I began my design career as a nursing student. Sounds odd, I know, and I wasn’t aware of it at the time. Turns out nursing was NOT my calling. Sure, I wanted to help people, I wanted to fix problems and improve lives BUT watching people suffer and endure pain or discomfort…THAT I could not handle. Holding the same values, I transitioned into Sociology and set my sights on the field of Social Work. I loved learning about social interactions and relationships and gained many insights into the nuances of life, behaviors and cultures. I would later come to value those skills and insights as an interior designer facing complex projects and unique, dynamic personalities.

“Turns out nursing was NOT my calling.”

My introduction into design and construction started at an early age when I would watch my dad take on DIY projects around our home. I was his apprentice, handing him tools as needed (think OR nurse handing instruments to the surgeon). He would build intricate coffee tables with turned legs, storage, carved mouldings and gift them to family members. He even built our first two homes himself, learning new skills along the way including building the trusses himself! Years later, I found my love for construction and design reignited when my husband and I built our first family home. Shortly after, I enrolled in design classes to deep dive into the world of interior design. It came as no surprise that the job site and construction process (with its thousands of details) felt very natural to me. It was not enough to sketch or draft a beautiful powder room vanity. I would imagine the process of it being constructed, curious about how all the pieces will fit together to make the whole.

I started off doing freelance work for a local designer. As a mother of 2 young boys (soon to be 3), I quickly decided that working for myself would allow me the freedom to do design work and be available to my young family. I was fortunate to have aligned with several local developers to collaborate on their full-scale design projects. I immediately went to work on full-scale luxury builds and renovations… from concept development, adding function to poorly laid out floor plans, selecting hundreds of finishes… to fully furnishing and accessorizing. Each project was thoughtfully elevated to its fullest potential. My most successful projects always involve clients who fully trust my expertise and vision for their space combined with a collaborative team of trades who go above and beyond. This is truly the winning recipe that helps me create spaces that are beyond my client’s expectations. Spaces that they feel connected to, where they live better lives.

“My most successful projects always involve clients who fully trust my expertise and vision for their space combined with a collaborative team of trades who go above and beyond.”

I began my Company as “Paulie Dhillon Design.” I soon changed the name to “Design Therapy” to fully convey what I sought to do for my clients… create beautiful homes where they feel secure, restored, connected to their surroundings and confident about themselves and their lives. I believe our surroundings are instrumental to our feeling of wellness. We spend so much of our lives in our homes, I find joy in having a personal hand in curating the space in which my clients spend their most valuable time… and with the people that matter most,

The process of designing client-centered spaces isn’t straightforward work. It’s not supposed to be. It’s a process of asking questions, listening for answers, uncovering truths and surpassing expectations. Some clients aren’t sure where or how to begin their project. Others have many ideas of what they like but struggle with how to pull it all together. Often, clients aren’t sure of costs and are unable to accurately budget their project. Most of my clients simply do not have the time in their busy lives to oversee the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of details and decisions required to run a project smoothly, on time and on budget.

“The process of designing client-centered spaces isn’t straightforward work. It’s not supposed to be. It’s a process of asking questions, listening for answers, uncovering truths and surpassing expectations.”

This is where I come in. I help you define you vision for your space. I uncomplicate the process by streamlining the details with a process that works every time. Most importantly, I ensure that your lifestyle and your home are a perfect pairing. You have so many responsibilities in your life, your new home will be the beautiful backdrop to living your BEST life.

Turns out, nursing may not have been my calling but Design Therapy was!

My Journey into Design