 The 4th annual Gibson Custom Homes Gala—” Gibson Gala”—was held at the Kelowna Yacht Club over the Thanksgiving weekend, and this year's masquerade-themed event was a massive success. The gala saw guests don their dazzling attire and beautiful, intricate masks in line with our theme, adding to the night's mystery and an atmosphere charged with a ‘feel-good’ factor in giving back to the community. Aimed at raising funds for Okanagan’s Habitat For Humanity, we brought the community together for a spectacular evening filled with elegance, fun, and, most importantly, a shared purpose of making a difference. Raising the Bar for Habitat for Humanity The main purpose of our annual Gibson Gala is to raise funds for a community initiative, and this year’s turnout did not disappoint! Thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and attendees, the event raised over $15,000. These funds will make a significant impact, supporting Habitat for Humanity Okanagan and helping further its mission to provide affordable housing for families in need. Notable contributions came from sponsors like The Roof Doctor, whose ongoing support made a big impact on the event’s success.  We were fortunate to be graced by the presence of Habitat for Humanity’s CEO, Andrea Manifold. She shared some thoughts on how close to her heart this cause is and that the funds raised would create meaningful change in the lives of those who need it most. Grooves & Grub
It’s not a party without some tunes to bust a move to and some delectable food. This year, the talented DJ Invizible spun some great music for our guests, who had tons of fun. Amping up the merriment was a 360 video and photo booth from Flash and Frame for guests to take some memories home, and scrumptious appetizers provided by the Yacht Club.
Despite it being a long weekend, the turnout of guests was impressive. It only goes to show the community’s growing enthusiasm and generosity about supporting the community, which further fuels our initiative to host our Gibson Gala year after year. With this year’s gala being such a success, the Gibson Custom Homes team is already planning to elevate the event for next year. While details are still being finalized, there are talks of hosting it at a new venue, complete with a full dinner service. The team also plans to incorporate live music into the evening, and we’re sure the 2025 Gibson Gala will be even more grand and memorable, giving us all the more opportunity to bring on the excitement and entertainment in supporting worthy causes. Check out our past Gibson Gala’s!  A glimpse of 2023’s Gibson Gala — a night filled with lots of fun and a shared purpose of supporting the community we call home. The Gibson Gala is back! On Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Kelowna Yacht Club, this year's masquerade-themed event promises an evening of mystery, fun, and fundraising for Habitat for Humanity Okanagan. Starting at 7 PM, guests will don masks and indulge in hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while enjoying DJ Invizible’s tunes. The evening also features a silent auction to help raise as much money as possible.
Gibson Custom Homes has raised nearly $50,000 over the past three years and is committed to supporting affordable housing solutions through this annual gala. Get ready for a night of glamour and giving back! Tickets are available now, but there are only 50% left, so get them quick! For more information on our fabulous fundraiser and how we help build dream homes, head on over to the full feature on Okanagan Edge.  Multi-family complexes help revitalize urban areas and ease our local housing needs Our Okanagan Valley is renowned for its natural beauty and rapidly growing population so cities like Kelowna are consistently facing a high demand for housing. With future development always in mind, embracing infill construction presents a key opportunity to address the housing shortage in this stunning region.
