As a full-time teacher with a background in fine arts and psychology , Jillian Straky took interior design classes at night for her own interest . In 2004 , her design work was featured in 3 different houses during the local Parade Of Homes Tour , and the following week , her phone began ringing with new clients and projects ! Housewears was born and Jillian has been designing ever since ! Housewears recently won the # BestofYQG award in their area for the second year and Jillian ’ s work has been featured in many magazines and online , including Canadian Home Trends where she recently joined the editorial team as a Design Editor ! Her inspiration comes from everything she sees in nature , at home , in books and even in fashion . Her main focus is trying to understand the customer , the customer ’ s needs , and coming up with beautiful designs that will work best for them . Jillian ’ s biggest tip to anyone is to invest in a good , durable sofa that won ’ t get uncomfortable quickly .
CANADIAN HOME TRENDS - If you could have lunch with any one person in the world , who would you pick and why ?
JILLIAN STRAKY I cannot pick one ! I would like to have lunch with a very talented designer like Kelly Hoppen , Thomas Pheasant or Kelly Wearstler , so I can listen to their pearls of wisdom and understand their process of designing a space .
CHT If you could go back 20 years , what advice would you give your younger self ?
JS I would have told myself to take more risks in business . I have always been safe and steady !
CHT Name one thing on your bucket list .
JS To attend Fashion Week somewhere in Europe , so I can be inspired by the fashion , venue and attendees !
CHT What is your favorite room in your house ?
JS Right now it ’ s my master bedroom as it ’ s newly renovated with all the things I love . I ’ m a “ but first , coffee ” kind of person so I put a pretty little coffee bar in the space so I ’ m only a few steps away from my morning cup !
- HOUSEWEARS , www . housewears . ca