Design that Reveals
Design that Reveals
Creativity is my love, interior design is my focus. Whether it be full service interior design, re-decoration or even online design through Design in a Box, I am passionate about all things creative. Here, I will share insights into projects, inspirations and what's going on in the world of design from Calgary and beyond. Would love to have you follow along.
my bedroom reveal May 10, 2011
publications: my home in avenue magazine Jun 14, 2012
exciting news! Jul 13, 2011
MODERN. I’m not referring to the dictionary meaning but rather the feeling, the emotion or the lifestyle of a Modern interior. Vintage, retro, mid-century, classic, country. These have all been paired with the word Modern. This week I am exploring what Modern means with four people I admire and would love to introduce you to or if you already know them, for you to get to know them better.
I am so thrilled to introduce you to my guest blogger today. Fiona Richards is the creative personality behind Cartolina Cards, a stationary line with vintage appeal and worldly curiosities. Her cards are some of the most interesting and creative designs I have ever seen and since I have a slight obsession for paper goods… I have seen a lot! I look forward to the opportunity of one day meeting Fiona in person as I admire her very much for her business savvy, creativity, talent and genuine sense of style and self. If you haven’t stopped by Cafe Cartolina yet, please do. It’s a fabulous blog showcasing influences and inspirations behind her work. Also, you must know about Cartolina’s iPhone App. It is one of the coolest app’s out there!
When Nyla asked, “What does Modern mean to you, Fiona?” It took me a while to get my head around it because I really enjoy vintage.
I’m not a trend follower at all, so to me, it’s always been about the vibe and the lifestyle than the status or the designer.
I grew up in the UK in the 70s and, while all my friends lived in cookie cutter tract houses filled with the standard matching 3 piece suite of the day, I grew up in my grandparents house filled to the brim with exotic treasures that they had collected from their days as textile traders in India. And it rubbed off on me – I’ve never had a modern house and really never collected modern pieces. To me modern is all about being free to live in unusual spaces and surround yourself with unusual things - things collected over time and the newer things coveted and acquired more recently. Having the confidence to say ‘this is my unique eclectic place and these are my fabulous, curious things.’
We live in the country so I tend towards the rustic. Give me old wood, stone and iron, industrial salvage and vintage fixtures. Mix them up and change them on a weekly basis. Gone are the decorating restrictions of the past – and what we have is more interesting, more personal and, in my mind, more modern!
Here are some styles that I love:
Source: Freshome
Source left: Pinterest right: Pinterest via HomeShoppingSpy
Source: Tumbler
Source left: Taverne Agency right: Pinterest
Source: Tumbler
Source left: Remodelista right: Tumbler
Thank you Fiona for sharing your thoughts with us!
What does Modern mean to you? We would love to hear what you have to say!
Nyla Free Designs is a full service Calgary Interior Design studio. Our goal is to bring your home to life by revealing your style and infusing unexpected elements of design and detail. If we can help with your project please let us know! See the contact page to get in touch.
Nyla Free Designs also offers an online design service through Design in a Box.
Anita@dasaninteriors.com Jul 26 2011 - 5:03 pm
Thanks Fiona for your blog today! I so understand your interpretation of “Modern”. I sell antique and vinitage pieces because of what they bring to a space, and the use of them is so timeless, and unique.
Fiona Richards Jul 26 2011 - 7:49 pm
Thanks for asking me to do a guest post Nyla – I am honoured!
And thanks for the comment Anita – I’m going to check out your website now!
Fiona :-)
kelly@refresheddesigns. Jul 27 2011 - 2:11 am
What a great idea to write about, Nyla! I’m so in line with Fiona’s concept of modern. It is modern to display your own style and things that have meaning to you. The amazing pictures here show fantastic vintage and rustic items, but feel like completely modern spaces.