Decorating & Design
December 11, 2023
The Designers & Architects To Watch In 2024
From the designers to the architects to all the creatives, here are the talents we’re celebrating this year!
The Designers: Brianna Hughes, Edmonton
Brianna Hughes started her career as a photographer but, after 15 years in the field, she decided to try something new. After meeting designer Shannon McClelland on a photo shoot, they started working together and launched Ministry of Interiors. Today, Brianna heads up her own firm, Brianna Hughes Interiors, and is putting the river city town of Edmonton on the map.
Why Now: Brianna’s bold, immersive rooms complete with luxe, edgy finishes and moody hues have struck a chord in the design world. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
Brianna delivers drama in this moody dining room drenched in black paint.
Textured walls and fabrics bring nuance to a neutral room.
The Designers: Sarah Birnie, Toronto
Sarah’s meteoric rise in the design world came when she hit the perfect note at a Toronto home belonging to the couple behind the wildly successful Mejuri jewelry brand. The designer’s beautiful interiors, curated with an expert eye and meticulous detail, caught the attention of editors worldwide.
Why Now: Since then, Sarah has delivered one sophisticated interior design after another, with recent appearances in House Beautiful and Vogue Arabia. Her cool yet chic, polished yet comfortable aesthetic is right on trend.
Warm wood cabinets and veined marble are a stunning backdrop for the oversized pendant and kinetic stools.
In this home belonging to the couple behind Mejuri, a busy gallery wall is balanced by a strict black and white color palette.
A curved banquette is chic yet comfortable.
The Architects: Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, Toronto
Talented duo Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe are admired for such architectural gems as Integral House and Laneway House. They were recipients of the Gold Medal from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 2021 and have been honored with 16 Governor General’s awards and medals.
Why Now: Shim-Sutcliffe designed Canada’s first Ace Hotel in Toronto, which opened in 2022. The project was seven years in the making, and has brought the firm’s fine craftsmanship to a wider audience.
The use of Don Valley Pressed Brick Works bricks on the façade pays tribute to Toronto’s architectural history.
The lobby of Ace Hotel Toronto is suspended from trapezoidal arches.
This hotel suite features a window bench with views of the city.