August 12, 2012
Photo Gallery: Inspiring Calgary Spaces
See amazing spaces from Alberta’s best designers.
A family friendly home that feels like a romantic French country house.
Susan and Jim Hill’s rustic place affords views of the Rocky Mountains to the west and Calgary’s twinkling skyline to the north. The stone exterior makes it feel classic but cosy.
The generous entryway serves as spill-over space during big gatherings.
A pair of bergere chairs feels contemporary covered in a simple, stamped linen, while soft area rugs layered over heated limestone floors add pattern and warmth.
Blue leather chairs pop in this handsome kitchen.
For a casual look, the white-and-grey kitchen cabinets were decked out with surface-mounted hinges and given a soft, hand-rubbed finish.
Light and airy walls contrast a heavy beamed ceiling.
Rumpled linens, rough textures and contemporary art make perfect bedfellows in a guest bedroom.
Symmetry creates a sense of calm in the principal bathroom.
Pairs of full-height armoires and antique French frames made into mirrors look striking against a modern floating vanity.
Patterned drapes soften the corner of a guest bedroom.
A spool chair and pedestal table create a cosy nook to read.
Uncluttered displays create a calming effect.
Instead of the usual love seats, Calgary designer Nam Dang-Mitchell chose a pair of sleek, matching chairs and ottomans to flank an unconventional coffee table in this seating area. An Empire-era marble fireplace takes centre stage with a piece of simple art above.
See more of Nam Dang-Mitchell’s work in our photo gallery.
Grasscloth wallpaper envelops this den, creating a comfortable family space.
A tufted, grey flannel ottoman, cerused-oak daybed from the 1930s and stool clad in Mongolian lambskin add texture and feet-up comfort.
A casual, double-duty dining area.
Like the rest of Calgary designer Nam Dang-Mitchell’s home, the kitchen is planned for family life. A leather-covered settee and marble-topped bistro table provide a comfortable spot for kids to eat, craft and be part of the action while their parents cook.
See more of Nam Dang-Mitchell’s work in our photo gallery.
A pretty chandelier, built-in bookcase and mauve walls add richness.
A departure from more standard little girl colours and details, this bedroom is outfitted with a tailored canopy bed upholstered in a print sophisticated enough for a grown-up.
A neutral palette will grow with a child.
Calgary designer Nam Dang-Mitchell chose this Cole & Son Woods wallpaper in a simple black and white for her son Tao’s room. The pattern is grown-up enough to stay on the walls though his teen years. A simple HBC striped blanket is also timeless. Dang-Mitchell added pops of colour in the rug and artwork, keeping the space fun and welcoming.
See more of Nam Dang-Mitchell’s work in our photo gallery.
Art Deco accents connote glamour and languor.
An iconic double-armed Serge Mouille sconce functions as both lighting and art. A sleek upholstered bed offers a low-key backdrop for graphic black and white patterns. The Deco-style cabinet holds books and a TV.
Ceiling-height curtains inject grandeur and drama.
In the principal bedroom of designer James McIntyre’s Calgary showhome, the palette is decidedly feminine: an abundance of chenille, velvet and linen in creamy white. The glass-based lamps help create a dreamlike atmosphere.
A bold chandelier, chunky gold framed art, and reupholstered chairs revamp this room.
This formal dining room, designed by James McIntyre and Stephanie Brown, features a ceiling painted in the same warm beige as the walls. “I love to add a drop of yellow tint to the wall colour, then use that newly created colour on the ceiling in the same room,” says James. “At a glance it’s all the same colour, only it feels warmer and stops the ceiling from looking grey and dull.” An easy trick to try at home!
See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.
Sleek lounge chairs and metal coffee table lend a modern edge to a traditionally detailed space.
Larger artwork and a mix of metals amp up the glamour. The rich look of panelling was achieved by applying moulding to the drywall, then painting it all in the same colour — beautiful and budget-friendly.
Soft grey paint and extended uppers modernize dated maple cabinetry.
A smoked-glass backsplash and marble counter add glamour to the room. Sculptural pendants and oversized topiaries highlight an island that was redesigned with a streamlined silhouette to accommodate more seating.
In this Calgary home, a lush sectional accommodates a large family.
Lots of soft throw pillows add a bohemian vibe to the room. The colourful bookcase vignettes complement the warm earthy colours of the sectional, elevating the cosy tone-on-tone palette. Existing built-ins were restyled to better organize books and showcase special pieces.
See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.
A curvy chair with nailhead trim offsets the sleek lines of this room’s pewter grey-green furnishings.
“This home’s boldness gives it a real western Canadian feel,” says homeowner and designer Douglas Cridland. From his Calgary home’s coffered walnut ceiling and arched windows, to its olivewood built-ins and honed black granite floor, the luxe materials reflect Doug’s well-travelled tastes.
For more design & decorating ideas, browse our Inspiring Calgary Interiors photo gallery.
Minimalist art and sculpture inject character.
This living room’s sleek lines are offset by warm, inviting colours and plenty of light. A built-in cherry cabinet bedside the fireplace complements its contemporary design.