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Houzz Tour: Bringing the Outdoors Inside on Bowen Island, B.C.
Custom-built farmhouse offers large, small reminders of surrounding nature
Houzz home tour contributor. I call the rainy coasts of the Pacific Northwest home and couldn't imagine living away from the mountains or ocean. I'm constantly on the fence between city and country. Subsequently, my style varies from clean and contemporary to cabin in the woods. I have a passion for design, photography and the built environment.
Houzz home tour contributor. I call the rainy coasts of the Pacific Northwest... More »
When Brad Carter and Linda Cuthbert bought their 2.5 acres in the Cowan Point area on Bowen Island, B.C., "We could see where the house would be perfectly situated between two outcroppings of rock," Linda says. As a master builder, Brad first came to the island to help renovate a summer cottage at Hood Point into an all-year residence, and Linda had also visited the island several years before with her sister and friends. The island presented an excellent opportunity to build a European-style farmhouse surrounded by nature.
Who lives here: Brad Carter and Linda Cuthbert
Location: Bowen Island, B.C., Canada
Size: 3,800 sq. ft. main house with 1,000 sq. ft. two-car garage and extra guest suite
Who lives here: Brad Carter and Linda Cuthbert
Location: Bowen Island, B.C., Canada
Size: 3,800 sq. ft. main house with 1,000 sq. ft. two-car garage and extra guest suite
by Megan Buchanan
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This foyer acts as the main hub of the home as all rooms branch off from here. Stairs lead to the dining and kitchen areas as well as the living and family rooms. The stone tiles define the space with an inlay river rock border. The long window that runs above the width of the doors lets in additional light and adds height to this main point of entry.
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by Megan Buchanan
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by Megan Buchanan
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There is plenty of room for Brad and Linda to relax and entertain in this spacious family room. They chose a vibrant yet earthy paint color for the walls and an Ikea entertainment unit. A neutral, oversize area rug pulls the room together.
"When working with an architect to design and build the home, we wanted to ensure easy access to the outside from all rooms," Linda says. French doors lead onto a back patio running the full length of the home. Floor-to-ceiling windows remain uncovered to showcase the stunning scenery just a glance away.
Paint: Spring Dust by Benjamin Moore
"When working with an architect to design and build the home, we wanted to ensure easy access to the outside from all rooms," Linda says. French doors lead onto a back patio running the full length of the home. Floor-to-ceiling windows remain uncovered to showcase the stunning scenery just a glance away.
Paint: Spring Dust by Benjamin Moore
by Megan Buchanan
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The living room features a large double-sided stone fireplace that passes through to a sitting room off the foyer. No farmhouse is complete without a roaring fire during snowy winter months, and Brad and Linda enjoy being able to sit fireside in both spaces.
by Megan Buchanan
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This is a closer look at the slate stone work detailing on the opposite side of the fireplace. A nook was designed underneath for easy access to firewood. The hearth is at perfect bench height and invites you to cozy up next to the fire.
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by Megan Buchanan
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by Megan Buchanan
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In the kitchen, the windows above the sink look out to the front garden and make washing dishes a great spot to soak up peaceful nature views. Lower cabinetry contains plenty of storage as well as a flush-mount installed dishwasher.
Brad and Linda decided to keep the edge of the gray granite counter tops raw to remind them of the rugged stone around Bowen Island.
Brad and Linda decided to keep the edge of the gray granite counter tops raw to remind them of the rugged stone around Bowen Island.
by Megan Buchanan
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On the other side of the kitchen, Brad and Linda chose white cabinetry and granite to allow the ceramic cooktop to blend in and float above three large storage drawers. A pass-through to the dining area creates an open flow between the two spaces.
by Megan Buchanan
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Stacked dual ovens are a bonus when cooking for any family gathering. A tall crown molding caps off the upper cupboards, and warm hardwood details complement the light color palette.
by Megan Buchanan
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In keeping with the idea of bringing the outdoors in, Brad and Linda accessed full ceiling height in the master suite to allow views to the night sky and cascading sunshine.
