HOME | Around the Kitchen Island

There’s something about summer in Calgary that makes us want to spend as much time outside as possible. The long evenings, warm sunshine, and (mostly) beautiful weather mean our backyards become an extension of our homes.

When people imagine the perfect backyard, they often think it needs a complete renovation. But the truth is, the best outdoor spaces aren't always the biggest or the most expensive. They're the ones that actually get used.

Here are a few of my favourite outdoor spaces that Calgary families seem to enjoy most every summer.

A Patio Made for Morning Coffee

Whether it's a front porch with a couple of Adirondack chairs or a small patio tucked into the backyard, having a quiet place to enjoy your morning coffee can become part of your daily routine. Sometimes it's the simplest spaces that get used the most.

A Deck That Brings Everyone Together

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the deck becomes its summer version.

It's where dinners stretch a little longer, neighbours stop by unexpectedly, and kids wander in and out between backyard games. You don't need an elaborate outdoor kitchen—a comfortable seating area and a place to gather is often all it takes.

Fire Tables That Keep the Night Going

One of my favourite additions to any backyard is a fire table.

They're clean, easy to use, and instantly make people want to stay outside just a little longer. Whether you're catching up with friends or roasting marshmallows with the kids, they create one of those spaces everyone naturally gravitates toward.

Pergolas That Add Comfort (and Character)

A pergola does more than make a backyard look beautiful.

It creates shade during the hottest part of the day, defines an outdoor room, and gives you the perfect place to hang string lights or climbing plants. It turns a patio into a destination.

A Reading Corner That's Just for You

Not every outdoor space needs to entertain a crowd.

A comfortable chair, a side table, a good book, and a few flowers can become your favourite place to escape for twenty minutes after work. Sometimes that's all you need.

Outdoor Dining That Feels Like Summer

There's something special about eating outside.

It doesn't matter whether it's burgers on a Tuesday night or a family barbecue on the weekend. Sharing a meal outdoors somehow slows life down and makes ordinary evenings feel like little celebrations.

It's Less About the Backyard… and More About the Memories

The outdoor spaces we remember most aren't usually the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones where birthdays were celebrated, late-night conversations happened, kids played until the streetlights came on, and summer simply felt a little slower.

That's what makes a house feel like home.

Around the Kitchen Island: Whether you're dreaming about creating your own backyard retreat or you're already enjoying one this summer, remember that the best spaces are the ones that fit the way you live—not the latest trend.

Every summer, my raspberry bushes seem to have a mind of their own. One minute they're producing a handful of berries, and the next they're overflowing onto the pathway, practically begging to be picked before the birds discover them.

Harvesting them has become part of my summer routine. It's one of those simple little moments that reminds me to slow down, spend a few minutes outside, and enjoy what's growing right in my own backyard.

If you're finding yourself with more raspberries than you know what to do with, this has become one of my favourite ways to use them. It's light, refreshing, and just as delicious with or without alcohol, making it perfect for backyard dinners, book club nights, or simply sitting on the deck after a long day.

Ingredients

• ½ cup fresh raspberries

• 1 tsp honey (optional)

• Juice of ½ a lime

• A handful of fresh mint leaves

• Ice

• 2 oz vodka or gin

• Sparkling water or club soda

• Extra raspberries and mint for garnish

Directions

Add the raspberries, lime juice, honey, and a few mint leaves to a glass and gently muddle until the berries release their juices.

Fill the glass with ice, pour in the vodka or gin, then top with sparkling water. Stir gently and garnish with extra raspberries, fresh mint, and a lime wedge.

Make It a Mocktail!

Simply skip the alcohol and replace it with a splash of lemonade or a little extra sparkling water. You'll still get all the fresh raspberry flavour with a drink that's just as refreshing on a hot afternoon.

Whether you're picking berries from your own garden or grabbing a basket from the farmers' market, this is one of those simple summer recipes that feels a little bit special without taking more than a few minutes to make.

Sometimes the best part of summer isn't the big vacations or packed schedules. It's wandering into the backyard with a bowl in hand, picking raspberries before the bushes completely take over, and ending the day with a cold drink on the patio. Those are the moments I find myself looking forward to every year.

Every house has that one room. The room everyone is supposed to gather in.

The beautifully decorated living room. The cozy family room. The perfectly styled patio you've spent all week getting ready for guests, and yet, somehow, every single time, everyone ends up in the kitchen.

I've stopped being surprised by it.

People lean against the counters., someone opens a bottle of wine, another person starts helping with dinner, whether they were asked to or not. Before long, there's a crowd gathered around the island, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Vacation plans. Books they've loved. Kids and grandkids. The latest neighbourhood news. A recipe someone swears you need to try.

