What I’ve learned: Island Edition.
What I’ve Learned As an Interior Designer Specializing on Island Homes:
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.
For the past four years, Parker & Harlow Inc. has been working all along the coast of BC, specializing in remote island homes. A few things you may not know, is that we were working on these types of projects under a parent company far before Parker & Harlow Inc. came to be! Deb Vanderkemp, my partner and as it happens also my mother, ran a company named Pebble Beach that epitomized luxurious coastal lifestyle from its home in Powell River. In its 15 year lifespan, I grew up working in the brick-and-mortor store my mother created and we partook in a vast portfolio of projects all along our coastline. Parker&Harlow Inc is simply an extension of where Deb left off, a venture the two of us partner in from the many chapters prior. All this to be said, boats and barges have not been a limitation to our experience, but rather, have fostered the offerings we now provide our coastline and our clients. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way!
Indoor Outdoor Living is Essential
Above all else, our clients continually express the importance of creating fluid spaces indoor and out. Dining, living, and even flexible outdoor sleeping areas are all integral to experiencing our seasons to their fullest. This is a pretty simple design element to include, and often where our clients spend the majority of their time entertaining.
2. It will always get worse before it gets better.
Without a doubt, there always seem to be surprises more than there are consistent reliabilities. The weather being a main contributor, but also teams, resources, travel, and logistics for project planning. Our teams give up a lot to work on these types of projects, leaving their families and dedicating themselves to achieving the excellence we provide our clients. That doesn’t mean that Mother Nature, ferry cancellations, or a pandemic shortage of materials don’t get in the way. The simple point being - it gets messy. Keeping tarps on hand, an amazing group of people with a great sense of humour, and a flexible design process are imperative.
3. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
It’s never without some level of compromise, but when I say we make the magic happen, it’s most certainly that - MAGIC. We’ve had float planes rush shipments, crews dropped off directly to the beach, over two tons of sod delivered across two ferries we had to privately book months in advance, and an entire shipment of concrete piped 100 yards up into a second story window to give our clients heated concrete floors. This is where people make the biggest difference. Surrounding ourselves with “yes” people who love island work as much as we do means that our clients most astronomical dreams can become a reality.
4. Pack snacks and layers.
Countless times I’ve been held up because of a winter storm, staffing problems or a surge of tourists catching ferries, technical difficulties, or a combination of all of the above. Long story short, a good internet connection and my laptop keep my office where I am, and that’s a huge benefit with the type of work I do. It’s why you’ll only see me working at a desk from my home. I keep things versatile, and that means my clients can always connect with me despite delays or disturbances to my schedule. A pack of snacks, some bubbly water, and a parka are always good to have in the back seat :)
5. The scenery never ceases to amaze.
Over and over again, I am continually amazed by this incredible place we get to call home, and grateful to be able to travel and create beautiful homes for our clients who appreciate the Pacific Northwest as much as I do. It can be an outrageously stormy day, in my bloodstones and a rain coat (still getting soaked despite my efforts) or a sunny afternoon in the heat of summer; the beauty is equally astounding.
5. The sites are local, the people - not always.
The coast of British Columbia is one of the most sought after areas to explore and adventure in the world. Our clients come here to enjoy the landscape, entertain friends and family in their getaways, and adventure every single inch of it. That doesn’t mean they’re local, and we love the diversity of our client base. Many are international, flocking on their boats or by plane to come enjoy our mountains and sea. One note to make, they always seem to travel with their dogs - which we LOVE.
6. What you don’t know, you can learn.
Island life means being self sustained in our winter storms. It means abiding by island ways of life, accommodating unique and fascinating design dilemmas, and finding ways to bring the luxury of the city to our clients homes wherever possible. I recall one day, googling about pond design and pump parts for our client who wished to update their landscaping and add waterfall features. We become a sole liaison for our clients and that means staying informed on all of the technological advancements and unique requests they may have. Tesla charging station? no problem, I’m on it. Property drainage issues? Absolutely, we’ll get that sorted. Off-the-grid solar energy systems? We’ve got you covered.
7. There is beauty in the chaos.
Problems are puzzles, and I have an insatiable curiosity and drive to solve whatever is put in front of me. Call it crazy determined, or maybe just crazy. I appreciate the mess, and have learned over the years to find comfort in the chaos. There are days for polished blazers and freshly poised curls, and there are days to get to the site as practically as possible in flat shoes and a pony tail. The amazing part about renovations is that everyone comes to the table with unique ways of approaching a problem and their own expertise on how to execute the best approach. The only time a site is polished is during the photoshoot at the end. Otherwise we all have our heads down working hard to bring the vision to life.
8. It’s all worth it.
This is what we’re here for - to be situated on the most breathtaking coastline in the world. Rugged terrain and isolation are gifts in abundance, afforded to us by way of a little hard work. At the end of the day, I get to hand the keys back to our clients and their story begins to unfold. Memories to be made and adventures to be had, in beautifully designed spaces tucked all along our spectacular west coast.
HELLO
I’M PAIGE GRAY
Here with a big dream to bring inspired, livable, and approachable design to you wherever you dwell across Canada. Designer, blogger, content creator, and mother of soon-to-be two daughters living with my hubby in the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia. Loving boat rides, climbing mountains, and life with our dogs while diving deep into anything and everything design!