-kilogram to eight-kilogram bird. We sold 60 that year and have been building it up ever since.”

Devoted fans followed him when he introduced the service as executive chef at the National Arts Centre and then followed him to NeXT.

Michael Blackie’s cranberry recipe dates back to his childhood in Oakville. The real headliner is his Pommery mustard and herb gravy, right, a crowd pleaser with his family and customers alike.

Starting at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Blackie and his cooks start roasting eight birds at a time in the restaurant’s six convection ovens. In the basement, more staff fill takeaway containers lined up on six-metre-long tables.

As always, one extra bird and sides are cooked for the chef and his family, which they eat the next day. If anyone doesn’t show up for their order — “there’s always drama and shenanigans,” he says — it’s raffled off to the hardworking staff, who share equally in tips.

As the Pommery mustard and herb gravy simmers, the maple-glazed heirloom carrots, fresh peas and beans and cauliflower polonaise are cooked to perfection.

Cauliflower polonaise (a curious combination of vegetables, hardboiled eggs and breadcrumbs) is one of Blackie’s signature dishes at Thanksgiving. Crisp heirloom carrots (right) nestled next to fresh peas and green beans grace the Blackie’s table.

“People are generous, dropping off bottles of wine and saying, ‘Thank you, Chef,’ ” he says. “We’re pretty exhausted by the time we’re done, but we all finish as a team. That’s important to me, that we go home together.”

Blackie’s party planning

How do you kick off your parties?

Blackie’s go-to classic gentleman’s drink is a Dark and Stormy, while Jillian Blackie prefers bubbles. They like to serve charcuterie and cheese and often head to Kanata’s Grace in the Kitchen. “Their truffle brie is to die for. We get meat from Seed to Sausage. Our meat drawer is filled with Mike McKenzie’s stuff. Lately, we’ve been into ‘nduja sausage (a spicy, spreadable Italian pork salami).”

How you plan a party menu?

“We base it on the people coming. We might showcase the Green Egg barbecue and make hickory-smoked ribeye. Jillian makes an arugula salad with lemon dressing. Or we’ll do plank salmon, that’s a good go-to.”

What’s your must-have utensil?

“It’s always been a Shun Japanese hunter’s knife. It’s hard to find now, but it’s for hunters or fishermen, for taking off a pelt or skinning. It feels more natural in the hand than a cook’s knife.”

You are running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada. What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

On the policy side, I’m proud of the work I did on deregulation in the telecommunications sector as industry minister. McGill University said I was the best industry minister in 30 years for my success in helping to bring down costs for consumers.

The avid runner and father of two daughters was drawn into federal politics in 2006 and has easily won re-election in Beauce, Que., every election since.

Who do you admire in politics and why?

Margaret Thatcher. She was a principled politician who fought for her ideas, whether they were popular or not. This is what I do. She was big on reforms, deregulation and more freedoms. I believe in free trade and am against supply management (in the agricultural sector). I have the most dairy farmers in my riding in all of Canada, so it’s not a popular platform with them. But it would be good for consumers, for all Canadians, to get rid of supply management. 

Politics is not for the faint of heart. What do you like about it?

I’m not in politics to please everyone, all of the time. I believe in ideas, smaller government and more freedoms for Canadians. I love to debate ideas. I’m building my platform on four key themes (freedom, fairness, respect and responsibility) and am holding regular press conferences to discuss them.

When you aren’t working, what do you do?

I run. In 2013, I ran 107 kilometres in 13 hours from one end of my riding to the other. It was tough but I raised $165,000 for the local food bank. I like to run about five to 15 kilometres each day. It was my goal to do an ultramarathon when I turned 50. I had a great coach (Gatineau’s Eric Deshaies, a double-Ironman world champion). My first priority is my family — my daughters and girlfriend — and my riding. When I’m not working, I like to relax with my family and friends. A balance in life is important. I’m also reading a lot of economic and policy reports right now.

How would you describe your personal style?

Classic. I go to three different tailors in Montreal to get my suits and shirts made. My ties always match the colour of my suits and my pocket squares always match the colour of my shirts.

Maxime Bernier’s guilty pleasures

Favourite restaurant: “Giovannina — it’s an Italian restaurant in my riding in Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce, Que. I love Italian and Portuguese food.”

Closet staple: A pair of jeans.

Must-have accessory: Cufflinks. I like to co-ordinate my socks and cufflinks with my suits.

Favourite fragrance: Right now I’m wearing Lacoste.

Men’s beauty essential: Calvin Klein moisturizer.

Guilty pleasure: Lindt Swiss milk chocolate. I can’t buy it. If I know I have chocolate in the house, it won’t last five minutes.