Infill construction focuses on building within existing urban areas instead of expanding into undeveloped land. This strategy enhances community density, preserves our green spaces and reduces sprawl. Whether it's a carriage house, suite, or multiplex, Gibson Custom Homes excels in award-winning construction projects and recognizes some of the significant benefits of infill construction for our valley: New Build Property Values:
Home Construction Creates Jobs:
Infill Means Efficient Infrastructure Use:
Reduced Transportation Emissions:
Infill Helps The Environment:
Our gorgeous Okanagan region will continue to experience population growth driven by its natural beauty, lifestyle and economic opportunities, and this will spur a consistent demand for more housing here. Local infill development is an essential strategy for accommodating new residents without sprawling into our green spaces. Innovative approaches to infill construction such as modular construction, mixed-use zoning and green building practices may become more prevalent so you’ll need an experienced custom home builder to help navigate the options available to you. Got a construction project in mind? Call the design, construction and renovation professionals at Gibson Custom Homes today to experience their expert execution from start to finish! At Gibson Custom Homes, our expert design and home construction services will turn your building project ideas from a dream to reality. Discover how we can help you achieve your construction or home renovation goals and reach out today!  Pendant lights and marble countertops make great accents to amp up your custom home’s luxe factor! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a massive budget to create the luxurious custom home of your dreams. Some strategic thinking and creativity can do wonders in incorporating opulence into your home without breaking the bank or taking away from other projects you may have budgeted for. There are certain areas and elements you can focus on to achieve a lavish feel on a modest budget. We won’t keep you waiting any longer; read below for tips on adding luxury to your custom home.Entryways and Focal Points
The best way to add a touch of elegance to your space is to focus on the areas that are most noticeable or that you’d like to draw the eye towards. Since entryways lead the way into your home, adding an interesting light fixture like a chandelier or a large piece of art that lines the wall beside the door can create appeal and a sense of grandeur as it sets the tone for the rest of your home. Instead of decorating every wall in your home, you can focus on specific areas, such as a bookshelf wall, the area leading up to your staircase, or even your kitchen island. These areas become focal points that you can embellish, which will add interest while also keeping a check on your finances. Sconces for lighting, bold, colourful pieces of art, a statement marble countertop or a fresh coat of paint on an accent wall are all ways to keep your space looking and feeling luxe without overdoing it. If you’re on your journey towards realizing your dream home but aren’t sure where to start, check out our post on custom building the luxury home of your dreams. Upgrade smaller elements to create a better visual impact Though small, elements such as molding trim, door handles, and generic light fixtures exist throughout your home, if designed strategically, they can give your home more cohesiveness and grandeur for a fraction of the cost. Detailed crown molding can help draw the eye upwards, creating the feeling of a larger space. Switching out ordinary doorknobs to metallic ones throughout your home can help add a sleek touch, and unique light fixtures in your bathrooms and hallways can amp up the interest, too. If you’ve got general contractors building your custom home, they can be of huge help in the design process. Remember, it’s more about quality investments in the impactful details than blowing the budget on every design element of your custom home. Invest in quality window treatments Window coverings such as drapes, curtains, or shades are a comparatively inexpensive way to greatly enhance a room's aesthetic factor. Ceiling-to-floor drapes in a rich, durable fabric can make the space feel luxurious while also giving the impression of higher ceilings, which helps make the room feel more cozy. Choose deep, bold hues to impart a grand feel or neutral tones for a lighter, airy, more timeless ambience. Lighting for luxury As we all know, lighting is essential for the right mood and adding depth and warmth to any space. Investing in quality ambient, task and accent lighting can instantly make your custom home in Kelowna feel more luxurious. Apart from statement chandeliers that can double as art pieces, wall sconces in hallways, novel pendant lights for bathrooms or the kitchen island, and small spotlights for accent pieces can give your space tons of character. Another tip is to get dimmer switches for your lights; this way, you can control the brightness of light in any room at your convenience. Carefully curated art pieces Nothing gives a home a classy feel like well-thought-out and positioned art pieces. Instead of trying to source several smaller works of art, opt for larger, statement pieces. These will not only be more affordable and intentional but will also have a better impact on the room they’re placed in. Choose colourful pieces to create an accent wall for the room or neutral pieces with textural depth to add a bit of interest without taking away from the rest of the room. You could even go for simpler pieces with pops of colour that tie into the rest of your home’s colour scheme for coordinated decor. A great way to source unique art pieces that look expensive without the expensive price tag is by visiting local art fairs, thrift shops or online marketplaces. While contributing to design elements in your custom-built home, it is essential to remember that luxury exists in the details. Incorporating elegant, classic features is more about ‘how’ you invest your money rather than on ‘what’. At Gibson Custom Homes, we’ve worked on plenty of custom-build projects across the Okanagan with a range of budgets. Our expertise in the field will allow us to guide you through choosing affordable materials that impart a luxe feel to your home. Ready to get started on your dream custom home? Contact us today, and we’ll help transform your vision into reality. Ready to start imagining the magic of your luxury custom home? Reach out to Gibson Custom Homes today and ignite your creative juices!  Small spaces and beauty go together when you use the right design and construction team Renovations can be challenging, especially when you have a smaller home that needs lots of help to maximize functionality as well as beauty. Bring in a custom home builder like Gibson Custom Homes to leverage their nearly two decades of construction experience and help you recognize your reno-dream!
