A Story of Collaboration Culture and Craft

When Global Furniture Group began envisioning a refreshed showroom in Winnipeg—a space that would welcome architects, designers, and clients from across the region—they knew they wanted something different. Something meaningful. Something that reflected the land they were rooted in and the people whose stories shaped it.

That vision led them to designer Destiny Seymour, an Anishinaabe interior designer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and founder of Indigo Arrows, whose work celebrates Indigenous design through timeless patterns inspired by thousands-year-old Anishinaabe artifacts. Destiny is the designer behind the Nibi Collection, a series of patterns she created to honor land, water, and cultural history.

To bring her vision to life on carpet—and ultimately into commercial spaces across North America—Destiny partnered with Milliken’s product design and manufacturing teams, who helped develop, scale, and produce the Nibi collection with the precision, performance, and durability needed for real-world installations.

What unfolded next was much more than a flooring project. It became a story of partnership, cultural education, experimentation, and ultimately, design that welcomes people in before they even realize why.

Where the Conversation Began

Destiny had collaborated with Global on several projects before, and when the Winnipeg showroom renovation surfaced, they asked if she would consider being involved. The answer was yes—but with intention.

“The first step wasn’t, ‘Let’s use Nibi,’” Destiny shared. “It was, ‘How do we incorporate Indigenous design elements?’ This was Global’s first showroom incorporating Indigenous design, and they wanted to do it thoughtfully.”

Once the internal team aligned, they began exploring how the flooring could play a role. Global’s in-house designer April Ramirez already admired the Nibi collection and was eager to weave its story into the space. Milliken Account Manager Jenny Derrett soon joined the effort, helping shape a partnership that pulled together culture, design, vision, and logistics.

But as Destiny explained, designing with cultural intention required care—and trust. “Clients sometimes worry about doing ‘too much Indigenous design’ or being seen as culturally appropriating,” she said. “So, I read the room. I could sense when someone was unsure, and a lot of it involved teaching. When clients understand the story and meaning behind the design, then it brings excitement.”

Designing a Space Rooted in Land, Light & Story

For a showroom meant to serve designers, clients, and community members—including Indigenous clients—it was important the space felt warm, inclusive, and grounded in identity.

Destiny and April collaborated over Zoom—Destiny in Winnipeg, April in Calgary—building the space layer by layer. Together they drew inspiration from Manitoba’s prairie sunsets: soft pinks, warm rusts, delicate creams, muted greys. These tones appear throughout the furniture, wall graphics, fabrics, and ultimately the flooring.

The team selected two patterns from the Nibi collection—Gimiwan (Rain) and Zopoon (Snow)—and customized the colors. April fell in love with a single dot on one of the tiles, sending Jenny a photo and saying simply: “This is the pink.”

From there, Milliken produced custom color trials until the perfect shade emerged: a soft rosy pink that paired beautifully with the neutral, grounding base tones.

“It’s subtle,” Jenny said. “Soft, warm, and works with everything. Once installed, it looked even better than we imagined.”

And beyond aesthetics, the collection allowed clear zoning and flow—something critical in showroom design.

A Collaboration That Required Every Voice at the Table

This project came together through clear communication, shared goals, and a true spirit of partnership.

As the design took shape, Milliken worked closely with Destiny, Global, and the installation team to ensure every detail translated seamlessly from concept to reality. Design, visualization, and account teams collaborated in real time, aligning on layout, color, and execution so the vision stayed intact at every stage.

“When everyone was connected and looking at the same thing, it just clicked,” Jenny shared. With regular site visits and ongoing updates, Milliken helped keep the process moving smoothly—supporting installers, answering questions quickly, and making sure the design intent was honored tile by tile.

By the time installation wrapped, the result felt effortless: a space that reflected every voice involved and came together exactly as envisioned.

Design That Feels Like Home

When the first visitors arrived—including a local highly respected Elder who came to bless the space—they said the words every designer hopes to hear:

“I feel welcome here.”

The previous showroom had felt corporate and cold. With the new design, warm tones, storytelling motifs, and thoughtful cultural details had transformed the experience entirely.

“That was the moment I knew it worked,” Destiny said. “People wanted to stay. They felt comfortable. That’s the goal.”

The impact was immediate. Though Global hadn’t planned to use Nibi in other showrooms, the team insisted on incorporating it into their upcoming Ottawa renovation—and more locations are now being considered.

What This Project Signals for the Future of A&D

Both Destiny and Jenny see a broader shift happening.

Clients—Indigenous and non-Indigenous—are asking for design that carries meaning.

“It’s good timing,” Destiny noted. “For years, we didn’t have Indigenous-designed commercial products to specify. I was adding flooring details that showed star blankets designs cut into VCT tile or hand-cutting patterns into flooring. It was so labor-intensive.”

Now, with options like the Nibi collection, clients can bring cultural representation into their spaces in authentic, responsible ways—even when budgets tighten.

And the demand isn’t limited to culturally specific projects. Banks, corporations, and even government institutions—including the Parliament buildings—are incorporating Nibi to signal inclusion and connection.

“It creates a ripple effect,” Jenny said. “Every time someone sees this product, a story gets told. People learn, they ask questions, they listen.”

In One Word: Collaborative

When asked to describe the project in one word, both Destiny and Jenny landed on the same choice: collaborative.

From designers, elders, and corporate leadership to Milliken’s custom and visualization teams, installers, and community members—this project was truly built together.

A Meaningful Moment to Remember

For Destiny, the standout moment was hearing visitors describe the space as welcoming.

For Jenny, it was seeing the customer’s reaction to the final installation and knowing it delivered exactly what they wanted.

For Milliken, this project represents something even bigger:

The power of design to honor culture, empower community, and create experiences where everyone feels seen.

And it reinforces our commitment to partnering with designers like Destiny—leaders who help shape a more inclusive future for the built environment.

Let’s create something meaningful together.

Connect with our team to explore how Milliken can help bring your next design vision to life.