Formerly known as NYLO Dallas South Side, Canvas Hotel Dallas is an art-centric home base for modern trendsetters, an inspirational hub for relentless artisans and a destination for locals to be creatively inspired while enjoying world-class dining and skyline views.
With fresh interior design, decor and artistic elements directed by Dallas-based Studio 11 Design, Canvas paints a fresh perspective of its original building, a structure integral to the history of South Dallas that is almost a century old, that has been well-preserved, refurbished and now LEED certified.
“In developing the design narrative for Canvas Hotel Dallas, our team was inspired by the opportunity to create an art-centric home base for the local community. We imagined Canvas Hotel Dallas would embody a hub for a modern Dallas experience,” said Kellie Sirna, co-founder & principal, Studio 11 Design. “The firm was heavily inspired by the property’s location in Dallas’ Cedars district. The neighborhood is undergoing an exciting cultural resurgence. Because the building was a century old, preserving the structural integrity was of the utmost importance, and we were able to retain the chandelier and concrete flooring. We worked with a quick timeline and tight budget that encouraged us to get really creative with our choices. We took cues from the neighborhood, an area of Dallas that feels historic, and adapted a playful interpretation of that with a hyperlocal focus. This led us to some very interesting finds at local antique shops that guests will find curated throughout the public spaces.”
Upon entering, guests are made to feel right at home in the refreshed first-level lobby and restaurant with elements that portray a living room feel. Intimate seating areas foster common social spaces in the eclectic industrial space, adorned with locally discovered and bespoke accessories from the Dallas area. The restaurant’s dining area converts into flexible meeting space, divided by a sliding glass partition.
“Art is an integral element for many of our projects. Art has the unique capacity to dictate a design narrative and directly effect how people interact and feel within your space,” said Sirna. “Art can encourage curiosity, discovery and an appreciation for the local community. Our art, styling and sourcing vertical, Lou Verne by Studio 11 Design, collaborated closely with Dallas art consultancy SemosMauldin. They oversee the hotel’s rotating art gallery, focusing on raising the profile of local artists. It’s humbling to know that the artistic experience we worked to establish at Canvas Hotel Dallas will have longevity and adapt to the changing times. We’re excited to continue visiting.”
The rooms and suites feature quirky, loft-style design and decor, with 10-12-ft.-high ceilings, pressed concrete flooring, exposed brick, and funky industrial elements and fixtures. New custom carpeting, lighting and art has been installed in all public areas and guest hallways, and the lobby has been reconfigured to be more conducive to social gatherings, common work areas and meeting the needs of the modern hotel guest.
“We wanted every space to feel artistically inspiring and conducive to convivial gatherings for guests and locals,” she said. “We adapted a layered approach featuring different textiles, pops of color, and sculptural objets d’art to encourage people to linger, mingle, and feel welcome to stay a while. Design touches include a green settee and a clay kilim-patterned pouf paired with a repurposed blue and pink rug. A pink neon sign reads ‘The Show Must Go On’ by artist Hugo Urrutia. The 76 guestrooms and suites are eclectic with bold pops of color for a comfortable yet lively reprieve from the buzzing public spaces.”
