From Shayla's Desk: November 2025
October was packed with the kind of moments that remind me why I love what I do: good friends, meaningful spaces, and my favourite small-town festival. The office renovation has officially taken over my evenings and weekends, and while it's consuming every spare minute, I'm loving the challenge. Between girlfriend gatherings and client projects hitting major milestones, this month was a balance of personal joy and professional momentum.
Reflecting on October
Quality Girlfriend Time
This month was stacked with friend experiences. One of my closest girlfriends lives in California and only gets back to Toronto once or twice a year. She just announced she's pregnant, so we planned a "darty" (a party during the day - great term, I know). We started at Chudleigh's for some wholesome apple picking and ended at Isabelle's in the Pearle Hotel in Burlington. Studio Munge completed the space back in 2023, and it's truly something special. When we booked our table, I didn't anticipate how thoughtful the space planning was; we were seated in the middle of the dining room yet it felt completely private with how they designed the partitions and banquettes. The menu was incredible, and they were accommodating enough to let us bring our own gluten-free desserts.
We also had a "wellness weekend" up north at a family friend's property. It's rare for me to spend a weekend in Muskoka without being a host, so this was such a treat. The property was thoughtfully renovated with perfectly oriented views down the bay. There was this whimsical piece of vintage water ski art in the living room that had us all enamored—it's these details that people remember. The cottage was the perfect backdrop for endless chit chat, cooking amazing meals, and cheering on the Blue Jays.
Cranberry Festival Weekend
Most people know I love the colour burgundy, but most people don't know one of the main reasons is because it's the colour of a cranberry. Bala, where my cottage is, is the "cranberry capital of Ontario," and every year they host the Cranberry Festival. My love for this small town is represented in this berry and the season it's harvested in. Every year, the weekend after Thanksgiving, Bala becomes an insanely busy market packed with food, art, and clothing vendors. The most exceptional exhibit for me is the Plein Air Art Group, a community that paints various Muskoka landscapes for passion. Last year I picked up the most unique piece made from wax, a slightly abstract view of cranberries close up. Also, one of my favorite breakfast spots in Bracebridge, Muskoka River Bagel Co., has a pop-up and sells their incredible bagels alongside cranberry cream cheese (literally cannot leave without picking one up). New find this year: White Season, a boutique clothing brand started by Cristina. Her talent is so evident in her custom-designed pieces. These socks are currently in my cart.
Dialed Into the Office Renovation
The reality of owning your own business is that client work always comes first, which means personal work gets done in the evenings and weekends. The choice to purchase the commercial property wasn't made lightly, we knew it would take all our capacity. We knowingly signed up for it, but this month it truly set in. My focus has been on planning the construction schedule, providing deposits, thinking endlessly about decisions, and pulling every great idea I've ever had while ruthlessly trying to fit it into the design. Having a blank space to design from the floor up with no constraints (other than my own) is a dream, and I'm so grateful to be tackling it. This month, the rubber hit the road.
Project Highlights
Forma Pilates: Final Stretch
We've been fully focused on design management for our Pilates studio client. This project has a dream team, both the studio owner and construction team. The doors are opening very soon, so we're now focused on nailing all the finishing touches.
Project King III: Wallpaper Dreams
We kicked off Project King III this past month. The client wanted the entire home repainted prior to moving in, so we came up with a very layered wall finishes plan. These clients love wallpaper, so we got to lean into gorgeous collections and imagine them in new ways. Next up, we're diving into completely renovating all the bathrooms. Stay tuned for that transformation.
Project King I: One-of-a-Kind Wine Room
We've been working on this project for the last six months: a huge backyard project has now crept its way inside for a kitchen gut! In the meantime, the wine room is so close to being complete and it's honestly insane. We custom-designed a glass disc ceiling installation that should be installed before the end of the year!
Inspired By: Victoria Beckham Documentary
If you haven't seen the Victoria Beckham documentary yet, I highly recommend it. It's honest, authentic, and drenched in style. And if you love houses as much as I do, it will leave you thinking about the Beckhams' kitchen for days. Layered in character, it's the perfect example of casual, country living done chic. Here's to the designer that had to sign the NDA. 👏
What's Coming in November
Construction starting at the new office!
Catching up with best friends who are home from LA
American Thanksgiving with my brother and sister-in-law
- Shayla
