-Story by Devon McKenzie
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on
Tucked away on a quiet street in the heart of South Oak Bay is Claudia de VeauxB次元官网网址檚 sanctuary B次元官网网址� a 2,500-square-foot home built in 2012 with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
But for Claudia, itB次元官网网址檚 more than just a home; itB次元官网网址檚 where she can breathe deeply, think clearly and take time for herself. Because when sheB次元官网网址檚 not in Victoria, sheB次元官网网址檚 in the thick of the tech industry in the Silicon Valley.
As a technical writer, Claudia spends weeks at a time away from home, so when she does get to come back to Oak Bay, sheB次元官网网址檚 exactly where she wants to be.
B次元官网网址淚 grew up in Seattle, so I always loved the Pacific Northwest,B次元官网网址� explains Claudia. B次元官网网址淢y sister moved here and married a Canadian and eventually, I decided I wanted to be here too, so I made a five-year plan to move here and I did it. Really, it was one of the only times IB次元官网网址檝e actually had a concrete plan,B次元官网网址� she says, laughing.
After moving to Victoria in 2001, Claudia bought a home on Beach Drive but eventually sold that property and moved to Saanich.
B次元官网网址淚t was central, I guess, but I always found myself back in Oak Bay B次元官网网址� especially at the beach,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淲hether it was walking the dog, or just enjoying a walk alone, it was just where I wanted to be and so, the hunt was on.B次元官网网址�
| A quiet corner in in the home. Don Denton photography |
After an entire year of looking, Claudia bought her Victoria Avenue home in 2016 and has been happily adding to the blank canvas a new home acquisition provides since then.
B次元官网网址淚 just love this house,B次元官网网址� she says, motioning around the spacious and bright open concept living/dining/kitchen area, which is at the rear of the house overlooking a private, manicured back yard and standalone garage.
B次元官网网址淢y favourite part is all the wall space and natural light which is absolutely perfect for my art,B次元官网网址� she adds.
Coming from an artistic family B次元官网网址� many of her paintings are by her father and sister B次元官网网址� the home offers ample wall room for the display of art in various forms. Along with her art collection, Claudia has a striking collection of vintage glass insulators which line the window sills through the kitchen. The natural backlighting makes the insulators sparkle and shows off each pieceB次元官网网址檚 unique attributes.
B次元官网网址淐ollecting those, itB次元官网网址檚 addictive,B次元官网网址� laughs Claudia. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not usually big into the decorating aspect of a home, but with this house IB次元官网网址檝e really been enjoying it.B次元官网网址�
Another quirky feature in the kitchen is her collection of android figurines, a nod to her professional background, which she has cleverly displayed in the built-in wine rack in the kitchen.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 drink so it turned out to be the perfect use for that space,B次元官网网址� she says, smiling.
| Robot like figurines in the kitchen. Don Denton photography |
Moving through the main floor, ClaudiaB次元官网网址檚 office is located near the front of her house. Aiming to travel less and find a better work/life balance, she wanted the perfect place to be able to work from home uninterrupted. A custom desk, which she had built to spec for her needs, fills the far and back wall of the room and a full, almost floor-to-ceiling window allows for plenty of natural light.
B次元官网网址淚 have no trouble working from home,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 find it very satisfying to be able to work from here when I can and having a beautiful office does help.B次元官网网址�
Also at the anterior of the house, near the front door, is the staircase to the second floor. Stepped windows on the front of the house bathe the stairwell in natural light, which is accented with paper-look globe light fixtures that Claudia picked out herself. Again, more art dons the walls through the hall upstairs, which goes off at an angle. ItB次元官网网址檚 a feature Claudia noticed right away.
B次元官网网址淚t just adds that little aspect of the unexpected, rather than just having a straight line to the back of the house,B次元官网网址� she says.
Off the hall to the right and left are two guest bedrooms, which are vital as ClaudiaB次元官网网址檚 children and family love to come visit, as well as the guest bathroom. Ahead, at the end of the hall, is the ample, airy master bedroom and en suite bath which overlook neighbouring yards filled with mature trees.
B次元官网网址淚 love the view out back,B次元官网网址� Claudia explains, adding that the whole bedroom has a very serene and tidy feel to it. B次元官网网址淚 almost feel like IB次元官网网址檓 walking into a room at a Four Seasons in the city, which is a pretty nice thing to be able to feel every time you come into your bedroom.B次元官网网址�
| A view of the master bedroom. Don Denton photography |
ItB次元官网网址檚 been just over two years since she moved in and Claudia says she couldnB次元官网网址檛 be happier.
B次元官网网址淚 always wanted a pretty house. Not necessarily cozy, but pretty, and thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly what IB次元官网网址檝e been able to create here. For me, this house is all about the art; I look at it and enjoy it every single day that IB次元官网网址檓 here,B次元官网网址� she says.
B次元官网网址淚 moved here to get out of the rat race, I had some political motivations too, but either way, I was very driven to do it. Victoria is home now and IB次元官网网址檓 always happy when I come home.B次元官网网址�
In a world where things are moving faster than ever and many things are in a constant state of flux, Claudia feels grounded in her Oak Bay oasis.
B次元官网网址淚 guess you could say Canada brings clarity,B次元官网网址� she says, laughing.
| Claudia de Veaux looks over part of her glass insulator collection. Don Denton photography |
