About Us
About Us
Мeet the Studio
Designing spaces that support real life, beautifully.
Nearly a decade ago, we built DesignChicks on the belief that luxurious, beautiful spaces should also be comfortable, highly functional, and easy to live in. Nancy’s background in occupational therapy provides an intuitive understanding of how people live and move through their living space, while Jaya’s aesthetic expertise infuses every project with creativity. With five kids between us, we have a keen sense for everyday practicality.
Co-Founders, Nancy & Jaya
Mikaele here!
Founder of Minnaro, trained in interior architecture and product design in Milan and Copenhagen.
With over a decade of experience across Europe and Australia, I create spaces that are thoughtful, understated, and quietly personal.
My work has been recognised in international publications and design awards — but what matters most is how it feels to live in.
Design team
Driven by a love of timeless, highly livable design.
Our collaborative approach and shared obsession with design details have shaped a boutique studio known for creative millwork designs, highly livable layouts, and personality-driven, timeless design. Whether working with homeowners directly or builders, we help create spaces that feel cohesive, inspiring, and uniquely personal.
Mike Marko
/
Construction Partner
Ryan Wickel
/
Custom Home Builder
Juan Cabrera
/
3D Visualizations & Models
Valeria Avilés Díaz
/
3D Visualizations & Models
Key Partners
The Experts We Build With
Great design relies on great collaboration. We work with a trusted network of specialists whose craftsmanship, technical expertise and attention to detail ensure our ideas are executed with accuracy, care and consistency.
How We Work
Our Approach
We take great pride and great care in thinking through all the little details so that our clients don’t have to. From kitchen and bathroom designs to smart storage solutions, to dual purpose spaces – we consider all the things that make a house not just impressive to look at, but truly enjoyable and easy to live in.
When it comes to living space improvements – be it renovations, additions or building new custom homes – we like to join the process early. We start by collaborating with our clients on their vision and collaborating with the architect on creating a perfect floor plan. Next, we consider options for custom millwork throughout the home, optimal window sizing and placement, architectural details, and exterior materials & colours. Once the structure and overall layout are set, we begin the process of designing every square inch of the interior of the home. This includes creating a cohesive colour and materials palette, sourcing furniture and textiles, selecting finishes and fixtures, and refining all the design details.
Building and renovating homes is an expensive endeavour. The decisions made throughout the design build process can last decades (if not a lifetime). We stive to help our clients really think through every design decision – with the help of visuals and physical material samples – so they can be confident and happy with their choices – no regrets!
We take great pride and great care in thinking through all the little details so that our clients don’t have to. From kitchen and bathroom designs to smart storage solutions, to dual purpose spaces – we consider all the things that make a house not just impressive to look at, but truly enjoyable and easy to live in.
Read More
When it comes to living space improvements – be it renovations, additions or building new custom homes – we like to join the process early. We start by collaborating with our clients on their vision and collaborating with the architect on creating a perfect floor plan. Next, we consider options for custom millwork throughout the home, optimal window sizing and placement, architectural details, and exterior materials & colours. Once the structure and overall layout are set, we begin the process of designing every square inch of the interior of the home. This includes creating a cohesive colour and materials palette, sourcing furniture and textiles, selecting finishes and fixtures, and refining all the design details.
Building and renovating homes is an expensive endeavour. The decisions made throughout the design build process can last decades (if not a lifetime). We stive to help our clients really think through every design decision – with the help of visuals and physical material samples – so they can be confident and happy with their choices – no regrets!
How We Work
Our Process
Discovery & Vision
We start by listening. Every project begins with understanding how our clients live, what’s working (and what’s not), and what they want their home to feel like. From there, we establish a shared vision – a roadmap that balances must haves, nice to haves, timeline and budget.
Design Development
Once the foundation is clear, we dive into design. We refine layouts, create millwork plans, and develop colour, finish and materials palettes that combine beauty with purpose. This is where textures, tones and finishes start to tell a story – every detail carefully considered for flow and function.
Architectural Plans & Permits
Getting the whole house laid out and designed exactly as wanted right at the outset (before permit applications) allows us to be extremely efficient once construction starts. We work collaboratively with every client to understand their unique functional needs and lifestyle and then we collaborate with the architect to ensure all the aesthetic vision and functional requirements are integrated into the floor plan and layout.
Design Execution
We prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and finish schedules to ensure the vision is crystal clear for everyone involved. We work together with contractors, trades, and suppliers to bring accuracy, clarity, and efficiency to the build phase.
In many cases, we are hired to manage everything from the design through to the execution – being our clients’ one single point of contact and accountability for everything. In other cases, we are hired only to design the house but not to build it. We have lots of clients who have pre-existing relationships with contractors that they know they want to work with on the build side – we also work a lot with builders directly who are building the house themselves but want us to design it.
During construction, we stay closely involved – reviewing progress, troubleshooting, and ensuring that design intent is protected at every step. Our collaborative approach keeps projects organized, aligned, and stress-free for our clients.
Styling & Finishing
Once the dust settles, we layer in the finishing details: furniture, lighting, art, and accessories that complete the story. The result is a home that feels elevated, effortless, and deeply personal. From reimagining layouts to crafting custom millwork, every renovation we take on is a blend of creativity, precision, and empathy. Because the best transformations don’t just change how your home looks – they change how you live in it.
