Explore the Canadian design aesthetic! From coastal homes and Quebec farmhouses to Prairie modernism, West Coast architecture and the cottages of Ontario and Muskoka, Canadian design is deeply influenced by landscape, climate, craftsmanship and regional identity.

This conversation dives deep into what makes Canadian residential design distinctive, with a particular look at cottage culture as both a design tradition and a way of life. Panelists will consider how designers can preserve the character, memory and simplicity that make these properties meaningful while adapting them for contemporary living. How, as a design community, can we allow the Canadian cottage to evolve without designing away everything that made it special?

Designers from British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Alberta walk into a room and quickly realize they’re not solving the same problems. Climate, construction styles, client expectations, and access to products all shape how projects come together, and what ultimately gets specified.

This candid, fast-paced conversation puts those differences on the table. What works, what doesn’t translate, and where do assumptions fall apart across regions? For designers taking on cross-country projects or looking to expand beyond their local market, it’s a clear, practical look at what changes when you leave your home base, and how to adapt without missing a step.

A candid conversation about the evolution from designer to entrepreneur - and what it takes to build a successful business beyond the creative work. Lindsay Mens of TOM Design Collective joins journalist Sophie Dow Donelson to unpack her journey from staffer to business owner, and how her "viral" kitchens keep getting shared and published. Hear how she's navigated partnerships, built a team, and redefined her own version of success along the way.

Designers don’t always agree and that’s what makes this session worth attending! In this fast-paced live debate, top designers go head-to-head on the choices that define every kitchen: appliances, cabinetry, surfaces, lighting, and layouts.

Then the curveballs hit. Budgets get cut. Products get backordered. Contractors push back. Clients suddenly change their minds. Designers must defend, rethink, or completely rebuild their specifications live on stage.

Expect strong opinions, surprise pivots, audience reactions, and plenty of industry truth bombs as design ambition meets real-world constraints. Entertaining and strategic, see how they adapt, problem-solve, and still deliver exceptional spaces under pressure.

Is the era of the massive trophy kitchen finally running out of steam? Homeowners are questioning wasted square footage, oversized islands, and spaces designed more for social media than real life. In today’s market, smarter is starting to beat bigger.

This session explores the rise of the right-sized kitchen and spaces that pack serious performance, luxury, and personality into tighter, harder-working footprints. Panelists will break down how they’re using hidden functionality, integrated appliances, multifunctional zones, and strategic specification to create kitchens that feel elevated without excess.

The bigger conversation: has the industry been overdesigning kitchens for years? As budgets tighten and homes become more compact, this session examines why efficiency, intention, and usability may be replacing sheer size as the new status symbol in kitchen design.

This session explores how population diversity is reshaping residential design from second kitchens and oversized refrigeration to prayer spaces, hidden prep zones, and bathrooms designed for multiple generations under one roof. Designers will share how they’re asking smarter questions, challenging outdated design norms, and creating homes that reflect real life, not just aesthetic trends.

A candid conversation about designing beyond the algorithm and why firms that understand culture, family dynamics, and function will have a major competitive edge moving forward.

No sugarcoating. Just a hard look at the new realities of residential design in Canada and what it now takes to survive and grow.

Design professionals no longer sell aspiration alone, they are defending every dollar. Today’s clients are more cautious, more informed, and far more demanding. Budgets are scrutinized, projects are slower to move, and firms are being pushed to deliver more while protecting shrinking margins.

This candid conversation unpacks what’s really happening behind the scenes: pricing pushback, value engineering battles, longer decision cycles, and rising client expectations. Today’s clients want certainty, speed, customization, and lower costs all at once. Here’s how firms are responding before burnout and bad business decisions take over.

What’s really happening in Canada’s kitchen and bath market - and what can we expect next? Drawing on the latest findings from NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI) Canada, this session will unpack Q2 and Q3 results, from business activity and industry sentiment to expectations for the months ahead.Canadian industry professionals will then put the numbers into context, sharing what they’re seeing firsthand across consumer demand, business challenges and emerging opportunities - and what it all means for the future of the market.

AI adoption is moving fast across architecture, design, and manufacturing - but simply using the technology doesn’t always mean it’s delivering real value. Firms are testing new tools, experimenting with workflows, and figuring out where AI can genuinely save time or unlock creative capacity. But between quality concerns, team adoption, client expectations, and the pressure to keep up, the gap between trying AI and making it work in practice is still significant.This session takes a look at what’s actually happening inside firms right now. What tools are proving useful? Where is AI falling short? And how are design professionals deciding what’s worth investing in - and what isn’t? From internal workflows and creative processes to ethics and quality control, industry leaders will share what they’re learning as they navigate AI in real time.

What does luxury look like when space is at a premium? Phoenix Grey of Phoenix Grey Design and Feature Film & TV Director Justin Wu come together with View the Vibe’s Steven Branco for a candid conversation about designing and living beautifully in the city. Drawing from their recent Tip Top Tailors penthouse renovation, they’ll explore how thoughtful design can transform a smaller footprint, the creative collaboration behind a high-end space, and what it means to build a life and career at the intersection of design, culture and influence.

Designers are under increasing pressure to source locally, but the reality isn’t always straightforward. Not everything is made in Canada, lead times can vary, and clients still expect access to global brands, especially at the high end. Even sourcing through Canadian divisions of international companies can come with limitations around inventory, customization, and timelines.

This session takes a candid look at what can realistically be sourced in Canada today and where designers may still need to look beyond. From appliances and stone to fixtures and specialty products, we’ll unpack the trade-offs between local and global sourcing, and how to make smart, strategic decisions that balance availability, budget, timelines, and client expectations.

Canada’s most influential homeowners are getting older and they’re not planning to leave anytime soon. By 2030, every baby boomer in Canada will be over 65, while the oldest Gen Xers are now entering their 60s. Together, these generations hold enormous housing wealth and are increasingly renovating with long-term living in mind. At the same time, rising housing costs are forcing homes to function differently than ever before.

This session brings an architect, a designer, and a custom home builder together to explore whether today’s homes are truly being designed for long-term living or simply for current trends. From aging-in-place strategies and accessible bathrooms to flexible kitchens, secondary living spaces, and future-proof layouts, panelists will discuss how each discipline approaches adaptability, functionality, and long-term value.