While women drive the most influential ideas in architecture and interiors, they are still frequently under-recognized at the highest levels of the industry. This International Women’s Day, the conversation is shifting toward the creative powerhouses who are reclaiming that leadership space. Ahead of Toronto’s Living Luxe Design Show (April 17-19), we are spotlighting three visionary designers—Amanda Aerin, Jane Lockhart and Lori Morris—who are moving beyond the status quo to shape the future of luxury living.
From “no-rules” opulence to the perfect bridge between high-end aesthetics and daily functionality, these leaders are proving that the future of design is feminine, fierce, and incredibly bold. —Noa Nichol
Amanda Aerin
The Mystery Feature: You are tasked with designing the mystery feature area at this year’s show. Without giving too much away, how are you using your signature layering of color and texture to create an immersive experience that feels both fresh yet timeless?
For the Mystery feature, I’m creating an environment that feels layered, intimate, and quietly theatrical. My approach to design has always been about the dialogue between colour, material, and emotion, so this space plays with unexpected combinations—rich tones against soft neutrals, tactile surfaces beside polished finishes. The goal is to create a moment where guests feel transported, where every element feels collected over time rather than staged. It’s immersive but timeless, with a sense of curiosity that invites people to slow down and really experience the space.
The JennAir Collaboration: For the JennAir booth, how do you approach the challenge of making high end kitchen appliances feel like an integrated, imaginative part of an artistic interior rather than just functional tools?
When I work with a brand like JennAir, I see the appliances as sculptural elements within the room rather than simply tools of the kitchen. The design begins with the atmosphere I want to create—almost like setting a scene—and then the appliances become part of that narrative. Through thoughtful placement, custom millwork, and layered materials, they feel integrated into the architecture of the space. The result is a kitchen that feels imaginative and artistic while still celebrating the precision and innovation of the appliances themselves.
Bold Authenticity: You are known for incorporating one of a kind pieces and unexpected details. In an era of fast furniture, how do you advocate for the value of original craftsmanship to your audience?
In a world of fast furniture and mass production, I think people are craving pieces with soul. I’ve always believed that a home should tell a story, and that often comes from working with artisans, vintage finds, and custom pieces that carry a sense of history and craft. I try to show my audience that investing in one beautifully made, meaningful piece can elevate an entire space. Craftsmanship creates depth and individuality—and that’s what ultimately makes interiors feel timeless rather than temporary.
Leadership in Media: As a celebrated television host and lifestyle expert, how has being a public facing woman in design helped you push for better representation of female leaders in the creative industries?
Being a public facing voice in design has given me an opportunity to highlight the incredible work being done by women across the creative industries. I’ve always believed that visibility creates momentum. Through television, collaborations, and the projects I take on, I try to champion female artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs whenever possible. It’s important that the next generation sees women not only participating in design, but leading conversations, shaping culture, and building influential creative businesses.
The Aerin Aesthetic: If you had to pick one unexpected detail you’re bringing to the Living Luxe show that summarizes the Amanda Aerin style, what would it be?
If I had to choose one unexpected detail that represents my style, it would be a moment where art, architecture, and storytelling intersect. At the show, that might appear as a sculptural installation that feels almost like a collected artifact—something that blurs the line between furniture and art. Those layered, slightly whimsical moments are very much part of my design language. They create curiosity, and they remind people that interiors should feel personal, expressive, and a little bit magical.
Jane Lockhart
Our Creative Vision
After three decades in the industry, we saw an opportunity to connect with the design community in a unique way. Our booth will be a culmination of projects from the suppliers who support us regularly. The aesthetic will be “dark and daring,” reflecting the drama and impact of this event.
Functionality in Luxury Design
In luxury design, a space must be functional, not just large and attractive. Clients often get caught up in materials and style, overlooking how they actually use their homes. Regardless of the house’s scale, homeowners perform the same daily routines, such as bringing children home from school. A successful layout must support these functions with practical features like accessible shelving, hooks, and designated storage. Without this utility, luxury loses its value.