The kitchen has a way of making people feel comfortable. It's where conversations happen naturally. Nobody worries about saying the right thing. Nobody is trying to impress anyone. It's just people being together.

As much as I love a beautiful home, I've come to realize that what makes a home special isn't the paint colour, the countertops, or the furniture. It's the life that happens inside it, the laughter that carries from one room to another. The dinners that run long because nobody wants to leave and friends who stay for "just one more drink." It’s the family conversations that somehow solve the world's problems around an island after dessert.

Maybe that's why I've always loved kitchen islands. They're not really about cooking, are they?! They're about connection. In a world that often feels rushed and busy, I think there's something special about having a place where people naturally gather.

So here's to kitchens that are a little crowded, conversations that last longer than expected, and homes that make people want to stay.

After all, the best parties rarely end where they started… they end in the kitchen.

Erika

8 Things You’ll Only Notice During a Summer Showing

BUYERS | Around the Kitchen Island 

Every season has its advantages when you're buying a home, but summer offers something many buyers don't always think about.

While spring is often considered the busiest time in real estate, summer gives you the opportunity to see a home in a completely different light, literally. The longer days, warmer weather and active neighbourhoods can reveal things that simply aren't visible during a snowy February showing.

If you're house hunting this summer, don't just focus on the layout and finishes. Take advantage of what the season has to offer.

2. Picture Yourself in the Backyard

Summer lets you experience outdoor spaces the way they're meant to be enjoyed.

Is there room for kids to play? A garden? A firepit? Does the deck feel private? Can you picture yourself enjoying your morning coffee or hosting friends on a warm evening?

Sometimes buyers fall in love with the backyard just as much as the house.

6. Listen as Much as You Look

Summer is a great time to simply pause for a minute.

Open a patio door or stand in the backyard and listen. Can you hear traffic? Is there a nearby playground? Do you notice train noise, busy roads or barking dogs?

These aren't necessarily deal-breakers, but they're details you'll appreciate knowing before you write an offer.

8. Think About Next Summer

It's easy to picture where your furniture will go. It's even better to picture where life will happen.

Can you imagine a backyard barbecue with friends? Watching the kids play outside? Reading a book on the deck after work? Growing tomatoes in the garden?

Sometimes those little moments are what turn a house into a home.

Buying a home is about more than square footage and finishes. It's about finding a place that fits the way you want to live.

If you're still in the early stages of your search, take some time to explore Calgary homes for sale on my website. You can create a free account, save your favourite properties, set up custom searches and receive new listings that match exactly what you're looking for—all in one place.

Whether you're planning to buy this summer or simply starting to explore what's available, taking the time to notice these details now can help you make a more confident decision when the right home comes along.

If you've spent any time with me lately, you've probably heard me talk about English gardens.

What started as a few plants here and there has quickly turned into a bit of an obsession. Every time I open Pinterest, visit a garden centre, or walk through an established neighbourhood, I'm looking for ideas and imagining what my own garden could become.

What I love most about an English garden is the balance it strikes between structure and softness. At first glance, they can look almost wild, with flowers spilling over pathways and plants weaving together as though they've simply found their own place to grow. But underneath that relaxed appearance is thoughtful design. Every pathway, shrub, and perennial has a purpose, even if it doesn't immediately reveal itself.

To me, that's what makes them so beautiful. They don't feel overly planned or perfectly manicured. Instead, they feel as though they've evolved over time, growing a little fuller and more beautiful with each passing season.

I also love the elements that seem to get better with age. Weathered stone planters, aged garden gates, rusty trellises, and antique bird baths all develop character as the years pass. Unlike so many things that are replaced the moment they show wear, these pieces become part of the garden's story. The fading paint, the patina, and the imperfections are exactly what make them appealing.

It's never just about the plants, either.

Some of my favourite English gardens include the little details that invite you to slow down and stay awhile. String lights draped through trees, bird feeders attracting visitors throughout the day, climbing vines winding their way over an archway, and quiet corners that feel tucked away from the rest of the world all add to the feeling that the garden is meant to be experienced, not simply admired.

Lately, I've been searching for the perfect spot to place a bench in my own garden. Not because I need another place to sit, but because every English garden seems to have that one destination, a place that encourages you to pause for a few minutes with your morning coffee, a good book, or to watch the kids play with the soccer ball in the yard.

Maybe that's what I love most about these gardens. They aren't created overnight, and they're never truly finished. They change with the seasons, grow a little differently every year, and continually evolve into something more interesting than what was originally planned.

