NOW LUNENBURG COUNTY_MAGAZINE_56PGS_JUNE2018

ANNEKE VAN BOMMEL and CAMERON MACKEAN
nova scotia
CONQUERALL MILLS, LUNENBURG COUNTY
Jason Moreland photo
crafting a life
BY MARGARET HOEGG
TORONTO ARTISTS CRAFT
A BEAUTIFUL LIFE TOGETHER
IN LUNENBURG COUNTY
Anneke van Bommel and Cameron MacLean dreamed of
someday buying a century home with enough space for their two
studios.
“We are both artists and designers that run the majority of
our businesses online,” said MacLean, “so we really could be
anywhere...we started to think, why not Nova Scotia?”
They planned a destination wedding on the South Shore and
“literally a day after the wedding during our honeymoon we
found ourselves driving closely behind our real estate agent,
looking at homes,” said van Bommel. “When we saw the home,
something clicked.”
Anneke van Bommel is an artist and educator who works
primarily in jewelry design and metalsmithing. She creates
whimsical minimalist pieces that explore themes of memory,
home, and identity.
Cameron MacLean is a certified furniture maker who creates
mostly smaller scale, minimalist interior pieces for the home,
both original designs and custom collaborations.
The two entrepreneurs started their businesses, Touchthedutch
and Offcut Studio, in Toronto in the early 2000s.
Between their studio work, their creative collaborations, and
their ongoing project of restoring their century farmhouse, the
couple dedicates their life together to their crafts and love of
design.
They love that the calmer pace of their new life allows them to
spend more time together. “We have zero transit time now,” said
van Bommel. “No subway or bike rides through gnarly traffic to
contend with. A calmer start to our days, most definitely.”
They grow their own vegetables in the summer and love having
access to small farms and food producers year-round. Van
Bommel participates in The Lunenburg Farmers Market, which
gives her opportunities to connect with her new community.
The couple takes full advantage of all Lunenburg County has to
offer. From checking out live music at the Old Confidence Lodge,
to exploring the coast, visiting antique shops or art exhibitions,
or grabbing a pint at a local microbrewery, there is always
something interesting and fun to do.
“There is a fantastic energy here, a vibrancy that is tricky to
pinpoint,” said van Bommel.
They have been surprised by some more unique Lunenburg
County traditions, such as horse and ox pulls, community
suppers, and generous neighbours. Van Bommel said, “our
neighbour has left us lobster, wine and smoked fish on our
doorstep on a number of occasions...that’s always wonderfully
surprising!”
“We were drawn to the welcoming arts community, the fantastic
farmers’ markets, the landscape and the entrepreneurial
momentum that we experienced. I would definitely encourage
others to take the leap! It’s a much calmer lifestyle and Halifax
is only an hour away!”
You can find Anneke van Bommel at touchthedutch.com and
Cameron MacLean at offcutstudio.com
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