Project Centennial Smiles
Designer Sarah Ward Interiors
Collaborators Calgary Interior; Interiors to Inspire; Luke Lamp Co; Perfection; Sifton Interlake; Tannis Marshall
Location Calgary
Category Room
Photography Michelle Johnson

Nobody likes going to the dentist, but what if you could at least appreciate being there? Centennial Smiles rewrites the script by swapping clinical glare for cozy terracotta, turning a once-dreaded errand into something closer to a spa day for your teeth. Designer Sarah Ward saturated the walls, doors and ceiling in a single warm tone that settles over the space to create an atmosphere as soothing as a deep breath. At reception, a sculpted plaster desk finished by Interiors to Inspire sets a grounded, welcoming tone, while a looping Luke Lamp Co fixture adds a subtle wink, its glowing curves nodding to dental floss in its most glamorous form. Moving into the space, a birchwood screen guides visitors toward the treatment rooms, its soft curves and natural grain reinforcing the spa-level calm. Comfortable seating from Calgary Interior and artwork by Tannis Marshall deepen the hospitality-first mood (a welcome shift from “hospital mood”), while Perfection’s seamless millwork and thoughtful detailing help sustain a sense of ambiance, a small miracle in a space where the soundtrack includes the occasional dental drill.

READ MORE: Design Crush: Inside a Modern Calgary Dental Clinic That Attracts Gen-Zs and Chill Vibes

The result is warm, relaxed and unexpectedly indulgent for a place where you normally brace yourself for a paper bib. Here, you might just sit back, breathe and, dare we say it, enjoy the visit.

See the photos

Centennial Smiles dental clinic by Sarah Ward Interiors, Calgary
Photo by Michelle Johnson
Terracotta-toned reception area at Centennial Smiles, designed by Sarah Ward Interiors
Photo by Michelle Johnson
Birchwood screen and warm, spa-like details at Centennial Smiles, Calgary
Photo by Michelle Johnson
Sculptural lighting and millwork details at Centennial Smiles dental clinic, Calgary
Photo by Michelle Johnson

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Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson is an assistant editor at Western Living (and sister mag Vancouver) where she writes about future design stars for the regular “One to Watch” feature and home design stories. Pitch her at [email protected].