Designer Myths: Do Designers Just Design What They Want?

Designer Myths: Designers Just Design What They Want NO, designers don’t just do what they want. One of the most common questions we get is, “Can you do X style?” and the answer is, “Yes. But how does this style represent you?” People are often concerned that a designer will hold fast to their design […]

LIFE is Beautiful Design: Finding Philocaly Daily

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL DESIGN: FINDING PHILOCALY DAILY The morning sun filters through linen sheers, casting golden ribbons across the floor. A coffee cup rests on the countertop, its rim tracing delicate shadows onto the marble surface. Outside, the city hums—a symphony of movement, of stories unfolding in quiet corners and busy streets. There is beauty […]

Mastering Your Home’s Lighting

Mastering Your Home’s Lighting There are so many things that we are sticklers for in design and lighting is one of them. It has the power to suck the life out of a room or add to it. Choose wisely, friends. Unfortunately, it’s also incredibly technical. How do you select lighting that works both technically […]

Kitchen Design Secrets That Make Life Easier

Kitchen Design Secrets That Make Your Life Easier We snuck into a kitchen mid-install, dodging tools and drop cloths, to bring you a peek at some of the best kitchen accessories for a functional and beautiful space. If you’re thinking about a new kitchen, these details can make all the difference. If you’d rather listen […]

Hardwood Floors: Know Before You Buy

Hardwood Floors 101: Know Before You Buy With over 100 years of experience, Smith Bros Floors knows a thing or two about what makes a great hardwood floor. That’s why we knew we needed to speak with Paul Smith about all things hardwood. Whether you’re considering solid or engineered hardwood, the choices can feel overwhelming. […]

Window Coverings: Light Control & Beauty for Every Room

Window Coverings: Light Control & Beauty for Every Room Window coverings do more than just dress up a window. They control light, add privacy, and improve comfort in a space. In a recent podcast, we covered everything from automated blinds to blackout solutions and how they can make a difference in your home. WHY WINDOW […]

Stop Hiring Your Contractor First!

Stop Hiring Your Contractor First! Despite the catchy title, we’re not judging this blunder. It seems logical. You have a project, and you need home improvement work completed, so it follows that you need to hire a contractor to do it. This might be fine for small projects or refinishing projects. However, most renovation need […]

7 Tips to Survive a Renovation with Your Partner

7 Tips to Survive a Renovation with Your Partner A renovation is one of the most stressful things you can go through as a couple. It’s a lot of money for most people. The decisions can feel insurmountable and paralyzing. It can also stir up challenges in your relationship. Even harmonious unions can feel strained […]

Tile Trends and Tips with Annette Walter

Tile Trends & Tips with Annette Walter To dig into the latest tile trends and tips, we teamed up with one of the most knowledgeable people in the tile world, Annette Walter. Annette, a representative of Ames Tile & Stone, has been surrounded by the tile industry her entire life—growing up in the family business […]

10 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Working With a Designer

10 Things You Need to Know BEFORE Working with a Designer You hire a designer to solve problems that you can’t. You have incredible ideas, but you can’t quite get them out in the world. You understand the value of a designer, but what’s working with a designer really like? If you’re thinking about hiring […]

Fabric Info You Need to Know

Fabric Info You Need to Know Have you ever touched a fabric and felt the sensation of peace and calm run through you? The sense of touch is powerful. It’s why we use layers of textures in every room we design. Though fabrics are all around us, selecting the right one takes consideration. Krista sat […]

How to Spot Quality Furniture

How to Spot Quality Furniture Does every piece of furniture need to be of the highest quality? Does quality always equal expensive? No, and no. We sat down with Jim Gavriel of CF Interiors to chat about quality furniture construction, how to spot it, and how to select pieces appropriate for the people and usage […]

Creating a Bedroom that Restores You

Creating a Bedroom that Restores You Can you rest if your space isn’t set up to help you turn off your brain and relax? We don’t believe so. Your space needs to promote rest by reducing stimulation. In addition to the right colours, furniture, fabrics, and textural elements can help you create a space that’s […]

TIPS FOR COZY LIVING ROOM FURNITURE

TIPS FOR COZY LIVING ROOM FURNITURE Understanding your living room’s primary function is integral to getting the most out of your living room furniture. Is it a gathering spot for family? A place for relaxation and TV watching? Or, perhaps a showcase for personal artifacts, art and your spectacular style? Pinpointing the function is your […]

How to Furnish Your Dining Room – Dining Furniture Layouts 101

How to Furnish Your Dining Areas Selecting cohesive, functional, and stylish dining room furniture isn’t as simple as it seems. Whether you’re arranging a cozy breakfast nook, a formal dining room, or navigating the nuances of an open-concept eating area, understanding the essentials of furniture layout is key. This guide will walk you through the […]

