Art is so important to Carla Perry that sheB次元官网网址檚 built much of her life B次元官网网址� and her house B次元官网网址� around it.
The quaint 1940s bungalow is one of P. Leonard JamesB次元官网网址� more modest creations. Built at a time when materials were scarce, the house is the smallest on its street and blends into the neighbourhood. Inside, however, is another story.
The Monterey Avenue home is one of five that guests can visit as part of the Art Gallery of Greater VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 house tour on Sept. 24. Visitors will view the mix of new and renovated homes, along with the ownersB次元官网网址� personal art collections. Guests can also interact with visiting artists who will be working in the residences during the tour.
While PerryB次元官网网址檚 home maintains a modest cottage look on the outside, the interior is surprising.
B次元官网网址淗ere we do what my daughter calls, B次元官网网址榯he big reveal,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� she says, sliding open the inner doors of the front, cozy living room that open up onto a large, bright space with 12-foot ceilings at the back of the 2,356-square-foot home.
Perry compares the contrast of the B次元官网网址�40s bungalow exterior and front sitting room to the tents in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: small on the outside, mansions on the inside. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 different than what youB次元官网网址檇 expect from the street.B次元官网网址�
Sets of three clerestory windows run along the top of the 12-foot walls, high above large windows that frame what Perry says is one of their signature paintings: Vancouver artist Andy DixonB次元官网网址檚 Group of Seven (2015). The acrylic and oil pastel painting is over seven feet long and five feet high, and is a dramatic centerpiece. It hangs on the wall like it was made for it, because it was. This wall was built specifically to house the prized piece, lit with built-in gallery-style, diffused lighting.
Perry admits the combined TV, dining and kitchen area is somewhat grand, including the 12-foot kitchen island crafted from a single piece of Norwegian Labradorite. However, most of the renovations reflect an intentionally plain, simple design.
B次元官网网址淚t had to be light and bright and happy and flowing, and functional and not fussy,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淓verything is super easy. Even a tiny detail, like [the baseboards] are angled so theyB次元官网网址檙e easier to dust.B次元官网网址�
During the renovations, designed and built by Todd Martin of Knot In A Box, the couple stripped down their furniture in favour of neutral, light-coloured built-in cupboards in the kitchen, hallways, and in her separate bedroom at the back of the house.
The rest of the home follows suit; neutral earth tones and whites cover walls and ceilings. The wooden floors and other furniture are in various shades of brown, some white, all with indigo and navy blue undertones.
But the simplicity is intentional, not just for cleaning, ease of access and flow, but to provide contrast.
B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 want to compete with (the art) B次元官网网址� I mean, look at the Morriseau,B次元官网网址� she says, gesturing toward the bright, colourful painting by aboriginal Canadian artist Norval Morrisseau.
B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 want a really big B次元官网网址榣ook at meB次元官网网址� house: IB次元官网网址檇 rather they come in and look at the art.B次元官网网址�
Pat Preston, of the Gallery Associates of the AGGV committee, says each home is chosen to reflect what guests would like to see, both in terms of the art and the architecture of the homes theyB次元官网网址檙e housed in.
B次元官网网址淥bviously theyB次元官网网址檇 like to see art, but theyB次元官网网址檇 also like to see how this evolved: the fact that it looks like a B次元官网网址�40s bungalow when you look at it, but it isnB次元官网网址檛,B次元官网网址� she says.
When Preston first walked in she B次元官网网址渄id the wow,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚t was not only the space and the way and how it had been designed, but also what I saw on the walls.B次元官网网址�
While having strangers coming into your home can be intimidating, Perry and her husband want to support the gallery.
B次元官网网址淭he question we asked is, B次元官网网址榳ould the universe be a better place for having done that?B次元官网网址� And we said B次元官网网址榶es.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 a fundraiser for the gallery which we support, [but also] itB次元官网网址檚 a way to help people see how you can incorporate art into your lives, and the joy it brings us.B次元官网网址�
All money raised from the event supports programs and operational expenses at the gallery.
Tickets cost $35 and can be bought in person at the AGGV or online at
