Inside designer J Gibson’s weekend retreat, rooms strike a balance between rustic and refined. The living room’s seven-foot-tall ceilings and a stone hearth give it a warm, intimate vibe that’s extra inviting after a winter hike.

In this Whistler home, durable leather armchairs are family favorites. “They are clean-lined and comfy with down-filled, oversized cushions — perfect for cozying up in,” says designer Ami McKay. A vase holds a bunch of lichen, plentiful in the mountains where the air is purest, while birch logs draw the eye to the fireplace.

The long-haired tortoiseshell isn’t the only one who thinks this cottage living room is the ideal spot for a cat nap. From the plush Persian rug to the ample pillows, this retreat is all about relaxation.

This country home nestled in the hills of Caledon, Ontario, balances a pretty palette with a relaxed, weekend attitude. This great room by Sarah Richardson is the ideal spot to debrief after a horse show, or leaf through your favorite magazine. Cozy sofas and a clean-lined flagstone fireplace make this living area the quintessential spot for a lazy weekend.

A calming palette, lots of seating and rustic baskets makes this Muskoka cottage living area serene and welcoming for carefree family get-togethers. “It’s a fresh twist on the casual, relaxed cottage look,” says designer Cory DeFrancisco.

This Quebec chalet has warm overtones of Tuscany. A double-height chandelier plays up the vertical lines of the fireplace to draw the eye up, while twin mirrored alcoves frame the soaring hearth.

The living room of former H&H editor Suzanne Dimma’s Scandi-style cottage in Haliburton, Ontario, was carefully orchestrated to frame this impressive view. The rock face beyond this window acts like a work of art, especially at night when it’s lit from below.

The double-sided fireplace in the great room of this Calgary home is a dramatic focal point. Warm walnut details repeats on both sides for continuity, and the stone inlay of the surround is a nod to the home’s exterior.

The fireplace in event planner Catriona Smart’s living room is a show-stopping focal point, thanks to the dark, flame-like detailing. Enveloping, shaggy upholstered armchairs are the perfect spot to curl up in.

An evergreen-colored accent wall sets a fresh, wintry tone in this Montreal home. The striking slim fireplace by Norwegian company Jøtul is a cozy focal point that has sculptural flair.

In designer Sarah Richardson’s peaceful country home, Starlight Farm, the sofa, chairs and side tables are symmetrically arranged around the classic fireplace for a sense of balance, calm and order. Her fans would never turn down an invitation to settle into the comfy tufted oatmeal sofa and enjoy a roaring fire.

Velvet upholstered sofas and pillows are enticement enough to settle and linger in the naturally beautiful living room of this Muskoka cottage. Rustic beams accent the cathedral ceiling.

In hockey star Trevor Linden’s Whistler home, the vibe is contemporary and easygoing. The inclusive built-in sofa seats 10, making this room the perfect gathering place for friends and family. The Brent Comber coffee tables lend an elegant rusticity to the space, while a painting by celebrated B.C. artist Gordon Smith visually links the interior with the outdoors.

Designer Carrie McCarthy took a spare approach when decorating her West Coast cottage; the purity of the palette and lack of clutter is an instant stress buster. Large French doors afford an impressive view of the pines.

Comfortable furniture, textured fieldstone and hand-hewn beams contribute to the cozy, feet-up feeling of this living room. The roaring fire and reclaimed wood coffee table fits the room’s hibernation vibe perfectly.

Large sectionals and plush pillows bring a loungey feel to this living area, while the drum tables and colorful patchwork rug offer a mod Moroccan vibe.

Because this living room doubles as a media room, thick cotton-linen drapes stop the sound from bouncing around and also work to cozy up the space. The extra-long sofa seats eight and can be converted to a bed for sleepovers. Floor cushions keep the mood casual.

A detail of a traditional African juju headdress takes center stage and provides the palette for the rest of this living room. The wall is bathed in a dark, rich blue to contrast the warm hues of the plumage, and a mix of leather and velvets was chosen in the same muted browns and greys to keep the focus on the photography.

