Photos: Peek Inside 8 Beautiful B.C. Island Homes

When west coast designers and architects get their hands on idyllic island properties, magic happens. And that’s true whether they’re building a 4,500-square foot home on Vancouver Island or restoring a century-old cabin on a remote island in Howe Sound.

Modern Family Home on Vancouver Island

Despite being less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria, this Vancouver Island residence feels remote. Thanks to architect Chris Foyd, who had to overcome a challenging narrow lot, the home boasts unparalleled views of Cadboro Bay and private access to a sandy beach.

Seaside Retreat on Bowen Island

From the towers of downtown Vancouver to the mountains of Vancouver Island, this tranquil home designed by architect Cedric Burgers has no shortage of extraordinary views. The best spot to take them all in? The kitchen, which loses a wall during the summer months (and extends to the edge of a cliff for dramatic al fresco dining).

Pre-fab Residence in the Gulf Islands

It’s hard to believe that this Tony Robins-designed home was built in a prefab factory and then trucked and barged over to the Gulf Islands. With an origami-like shape and a rusted steel exterior that perfectly matches the bark of the surrounding arbutus trees, it blends seamlessly into the landscape.

And it’s just as impressive if you’re looking out from the inside. Pictured above is just one of the home’s seven ocean-facing decks.

Beachy Getaway on Eagle Island

After years of wear and tear (plus a few unfortunate renovations) the owners of this West Vancouver home tasked Jennifer Heffel of HB Design with bringing it back to life.

“It was a bit rustic, as an Eagle Island home would be,” says the designer. “And we wanted to retain that.” So, she stripped and stained the beams a richer, darker colour—and layered in linen wallcoverings and lamps with marine-inspired cording on them.

Sustainable Treehouse on Bowen Island

This Bowen Island cabin isn’t as simple as it looks. Architectural designer Simon Montgomery didn’t want to disturb the site, so he suspended the structure between two rocks. It’s a feat that not only shows respect for nature but also elevates the home, making it feel as if you’re in the treetops.

“It’s a house that really sits well within its location,” says the SM Studio director. “It’s meant to be there with the site, and it disappears into the landscape.”

Cabin Compound on Bowen Island

To take advantage of this property’s beautiful typography (it’s surrounded by nine acres of forest and one acre of waterfront), the team at Frits de Vries Architects + Associates “scattered” a collection of smaller houses across the landscape. While each serves a different purpose—the kitchen is in one, bedrooms are in another—they all beautifully capture the views outside.

Charming Hideaway in Howe Sound

Designer Sophie Burke took inspiration from the seaside cabins of Norway and Denmark when making over this Howe Sound cabin, covering every wall in whitewashed pine rather than drywall. “There’s something about pale wood panelling that feels calm and relaxing,” she says. And then there’s the deck—it looks pretty serene, too.

Casual Chic Vacation Home on Echo Island

Designer Alda Pereira helped transform a 1920s loggers’ cabin (think pine walls and shag carpet) into a summer home that seamlessly blends old and new, high and low. Inside, you’ll find miniature boat motors, a whale vertebra and vintage George Nakashima chairs alongside a Bocci chandelier and a Flexform sectional.