With the ability to offer tailored solutions, Gibson Custom Homes will work with your creative thoughts to design and construct special features such as built-in storage and innovative layouts that efficiently use every inch of available space in your home. Gibson’s industry knowledge and the ability to source and integrate local materials is second to none. After a Gibson renovation, you’ll proudly showcase practicality, style and the increased value and appeal of your home. Renovating and maximizing space in smaller homes, like those found in Kelowna and all across the Okanagan, requires truly smart planning and bold solutions. Here are some space-saving ideas that your team of experts with Gibson Custom Homes can help bring to life. 1. An Open Floor Plan
2. Built-In Storage Solutions
3. Vertical Space Utilization
4. Sliding Doors
5. Outdoor Space Additions
Renovations should be fun, not painful, so work with seasoned professionals on how you can incorporate clever renovation ideas for limited spaces into your home. Smaller houses deserve to be functional, stylish and inviting … so reach out to the renovation experts at Gibson Custom Homes and get your reno-dream rolling today! At Gibson Custom Homes, we love to transform small spaces into stunning, functional homes tailored to your unique lifestyle. With our expert design and home construction services, we turn limitations into opportunities. Discover how we can help you achieve the perfect blend of style, comfort, and efficiency in your home and reach out today!  Building a custom dream home is simpler in a one-season climate. Warm and sunny all year? No need to ponder complex furnace options. Icy and cold all year? Don’t worry about an air-conditioning unit! Building a custom home in the Okanagan, however, is an exciting adventure that demands professional home builder planning to ensure it will stand up to our diverse weather - from our scorching, dry summers to frigid, snowy winters. Teaming up with a seasoned home builder like Gibson Custom Homes is your best bet, as their expertise will guarantee your home is ready for anything Mother Nature throws its way. With more than 15 years in the custom home construction business, Gibson knows how to manage these unique weather challenges and can guide you.
Climate Considerations:
Energy Efficiency:
Landscape and Environment:
Your custom dream home should embody efficiency, beauty, and the resilience to thrive through all of our four seasons. From Coldstream through Kelowna to Penticton, Gibson Custom Homes has consistently showcased their exceptional craftsmanship in creating beautiful homes. With extensive project experience, they will guide you and all subcontractors smoothly through the journey of bringing your dream house to life in the Okanagan. Don’t miss the chance to experience top-tier design and construction excellence and reach out to Gibson Custom Homes today! At Gibson Custom Homes, we specialize in creating custom homes in the Okanagan Valley that showcase the best in beauty, style, innovation and comfort. You deserve to bring your dream home to life, so wait no longer and reach out to the experts today!  If you can envision it, your custom home builder can create it The Okanagan Valley provides an idyllic setting for a dream home, making it no surprise that Darcy Gibson transitioned from a framing contractor to a custom home builder in 2000. “The success of the framing company laid the foundation for my team and me to transition into the role of custom home general contractor,” says Darcy Gibson, the founder and president of Gibson Custom Homes whose stunning projects can be seen throughout the valley from Summerland to Vernon. “This evolution allowed us to oversee every aspect of each homes’ construction, from initial concept to final execution.” Darcy is proud of his construction company that has twice won Builder of the Year through the Canadian Home Builders Association and received many Okanagan Housing Awards of Excellence. As a custom home general contractor, Gibson Custom Homes distinguishes itself by their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. They approach each project as a collaborative endeavour, working closely with clients, designers and subcontractors to bring visions to life.  “We are committed to pushing boundaries and redefining construction standards,” he explains. “My team and I remain dedicated to shaping the future of construction with integrity, ingenuity, and a steadfast commitment to craftsmanship.” Building trends are continually changing, but one notable trend has been an increased emphasis on sustainability and greener building practices. “Clients and building departments are becoming more conscious of environmental impact so there is a growing demand for energy-efficient materials and construction techniques,” shares Darcy. “Every building trend is cyclical, and we are seeing the shift from super modern homes with flat roofs to a more modern take on craftsman style homes that were popular about 8 years ago.” One of the things that makes Gibson Custom Homes stand out is our commitment to community involvement. Gibson Custom Homes will be hosting their fourth “Gibson Gala” in September in support of Habitat for Humanity Okanagan. To date, they have hosted 3 galas and have raised over $49,000.  “It keeps getting better and better with more momentum at each event, and people asking right away for tickets for the next year,” he says. “We are really proud of it.”
The company also sponsors a tuition bursary for students, aged 17 to 24 years, who are interested in exploring an education in trades and construction. Darcy values the success stories with Okanagan homeowners, especially when you consider that creating a custom home from start to finish is no mean feat. “There are always challenges that require ingenuity and strategic thinking to overcome,” he chuckles. “Every house has its complexities that we need to navigate, but we find that flexibility and proactive communication is key when managing project timelines and budgets.” The professional team at Gibson Custom Homes will work with homeowners through the entire end-to-end process of the build - from sourcing the land, if needed, to handing over the keys - and this could mean a relationship that spans two years or more. “I enjoy the whole process, but the highlight is handing over the keys to our clients,” smiles Darcy. Building your dream house is exciting, but it is an intricate endeavour requiring careful planning, collaboration, and expertise; all offered by the professionals at Gibson Custom Homes. Darcy advises homeowners embarking on a custom home construction project to understand their vision, budget, and don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek clarification when needed. “We go over every detail with our clients, from functional requirements, aesthetic preferences, and any unique features they wish to incorporate into their dream home,” he says. “We can create a detailed budget and timeline from these discussions.” Looking to explore the idea of a custom dream home built by award-winning experts who proudly showcase their stunning work throughout the Okanagan? Reach out to the superior team at Gibson Custom Homes today … and bring that dream to life! Gibson Custom Homes will guide you on your home-building journey  Let the Gibson Custom Homes team turn your luxurious home vision into a reality Custom building the luxury home of your dreams involves a deep dive into the creative process, meticulous planning and fine attention to detail. Collaborating with numerous professionals along the way can be daunting, but not if you’ve got the expert, experienced services of Gibson Custom Homes in your corner.
