valentine’s all year long

I have to admit I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day. It’s a tad over done for me and why do we limit all the fuss to one day a year aside from anniversaries, birthdays or other momentous occasions?

I bought these prints for a little girls room yesterday and while they do have an underlying Valentine’s theme, I think they are perfectly adorable, and why not celebrate candy hearts and kisses all year long?

Pretty in pink: the bedding and paint colour already in place.

As of late, I’ve been more conscious of supporting smaller businesses so sourcing wall decor and accessories via avenues such as etsy is not only cost effective, you also get something off the beaten path and I love the idea of supporting a ‘little shop’.

Check out more of amanda catherine designs on etsy.

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.

fabulous finds: encaustic tiles

Ever been on the lookout for something special to add to your decor? Perhaps an item with history or a global vibe? Of course you have! Look no further than encaustic tiles. A ceramic tile, where coloured patterns are inlaid with a beeswax-based paint, fixed with heat. Dating back to the medieval ages, encaustic tilmix is easily into today’s modern and traditional decor, and because the colour is inlaid into the body of the tile, the pattern remains even if the tile is worn down. Bring a sense of history into your home. A little, will go a long way.

5 ways you can bring encaustic tiles into your home:

• Use as 1 or 2 as a trivet or hotplate.
• 5-7 work well as accents in a backsplash or fireplace surround
• A decorative hearth or fireplace surround of encaustic tiles is sure to had impact to a room
• create a permanent ‘area rug’ on the floor of a bathroom or front entry using 100 – 150 tiles
• a backsplash or wall niche would welcome a hit of pattern and colour

Poppytalk recently blogged about a kitchen with a clever use of encaustic tiles. Pop on over to get your creative juices flowing!

I found these gems at Traders of the Lost Art in Calgary. Items from years past are ready to be found and given new life in today’s decor. Keep your eyes peeled for antique shops, flea markets and tag sales to find your perfect treasure.

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.

fabulous finds: clout lighting

I recently came across new lighting exclusively at Lumens.com and instantly fell in love with these industrial yet modern pendants. I am especially drawn to the pearl finish which adds a feminine twist to the otherwise masculine fixtures.

Inspiration for the CLOUT Collection came from cards, car parts and the Hookah, an Indian waterpipe. Such an interesting combination of shapes and forms but works in a collaborative effort to create the openness and curves of each fixture.

These lights are not large but make an impact in a small and mighty way. Keep them in mind if you’re searching for island pendants or something interesting over a casual dining space. A great alternative to the schoolhouse style of fixture, which by the way I do love, but this is definitely something new and notable.

Did I mention they’re eco-friendly AND a great price too?!

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.