Controversial Contemporary Expansion Proposed for Iconic Château Laurier

 All photos supplied by Larco Investments Ltd. Anyone walking into the Fairmont Château Laurier Ballroom is wowed by the splendour of the renaissance-styled room. High ceilings and elaborate chandeliers take one back into a time of opulence. Peep through the tall arched windows and see… a parking lot? Larco Investments

Luxury Byward Boutique Hotel Opens with a Bang

 All photos by Danika Leminski. Ottawa is now home to the first Canadian luxury boutique hotel by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market marked its historic grand opening with a spirited evening of festivities, food, and drinks in an exciting preview of what will be offered at this dazzling new

My Advice for a Posh Loo

 “I don’t know if less is more or more is less”  - David Gill, Gallerist Any home renovation can be daunting, but make a few wrong turns and it can quickly turn into a nightmare. My advice is to make sure you have a clear plan and design at the

‘Canadian Songbook’ Tour Captures its Last Note in Ottawa

 All photos by Eric Murphy.  A journey that began three months ago will end this evening when classical crossover singer Eleanor McCain and the NAC orchestra strike the last note of the seven songs they’ve been recording together. The seven songs, all re-interpretations of Canadian classics and contemporary hits, are

5 Great places to have Christmas Dinner in Ottawa

 In households across Ottawa, the holiday season will be marked with tree decorating, present wrapping, and of course, plenty of good eating. For those of you who love a good Christmas dinner, but aren’t in the mood to cook, we’ve compiled a list of some great restaurants serving up festive

Fiddle Feast for your Ears

 Natalie MacMaster needs no introduction. Over a recording career now spanning 25 years, this Order of Canada recipient has released 11 albums that have notched sales of over 200,000 copies. She has won two JUNO and eleven East Coast Music Awards and been nominated for a Grammy. Starting tonight, she

ME Milan Il Duca: Shop, Sightsee, Stay in Milan’s Fashion District

 Planning a trip to Italy but not sure where to stay? You’re in luck because ME by Meliá is opening its first luxury Italian hotel, ME Milan Il Duca, this month. If you are looking for a spectacular location where you can both shop and sightsee, ME Milan Il Duca

The Natural Way: Native Artist Peter Bighetty

 For native artist Peter Bighetty, art begins with a memory. Hailing from Nelson House, Manitoba, Bighetty’s family is originally from Pukatawagan Cree Nation. “Growing up, I was always fishing, trapping, and hunting, out and about in the wilderness. That’s where I get the ideas for most of my paintings,” Bighetty

Taxidermy Trend

 The resurgence of taxidermy as a desirable element of home décor is something to be embraced. Over the past several years, we have witnessed the design trend incorporated into commercial spaces and it finally is making a dramatic appearance in homes. With animal pelts, skulls and heads plastered on the

LIGHT at the end of the tunnel

 Eating disorders push perfectionists into dark worlds where all they want is to be light, and all they need is a ray of it. Produced and performed by Lisa Jeans, Light is a theatrical duet between a live performer and audiovisual technology like video projections, live sound and original electronic

Orange Art Gallery: Pushing boundaries in the capital community

 Following a trip to NYC with husband and co-owner Matthew Jeffrey four years ago, Ingrid Hollander felt that Ottawa needed a contemporary gallery willing to take big risks. “We found that galleries here had a much more retail-oriented, commercial focus. We wanted to provide a cool space that could showcase

Ottawa, Music and Inspiration

 Music and Ottawa go wonderfully hand in hand. The city is brimming with musicians. Ottawa is blessed with excellent schools, dedicated music teachers, performance opportunities and excellent ensembles and festivals. I was recently reacquainted with the home grown contemporary music composer, Colin Mack. Ottawa born Colin continues to make the