Author: Laurie Carter

Family Appeal

Family Appeal

Posted by | Nov 30, 2011 |

Kelowna’s Upper Mission hosts this warmly attractive home in the gated Iron Horse community… Eye-popping curb appeal says, “Welcome,” to a dwelling specifically designed as a comfortably functional family home. Natural Pangaea Cambrian stone echoes the earth tones of cedar shakes and sky coloured shingles. Together they provide a textural dimension that highlights the multi-faceted roof and wall lines. Designer Mika Rempel of Chirp Studio wanted some elements of traditional detailing while maintaining a fresh, modern feel. “Everything that went into the house was considered for practicality as well as beauty,” says Mika. “If it’s not practical, then what’s the point?”

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Stay & Play

Stay & Play

Posted by | Oct 26, 2011 | ,

No passports, no airport pat downs, no more than a single tank of gas. Maybe it’s time we discover what tourists from around the world already know….Okanagan.

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Rollin’ on the River

Rollin’ on the River

Posted by | Oct 26, 2011 | ,

Excellent, Amsterdam would fit perfectly into the plan. (Did I forget to mention my tiny, little personal agenda—a river cruise.) With a dozen big ship voyages from Cape Horn to the Baltic under my lifebelt, I’d been dying to marry the one-bed, one-packing comfort of floating travel with a tour of Old World sights in the heart of Europe. And Amsterdam happens to be the terminus of one of the best river cruises of all—the Rhine. I called my travel agent.

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Valley Voyageur

Valley Voyageur

Posted by | Aug 8, 2011 |

“Preparez!” I raise my paddle over the water. “En avant!” Down it goes in time with the lead stroke, Laurie Bowen, who sits alone in the bow. Jordie, her husband and partner in Selah Outdoor Explorations, is calling orders from the stern of a 29-foot freighter canoe that’s dressed in the finery of the Hudson’s Bay Company fur brigade. It’s timely that I’m paddling Okanagan Lake with the rest of the 11-person crew. This year marks the bicentennial of David Stuart’s trek through the Okanagan and the opening of a vital fur trade route that flourished for decades.

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Voluptuous Valley Villa

Voluptuous Valley Villa

Posted by | Apr 13, 2011 |

Romanesque lines, multiple roofs, exposed rafter tails, stucco, tile and the rich warm tones of the earth speak of an elegant Tuscan heritage in this five bedroom, five-and-a-half bath villa built by Frame Custom Homes. With over 6,000 sq. ft. of living space on three levels, Ginette Interiors had tremendous scope to develop the old world theme. Heritage elements work seamlessly beginning with hand-scraped hickory flooring and the handcrafted wrought iron railing by Westside Railing Solutions that defines the foyer staircase and floating bridge,

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