Driven by vision and guided by experience, Canadian designer Alykhan Velji embarked on an ambitious whole-home renovation project for one of his most discerning clients yet: himself. And in his quest to transform a charming 1960s bungalow with his husband and The Style Guys counterpart Jason Krell, he found both professional insight and unexpected vulnerability. 

The couple knew they would encounter plenty of twists and turns along the journey to their dream home, but with a little perseverance, and a lot of patience, they resolved to meet them head-on as they built a home that blends warmth and style—without always playing by the rules.

When the couple set out to find their new home, Aly’s list of must-haves was short but decisive: it had to be a bungalow, it had to have a wood-burning fireplace, and it had to be in their own beloved neighborhood. “Those relationships with neighbors are priceless,” he says of their cozy Calgary community.

While the pair allowed themselves to dream big, Aly says that spotting the potential in a space is something of a practical skill, and one that he’s honed over years in design. “It’s instinctual,” he tells us. “From the moment I walk into a space, I can see the transformation in my mind. The more you design, the sharper that skill becomes.”

For the bungalow, a few key elements got to stay, such as the original dining room chandelier to nod to the home’s history, but most of it was completely transformed. The walls, Aly says, were the first to go, opening up the choppy layout to embrace how they wanted to live in the space.

Of course, not every early idea made it into the final home. A shiplap ceiling detail was abandoned once the ceilings were vaulted from just under 8 feet to nearly 15. Stained glass inserts for the hallway and office were also cut—for now—when budget realities set in.

Yet sometimes, the surprises turn out to be the greatest joys. Vaulting the ceilings never crossed Aly’s mind—he says the idea came from the contractor. “It wasn’t even on my radar, and now it completely defines the space,” he says.

One of the most beautiful privileges of being your own client is that every decision is yours to make. Throughout the project, the carefully chosen finishes and artisanal details that Aly fell in love with became centerpieces of the final design. “The curved-edge kitchen island with its richly textured granite is a focal point for both function and beauty,” the designer says. Lighting selections—from lanterns to pendants to sconces—layer the home with warmth and a curated feel.

Some of the most distinctive features were designed in-house: a custom concrete fireplace and bathroom sink, both crafted by a local maker. The result of that thoughtful artisan touch was so stunning, it’s no surprise he now plans to incorporate more custom concrete elements in future projects, proving that it’s often the crafted, tactile, human elements that turn a house into a home with soul.

Throughout the home, paint was one of the most essential tools for achieving cohesion and character. From the very start, Aly chose a palette that ultimately never changed, including standout shades like Roycroft Adobe SW 0040, Olympic Range SW 7750 (278-C4), Rosemary SW 6187 (215-C6), and High Reflective White SW 7757 (256-C1). “The depth and richness of the Sherwin-Williams color palette—and being able to test samples in situ—was essential in getting our hues just right. Each tone works harmoniously with our finishes, creating a layered, cohesive palette that wows everyone who walks in,” he says. 

He credits his Account Executive, Emily Grundy, for invaluable technical guidance. “Sherwin-Williams’s expertise in recommending the right paint finishes for walls, trim, and millwork ensured a beautiful result that will stand the test of time,” he says. Even for designers who know color intimately, collaboration with an Account Executive can streamline selections, provide quick complimentary samples, and help refine the final outcome with product suggestions, specification assistance, and so much more.

In his professional work, Aly Velji has never been one to shy away from boldness, and his approach to his own home was no different. “Color, pattern, texture—I embrace them all, always. I lean toward the unexpected, mixing eras, finishes, and styles unapologetically,” he explains.

Another positive side effect of designing your own dream home is letting your dreams run a little wild. If there were any design “rules” he didn’t care for, he felt free to break them, like with offset windows, mirrors floated in front of the windows in the primary bath, whimsical butterfly wallpaper on the dining room ceiling, and modern lighting with a midcentury leaning. 

Even though an argument could be made for tearing down such an outdated home, Aly and Jason rebelled against the idea, refreshing what they could while preserving the strong bones beneath. “Renovating rather than rebuilding felt truer to the spirit of the neighborhood,” he says. “It gave the home a soulful authenticity you can’t replicate.”

For Alykhan Velji, design isn’t just about aesthetics, but it’s also about stewardship—keeping alive a sense of history and community even as you make a space your own. Many clients hesitate to take risks for fear of hurting resale value. His answer to them is simple: “Unless you’re building purely for resale, design for the way you live. Homes are deeply personal, and your space should reflect your lifestyle and taste. There will always be a buyer for your home, but while you’re in it, make it yours.”

“Designing for myself was, without question, the hardest part,” Aly admits. “As a designer, I’m used to guiding clients toward decisions—but when you’re your own client, you second-guess everything. I was my own worst critic!”

That self-doubt became both his greatest challenge and the deepest teacher. With no outside pressure from a client to keep the process moving, he relied on his expertise, his drive, and the support of his team for accountability and perspective. In a way, the experience sharpened his empathy: he found himself living the same anxieties, second-guessing, and feelings of overwhelm many homeowners experience during a renovation of this magnitude.

For Aly, the key to navigating project surprises came down to mindset, and on calling for a time-out when the stress levels started to run high. “We took a week in Mexico mid-reno to reset,” he shares. “It gave us the clarity to push through.” That pause—equal parts strategic and restorative—helped the couple maintain perspective. For a designer accustomed to relentless project timelines, it was a reminder of the power of intentional breaks.

Finally, he leaned heavily on appreciation: “I reminded myself how fortunate I was to be creating this dream home with my husband. That mindset shift changes everything.” It’s the same counsel he gives to clients facing project setbacks—and this time, it worked on himself too.

Aly and Jason say that the best part of the finished project isn’t the showpiece finishes or even the specific spaces they thought they’d love the most. It’s the daily joy. “The most rewarding thing is waking up every morning and loving where I live,” he says simply. “The renovation felt endless at the time, but now it’s just a chapter in the story. The reward is being surrounded by things I love, in a home that reflects exactly who we are.”

Whether the next dream home you design is for a client or for yourself, reach out to your dedicated Account Executive for support and order large-sized samples of your dream colors, always complimentary with your PRO+ account.

Top image: High Reflective White SW 7757 (256-C1) in Eg-Shel and Toque White SW 7003 (256-C3) in Semi-Gloss. Design by Alykhan Velji Designs Inc. All photos by Joel Klassen Photography.