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
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.
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.
Hello friends and happy Monday!
Today is a quick post to let you know that this workin’ girl is on vacation. I’m taking a week off from my regular blogging schedule to have some R&R and time with my family. We haven’t traveled anywhere exotic, just a Province away and after an extra long drive due to a rock slide we finally arrived at our home away from home for the next week.
It’s a new place for us so we are excited to explore and take in the amazing landscape around us. We have an adorable pond right outside our door with ducks and pretty little lily pads. As I write this, a deer walked right in front of our window not 10 feet away from us and just a short walk away is the lake *and* a pool. My girls are in heaven!
Even though I’m on vacation, my blog won’t be. I have four friends who have generously given of their time and talents who will be guest blogging this week. I’m very excited to share them with you as I’ve asked each one the question, “What does MODERN mean to you?”
Please stop by and say HI to my guests. They are all fabulous and I’m sure they would love to hear from you too. If you have thoughts on what MODERN means to you please share in the comments. I would love to hear your ideas as I truly believe modern living means something different to everyone.
I hope you enjoy this weeks posts!
xo
Nyla
Image source: Southern Elegance
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 design process is often organic. Try as you might to have a completed room it can seem like there’s just one. more. thing. to add in an effort to finish it off. For this particular client we have been keeping our eyes open for the perfect floor lamp. This client is patient and she waits to find a piece that she loves. This can take a long time and believe me we have been looking for years.
During a recent trip to New York I visited the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair). My goal was to see new products for inspiration as well as possible pieces for specific clients. Baccarat, known as the jewelers of light has introduced lighting and I was blown away by their booth at the show. This particular fixture took my breath away and I thought maybe, just maybe it was the one. 
Baccarat Sfera Floor Lamp design by Michele de Lucchi. Image via: Design Boom
Success! This gorgeous little number will find it’s new home alongside the antique Italian chair and twig end table. Ooooh! I can’t wait to see that crystal lit up in the room.
Photographer: Martin Tessler
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 not typically a fan of wall decals but I have used them on a few occasions. Only in the right location and circumstances will I peel and stick. I thought this one was worth sharing however. This post does not actually require any notes. The writing is on the wall.
What a great reminder. I hope your weekend was spent soaking up some family time.
Happy Monday!
Nyla
Image: Urbanwalls via 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.
A current project that I have fallen in love with is coming to life and almost near completion. One of my favorite rooms in the home is the study, a second floor retreat for my client to read, send notes written or digitally and even watch a little TV. Our goal was to surround the room with books creating floor to ceiling, wall to wall bookshelves housing an eclectic collection of inspiring reading material. The transformation is quite dramatic. Here’s where we started.
Palm tree drapery and bright orange walls. Wow! With those elements removed, fabulous windows, blonde maple floors and a large open space we had the perfect base to bring the room to this…..
The view of the study as you enter the room. Inviting and calm, filled with a passion of reading.
Keeping the floor and millwork the same colour the books become the focus, alongside the traditional area carpet adding colour and texture to the room.
Wall sconces and art hanging directly off the millwork add dimensional elements.
This image reminds me that one of my goals this summer is to read a book. Crazy I know but my ‘extra’ time has been so limited lately that reading has been far removed from my schedule. *sigh*
You can see more of this space in the latest issue of Dabble Mag where you’ll find insights and information on Custom Millwork.
Photography: Lori Andrews. Contractor: Foothills Renovations.
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.
Back in April I submitted an entry to the Western Living Designers of the Year Awards and I am beyond thrilled to share that I have been shortlisted in the category of Interior Design. I share this with eight talented and inspiring designers in Western Canada. Regardless of what happens I am incredibly proud and honoured to be included with this group of peers in the design industry and recognized in this way. Winners in all categories including architecture, interior, furniture, industrial, fashion & jewelry, landscape, and eco design will be announced in the September issue of Western Living Magazine. Good luck to all! Please check out the others who were shortlisted on the Western Living website.
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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