8 Island Retreats That Will Take Your Breath Away

Cabins, cottages, vacation homes€”whatever you want to call them, these B.C. island getaways are sure to inspire summer dreaming.

1. It Takes Two

This Bowen Island home, designed by the team at Frits de Vries, captures both forest and ocean views: “The house isn’t trying to compete with nature,” says the homeowner. “It’s a beautiful frame for everything around it.” See more of this modern island home.

2. Looking Glass

There’s no shortage of extraordinary vantage points here. Almost every room—the master bedroom, the living room, the kitchen—in this Cedric Burgers-designed home on Bowen Island features floor-to-ceiling windows. See more of this airy seaside retreat.

3. Opposites Attract

With a wood ceiling, Mongolian sheepskin pillows, layered fabrics and driftwood-esque white-oak floors, this family home on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast—designed by WL Designers of the Year judge Alda Pereira—strikes a beautiful balance between luxe and laidback. See more of this casual vacation home.

4. Wild Thing

It may only be 680-square feet, but this Pender Island home leaves a big impression thanks to its green roof (wild strawberries, ferns and licorice grow atop it), farmhouse-like façade and natural materials palette. See more of this cozy cabin.

5. Groovy Baby

This mid-century modern home, originally built in 1968, has what designers Ian McLeod and Kerry Johnson call a “swank factor.” It has a floating media room, a sunken living room and a striking stone fireplace—“the way late ’60s architect was meant to be,” says McLeod. See more of Gulf Islands home.

6. Back to Basics

Seattle architect Tom Kundig proves less really is more: this modern Gulf Islands retreat is only 190 square feet, but still has all the essentials (and a neutral, sophisticated plywood interior). See more of this tiny, sustainable home.

7. Soul Patch

The team at Falken Reynolds added their signature mid-century and Scandinavian flair to this Sunshine Coast home—without sacrificing the ocean views. See more of this soulful coastal cabin.

8. Cool Contrast

To complement the lush greenery that surrounds this Gulf Islands home, designers Kerri Watson and Alex Coleman incorporated natural hues and textures: cotton linen, slabs of marble, raw concrete and a sea urchin-like Flos Zeppelin light. See more of this open-concept cabin.

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