Breakfast: I make a green smoothie every day.

Sultry scents, flawless foundation, smoky eyes and sexy tresses are top trends for fall. Refresh this season with standout beauty tips for hair, nails and makeup.

Celebrity British makeup guru Charlotte Tilbury has launched her first fragrance, Scent of a Dream, with the help of supermodel Kate Moss. Tilbury says her “mind-altering fleurotic” scent will attract others to the perfume-wearer. $119, 50 mL. Nordstrom, Holt Renfrew, charlottetilbury.com/ca

Chanel has updated their iconic red nail with an intense, sheer and oh-so glossy colour this autumn. Chanel Nail Gloss in 530 Rouge Radical is a modern twist on their classic red polish. $32. Major department stores, chanel.com

White teeth and fresh breath are always in fashion. Sephora is going coconuts for Skinny & Co. Peppermint Coconut Oil, a gentle and tasty oral hygiene product. $48. Available late October. skinnyandcompany.com, Sephora, Sephora.com

If you’re gearing up for a night out, Armani Beauty Eye Tint Smoky Neutrals will add drama with its creamy matte texture in sultry nude shades, which are anything but neutral. Its collection of luxe shadows will make all eye colours pop. $39.Hudson’s Bay, Sephora, Nordstrom

Nirvana Rose Eau de Parfum by Elizabeth and James is a perfect pick for fall with its rich dark sexy scent of feminine rose and unexpected smoky notes of vetiver. 50 mL, $107. Sephora, Sephora.com

When Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP.com recommends a product, it’s guaranteed to be the next hot cult brand. Her latest love affair is with French Girl Organics and their Sea Salt Spray for touchable tousled hair with shine. $16.22, greenandpure.com, Etsy.com

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Oil Mist is the perfect balm for your hair after a summer of fun in the sun. The spray oil promises to add thickness and volume while enhancing shine and softness, and adding a deliciously tempting fragrance. $56. Kerastase salons, kerastase.ca

Essie’s new collection by the designer Rebecca Minkoff, Japanese If You Please, is a chic collection of shades that reflects the changing fall foliage and the energy of Tokyo. $9.99. Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, select salons

The exotic city of Tangier and the scents and colours of Morocco are the inspiration behind Aerin Tangier Vanille eau de parfum. Notes of rose and crisp bergamot are wrapped in rich vanilla. 50 mL, $130. Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, select Holt Renfrew stores, Ogilvy, esteelauder.ca

Be a gentleman at your best, anytime, anywhere is the motto of Givenchy’s Gentlemen Only Absolute, a sensual blend of woods and spices with a hint of vanilla. 100 mL, $111. Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora

For perfectly undone sexy fall tresses, Canadian company Cake Beauty has got you covered. The ’Do Gooder luxe dry shampoo offers to give volume to your roots, while the Lock Smith, keeps second-day locks shiny and bouncy. $19 each. Murale, well.ca, amazon.ca, cakebeauty.com

Skinceuticals, a leading force in medi-skincare, has just released Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 to help fight uneven texture, uncomfortable tightness, dullness, and loss of facial fullness. With cold temperatures on the way, this anti-aging treatment helps restore fullness, resurfaces texture and rediscovers radiance. $140. Spas and dermatologist offices.

 This fall put your best face forward and help repair summer sun damage with a mask that does it all. Odacité Syngergie Immediate Skin Perfecting Beauty Masque detoxes, peels, brightens and firms all at the same time. $74. detoxmarket.ca, Nordstrom, oresta.ca

HEAR ME ROAR

Head to the tropics and go wild at Paradise City, a sizzling soirée on Oct. 28 in support of Rethink Breast Cancer, a charity that aids young Canadian women affected by breast cancer. Partygoers are encouraged to dress in exotic attire at the 15th annual Boobyball fundraiser to be held at Dow’s Lake Lago Bar and Grill. Tickets at $110 (includes complimentary bar service) can be purchased at boobyball.com.

GET INTO GEAR

WillLand Outdoors gear is designed in Ontario, where the company is based. The Victoria Ginger Bread backpack, $98, has leather straps, a built-in padded laptop pouch and several organizer pockets. Find it at Staples, Best Buy and WillLandOutdoors.com.

 A DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS EVENT

Get Sidified, a fundraiser in support of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, takes over Sala San Marco banquet hall on Oct. 21. Hosted by fragrance expert and TV host Sid Cratzbarg and presented by Vis-à-Vis Events Inc., the evening begins at 7 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a fashion show featuring designs by Nora Zabarah Pucci of Zarucci and Manhattan West and Vernini Uomo boutiques. For tickets, visit getsidified.ca.

