The Okanagan was made for summer vacations. You can spend your days relaxing by a pool, biking around the lake and sipping as many wines as possible—and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to stay in a place as gorgeous as these homes from the WL archives. Can you imagine stumbling upon these beauties while browsing the local listings on Airbnb?!

Photo: Jon Adrian

Wing It

It’s not always possible to get a good night’s rest while on vacation—but this Kelowna home is made for catching Zs. Designed by architect Randy Bens, it features a “living” wing and a “sleeping” wing. A quiet place to lay our heads after a busy day on the lake? Sounds ideal! Step inside this light and bright abode.

Wine and Dine

No… this isn’t a winery. Native Shoes founder Scott Hawthorn transformed a five-and-a-half acre heritage farm into a place where he could be outdoors, hang out with friends and embrace the summer season. On the property, you’ll find a sprawling deck, a wood-fired hot tub and an in-ground wine cellar affectionately known as Pierre (its custom curled-up door handles resemble an archetypal Frenchman). Explore this slice of paradise on the Naramata Bench.

Photo: Sama Jim Canzian

View Finder

Without Nigel Parish, this Vernon home just wouldn’t have been the same. He proposed moving it northwards and upwards on the property in order to maximize views. You can see Kalamalka Lake to the north east and south, and gorgeous rolling hills and grasslands to the west. “To me, both are amazing because the landscape especially is super beautiful,” says the designer. Check out the rest of this lakeside home.

Dining Island and Lounge Area

Smart Casual

This three-storey residence is as casual as it is chic. Warm finishes like the beautiful oak millwork keep the contemporary space feeling cozy; meanwhile, quartz countertops and hardwood floors offer understated elegance. “It’s a special place,” says designer Tanya Wassen. Tour this Kamloops home.

Cliff Hanger

There’s a gorgeous 3,000-square-foot home on this Okanagan property, but we’d prefer to stay in the 480-square-foot cantilevered studio. Owner Ian MacDonald enlisted the help of Ply Architecture to build this addition on the (literal) edge of his complex. It’s thrilling in that it extends over a cliff face, but also for its thoughtful materials palette—the corrugated metal is a reference to the agricultural community that surrounds it. See more of this glass-and-concrete outpost.

Photo: Christina Faminoff

Window of Opportunity

This Form Collective-designed home proves that Okanagan homes don’t have to be lakeside to feel special. Built on 80 acres of land, every room boasts incredible views of the surrounding mountain landscape and is bathed in natural light—thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Check out the rest of this modern farmhouse.

Go All Out(doors)

The owners of this Vernon property, a couple who work as a doctor and nurse, are originally from Saskatchewan. They chose their hospital and specialization so that they could spend as much time as possible outside—and wanted their home to seamlessly blend the indoors and outdoors. No wonder architect D’Arcy Jones used concrete, steel and other materials that have a natural feel. Peek inside this eco-friendly retreat.

Beach, Please!

Designer Geoff Orr’s Penticton home is a little ways from the lake, but you’d never know it by looking at the exterior! He installed a water feature (now a natural pond that fills and refreshes on its own with rainwater) and a sandy firepit area. “We thought it would be nice to have a beach to hang out at,” he says. Learn more about this Okanagan property.

Cabin Fever

Robert Bailey reimagined the classic B.C. cottage with the design of this Naramata home—but he also made sure to incorporate all the cabin essentials, including a fire pit, an outdoor shower, a teen hangout room that converts to a sleepover space and a great room that can accommodate big dinners. “The home needed to be super relaxed, where nothing would be precious—everything had to be easy to live with, but all in an elegantly finished and sophisticated package,” he says. See the rest of this contemporary cabin.