From Vancouver To The Kawarthas: Taylor Reiko’s Bringing “People-First” Design To TV

As the high-stakes world of lakeside luxury returns to the screen, Vancouver’s own Taylor Reiko is stepping into the spotlight as a featured contestant on Season 3 of Home Network’s hit competition series, Renovation Resort. Premiering April 5, the show follows four elite North American teams—led by industry titans Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler—as they battle to transform a neglected property into a $100,000 vacation destination. For Taylor, a residential and commercial designer with a background in sociology, the challenge is about more than just aesthetics; it is a showcase of her unique “people-first” philosophy and the refined Japanese heritage principles she weaves into every functional, expressive space she creates. We sat down with the local talent to discuss the intensity of the Kawarthas competition, the pressure of a national stage, and how she delivers a polished, deeply thoughtful design experience even when the clock is ticking. —Noa Nichol

The Vancouver Perspective: As a designer based in Vancouver, you’re used to a specific West Coast aesthetic. How did you adapt your style to the lakeside, cottage-country landscape of the Kawarthas for Renovation Resort? 

As a designer, I always look to nature first, no matter where I’m working. I spent a lot of time in Whistler growing up, so drawing on that connection to the outdoors and translating it into a lakeside setting felt very natural to me. I’ve always believed people gravitate toward nature because, biologically, it’s where we come from. Bringing those natural elements indoors, pulling from the textures, tones, and calmness right outside the window, is the anchor in all of my projects. It definitely helped me this season! 

The Sociological Edge: You have a background in sociology. How does understanding human behavior and social structures help you design a vacation property that needs to work for a wide variety of different families and personalities? 

I’ve always said sociology is a major everyone could benefit from. It’s essentially the science of people, how we behave, what makes us comfortable, what brings us together. Understanding that at our core we all want to feel connected has shaped the way I design any space. It helped me approach the vacation property with inclusivity in mind, knowing that different families and personalities would be coming through. When I go to a rental, I just want to relax and enjoy the people I’m with, and I think interiors should support that. That mindset guided me as I designed a space I hope others feel naturally drawn to.

Pulling Inspiration: Did you pull inspiration from anything close to you like family, travel or culture?

I think that’s what makes design feel personal, you know? We connect to things from people’s experiences. For me, I shared something that’s really important to me, and while the design isn’t for me, I do believe every project needs little pieces of humanity woven in for people to connect with it. I wanted to tell a story I felt ready to share with the world, and I had the time of my life putting it together. I hope that when people experience the space, they can feel those moments too.

The “Scott & Bryan” Factor: Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler are titans of the industry. What was the most challenging piece of feedback they gave you, and how did it change your approach to the renovation? 

Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler are the kind of people where, when they speak, you really listen. I’m grateful to have had the chance to learn from them throughout the season. The biggest takeaway from both of them that I found challenging at times was the simple phrase: make it happen. No matter the challenge, big or small, you find a way. That mindset completely shifted how I approached the renovation, and I’m proud of how often I pushed through moments that felt impossible.

Residential vs. Commercial: You work across both sectors. What “commercial-grade” trick or material did you bring into this lakeside residential project to ensure it could handle the wear and tear of a rental property? 

While I’m not able to share specifics from the project just yet, I can speak to the principles I rely on when designing for high-traffic rental properties. In my commercial work, I always prioritize materials that can truly handle wear and tear—especially flooring. A good quality vinyl or laminate that stands up to moisture, pets, and abrasion goes a long way. Simple, durable choices like that can extend the life of a space without sacrificing style, so for anyone looking to make updates, I always encourage them to start there.

The $100,000 Pressure Cooker: Competing for a massive grand prize is worlds away from a standard client project. How did you maintain your “people-first” philosophy when the clock was ticking and the stakes were so high? 

When you’re in the experience, you’re so immersed in the work and the task you have for that week that the prize money barely crosses your mind. I approached the competition knowing it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and my focus was on being myself and having fun while sharing a design perspective I hoped people would connect with. Design has never been about the designer, it’s always about the people who will experience the space after us. And because this was a rental property, I actually felt more freedom to have fun with it, knowing that many guests will get to enjoy it long after me. That kept me grounded through the highs and lows for sure.

Personalization on a National Scale: Your brand is known for “highly personalized” design. How do you make a space feel “deeply thoughtful” when you’re designing for a hypothetical future guest rather than a specific individual you’ve interviewed? 

My sociology background played a huge role here. Understanding how people naturally interact with spaces helped me make thoughtful decisions even without a specific client in mind. For me, creating a “deeply thoughtful” space for anyone comes down to intentional placement of textures, moments of visual interest, and elements that resonate universally. Everyone loves to feel surprised or seen by a design detail, and creating those moments for a future guest was definitely both the biggest challenge and the biggest reward, especially at the end to see it all come together.

Overcoming the “Neglected” State: Renovation Resort features long-neglected properties. What was the biggest “hidden” hurdle you encountered with the lakeside site that didn’t make it into the design plan? 

Honestly, the biggest hidden hurdle wasn’t the property itself … it was literally what goes on in my head. As a designer, your brain never shuts off. You’re constantly reworking ideas, imagining alternatives, and trying to perfect every detail. The hardest part is knowing when to stop, to trust your instincts, and to let the design breathe. Not to mention, I’m competing against some of the most talented design-and-build duos I’ve ever seen. There are definitely moments that feel intimidating, but I try to stay grounded in what I know and trust my own ability. In the end, managing my own thoughts, staying focused, and staying true to myself was the real challenge, and also the most growth-filled part of the experience.

The Collaborative Dynamic: This season follows four elite teams. Without giving too much away, what was the dynamic like between the teams? Did you find yourself inspired by your competitors’ different North American styles? 

Renovation Resort is so special because it spotlights such a diverse group of designers and builders every season. Working alongside people with different experiences and styles was one of the most profound parts of this journey for me. We all love a little friendly competition so I’m very excited for everyone to tune in this season but I’m just so happy to have come out of this experience with some amazing friendships. 

The Post-Show Reset: Now that you’re back in Vancouver, how has the experience of a high-intensity national competition influenced the way you’re approaching your local residential projects for 2026? 

Coming back home, it’s really changed how I tackle projects. As a designer, I’ve always known composure is key, but working on Renovation Resort under that kind of pressure really strengthened a muscle I didn’t know I had. Composure and clear communication are what matters the most in anything in this industry. I’m so proud of what I’ve been able to create, and I’m thrilled for the day I can share it with the world. Definitely feeling very excited to bring that energy into new projects in 2026. I don’t know exactly what’s ahead, but the best is definitely yet to come.