Fragrance expert Sid Cratzbarg is hosting Get Sidified at Sala San Marco.

ONE TO WATCH

Danielle Kadjo a financial adviser in Gatineau, is a rising star in the nation’s capital having recently hosted a star-studded fashion event on Parliament Hill in honour of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Kadjo, who wore Richard Robinson’s “peace gown,” showcased designers from Canada and others originally from Haiti, France, Iran, Slovakia and Vietnam. The former model, who will represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant in 2017, said the purpose of the event was to create a celebration of cultural diversity through artistic creations.

RAINY DAYS

Go ahead and jump in that puddle wearing Ilse Jacobsen rubber boots, $249.95, available at Three Wild Women. The classic rain boots come in shades of red, yellow and blue and feature a lace-up front and a cotton-and-viscose liner. threewildwomen.ca

“Audacity is the watchword” for the approaching fashion season, according to Vogue magazine. Not to be outdone, the modern home is always evolving and has climbed aboard the trend express. Here’s what to expect, especially in new homes, as we head into the fall and next year.

Architecture’s changing face

Modern design will continue calling the tune in Ottawa, but that doesn’t mean unalloyed modernism, according to architect Jason Flynn. As a result, look for more softening of exteriors as corrugated metals, for example, give way to older materials like clay brick but with a contemporary flair.

Sleek modernism is losing market share, says architect Jason Flynn, to natural materials like wood floors and clay brick on contemporary exteriors. The living room in Minto’s Talbot model in their green community in Kanata is decorated in a chic, soothing colour palette.

Inside, he says slick “high modernism” will continue losing market share. In its place: “Natural materials like hand-scrubbed wood (floors) seem to be hitting the market in a huge way.”

At Richcraft Group of Companies, contemporary exteriors are slowly overtaking the company’s long-standing craftsman designs, says marketing director Shawn Bellman. Even inside craftsman models, the emphasis is on contemporary features like large windows.

Clay brick is making a comeback in contemporary design as shown in the exterior of Minto’s Talbot design.

On the condo scene, more buildings designed to fit awkward sites will be the norm in coming years, according to architect Babak Eslahjou of Toronto-based Core Architects. That’s because growing demand for densification is outstripping the availability of large, regularly shaped urban lots. The result: structures like Core’s striking Gotham, a Lamb Development on Lyon Street, the front of which maximizes a narrow lot while the rear spreads over a wider area.

The Gotham condo tower by Lamb Development maximizes its urban lot on Lyon Street.

Whither the market?

Overall, new housing starts in Ottawa next year won’t change significantly from 2016’s lacklustre numbers, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. One reason: Continued sluggish condo starts as a result of oversupply. Expect 4,300 to 4,900 new starts next year, says the agency.

CMHC anticipates 2017 resale numbers to decline marginally from this year’s healthy showing. It forecasts average MLS (Multiple Listing Service) prices here to hit $369,300 to $384,700 in 2017, a drop in the bucket compared with a national prediction of $479,300 to $501,100 and a staggering $1.045 million to $1.179 million in Vancouver. Mortgage rates will rise gradually in 2017, says CMHC.

The great outdoors

Multi-purpose furniture like this three-in-one planter and bench with hidden storage by Chris Palmer is ideal for smaller spaces

Climate change, including scorching summers like this year’s mean, we’ll see more xeriscaping — or use of drought-resistant ornamental grasses and succulent plants, according to Ottawa landscape architect David Lashley.

He says interest in locally grown, naturally produced food will mean more vegetable gardening, including pot gardens.

Celebrity handyman and HGTV personality Chris Palmer predicts that shrinking yards will require more multi-use outdoor furniture like planters with wild grasses that serve as both decoration and privacy screens.

And condo dwellers will demand their share of the outdoors, says architect Babak Eslahjou. “In Toronto and Ottawa, my clients say, ‘We have to have balconies.’ ”

Low-maintenance plants like the gold-striped Hakone are key during long hot summers. Homeowners are also using their yards to grow vegetable gardens, including pot gardens for condo dwellers.

Quartz & granite square off

Kristi Blok of KIKI Interiors says her clients are smitten with quartz and are partial to colours like Cambria’s Bellingham from their Waterstone collection. The marble-like waves in dark and light grey with cream and black is a popular choice in bathrooms and kitchens.

Once everyone’s darling, granite is facing some tough competition.

“Quartz is still the most popular,” says Katherine Skidmore, corporate design co-ordinator for Domicile Developments. Reasons for the craze? The manmade product’s durability, low maintenance and availability in an expanding range of colours, according to Skidmore and others.

