This Home Will Make You Want to Live on Bowen Island

Take a peek inside this farmhouse-inspired cabin on the Sunshine Coast.

Brad Carter and Linda Cuthbert knew exactly what they wanted to do with the 2.5 acres of land they bought in the Cowan Point area on Bowen Island. “We could see where the house would be perfectly situated between two outcroppings of rock,” says Linda. As a master builder, Brad first came to the island to help turn a summer cottage at Hood Point into an all-year residence, and Linda had also visited the island several years before with her sister and friends. The island presented an excellent opportunity to build a European-style farmhouse surrounded by nature.

At a Glance

Who lives here: Brad Carter and Linda CuthbertLocation: Bowen IslandSize: 4,800 square feet

The foyer acts as the main hub of the home as all rooms branch off from here. Stairs lead to the dining and kitchen areas as well as the living and family rooms. The stone tiles define the space with an inlay river rock border. The long window that runs above the width of the doors lets in additional light and adds height to this main point of entry.

There’s plenty of room for Brad and Linda to relax and entertain in the spacious family room. They chose a vibrant yet earthy paint colour for the walls and an Ikea entertainment unit. A neutral, oversize area rug pulls the room together.”When working with an architect to design and build the home, we wanted to ensure easy access to the outside from all rooms,” Linda says. French doors lead onto a back patio running the full length of the home. Floor-to-ceiling windows remain uncovered to showcase the stunning scenery just a glance away.

The living room features a large double-sided stone fireplace that passes through to a sitting room off the foyer. No farmhouse is complete without a roaring fire during snowy winter months, and Brad and Linda enjoy being able to sit fireside in both spaces.

In the kitchen, the windows above the sink look out to the front garden and make washing dishes a great spot to soak up peaceful nature views. Lower cabinetry contains plenty of storage as well as a flush-mount installed dishwasher.On the other side of the kitchen, Brad and Linda chose white cabinetry and granite to allow the ceramic cooktop to blend in and float above three large storage drawers. A pass-through to the dining area creates an open flow between the two spaces.

In keeping with the idea of bringing the outdoors in, Brad and Linda accessed full ceiling height in the master suite to allow views to the night sky and cascading sunshine.”On one of our first mornings in our new home, a mature stag strolled quietly through the side garden up to the rock outcropping and stopped. It gazed around to look straight at us through the bedroom window! The connection was made, apologies and gratitude exchanged,” Linda shares.A second double-sided fireplace is put to good use at both the foot of the soaker tub as well as in the bedroom. A large picture window next to the tub lends a feeling that you are bathing outdoors. The home, which is not visible from the street, is set back on the lot creating the sense of a private retreat.Bowen Island sits at the mouth of Howe Sound nestled between the mainland and the Sunshine Coast. The island has long been a go-to destination for Vancouverites seeking a getaway into their rugged natural surroundings.The approximately 3,500 year-round residents enjoy an island life community rich in the arts. Outdoor recreation activities abound with ample space to explore Bowen Island on foot, bike or boat. With regular ferry service to the mainland many residents as well as students make the daily 20-minute commute to the city. The ideal location makes Bowen Island a place where one can really enjoy the best of both worlds.