Modern Color Theory
Modern luxury palettes now favor rich, deep neutrals that provide a timeless connection between rooms. We are seeing these grounded by accents of chocolate brown, charcoal, plum, and emerald. By blending millwork and casing to the walls behind, we allow solid surfaces like drift-pattern marbles and natural materials to truly stand out. More colour overall has finally impacted the palette again, moving away from the all-white homes of the mid 2000s.
Leadership and Experience
Having been in the industry since the late 1980s, I have witnessed women take on significantly larger leadership roles. As women continue to demonstrate their intelligence and value, they are increasingly sought out for their practical ideas and creative contributions. We continue to prove that being a strong leader simply means being excellent at what you do.
Business Longevity
A design business is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to refine your processes and find the right clients and staff. I encourage younger designers to learn from their peers rather than trying to “reinvent the wheel.” Most veterans, myself included, find great value in sharing our experiences with the next generation. There is a lot to learn and it takes time. Connecting with a mentor can help prevent problems in the future and short cut a lot of hassle for a younger designer.
Lori Morris
The No Rules Philosophy: Your studio is celebrated for an avant garde edge and a no rules philosophy. How does your collaboration with Lancaster at this year’s show embody that rebellious spirit?
We have designed a space that reflects a very recognizable LMD style bar. We created the detailed drawings and conceptual sketches and shared them with Lancaster, who will interpret the vision and bring it into reality. Their craftsmanship will transform the concept into a true piece of functional art.
Through this collaboration, the two companies come together to bring the design to life. We are excited to see how the lacquer, brass, and sparkle of the design evolve into a finished form that captures the spirit of both brands.
Global Luxury: You lead a globally recognized studio known for opulence. How do you ensure that exceptional craftsmanship remains at the forefront of your projects when scaling your vision for international commercial and residential clients?
When we first meet with a client, we present a very visual concept that includes highly realistic drawings so the client can clearly understand the vision. From there, we design the spaces and homes in close collaboration with the client to ensure the project reflects exactly what they want to achieve.
Once the concept is approved, we prepare a very comprehensive and highly detailed drawing package along with precise specifications. We then carefully vet the appropriate trades and fabricators wherever the project is located to make sure they fully understand the end result we are aiming for and what both our expectations and the client’s expectations are. Using the finest materials and skilled craftsmen is essential to achieving the level of quality we are known for.
Our approach is very hands-on throughout the entire process. We review all working drawings, shop drawings, and sample specifications. We approve materials and finishes, visit fabricators when necessary, and review site conditions as the project progresses. We stay closely involved to ensure everything is executed exactly as designed.
We never simply hand over drawings and hope for the best. We remain engaged every step of the way, working in a very concierge style manner to ensure that no matter where in the world the project is being built, the final result reflects the vision we created.
The Art of the Personal: You specialize in transforming highly personalized visions into artful spaces. What is your process for discovering the true essence of a client’s style when they might not even know it themselves?
I think the best way to discover a client’s true style is through a process of elimination. We start by understanding what they do not like, what they do not want, and what kinds of spaces make them feel comfortable or uncomfortable. We talk about the environments that resonate with them, whether it is a hotel they love, a beautiful restaurant, a couture fashion designer, or certain colors and textures that speak to them.
Many clients already know what they like, but when they are not sure, we guide them through that discovery process. It may begin with something simple like color, but it can also move into textures, levels of formality, lifestyle preferences, and the overall feeling they want in their home.
Through that exploration, we gradually narrow things down. Even if a client cannot clearly articulate their preferences at the beginning, we can visually and conceptually eliminate what does not work. By ruling out what they do not want, we eventually arrive at what they truly love and what best represents their style.
Defining the Avant Garde: In 2026, what does it mean to be avant garde in a luxury design market that is constantly being influenced by social media trends?
At the House of LMD, we do not follow trends. We set them. Trends are not really something that applies to what we do because the ideas always come from what is in my head and from the vision the client wants to bring to life. Our role is to take our clients’ dreams and turn them into reality, using our experience, creativity, and originality to shape the design.
It is not something that can always be clearly defined or categorized. What matters is that the work is always moving forward and always thinking ahead. That is simply how I approach design. We create what we feel and what we see, and that naturally results in spaces that are very original and very beautiful.
Our work is always guided by the wishes of our clients, and from there we bring our own creative interpretation to the process and elevate it into something unique.
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