The Cowichan Valley strides past its image of quaint country charm offering a wealth of experienced professionals and boutique businesses in Downtown Duncan – people, once again, make the place.

One particular area of expertise is interior décor.  This compact town centre is crowded with design specialists and storefronts featuring the work of local artists – providing the know-how and the home accents to give your space that well-carved sense of style.

And the best part?  You can tap into this diverse network of expert personnel on a pleasant stroll through Duncan’s heritage downtown, with free parking and gourmet eateries close by to give your ‘research’ process that hedonistic flair.

First stop – Khaya Home Décor and Gifts on Kenneth Street.  Proprietor Heather Scudder will be hard at work within, arranging elaborate window displays and presenting the latest treasures from her travels throughout Canada and the US.  Recently, she added several pieces of brushed metal wall art from Toronto and a collection of hand-made artisan lamps from the Kootenays.  When I walk in, I find her measuring up a luxurious (but washable!) Belgian carpet to go on a customer’s 45 foot sailboat… something that prompts her to reveal that this is the most enjoyable job she’s ever had!

“Khaya means ‘my home’ in South African,” Heather explains.  “It’s the perfect name for this place because I think of it as my own home and I welcome my customers as personal guests.” “I bring in limited quantities of each piece because I know customers are looking for something unique.”  Heather and her staff want everyone who steps into the shop to have a memorable experience, whether looking for a décor piece for their home or that special gift.  She also reaches out to other BC artists to compliment Cowichan Valley artists well represented in neighbouring boutiques.

In the 1920s house next door dwells Embellish Home Décor, presided over by owner Lesley Zurrer, who can’t say enough about this town’s fine offerings for everything home, fashion and culinary.  Embellish features French-inspired furnishings, many of them refurbished in-house, locally-made ceramics, hand-painted linens and other art works.  Lesley’s background in furniture making and painting, as well as in applying wall finishes, qualifies her to offer much more than salesmanship and a great atmosphere.  She is a resource for her customers, providing a consultation service that can help to tie all those lovely elements together into a home tailored just for you.

“Interior design should not be difficult,” she confides.  “If people buy what they love, consistently, it will work.”  She wants to take the stress out of the design process by guiding clients and customers to follow their own instincts.  “Your home should be a haven for you after a long day – it should make you feel good.”  Her unique collection is displayed as a series of elegant vignettes, each playfully accessorized with a vintage chandelier.  A taste of Europe right here at home.

And if it’s the natural essence of the ‘warm land’ you’re after, keep an eye out for the fine art photography of Jean Christie Williams.  She is the camera eye behind Silkroad Scenes, a series of art cards, photo prints and large-scale wall pieces available at many of Duncan’s downtown galleries and shops.  When asked what lead her to create her extensive series of landscape and floral images, all printed on archival quality paper, she recalls that her early training at the Nova Scotia College of Art may have started it, but that her move to Vancouver Island in 1994 sealed the deal.  “I bought a Nikon camera and set out to explore this uncommonly beautiful place.”

She was in the first Master Gardener class held at Malaspina College (now VIU) and she also qualified for limited-enrolment workshops with renowned photographers Sharon Milstein and Freeman Patterson.  What’s so special about living and working in Duncan?  “I am so impressed by the people in this community.  Everyone is totally secure in their talent.”