Modernize dated cabinetry with soft grey paint.

A smoked-glass backsplash and marble counter add glamour to this Calgary kitchen. Sculptural pendants and oversized topiaries highlight an island that was redesigned with a streamlined silhouette to accommodate more seating.

Update a traditional space with sleek chairs and metal accents.

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. The geometric lines are reiterated in the new boxy chairs and Art Deco-inspired fireplace screen by designer Stephanie Brown. The screen’s trimwork continues the lines of the chairs.

Find more inspiration in our Traditional Living Rooms photo gallery, plus see more designs by McIntyre Bills.

Splurge on a large sectional for a big 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 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.

Install dimmers on over-island lighting.

Homeowner Christine Woolner wanted a functional kitchen with a vintage black and white look, which design firm McIntyre Bills achieved with Shaker cabinetry, granite counters and traditional hardware. “Install dimmer switches on your lighting,” advises Ronald Bills of McIntyre Bills. “Whether for ceiling fixtures or lamps, they’re essential.” Especially for lights over an island, dimmers allow for low lighting while entertaining around the island and brighter lighting while cooking.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

An ebony Lucien Rollin Art Deco chest serves as a striking focal point.

In Christine Woolner’s living room, two oversized floor mirrors and four Bill Sofield chairs are “deliberately arranged in a very controlled, Art Deco, symmetrical way,” explains interior designer James McIntyre. Covered in luxurious mohair, the chairs are a comfortable, inviting substitute for a large sofa in the relatively small room. Dark like those in the rest of the house, the walls here are finished in a textural silk wallpaper.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.

A black and white scheme with pattern punches up this space.

In Christine Woolner’s guest bedroom, designer James McIntyre used a fun and friendly striped wallpaper, which is grounded by the plush dark grey wool carpet (used throughout the second floor). The vibrant damask-clad wing chairs were a lucky find when McIntyre and Christine were on a trip to Los Angeles, and add the perfect pop of colour to the graphic colour scheme.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.

Matching, Chanel-inspired lamp shades with lucite bases offer classic glamour.

In Christine's bedroom, the damask wallpaper lends a more feminine look than the rest of the dramatic house. McIntyre kept the furniture simple with a bed upholstered in white velvet, elegant antique tables and simple art.

Different textures combine for visual interest.

This 1970s home on Calgary’s Lake Bonavista was renovated into a contemporary space that maintained the integrity of the original architecture. The sunken living room shows the house’s retro personality. Design firm McIntyre Bills added a flamed granite slab to the original stonework of the fireplace, creating a juxtaposition of different textures. The smooth hardwood and shag rug also add to the play on texture.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.

This den pays homage to the retro architecture of the home.

Floating wooden shelves incorporated into the fireplace's Pece limestone surround create an asymmetry that is very mid-century modern. McIntyre chose a Nuevo floor lamp and bright orange sofas to go along with the theme.

Oversized elements make for a dramatic and modern kitchen.

Luisa and Duane Hertzer's Calgary kitchen was designed in "blocks" — a 13-foot island topped with a single slab of granite, a symmetrical fridge/freezer wall, and cabinetry panelled with textured glass.

Low-profile furnishings, like this family room’s sectional sofa, accentuate proportions.

The home has a long, narrow horizontal space at the back of the house. To make the most of the space, McIntyre Bills aligned the kitchen, family room and eating nook in a row. To the right, a marble fireplace surround houses storage and a TV.

Frames high up on the wall draw the eye upward to extra-high ceilings.

The cosy library in Luisa and Duane Hertzer’s Calgary home has a wall of Luisa’s own photography — the Hertzers’ children at the Calgary Stampede and photos of their European travels. “We respond to the style and taste of our clients, and really aim to express their individuality,” explains designer James McIntyre. Creating a gallery wall of personal photos and mementos is an easy way to inject your own personality into a space.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.