ST YLE
NFDI
S P R I N G
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S pring air
A COLOURFUL T WIST ON T HIS SEASONS STAF F PICKS
IS IN THE
THE ART OF
BREAKING BREAD
Volume two I S S U E . 0 2
EDITOR’S NOT E It’s day six of a 14 day quarantine I’m spending with my daughter since her return from overseas. I’m writing this from my mother-in-law’s home, as she moved out and into ours so we could have space and be away from the rest of our family. My husband is still working, which is disconcerting. However, the company he works for has been deemed an essential service, so he’s never been busier. School is cancelled, people are working from home, nonessential businesses are closed and we’re spending more time than ever before in our homes. It’s an interesting time to say the least. In a season of social and physical distancing, togetherness takes on a different format. Our digital access is a blessing, but so is our family time. I’ve loved seeing the creative ways people from around the world are connecting both individually and as a family. People have never been more raw, authentic, silly and open. We crave that connectivity, don’t we? And if we can’t necessarily have it in person, then the virtual world of platforms such as FaceTime, Instagram and Zoom are truly our solace. Families are drawing closer, friends are reuniting and quarantine cocktail parties are being held virtually around the globe. May we find comfort in all of this. Our home tour this issue is from West Vancouver. This gem started out as a run down, abandoned home which might look overwhelming to most, but our client saw a treasure. She found her family home. For the next year, working together, yet from afar, the home underwent an overhaul and was transformed into the photos you’ll see on pages 13 - 34. We’re also including insight into the story of the home direct from the client, so don’t miss this heartwarming inclusion to this feature. Last week I received a text from this particular client, “So grateful to you and your incredible team for creating a space in which I am happy to be quarantined.” And that’s just it, isn’t it? Our homes have, almost overnight, become our everyday hangout, and “home is where the heart is” is now more true and meaningful than ever before. Colour, food and plant therapy are all included in this issue, so if you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve got you covered in all these areas! I trust you are all safe, healthy and finding a sense of calm in spending time in your home and with your loved ones. My hope is that our Spring Lookbook will offer a moment of inspiration, solace and distraction from the current world circumstances. We’re all in this together. Much love and health from all of our homes, to yours.
Nyla
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www.nylafreedesigns.com
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IF N F D I WERE A COLOUR? If you were a colour, what would it be? We asked our team to define themselves with a specific hue and to incorporate that colour into their spring staff picks. The result is an array of personality and colour infusion.
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D e c o rat i ve B oxes: Cu rr ey & Co.
Tre nc h C oa t : A r i tz i a M i r ro r : Ma d e G o o d s
NYLA benjamin moore
B a s ke t s: Ma d e G o o d s
n or t h s e a CC -932 Navy to me is comfortable, stable, timeless and traditional. Like a great pair of dark denim that goes with everything, navy is friends with every colour and mixes well with any era. I guess I see myself a little like this. Pairing its classic depth with modern whimsy and femininity is 100% my vibe.
Ta b l e La m p : Arteriors
To ss Cu sh i on: Pr o v i d e H o me
N a il Polis h : Zo ya
S ho e s: To r y B u r c h
Sid e Tabl e : A r t er i o rs
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J e an s: N o r dstrom
Wal l e t : Indigo
So ap: Lu c i a Area C a rp e t : S ur y a Tabl e L am p: Wa y f a i r
J ewell r y Dis h: Ka te Spade
To ss Cu sh i o n : U r b a n O u t f i t t ers
KERST IN benjamin moore c ha r t r eu se 2024- 10
Ta pe Mea s ure: N i n a Ca mp b el l
I love all shades of green, but I chose chartreuse to represent M a c a rons : me. This unexpected take on O l l i a M ac ar ons & Tea green reads as traditional, but it’s also somewhat unusual. An undercurrent of creative energy simmers beneath its surface. And the warm undertone makes the shade inviting and comforting. These characteristics embody how I D e sk Ch ai r : A n t hr o p o l o g i e see myself.
Ar t : Al i s on Phi l pot t s
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Tea Tow el : H ea th C eramics
C on t e m po rar y A r t : A m y D r yer
JACKIE
V i t am i n s: HUM
B ook Set : Etsy H a t : A nt hr o p o l o g i e
benjamin moore ora n ge b los s om 216 8 -3 0
S c ar f : H er m es
I have always gravitated towards warm colours, specifically yellows, oranges and pinks. These colours are often found together in one of my favorite things, mesmerizing sunsets! A perfect blend of those tones creates a blossoming shade of orange with golden undertones. Orange is always unexpected, often happy and optimistic, and of course, bold and a little outrageous. Sound like anyone you know?!