Much like a home, the beauty isn't found in perfection. It's found in the layers, the memories, and the life that unfolds there over time.

Erika

HOME | Around the Kitchen Island (4)

After another long Calgary winter, there’s something special about that first evening spent outside.

The BBQ is finally uncovered. The patio furniture comes out of storage. The evenings stretch a little longer. Suddenly, the backyard becomes the place everyone wants to be.

Tomorrow is Canada Day, and in true Calgary fashion, the forecast is looking… hopeful with a side of “maybe keep an eye on the sky.” Mostly cloudy, around 20 degrees, and a possible afternoon thunderstorm.

So basically, summer.

It’s still the perfect excuse to spend a little time getting your outdoor space ready. Not because it has to be perfect, but because it’s about to become your favourite “room” of the house for the next few months.

For me, the best outdoor spaces aren’t the fanciest ones. They’re the ones that make you lose track of time.

The Ultimate Summer Backyard Checklist

☐ Comfortable seating that invites people to stay awhile
Pretty is nice. Comfortable is better. If people can settle in, they will.

☐ Twinkle lights overhead
Nothing makes a backyard feel more magical than twinkle lights once the sun goes down.

☐ An amazing deck with incredible plants
A great deck becomes even better with lush planters, colourful flowers, herbs by the BBQ, and greenery that makes the whole space feel alive.

☐ A BBQ that’s ready to go
Because summer dinners should be easy, casual, and ideally eaten outside.

☐ Backyard games for everyone
Cornhole, ladder golf, bocce, giant Jenga, or whatever gets people laughing and off their phones.

☐ A cozy backup plan for Calgary weather
Blankets, a covered spot, an umbrella, or somewhere to run if the clouds decide to be dramatic.

☐ A backyard movie setup
A projector, a screen, lawn chairs, blankets, popcorn, and friends gathered under the stars. One of the best summer traditions.

☐ Lighting, warmth, and somewhere to linger after dark
Lanterns, candles, a fire table, or extra blankets can stretch the evening a little longer.

☐ Good people and nowhere else to be
The most important part. The furniture, flowers, and lights are just the backdrop.

It’s Not About Perfection

You don’t need brand-new furniture or a magazine-worthy backyard.

A few fresh cushions. Healthy plants. Twinkle lights overhead. A clean BBQ. A good outdoor rug. Maybe a basket of blankets by the door for those cooler Calgary evenings.

The goal isn’t to impress people.

It’s to create a space where your family lingers after dinner, neighbours stop by unexpectedly, kids make memories, and summer somehow feels just a little longer.

Tomorrow, people all over Calgary will be celebrating Canada Day in parks, at festivals, around campfires, and in backyards just like yours. And whether the sun shines all day or the clouds roll in for a classic Calgary surprise, summer is officially here.

We wait all year for these few precious months.

We might as well make every evening outside count.

See you around the kitchen island (… or maybe the backyard fire table…)

Erika

SELLERS | Around the Kitchen Island (2)

If you've ever thought about selling your home during the summer, chances are someone has told you to wait until spring. After all, the kids are out of school, vacation plans are in full swing, and if you're lucky enough to live in Calgary, the mountains, lakes and patios tend to pull our attention away from just about everything else. It feels logical that the housing market would slow down too.

But here's the thing: real estate doesn't stop in the summer. It simply changes.

The spring market often gets most of the attention, which has created the perception that it's the only "good" time to sell. While spring is certainly busy, summer continues to bring buyers into the market, and many of them have a reason they can't wait until September. People are still being transferred for work. Families are trying to move before the next school year begins. Some homeowners have already sold and need to find their next home. Others want to get settled before winter arrives.

The buyer pool may be a little smaller than it is in April or May, but the buyers who are actively looking in July and August are often highly motivated. They're not browsing for fun. They're looking because they need to make a move.

One of the biggest advantages of selling a home in summer is something many homeowners overlook: less competition. Spring brings a flood of new listings to the market. By mid-summer, many of those homes have already sold, and inventory often begins to shrink. That means buyers have fewer options to choose from. A well-prepared, well-marketed home can sometimes stand out more in July than it would have during the busiest weeks of spring.

Summer also happens to be one of the best seasons for showing off a property. Lawns are green. Gardens are blooming. Trees are full. Patios, decks and outdoor living spaces are being used exactly as they were intended. Longer daylight hours make it easier to schedule showings and allow homes to feel brighter and more inviting.