Kristi Blok’s quartz-smitten clients are partial to colours like Caesarstone’s Coastal Grey and Cambria’s Bellingham, both of which mimic granite’s warmth and veining. In bathrooms, Caesarstone’s soft-toned Snowy Cliffs is in vogue.

But don’t count out granite. Lots of folks still love the natural product for its look and variations in colour. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference.

Hot hues and the latest on wallpaper

The Pantone Color Institute has yet to announce its colour of the year for 2017, but has released nine colour palettes, or groupings, for next year. They range from the rich hues of Florabundant to colours like Martini Olive and Maritime Blue in the Reminiscence palette. Metallics as well as handcrafted and raw materials are also trending, says the institute.

Ottawa’s Kristi Blok of KIKI Interiors is finishing a lot of new condos in winter whites and warm greys and foresees more tone-on-tone selections like charcoal paired with classic grey. She says that accent walls, so recently de rigeur, are declining in popularity except for in children’s bedrooms.
Wallpaper is seen mostly in bedrooms, says Blok, noting that dramatic designs, like black and white, are yielding to softer tones.

On trend in kitchens and bathrooms

In Tartan Homes’ Bancroft model, above, black hardware and stainless-steel appliances pair nicely with black matte cabinetry and quarter-sawn oak uppers, which is a growing trend. Kelly Maiorino of Unique Spaces says matte finishes are replacing high-gloss lacquer.

Grey-and-white kitchens are still going strong, says Laurysen Kitchens design consultant Aviva Ben Choreen. “Typically the grey would be the base cabinets and the white would be the uppers. This anchors the space without darkening the room too much.”

Shawn Bellman says open shelving and larger islands are catching on in the production market, while Katherine Skidmore notes islands often have a furniture-look.

Kelly Maiorino of Unique Spaces, which designs Tartan Homes’ models, says matte finishes are replacing high-gloss lacquer and that black hardware is on trend in the kitchen.

Katherine Skidmore, corporate design co-ordinator for Domicile Developments, says white kitchens with grey tones remain a strong trend as shown in their project The Corners on Main. Wood accents, bigger pendant lights and kitchen islands that have a furniture-look are all popular choices.

In bathrooms, Maiorino says custom vanities are on the upswing. Ditto mosaic or shaped floor tiles in herringbone and other patterns.

Houry Avedissian of Ha2 Architectural Design has made spectacular use of tile in a recent renovation, creating arabesque and playful blue waterfall designs for the bathrooms. She’s seeing a spike in tile variety.

Experts offer tips for buying a new home

Thinking of buying a home? Five experts in the Ottawa housing industry dish advice.

Read more Ottawa Citizen Style Magazine

The Bier Markt transformed itself into a boisterous Bavarian beer hall, with authentic German food and drink and live music, as it played host Wednesday to the second annual Capital Oktoberfest benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

Steve Gallant, first vice president, branch manager and investment advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy, and his good pal Tony Rhodes, a sales representative with Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Company, once again strapped on their matching lederhosen to co-chair the festive event.

From left, Steve Gallant and Tony Rhodes — in matching lederhosen — co-chaired Capital Oktoberfest 2016, a benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute held at the Bier Markt restaurant on Sparks Street on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

Over the past two years, the evening has netted more than $150,000 for the Heart Institute’s new hybrid operating room.

Listeners were reminded of why the local cardiac facility is not to be taken for granted. Back when Gallant was 16, he drove his ailing dad to the Heart Institute (his dad was too proud to take an ambulance). There, the famous Dr. Wilbert Keon performed triple bypass surgery on the 39-year-old man. The youth worried at the time that his father wouldn’t make it.

Gallant’s father had the procedure again at age 75 and is still alive, at age 82. “He’s a Korean War veteran; nothing can kill him,” joked Gallant.

Rhodes also shared his personal story of heart problems, which led to him undergoing a complex ablation procedure at the Heart Institute this past July, performed by Dr. David Birnie and his team. “The entire staff at the Heart Institute, from the orderlies to the nurses to the doctors, were nothing less than amazing, compassionate, caring and thoughtful,” said Rhodes, 48. “We are so lucky to have a world-class Heart Institute in Ottawa.”

The $250-a-ticket (with tax receipt) event attracted some 200 attendees to the restaurant, located on Sparks Street. It was a good night to jump on the beer wagon; many partygoers were toting one-litre steins of amber liquid.

Among the corporate sponsors seen were: Emond Harnden law partner Jacques Emond, former chair of the Heart Institute Foundation board; Sakto Corporation president Sean Murray and chair Jamilah Murray; Telus national director Shannon Gorman; and Bier Markt general manager Peter Chase.