S ho e s: N o r d st r o m
W i ne: D ormilon a Oren ji Dre ss: Z A RA
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Wal l pape r : Phi l l i p J ef f r i es
Pe r fu m e : GUCC I Cro ss B o dy B ag: Ma r c J a c o bs. Ta b le La m p : F l os
Wa tc h: i ce
Rub b er B oots : Hun te r
A re a Car pe t : A n t hr o p o l o g i e
benjamin moore v er m i l l i o n red 2002- 10
C a nd le : A nt hr opol og i e
Nail Poli s h: Essi e
P l at e s: La D o u b l e J . Te a Tow e ls : Lade l l e
ANA
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Representing my roots and childhood full of happiness, fun and laughter, red is my go to colour for everything from lipstick to home decor. I love all things spicy, whether food or music, and I’m happiest when I’m dancing and laughing to sexy/happy music such as salsas and cumbias.
N a il Polis h: Es s i e
Vase : HK Living
Shoe s : Nor ds t ro m
R i n g Co n e : Pa p er & C l a y A re a Car pe t : A n t hropologie
BRI
benjamin moore hun ter gr ee n 20 41-10 I’ve had a crush on the colour green for as long as I can remember! Growing up in a family with a largely Irish heritage, I was immersed in the culture at an early age, and in doing so fell in love with everything Irish; so much so, that I even took up Irish Dancing for 15 years. Hunter green has been a long time favourite of mine as I feel it has a calm neutrality to it that also brings a certain edge and youthful energy to the table.
H an d B ag: H er m es Can dl e S ti c k Hol d er : H & M Home
Rom p e r: H& M
B e n c h : Fer m L i v i n g C a nd le : H & M H o m e
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Wat e r B o t t l e : H yd r o Fl a sk
B ac k pac k : NIKE
Art: Mi sa t o S uzuki
N a il Po l i sh : Essi e
B a th B o m b: Sqwiik
i P ho n e Case : A ppl e
Tos s C u s hion: Ur b a n O ut fi t t e rs
ALEX benjamin moore a m et hyst cream 2071- 50 From a young age, purples have been favourite colours of mine. It was the colour of my bedroom growing up, so I have fond memories from a decor perspective early on. For me, lavender is feminine, edgy and bold, which is how I would describe my personal style. It’s also the colour of my birthstone!
A ir Pod C a s e : A mazon
S hoes : Urba n Outfit ters
A re a Car pe t : P i eces H o m e
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“IF WIN TER HAS THE CO UR AGE TO TU RN IN TO SPR ING WHO S AYS I CAN ’T BLO OM JU ST THE S AME?” - s.r.w
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NFDI WEST VANCOUVER
FAMILY GEM
“Got a house. Will reno it back to the studs. Should have a floor plan to you for comments by the end of the week. Yahoo!!!!” This is the message that came through from our client when they found a run down Tudor home in West Vancouver. Set back from the curbside, down a small hill and buried under trees, it truly was a hidden gem. The surrounding landscape was starting to swallow it up, so from the street it was hard to see, and when you did, you’d have to look really hard to find it’s potential. And that’s exactly what our client did. The goal was to create a family friendly, cozy home with relaxed sophistication. Using materials full of texture, neutrality and warmth, together we set out to bring this home back to life and fill it with a new personality. This home is rooted in love. With heartfelt stories and connections to people, our client shares more about the heritage of the home on pages 33 & 34. Not only is this home a gem, the family who lives here is too.
Interior Design: Nyla Free Designs Inc. Photography: Phil Crozier
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“
A note from our client
Our family has moved a lot. When I told my daughter about a new listing of a house close to her school, we were both a bit sheepish about driving by to take a look. We had only lived in our current home for about a year. And we had bought and sold eleven houses and moved eight times in the previous thirteen years. A few of the places didn’t even last long enough to warrant a move. Surely we should just stay put. Still, we drove by. The house was a tired old Tudor with a desperately overgrown garden. But she still had a grand look. And for years I had imagined living in a Tudor. It was the house of my dreams. Or at a minimum, it had potential. It had been sitting on the market for a long time, and when we arranged to look inside, the reasons were obvious. The house had been built by a local developer who raised his family there, declined into old age and finally died there. Unfortunately over those forty years, the house had deteriorated to a grim state. For serial renovators with an incredible design team, that really did make it the house of our dreams. And so began a year long renovation project that included opening up the main floor, re-working the upstairs to create a modern master suite, laundry and two spacious bedrooms and bathrooms where there was once six small bedrooms, and finishing the basement. The former lady of the house was an avid gardener and we were able to restore the yard to its former glory. We are excited to see the impact of a few more Vancouver summers.
