--- title: "A Stroke of Genius — Interior Designers & Decorators | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/a-stroke-of-genius-pfvwus-pf~1737030636 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1737030636.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "A Stroke of Genius" category: ["Interior Designers & Decorators"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e9d32666024cd751_5078-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "586 Pine St, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia V9K 1J1, Canada" latitude: 49.3571 longitude: -124.4038 phone: "(604) 319-4074" website: http://astrokeofgenius.ca rating: 4.9 review_count: 34 best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 54 last_updated: 2026-08-26 --- # A Stroke of Genius Original Houzz profile: [A Stroke of Genius](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/a-stroke-of-genius-pfvwus-pf~1737030636) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Interior Designers & Decorators - **Location:** Qualicum Beach, BC - **Serves:** Bowser, Chartwell, Coombs, Eaglecrest, Errington, Fanny Bay, French Creek, Hilliers, Naniamo, Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Whiskey Creek - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (34 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2016–2021), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - 5 Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - References available - Woman owned - Offers Custom Work 'Creative Vision for your Home....Delivered with Attention to Detail'. A Stroke of Genius is a Full Service Interior Design Company based in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, servicing the Qualicum Beach, Errington, Naniamo, Nanoose Bay and surrounding areas. Under the direction of Barbara Aylesworth, A Stroke of Genius strives to create interior spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Barbara believes that good design is the creation of ‘functional beauty’. The design process is a very personal one and is unique to every project. The key to good design is fulfilling the client's dream. Barbara listens carefully to her clients, interprets their needs and wants, then presents options and creative solutions. Barbara is passionate about Interior Decorating and Design and brings creative vision and attention to detail to every project. A Stroke of Genius was established in 1997 as a vehicle to showcase Barbara's skills as a decorative paint artist. Over the years Barbara has expanded her skills and knowledge in all aspects of home renovation through hands-on experience and attending classes to earn a diploma in Interior Design. She works with a team of highly skilled trades people that execute her vision. Whether you are looking to refresh your space with new paint colours or do a full remodel, A Stroke of Genius is ready to assist you. Services include Colour Consultation, Materials Specifications, Draperies and Window Coverings, Upholstery, Furniture Selections, Space Planning, Bathroom & Kitchen Renovations. Let us help you make your house into the home of your dreams. ### Services Provided - Interior Design - Kitchen Design - Bathroom Design - Living Room Design - Bedroom Design - Color Consulting - Furniture Selection - Kids Bedroom Design - Dining Room Design - Custom Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Custom Built-ins - Design Consultation - Project Management - Entry Design - Custom Bathroom Vanities - Playroom Design - Custom Furniture - Laundry Room Design - Mudroom Design - Nursery Design - Custom Blinds & Shades - Custom Bookcases - Custom Fireplace Mantels - Custom Shelving - Home Staging - Downsizing - Decluttering - Kitchen Remodeling - Bathroom Remodeling - Custom Countertops - Custom Cabinet Doors - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Bowser - Chartwell - Coombs - Eaglecrest - Errington - Fanny Bay - French Creek - Hilliers - Naniamo - Nanoose Bay - Parksville - Qualicum Beach - Whiskey Creek ### Typical Job Cost CAD 75,000 - CAD 500,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | A Stroke of Genius | | Address | 586 Pine St, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia V9K 1J1, Canada | | Phone | (604) 319-4074 | | Website | http://astrokeofgenius.ca | | Followers on Houzz | 54 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Interiordesignnorthvancouver/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-aylesworth-963a2458 - Blog — http://astrokeofgenius.ca/blog/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [A Stroke of Genius](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/a-stroke-of-genius-pfvwus-pf~1737030636) - **Website:** http://astrokeofgenius.ca - **Phone:** (604) 319-4074 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - \* Best of Houzz Service 2019 - \* Best of Houzz Service 2018 - \* Best of Houzz Service 2017 - \* Best of Houzz Service 2016 - • Interior Designer 2011 PNE Prize Home - \* Interior Design Coordination 2010 PNE Prize Home - \* Interior Design Coordination 2009 PNE Prize Home - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2016–2021), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 34 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — HU-88092104, March 2020** > Two years ago Feb. we had a flood in the lower floor of our home , and needed some renovating which included our master bedroom. Barb Aylesworth of > A STROKE OF GENIUS did an outstanding job organizing the repairs and changes . We decided at that point to renovate our entire house . Barb is an extremely talented designer whose expertise was well appreciated. She > presented us with plans and ideas and worked very hard to produce what we desired, which > she succeeded in doing . Barb is a very friendly, professional , honest, and reliable person, and one who definitely listens to and works closely with her