From left, Jacques Emond, co-founding partner of Emond Harnden LLP, with law partner André Champagne at the Capital Oktoberfest benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, held at the Bier Markt restaurant on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

From left, Lynne Clark and Shannon Gorman, national director of community affairs at Telus, hanging out together in a comfy restaurant booth at the Capital Oktoberfest benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, held at the Bier Markt on Sparks Street on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

Attendees also included Primecorp Commercial Realty president Nick Pantieras, chair of the Leaders at Heart philanthropic initiative, and its founding chair, Greg Roscoe, a financial advisor with Raymond James.

From left, Nick Pantieras, president and founding partner of Primecorp Commercial Realty, with Raymond James financial advisor Greg Roscoe at the Capital Oktoberfest benefit for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, held at the Bier Markt restaurant on Sparks Street on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.

Diplomats from the German embassy were on hand for the traditional tapping of the keg. The evening also auctioned off a club-level suite for an Ottawa Senators game and a trip for two to next year’s Oktoberfest in Munich. It sold for $4,200.

Carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Koyman Galleries was a picture-perfect venue for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa to host its top donor reception, featuring Ronald Lauder, an international philanthropist and president of the World Jewish Congress.

From left, Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, with Jewish Federation of Ottawa board chair Linda Kerzner and campaign co-chairs Sharon Appotive and Michael Polowin at the federation’s top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The American billionaire businessman of Estée Lauder cosmetics fame and former ambassador is also an art collector. In 2006, he bought Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer (also called The Lady in Gold or The Woman in Gold) for a record US$135 million. It had been part of the massive theft of art in Europe by the Nazis.

The reception, held at the loft-style commercial art gallery on St. Laurent Boulevard, was attended by some 150 of the largest donors to the federation’s annual campaign to build community, assist the vulnerable, boost Jewish education, and support Israel. Among the JFO’s partner agencies are local Jewish schools and preschools, youth groups and summer camps, social service organizations and the Hillel Lodge long-term care facility.

Michael Polowin, a law partner at Gowling WLG, is co-chairing this year’s campaign with Sharon Appotive from Howard Fine Jewellers. They’re hoping to exceed the $4.5 million raised last year.

From left, Melanie Polowin with her husband, Michael Polowin and his Jewish Federation of Ottawa campaign co-chair Sharon Appotive, and her husband, David Appotive, at the federation’s top donor reception, held at Koyman Galleries on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The Ottawa Jewish community, which has a population of around 14,000, is already very generous, said Polowin. “Our job is to encourage them to be even more generous.

“At the end of the day, if we want a strong community to continue, then the people who are here are those who understand extremely well the need for all of us to contribute to the best of our ability.”

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Not only did philanthropist and mental health advocate Barbara Crook deliver the keynote address at Thursday’s Upstream Ottawa gala but she also brought along an influential group of friends, all of whom have a keen interest in promoting mental health issues.

From left, Upstream Mental Health Support Gala co-chairs Ruth Maxwell and Sylvia Cuhaci with keynote speaker Barbara Crook at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

With her were Do It For Daron (DIFD)’s Luke and Stephanie Richardson, who recently got to discuss mental health with Prince William and his wife, Kate, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; Danielle Robinson, president of the Ottawa Senators Foundation, which supports health and wellness amongst youth; and Patrick Dion, who’s served since 2007 on the board of the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

From left, Tomlinson Group of Companies president Kevin Cinq-Mars with his wife, Sara, and Stephanie Richardson and her husband, Luke Richardson, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Her dinner table at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club included not one but two rabbis — Robert Morais and Reuven Bulka — along with Tomlinson president Kevin Cinq-Mars and his wife, Sara, both boosters of the mental health fundraising campaign at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. Before the night was over, Cinq-Mars successfully bid on an Erik Karlsson-signed hockey jersey that he then gifted to Anthony Millson.

From left, former youth client Anthony Millson with Bo Turpin, director of clinical services and programming, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The crowd of 160 had listened earlier to Millson share his story of struggle to stability, accompanied by this powerful message: never give up. His difficulties began at age 16, when he was diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and OCD. He thought about dying. Then, Upstream came into his life. He lived from ages 21 to 28 in their Flora Street group home, where he got the support, compassion and encouragement he needed to return to school. He graduated last year from Carleton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He’s currently working as a dish washer but is thinking of returning to school for marketing.

“Upstream was a lifeline for me,” said Millson, who expressed his gratitude to the Upstream staff, in particular its director, Bo Turpin. “It guided me and gave me hope and security through my darkest days.”

Upstream Ottawa provides housing and other services to those in the community struggling with mental health issues. Funds raised at the gala benefit Upstream’s youth program, which offers services to young people and their families in an effort to help them in the early stages of their mental illness and in their transition to adult mental health services. The program began as a pilot project in 2008 but has been in full operation since 2012.