"On one of our first mornings in our new home, a mature stag strolled quietly through the side garden up to the rock outcropping and stopped. It gazed around to look straight at us through the bedroom window! The connection was made, apologies and gratitude exchanged," Linda shares.
A second double-sided fireplace is put to good use at both the foot of the soaker tub as well as in the bedroom. A large picture window next to the tub lends a feeling that you were bathing outdoors.
Paint: Hampton Green by Benjamin Moore
"On one of our first mornings in our new home, a mature stag strolled quietly through the side garden up to the rock outcropping and stopped. It gazed around to look straight at us through the bedroom window! The connection was made, apologies and gratitude exchanged," Linda shares.
A second double-sided fireplace is put to good use at both the foot of the soaker tub as well as in the bedroom. A large picture window next to the tub lends a feeling that you were bathing outdoors.
Paint: Hampton Green by Benjamin Moore
by Megan Buchanan
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The large glass enclosed shower was no exception when considering views to the outdoors. The warm wood that surrounds the tub, neutral tiles and river rock accent all contribute to a soothing nature-inspired master suite.
by Megan Buchanan
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A long vanity that runs the full length of the opposite wall offers useful storage as well as plenty of counter space. The base of the vanity is the same warm wood used in the tub surround and is topped with a creamy marble. Attention to detail when selecting the faucets and hardware ensure the farmhouse feel is carried throughout the home.
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by Megan Buchanan
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| The home, which is not visible from the street, is set back on the lot creating the sense of a private retreat. The wood and rock exterior finishings seem at home in their surroundings and were well chosen for the farmhouse feel. |
by Megan Buchanan
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A guest room with an ensuite bathroom sits above the detached two-car garage. Linda would like to source a local welder to create a Juliet balcony for the tall vertical window. During the summer months this side patio is the perfect spot to host al fresco dining. The decking runs all the way along the back of the home toward a small trail that leads through the trees and down to the lake. Linda says: "A short stroll to the lakeside is a tremendous stress-buster and invites us always to sit and enjoy an abundance of eye catching movement of water, deer, eagles, and little winged creatures."
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by Megan Buchanan
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| Bowen Island sits at the mouth of Howe Sound nestled between the mainland (Vancouver) and the Sunshine Coast. The island has long been a go-to destination for Vancouverites seeking a getaway into their rugged natural surroundings. The approximately 3,500 year-round residents enjoy an island life community rich in the arts. Outdoor recreation activities abound with ample space to explore Bowen Island on foot, bike or boat. With regular ferry service to the mainland many residents as well as students make the daily 20-minute commute to the city. The ideal location makes Bowen Island a place where one can really enjoy the best of both worlds. More: Houzz Tour: Contemporary Nest in Fun Vancouver Neighborhood Houzz Tour: British Columbia Townhome with a Postcard View Next: Browse hundreds of inspiring homes |
Ideabook updated on Jan. 30, 2012.
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The house looks unfinished, somehow - or un-lived-in and sparse. Maybe more artwork would help?
"The island has long been a go-to destination for Vancouverites seeking a getaway into their rugged natural surroundings" - um, no. We don't go to a tiny island full of multi-million-dollar houses to find "rugged nature."
One doesn't go to Bowen Island to seek a getaway in nature when there are numerous places on the mainland.
In regards to the first comment in line: I think there is such a thing as European rural architecture. By no means, it is something unified, though. Houses in rural France have a lot of character and there are indeed common characteristics for different regions (i.e. farm houses in Normandy look different than those in Provence and one can recognize similar features for each region). Traditional houses in Greece, especially on the islands have their recognizable character. Traditional farm houses or village houses in Romania are typical, yet vary tremendously by region. Germany might be more unified in these respects, although ask a Bavarian... Anyway, the comment European style seems as vague as the style of the house presented here...so I guess it works. :-)