Danielle

A design graduate from the Alberta College of Art and Design, Danielle Tuchelt and her husband packed up their belonging and work last year and made the big move back home to Regina. While leading the newly harvested design studio, COMBINE, she also has been busy working on their new home just outside of the city. When not doing the clean work (design) or the dirty work (the new house) she is always up for a solid day of movie watching or a sleep over dance party with her husband's 13 year old step-sister.

In regards to your new house, what are you most excited about?
Having it finished! I've been staring at pictures of interiors, making inspiration books, and lists upon lists for over a year now. Right now it's still very much a construction zone, so I'm excited to have an evening of relaxing on the couch with a bottle of wine and admiring all the work we've done.

Decorating style of your house?
It's pretty mixed including everything from the kitchen chairs I snagged at a garage sale, to my new danish-modern coffee table, to vintage map drawers. My husband, Kris, and I are trying to make a lot of things so we can design them ourselves, make them unique and functional to our space.

What inspires you in regards to graphic design?
Smart ideas. When the design form and function marry together in a neat little package which happens so clever you curse yourself for not thinking of it first

How would you describe your style?
Simple. I'll blame it on being a designer, but I'm not much into accessories or fanciness. I like solid colours, clean lines and just the right cut to make it unique. I have a philosophy when it comes to clothes - I have to love it (and I seriously ask myself that when I'm trying it on) to buy it.

Something you can't quite seem to throw away in your closet?
There's this shirt. I would be embarrassed to show it in its full glory to anyone. I bought it many years ago from Value Village. It's been cut up, stained, ripped, re-sewn, but somehow it works so well under other shirts, just so you can see the bottom of it. If I could find a replacement, I might be able to get rid of it....maybe.

Tell me something new you have recently learned.
I am not the only person I know who loves watching the movie Blue Crush.

Interview and photography by Carey Shaw for prairie dog.