my top 10 gift picks

Gift guide, wish list, call it whatever you want. ‘Tis the season for giving and receiving and let’s face it, you want to give and receive fabulous gifts. Here are my top 10 items, which could be viewed as my personal wish list I suppose, so I trust those of you who are looking for ideas are in fact reading this *wink*. Any who, I’ve collected these items to share with you and perhaps give you a little help in case you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for that special someone.

How is your shopping going? What exciting things are on your list to give or receive?

Sources: 1. The Diane Von Furstenberg Animal Garden Dessert Plates – Set of 4 would be a perfect accompaniment to any place setting, available at the Bay 2. Chanel No.5 essential bath oil, a luxurious indulgence available at select department stores Chanel.com 3. Sabre old fashioned tea spoons add a modern touch of colour to your tea party. Also perfect as a hostess gift. Available at Orling and Wu 4. Love this collection of merino wool bags, in particular the ‘big bag’ from DAFF available at Provide 5. I couldn’t live without my slippers. These Ruby and Ed slippers are ballet flat style that look like shoes rather than big and fuzzy foot adornments. Available at Holt Renfrew 6. Top your piles with pretty paper weights personalized with a monogram, company or family name via iomoi 7. Adding an extra layer infuses instant texture and colour to any room. Love this modern lambswool plaid blanket from DWR 8. I’m in the market for an iPad case and this one is on my list. Kate Spade Rainspot iPad case 9. Make it personal with an Elsa Peretti letter necklace from Tiffany & Co.  10. This go anywhere anemone mezzo vase from Anthropologie with three dimensional flower is a lovely gift for almost anyone on your list.

Happy shopping!

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.

my top 10 christmas decor items

I decided to do a few ‘Top 10′ blogs this season and since I’m knee deep in holiday decorating for clients and The Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays tour, I thought I’d kick it off with my top 10 decor items. Simple and easy yet beautiful are what these say to me, not to mention the fact that they work with almost every decor style. Are you in the decorating mood yet?

Source guide: 1. West Elm feather ornament 2. Versatile 15″ tapered glass vase Crate & Barrel 3. Vintage glass beaded garland from Restoration Hardware for a mantle, door frame, dining table center piece…I could go on 4. Pottery Barn‘s faux snow is a fun added dimension to your interior decor 5. Mirrored mirth trees from Anthropolgie, buy one or many 6. A beaded pillow from Crate and Barrel will dress up any chair, sofa or bed for the holidays 7. Icicles on the inside? Yes, please! Hang several from rustic branches or on your tree. They’ll catch the light and add just the right amount of sparkle. Available at Canadian Tire 8. You can’t go wrong with mercury votive holders, from West Elm 9. Bring nature inside with birch branches a rustic approach to decorating. Add twigs and ornaments and you’ve got a festive arrangement to last all season. Image via. Available at florists or garden centres 10. I love the ornate pattern of the Basilica pillar candles from Pottery Barn.

Do you have a theme for decorating? Has your decor changed over the years? I use similar decorations but change my colour scheme every year. I just love Christmas and all the decor that goes along with it!

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.

fall decorating: what’s new?

Fall is approaching fast and now that kids are back in school it’s a great time to think about giving your home a lift with new decor. Today on BT Calgary I’m sharing what’s new for fall with ideas that are easily incorporated into your existing rooms. Items that are beautiful, useful and even dual purpose bring style and function to any space.

Below are the items I brought to the show in case you’re interested in taking any home :)

Natural element and textures:1. Samar Ottoman $139.95 3. Mackenzie area carpet (various sizes) 7. Gryfino tray $59.95 all from Crate & Barrel, 2. Salad bowl $20.00 8. Basket $7.00 from Superstore/Loblaws 4. Petrified wood trivet/hot plate $48.00 5. Umbellifers herb pot $8.00 from Anthropologie 6. Grasscloth through Interior Designers.

Colour ~ blues & purples:1. Skype C-table in Indigo $249.00 2. Blue ombre round vase $99.95 4. Holden pillow cover & insert $169.00 5. Calluna vase $49.95 all from Crate & Barrel, 3. Bloomsbury pillow $148.00 from Anthropologie, 6. Purple/pink throw $125.00 from Maria Tomas.

Graphic patterns:1. Suzani throw $525.00 2. Orange storage table $275.00 3. Flirt vase $155.00 5. Farrow & Ball wallpapers 6. Pompom throw $135.00 all from Maria Tomas, 4. Abstract idea pillow $88.00 from Anthropolgie.

Note: Nyla Free Designs is not responsible for discrepancies in prices or descriptions. The above details are for information purposes. Please call the respective stores for more information on stock or purchasing.

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.

artist: heyday design

During my recent trip to Vancouver I wandered into the Gallery of BC Ceramics on Granville Island. A simple space, filled with lovely pieces of pottery. Traditional and modern, colourful and natural. Each piece was a handmade treasure. I did walk out with a purchase, however this artist in particular caught my eye and I immediately fell in love with her whimsy, simplicity and homage to such simple objects as canning jars.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Claire Madill, the artist behind Heyday Design, however I just couldn’t help but introduce her again. Inspired by vintage kitchen wares, Claire breathes new life into unassuming objects that seem to find her, and turns them into beautiful art pieces. I adore this collection of ceramic canning jars that exude a functional beauty.

Supporting young, up and coming artisans gives you the joy of not only owning a piece of their art, but also supporting their future endeavors. Great things to come from Claire I’m sure! For information on purchasing, please visit the where to buy section of Claire’s website.

I can certainly tell that Claire creates from her heart, the sign of a true artist.

inspirations: i colour

I was shopping yesterday at Chapters and found these adorable colouring books that I wanted to share with you. i colour colouring books offer 24 designs in each book, abstract designs and designs from nature. You can use crayons, felt tips, pencils or even paint. The designs range from contemporary florals and fauna to retro swirls and modern camouflage. These hardcover books can be displayed for others to enjoy, however the pages are perforated for a pull-out postcard to send to a friend or even frame and hang as artwork. Either way I’m sure your creative little ones (or perhaps even you!) will enjoy watching a page come to life, because let’s face it ~ don’t we all love to colour!!

Available at Chapters in the bargain section, or online. I have also seen them on Amazon.com.