If you're visiting Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley of  BC's Interior, you will not be at a loss for sights to see & activities to wear you out if you're not careful.

If you're a Kelowna local, make a point to get downtown to see what's happening here. It isn't surprising that people get caught up in the routine of work & responsibilities. A change is as good as a rest, they say!  

Don't miss Kelowna's Cultural District, just north of the downtown core near Waterfront Park. The lakeside walkway is great for a  stroll, running, cycling or whatever you think you want to do there. It connects a Brandt's Creek wildlife sanctuary at the north end to City Park at the south, with the downtown main street in between. In addition to shops you'll find a variety of restaurants, coffee & ice cream shops to refresh yourself along the way.

At present along Ellis Street, the Cultural District is undergoing a huge transformation that has witnessed the demolition of properties to make way for the development of several high rise condos.

However adjacent to this area there are shops & galleries well worth taking in. Some original Kelowna buildings house galleries & shops. Nearby is the Kelowna Art Gallery, Rotary Center for the Arts, Actors Studio, and Prospera Place - our sports & events dome. 

The most highly recommended place from my point of view for its uniqueness, is Lois Lane Reclaimed Retro on Ellis Street's Cannery Row. Also in Cannery Row you'll find Art Galleries & Antique Shops. Make sure you check the shops off the back lane!

Lois has  gathered one of the most unusual & delightful collections I have seen. In an old warehouse/cannery/packinghouse building set back off the street you will find not only funky furniture, art & lamps.

Among the variety of retro & antique home furnishings & accessories, you will find the atmosphere of yesterday's cast offs reclaimed & given new life. It somewhat reminds me of the story of the Velveteen Rabbit loved back to life! When last I visited Lois was bringing in from out back a small ottoman she'd been working on. She smiled as she set the piece like a jewel into the midst of the treasures all around.

I had been wandering the shop before she came along feeling the essence of it. "You are so real, Lois! I'd rather a table with a top scarred from years of use that a perfectly smooth one."

She answered, "Where there is a table that is perfectly smooth & unmarked, more care is given to the table than those sitting around it." 

That's Lois & why her shop is so terrific! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

Deborah Pearce  owner and webmaster of LIVING SPACES is a Kelowna Business Woman, established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. The contact link at Living Spaces website may be used for service enquiries. Also find over 100 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.

Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, art and human interests.

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