11 Tips to Create a Cozy Home Office: A Designer’s Guide

11 Tips to Create a Cozy Home Office: A Designer’s Guide Is your home office a catch-all for things in transit in your house? In the whirlwind of running a household and being a busy professional, your office can take a backseat to other rooms in the house. Since so many people continue to work […]

Celebrating 20 Years of Hygge Design in Calgary

Celebrating 20 Years of Hygge Design in Calgary A journey from a cozy condo to the iconic Burns Building. Twenty years ago, in 2004, a spark ignited inside our founder. Inspired by a quote from Goethe, “Anything you can do, or dream you do, begin it: boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”  That […]

2024 Interior Design Trends to Inspire You

2024 Interior Design Trends to Inspire You As we begin the new year, we wanted to share the emerging 2024 interior design trends. The world of interior design is a constant balance of innovation, comfort, and sustainability. We craft spaces that reflect personal tastes and echo a deeper connection with the environment and the evolving […]

9 Kitchen Design Trends 2024: KHD’s Favourites

9 Kitchen Design Trends 2024: KHD’s Favourites The kitchen, where culinary creativity takes shape and family bonds are nourished – your kitchen. In a simple phrase, kitchen design trends for 2024 are timeless and warm with pops of colour. As interior designers in Calgary, we’ve got our fingers on the pulse of the interior design […]

Designing a Beautiful Home with a Thankful Heart

Designing a Beautiful Home with a Thankful Heart We speak a lot about hygge and how our spaces profoundly affect how we feel. Embarking on the path of creating a beautiful home should be filled with happy explorations. As leaves transition to a palette of warm autumnal hues, the season brings a quiet opportunity for […]

Creating Luxurious Cozy Spaces: Embracing Hygge in Calgary Interior Design

Creating Luxurious Cozy Spaces: Embracing Hygge in Calgary Interior Design When envisioning a luxurious home, opulence, elegance, and lavishness often come to mind. However, true luxury is not necessarily synonymous with extravagant materials and excessive grandeur. Luxury is about creating a space that exudes comfort, quality, and a sense of coziness. Come with us to […]

Mastering the Art of Selecting the Perfect Artwork for Your Room

Mastering the Art of Selecting the Perfect Artwork for Your Room Though not everyone is a painter or artisan, everyone has a unique appreciation of beauty in the world. Art has a remarkable ability to breathe life into a space, reflecting our personalities and evoking emotions. The appreciation of beautiful things is a deeply human […]

2023 Construction Costs Are Rising: What does that mean for Calgary home renovations?

2023 Construction Costs Are RisingWhat does that mean for Calgary home renovations? There are no two ways about this. I won’t mince words. It will cost you more to do your renovation this year than it did in previous years. Due to multiple reasons, one of which is inflation, construction costs have risen. Do rising […]

Top 7 2023 Design Trends

Top 7 2023 DESIGN TRENDS It’s no secret that Krista Hermanson Design interior design philosophy is built around timeless design with long-term thinking in mind. That doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy a good trend when we see one. The 2023 design trends are all about personalization and making your mark on your home. Forget about […]

Aging in Place: How to Stay in Love with Your Home

Aging in Place: How to Stay in Love with Your Home We all have the same hope for our golden years. We’ll live a long, healthy life surrounded by people we love in a place we call home. No one dreams about living in a senior care facility. It makes no difference how thoughtfully designed […]

NKBA Student Design Competition Winner!

NKBA Student Design Competition Winner! As proud members of NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association), we are excited to share that our very own Beatriz won first place in the NKBA Student Kitchen Design competition for her “Beachy Dreams” kitchen design. Doesn’t this design make you want to head to the beach? Read more about […]

Should you hire a designer or a decorator?

Should you hire a designer or a decorator? Do you know the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator? We love HGTV for bringing our profession to the masses, but what is shown on television tends to be more décor than design. And let’s face it — not entirely realistic. The distinction between […]

Must-Have Kitchen Cabinet Accessories

Must-Have Kitchen Cabinet Accessories Kitchens are arguably the most complex room in the home and for good reason. Everyone ends up in the kitchen. It does the job of 10 rooms in one. So when you’re thinking about kitchen design, are you envisioning a sink, a range, a fridge, and a coveted large island for […]

Top 4 Reasons Scandinavian Design is Calming

Top 4 Reasons Scandinavian Design is Calming We shared seven beautiful elements of Scandinavian Design in a blog last year that listed some reasons to love it. We wanted to share a refreshed version to further explore our passion for this style of design and answer the question, “Why does Scandinavian design make you feel […]

Redfin Named Krista Hermanson Design a Top Hygge Design Expert

Redfin Named Krista Hermanson Design a Top Hygge Design Expert Redfin’s Hygge Article | KHD Feature Krista Hermanson Design & Construction was named a top hygge design expert by Redfin. Check out the article we were featured in: Hygge Design and Decor: The Secrets to Creating a Happy Home. A few weeks ago we were contacted […]

