At Interiors with Elegance, we like to stay on top of what is new and fresh in the world of all design, not limited to interior and architectural.  We are keeping our eyes and ears open to what is new, and happening right here in Calgary! No matter how unique an idea is, there is usually a way to incorporate it into the design for your future Calgary area home renovation.

However, we can also use these ideas as inspiration to think outside of the box!

Recently I was driving through the picturesque community of Sunnyside, and I saw just such an inspiring sight.

Springboard Performance has helped local artists, musicians and the community collaborate to create the Containr Public Art Park. With the use of are rarely used public space available in Sunnyside, local artist were able to create their pieces on the exteriors of shipping containers in this pop-up artistic display.  There were also bands, Sled Island participants, games and other local engagement activities.

The use of shipping containers is growing in popularity, especially in the “pop-up” scene.  Another example here in Calgary, was Beakerhead. This is an festival of science, engineering and art that visited various public areas in Calgary this past September. Completely surrounding Interiors with Elegance’s new location at 1602-10th Ave SW, Beakerhead pulled artists, engineers and the public together to enjoy inspiration and new ideas.  In our parking lot were pop-up shops inside of shipping containers. In our back yard were music performers, astronauts and light shows on the C-train overpass.

Robots, rabbits, mechanical-music playing hippos…..imaginations went wild.

So, how do all these ideas in art, engineering, and design translate into your Calgary home renovation?

Inspiration to follow ideas, not the norm.

 Design is always changing due to new ideas of creatives, like the ones showcased in these festivals, especially with home design.  At Interiors with Elegance, our design team is eager to try new ideas when it comes to space planning, materials, textures, color palettes, and cabinetry designs. For years, the craftsmen style of home reigned in the Calgary area, but tides are turning to the more transitional, or contemporary feel. This was seen in a recent breathtaking, contemporary whole home reno completed by IWE.  Click here to see the blog.

With contemporary and modern styles becoming more sought after in the Calgary renovation scene, designers are given more freedom to think outside of the box and run with ideas and concepts.  Like shipping containers.

Beyond the pop-up, temporary structures discussed, containers are being seen in permanent, unique designs.

These homes were designed using shipping containers and created standout spaces.  Many choose to keep the exterior crate-like, while others use more common residential exterior products as seen below.

The interiors of homes built from shipping containers aren’t what many think they’d be.  Bright, spacious and homey, these interiors are very welcoming once walls are removed, and windows are installed.

So, although the majority of Calgarians looking to renovated their home, wouldn’t automatically think of adding a shipping crate to their list of building materials, these examples show just what can happen when designers are given some artistic freedom, and able to follow the inspiration around them.  It is so great to see this inspiration right here, in our home town of Calgary.

If you are considering a home renovation in the Calgary area, whether its a whole-home renovation, kitchen renovation, or bath renovation, visit our design team to discuss your ideas, concepts and inspirations.  We can help translate those into a space you will enjoy!