A Creative Laboratory
by Nyla Free
Journal 1 | Issue 3 Autumn ‘24
“GRACE”
written by Ava Free
I raise a glass
And give a toast
With kindred spirits And a heart to host
To write of things I’m grateful for I may run out of ink
To wish a mind, full of memories I fear to simply blink
Gathered round the table
In singles and in pairs
An ambiance of warmth surrounds As conversation’s shared
Falling swiftly, leaves greet the ground
How seldomly we’ve seen
The pursuit of Fall in such a way
It’s beauty is serene
Friends who we call family And family we call friend
I think of those we long for
The ones who can’t attend
I’m grateful for the wisdom
Of the ones close by my side
And think about the very fruits
From the vine which we abide
Amidst the back and forth of things
The busy and the bustle
The privilege we have to rest, May it strengthen our heart muscles
I’m reminded as we gather
During what we call thanksgiving How deeply I’m encouraged
To pour into thanks-living
5 6
1 EDINBURGH , Scotland ||
I believe everyone has a “soul city.” A place that speaks to you on a deeper level, and satisfies your soul entirely. I just returned from traveling abroad, and think I’ve found just this in Edinburgh. The city is truly unlike anything I’ve experienced.
2 WEEKENDER TOTE , Béis
|| I’ve had my eye on the Béis weekender tote for years. My NFDI fam surprised me with this striped number to celebrate my work anniversary back in July. I recently had the chance to try it out, and can’t say enough about it!
3 PLATES , Fornasetti || I first learned of Fornasetti a few years back, and have been a fan ever since. I’d love to add a few pieces to my home one day.
4 SECTIONAL , Article ||
I. Love. My. Sectional. Perhaps my favourite purchase to date, it’s everything I was looking for in a sofa. The wide chaise is my coined “spot”, and with two big pups who love to cuddle up, there’s plenty of room for everyone!
5 “PRETTY SLOWLY” ,
Benson Boone || This has been my hyperfixation song this season. I stumbled across Benson Boone last year, and he’s been circulating through my playlists ever since.
6 CONVERSATION PITS
|| I’m all about feeling cosy, and there’s something about a conversation pit that makes me want to curl up! I love that this retro trend is getting its second wind.
1 TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE , Mitch Albom || I’ve read Tuesdays with Morrie 3 times now, and each time I fall in love a little bit more.
2 WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
|| As the days grow short and my pants get longer, the thought of a cosy night in sounds just right. To be honest, no matter the season, a rom com is always a good idea.
3 OLIVE BACKPACK , Matt & Nat || I’ve had this backpack for nearly two years and let me tell you… it has seen it all. It’s been on day-trips and road trips. It’s been robbed and retrieved. I call that function AND fashion.
4 NAVY PEN , Staples ||
There is no pen to paper if it’s not this one. They are everywhere. In my pockets, couch cushions, drawers, purses, car – you name it. The only problem is, they seem to never be in the one place I actually need them… my backpack.
5 TOMATO CANDLE HOLDER , The Oblist || So quirky!! I love them! Besides the fact that the candles look like spaghetti noodles, these candle holders are so fun. They’re asking for a dinner party!
6 IVORY SWEATER , American Vintage || The weather is calling. Sweaters emerge from hibernation in dresser drawers. Shoulders beg for their protection. Why not have fun with them… it’s only going to get colder.
5
The Bes
BesT laid plans
Rather than gifts, my husband and I decided we would take a trip to celebrate our 50th birthdays, his in the spring and mine in the fall.
On my list was to drive part of the coast of California, from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I wanted to experience the landscape (I adore the ocean), and the thought of having five days in a car with my family travelling from seaside town to seaside town sounded like bliss. But what ensued was nothing short of an upheaval, turning our trip on its side, emotions heightened and lots of pivoting along the way.
Our trip was certainly memorable. I’ll give it that. Looking back, even if the trip did go as planned, I still should have been more prepared. I underestimated the timing, didn’t research the towns and cities we were going to as much as I should, I chose hotels in a hurry and entered our vacation on a wing and a prayer. In the end, most of the plans I did make and the hopes I had for my big birthday trip, had to be adjusted anyway, all because we got robbed. Here’s the story of what was planned vs. what actually happened on our California road trip.
what actually happened
12:25 PM
ARRIVED IN SAN FRANCISCO. 10:25 AM DEPARTED YYC.
1:45 PM PICKED UP OUR RENTAL CAR.
2:30 PM
ARRIVED AT THE KIMPTON HOTEL ALTON.
2:32 PM REALIZED WE’RE AT THE WRONG LOCATION.
3:00PM
ARRIVED AT HOTEL ENSO TO DROP OFF OUR BAGS.
3:45 PM WALKED TO FILMORE STREET.
