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
Not long ago I blogged about those who may have a pillow problem. The type who feel pillows will solve their decorating dilemmas overnight and with no success secretly have a graveyard of pillows stashed in a closet taking up valuable storage space. You know what I’m talking about right?
There’s no doubt pillows are an important finishing touch to a room but I’m here to say, get a plan. No different than creating a furniture plan for a room, pillows deserve the same attention.
Fun, personality and unexpected elements are indeed part of pulling a room together and certainly in the final details, don’t get me wrong. Not every selection needs to be planned perfectly or you risk a contrived feeling. It may also depend on the type and overall style of the room. (Have I convinced you to hire a designer yet?)
The living room featured in the April/May issue of Dabble is one where we planned the pillows. We sourced fabrics, organized sizes and mixed colour and pattern. We also created two schemes or options if you will, one for spring/summer, the other for fall/winter. Within these two colour combinations we also have a mix and match approach where a certain pillow could be used for both. The fact is, a multitude of options and combinations exist but as you can see in the photos below, varying the pillows, changes the look of the room.
With a neutral colour palette focused on textures, we incorporated pillows with pattern and colour, arranged in an asymmetrical way within a symmetrical room.
Keeping a stash of pillows in your closet or cupboard is not a bad thing providing they have a purpose and a place. So get a plan together and brighten up your sofa or bed with a little pillow love.
I admit my favorite of the two is the turquoise. Which one is yours?
ps. I’ve uploaded the images from this photo shoot into my portfolio if you’d like to see more :)
Photography by: Lori Andrews
Art credits: Painting by Barbara Milne courtesy of the Paul Kuhn Gallery, Photograph by David Burdeny courtesy of the Herringer Kiss Gallery
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.
Have you had a chance to check out Dabble Issue 6 yet? I hope so! This issue’s Reality Check is tackling Kid’s Bedrooms, offering tips and pointers on things you need to know before embarking on the task to meet the needs of your little ones no matter how old.
This bedroom belongs to my youngest daughter and for a long time it was the only completed room in the house. During the photo shoot of my bedroom for Dabble Issue 2, we had a slight delay while electricians hung my new swag lamps so Lori was quick to jump on the chance to snap shots of my girls. (You can see photos of my oldest daughters room here.)
The Sadie print from Serena and Lily was my jumping off point. I love the watermelon colour combination and the mix of patterns, but wanting to add my own touch, I introduced olive coloured polka dot sheet set from Pottery Barn that I mixed with the floral pattern. I also purchased fabric from Designer Fabrics for accent cushions and euro pillows. The petite patterned wallpaper is Designers Guild (a now discontinued print) which I used as an over sized head board, framed in wide moulding purchased from a local hardware store. I painted it matte black, added touches of silver then roughed it up with sandpaper. I attached a wall decal to give off a shadow-like visual from the chandelier.
Classic ‘headless’ shot of little ‘M’ by Lori Andrews.
The nightstands are also mismatched. The left night table is an old piece with a fresh coat of paint. I would say it acted as a telephone table at one point in time. The round one on the right is new and has a pedestal style base. I ordered this one without really realizing how much it was. Oops! Lets just say it’s a keeper ;)
The colour palette and style of this room has lasted for three years now and I don’t anticipate changing it for another three, it has so much longevity. Great for my pocketbook…not so great for my interest and desire to create and change things!
Photography by Lori Andrews, Interior Design by Nyla Free Designs a.k.a ‘Mom’
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.
Happy Thursday!
I’m patiently waiting for installation day on a project. The area carpet is taking longer than expected so we’re on hold until further notice. My client would like a one day transformation…and so we wait, but that’s ok, good thinks come to those who wait, right? In the meantime I’m on the hunt for accent pillows for the sofas (see large question mark below). I blogged recently about pillows and how they’re part of the styling stage, meaning one of the last details to be selected in a project. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled in hopes of finding the perfect, family friendly, yet sophisticated, not too formal, hint of colour kind of pillows. Here’s a peek at a few fabric selections and items we have on order.
1. Kaleigh Ceramic Lamp: Arteriors 2. Carved Chest: Hickory Chair 3. Area carpet: Weavers Art
We have bold pattern in drapery as well as a chair and ottoman working alongside teal velvet sofas. Contrasting this with muted colours, textures and a dose of colour…loving the yellow! It’s my goal to find one pillow and purchase four to add cohesive, not overly fussed accents to the sofa.
Tomorrow I’m headed east again but this time to New York for a shopping weekend. So excited! I’m on a mission to find pillows among many other items. Surely I’ll find something, don’t you think?!
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.
From my home to yours…..
As I sat last night in a rare moment of peace and quiet, this is what came to mind:
It’s at this very moment when I can’t help but wish time would stand still.
{Silent night}
The hustle and bustle over. The anticipation and wonder still there.
{All is calm}
A time to reflect, appreciate and embrace time with loved ones whether family or friends.
{All is bright}
A new day awaits filled with Joy. Unspeakable JOY.
{Sleep in heavenly peace}
Merry Christmas one and all.
ps. I set my table early in an effort to remove one more item from my to-do list today which means I can relax a tiny bit more. Here’s a little sneak peek :)
I dropped off my last client gift yesterday, sent a parcel overnight courier to my brother and sister-in-law and had my last meeting for the year. I am so close to being done I can almost taste it…and the turkey! I thought I would share with you a few of the things I’ve been working on this season for gifts and wrapping. I truly LOVE this part of Christmas, although as my husband said, “next year we need to start this process in October!”. So true.
