Western Living Magazine
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2026 Kitchen Design Tip #3: Embrace the U-Shaped Island for Entertaining
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These designer pool decks really make a splash.
It’s that time of year when everyone spends their days lounging by a pool or wishing they owned a pool. For those that do more of the latter (same), we’ve got you covered with these stunning pool decks from the WL archives.
They say it takes a village… and in the case of this home, it’s true. Gateway Architecture, The Creative Design Works Inc. and Paul Sangha Creative joined forces to design this slice of paradise in Vancouver’s idyllic Southlands neighborhood.
While there’s lots of love in and around the property, we can’t help but swoon over the pool. Finished with uniform glass tiles, it has a serene, reflective quality—and provides a lovely splash of colour. Tour this modern country home.
Landscape architecture firm Paul Sangha Creative also helped to design this pool deck, which extends from the lower level of a stunning West Vancouver home. Working with designer Sophie Burke, they opted for a grey limestone tile that could be used both inside and out—creating cohesion between the home’s interior and exterior spaces. Peek inside this gorgeous harbour house.
Okanagan homes are usually characterized by lake and vineyard views—but not this one! David Burns and Liz Bell’s artistic and soulful retreat leans into the desert aesthetic. The exterior draws heavily on the southwestern adobe tradition (with a side of South African Cape Dutch) and features its own oasis in the form of a rectangular pool. Explore the rest of this 11-acre Osoyoos property.
This 1969 post-and-beam home from legendary architect Daniel Evan White had been through a series of bad renovations that both diminished its West Coast modern heritage and blocked the stellar ocean views. And then Nigel Parish of Splyce Design showed up and brought the building back to its roots.
He even revamped the pool area out back, designing the hardscaping and working with Botanica for the plantings. Now, it’s the ultimate spot to soak up the summer sunshine. See the before and after renovation photos.
The inside of this Stephanie Brown-designed home only subtly channels the mid-century ethos. But the outside? With swaying palm trees and a curvaceous swimming pool, it embraces the classic Palm Springs style that we know and love. Check out the rest of this 2,200-square-foot bungalow.
Kaitlyn is a design-obsessed writer, editor and content manager based in Vancouver. When she's not busy swooning over gorgeous homes, you can find her reading, hiking and befriending as many dogs as possible.
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