Mazen El-Abdallah designed this monolithic, black Cambrian stone fireplace, which lends visual weight to the living room but doesn’t feel too heavy. Wood accents, a silk rug and a smattering of plush throw pillows make the open space feel inviting.

In Brian Gluckstein’s 2017 Princess Margaret Showhome, the living room’s pale blue-grey walls and tonal drapes create a cocooning feel, while accents of orange, wood and brass warm up the cool palette.

A vintage cedar longitudinal-strip canoe is the star of this living room. A mix of new and vintage knickknacks and a chocolate brown hide rug burnish the sense of relaxed timelessness.

The rustic wooden structure of this 1780s Cape Cod saltbox living room was left exposed to show off its spartan beauty. An antique carpet found in Marrakesh injects more warmth and color.

Comfortable seating and a dropped ceiling finished in tongue and groove feels cozy in this living room, while a glass-tiered chandelier adds sparkle. A striped rug brings a welcome hit of pattern.

Comfy throw pillows, a cozy rug and sink-in seating make this high-style living room a destination for relaxation in this Toronto home.

The ceilings in this Whistler, British Columbia, living room are clad in warm cedar and are a counterpoint to the paler oak floors. Says the homeowner of the floors: “It had just enough character to add warmth to the space, without getting too rustic.”

Pine panelling warms up this impressive two-storey great room, which boasts large corbels that add architectural interest. The roomy sectional adds comfy seating for a crowd.

Vibrant pattern and eclectic accents give this living room a new energy. A bright wall hanging brings in color and texture while velvet armchairs and an army of throw pillows complete the bright yet comfy look.

The living area of this Georgian Bay cottage is anchored by a comfortable sofa and armchairs. The green lampshade and striped throw pillows invigorate the room, while the colors for the neutral upholstery and area rug were pulled from the views outside.

The textile mural in this living room creates a warm, wabi-sabi feel, while the plush rug and upholstered pieces up the comfort factor. Imperfection in the home has never looked better.

Designer Colette van den Thillart’s London living room is fine-tuned for intimate entertaining. The prevailing style is “international” — an assortment of pieces from Turkey, Morocco and France are layered with confidence for a vibe that is warm and welcoming.

Huge windows flood this living room with light, which, combined with the dark walls, make the space feel cozy and welcoming. The modular, multifunctional ottomans provides seating that is open yet intimate.

This living room is beautifully curated with symmetrically hung artworks, a striking light fixture and warm accents, including two fluffy throw pillows that invite you to curl up with a good book.

This living room’s cozy low sectional doesn’t overpower and is easy to manoeuvre around. Interior designer Richard Ouellette had it reupholstered in taupe cashmere wool, making it a perfectly elegant spot for enjoying a toasty fire.

With its mix of modern pieces and treasured antiques, this living room is a study in understated elegance. The standout coffered ceiling was stained a darker color to give the room a cozier feel.

In this living area, soft green walls are a soothing choice, and a huge, inky sectional and ottoman from an L.A. flea market bring warmth to the space. A striped kilim adds graphic punch underfoot.

The antique bison hide layered over a jute rug gives this condo living room a modern lodge vibe, while the patchwork brick wall offers a window into the history of the rustic building.

Big, cozy seating facing a crackling fire and walls covered in sand-tone grasscloth make this second-floor living area an irresistible hangout zone.

A neutral color scheme sets off layers of vibrant throw pillows made from scraps of vintage indigo fabrics in this light-filled living room. Natural elements like potted plants add an organic note to this cozy space.

Black-framed windows blend into the Hague Blue (from Farrow & Ball) walls of this living room, while the large velvet sectional provides seating for up to eight. A statement chair is an inviting spot for cocooning.

In this bright living room, the warm wooden hutch and armchairs, distressed leather couch and shag rug create a cool and cozy look with a modern farmhouse sensibility.

A generous sofa and the bloom-inspired palette of pale pink, soft purple and earthy green makes this sunny living room a natural spot for relaxing with a book. A rug tossed over the back of a sofa gives an instant boho-chic look.