The caramels that almost didn’t happen. This is tradition of mine roughly 18 years strong and thanks to my husband who convinced me that they are an important part of our Christmas (although I’m sure it was partly a selfish request!). Three batches and 60 of these little packages later…..
I went for an office theme this year for several of my gifts. Here are a few of the items included in each personalized gift box. Paper weight from West Elm.
I found the above wooden pencils with character words and attributes. Such a thoughtful touch to a daily writing utensil.
A peak at my gift wrapping. I’m known to change it yearly!
I had left over ornaments from the Kids Help Phone Holiday Home tour so I incorporated them into my wrapping.
I bought frames after Christmas last year from Restoration Hardware (majorly on sale of course) and decided I would use them for gift wrapping this year (yes, I plan that far ahead). I printed photos of my girls when they were smaller, they’re still 10 and 5 but they love looking at photos of themselves much younger. Above: my oldest at her 6th birthday party, a Hollywood theme.
I must admit I have help. That’s right, my husband! We have a system: he wraps, I adorn. Here he is trying his hand at ribbon and gift tagging though. He is such a good sport and incredible help. Thanks babe!
Hope all is well in your home as you race to the finish line.
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 feel like I’ve been knee deep in Christmas decor for the last several weeks. First I decorated a home for the Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays tour. Next, I helped a new client get ready for a party she was having with finishing touches and just a hint of Christmas decor. Now this week I’ve been decorating the home of a long time client of mine. We’ve done her holiday decor four years in a row now. We help with everything from ordering and setting up the tree (a 14 footer!) to wrapping paper. You can see the home featured in the current issue of Dabble Mag where I share tips for holiday decorating in my Reality Check column. Here are my favorite shots from the article along with a few extras.
Above: This is one of my favorite photos from the shoot but unfortunately didn’t make the cut due to a styling booboo with the chairs. Oops!
Above: I cropped in on the original image to show the gifts as well as little kitty nestled amongst them.
I hope your holiday decorating is coming along nicely. This colour scheme of turquoise, red, white and silver feels tried and true for this modern setting. We are still loving it!
Photographed by: Lori Andrews
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 styling a dining room today, adding the finishing touches and accents. We started out with an existing table, chairs and sideboard and added drapery, area rug, new lighting, changed the paint colour and my client found new art for the space. The room also includes a hit of wallpaper. You might remember a post I did about thoughts on wallpaper and whether the commitment was daunting or not. I’m happy to report, my client said yes to the one you see below. We changed the area rug from what you see here to one that I found during a visit to Elte. It is stunning! It’s a traditional style home where we have infused modern and transitional elements to update and complete the room. Here are a few of the materials we have selected along with lighting and a few accessories I’m planning to bring in. Pretty sure it’ll be ready to photograph in the New Year so stay tuned for a final reveal.
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 was a flurry of activity over here at Nyla Free Designs. If you’re wondering what I’ve been up to, I spent all last week, along with a team of people transforming a historic Calgary home for the Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays house tour that happened this past weekend. The architectural details in this home are stunning. Arts and crafts in style, this grand home is warm and welcoming. I can’t wait for you to see inside.
On Friday a scout from Western Living Magazine came by to see the home as they were considering it for their 2012 holiday issue and I’m thrilled to say they decided to photograph it. We have delayed take down by one day and I’ll be spending today styling and helping with the photo shoot. Very excited!
In the meantime I made sure it was ok to share close up shots of a few areas of the home. (I can’t give it all away now can I?)
I’m afraid that’s all for now. You’ll have to hang on for Western Living’s holiday issue out November 2012.
Special thanks to the following people who helped with set up. Your time and efforts in helping pull this all together is appreciated more than you know. Cory, Cathy, Libby, Marnie, Pat, Donna, Rosalind, Nancy, Sharon, thank you all!!
A huge thank you to the suppliers who donated, lent or provided services for the decor. Canadian Tire MacLeod Trail South, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Kore Onsite, Reid’s on 17th, The Flower Group, JVR Landscaping. I am so grateful for your generosity of product and time. Many of you are a huge part of my business on a regular basis and I can not thank you enough for the help you have given me.
To the Kids Help Phone coordinators and volunteers, thank you for inviting me to be apart of this wonderful experience. I could not have asked for a better home. And to the lovely homeowner, thank you for being so gracious. It was a pleasure decorating your home for the holidays.
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 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.
My clients have recently moved to, and renovated a house in the country. We are at the finishing stage, although there is still lots to do. I’m heading out of town tomorrow to do a site visit (as well as participate in a cooking class by sharing tips on quick and easy decorating ideas for entertaining during the holidays). A number of months ago I created a living room inspiration board which has since come together quite nicely. The coffee table seems to be our biggest hold up right now but I think we’re making progress.
We seem to have many irons in the fire right now with remaining furniture pieces, media unit being built as well as window coverings required for several windows, including the ensuite. Below are the materials we used in the master bathroom. I’m thinking something soft and airy, possibly a linen sheer with a slight pattern to it.
The cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore Duxbury Gray (that’s the grey/green colour of the two), with backsplash in the white glass/marble mosiac. I’m contemplating a silver framed mirror accented with a very small gold edge detail to add an unexpected element and shimmer. It will be really subtle but often those details are what add impact and make a difference in a room. Keep ya’ posted on that one…
That’s all for now!
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