The unique houses that can be found on Hornby Island fascinate us, they are often as original in their design as can be imagined. The house and garden tours there are about as inspirational as it gets, with the imaginative use of materials, the necessary practicalities that water collection & preservation and plant protection require ~ add to this the artistic creativity that is an inherent attribute everywhere on this island ~ your mind is absolutely full of ideas to bring back to your own home & garden.

These photos of the four houses are not actually from being on a garden tour, just a walk down the street and along the beach of our neighbourhood there.  Just seeing these though reminded me of the great tours that I so enjoy on Hornby and Denman and would love to share all of the photos with you, in time I know that many of them will be incorporated into posts! These house styles are not generally what you would see in Qualicum Beach and surrounding area, they are more typical of the outer islands, where their character and laid back appeal is so appreciated.

Just like bringing home a DVD on Tuscany from the library today and feeling like I’ll be an armchair traveller for now – if you are thinking of one day of living on an island or near the ocean, I  hope that these photos and the many more to come will inspire you and help to keep your dreams alive!