Story and Photography byu Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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In 2010, Tamara and Jonathan took a leap of faith and followed a longtime dream of living in Victoria. They moved from the Okanagan with three small children and a dog temporarily into JonathanB次元官网网址檚 parentsB次元官网网址� house in Victoria, started Thomas and Birch Cabinetry from scratch and havenB次元官网网址檛 looked back.
B次元官网网址淲e just did it,B次元官网网址� Jonathan reflects as I meet with the couple at TamaraB次元官网网址檚 beautiful photography studio (Hudson Wren Modern Fine Art Portraiture) on Herald Street to chat life, style and a shared entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit.
B次元官网网址淥h, look. SheB次元官网网址檚 already getting emotional!B次元官网网址� Jonathan lovingly teases his wife when I ask about the motivational juice behind her photography work.
She says: B次元官网网址淚f your house goes up in flames, what do you grab? Your kids and your photographs. For me the juice comes from the fact that IB次元官网网址檓 creating something for families that they will cherish forever. I feel that having a family portrait is such an important part of a familyB次元官网网址檚 history.B次元官网网址�
And what gets Jonathan fired up about his work?
B次元官网网址淐onnection,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淭he kitchen is a very intimate place in a home; itB次元官网网址檚 the heart. So when IB次元官网网址檓 creating that space, I need to connect with the client so that I can understand how they are going to use that space and create memories there. I also love the family aspect of our company, the people that work there. Some have gotten married and had kids since working for me and I get to see their families grow. ThatB次元官网网址檚 exciting for me.B次元官网网址�
What are they passionate about outside of work?
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e all about where the good food is,B次元官网网址� Tamara laughs. B次元官网网址淲hen we travel, before even seeing the sights we want to know one thing B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址榳hereB次元官网网址檚 the best place to eat?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
For Jonathan, itB次元官网网址檚 about his contribution to his kids sports: B次元官网网址淚 coached my sonsB次元官网网址� football team for 10 seasons. Watching them progress as young men has been very exciting to see, and very rewarding.B次元官网网址�
And what qualities do they hope their offspring will inherit from them? B次元官网网址淚 hope they get TamaraB次元官网网址檚 ability to care,B次元官网网址� says Jonathan. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so immense and I think that if they can do that with their own kids, theyB次元官网网址檒l have great families and success in life.B次元官网网址�
Tamara hopes they get her sense of adventure. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had some great adventures! Every time I say, B次元官网网址業 have an idea!B次元官网网址� Jonathan braces himself. Creating these memories for them is such a big deal for me and I hope they do that for their kids.B次元官网网址�
When it comes to style, Jonathan has a fresh perspective having recently lost a bunch of weight.
B次元官网网址淣ow IB次元官网网址檓 enjoying shopping and dressing up! I just got rid of the last of my XL clothes and IB次元官网网址檓 never going to go back. I now care about style,B次元官网网址� Jonathan says as Tamara teases him about his new-found enjoyment of shopping.
TamaraB次元官网网址檚 style can be best compared to the Ralph Lauren aesthetic: B次元官网网址淪imple and classic. Things that have longevity; not things that are trendy but rather have good style. In that way, you just need a few simple, timeless pieces that you can jam out every day and you never get bored.B次元官网网址�
TAMARA
Fashion & Beauty
Uniform: Jeans B次元官网网址� dress B次元官网网址檈m up or dress B次元官网网址檈m down.
All-time favourite piece: LeviB次元官网网址檚 denim jacket.
Currently Coveting: Ulanily Pointy Toe Bootie Marc Fisher Ltd.
Favourite gift to give: . B次元官网网址淓very woman needs this wallet!B次元官网网址�
Favourite Day-bag: .
Favourite work tool: My camera, .
Favourite jewellery piece or designer: Leah Alexandra.
Fashion Obsession: Shoes.
Accessory you spend the most money on: Shoes.
Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: B次元官网网址淒id I mention shoes?B次元官网网址�
Scent: Marc Jacobs (B次元官网网址淯nfortunately it is discontinued now so IB次元官网网址檓 savouring it.B次元官网网址�)
JONATHAN
Clothes/Grooming
Favourite Denim, brand and cut: Levis 511.
Current go-to clothing Item: Blundstone 584 - The Winter in Rustic Brown.
Best new purchase: Anthony of London brown leather motorcycle jacket.
Favourite Day-bag: Milwaukee B次元官网网址淧ackoutB次元官网网址� tool bag.
Accessory you spend the most money on: Watches B次元官网网址� Citizen Nighthawk.
Favourite work tool: .
Sunglasses: Arnette Witch Doctor.
Necessary indulgence: Milwaukee Tools.
Favourite skincare or hair product: Ursa Major Face Balm and Uppercut Deluxe Pomade.
TAMARA
Style / Inspiration / Life
Style Icon: Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Favourite Artist: Bobbie Burgers and Miguel Vallinas.
Piece of art: Abel Massot.
Favourite Musician: Too many to list just one.
Era of Time that inspires your style: 1960s Mad Men Mid Century Modern.
Film that inspires your style: Kelly McGillis Top Gun blazers, white shirts and jeans.
Favourite local restaurant: .
Favourite Cocktail: Gin and Soda Lime.
Album on current rotation: I have a few on my list rotating right now, including Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Eric Church and Leon Bridges.
Favourite Flower: So hard to pick just one: peony, anemone, tulip, hydrangea.
Favourite city to visit: San Fran.
Favourite What do you read Online for style: B次元官网网址淚 check out Pinterest once in a while if I am looking for inspo.B次元官网网址�
Favourite Print magazine: Elle Decor.
Last great read: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by .
Book currently reading: Girl Go Wash Your Face by .
Favourite book of all time: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
App: Spotify.
Favourite place in the whole world: Anywhere there is an adventure to be had with my family.
JONATHAN
Style / Inspiration / Life
What do you read Online for style: Houzz.
Fave Print magazine: B次元官网网址淏oulevard B次元官网网址nd itB次元官网网址檚 not just blatant sucking up!B次元官网网址�
Favourite style Blog: Houzz.
Book currently reading: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by .
Favourite Artist: Ren Matheson.
Piece of art: Anything by Ren Matheson.
Favourite Fashion Designer or brand: Banana Republic.
Favourite Musician: Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Era of Time that inspires your style: B次元官网网址�50s and B次元官网网址�80/B次元官网网址�90s.
Film that inspires your style: Top Gun.
Favourite local restaurant: Brasserie 尝B次元官网网址椭肠辞濒别.
Favourite Cocktail: Moscow Mule.
Album on current rotation: Villains, Queens of the Stone Age.
Favourite Flower: Tulips because they are TamaraB次元官网网址檚 fave.
Favourite city to visit: Havana, Cuba.
Favourite App: National Post B次元官网网址 App.
Favourite place in the whole world: Home.
