- Words by Angela Cowan Photographs by Lia Crowe
When Curtis Vertefeuille left Vancouver for the island five years ago, he91裸聊视频檇 been looking forward to a more relaxed lifestyle and to opening his own furniture shop against the gorgeous backdrop of Victoria. One thing he didn91裸聊视频檛 anticipate was spearheading an entirely new expansion arm of the company he91裸聊视频檇 been with for nearly a decade.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檇 worked for Moe91裸聊视频檚 [Home Collection] in Vancouver off and on for 10 years,91裸聊视频� he explains. His daughter had just graduated high school, and the family had decided to cross the pond, with Curtis opening his own store but still using Moe91裸聊视频檚 Home as a wholesaler.
91裸聊视频淟iterally a week before I was leaving, Moe said, 91裸聊视频榃hy don91裸聊视频檛 you open it up as a Moe91裸聊视频檚?91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
The flagship franchise store was launched to great success, and new franchise stores quickly followed.
91裸聊视频淚 think we91裸聊视频檙e up to 12 or 13 franchise stores now,91裸聊视频� says Curtis, whose own shop has done extremely well. recently moved into the large brick building on Swift Street (former location of Ocean River Sports).
91裸聊视频淭he space is incredible,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淲ood beams, brick walls, lots of windows.91裸聊视频�
It91裸聊视频檚 all about creating a vibe, he says, through music, scents and the flow of the furniture.
91裸聊视频淭he biggest compliment is when people walk through and say what a beautiful store it is,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淚 try to create a cohesive feeling so when you walk into the store it all makes sense, and it gives you a sense of good design. I love merchandising. It91裸聊视频檚 my favourite part of my job now. I love being there late at night, flipping the store. It91裸聊视频檚 such a creative outlet,91裸聊视频� he adds.
And as of March of next year, he91裸聊视频檒l have double the space in which to play with his creativity; Moe91裸聊视频檚 Home Victoria is opening a second location in Langford.
91裸聊视频淥ur range is so big, this gives us the opportunity to bring in things we couldn91裸聊视频檛 before,91裸聊视频� he says. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to try and bring the same vibe over there, but it91裸聊视频檚 a living, ever-changing thing. It91裸聊视频檚 going to be a completely different line. It91裸聊视频檚 almost like having a 10,000-square-foot store now.91裸聊视频�
The 7 Sins
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
P!nk. My daughter and I went to see her last concert and it was life-changing. Alongside her incredible talent, all of her amazing feminist uplifting and empowerment vibes91裸聊视频攈er energy is so contagious!
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and
over again?
I have quite the sweet tooth, so I91裸聊视频檒l have to say anything sweet! Cinnamon buns, chocolate91裸聊视频 love going to La Roux Patisserie on Fisgard for an almond croissant.
Greed:
You91裸聊视频檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
A luxurious getaway just for me. I would hop on a plane to stay at the Overwater Bungalows in Bora Bora. I91裸聊视频檝e always wanted to go there and just spend my time hanging out, lounging on the beach, indulging in everything.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
Oh, the wrath. When pictures are hung too high, when you bite into a popsicle with your front teeth, when cupboard doors are left open. I also have to say a poorly designed or merchandized store and unsatisfactory customer service.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
Sorry, I don91裸聊视频檛 understand this question. What do you mean doing nothing? I91裸聊视频檓 rarely seen doing nothing. I have too much energy!
Pride:
What is the one thing you91裸聊视频檙e secretly proud of?
I91裸聊视频檓 proud of not taking life too seriously and taking pride in the little things that present themselves every day. There will always be ups and downs, but I recognize that I am very fortunate and blessed in so many aspects of my life. When things go wrong, I do my best to take responsibility and learn from it. Life is short, you91裸聊视频檝e got to enjoy it.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
All the exercise! But in all seriousness, I love walking into a freshly painted room or a newly built house, or just seeing well-thought-out design in general. I love all the sensorial, the see, touch, taste, all of that.
