The Okanagan is swiftly becoming Canada’s preferred region for families looking to lay down roots, and it’s easy to see why.

Hundreds of vineyards evoke the charm of Europe or Napa Valley, while the beauty of fruit orchards enhances the landscape. Sun-filled skies and expansive lakes and mountains provide a captivating setting for adventure. Hiking trails snake through dense forests, mountain slopes are known for their champagne powder and epic terrain, and lakes offer excitement for water sports. Here, the culinary and cultural scenes are vibrant, offering top-tier dining and engaging events. The Okanagan is far from solely a retirement community; it’s a place where families come to flourish.

Amidst this growth, a surge in construction has met a renaissance of sorts in interior design. At the centre of this exciting evolution, there’s an interior designer who perfectly captures the transformative energy of the Okanagan—meet Kara Gibson-Guyitt from Blue Alice Design, a visionary whose work we’ve had the pleasure to experience firsthand.

Royce Sihlis Photography 

Kara’s entry into interior design wasn’t a straight path but rather a serendipitous journey. Initially on track to become a sports psychologist, she soon realised her heart wasn’t in it. “I realised I didn’t love science, and wanted to be creative.” says Kara. This revelation led her to pivot dramatically to, as you’ve probably guessed, interior design; two years later she completed her diploma.

Upon graduation, Kara quickly found her niche in a residential design firm, starting as a home stylist where she curated spaces with bedding, blinds, and furniture packages. This role not only honed her eye for detail but also laid the foundation for her understanding of creating spaces that resonate on a personal level with her clients.

Kara’s expertise and flair for design caught the eye of the production team for “Love It or List It Vancouver—Okanagan edition,” where she served as the head designer for season 5. Tasked with completing 18 renovations in under two years, she tackled the challenge head-on, working closely with Jillian Harris and the design team.

This experience sharpened her skills in project management, the art of surprise—revealing to homeowners the potential of their spaces in ways they could never have imagined—but most importantly, budgeting. Kara says “I worked with the construction manager to budget the entire project (often within an hour) and I think that I learned more in the 2 years working on the show than I had in my entire career.”

When Love It or List It Vancouver made the move to feature the Okanagan, one of the hosts, Jillian Harris, was pregnant with her second child and had recently relocated to Kelowna herself. With the rise in construction and families moving to the Okanagan, it just made sense to shoot the show here. Since then, cities such as Penticton and Naramata have completely transformed, no longer the sleepy retirement towns they once were.

Royce Sihlis Photography 

This dynamic change has also sparked a unique blend of architectural and interior design styles across the region. Speaking on this, we asked Kara what makes the Okanagan so intriguing and appealing in terms of design. ‘It’s a style melting pot!’ she exclaimed.

She’s seeing a lot of influence from Vancouver and the Island, with West Coast contemporary style, while modern farmhouse also works well, and, maybe most surprisingly, Mediterranean style, because of the wine region. In Kelowna, modern infills are popping up downtown to help densify the area, so materials used for exterior surfaces include wood-look metal siding, Hardie planks, and panels, as well as stucco.

Kara is also so enthusiastic about what Ritchie Custom Homes are doing, citing their homes in Naramata as architectural masterpieces, featuring corten steel and concrete. She believes Frame Custom Homes always has innovative and exciting large builds, while Fawdry Homes are ones to watch (they cleaned up at the CHBA Okanagan Housing Awards of Excellence this year).

But one home in particular by Barnett Construction has caught her discerning eye; it’s a unique ICF build in progress with a curved foundation, also in Naramata. Kara has a fondness for the bench “I love the Naramata bench, the wine, the homes, everything!” she enthusiastically exclaims. We wholeheartedly agree.

Royce Sihlis Photography 

When asked about interior design trends for 2024, Kara recoils slightly. She believes design is subjective and states that a simple Google search will demonstrate how ridiculous the whole concept is. Type ‘design trends 2024’ into the search bar, and you’ll discover conflicting information: one website cites ‘Surprising Neutrals,’ while another cites ‘Bold Colors’; one mentions ‘Innovative Materials,’ while another suggests ‘A Break from Technology.’

Kara’s design philosophy is simple: “I believe and like to practise that a classic design is the way to go for the canvas; the big ticket items you likely won’t change (ie. kitchen cabinets, counters, floor and wall tile), but when you’re feeling like you need a refresh, you can have fun switching up the decor with furniture, rugs etc.”

As such, Kara’s vision for interior design goes far beyond following trends. She’s a storyteller, weaving personal narratives into the fabric of each space. Whether it’s a cosy nook that reflects a family’s love for the outdoors or a vibrant living area that tells the story of their life together, Kara’s work with Blue Alice Design transforms houses into homes that mirror the dreams of those who live there.

Her favourite projects often hit close to home, quite literally. Transforming her own 1991 teal carpet-clad house into a warm abode adorned with medium toned woods, linen textures, and personal items like her favourite painting from her grandma—she even designed an end wall in the kitchen to hang it. Kara has an innate ability to blend creativity with practicality.

But it’s not just about her own space; every project, from Jillian Harris’s office—where her and Jill agonised over a pink cabinet colour, then had a SMEG fridge custom painted to match—to a mid-century modern kitchen in Penticton is a favourite in its own right, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.

Rachelle Beatty Photography

Drawing on this wealth of experience, Kara has valuable insights for those considering their own renovation projects in the Okanagan.

Kara’s advice is clear: find a designer who feels like an extension of your family. She suggests first doing an online search in your city, see who pops up, then ask for referrals. But her biggest recommendation? Find someone with experience. A designer who has worked for a number of years in the industry who understands construction and budgeting. An experienced designer will understand the aspects of the build and will help guide you through the entire process.

When asked where she finds inspiration, she lights up. “In so many places!” Kara says. Most recently it was the architecture and colours of the buildings in San Jose del Cabo where she vacationed with her family. The texture in the stucco and concrete and the bright colours felt so fresh. But from a day to day perspective, she gathers inspiration from Pinterest, magazines, and fellow designers on Instagram.

Royce Sihlis Photography 

Beyond her professional life, Kara’s personal connection to the Okanagan deeply influences her work. Water is Kara’s greatest inspiration, which works out perfectly as she and her family reside in the Lower Mission near Rotary Beach, just a ten-minute walk away. They have a cherished nightly tradition of sunset swims in the summer. She’s captivated by the water’s rhythm, flow, and texture, elements that, for her, translate beautifully into good design.

One last question we had to ask was “where do you find fabulous decor”? Kara was quick to answer. She has a fondness for Arcadia Modern Home in Penticton and Furnish by Isabey in Kelowna, but doesn’t overlook places like HomeSense, where you can score gorgeous items for a reasonable price.

Looking ahead, the region is poised for significant growth in the coming years. Not only are families increasingly buying and building homes here, but the region also presents opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. And of course, more retirees—sun, surf, and sipping BC wine, it doesn’t get better than that! As this vibrant community continues to attract newcomers, Kara’s innovative designs will play an essential role in transforming houses into welcoming homes filled with character and cosiness.

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