Though 17th Ave is known for its trendy boutiques, cool cafes and great restaurants, there’s a lively creative culture brewing behind the scenes. Above the storefronts you’ve come to know and love, businesses of all kinds are tucked away, from professionals like lawyers and accountants to talented innovative design firms.
Sisters Jocelyne and Jaime Holland, founders of Holland Design, have been making a name for themselves by creating incredible residential and commercial spaces for their clients. Though they never expected to work together, both sisters pursued a passion for design and found themselves side-by-side at a mid-sized architecture firm. They decided to venture out on their own, and after looking across the city for a space that reflected their clients and style, they settled on 17th Ave.
“We chose 17th Ave for the vibrancy of the street, that was really what we were after. It suits our brand and our clients, and you can really feel a creative energy here. We always say moving to 17th was the best decision we made.” shares Jocelyne.
“Sometimes we’ll go to big cities like Chicago or New York to check out trends in design and get a dose of big city vibes, 17th is the only place in the city where we can have the same kind of experience.” adds Jaime
Holland Design is steadily growing, with everyone working together to draw inspiration from their surroundings. “We do a lot of research. With the web and things like Instagram, the world has gotten smaller and we can easily access what’s trending in the design world. We pair that knowledge with the energy we find here to create spaces that are unique to Calgary.” says Jocelyne.
When the ladies aren’t hard at work, you can definitely find them taking in the avenue. “We love to shop 17th, our favourites are Kit & Ace, Purr and Wine Ink.” shares Jaime. “You can find us refueling at Caffe Beano and Analog, and we love Cleaver for a post-work cocktail.”
The newly opened CRU Juice is also a favourite stop for the Holland team, designers of the unique space. The plaid banquettes and schoolhouse-style light fixtures are some of their favourite elements, and they recommend trying the Magnum Opus – a nutty, chocolately caffeine treat that keeps them going.
They’ll need the energy as they continue to create and transform spaces throughout the inner city. Currently working on projects with Brewsters, Monogram as well as Caffe Rosso’s next location on 17th, the Holland Design team are bringing their A game every time and leaving us with spaces that inspire.
Stay up-to-date on Holland Design news by following them online below:
Twitter: @HollandDesignID
Instagram: @hollanddesign
Facebook: facebook.com/2hollands
