BC Business
Address: 2119 Island Highway, Qualicum Beach, Vancouver IslandPrice: 5,350,000MLS: R2054223 The skinny: Three-bedroom, four-bathroom 4,428 square-foot house on a massive 1,045,440-square-foot waterfront lot. The bling: We all dream of having a cabin—a retreat where we can kick back, chill out and put the stresses and strains of daily life to one side. Let’s face it, though, we can’t be getting too rustic without the stress beginning to creep back in. It’s not that we’re snobs about these things, but when you’re used to a certain standard of amenities, just venturing out of range of a blow-dry bar is backwoods enough (The frizz! The frizz!). This, then, is the cabin reimagined for the sophisticated set, all mod-cons and leisure activities, but with walls made of hewn cedar logs, hardwood floors and huge stone fireplaces. See, you know you’re taking it easy because there’s no white marble blinding your eyes. And don’t worry about the old Aga, not only is there a caretaker’s cottage for your basic country house staff, two cottages on the property could house the nanny, a private chef or even your pro tennis coach. Oh, and what if you install the kids in the three-bedroom unit above the garage? Admit it, this is beginning to sound like a proper escape from everyday excess. The hidden extras: Tennis court, swimming pool, 24 acres of garden and 400 feet of private waterfront.