Almost two years ago I closed my little home decor boutique. Partly a business decision {there was a nasty recession going on, you may have heard!}, partly a family one {Carys, the best surprise I’ve ever had 
, was due to arrive}, I knew without a doubt it was the right decision. But we all know that right decisions can still be difficult ones, can’t they?
I mourned the closure of the store, without a doubt. Other small business owners know that their businesses are like children, and {not to be cheesy} the culmination of a dream, seriously. I had spent four years earning my Bachelors of Commerce degree {specializing in Entrepreneurial Management}, while working full time and having my first child. TIRING does not begin to describe it, but it was worth all the time and effort to see my dream realized.
So when the store closed I was left with this horrible “Now what?” feeling. I had no idea what lay ahead for me, what I’d do career wise, and how I would balance being mom to 2 while still working {which I love}.
When Carys was a few months old I took on a design project for our beautiful and sweet friends Mark and Sam. I’m not kidding when I say that they are the kindest people I know. They asked me to help them decorate their new condo and I jumped at the chance.
The project was completed last August/September, and this past spring my favorite photographer Janis took photos of it for my portfolio, which you can read about HERE. I’ll be sharing the BEFORE pictures of the condo later this week, but trust me, the transformation is amazing! {Pop over to the Portfolio page to see more of the After shots}
Fast forward a few months and somehow this project has made its way into an issue of House & Home magazine- yowza!
That’s Us- “Timeless Chic in Vancouver”!
Now, I’m not so cool that I don’t think it’s pretty dang neat to be included in the issue. And although this has been a fairly wordy, rambling post, really all my babble boils down to just one thought ~ blessed. Appreciative of this publicity but more than that thankful to have found my way back to doing something that I love. God is good.
I have a little giveaway I’m running this week {ends Sunday} for you friends….I have copies of House & Home’s Condos, Lofts, & Apartments to send to 6 of you . Just leave me a comment and introduce yourself. No complex rules- don’t worry about subscribing by email, or following with Google, or liking me on Facebook, or following me on Twitter. Just stop by and say hi
That’s great news, Karla! And the house looks amazing.
Awesome!!!!! Congratulations Karla…yes the Lord is good…:)
~Louise
I really like your blog, and the job you did on the condo was wonderful. Family and especially children take precedence over work or business any day but when you design it is in “your blood” and you can’t ignore it. I so understand how thrilled you must have been to do this assignment, and then to have it picked up by a magazine must be a dream come true!! Congrats to you.
Yay! Karla, that is incredible news. So happy for you
WooHoo! I suspected something like this was happening… something “casual” said by you and a lot of speculating by me
Of course I didn’t imagine the cover. So complete excellent! I’m so excited for you, Karla!!! I suspect you’re going to pull a Sarah!!! HaHaHa!!
Victoria
that is terrific!! you are so very talented!
Karla – congratulations!! The best surprises are the unexpected ones!! I love your blog!! Kym
That is a gorgeous condo! You must be really proud
– Michelle
How very cool to grace those pages!! Congrats!
Oh just to clarify, the cover spot isn’t mine, but I’m so thrilled that fabulous Vancouver designer Nancy Boultbee got it! The title “Timeless Chic in Vancouver” refers to our piece, pages 64 to 69 if you’re curious
I almost picked up a copy at Chapters yesterday — if I don’t win it in your giveaway, I’m going to go back and get it!! Big congratulations on being featured in the magazine — fantastic accomplishment!!!!
Kelly
congrats. it just so happens you are in my fave issue all year! looking forward to reading it!
So, so wonderful! Congratulations on the feature, xx
Awesome! I’d love to read that article. Congratulations – it must be amazing to see your vision in print!
- Danielle
other-option AT hotmail DOT ocm
Karla, this is honestly SUCH a well deserved accomplishment. Congratulations on this feature. And your right, Sam and Mark are amazing people! Here’s to many many more blessings!
Nancy
Wow! Congratulations! Following in Sarah Richardson’s footsteps, eh? Would love a copy and can say one day when you are all famous that I had lunch with you!
FYI: the hubby is scanning the two photos I have from the 1998 article featuring Sarah’s apartment. Kick myself for not keeping the rest of the article though.
Congratulations Karla!!
