Biography

Field Notes

“The more we discover about ourselves, we realize design is in everything we do.”

Cydna Oldfield Knebel

Growing up in Victoria, British Columbia, my foundation for individuality was emphasized by a natural landscape; the ocean, forests and wildlife, all with an overlay of radiant light. This connection to nature led me to recognize style has less to do with material possessions and more about how you view the world. We search for this truth in the natural world through every project and strive to connect with a higher purpose in work, realizing we need much less if attention is paid to quality.

Years spent in the airline industry allowed me to enjoy scouring shops and markets all over the world, while making extravagant discoveries that spoke to an aesthetic more than a price tag. There is no escaping the charm of a simple object, which often becomes the center point of a brilliant concept. Making things from materials at hand has always been a primary interest in my desire to create, using unusual combinations from undiscovered sources.

Upon graduating, Phi Theta Kappa, with an honors degree in Interior Design and Applied Art, I was immediately hired by renowned international furniture and interior designer, Christian Grevstad. My work as a designer and collection coordinator for New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver showrooms presented new opportunities and insight on how things are created and ultimately brought to life.

To understand my creative process, it begins with a range of conceptual watercolor renderings or simple sketches. Attention is paid to characteristics unique in each property and the clientele within. Selections are based on artfully mixing styles and periods, which evolves as the invention of a signature style for each project emerges. What prevails is a language of natural texture and color, inspired by grayscale and the definition a subtle range of precise color will add.

In addition to interior design services, Cydna offers the Scampolia Collection. A featured artist for Anthropologie stores, this compilation of mixed media artwork is available for viewing at Scampolia.com or by contacting Cydna Knebel directly.