Carmelle Sly doesn’t just have a fire pit in her Edmonton backyard. She and her husband, Dan, have a fire cauldron. “It’s gigantic,” she admits. “But when that fire is roaring, we don’t feel like we’re in our backyard.”

The Sly’s purposely designed their backyard to resemble a mountain retreat, planting as many Rocky Mountain species as possible. “Our backyard was built to be like a mountain oasis, with junipers, pussytoes and other native plants, so you feel like you’re in the middle of the forest even when you’re in the middle of the city,” she notes.

The Slys aren’t alone in prioritizing wellness at home. Canadians are building self-care into every square foot of their homes and backyards. From cold plunge stations beside recovery rooms to sparkling water taps to spa-inspired bathroom

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