How to make a ‘home feel truly unique’ through art, memories and nostalgia

*A collection of plates Marj and Roy Knive use to anchor other interior design choices. Photo by Marj Knive*

Eight years ago, Sun Peaks local Marj Knive and her husband Roy incorporated deep blue tile on the kitchen backsplash and staircase, an unconventional choice when white subway tile dominated showhomes.

The collection of Norway’s signature cobalt glass inspired the condo’s colour palette.

“Cobalt blue has always been part of our home decorating because of Roy’s Norwegian heritage,” Knive explained. “We also have a collection of mid-century Norwegian dishes that are blue and white that we consider when we are choosing dining textiles or dishes.”

Following a flood in August 2025, the tile had to be removed from the staircase, but Knive and her husband Roy wanted to keep it as an accent colour, bringing warmth and character into their home.

“We have a large painting that has many colours, but the predominant colour is blue, so we always work around it.”

A designer, master weaver and president of ArtZone Sun Peaks, Knive continued the European exterior motif indoors, recently adding deep blue lower cabinetry to pair with the existing natural wood uppers.

Locals Marj and Roy Knive accent much of their home with blue, using the colour to anchor their decor scheme. **Photo by Marj Knive**

“For this reno we kept the upper cabinets in the wood tones and the flooring was changed to a similar tone to the uppers to make it all come together,” she said. “We chose an area carpet for the dining with similar colours to the kitchen backsplash tiles which also have blue.”

The Knives’ decor scheme mirrors the latest expressive design trend where vintage finds, heirlooms and retro references add personality and storytelling opportunities. Jamie Banfield, principal designer for Jamie Banfield Design Inc. recommends unifying the look with colour and material themes.

“Mixing old and new creates depth in a home, but it works best when there’s a sense of balance,” he said. “A good guideline is to anchor the space with a few contemporary pieces and then introduce vintage elements that add character.”

Although the living room furniture is black-blended, changing light conditions often brings out blue undertones.

While these blue tiles had to be removed after a flood, the Knives use the colour to pull together much of their interior design. **Photo by Marj Knive**

Like the Knives’ refresh, Banfield explained many homes are moving away from looking like showrooms.

“We’re seeing clients incorporate heritage furniture, travel pieces, art collections and objects that carry real meaning in their lives.”

Knive herself added some Norwegian glass pieces in her bathroom window, which is just off the dining room. She accented these pieces with hand towels by Margo Selby, a British weaver she learned from in 2024, adding nostalgia and memory to the aesthetic.

“For about a decade we saw many homes designed around cool greys, sharp lines and a very restrained minimalism. That aesthetic made sense at the time, it felt modern, clean, and very architectural,” Banfield explained. This has now swung to encompass more colourful palettes, which can add a sense of nostalgia, passion and heritage to décor, he added.

“Design becomes richer when it tells a story. Those pieces create authenticity and make a home feel truly unique.”

This story was featured in SPIN’s annual Home Issue. Read the whole issue below: