At Edgehill Homes, “intentional design” isn’t just a buzzword we sprinkle into meetings or marketing. It’s part of our mission, woven into how we approach every custom home project. It’s how we make sure a home doesn’t just look beautiful, but truly reflects the people who live in it.
In this blog, we’re diving into what intentional design really means.
What Intentional Design Actually Is (And Isn’t)
Intentional design isn’t about following trends or creating Instagram-worthy moments (though those can be nice side effects). It’s not about impressing your neighbors or checking boxes on a luxury home checklist.
Intentional design is about making deliberate choices that support how you actually live.
It’s asking “why” before “what.” Why does this layout matter? Why does this finish work better than another? Why does this space need to exist?
Every decision (from the placement of windows to the height of your kitchen island to whether you need a formal dining room) should have a reason rooted in your life, your routines, and your vision for home.
Intentional Design Starts With Your Story
Before we ever talk about square footage or finishes, we want to know your story.
How do you spend your mornings? Do you need a mudroom that can handle ski gear and wet dogs, or are you more likely to use it for gym bags and briefcases? Do you love cooking elaborate meals, or is your kitchen really just a staging area for takeout?
Are you empty nesters who want space for visiting grandkids? A growing family that needs room to spread out? Remote workers who need dedicated office space that actually closes off from the rest of the house?
Your story shapes everything. A home designed for a couple who loves hosting dinner parties looks very different from one designed for a family of five with different schedules and needs.
One of the biggest regrets homeowners have is not thinking through how they’d actually use their spaces before building. We’ve seen it ourselves, beautiful homes that don’t function well because design decisions weren’t rooted in real life.
Intentional Design in Action
Let’s get specific. Here’s what intentional design looks like in practice:
Here in the Okanagan, we live an active, outdoor lifestyle. Our region offers everything from skiing and snowboarding in winter to hiking, biking, and water sports in summer. Your home needs to support that.
An intentional mudroom for an Okanagan family might include:
- Heated floors for drying out wet boots
- Deep storage for skis, snowboards, bikes, and camping gear
- A bench low enough for kids to put on their own shoes
- Hooks at multiple heights
- A sink for washing muddy paws or rinsing gear
And this isn’t just theory. We design spaces like this all the time.
Jon Adrian. Architectural and interior photographer. Summerland Photographer / Edgehill Homes
The Cove is a perfect example: a beautifully functional laundry-mudroom combo with smart storage, durable finishes, and thoughtful details that make everyday life easier. We’re excited to share that this home has just been named a finalist in the Okanagan Housing Awards, recognising its intentional, design excellence.
Designing a custom home in the Okanagan isn’t the same as designing one in Vancouver or Toronto. Our climate, lifestyle, and landscape shape what makes sense.
Our unique considerations include:
- Taking advantage of lake and mountain views through strategic window placement
- Designing for our dry, sunny climate with appropriate overhangs and sun control
- Creating indoor-outdoor flow for our long, beautiful summers
- Planning for temperature swings between seasons
- Incorporating outdoor living spaces you’ll actually use year-round
- Working with sloped lots and challenging terrain (we’ve gotten very good at this)
The Okanagan’s climate averages over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of Canada’s sunniest regions. Your home design should celebrate that, not work against it.
The Questions We Ask (That Most Builders Don’t)
When you work with Edgehill Homes, here are some of the questions we’ll ask:
- What does a typical Tuesday look like for your family?
- Where do you naturally gather in your current home?
- What frustrates you about how your current space works (or doesn’t)?
- What are your non-negotiables? What could you compromise on?
- Do you prefer open concept or defined rooms?
- How important is natural light to you?
- What hobbies or activities need dedicated space?
- How do you want guests to experience your home?
These questions are designed to uncover how you actually live so we can design accordingly.
Ready to Design With Intention?
We’ve been building custom homes in the Okanagan for over 15 years, and every single project teaches us something new. Because every client, every family, every story is different. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Your home should tell your story. Not ours. Not your neighbor’s. Yours.
If you’re planning a custom home in the Okanagan and want a partner who’ll listen, ask the right questions, and design something uniquely yours, we’d love to talk.
Our design + build services include everything from initial consultation through final selections. We work with you to create layouts that make sense, choose finishes that work for your lifestyle, and ensure every decision is rooted in intention.
Let’s start the conversation.
Edgehill Homes has been building custom homes in the Okanagan for over 15 years. We believe every home should tell a story and we’re here to help you tell yours.