I have followed your blog and visited your store many times and I was disappointed when the store closed as well but was happy to see that you were continuing your great work through your blog. I would love to win the copy of H&H’s condo edition since I live in a tiny suite and am always looking for ways to decorate a small space with style.
That is so cool Karla! In my dreams maybe one day. I understand how much work is involved to make your passion into a reality! I wouldn’t trade it for anything and even better when you are published!!! Congrats and I would love a copy of that issue.
WOW…How did I get such an amazingly talented daughter? I am so proud of you, and thankful that you acknowledge where your blessings come from. God is good and His time is always right.
As a busy mother of three little ones and a former BC gal, I was so happy to stumble across your blog. Lots of wonderful inspiration. Congratulations on the H and H mag.
PS – would love to see pictures of your daughter’s bedroom. You had me with that wallpaper and I can’t wait to see how it all turned out.
Congratulations -your daily musings, talent & beautiful family are the whole package. Proud to be a cuz. I’ll have to pick up a copy on the east coast to show off! Again all the best!
Congrats Karla! Is this issue out yet? I spent a guilty hour digging through all the mags @ Chapters the other night…. I’ll have to go back!
Congratulations! I recently discoverd your blog and am hooked. You are a talented designer and painter and I am so glad that you are a local.
Congratulations!! What a cool thing!!
Karla thanks so much for sharing your story!! Congratulations on such amazing press…There’s so much in store for you I just know it! God always repays you when you are obedience. This gives me such inspiration and motivation regarding my own sacrifices.
Hats off to you! I would love to receive a copy. If you don’t pull my name, please just email me your article in pdf, pleease! Many hugs!
Karla,
Pull my name out of the draw. I was on the ferry yesterday, saw the magazine and couldn’t resist. I bought it. The condo is gorgeous! Wow – I love how you decorate, a style I am drawn to as well. Wish I had a carte blanche budget!
How exciting – just don’t forget us little people when you get famous! Tee hee!
Barbara
Congratulations Karla! I live in White Rock and loved visiting your store. Some time ago, I looked up Kerrisdale Design in Google (to see if you had re-opend elsewhere) and came across your Blog. Now, I periodically check in to see what’s happening.
Yesterday, I had about 2 minutes to kill. I was at Choices market on 57th ave so I stopped at the magazine rack…and from all the magazines there, I picked up Apartments, Lofts, and Condos….and from all the pages where the magazine could have opened, it opened at Page 65. Odd coincidences….even more, I’ve been looking for a 48 inch round table with a leaf, but had rejected that particular table. It looked great! Has it stood up well with just placemats? The chairs appear to be the same design I’m looking at…I loved the fabric you used. Thanks for the inspiration
as if I hadn’t been wordy enough…I forgot to mention the final coincidence….my husband and I visited Missing Goat Farm for the first time last Saturday….I loved it. We have invited friends for dinner this Saturday…if they come we will be ordering a pie from Missing Goat.
God has also richly blessed me with a fruitful career within the industry and marvellous husband and son, after closing my home decor business (also my baby) in 2004 for financial and personal reasons too. I really give thanks for His grace and provision in my life when looking back. Congratulations to you and bless you for giving Him the glory. Enjoy the journey! Best, Melissa
Me again
Just had to tell you how awesome it was reading about you and Janis in the magazine.. and being able to say I ‘know’ you..the space is really gorgeous! xx
You are blessed! How wonderful… so proud of you. Saw the H&H maggie. How exciting for you all. Super job!
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[...] promised you all before pictures of the condo featured in House & Home, and I’m finally getting a moment to put together a post! SO, before my clients/friends Mark [...]
Hi Karla,
First off, congrats! That is such a pick-me-up to be found in another magazine! And I say another because…I’ve got a story for you…
I am a person who hangs onto magazines for a long time, until one day i decide they must go, but before they do, I rip out a few pages of interest to file away. Last night (seriously) I was using the paper cutter on all the snaggy edges of pages i’ve ripped out and I stopped on a page that all of a sudden jumped out at me with the title “kerrisdale design”. I looked closely at it, and there you were! you, your hubby and a sales rep in style at home. And here i find your story about the boutique. No wonder I could never find it when I went looking! I am sorry about how it ended, but it looks like you have a brand new beginning…Much love…xoxo and know that 2 years ago, I was inspired by you enough to rip that page out and save it…