In a city like Calgary, where we spend so much of the year looking forward to summer, buyers aren't just purchasing a house. They're buying a lifestyle. They're picturing morning coffee on the deck, evenings around the fire table, and backyard barbecues with friends and family. That emotional connection can be a powerful part of the selling process.

Now, does summer have its challenges? Of course. Showings can be a little less predictable. Some buyers will be away on vacation. Weekend activity may fluctuate depending on long weekends, travel plans or the weather. But serious buyers remain serious buyers.

In my experience, the season itself is rarely the deciding factor in whether a home sells successfully. Pricing, presentation and marketing matter far more than the month on the calendar. A home that's priced correctly and marketed effectively in July will almost always outperform an overpriced home listed in April.

Which brings me to something I tell clients often: there isn't a perfect time to sell a home. There's a right time for your life.

Whether that's spring, summer, fall or winter, the best time to make a move is when it aligns with your goals, your timeline and what's happening in your world. The market will always have its seasonal rhythms. Life doesn't always wait for them… and sometimes, summer is exactly the right time to make your move.

Thinking about selling your home in Calgary this summer? I'd be happy to talk through your options, answer your questions, and help you decide whether the timing makes sense for you—without any pressure and on your timeline.

See you around the kitchen island,

Erika

BUYERS | Around the Kitchen Island (1)

One of the things that always surprises me when I'm out showing homes is how quickly buyers can fall in love with a paint colour.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "I LOVE this house!" only to discover what they really loved was the navy kitchen island, the light fixture over the dining room table, or the perfectly styled throw pillows.

And honestly? I get it. I love beautiful spaces too; but, after walking through hundreds of homes with buyers over the years, I've learned something:

The homes people end up loving most aren't always the prettiest ones. They're the ones that fit their lives.

I remember working with buyers who had a very specific picture in their minds. They wanted the perfect kitchen, the perfect finishes, the perfect everything. Then we walked into a house that wasn't what they had envisioned at all.

The paint needed updating. The light fixtures weren't great. It certainly wasn't Pinterest-worthy.

But the moment we stepped into the backyard, everything changed. Suddenly they weren't talking about paint colours anymore. They were talking about where the BBQ would go. Where friends would gather. Where the dog would run. They were already imagining summer evenings and family dinners.

They weren't looking at a house anymore. They were picturing a life.

That's usually the moment I know we're onto something.

When you're looking at homes, pay attention to how a property makes you feel, but make sure you're falling in love with the right things.

Paint can be changed. Light fixtures can be replaced. Even kitchens can be renovated. Location, community, lot size, natural light, and the way a home functions for your day-to-day life are much harder to change.

The next time you're scrolling listings or walking through a home, ask yourself one simple question:

Can I picture my life here?

Because the best homes aren't always perfect. They're the ones that feel perfect for the people living in them. The ones where you can picture Sunday morning coffee, family dinners, summer BBQs, a dog racing around the backyard, or simply ending a long day and feeling like you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

That's the feeling worth paying attention to.

See you around the kitchen island,
Erika

Every spring, I tell myself I'm going to be more practical in my garden.

Then I plant mint.

And every summer, I remember exactly why.

Mint is the overachiever of the herb world. Give it a little sun, a little water, and suddenly you're wondering if you've accidentally started a mint farm. (Trust me, keep it in a pot unless you're looking for a lifelong commitment.)

The best part? It's one of those plants that makes you look far more put together than you actually are.

Friends coming over? Throw some mint in sparkling water and suddenly you're hosting.

Need a quick side dish? Add it to watermelon and feta and people will ask for the recipe.

Want to feel fancy on a Tuesday? Toss a few leaves into a cocktail and call it self-care.

A Few of My Favourite Uses for Fresh Mint

• Sparkling water, lime, and mint

• Watermelon, feta, and mint salad

• Fresh mint tea

• Homemade simple syrup for cocktails or iced tea

• Fruit platters that look like you planned ahead

• Pretty much anything that needs a little summer energy

And speaking of summer energy...

This is one of those recipes that tastes like you spent far more effort than you actually did. My favourite kind.

No complicated ingredients. No kitchen gadgets you'll use once and then store beside the bread maker.

Just a ridiculously refreshing drink that's perfect for patio season.

Blackberry Mint Moscow Mules

This is one of those recipes that tastes like you spent far more effort than you actually did. My favourite kind.

So if you've got a mint plant sitting on your deck right now, consider this your sign to stop admiring it and start using it. Your summer drinks, salads, and hosting game will thank you.

And if your mint somehow takes over the entire container by August? Don't worry. That's not a bug. It's a feature.

— Erika 🌿