One of the many things I love about traveling is that you get to see interesting business concepts that you won’t normally see in your hometown. When I was in Calgary (whohoo!), I stumbled across Distilled. Just like a typical Millennial, it too has a slash persona. It’s a cafe/nail salon/spa. Located in Marda Loop, Distilled is a super chill place to have coffee and you know, possibly get your nails done.
The interiors is everything a Pinterest freak (A.K.A. me) would love/pin. It has a monochrome scheme but to keep it interesting, multiple textures are added. White bricks, navy blue macchuca tiles, and golden accents? It’s like they took a peep in my Pinterest account!
Upon entry, the cafe is the first thing you would notice. If you didn’t know it’s other half was a salon, you would totally be up for a delightful surprise as you in deeper the shop. Distilled serves up coffee from Rosso Coffee Roasters, one of the largest suppliers of coffee in Calgary, also one of the best next to Phil & Sebastian if you ask me. I took a super large cup of hot coffee because it was -20 degrees out and I needed the heat next to the caffeine.
Okay, I know what you’re thinking (especially if you live in Manila): “But wouldn’t it smell like a salon? Wouldn’t you smell the toxic fumes of the nail polish?” Ha, ha, ha, jokes on you. I didn’t smell anything! If anything, I enjoyed the aroma of roasted coffee beans despite two spaces having no dividers in between them. How do they do it? I’m assuming all-organic products are used in the salon side.
Making it different from the cafe, the spa is all about light wood with warm fabrics. It’s a very modern yet cozy feel for a nail spa that I wish we had in Manila. It’s very chic and classy but not at all intimidating.
UGH. Every girl’s dream in one space: coffee and and pampering. Sure do hope I fly back soon so I can try the salon services next time!
P.S. Sorry for ghosting! So much stuff has been going on in my life outside of the blog, it’s insane. Keep in touch via Instagram, yes?
xx,
Pat.