Hygge Interior Design in Calgary

HYGGE INTERIOR DESIGN IN CALGARY In case you’re new to our little community, hygge (hoo-gah or hyu-gah) is the Danish word for ‘cozy time’. In Canada, things that scream hygge are blankets, candles, and soft pyjamas — anything that makes you feel warm and… well, cozy. When Krista grounded herself in her Icelandic heritage and […]

How to Get Your Mudroom Back to School Ready

How to Get Your Mudroom Back to School Ready The kids are heading back to school and with that comes backpacks, binders, papers to sign, and glorious artwork you will no doubt display on your fridge. And let’s not forget about the seasonal sporting equipment that you’ll need to pull out of storage for those […]

Get Inspired to Create the Perfect Kitchen Layout for YOU!

Get Inspired to Create the Perfect Kitchen Layout for YOU! We always say that the kitchen is the heart of the home and as much of a cliché as that may seem, it’s true. So much of our time is spent in the kitchen sharing how our day was with family or our dog (they […]

How to Select a Stunning Lighting Scheme

How to Select a Stunning Lighting Scheme Interior design tells a story, and each room is a chapter in the same book — lighting is part of that story. As in design, there should be a string that ties fixtures together. There is a danger of telling a confusing story with missing plot lines that […]

Your 5-Minute Interior Design Fundamentals Crash Course

Your 5-Minute Interior Design Fundamentals Crash Course Good design is simple. Class dismissed. Go ahead and design your space now! If only simple were that easy. Good design is like an iceberg. You can see the tip of the iceberg. It is beautiful in its simplicity, but the real work and intricacies are hidden beneath […]

How to Create a Design Inspiration Mood Board

How to Create a Design Inspiration Mood Board When you come to a designer, you will be asked two important questions, “What is your style?” and “How do you want to feel in your space?” To answer these questions, you could use terminology like modern, Scandinavian, or simple elegance, but being a visual bunch, we […]

Exclusive Furniture and Décor Shopping Trip with a Designer in Calgary

Exclusive Furniture and Décor Shopping Trip with a Designer in Calgary Furniture and décor are the icing on the cake of a larger renovation with an interior designer. However, there are times when this is all that is required to make a space cozy. Enlisting a designer to help you select your pieces is empowering! […]

Your Basement is Going to Be Lovely if You Consider these 5 things

Your Basement is Going to Be Lovely if You Consider these 5 things After the kitchen and the bathroom, lower levels, more commonly, but less luxuriously known as basements, are next in line for being the most common renovation project. What are the top things you need to consider when you go to renovate your […]

No Surprise Renovation Costs: The Most Forgotten Budget Items

No Surprise Renovation Costs: The Most Forgotten Budget Items Let’s lift the curtain on renovation costs, shall we? Your renovation will offer an incredible change to your daily life, but what will the hard costs be? Throughout our design process, we consider the budget and costs for each item we recommend. At the completion of […]

How to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Designer and Get the Result You Want

How to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Designer and Get the Result You Want Aside from the purchase of your home, you’re making what is potentially one of your larger financial purchases when you choose to renovate your home. That experience should come with as little stress as possible. Everyone has a friend who […]

Lagom vs Hygge: What’s the difference?

Lagom vs Hygge: What’s the difference? At KHD, our modus operandi is to bring beauty to people’s lives through the joy of hygge. For those not in the know, the Danish word “hygge” literally translates into English as “cozy time”.  It is comprised of elements that slow us down, help us to disconnect from the […]

Entertainer’s Dream Project Case Study Part 2

Entertainer’s Dream Project Case Study Part 2 Find Part 1 of this Case Study Here: Case Study Part 1.  Like part 1, we have options for you for part 2! You can read the rest of the transformation of part 2 below, or you can allow Krista to walk you through it in the video. Don’t […]

Entertainer’s Dream Project Case Study Part 1

Case Study: Entertainer’s Dream Part 1 This case study is a little bit different. We recorded a video onsite for those visual individuals like ourselves. We will share the video in two parts, but we still wanted to be sure that this information was accessible to all, so we decided to write it all out […]

5 Tips to Select Timeless Design Elements for Your Next Renovation

5 Tips to Help You Select Timeless Design Elements There is one element of design that has remained constant and long-lasting: natural materials and by default – neutral colours. If we look at the ancient designs that remain relevant in these modern times, we see that all of them share these features. So why are […]

The Number One Reason You Need to Hire an Interior Designer

The Number One ReasonYou Need to Hire an Interior Designer Why should you hire an interior designer? We’re not going to plug our services and technical know-how in this blog – much. You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t know you need a designer, so we’re just going to talk to you. By the […]