It’s Been a Watery Month

April, as the saying goes, brings rain — but then come the spring flowers… or words to that effect. Our Toronto April feels very much like Edinburgh to me — the damp, the blue skies, and the bursts of sunshine. It’s the month when I feel closest to my birth home, the place of my heritage, my oldest friends, and my family.

This month, we’ve found ourselves immersed in watery projects, both near and far. From a farmhouse in an eastern province with spectacular views out to sea, to a modern city pied-à-terre where every window frames the water. Watery spaces feel incredibly soothing — almost hypnotic. Perhaps it calms my Sagittarian (fire sign) soul, but I also believe water runs deep in my DNA. After all, it’s impossible to think of Scotland without thinking of its rugged coastline — and, yes, its rain!

This month will end on the water for me too. An invitation that arrived in January — to spend four nights at the Fogo Island Inn — brought me to tears (yet more water!). This space, this rugged rock, has been on my radar and bucket list for years. Zita Cobb, the founder and visionary behind Shorefast, is one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met. I’ll share more next month about my journey to this extraordinary, faraway place.

Choppy Waters – Navigating Tariffs

I view my monthly journal as a portal into interior design through my own personal lens — from the projects we’re working on, to places I’ve visited and the things I’ve discovered along the way. I also use it as a space to reflect on the external forces that impact our industry. 

At first, it was Covid — with all the delays and shortages it brought — and now, it’s tariffs. Or, as I sometimes refer to the current global predicament, Covid 2.0.

Most days I feel a strong sense of déjà vu as we try to make sense of it all.

In short, it’s very hard to predict which way is up. The current US administration imposes or threatens tariffs one day, only to reverse course the next.

What does remain fairly constant, though, is who and what we regularly source from.

The majority of our textiles and wallpapers are woven and printed in the UK and Europe — and are not affected by tariffs. We work with several British companies who service Canada from their US-based distribution warehouses. These items remain tariff-exempt, as they are kept in bond and only inspected in the US. The country of origin stays as the UK or Europe.

Roughly 95% of our upholstered goods are built here in Ontario, using Canadian hardwood frames. One of the larger American trade-only upholsterers we work with has committed to absorbing the bulk of the Canadian-imposed 25% SIMA (Special Import Measures Act) duties — passing on only 10% to clients.

Over 60% of our casegoods are also made in Ontario, crafted from locally sourced maple and oak. We also work with a handful of makers in Quebec and Europe, with less than 10% of our casegoods originating from the US.

We work with and source lighting from some incredible Canadian companies, and the current climate has only reinforced our desire to expand this network further. Other lighting we frequently specify comes from the Netherlands and the UK, and is distributed by trusted local partners here in the GTA. 

Carpeting and area rugs are woven across the globe — though sadly, very little is produced here in Canada. We’re actively working with our suppliers to prioritise items sourced from Europe and beyond that align with both our aesthetic and tariff considerations.

We’ve also been able to successfully navigate plumbing fixtures and appliances from sources outside the US, helping to ensure our clients are not facing unexpected or inflated costs.

Each week seems to bring a new headline — some noise that may or may not come to pass — but we remain in close contact with our broker and industry partners so we can keep our clients informed and well-advised as the situation evolves.

As always, we welcome your questions.

Calm Seas – New Portfolios Added

We’ve recently added two new portfolios to our website, and I’m excited to share them with you.

If you follow us on Instagram or are a regular reader of this journal, you’ll have seen glimpses of each — but now, you can explore them in their entirety.

A Lawrence Park Story

We joined this project partway through the selective demolition of the main and second floors. At that stage, our clients were feeling uncertain about how the work was unfolding, so we stepped in quickly to assess where things stood and bring clarity. This initially meant the builder pausing work on site for nearly a month — time that proved invaluable. It allowed us the opportunity to regroup, understand the full scope, and provide clear direction to better align the next steps with our clients’ vision.

This home’s living room, kitchen, and mudroom each serve a distinct purpose, yet all are united by a sense of calm, cohesion, and thoughtful detailing.

The living room is soft and cocooning — with layered textures, sculptural forms, and a warm palette that invites connection. 

In the kitchen, traditional millwork meets modern function, with open display moments and a gentle rhythm of light and shadow. 

The mudroom, a hardworking everyday entry, doesn’t compromise on beauty — with bold botanical wallpaper, custom millwork, and a touch of whimsy to greet you at the door.

To see the full story and all the beautifully considered details, visit the complete project portfolio here.

Summerhill de Gournay Primary Bathroom

This project was an absolute joy to work on. These clients were among my very first here in Canada, and we’ve now collaborated across three different homes over the past fifteen years. The trust and rapport we’ve built over time made this primary bathroom all the more special to create.

The ceiling features hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper, delicately depicting branches of cherry blossoms that float above like a canopy — a design choice that adds both whimsy and elegance, while inviting a moment of pause. The original design was scaled to suit this space with the ceiling light acting as the sun or the moon, depending on the time of day. 

The floating vanity, with its richly veined porcelain top and clean-lined cabinetry, creates a strong grounding element.

Soft lace drapery, sculptural lighting, and beautifully integrated storage complete the picture — a space that feels both luxurious and deeply personal. It’s a room designed for rest and ritual, with every detail considered.

To see the full space and all its carefully crafted details, view the complete project portfolio here.

How We Work

Every space we design begins with listening. We take time to understand how our clients live — their routines, preferences, and what brings them joy — so we can create environments that feel not only beautiful but deeply personal.

Our approach is holistic. We consider the entire home — how each space connects to the next, how natural light moves through it, and how materials, colour, and texture can support both function and feeling. From concept development and space planning to sourcing, styling, and final installation, we guide each phase with care and clarity.

The end result? Spaces that are layered, lasting, and quietly luxurious — designed to support the way you live now and evolve with you into the future.

For more on how we work — and to download our helpful guides — please visit our Process page.

Keep your eyes on all things Instagram this week as I’ll no doubt be posting about my Fogo Island trip. 

I look forward to connecting with you on our socials, in person or in the journal next month, thank you, as always, for reading.

Warmly, Gillian

Credits, images, musings and some more contents of my head.

Trio of header images all sourced from Pinterest and (sadly) none have the original photographer’s name to reference. Image 4  is from Fogo Island Inn from Azure Magazine. Image 5 is by Charles Pachter, simply called Canadian Flag, dated 1981. All of the remaining images are of our work  all photographed by the wonderful Virginia Macdonald