How We Work
Our Process
01Discovery & Vision
We start by listening. Every project begins with understanding how our clients live, what’s working (and what’s not), and what they want their home to feel like. From there, we establish a shared vision – a roadmap that balances must haves, nice to haves, timeline and budget.
02Design Development
Once the foundation is clear, we dive into design. We refine layouts, create millwork plans, and develop colour, finish and materials palettes that combine beauty with purpose. This is where textures, tones and finishes start to tell a story – every detail carefully considered for flow and function.
03Architectural Plans & Permits
Getting the whole house laid out and designed exactly as the wants it right at the outset (before permit applications) allows us to be extremely efficient once construction starts. We work collaboratively with every client to understand their unique functional needs and lifestyle and then we collaborate with the architect to ensure all the aesthetic vision and functional requirements are integrated into the floor plan and layout.
04Design Execution
We prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and finish schedules to ensure the vision is crystal clear for everyone involved. We work together with contractors, trades, and suppliers to bring accuracy, clarity, and efficiency to the build phase.
In many cases, we are hired to manage everything from the design through to the execution – being our clients’ one single point of contact and accountability for everything. In other cases, we are hired only to design the house but not to build it. We have lots of clients who have pre-existing relationships with contractors that they know they want to work with on the build side – we also work a lot with builders directly who are building the house themselves but want us to design it.
During construction, we stay closely involved – reviewing progress, troubleshooting, and ensuring that design intent is protected at every step. Our collaborative approach keeps projects organized, aligned, and stress-free for our clients.
04Styling & Finishing
Once the dust settles, we layer in the finishing details: furniture, lighting, art, and accessories that complete the story. The result is a home that feels elevated, effortless, and deeply personal. From reimagining layouts to crafting custom millwork, every renovation we take on is a blend of creativity, precision, and empathy. Because the best transformations don’t just change how your home looks – they change how you live in it.
How We Work
What You Get
To help our clients truly visualize their new space before making decisions, and to ensure the entire project team stays aligned throughout the build, our design plans (depending on the level of service selected) include:
Interior and Exterior Elevations
Clear drawings that communicate layout, proportions and design intent for accurate construction.
See example
3D Models
Detailed models for each designed area, showing layouts, millwork design and precise dimensions.
See example
Virtual Walkthrough Videos
Immersive videos that help clients understand scale, flow and spatial experience.
See example
Physical Samples
Review colours, materials and finishes hands-on in real light conditions and context.
Finish and Fixture Schedules
Detailed schedules covering paint colours and finishes, flooring, trim, tile with coordinated grout colours, wallpaper and wall treatments, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinet hardware, furniture finishes, doors, windows and appliances.
Interior and Exterior Elevations
Clear drawings that communicate layout, proportions and design intent for accurate construction.
See example
3D Models
Detailed models for each designed area, showing layouts, millwork design and precise dimensions.
See example
Virtual Walkthrough Videos
Immersive videos that help clients understand scale, flow and spatial experience.
See example
Physical Samples
Review colours, materials and finishes hands-on in real light conditions and context.
Finish and Fixture Schedules
Detailed schedules covering paint colours and finishes, flooring, trim, tile with coordinated grout colours, wallpaper and wall treatments, plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinet hardware, furniture finishes, doors, windows and appliances.
Visualize with 3D renders
Explore from every angle with virtual walkthrough videos
DesignChicks is a Toronto-based boutique interior design studio partnering with homeowners and professional builders on custom homes, renovations and millwork.
Who We Are
Nearly a decade ago, we built DesignChicks on the believe that luxurious, beautiful spaces should also be comfortable, highly functional, and easy to live in. Nancy’s background in occupational therapy provides an intuitive understanding of how people live and move through their living space, while Jaya’s aesthetic expertise infuses every project creativity. With five kids between us, we have a keen sense for everyday practicality.
Our collaborative approach and shared obsession with design details have shaped a boutique studio known for creative millwork designs, highly livable layouts, and personality-driven, timeless design. Whether working with homeowners directly or builders, we help create spaces that feel cohesive, inspiring, and uniquely personal.
Who We Are
Meet the DesignChicks
“We believe great design is not just about how a space looks—but how it feels, functions, and quietly improves everyday life.”
Our Approach
We take great pride and great care in thinking through all the little details so that our clients don’t have to. From kitchen and bathroom designs to smart storage solutions, to dual purpose spaces – we consider all the things that make a house not just impressive to look at, but truly enjoyable and easy to live in.
When it comes to living space improvements – be it renovations, additions or building new custom homes – we like to join the process early. We start by collaborating with our clients on their vision and collaborating with the architect on creating a perfect floor plan. Next, we consider options for custom millwork throughout the home, optimal window sizing and placement, architectural details, and exterior materials & colours. Once the structure and overall layout are set, we begin the process of designing every square inch of the interior of the home. This includes creating a cohesive colour and materials palette, sourcing furniture and textiles, selecting finishes and fixtures, and refining all the design details.
Building and renovating homes is an expensive endeavour. The decisions made throughout the design build process can last decades (if not a lifetime). We stive to help our clients really think through every design decision – with the help of visuals and physical material samples – so they can be confident and happy with their choices – no regrets!
