Designer Tips for the Year Ahead
Five prominent design experts share their 2025 design forecast from the power of the colour red to nailing the entryway
Come January, the city’s zeitgeist will be rife with dreams and aspirations for the year to come. But while adopting a hobby or embarking on a new workout program is certainly good for the soul, taking stock of upcoming design trends can be equally transformative. Here, discover tips and tricks from five local Toronto architects and designers on their favourite interior design trends, sustainable design essentials, key building materials and more.
large [medium] design office on the Wonders of Wood
Q: What building material is your go-to and why? Why would you recommend it to other designers?
A: “Wood is one of our favourite materials because of its warmth, tactile quality, versatility, and scalability. As an exterior cladding it affords a reduction in scale of a surface and invites a kind of intimacy with architecture. We also appreciate its relatively low carbon footprint both as a material and as cladding within an envelope assembly,” explains interior designer Nadia Cannataro and architect Francesco Martire, principals and co-founders of large [medium] design office.
Black in Back House. Pre-Painted Wood Cladding manufactured by Cape Cod Siding. Photography by Scott Norsworthy.
Beth Wassermuhl on Framing the Entryway
Q: What interior design trend would you love to see take off in the next year and why?
A: “I truly believe that the entrance to your home is one of the most important spaces to get right. It’s the first thing you see when you come home and the last thing you notice as you leave—setting the tone for the rest of your house. A custom design floor tile in your entryway is a game-changer. A well-thought-out tile design can instantly elevate the space, creating a dramatic focal point that draws people in. Whether it’s a bold geometric design, or a classic checkerboard pattern, I like to use the opportunity to showcase the home’s character and make something stunning. A well-designed tile floor isn’t just an entrance; it’s an experience,” vows Beth Wassermuhl, principal at Studiowi.
Photography by Alex Lukey.
Level Studio on Bold Red
Q: What colour has been dominating your interior projects and why?
A: “A colour that has been used a lot in our interiors lately is red. Red is a very dramatic colour that instantly creates a focal point, is exciting and full of energy! We like using red as an accent colour in a lot of our furniture or as a feature in something like millwork that works with the overall composition of an entire room. Especially if the room is darker, it creates a dramatic and energetic pop,” shares Luca Campacci and Vinh Le, partners at Level Studio.
“This image is from one of our most recent projects which is a penthouse unit near Yonge and Dundas Square in Toronto. A stunning countertop with the most dramatic veins is balanced against the all-black kitchen and floor with a pop of red in the faucet. Four bright red chairs sit opposite the island unifying this great room.”
Tura Cousins Wilson on Sustainable Architecture
Q: What sustainable design element would you love to see take off in the next year and why?
A: “I would love to see the design and architecture industry in Canada develop a policy framework, culture, and economy around the reuse of materials and buildings. We need to deconstruct rather than demolish. Reconstitute rather than discard as rubbish. Whether it’s a small home renovation or a massive redevelopment project, must move away from landfilling buildings prematurely or at all,” explains Tura Cousins Wilson, co-founder of the Studio of Contemporary Architecture (SOCA).
The attached photo is SOCA’s alternate vision for the Alexandra Park redevelopment masterplan in Toronto. Designer tips for 2025: rejuvenating communities without demolishing the existing natural environment and built form.
Kimberly Czornodolskyj on Statement Lighting
Q: What living room design element would you love to see celebrated this year and why?
A: “Statement lighting is more than just illumination—it’s a form of art. I’d love to see more emphasis on sculptural floor lamps, bold table lamps, and unique lighting in general in living room design. Creating space for a lighting moment brings an intimate, warm, and inviting glow to the room while serving as a captivating design element that adds character and personality to the design – and the beauty of lighting lies in its timelessness; whether modern or vintage there are thousands of lighting designs from across the decades to choose from that allow you to reflect your personal style,” shares Kimberly Czornodolskyj, principal designer at Studio KCZO.
Designer tips inspiration— A vignette at the Shangri-La condo designed by Kimberly Czornodolskyj x Alina Ryssina.
