THE COLLECTION

Stories, Projects, Great Finds and the Things That Inspire Us

travel design, international design Parris McKenna travel design, international design Parris McKenna

Global Inspirations - Design Dreams from Berlin

Berlin is a city of juxtapositions; It’s raw and refined, historic while futuristic, unbothered yet utterly cool. I haven’t been (yet), but when I asked my designer and creative friends for their favourite places, they lit up. Berlin, they told me, is a place that is a mood. A palette. A vibe. The kind of city where you simply can’t miss inspiration because it’s injected into every part of its soul.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

Upholstered Architecture and the Return of Textile Walls

Lately, I keep coming back to one detail that keeps showing up in client projects, inspiration folders, and even in my own home: textile-wrapped surfaces are quietly transforming the way we experience interiors. Walls, built-ins, and even ceilings are being upholstered in fabric, creating spaces that feel softer, quieter, and more intentional. These elements are more than decorative and can shape the atmosphere, improve acoustics, and enhance how a room feels and functions. Inspired by the traditions of European home - much like my own home renovation - this approach feels especially relevant today. It is elegant, tailored, and deeply considered.

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Danai Mushayandebvu Danai Mushayandebvu

May 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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

A Toronto Semi That Lives Big

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.

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travel design, international design Parris McKenna travel design, international design Parris McKenna

Global Inspirations - Design Dreams from Marrakech

Marble has long been a symbol of luxury, from Roman baths to Renaissance palazzos, but today’s marble revival feels different. It’s not about cold minimalism or safe choices, but about drama, emotion, and the power of natural materials to tell a story. As curated interiors become more personal, veined marble has emerged as one of design’s most expressive tools.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

How Veined Marble is Defining Modern Luxury Interiors

Marble has long been a symbol of luxury, from Roman baths to Renaissance palazzos, but today’s marble revival feels different. It’s not about cold minimalism or safe choices, but about drama, emotion, and the power of natural materials to tell a story. As curated interiors become more personal, veined marble has emerged as one of design’s most expressive tools.

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Danai Mushayandebvu Danai Mushayandebvu

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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Parris McKenna Parris McKenna

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.

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