Coming in at a mere 965 square feet, this little house in Kelowna is barely bigger than a typical condominium or apartment.
But, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in smart design, style and livability.
"It's definitely the smallest house I've ever built," said Krista Paine with a laugh.
"In fact, most renovations and additions I've ever done have been bigger."
The house, built in the backyard of an existing house on Alder Court off Gordon Drive, is aptly called 'cityside garden studio' in a nod to its location and diminutive scale.
"I got lucky to have clients who were on board with making small beautiful," said Paine, the president of Ian Paine Construction & Design.
"We built high, vaulted ceilings, used lots of big windows and white paint to fashion a bright and airy open-plan space."
The U-shaped, flow-through living room, kitchen and dining room features two eight-foot-by-eight-foot sliding glass doors that meet at a corner to provide access to the covered courtyard and create seamless indoor-outdoor space.
There are two decent-sized bedrooms, one with a two-piece ensuite bathroom, the other beside the main three-piece bathroom.
A downsizing retired couple lives in 'cityside garden studio' and declares it the perfect space for them.
'Cityside garden studio' was built for less than half a million dollars, which is good bang for the buck.
That's also affordable, considering the benchmark selling price of a typical single-family home in the city is $1 million and that 'city garden studio' is new, quality construction.
This also proves it's not only multi-million-dollar mansions that can win housing awards.
After all, 'cityside garden studio' is a finalist in the 'best entry-level home' category of the 2023 National Housing Awards of Excellence.
Paine is not just a builder with Red Seal carpenter certification, but she's a registered interior designer who promises to "make your space spectacular" whether it's big or small, pricey or budget-conscious.
"Absolutely, housing awards should recognize everything from a basement renovation to the crazy custom homes you see in the Okanagan," said Daniel Winer, the executive officer of the Central Okanagan branch of the Canadian Home Builders' Association.
The National Housing Awards are the annual recognition program of the overall Canadian Home Builders' Association and are considered the pinnacle prize in the country.
The awards just announced the finalists in dozens of categories from a vast and impressive field of 800 entries submitted.
Ian Paine Construction & Design has won three previous national awards -- 'renovator of the year,' 'best home renovation over $1 million' and 'best home renovation $150,000-$300,000.'
The company is named after Krista's dad, Ian, who started it in 1973 and sold it to her 10 years ago so he could retire to Costa Rica.
Amongst this year's national finalists are five homebuilders from the Thompson Okanagan and four suppliers.
Besides Ian Paine Construction for the 'cityside garden studio', here are four other home finalists:
- 'Canvas at McKinley Beach' by 3rd Generation Homes of Kelowna in the 'best detached production home 2,401-28,00 square feet' category.
Production refers to a build that is not a one-of-a-kind custom home, but a home from more of a stock plan in a subdivision.
Thus said, McKinley Beach is a high-end subdivision and the homes being built there tend to be luxurious with custom elements.
Three suppliers that worked with 3rd Generation on the 'canvas' home are what's called 'associate finalists' in the category -- Uprise Design+Drafting, Quality Air Care and Express Flooring.
- Okanagan Dream Builders is a finalist in the 'best detached custom home 2,501-3,000 square feet' category for 'The Fairways' home at Black Mountain Golf Community.
- In the same category, WD Wedgewood Developments of Kamloops is a finalist for the 'mountain modern' home that Isabey Interiors of Kelowna worked on as an associate.
- 'California modern' is a white mansion with cantilevered roof on the lake in West Kelowna built by Frame Custom Homes of Kelowna.
It's a finalist in the 'best detached custom home 3,001-4000 square feet' category.
- Frame Custom Homes is also a finalist in the 'best detached custom home 4,001-5,000 square feet' category for 'modern family villa' a mutli-million-dollar, multi-level hillside beauty.
Winners will be announced at the national gala Feb. 16 in Banff.
