Denise Hulaj and Jason Bellaire are the team behind StyleHaus Interiors, a full-service design firm that combines the duo’s passion for grand-scale renovations and high-style design. They each bring unique experience and expertise to projects, with different personal styles that create a dynamic partnership. Denise offers great strength with several full-sized renovations under her belt, and Jason’s fine arts/interior design background and passion for good design allows them to fulfill a range of needs.
DENISE HULAJ
Denise got her start when she and her husband Steve renovated a triplex, previously owned by a hoarder. The hard work they put into cleaning and refurbishing the structure earned them the opportunity to build their first home and began a journey into designing and renovating.
She saw the significance of a relationship between good design and smart real estate investment that included Muskoka cottage properties, which stirred her passion for lake life. Water was the catalyst for the purchase of their house in Kanata Lakes.
“We were looking for a home backing onto the Beaver Pond as we loved the feel of being at the cottage, while being part of a family-friendly neighbourhood with good schools for our two children, Kristen and Blair,” states the enthusiastic decorator. The home was in dire need of repair and renovation, and while some people may have been discouraged, Denise, was energized.
Her eclectic style incorporates contemporary elements and reveals a passion for travel, art and found treasures. The antique dining set in her current home was discovered in the attic of the triplex where her path to renovation and design began. “I love the mix of antique and contemporary pieces as my home is a reflection of my experiences over the years,” says Denise who finds inspiration through designers like Peter Marino, Victoria Hagan and Thomas Pheasant.
JASON BELLAIRE
Jason’s interest in design started with a subscription to Architectural Digest at the age of eleven, and continued when he studied art history prior to obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Algonquin College in 2008. He apprenticed at a design firm in Ottawa before launching J-Squared Design. In 2009, he was invited to Denise Hulaj’s Halloween party and was impressed with her renovation and style. A friendship began and led to their business partnership and the launch of StyleHaus Interiors.
The condo Jason shares with his partner Ramzi is the culmination of their passions for entertaining, travel and colour. Their style incudes touches of glamour, warm metal, stone, exotic wood, marble, and soft textural elements like fur and velvet. Jason believes in the power of colour and its benefits to getting through the darker winter months.
Entertaining plays a starring role in the condo’s décor and the living room is styled around conversation without the distraction of technology. “I love hotel bars and wanted my condo’s living room to feel like a lounge,” says Jason.
The thoughtful decorator has brought in many collected elements with sincere meaning, including a steel piece from Africa as a nod to Ramzi’s roots (he was born in Lebanon, but raised in Kenya), and a Sokolowski piece reflects their fondness for colour. Jason is inspired by the work of international designers Jean-Louis Deniot from Paris, Martyn Lawrence Bullard from L.A, David Collins Studio from the UK, and Kelly Wearstler from L.A.
Mary Taggart
