Bringing vintage or retro design into the home can be a fun way to add style and personality.

"Incorporating vintage or retro elements in design is very on trend right now," said Alykhan Velji of Alykhan Velji Designs. "The great thing about adding such pieces in your design is that they add character and make your home feel curated and less like a showhome."

Known for her eclectic and bold style, design superstar, TV personality and entrepreneur Amanda Forrest credits her first home as the starting point of her career.

It all began with a red brick, two-bedroom, single-storey home with oodles of historical charm in the quaint town of Cambridge, Ont.

For those looking to redefine their home for fall with some curated moments of comfort, luxury and connection, look no further than the Calgary Fall Home Show where celebrity designer Amanda Forrest hits the Urban Barn Main Stage, offering tips on current design trends.

The broad appeal of secret-room renovations

If you love those scenes from old movies where a wall opens to reveal a secret room, you can now put yourself squarely in the picture. Hidden rooms in houses – usually custom-built homes, rather than existing structures – are growing in popularity, and for good reason.

"The demand for these rooms is huge right now, partly because thieves aren't taking televisions or stereos anymore – they're going after your identity," said Sandy Scheiris, CEO of Nulock Builders Inc.

Given our climate, it's no surprise that Calgarians spend a lot of time indoors. Fortunately, the latest design trends offer some exciting ways spice up your home's interior. From colours to curves, let Alykhan Velji of Alykhan Velji Designs and LeAnne Bunnell of LeAnne Bunnell Interiors walk you through a range of options to keep you on the cutting edge.

For Patricia Kan and Sam Schnitman, finding the right designer made their dream home a reality

Whether it's adding a few pops of colour and some fabulous artwork, or completely redoing the interior aesthetic, a designer can make all the difference when it comes to creating a polished look. That's why Brazil natives Patricia Kan and Sam Schnitman, who moved to Calgary three years ago, turned to Katie Rioux of DWK Interiors when it came time to furnish and decorate their new home in Mahogany. The couple wanted a family-friendly design for their three girls, aged 10, 14 and 21 – one that would highlight the home's stunning views of the surrounding wetlands. Rioux utilized neutral shades and soft textures, highlighted by pops of "bling" in the fixtures and hits of soft turquoise, creating an elegant and warm ambience that's perfect for cozying up by the fire or entertaining large groups.

Trendy design pieces for any budget

Alykhan Velji talks top design trends for 2018

Whether planning a design overhaul or revitalizing a favourite space, award-winning designer Alykhan Velji has his finger on the pulse of what's up-and-coming in the design world. With that in mind, here are three of his predictions for Calgary's top design trends in 2018.

HGTV Canada's Tiffany Pratt brings energy and design expertise to the Calgary Fall Home Show

Designer, author, maker and HGTV Canada star Tiffany Pratt hits the main stage at the Calgary Fall Home Show this weekend, where she'll wow audiences with her down-to-earth design savvy, while imparting tips for creating charismatic and colourful design style.

"I'm really going to be talking about transformation," said Pratt. "Everyone is looking for change – they want to be inspired with colours or experience an update or have something new."

Pratt will be walking show attendees through the process of creating beautiful spaces using simple DIY design projects and pops of colour. She will also be sharing the story of the year-long journey of design transformation she experienced while renovating her home in Toronto's waterfront Beaches community.

Major renovations and minor modifications to make any home more accessible and livable for seniors

As Canada's population continues to skew older, more and more seniors want to remain in their homes rather than move into a retirement residence or long-term care facility. This preference for "aging in place" has increased the popularity of several home renovations and modifications that make the home more accessible, and easier to navigate, for older individuals. Here are some of the top aging-in-place renovations.