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
exciting news! Jul 13, 2011
design: arbour lake house final reveal Nov 29, 2010
Are you feeling like it’s been a while since we’ve seen a new dabble issue? Me too! Three months is a long time but well worth it. Issue #6 is live so pop on over to dabble and check out the anniversary issue with a new look. Can you believe it’s been a year already?!
This issue, Reality Check is all about kids bedrooms. Here’s my little peanut, Lori Andrews style :)
Photography by Lori Andrews (@designertweets)
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.
We’re on the countdown until issue 6 of Dabble goes live January 31st. It’s fun to get a sneak peek at what each contributor is up to, don’t you think?
My Reality Check column this issue is all about kids bedrooms and the many details to consider when embarking on decorating your little OR big person’s bedrooms. I thought I would share an article I was interviewed for in Inside Magazine, an insert in the Calgary Herald, all about…you guessed it, kid’s bedrooms . My good friend, Jacqueline Corea from Corea Sotropa Interior Design and the Pink Chandelier blog was also interviewed and you can read more of our thoughts and tips below.
Stay tuned for more in the next issue of Dabble!
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.
I’m off to Toronto this morning, along with a few of my Calgary design buddies for a fabulous few days of inspiration on so many levels. I won’t go into much detail here as there will be so much to share upon my return. Can’t wait! Already anticipating the new products, design details and people I’m going to see. Here is a list of places I’m going, or hope to get to during my visit, to name a few… Do you have a favorite spot in Toronto you’d highly recommend? Please let me know!
Interior Design Show, Business of Design, Blog Podium, Au Lit Fine Linens, Elte, Ruby Watchco, West Elm, Hollace Cluny
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.
I love getting packages in the mail and I have to admit I get a little giddy when they’re samples. There is nothing like the touch and feel of something new and exciting in the world of design whether fabrics, area carpets or even wood finishes. I know, I know, it’s somewhat nerdy but that’s why I love what I do.
Last week there was a box on my doorstep with new samples from Merida Meridian and I was very excited about what I saw inside. Soft, plush carpets available in a rainbow of colours and 12 pattern options. If you’re a designer reading this you can relate to the thrill of customization and options, right?!
Merida Meridian is known for their natural fiber carpets committed to design and sustainability. Merida’s Sweater Collection has been brought to new heights with the ability to put your handprint on the design. Renderings and strike offs are available so design away!
I recently shared sneak peeks of a mountain retreat I am working on and one item left on my to-do list is area carpets. I think these just might be the ticket.
Using a combination of crimped, felted and twisted wools, the detail of the weave and loops are wonderful. Available as area rugs or for wall-to-wall installations. The thickness of the carpet is ideal, not to thick that it won’t fit under a door swing, yet plush enough to feel cozy underfoot. I wish you could pop right into the screen and feel for yourself!
Available at Layers and Layers in Vancouver.
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 week I talked about my powder room that is in dire need of an overhaul. Admittedly we have several areas in our home that are needing attention.
Our fireplace is the kind that looks like its plopped on the wall. No mantle, hearth, pretty tile or stone. You know the one, right? I expect the intention was a modern approach but I would like our fireplace to make a statement. I’m looking for something special. What happened to the finely detailed fireplaces? The ones with an old world feel and stand alone presence.
I’m longing for a European approach with marble, carved details and strength.
The photo below shows just this.
I’m on a mission!
Image via: yatzer.com
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.
I don’t typically share fashion on my blog but honestly it has such a close relationship with interiors I decided to do a short and sweet ‘Friday fashion file’ with outfits I’m finding inspiration from. How about launching into the weekend with a little wardrobe planning? This weekend, I’ll be wearing nothing of the sort as I’ll be at the pool ALL weekend, but I could definitely see myself wearing something like this. Love Olivia’s style.
Have a great one!
Image via: Stokholm Streetstyle
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.
Sable Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia has been the site of an incredible 475 ship wrecks with horses being among the only survivors. Sailors, convicts and pirates have all occupied the island at some time, however never permanent. The length of Manhattan and width of Central Park, Sable Island is home of geology, natural history and plants numbering 175 species. The islands population fluctuates between 175 and 450 individuals living in family bands of two to ten. A fascinating and magical place, the movements and curiosities of the Wild Horses of Sable Island have been captured by Roberto Dutestco, a New York based artist working in photography, poetry and film.
I was introduced to Roberto Dutesco first by this space featured in Metropolitan Home. I still love it. A client of mine had pulled the same image from the magazine tagged as an artist she was interested in. After several years and deciding on the perfect location she purchased “Love Bite”. Roberto, captures the beauty and mystery of the wild horses, in their element and his. Watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity, Roberto is patient, becoming completely connected to them and their quirks and tendencies. The result is special, really, really special.
Emy at the gallery was fantastic to work with, walking us through all the sizes, colour options and framing. This was all done at a distance and went off without a hitch. We talked often and I looked forward to one day meeting in person.
Fast forward a few years later, May 2011 to be exact. While in New York for Blogfest I had added on a few extra days to my trip and had a great day wandering around Soho with Sharon and Yvonne from Layers and Layers.
