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
It’s been several months now since Blogfest and I have to say I’m impressed with those who blog the day or week after an event. For me, I need to digest, soak in all I’ve learned and experienced, and that can take some time. Finding the best angle for me to write from and share my insights is also important. Rather than blogging about Blogfest I decided to hone in on a few experiences from the incredible three days and what they meant to me.
I’m kicking it off with our tour of the Kravet offices. Blogfest is the brainchild of Kravet and wow did they ever knock us off our feet. Everyday was filled with new and wonderful experiences, the kind where you pinch yourself wondering if you are actually there. I have worked with Kravet for many years and have grown to love their products and value my relationship with them. Getting the chance to see behind the scenes was indeed a highlight and my heart went pitter patter as we toured from room to room with our guide, Scott Kravet.
For me, it wasn’t just about the pretty fabrics and inspiration boards. I noticed and learned things that went beyond the material and patterns but deep into the brand of the company and what Kravet stands for. Taking away not only inspiration from a design perspective but much to my surprise, business insights as well.
What I learned from Kravet:
1. People are important to your business. Whether clients, trades, suppliers or employees, all of them help to make your business successful. Scott Kravet introduced us to each person by name, telling us what they did for the company and how long they had been there. Each and every one is an integral part of the company, like a family unit, and as a result, pride of workmanship is evident within the office.
2. Embrace new technology and…..
…..honour traditional art forms. While touring the office we were introduced to hands on sample boards, artists sketching on paper as well as the digital side of creating patterns. I still do many drawings by hand. The loose feel is somehow more personal to me so I’m not ready to give it up. At the same time I couldn’t be happier to sit at my computer and put together images and inspirations on my blog. I was happy to see a large company like Kravet embracing both and I will continue to do the same.
3. Be successful, stay humble. Everyone wants to be successful and each and every one of us defines success differently. Kravet, although a large company has a humble approach to the success of their business. They are confident in what they do and a leader in the textile industry but remain solid in their core values, and to me that speaks volumes in the most positive way.
4. Collaborate. Admittedly I felt this was taboo even as recently as two years ago but after collaborating with other designers and industry people I am seeing the value daily. Kravet collaborates not only with top design professionals but also friends in social media in an effort to reach out and stay connected in a highly approachable way. Priceless in creating and maintaining relationships in business.
5. Continue to learn. Keeping current is an asset, and as an example, Kravet has embraced social media and new technology in a way that has made a huge impact on their business. Whether it be learning a new technique, insights into new products on the market or simply a more efficient way of doing something that’s been done for years, I was inspired to stay current and educated, keep my eyes peeled for new opportunities and remain open to change.
Blogfest 2011 was a success. Simple as that. Why? Because we were treated to experiences that also inspired and educated. I didn’t take many notes, but what I did walk away with was a better understanding of my business and a clearer sense of identity and brand. For that, Kravet, I thank you.
Blogfest 2012 is already in the works and I highly suggest marking your calendars.
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.
Cozy up and dive into the fall issue of Dabble. This issue’s Reality Check column is all about the designers process in ordering custom area carpets. Find advice and information on all the steps necessary to help ensure the perfect area carpet ends up on your floor.
Also, we have exciting news (if you haven’t already heard). Dabble is now available to order in print. That’s right! If there’s a particular issue that caught your eye, a travel destination that inspired you or perhaps a space you designed landed on the pages of Dabble, you’ll want a print copy. I can guarantee this magazine will not see dog ears or be torn up. It’s more like a book than a magazine. Here they are…looking fabulous! Order Dabble Mag in print here.
Enjoy the new issue!
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.
If you’ve got a bare table or two that could use some light then have I got great news for you! I’m thrilled to be sharing a contest with you today from Lia at Mod Nest. Her new Bahama Collection is the latest group of lucky lamps to have been brought back to life by Lia’s creative eye.
Passionate about re-styling vintage lamps, Lia is also an interior designer and all around creative soul. I invite you to visit her Mod Pieces website and Mod Nest blog but in the mean time here’s what you need to do in order to win a pair of new lamps. You can enter as many times as you like, but must complete only one form per person, per pair of lamps. So…… what are you waiting for?
Take a look at the video to see the evolution of each pair of lamps. Choose your favourite and tell us which pair you’d choose by filling in the online entry form and telling us why you should win in the most convincing and interesting way possible. Go on! Have fun with it.
Bahama – Late Summer 2011 Collection from Lia Fagan on Vimeo.
GOOD LUCK! Can’t wait to read your entries.
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.
The start of a project is always so fun isn’t it? When I first walked into this space, my heart skipped a beat. For real. I know, you’re dying to see more but I just can’t show you right now. I have to keep some secrets, right? I will share a peak at the fabrics we used in the living room for furniture and accents. We are ninety percent done. Remaining items include accessories as well as an area carpet and custom console recently ordered for the dining room that shares space with the living room.
Selecting mohair as the upholstery for the sofa will be cozy for Fall and Winter, while linen slipcovers were also ordered to freshen things up come Spring and Summer. An easy way to change the look and feel of your space.
Linen, mohair, velvet chenille and geometric patterns in soft colours along with walnut and antique brass materials are below for your viewing enjoyment :)
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.
