Western Living Magazine
6 Bathroom Design Tips for 2026
The Room: Pet Project
6 Rooms with Area Rugs That Pop
Vancouver Chef Vikram Vij’s Indian Chai Tiramisu (A Coffee-Free Twist on the Classic)
9 Dishes That Are Perfect for Date Night at Home
How Vancouver’s Amélie Nguyen of Anh and Chi Hosts Lunar New Year at Home
Tofino’s Floating Sauna Turned Me Into a Sauna Person
A Wellness Getaway in Squamish Valley: Off-Grid Yurts, Sauna Cycles and River Calm
Local Getaway Guide: A Peaceful Two-Day Itinerary for Harrison Hot Springs
Protected: The Hästens 2000T Is the Bed of All Beds
“Why Don’t Towels Stretch?” Herschel Co-Founder’s New Home Goods Brand Rethinks the Towel
Audi Elevates the Compact Luxury SUV
Entries Are Now Open for the 2026 Designers of the Year Awards!
Designers of the Year Frequently Asked Questions
Photos: The Western Living Design 25 Finalists Party
A stunning staircase and floor-to-ceiling curtain wall highlight the open design from intern architect Marvin DeJong and designer Nyla Free in the citys Elbow Park neighbourhood.
This bright and light-filled space is a big change for its new owners. Their former home was one of the many affected by the great flood of 2013 in Calgary, and though they repaired the damage to the basement and lower level, they were ready to move on. “I think once the dust settled, that’s when they reached out and found a new lot,” says designer Nyla Free. “They came from almost the exact opposite type of home—it was much more traditional, and quite dark. They just wanted a departure from that.”The couple turned to intern architect Marvin DeJong to design them an open-concept plan for the new space, a shift from the carved-up traditional house they’d left behind. Free came on board to bring in a soft, neutral palette. “With the striking staircase and curtain wall of windows, we wanted the furniture to play its part, but not be overpowering,” says Free. “We just wanted to create a really calming feel to the home.”
Anicka Quin is the editor-in-chief of Western Living magazine and the VP of Content for Canada Wide Media. If you've got a home design you'd like to share with Western Living, drop her a line at [email protected]
Are you over 18 years of age?