How would you say your aesthetics and design interests have influenced the design choices in your home?

Chad Burton: Are they at all different from your design work outside of the home?  I think they both blend nicely together. My husband coined the term Restrained Maximalism when describing our home once and I think that resonates. Rather than bold for bold sake everything everywhere all at once kind of maximal it’s a bit more thoughtful and edited.  Well, thats a bit less so when the holiday decorations come out. 

What inspires you creatively, and how do you express those ~ creative impulses~?

Chad Burton: Honestly I realized in the past few years the importance of having creative outlets that have nothing to do with a client. Where I can get dirty and create and not follow someone else’s art direction - be that taking a hand building ceramics class with Julie Moon or styling creative editorial shoots with a team just based on our ideas. Tablescaping for dinners or parties with friends also feels more organic and personal. One day I hope to move to some village in a warm country and just create for myself as an artist, be that through painting or ceramics or craft and live a slower life. 

When did you first realize how important defining your personal space was, and how did you begin exploring it?

Chad Burton: The pandemic really solidified things but I’ve always been pretty particular about my room or my home. For so many years it felt out of reach budget wise or I was just living too transient of a lifestyle to put much focus on it, but since nesting in Toronto I’ve come to believe that you need a warm and layered home space to truly unwind.  

What are three words (open to adjectives for sure but feel free to throw out some verbs) that define your approach to creating or revitalizing space?

Chad Burton: Layered joy and moments of wonder.  

What advice would you offer (in any way, shape, or form) to someone who wants to bring a bit more ~jazz~ to their spaces, but are perhaps uncertain where to begin?

Chad Burton: Paint hands down.  It changes your perspective on a space. I don’t understand how so many people are okay with living in a blank white void all the time.

Are there any movies/media/art that you turn to for inspiration? Just more generally: what feeds your taste?

Chad Burton: Inspiration can come from anywhere you just have to be open to seeing the signs. What is lingering in your mind when you see something? What makes your pupils widen, etc. I find checking out art museums when traveling is a great way to fill that inspiration cup but a wander through a new neighbourhood or just an obscure back alley in a familiar place can inspire new colour combinations or ways to look at texture.