In the corner of Stanley Avenue and Begbie Street near the Fernwood/Oak Bay border you may have noticed an inviting design shop, painted an elegant matte black, beckoning you in. Owner Carey Salvador took a chance on a rundown space three and a half years ago, fulfilling a long standing dream of opening a home design store and bringing to life what now is .
“My husband saw that this space was for rent, so we went to look at it and it was just in shambles. I walked in and said ‘no.’”
Luckily Carey, with encouragement from friends, had second thoughts and so, with what I assume must have been a lot of hard work, “just made it happen.”
Originally from a small farming town in Alberta, Carey left at 19, came to Victoria and went to school for interior design. With varying jobs, travel and life experience, she has come full-circle back to Victoria from where she was living in Vancouver with her family, and to interior design, bringing a beautiful curation of old and new items alike to a now gorgeous space that has been given a new lease on life.
“I don’t know if I can label it,” Carey says when I ask how she would describe the aesthetic of the store. “It’s constantly evolving from the day we opened to today. Maybe it could be described as country modern rustic. However, I think the next evolution will be cleaner lines, more simplicity. Where you can incorporate antiques but still look minimal.”
As we sit chatting in the shop — which is filled with ceramics in a minimal colour palette, lush sheepskins, gorgeous scents and a feast for the eyes ofbeautiful things — Carey greets the people who wander in and out.
“I just love creating a nice space for people.”
Outside of work, Carey has a love for horseback riding, photography and family, but says, ”Even outside of work I’m passionate about design. I’m constantly looking; it’s impossible for me to stop looking. To keep the shop fresh and new it takes a lot of time.”
Proving that when you do what you love it isn’t just work, she adds,
“When I open that door in the morning it just makes me happy.”
| Owner Carey Salvador at Pigeonhole Home Store. (Lia Crowe photograph) |
Fashion:
Uniform
Denim and mid- to high-rise trousers. All-time favourite piece: Floral dress by (“thank you Still Life xoxo”) and a pair of fabulous trousers I bought at .” Currently Coveting: Leather bag by . Favourite pair of shoes: Oxfords. “I have an obsession.” Favourite Day bag: Tanner Goods. Favourite jewellery piece or designer: I was obsessed with this (large) opal ring … of course … surrounded by diamonds. I don’t know how many years I made my family stand at the window and gaze at it with me, but I finally bought it for myself. I still love it to this day.” Fashion Obsession: “Currently…cashmere turtle neck (“where can I find one?”) with high-waisted trousers. That would be my ultimate winter uniform.” Accessory you spend the most money on: Watches. New and vintage. “I love men’s vintage Omega watches. So sexy.”
Style Inspirations:
Style Icon
“Jamie Beck … I can’t even handle her!”
Favourite Artist:
Henri Cartier Bresson and Annie Leibovitz. “I have always loved photography, and have a passion for it. It’s my favourite interest outside of design.” Piece of art: “I LOVE antique oil portraits and my favourite piece is . Favourite Fashion Designer: “I don’t know if I have a favourite, but Ralph Lauren is the epitome of classic fashion and interior design.” Favourite Musician: “Joni Mitchell and my 7-year-old daughter, Lucia.” Era of Time that inspires your style: “Think Jackie Onassis Kennedy — late ‘60s, ‘70s. She was often clad in trousers, an elegant blouse and large sunnies.”
Life:
Favourite local restaurant: “It’s safe to say I am a regular at . (The best.)” Favourite Cocktail/Wine: Devil’s Lair from the Margaret River region. Album on current rotation: Banks. Favourite Flower: “I could never just love one: ‘I must have flowers, always, and always.’ Claude Monet.” Favourite city to visit: Montreal and Singapore. Favourite Hotel: Pali House Society (Santa Monica specifically). Favourite place in the whole world: “Home. Or wherever my family is. Honestly, there’s nothing better.”
Beauty:
Necessary indulgence
Massage () and pedicures. Moisturizer: Eminence Organic Skincare. Must have hair product: Big Sexy Spray Volumizer. Beauty secret: “I definitely don’t hold any secrets, but finding time for me, being quiet, hot baths and working out.”
Reading Material:
What do you read Online for style: “I’m almost always online reading up on design. You could say I get… focussed. I can spend hours and hours and …..” FavE Print magazine: Country Living Modern Rustic (AU) and Elle Decor EU. FavE style Blog: theglamourai.com. “Kelly Framel is not limited. She is strong, bold and damn amazing!” Coffee table Book: Anything by Sibella Court. Last great read: A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Lee Dugard. Book currently reading: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Favourite book of all time: The Guests of the Sheik by Elizabeth Warnock Fernea.
- Story and photograph by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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