You can imagine my surprise and excitement when I turned a corner and saw the gallery of Roberto Duetesco. And then walking into the gallery and seeing Roberto there, working on this piece….wow!
Roberto’s artistic skills fill the edges and surround the image of Wild Horses. So personal and such beautiful detailing.
The Documentary Film Festival presents: Chasing Wild Horses
Watch more videos of his incredible photo shoot with the horses here.
Meeting Roberto was a highlight for me. Sharon and Yvonne from Layers and Layers can attest to the gasp I made as we turned the corner and saw his gallery. For him to be present AND working his magic on the piece above was icing on the cake. The cherry on top was the little note and autograph I left with, along with the big smile and a heart full of inspiration.
Thank you Roberto!
Image credit: Elle Decor Interior design by Garret Cord Werner, photo by John Granen
All other images: Nyla Free Designs
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.
While working on a family room space for a client we jumped into pulling together furniture and fabrics for a mountain retreat they are in the midst of building. This is somewhat of a departure from what I’ve been working on, but that’s one of the best parts of my job, each project is completely different.
I have been ooooohing and aaaaaahing over these fabrics and had to share. Wool plaids, rich colours mixed with smooth leathers and chenille fabrics are making my heart sing. Where you would typically expect rustic, this is a modern approach to a mountain home. We have done the happy dance a few times while putting it all together.
Here’s a peek at what we’re up to ~
Fabrics: Moon Fabrics from Primavera, Osborne & Little, fabrics for Vanguard furniture and Alfonso Marina via Domaine Fine Furnishings.
Doesn’t this look OH so cozy?! I can hardly wait until it all arrives.
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.
Lately, I’ve been keeping an eye out for inspiration and ideas for my own home. As I’ve mentioned before, there are several areas in our home that I’d like to either upgrade or completely re-invent. Under the overhaul category is the powder room. It is so basic and boring I can hardly stand it. With a blank canvas sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin but at the same time it is just that, a clean slate.
I came across this image on the weekend and was attracted to several elements.
• love the wallpaper, but would maybe consider something larger scale
• the shape of the ‘shield’ style mirror is unique and a statement piece for a space that guests will see
• simple, classic and very practical subway tile
• LOVE the vanity, especially the detail on the cabinet doors. Would be thrilled to find a piece like this for our bathroom.
I would like to point out the combination of white and off-white. Often people shy away from mixing the two but done in the proper way, adds dimension and warmth to the space.
What do you think? Do you have a space that needs an overhaul? Where are you finding your inspiration?
Image source: Traditional Home
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.
Calling all bloggers! In case you’ve been living under a social media rock over the last few weeks I wanted to make sure you knew of some great opportunities for design bloggers and interior designers.
I’ve been blogging for over two years now and I can honestly say it has changed my business significantly. Let me add, that it has also changed me, how I look at my work, the world around me and my approach to design. In the last year I have seen an incredible number of opportunities come my way and to many others in the design community. People are catching on to the influence of bloggers, their insights, style and design focused posts.
I was recently interviewed and featured in the Designer Spotlight series on Modenus, a site for designers to network and source product from suppliers around the globe, and since then becoming more and more familiar with the site and all it has to offer. Last year, Veronika, founder of Modenus, launched Blog Tour 2011 to London England. Bloggers from all over traveled the city diving into all aspects of design and detail. I admit I watched with mild jealousy, but with the help of social media we followed along with tweets and facebook updates as though we were hanging in their back pockets.
With Blog Tour the success it was, it’s no surprise there’s not one but four tours scheduled for 2012. If you are a design blogger I encourage you to get out your brag book and share why YOU should be selected to attend one of the fabulous tours to New York, Milan, London or Paris. I sure did!
Do you have a great blog, style, and personality? Do you love design, travel, food and wine? In fact, do you love all the great things life has to offer and want to share them with your captive audience? Yes? Well how about this – would you like to join Modenus and select teams of bloggers as they scour the world for great design and report back live from the world’s greatest cities and the most recognized design trade shows? Click to the Modenus site to enter. What are you waiting for?!
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better….
Traditional Home magazine has come up with a pretty fabulous idea. After launching TRADhome last year showcasing 20 up and coming designers, they’re doing it again, but this time with a twist. They’re looking to the blogging community to select and nominate designers. This is where the blogging and design communities merge. How exciting! I don’t know of another magazine reaching out to the blogging community like this. If your submission is chosen, not only will your designer friend love you forever, but you’ll have the opportunity to be a guest editor for TRADhome’s Spring 2012 issue. Pretty darn cool if you ask me. If you have a designer friend or someone you admire from afar. Nominate them! Designers can not make submissions for themselves so get out there and let them know how fabulous you think they are. Stay tuned for the next issue showcasing new Trad talent as chosen by stylish and on-the-pulse bloggers. You’ve only got until January 21st. The clock is ticking so go on! Visit the Traditional Home site to get the scoop on what you need to do.
If you’re a blogger, designer or both, get out there and strut your stuff. Seize the moment. Hope to see you somewhere on BlogTour2012 or gracing the pages of TRADhome. Good luck!
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.
Recent Comments