Back to lend her support as MC was well-known face Catherine Clark while Carrie Cuhaci served as live auctioneer. The gala was co-chaired by her mother-in-law, Sylvia Cuhaci, and Ruth Maxwell, both of whom have been publicly recognized for their volunteer advocacy and fundraising work.

From left, gala emcee Catherine Clark with her friends, Mark Cuhaci and Carrie Cuhaci, who volunteered as live auctioneer for the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Also on hand were Upstream board president Janet Helmer and Coun. Eli El-Chantiry, chair of the Ottawa Police Services board. As well, Dr. Raj Bhatla, chief psychiatrist with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, was out supporting the cause.

Kerry Ferland from presenting sponsor Scotiabank with Dr. Raj Bhatla, psychiatrist-in-chief and chief of staff of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, at the Upstream Mental Health Support Gala held at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

The evening included a cheque presentation from the Bell Let’s Talk awareness campaign. Its $20,000-grant will help Upstream develop a volunteer infrastructure.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

Lesley Holmes and her late husband, former NHLer Bill Kitchen, built their dream Dow’s Lake home to be an inviting space for friends and family, and to host parties that could help out worthy causes.

Lesley Holmes, with her friend Mark Fowler, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Next month, she’ll have as many as 2,000 curious folks stroll through her place as part of Hospice Care Ottawa’s signature fundraiser, Homes for the Holidays. And she’s totally cool with it.

“I love opening the doors,” said the Tim Hortons franchisee, while acknowledging she has a beautiful home. “I love having people come in and enjoy it with me.”

She and other supporters of the community-based charitable organization gathered Wednesday at the Savour Every Moment launch event held at Earnscliffe, official residence of British High Commissioner Howard Drake and his wife, Gill.

British High Commissioner Howard Drake with Nancy Pyper, president of the May Court Club of Ottawa, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

The diplomat did a nice job of welcoming some 80 guests and making them feel comfortable inside the Victorian manor, famous for being where our Glasgow-born first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, lived and died.

Guests included Cuckoo Kochar, president and founder of Phoenix Homes, with his family. Their magnificent abode along the Rideau River is also among the eight homes that the public will see festively decked out during this year’s tour.

Madhu Kochar and her husband, Cuckoo Kochar, president of Phoenix Homes, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Last year’s honorary chairs Dennis Laurin, of the Laurin Group, and his wife, Andrea, attended. In 2014, they opened up their Rockcliffe Park home for the tour, with pleasing results. Said Laurin: “We went to the cottage that weekend and when we got back we couldn’t tell that a soul had gone through it. The volunteers were unbelievable.”

Dennis Laurin, owner of the Laurin Group, and his wife, Andrea, on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Sharon Lalonde, a sales representative with Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Company, is chairing this year’s event (the honorary chairs are Ned and Liz Rhodes).

Coldwell Banker Rhodes & Company broker of record/partner Jim McKeown with his wife, Sharon Lalonde, 2016 chair for Homes for the Holidays, at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, for the launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

Hospice Care Ottawa helps, at no charge, people in our community on their palliative and end-of-life journey through 24-hour, seven-days-a-week residential hospice care, in-home volunteer support and day hospice programs. It also provides bereavement support to families.

“Our philosophy really is about helping people live until they die,” said Hospice Care Ottawa executive director Lisa Sullivan, borrowing a phrase coined by a Brit: Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement.

The sponsored reception was catered by Thyme & Again and featured Gingerbread Builder Bake-off champ Catherine Beddall giving a decorating demo near the silent auction items.

Pastry artist and gingerbread house competition champ Catherine Beddall showed off her talents at the official residence of the British high commissioner on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, during the Savour Every Moment launch party for Hospice Care Ottawa’s Homes for the Holidays fundraiser.

As well, sweet treats awaited guests on their way out the door with home-shaped cookies from Cinfully Delicious, each one iced with a brick, stone or wood pattern.

The Homes for the Holidays tour takes place from November 18 to 20. Tickets are now on sale for $50.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

It’s never been trendier to be the son of a former prime minister. Nobody was photographed as much as Ben Mulroney during Thursday’s exclusive grand opening gala for the $20 million-Infinity Convention Centre.

Ben Mulroney, co-host of CTV’s Your Morning, was in Ottawa to host the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

(Second place probably goes to the glamorous mermaid-looking model who posed all night by the oyster bar).

Mulroney is co-host of CTV’s new Your Morning show and eldest son of former PM Brian Mulroney, to whom he’s similar both in looks and good humour.

