Home Tour: A Modern Okanagan Farmhouse Designed for the Dog

What screams retirement more than moving from the hustle and bustle of Vancouver to 80 acres of land in the northern Okanagan… with impeccable views of mountain landscapes and natural light sunbathing each room? Thanks to Josephina Serra and Lauren Webb, principals at Form Collective, their clients can now check retirement dream home off the list.  

“There’s two of them, and their dog—we wanted to build them a home that would last many many years,” explains Serra. But since the homeowners had slightly different styles, Serra and Webb had to combine the two to make it suitable for both. Elevated modern farmhouse was the perfect compromise.  

“The owners were urban dwellers, now moving to 80 acres of land, so they wanted it more on the modern side,” says Webb. With floor-to-ceiling windows in the great room, an outdoor living space perfect for entertaining and hot tub access from the ensuite, they’ve got modern covered.

The farmhouse aesthetic comes through the furniture, including an antique dresser brought from the couple’s home in Vancouver. “We determined the depth of the entryway based on that piece, since we knew they wanted it,” says Webb. The designers turned it into a focal point by “painting the wall behind it black so it really stood out.”  

Another special detail is the hidden coffee station behind pocket door cabinets in the kitchen. The homeowners can hide it if needed, or bask in the beauty of the espresso machine. The kitchen itself was made for enthusiastic home chefs. As Serra states, one of the owners likes to cook and was “pretty particular” in how it functioned.

The unique, globe-like light fixture is a statement piece above the stairs. Serra explains the clients “wanted something that had scale and volume to it, but wasn’t going to feel heavy,” and the globes from Matteo were a perfect fit.

We can’t forget about the four-legged family member, who lucked out and got their very own oasis: a dog wash station. It’s accessed through the garage and perfect for “wet, muddy boots” says Serra, ideal for washing off dirty paws after exploring the acreage.  

The outside of the home features a saltwater pool, a private outdoor shower, a wood-burning fireplace and an outdoor cooking area; all with one goal in mind: “Maximize the views,” say Serra and Webb in unison.