We Built a Second Custom Home

Turns out one build really wasn’t enough… Come find out all the details on our new custom home. Spoiler: this is my favourite build yet.

We’ve done it again. Charles and I have teamed up to build another custom home – and this one is coming together fast. With every build, I learn something new: about the details that matter, about my personal style, how to survive building a house (without a divorce – it’s no joke), and about how to make good decisions (the big and the small ones). Keep reading, because I’m sharing everything.

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What We Learned the First Time

Our last build, Montigny Manor, taught us everything – read it here. What we loved, what we’d do differently, what’s worth the splurge, and what sounds good in theory until you’re standing in a half-finished kitchen at 9pm debating tile grout.

This time, I came into it with more confidence, a sharper eye, and an even longer Pinterest board.

Charles builds through his company, CW Persona, and our philosophy has never changed: we only build homes we would live in ourselves. Every finish, every fixture, every single decision is made as though we’re the ones who will wake up in it every morning. Because that’s the only way to do it right.

A Moment for Charles: The Builder Behind the Home

Can we take a moment for Charles? Because he truly deserves his flowers. 

A talented contractor by trade, a dedicated business owner, and someone who cares deeply about his craft – he brings a level of quality and integrity to every build that I don’t take for granted for a single second. I couldn’t ask for a better person to do this with. This guy skips no corners.

And speaking of his talent… have I ever mentioned that Charles worked behind the scenes on homes for the TV show Love It or List It? His craftsmanship was celebrated on screen, and honestly, it was one of those moments where I thought: yes, the world is finally catching up. I’ll tell the full story one day. But for now, just know: this home is in very good hands.

981 Montigny Road

Nestled at 981 Montigny Road in West Kelowna, BC, this home sits right in the heart of Lakeview Heights. At this point, it’s hard to imagine building anywhere else. The Westside Wine Trail is practically at your doorstep. Panoramic lake views. Quick bike rides to beaches, local bakeries, and breweries. Like living in a postcard, it’s the kind of neighbourhood where the lifestyle sells itself, and this home was built to match it.

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French-Inspired Home Design in the Okanagan

Design has been a love of mine for as long as I can remember, and building homes has given me a creative outlet that is genuinely so fulfilling. There is nothing quite like watching a vision come to life from the ground up (literally).

My style hasn’t changed much over the years, and I’ve made peace with that. Traditional with a touch of French. The kind of spaces that feel collected rather than decorated. Timeless over trendy. I’m not chasing what’s trending right now – I’m building something I’ll still be obsessed with in 20 years.

Much like our last custom build, the vision here is warm European elegance meets Okanagan ease. Think charming shutters, creamy walls, and the kind of kitchen that makes you want to pour a glass of local West Kelowna wine and just be in it. Unhurried. Beautiful. Completely intentional.

The exterior will be painted in Benjamin Moore’s Dove Wing, the shutters (still deciding between French grey and beige) likely brushed in Sabre Gray – classic enough to stand the test of time, distinctive enough to stop you in your tracks. 

My Pinterest board tells the whole story – if you want to fall down that rabbit hole with me…

What Makes This Build Special

This home is inspired by old-world France – like it could have been plucked straight from Provence. Old-fashioned with hints of modern-day style, warm and sophisticated. Like a home your mother may have strolled past when she was young.

A few details I’m particularly obsessed with:

The architecture. It has character. The roofline is artistically angled with dormers, carrying through to the inside of the home with curved accents and the most charming little nooks – made for curling up with a book and never leaving.

Flooring. Rich, wide-plank engineered hardwood throughout – and in the laundry room, the most charming, checkered tile as another little love letter to France. 

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Cabinetry and surfaces. We’re working with Norelco Cabinets and Silestone by Cosentino for the counters- the same companies we used in our own home and the previous home we built. The quality and attention to detail speaks for itself. 

Bathroom and kitchen fixtures. We’re working with Baths by Design throughout the home. Fixtures are the jewellery of a house, and you don’t always appreciate their significance until they’re in place. It’s not a place to scrimp. Highly recommend consulting with the team at Baths by Design if you’re building or renovating (we used them in the last home – literally a dream). They are so friendly and incredibly talented!

The fireplace. The heart of the home. We’re working with DreamCast to get every detail just right for the fireplace surround. Because cozy moments deserve a beautiful backdrop, and the heartbeat of the living room will always be the fireplace.

Floor Plan & Size

Here’s a full snapshot of the layout:

• Lot Area: 0.169 acres
• Total Home Sq Ft: 5,177 sq ft
• Bedrooms: 6 | Bathrooms: 5.5
• Principal Residence: 4,469 sq ft – 5 bed, 4.5 bath, 1 study, large recreational room
• Legal Suite: 709 sq ft – separate entrance, 1 bed, 1 bath, laundry
• In-Ground Swimming Pool

Outdoor Living in Lakeview Heights

Because in the Okanagan, outdoor living isn’t optional… it’s the whole point. 

The backyard features an in-ground pool installed by Charles’ company, Riviera Pool and Spa, along with tiered, low-maintenance French-inspired landscaping, finished with my personal touch of hydrangeas, boxwoods, and lilacs.

What Makes this Home Special

This is not an average spec home. Charles builds homes the way I write recipes: with care, with intention, and with the assumption that the person on the other end deserves the best version of the thing. We don’t cut corners on the details that matter. We use the brands we use in our own home. We make every decision as if we’re moving in ourselves – and I’d like to think that shows.

Interested in making this home yours? This one-of-a-kind home is coming to market soon. Email me at [email protected] to get more information and to get on the list!

With love,

Tori