“Up until a couple of years ago I was referred to as the successful son of a Canadian prime minister,” said Mulroney, before joking that the bar’s now been raised by the son of another former PM. “And now I’m just a talk show host.”

It was a massive party, with a 700-person guest list that included Mayor Jim Watson, Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder, such successful business folks as Bill Malhotra and Jim Taggart, and Catherine Bélanger, window of the late Mauril Bélanger, the long-time Liberal MP for Ottawa-Vanier who died of ALS in August.

From left, Peter O’Leary, chief marketing officer and vice president of ticketing for the Ottawa Senators, with Lydia Leeder and Cyril Leeder, president of the Ottawa Senators, at the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Bill Malhotra, president of Claridge Homes, with Catherine Bélanger and his wife, Romina Malhotra, at the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Jim Taggart, chair of the Taggart Group of Companies, with Diana Moore and Semiha Cantas, owner of Cantas Fashion on Sussex Drive, at the grand opening gala for the new Infinity Convention Centre, held Thursday, October 13, 2016.

On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony were the convention centre’s owners: brothers Harry, Sonny and T.J. Sohal, along with Anand Aggarwal and his son Lalit. It should be noted, the last time Around Town attended a party hosted by Aggarwal it featured a live elephant (it was eight years ago, at his son’s traditional Hindu wedding). There was no pachyderm this time, but maybe a few party animals.

From left, key business partners Harry Sohal, Anand Aggarwal and Sonny Sohal at the new Infinity Convention Centre for the grand opening gala of the new venue, held on Thursday, October 13, 2016.

Guests could also check out the beautiful new 15,000-square-foot venue, located near the Ottawa airport. That is, when they’re weren’t busy mingling over drinks, food, live music and Les Oiseaux du Paradis acrobatic performances.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca

From early on, 10-year-old Noah Martincich has been attuned to the fact that not all kids have the same privileges he does.

While on a vacation with his family in Punta Cana in 2012, he and his two older brothers brought a bag of books to a school near their resort. The experience opened Noah’s eyes when he saw the tiny building looked very different from his modern Kanata school.

“They dropped off a school bag in the school, and when the boys came out they said, ‘Oh, my God … they don’t have anything, they don’t have smart boards like us, they don’t have desks,” said Noah’s mother, Renee Martincich. “We explained to them that not every (country) is like Canada, you guys are lucky. And I guess that stuck.”

When Noah learned his parents were bringing him on a vacation to Saint Lucia in 2014 (his older brothers were in Florida with their grandparents), the budding philanthropist contacted the resort and asked if there was a local school in need of donations.

Once again, he collected supplies and brought 150 children’s books to Micoud Secondary School. While there, he saw that the Caribbean island is tropical paradise, but also a struggling community with a growing level of poverty. And a month after their vacation ended, the books Noah had left behind were destroyed when the school library caught fire. So Noah is returning with his family once again, determined to bring more supplies. Through donations from his school and neighbourhood, he has collected more than 800 books, currently packed into 15 boxes in his living room, to be transported when their vacation begins on Oct. 22.

In explaining his efforts, Noah says it’s important to help others so they also have the chance to learn, to assist those who “might not have as much as I do.”

WestJet, the airline the family has chosen for their trip, has a policy to accept one piece of baggage containing humanitarian aid per passenger. This means they will transport 10 of the boxes at no cost because 10 family members are travelling this time. However, Noah must cover the cost of transporting the remaining five boxes, which will cost around $35 each. With that, he launched a Go Fund Me campaign. Any extra funding will be donated directly to the school. 

Noah’s mother says she doesn’t know how or why her son likes to help others. She says, “It’s just in him,” and it may have something to do with the connections he made at Saint Lucia school two years ago.

“The kids were so grateful, I don’t even know how to explain how grateful they were,” said Martincich. “It took 20 minutes to half an hour to leave. They kept giving him hugs and hugs, and saying, ‘Thank you.’ It was like he was part of the family at the school all of a sudden.”

It was at one time a summer exhibition hall and winter curling rink, but on Saturday the historic Horticulture Building at Lansdowne was looking resplendent as a part-art gallery, part-concert hall and part-ballroom for the first-ever Mayor’s Gala for the Arts.

A sold-out crowd of 250 filed into the beautiful century-old building in support of the Ottawa Arts Council and Ottawa Art Gallery. The $75,000 raised, as announced that night by Mayor Jim Watson, is being directed toward the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

The $250-a-ticket evening featured Ottawa-born, world-famous pianist Angela Hewitt, whose floor-length silver sequin gown twinkled under the lights as she worked her magic on her piano. Everyone was seamlessly swept up in her playing.