Last Thursday was a pretty exciting day. I woke up like any other. Got dressed in an outfit I had carefully planned. Walked out of my hotel and made my way to an incredibly busy intersection in Toronto. I found a parking spot and took a deep breath. I walked out of the parking lot onto a street filled with people and had trouble navigating my way to find the right building. I had to ask where the entry door was. Ah yes, right there. Silly me. I walked into the reception area and thankfully found familiar faces. I had a quick re-cap and then off to have my make up done. Next I found myself in the same room as Tracy Moore, Kimberley Seldon and Brian Gluckstein. Totally surreal.
The next hour was filled with much excitement and many emotions. I took in every. Last. One.
Tomorrow my debut appearance will air on City Line with my segment on custom carpets. Tune in to CityTV at 9am, watch live online or after the show. So many of you have been such a huge support in cheering me along and I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
xo Nyla
ps. my article in Dabble Issue 4 is on custom carpets so stay tuned for the inside scoop on the designers process when making selections. The next issue goes live August 29th.
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.
Are you hanging on to summer for all it’s worth? I sure am. When I came across this living room with floral fabrics and fresh colours I couldn’t help but wish this season could last forever, okay maybe a few months longer anyway.
I’m going to embrace every ray of sunshine and ounce of warmth over the next six weeks, ignoring the fact that winter will soon be upon us. Thankfully first comes Fall, one of my favorite seasons. In the mean time, show off your painted toe nails while you can and why not add fresh colour or a floral pattern into your decor. It’s certainly not too late and with summer sales on now, it’s less of a dent in your wallet.
Summer 2011 Collection from JCrew via Home Sweet Blog, living room image via Elle Decor
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.
Choosing fabric is one of my favorite tasks when detailing drapery. The colour, texture, pattern and flow of the fabric are important details to consider, in addition to the style and purpose of the room.
Although drapery is often considered a finishing touch and one that is last to be installed, it should not be at the bottom of the selection list. With a high level of impact, drapery is an important decision in the early stages of the room design. Being a vertical component of the room, it becomes a focal point or a backdrop to support furniture and architectural details. Knowing the difference is important.
Below are examples of work from my studio, Nyla Free Designs showing rooms with drapery treatments and details about the fabrics we chose.
Drapery in bedrooms must function and be aesthetically pleasing. In a modern space such as this one we opted to use a fabric similar to the wall colour. Creating a simple backdrop, however not compromising on style we used a silk fabric with metallic thread. The full height drapery skims the floor which allows the fabric to billow at the bottom similar to a beautiful gown.
This sitting area at the top of a staircase does not require drapery for privacy or light control. Here we used a semi sheer in wool to frame the windows, add depth and offer softness in the background.
We often think of drapery in a formal dining room but an everyday eating area need not be overlooked. With large windows in this kitchen nook, the room would feel bare and stark without fabric to finish off the space. We selected a charcoal silk with horizontal stripes in black and cream. It’s depth of colour and linear detail create a bold statement in the room accentuating the architectural detail of the bay window.
This dining room shares space with a sitting area and dramatic two story windows. From the second floor office the drapery is also visible. This formal charcoal and caramel damask pattern in silk acts as a space connector and adds a dramatic vertical statement.
Wanting a hotel style treatment with an edge we used a track at the ceiling with wall to wall drapery, creating a cocoon feel when the drapes are closed. We also wanted to introduce colour into the drapery so a muted mauve was selected with a subtle linear texture. It offers a warm feel with the impact of soft colour. Beautiful in a bedroom for an elegant, yet cozy feel.
I adore textiles and what they bring to a room, both in function and personality. Drapery is no exception to this. Plan early to include window treatments in your budget and watch your room go from basic to beautiful.
Thank you to Leslie Caruthers (@tkpleslie) and The Curtain Exchange for hosting a new weekly twitter chat with today’s focus on textiles in drapery. Also to Ann Maine, Editor In Chief of Traditional Home Magazine, Michael Diver, managing editor and Krissa Rosbund, Senior Style Editor for being the special guest experts joining in the discussion.
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.
Outrageous would be one word to describe moooi, however the name in fact is Dutch for ‘beautiful’, with an additional ‘o’ to represent the extra beauty and uniqueness in each piece. This iconic line of furniture, lighting and accessories by designers Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers has some shock value for certain. Burnt pieces, quirky shapes and unexpected elements offer conversation pieces within a room design. Moooi believes that design is a question of love. Passionate and playful, these daring designs are not for everyone, however I do believe that moooi, with it’s over the top classic style will be sought after for many years to come.
Emperor pendant in red, smoke dining chair, pig table.
Dining room with moooi Random light. Interior Design by Sasha Josipovicz via HGTV blog.
moooi Smoke dining chair. Interior Design by Nyla Free Designs, Photography by Martin Tessler.
What are your thoughts on moooi? Would you own a piece? Do you have a favorite? These are true statement pieces that in and of themselves are like art.
Share in the comments below!
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.
You’ll find me over at Decor Mentor today with a Save vs. Splurge post on kid’s bedrooms. With kids growing as fast as they do it’s one room in the house where you will want to save a few dollars. Hop on over to see what we saved on and where we splurged. Click here to see the full post.
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.
Hello August! Today we are making our way home from our week away which always leaves me contemplating what summer living might actually be like at a second residence. What would it look like? Where would it be? Of course I day dream about several locations and potential styles of the home but the simplicity and rustic character of this Napa Valley ranch cottage caught my eye.
Do you have a summer home or cottage? How does it differ from your city home? Is it basic necessities or stylish and decorated? I’m curious to know!
Image source: House Beautiful, Designer: Ken Fulk
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.
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