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During the renovation, we met one of the women who had grown up in the home. She shared how she had shingled the roof with her Dad as a young teenager, how she used to look out her bedroom window at the house across the street where her crush lived. Her bedroom stayed mainly intact and is now the bedroom of our 11 year old, Sydney. I love that the room has a history. We stayed in touch and when she toured the fully renovated house, she shared that her Dad would have liked it. And that felt good. We had another connection to the history of the home. Our glass and mirror trade is a great guy who we have worked with on other projects. When he toured this one, he shared that he knew the house well. His high school sweetheart had grown up in the house. He remembered trying to sneak up to her bedroom past her Dad’s watchful eye. In fact, he called her while he was at the house to let her know where he was and share a laugh. This is a family home. Once filled with the bustle of kids, crushes, and boyfriends. I am so happy that our family is again filling it with kids, crushes and boyfriends (although my girls would get me in trouble for telling you that!). It is a wonderful home. I think we might even stay a while.
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- Kelly
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Whether yo home. The Boasting attrib increas
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P L A N T S1 0 1
ou’ve already got a green thumb or you’re learning as you go, plants are a great addition to your e health and wellness benefits are plenty, not to mention the added bonus of elevating your decor. butes such as increased productivity, concentration and creativity, plants also decrease toxins and se oxygen. Sounds like something we could all use right now! We’re offering the “how-to” and the “know-how” on all things plants to get you started on, or adding to, your indoor oasis.
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ST RING OF PEARLS
• Prefers brightly lit indirect lighting conditions. *Direct sunlight may cause them to burn. • It is best to avoid keeping these plants in drafty areas. • Requires pots with a drainage system. The size of the pot is also an important factor for this plant. The plant should substantially fill most of the pot - if there is too much soil it will retain too much moisture and any pearls resting on the soil will begin rotting. • It is recommended you water once every 2 weeks or so, as they are very sensitive to overwatering. In Winter months, cut back your watering cycles to once a month. • The sap from String of Pearls is known to be toxic when ingested. Please keep out of reach of curious kiddos and fur babies.
CACT I
• This plant grows better in direct lighting conditions. • In summer months, water when the soil dries out. In winter months, when the cacti go dormant, cease watering. Overwatering especially in the winter will cause root rot. • Prefers to be kept in warmer temperatures during the summer and chillier locations in the winter.
FIDDLE LEAF FIG
• These plants prefer low draft areas, so avoid exterior doors and windows. • Requires indirect light, however once you’ve found its “happy spot” make sure you leave it there. • Water weekly, and rotate the plant to ensure all leaves receive adequate sunlight, and so that the plant does not start growing in the direction of the light source. • Dust your leaves once every month or so. • Due to the humid origins of this plant, it’s ideal to mist your plant weekly to maintain a level of humidity. • When watering, water until the soil is dripping, and then wait for soil to dry out before the next watering period.
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RED PRAYER PLANT
• Grows best in bright indirect sunlight, though it can tolerate low lighting conditions. • Requires pots with a drainage system and prefers to live in humid environments (think bathrooms). • Should be watered regularly with warm water and fertilized every 2 weeks. • Propagation is pretty simple with this plant and should be done in the summer - simply split the roots and transplant the propagated plant. Should stay inside in a Canadian climate.
GINSENG FICUS BONSAI
• This is primarily an indoor plant. It can be stored outside in summer months as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 15C. • Water often, and generously - they require a lot of moisture and it’s a good idea to mist the leaves every once and a while to maintain a level of humidity. • Should be fertilized every 1-2 weeks during the summer and every 2-4 weeks in winter months. • This plant requires full sun to maintain optimal growth.
RUBBER T REE • Keeping them in smaller pots restricts their root growth - you may want to keep this in mind in determining the overall size of the plant - Bigger pot = bigger plant. But the plants need to grow progressively. • Requires pots with a drainage system. • Requires adequate amounts of light, but not direct sunlight. • In growing seasons (spring/summer) the plant will require regular watering. In dormant seasons you may only need to water once or twice a month. • Should be kept indoors in Canadian climates, but in warmer environments can be grown outside for the summer months.
