Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/130547
MULTIPURPOSE ROOM (Right and below) The couple's apartment and rental suite is decorated in an earthy, neutral palette with a mix of antiques and modern furnishings that evokes a relaxed, European vibe. throws, a neighbour's skilfully crafted leather shoes and Janaki's own stoneware, beautifully made in a closet in the back of the store. Janaki comments, "Customers never know what they'll find when they come for coffee – a popup art show or olive oil tasting, or fresh products: someone brings us their lettuce on their bicycle to sell, another delivers ice cream in a car2go, while another walks her pizzas and desserts over." A community market Outside, the stucco was painstakingly removed to show the original green painted wood shingles, and new window trims were painted black. "We couldn't decide what to paint the exterior so just left it. We replaced part of the wall that was rotted out and added a large double window to the front," says Pascal. Although the backyard boasted a luxuriant Japanese garden in decades past, the trees grew, now blocking most light, and hard clay soil allows little growth. "This is why we keep chickens. I like them to roam; we collect the eggs," says Janaki. They have two beehives (and sell the honey at the store), and also grow vegetables such as tomatoes, kale and beans on the garage rooftop. Says Pascal: "Our community success wasn't the intention; it just happened. The novelty creates an interesting story; we get over one thousand hits a day on our website. There is a lot going on here, and it is a lot of work." ■ 22 | BC HOME & garden June 2013 p18-25_Le Marche/ForagedFood.indd 22 13-05-01 3:53 PM