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In the 1980s, the Canadian music legend David Foster moved from his native British Columbia to California, where he established himself as a musician, composer, arranger and recording artist while also producing the work of musicians ranging from Christina Aguilera to Prince and many pop icons in between. The more than a dozen Grammy Awards he has amassed over that period are on display at the Malibu house he shares with his wife, Yolanda Hadid, an interior designer and cast member on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. When designing the beachfront mansion six years ago, Foster chose an architectural plan that would enable him to see the Pacific from any angle and remind him of home. One of those ocean-view rooms is his music-filled living room. "I just can't get over that view," he says. "It brings me back to B.C., back to my roots." On Dec. 5, Foster returned to his home country for the David Foster Foundation Miracle Concert in aid of children undergoing organ transplants. Among the performers were Earth, Wind and Fire, Andrea Bocelli and a galaxy of other prominent artists.

The colour scheme

"Yolanda designed all of the furniture, including the glass table. I had maybe 19 ideas for the house. She had 3,000. But I did have a say in the colour scheme. I picked blue, which is probably my favourite colour."

The painting

"This is by my wife's ex-husband. He is a well-known home builder and painting is a hobby for him. He gave it to us and I think it's beautiful."

The prints

"These are framed pieces of music and they are only there because we haven't figured out what else to put on the walls. But it will be music, most definitely. I'm thinking maybe something by Beethoven or Bach."

The sliding windows

"When you've got a room you can open up like that, then you're happy. At least I am. Again, it's about getting back to my roots. It makes me feel connected to the outdoors."

The patio furniture

"It's very casual, because our lifestyle is casual. You can't go anywhere in the house and not put your feet up. Except perhaps the dining room."

The piano

"This is a Yamaha, my favourite maker of pianos I have four of them, one in Victoria, one in my studio, one in my condo and one here. I've had it for 30 years. I've created many songs on it – too many to mention – but one stands out, Hard to Say I'm Sorry [a Billboard Top 100 hit co-written with Peter Cetera and recorded by Chicago]. I remember it exactly, and it was on this piano."

The Grammy award

"You can just see part of this award here. It's one of 16. I am not one to put such things on display, but my wife is. They definitely are a conversation starter. When I talk about them, it's like seeing my life pass before my eyes."

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