Sophie Dow Donelson

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?

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.

In the inaugural year of Kitchen + Bath Canada, which brands, products, and ideas truly broke through? This fast-paced closing session brings the Design Advisory Group together for a live, unscripted conversation about the standout discoveries that captured the industry’s attention across the show floor.