10.06.2023
7:00 PM DINNER RESERVATION AT LEO’S OYSTER BAR.
9:00 PM EXPLORED JAPANTOWN AND VARIOUS SHOPS.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
INTERIOR DESIGN| Nyla Free Designs Inc.
Phil Crozier |CONTRACTOR| Focused Renovations
The story of our office renovation started in 2022. We had one year left on our lease, and we knew timing and planning was of the essence. Through the process of both redesigning the space we were currently in, and looking for a new space to move to, nothing was feeling right. Size, location, feel and yes, cost, the alignment wasn’t there. We extended our current lease for one more year to give us some breathing room, and space to decide the best plan forward.
After careful consideration, which also included having an understanding of what growth looked like for our company, we decided to renovate our existing space and stay where we are.
From there the design came easy, just as though it was meant to be.
We made minimal, yet impactful changes to the layout of the space. We added storage, a seating area and updated the decor and overall feeling of our office. As residential designers, we wanted our office to feel like a home. Less utilitarian, more layered and infused with unexpected details than what you would typically see in a commercial setting. We wanted the space to show our personality as a company, a brand and ultimately as designers. With our process rooted in creating one of a kind spaces, we approached the new design of our office with the same intention.
Welcome to our home away from home.
TEXTILES
FABRICS & WALLPAPERS
GROUNDED
Harlequin
WALLCOVERING
Nyla's Office
CITY VELVET RELOADED
Jab Anstoetz
ARIOSA PRINT
Kravet
VINYL RECONSTRUCTED
Phillip Jeffries
MOUFLON TWILL
Osborne & Little
PIPING DETAIL
Design Centre
COUNTER STOOLS
Design Centre
WALLCOVERING Design Centre
SIDE CHAIRS
Living Room
TILI
Jab Anstoetz
DRAPERIES
Nyla's Office
MIAMI BRAIDED TAPE
Houlès
SOHO HEMP
Phillip Jeffries
WALL DETAIL
Ana's Office
WALLCOVERING
Ana's Office
The design centre is the workhorse of our office. With project drawers full of each client’s finishes and materials, our sample library, and a frame TV feature wall act as one part art, and the other, a presentation screen. This area engages creativity and allows the juices to flow. Our previous sample library doors remained, and because they were no longer available for order, we had two more sets custom made as we just couldn’t part with the design and feeling they offer our space.
We updated the doors with Farrow & Ball’s Light Grey No. 17, a warm and moody greige that envelopes the space.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTH IS
ILLUSTRATIONS BY | Brianna Powell WORDS BY | Nyla Free
I love my fireplace. It was one of the first selections I made during our renovation, not only out of necessity for framing but also out of enthusiasm. For me, a fireplace says comfort, and creates the perfect amount of ambience and warmth. Add this alongside jazz music and the smell of delicious food and you’ve got the makings of a beautiful evening.
There’s a lot that goes into the decision of which fireplace is best for a room, and there are many fireplaces to choose from. From personal preferences to design aesthetic to the layout of each space it can be overwhelming. It’s a big decision and one that needs to be made early on in the planning process so framing, mechanical and electrical can be considered accordingly.
Where do you begin with the many options available? Let’s learn!
THINGS TO CONSIDER
• Wood Storage & Access to Logs
• Matches/Lighters/ Kindling
• Fire Upkeep/CLEANING
• Clearances
• SAFETY
APPLICATION
• The sculptural design of this fireplace makes it an ideal choice for modern settings and large open spaces.
• Some styles allow for 360 degrees of heat and view.
• Use this design as a focal point and art piece in a room.
A wood burning fireplace that hangs from the ceiling with an open clearance below the firebox for visual interest. Suspended fireplaces come in a variety of shapes and styles, however, cater to a very specific aesthetic.
SUSPENDED WOOD BURNING
THROUGH THE
INTRO BY | Nyla Free
I currently have 81, 961 photos on my phone between work and personal. I love capturing moments and sometimes, ok often, I over capture. There was a time when I would approach taking a photo as the moment. One click, resulting in one photo and I hoped for the best. Sometimes the flash didn’t go off for an indoor photo and it was black. Other times someone had their eyes closed. Oh, well. That was film photography for me. I lived with the outcome regardless of the disappointment or joy, with no skill set, simply an eye and a hope for a great outcome.
Nowadays, we have the ability to take the perfect photo, whatever that means to us at that moment. My iPhone takes great photos, many of which have been used in Freehand. I’m no pro. I like to think I take decent photos, but I know I can be better. I often think about film photography as less pressure, and being IN the moment far more than experiencing something with my phone attached to my hand. I’m intrigued to return to my film roots but I have work to do to relinquish all attempts at perfection.
LENS OF FILM
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