The moment I stepped onto the curb of Mea's St. James home I knew I was in for a treat. Her small front yard was a lovely oasis, boasting cosy seating areas, a water fountain and lots of interesting vignettes. We will look more closely at Mea's yard next week along with the second floor of her home. For now, we'll have more than enough to cover with just the ground floor of this exquisite home.

I don't know where this pint-sized powerhouse finds all of her energy, but along with running three Mea's locations in Winnipeg, she has also revamped her home five times in the last 22 years. Rooms have been added and dormers expanded, which has all resulted in a great, open interior. The large stone tiles throughout the home give it a real sense of elegance but are also durable and timeless. What was once an added-on sun porch is now part of the main living area that is open to the grand living room which is elevated and framed with two imposing columns. Mea is a petite woman but prefers large pieces of furniture. She purchased a stunning curled-arm, upholstered bench from Italy and a very unique chaise from Indonesia in her travels. The eclectic mix of a white leather sofa and chair, the regal bench, chaise and the painted dining room furniture work wonderfully well together in this grand room.