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HEART LEAF PHILADENDRON • Can grow in low light conditions, but grows faster in brighter, indirectly lit environments. • You should allow for the soil to dry out in between watering periods. • As a vining plant they can grow to up to 20 ft. • Or pinch back to encourage fullness. Make your cuts after a leaf node. • Should also be kept indoors, or in warmer environments.
JADE PLANT (Crassula Ovata)
• Jade Plants require watering when the top layer of soil is dry to the touch - they should not be watered on a schedule. During the spring/summer months there will be a more frequent need to water this plant. • They grow better in warmer weather, and therefore are better as indoor plants. • Should be fertilized once every 6 months. • Best situated in direct sunlight, or risk stunting the plant’s growth.
SNAKE PLANT
• Can grow in low light environments but thrives in bright indirect sunlight. • Requires pots with a drainage system. • Keep in warm locations - avoid drafty windows. • Allow the soil to dry out in between watering cycles to avoid root rot. And if it is possible, water from the bottom of the pot as opposed to the top soil layer. This will encourage the roots to grow downward, which will help in stabilizing the plant. • A fast growing plant that requires annual division. • Are said to have air-purifying capabilities - removing toxins from the air!
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SUCCULENT
• Succulents love sunlight and require a minimum of 6 hours direct sunlight in the day. It is better to locate succulents in well lit locations for optimal growth. • Rotate your succulents to avoid leaning. (The plants will start growing in the direction of the light source.) • In its growing months (spring & summer) this plant will require more frequent watering cycles. Though make sure you allow time for the soil to dry out between watering periods. • Do not mist this plant - it can cause the leaves to rot. • Wipe off the leaves as they accumulate dust. Neglecting to do so will inhibit the growth of this plant. • You should be fertilizing your succulents a few times within the summer months.
UMBRELLA T REE
• Requires watering often as they grow best in moist soil. Wait until the top layer of soil has dried, as this is generally a good indication that the plant is ready for water. • You should be fertilizing this plant every 2-3 weeks, as it grows quite quickly. However, if your plant has reached the desired height, you can reduce fertilizing to 1-2 times per year. • Requires indirect sunlight, to avoid burning the plant’s leaves. • In order to maintain your ideal shape and size, it is a good idea to prune and propagate your plant.
ZZ PLANT (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
• This plant is poisonous if ingested. Keep out of reach of nibbly fur babies, and wash hands after caring for the plant. • A very low maintenance plant that can endure some neglect without throwing a fit. • Let the soil dry out in between watering cycles. • Requires bright, indirect light for optimal growth. • Very easily propagated. • A great plant for people just getting into the green thumb game.
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BREAKING BREAD The concept of breaking bread dates back thousands of years as a social connection point, an acknowledgement of togetherness, community and friendship. Bread is one of the most basic foods, yet fundamentally quite complex. Hours, technique, timing and ingredients all meld together for a delicious and beautiful end result, that arguably looks so simple.
Bakery: French 50 Bakery
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Over the years, entertaining seems to have evolved from basic to complex. Gathering as friends and family has progressed from the simplest of “dropping in while in the neighborhood” to prearranged dinner parties that go to the “nth” degree of preparations. It’s enough to make people’s heads spin and can often be a deterrent to inviting people over. While I LOVE entertaining and throwing an epic dinner party, I’d love to see us get back to the basics and redefine what gathering together looks like, removing the stigma of over-the-top, grandiose dinner parties.
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We’ve been inspired by our friends at French 50 Bakery, the quality of their ingredients, quality of their people and approach to crafting bread. Regardless of whether you can visit their shop in Okotoks, Alberta, which you must, if you can, artisan breads are available in most grocery stores. So pick up a loaf, break it apart, dip, spread, add cheese, meat, or simply butter. There’s no better comfort food.
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In this season we find ourselves in now, (and by season, I’m referring to this time of social and physical distancing), may we gather virtually, amongst families and friends regardless of what we look like or what we’re serving. Because all that matters in the end is that we’re together.
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THANK YOU
for reading!
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403.255.4980 www.nylafreedesigns.com #601, 5920 1A Street SW Calgary AB T2H 0G3
NFDI Style MagazineŠ2020 Nyla Free Designs Inc. All content created by Nyla Free Designs Inc.