THE COLLECTION
Stories, Projects, Great Finds and the Things That Inspire Us
Barlochan, Reimagined: Our Family Retreat on Lake Muskoka
Carved into the quiet rhythm of Lake Muskoka, Project Barlochan is our family’s love letter to space, light, and time together. What began as a humble cottage escape has been reimagined, fully customized, and fully us.
Shop my closet
This shopping round-up is a reflection of my personal style: elevated, a little playful, and always intentional. From chic sunnies and statement jewelry to skincare heroes and wardrobe must-haves, these are the pieces I genuinely use, love, and want everyone to know about. I’m not a gatekeeper—especially when everything is just that good.
Whether you're refreshing your closet, your skincare shelf, or just want a few luxurious little upgrades to welcome spring, you're in the right place. Let’s dive in.
Welcome to Global Inspirations: Luxury Design from Around the World
I’ve always believed that design doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and that it’s a living, breathing conversation between cultures, traditions, materials, and landscapes. That belief is the foundation of Global Inspirations: Luxury Design from Around the World, the newest series on The Collection, which will explore how luxury design aesthetics manifest across the globe, region by region.
Designing Social Spaces for Connection and Conversation
Throughout this series, across a number of topics, we’ve discussed how our homes are very much a personal sanctuary, but they also act as the backdrop for life’s most cherished moments with friends and family. Whether it’s a lively dinner party or a quiet heart-to-heart, thoughtfully designed social spaces have the power to invite meaningful connection, conversation, and joy.
As a designer, one of my favourite design challenges is crafting spaces that feel good; spaces that encourage us to gather, share, and slow down. And the good news? Creating these kinds of environments doesn’t always require a full renovation. With just a few smart design choices, you can turn your home into a haven for togetherness.
Elevating Your Home with Wellness Technology: Creating a Sanctuary for Optimal Health
As a designer, my ultimate goal is to create spaces that make you feel like you're living your best life. And today, that means considering more than just aesthetics. When we talk about wellness, most people think about eating well, exercising, and even skincare routines. But how often do we think about the impact of our home environment on our well-being? More often than not, wellness is tied to adding elements like a home gym or a sauna. But what if we could take it even further? Imagine transforming your home into a true sanctuary with the latest wellness technology; a space designed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit.
Infusing Personality and Soul with Art and Personal Treasures
In past conversations, I’ve shared some of my go-to tips for living with great art: many inspired by years of insight from my mom, Peppa Martin, an esteemed Art Advisor with a truly intuitive eye. We’ve explored how to curate meaningful collections, where to place statement pieces, and how to invest with both heart and head.
Bringing Nature Home: A Guide to Greenery in Luxury Design
Plants and greenery are a uniquely personal element of home design, adding warmth, texture, and a touch of nature’s effortless elegance. Choosing the right plants for a space is an intimate process, reflecting individual style and sensibilities. Aesthetically, their benefits are undeniable—lush foliage, sculptural leaves, and cascading vines breathe life into any room. However, the impact of indoor greenery extends far beyond beauty. Bringing plants indoors enhances air quality, reduces stress, improves mood, and can even boost productivity and focus. Additionally, the ritual of caring for plants fosters mindfulness, creating a soothing and meditative experience that enriches daily life. In luxury home design, incorporating plants is an artful way to create a sanctuary that feels both refined and restorative.
Harnessing the Power of Light and Space
There’s an undeniable connection between natural light, open space, and the way we experience our homes. More than just a design choice, light has the power to shape our mood, influence our energy levels, and define how a space feels. It’s what makes a home feel expansive and uplifting in the morning, warm and inviting in the afternoon, and serene in the evening.
The Mood-Enhancing Influence of Colour in Home Design
In home design, part of the art of the process is understanding how colour influences not just aesthetics but also emotions and behaviours. Whether you consciously realize it or not, colour plays a crucial role in shaping how we see the world and, more importantly, how we feel within it.
Intentional Design and Aligning Your Home with Purpose
Your home is more than just a collection of rooms; it’s an extension of your values, your energy, and the life you have cultivated. Intentional design is the art of creating spaces that not only reflect your aesthetic, but also serve a deeper purpose in enhancing your well-being, supporting your daily rituals, and adapting as your life evolves.
A Complete Reimagination of a Burlington Kitchen
When PMD’s Senior Designer Kimberly Smeding was brought in to renovate a dated Burlington kitchen, her main goal - aside from making the space more beautiful - was to increase the functionality as much as possible.
TOP TEN TIPS FOR LIVING WITH (GREAT) ART
From one of our favourite art advisors, here are the top ten tips for selecting art for your home.
PMD’s Top 3 styles for interiors this year
We’re feeling inspired and aligned with these 3 aesthetics for 2024 interiors.
The antique fair in round top
When it comes to interior design, there's a captivating style that stands out for its ability to blend the charm of traditional elements with the sleekness of modern design. This style is known as transitional design, and it's all about creating spaces that effortlessly balance the old and the new.
The Beauty of Transitional Spaces
When it comes to interior design, there's a captivating style that stands out for its ability to blend the charm of traditional elements with the sleekness of modern design. This style is known as transitional design, and it's all about creating spaces that effortlessly balance the old and the new.
Refreshing Your Home for the Fall Season
As the leaves begin to change colours and a crisp chill fills the air, it's the perfect time to transform your home into a warm and inviting haven for the fall season. Here we’ll show you five easy tips to get you ready for the cozy weather.
LOVEFRESH's New Collection
As an interior designer who specializes in creating warm, earthy spaces, I appreciate when a brand aligns with my design style. LOVEFRESH does just that with its clean, simple aesthetic, delightful scents, and functional products.
Old World Meets Modern Elegance
An Upper Beaches couple were looking to renovate their main floor, specifically their kitchen, and their family bathroom. Unsure of the direction to take, and how to make the spaces work best for them, they enlisted the help of Parris McKenna Design to completely overhaul these areas.
Behind Parris McKenna Design
We’re excited to share so much great content with you here, and want to kick things off with some insight into Parris McKenna Design - who we are, what inspires and guides our aesthetic, what services we offer, and so much more.
Welcome to The Collection
A collection of stories, projects, great finds and the things that inspire us.