Guests dined on hors d’oeuvres and a four-course gourmet meal prepared by chefs from Atelier, Beckta and Thyme & Again Creative Catering, with Wellington Gastropub and The Whalesbone. Live performances from local artists continued throughout the night.

Out showing their support were Ottawa city manager Steve Kanellakos and a whole slew of city councillors. Ottawa Liberal MP Catherine McKenna was seen chatting with Ottawa Art Gallery board chair Lawson Hunter from Stikeman Elliott LLP (she previously worked there as a lawyer) while Ottawa Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi and his wife Christine McMillan were dinner guests of Roseann O’Reilly Runte, president of Carleton University. Watson was joined by his sister, Jayne Watson, chief executive of the National Arts Centre Foundation.

Algonquin College president Cheryl Jensen and such arts community supporters as Brian Toller and Glenn McInnes and his wife Barbara attended. Czech Ambassador Pavel Hrncir and his artist wife, Veronika Holcová, were hosted by Star Motors owner Jeff Mierins. Also seen was OAG board member and treasurer Vic Duret, a partner with KPMG. The major accounting firm recently announced its $50,000 donation to the art gallery’s $3.5-million Art Now – L’art ici capital campaign.

The new and improved arts building — part of a greater effort to revitalize the downtown — will be ready by next fall, the year of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Getting a bigger and better space for the arts community has been a sweet victory, particularly since it took years of hard slogging and dead ends to make the project happen. In fact, the mayor has often ribbed Peter Honeywell, executive director of the Ottawa Arts Council, for being one of the most patient men in Ottawa.

“I may have been patient but I’m also proud of the results of 35 years of waiting,” said Honeywell while speaking on stage with Ottawa Art Gallery director and chief executive Alexandra Badzak.
“Both Alexandra and I are proud of the volunteers and the board members who’ve kept this project alive. … We’re also very proud of the mayor of this city and our city council for believing in our community.”

Ottawa Art Gallery board chair Lawson Hunter from Stikeman Elliott LLP with Ottawa MP and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna (who previously practiced at Stikeman Elliott) at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Mayor Jim Watson welcomed a sold-out crowd of 250 to the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

From left, Atelier owner and chef Marc Lepine, Beckta executive chef and co-owner Michael Moffatt, Thyme & Again executive chef Justin Faubert, Beckta chef Katie Ardington and Thyme & Again pastry chef Kylie Anglesey worked hard all night to prepare and serve hors d’oeuvres and a four-course gourmet meal for the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Ottawa visual artist Katerina Mertikas and her daughter, Loukia Zigoumis, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

The inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne, was packed with live performances from groups such as Ottawa Dance Directive.

From left, Danny Kingsbury, national format director for Rock Radio Rogers Media, with guests Danielle McGee and her husband, David Gourlay, president of the Ottawa Champions Baseball Club, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Armin Badzak with Victoria Steele (AOE Arts Council) and Ottawa Art Gallery board members Leslie McKay and Lilly Koltun at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

The inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne, was packed with live music, dance and theatrical performances, including theatre reator and performer Will Somers from Fresh Meat.

A sold-out crowd of 250 attended the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Ottawa-born world-renowned concert pianist Angela Hewitt performed at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016, in support of the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, with his wife, Christine McMillan, and their dinner table host, Roseann OíReilly Runte, president and vice-chancellor of Carleton University, at The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne.

Chris Kincaid, vice president and COO of Mediaplus Advertising, with Ottawa city manager Steve Kanellakos at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Janet Yale, president and CEO of The Arthritis Society, with her fellow Ottawa Art Gallery board member Vic Duret, partner with KPMG, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

From left, dinner table host Brian Toller of Tolcor Investments with his guests, businesswoman Susan St. Amand, Hugh Neilson, managing director of the GCTC and Eric Coates, artistic director of the GCTC, at The Mayor’s Gala for the Arts held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Guests mingle over cocktails alongside works of arts from the Ottawa Art Gallery collection during the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016.

Cheryl Jensen, president of Algonquin College, with Scott Anderson, the college’s ?executive director of communications, marketing and external relations, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Ron Caza from CazaSaikaley with law partner Anne Tardif and lawyer Lyndee Therrien at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Peter Honeywell, executive director of the Ottawa Arts Council, and Alexandra Badzak, director and CEO of the Ottawa Art Gallery, at the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts, held at the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne on Saturday, October 15, 2016 in support the Ottawa Art Gallery Expansion and Arts Court Redevelopment Project.

Guests of the inaugural Mayor’s Gala for the Arts arrived to Horticulture Building on Saturday, October 15, 2016, to the sounds of live music being played by Ottawa Symphony Orchestra musicians.

carolyn001@sympatico.ca