Vancouver couple opens up Powell River vacation rental property & proceeds to live the dream
The view from the property / Photo by Leah Laurie
Karen Maurage and her husband, James Lazaruk, are from Vancouver, and they began planning to move away from there over a year ago. They originally started their search for a home on Vancouver Island, but eventually changed that search to include the Sunshine Coast. After visiting a friend in Powell River, they immediately fell in love with not just the area, but the feel of community here. They quickly sold their condo in Vancouver, packed up, and moved to Powell River in October of 2015.
Initially, while they were looking for a home with some land, they rented a home which used to be Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast. They fell in love with the property. So with the help of local real estate agent Warren Behan, they put an offer on it, and after some negotiation, it was accepted. (Something that may not have happened so easily in Vancouver!)
Blue Heron Vacation Rentals // photo provided
There were two homes on the property, the one they are living in, plus an older home–as well as an old garage at the back of the property. They thought they would rent the old house to a long term tenant after renovations were complete, but renovations kept adding up–so they chose the next best idea, and decided to do short-term vacation rentals––and Blue Heron Vacation Rentals was born!
They tore down the old garage, and are building a brand new cottage in its place, so there will now be two newly renovated homes available on the property for rent. The renovated 2-bedroom cabin is available now, and the cottage should be complete by the end of May.
The spider / Photo by Leah Laurie
They are making other changes throughout the property, as well. The previous owners had been there three years and mainly only spent time there in the summer, and before that, the houses sat empty for many years, so much of the property had been neglected. The fruit trees were overgrown and the ivy was choking out all the big, beautiful trees. James and Karen are giving the landscape a complete makeover. Pretty soon, the place will be unrecognizable.
Eek! / Photo by Leah Laurie
Another item of note: a friend of theirs in Vancouver, Jesse Toso, is a chainsaw artist, and he’s created a spider to place on the embankment wall. They also commissioned him to do a large wood carving of a blue heron for the beach front, so passers-by in boats or kayaks have some artwork to view. Here are some photos of the carving in action, thanks to Leah Laurie:
Jesse Toso, the stump artist / Photo by Leah Laurie
work in progress / Photo by Leah Laurie
the blue heron / Photo by Leah Laurie
Waterfront before / photo provided
Waterfront after: now with the blue heron / Photo by Leah Laurie
Jesse Toso also created a timelapse video of the entire process from start to finish. Pretty darn cool, if you ask me.
Blue Heron Carving from Jesse Toso on Vimeo.
If you’re wondering where the property is located, Blue Heron Vacation Rentals is at 4111 Highway 101. (Turn left near Southview Road, and drive along beside the highway. The address is posted at the top of the Drive.) You can also find them on Facebook and Airbnb.
Blue Heron Cottage is a cozy romantic space with a loft bedroom and balcony. Blue Heron Cabin has 2 bedrooms and a balcony. Both have fully equipped kitchens, washer and dryer, and everything needed for a relaxing getaway.
Janis Behan