With more than 100 magnificent home construction projects to their name throughout Okanagan, Gibson will support you in the end-to-end process of bringing your dream home to life. Review these five new home builder tips that will help you navigate the journey toward the most exciting set of front door keys you’ll ever collect. Define your vision: Begin by outlining your ideal luxury custom home, considering factors like architectural style, size, layout and desired features. Think about your long-term needs and how your life may evolve over time, so consider incorporating flexible spaces that can adapt to changing family dynamics or functional requirements. With their beautiful custom homes dotted through West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, Coldstream and Vernon, the Gibson specialists will encourage, support and help develop your ideas. Check-in on your view: Looking for the perfect plot of land but unsure where to begin? Look no further. Gibson collaborates with the Okanagan's premier realtors, ready to help you find the ideal location for your new home. Already have a piece of land in mind? Let Gibson’s team take care of the details. They will assess the site to ensure your home construction plans are feasible and offer guidance on any municipal regulations or potential future concerns. Consider a trusted architect: With more than two decades in the luxury home building business, Gibson has an established reputation among our top architects and interior designers. As you consider the orientation of your home on the site, maximizing the views and perhaps incorporating sustainable design principles to reduce your environmental footprint, Gibson will work alongside your chosen architect to help develop the detailed plans that bring your vision from a foundation to finished. Trust in your builder: Gibson is a reputable custom home builder with a track record of delivering high-quality luxury homes in the Okanagan thanks to impeccable workmanship. The highly-experienced Project Managers use specialized software and understand the nuances of zoning permits, building permits, environmental permits, site preparation and approval from homeowner associations or architectural review boards. Understanding your budget is also a critical part of a custom home build, and Gibson will source subcontractor and vendor bids based on your specific needs and approvals. Know you’re covered on moving day: Moving into a brand-new custom-built home is an experience filled with excitement, anticipation and a sense of accomplishment. You’ll also want to ensure some peace of mind and your relationship with Gibson Custom Homes will provide just that. They provide a full-coverage warranty for a year, a two-year labour and materials warranty, a five-year building envelope warranty and a ten-year structural warranty. As you unpack your belongings and settle in, every corner of your custom home is ready for a story, and you’ll look forward to filling them with memories that will last a lifetime. Ready to start imagining the magic of your luxury custom home? Reach out to Gibson Custom Homes today and ignite your creative juices! Your home's front entry is the gateway to your personal sanctuary, setting the tone for what lies beyond. Whether grand or modest, creating a beautiful front entry enhances curb appeal and welcomes guests with warmth and style. In this blog post, we'll explore tips and ideas for designing a front entry that captivates and delights.
1. Define Your Style: Before diving into design details, consider the overall style you want to convey. Whether it's classic elegance, modern simplicity, or rustic charm, your front entry should reflect your personal taste and complement the architecture of your home. 2. Make a Statement with the Door: The front door is the focal point of your entryway and an opportunity to make a memorable statement. Choose a door design that enhances your home's style, whether it's a bold color, intricate woodwork, or contemporary glass panels. Don't forget to add stylish hardware for added flair. 3. Create a Welcoming Pathway: Guide visitors to your front door with a well-defined pathway. Consider using materials like brick, stone, or pavers to add texture and visual interest. Incorporate lighting along the pathway for safety and ambiance, illuminating the way to your home's entrance. 4. Frame the Entry with Greenery: Flank your front door with lush greenery to add life and color to your entryway. Choose plants and flowers that thrive in your climate and complement your home's exterior. Hanging baskets, potted plants, and window boxes are great options for adding vertical interest. 5. Add Architectural Details: Elevate your front entry with architectural details that enhance its charm and character. Consider adding columns, pilasters, or trim work around the door and windows. Decorative moldings, brackets, and corbels can also add a touch of elegance to your entryway. 6. Incorporate Functional Elements: Make your front entry both beautiful and functional by incorporating practical elements. Install a sturdy doormat to keep dirt and debris at bay, and provide seating options like a bench or chair for guests to pause and enjoy the surroundings. A stylish mailbox and house numbers can also add to the overall appeal. 7. Illuminate with Outdoor Lighting: Extend the beauty of your front entry into the evening hours with carefully placed outdoor lighting. Illuminate the front door, pathway, and landscaping with fixtures that complement your home's style. Consider incorporating solar-powered lights for energy efficiency and easy installation. 8. Personalize with Décor: Add personality and charm to your front entry with carefully curated décor. Hang a seasonal wreath on the front door, display potted plants or flowers on the porch, and accessorize with outdoor-friendly artwork or sculptures. Incorporate personal touches that make your front entry uniquely yours. By paying attention to design details and incorporating elements that reflect your style and personality, you can create a front entry that makes a lasting impression. Whether it's a grand entrance or a cozy porch, your home's front entry sets the stage for a warm welcome and invites guests to experience the beauty within. |