clients . She > was in regular, constant contact with us > throughout the two years . She has excellent trades people, whose talents created the beautiful home we now love and enjoy. > We would highly recommend Barb and > A Stroke of Genius at any time , as her talented work in all areas is definitely first class . **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for your kind words and wonderful review. What a journey this has been! From the moment we started this renovation, with the selection of the carpeting in the master bedroom, right through to the completion of the upper deck, it has truly been my pleasure working with you both. Enjoy your new home! **★★★★★ — Chrys McQuarrie, Dec. 2019** > A stoke of genius redecorated my bedroom and then made suggestions for my living room,all of them lovely so I now have almost a new condo.. And they all were within my budget. I highly recommend her. It was a pleasure. Chrys **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you your kind words Chrys. It was truly my pleasure assisting you with the updates to your home. I am sure will enjoy the additions for many years to come. **★★★★★ — Val Ross, Nov. 2019** > I have used Barb as a design consultant for at least 5 or 6 jobs. She has exceeded my expectations! She has a knack for picking colours and designs that are on the forefront of the trends of the day instead of trends that are on the way out. Her colours and ideas always look great and are in style for years. On numerous occasions neighbours and friends have copied her colours so much so that in one house we had the next door neighbour picked the exact same exterior colour! The last time she came and helped with design ideas I still had her hand written notes from the previous job. So much do I value her advice that I keep her notes for years in my drawer! One last thing I appreciate about Barb and her team is that they are very humble. She I'm sure has many high end clients but not everyone can change all the furniture, appliances, features, etc. on every remodel. Barb works with the furniture, features, etc. that we have and tries to keep the job as cost efficient as she can. Whenever we have a remodel coming up the cost of Barb and her design advice is a non negotiable. **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for your kind words Val. I can't believe it has been over 15 years since our first meeting and consultation. Your enthusiasm for home remodeling is inspiring. I am so happy to have had the opportunity of working with you on your many projects. Can't wait to help you on the next one! **★★★★★ — S G, Oct. 2019** > Barb has been amazing to work with. I am a first time homeowner and I was overwhelmed with decoration and design choices available. Barb made the process very easy and enjoyable. She managed to optimize my small space with spacious storage while it looks good as well. I am very happy with the end results. Thank you Barb! **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for your kind words Sadaf. > It was truly a pleasure working with you. I am so happy I was able to be a part of the creation of your first home. Your condo is beautiful and the location is perfect. > Wishing you all the best in your new home. **★★★★★ — Tania & Garry Nash, Sept. 2019** > We decided to use Barb Aylesworth of A Stroke of Genius to oversee our kitchen and family room which were in bad need of an update. She had a vision for these areas once she talked through our likes and dislikes and looking over our whole home. She brought many ideas to the table bearing in mind the flow to the rest of the house. Her attention to even the smallest detail show beautifully in the end result. Barb is very organized, relatable, professional, knowledgeable about design, good listener and was always on time. She took all the stress out of many decisions by developing realistic options that suited our style including furnishings and home accents. We are so glad we trusted Barb's overall design. We could not be happier with the end result. **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful review. I am so happy you called me to assist you in updating your kitchen and family room. The space is so light and bright now. And that view.....it all ties in so beautifully now. > It truly was my pleasure working with you both. **★★★★★ — Clare A, March 2019** > I can not say enough great things about our project with A Stroke of Genius and our experience with Barbara. Her professionalism, knowledge and attention to detail are of the highest quality. Every detail of the entire project was managed and executed seamlessly and our expectations were exceeded throughout the course of the renovation and installation. Barbara was able to interpret our vision and transform our home in a way we could have never imagined. We would absolutely recommend hiring her services for any type of design project. It was such a pleasure to work with her. **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for the fabulous review! It was truly my pleasure working with both you and Scott throughout the renovation process to create new spaces and furnish the rooms in your new home. > I am sure you will enjoy many, many years in your lovely home creating beautiful memories. **★★★★★ — Micki (Maxine) Partridge, July 2018** > We would be very please to recommend Barb ....she did an excellent job for us on updating our very old kitchen/family room. It was a tricky job because we weren't changing appliances, cabinets or the tile floor, but she made wonderful suggestions regarding upholstering, window treatments, our new counter and backsplash, and also a fireplace and shelving unit that needed a lot of help. She is wonderful to work with, very personable, and has a great team of tradespeople who always arrived when they said they would....so planning our lives over the 2 months it took was quite easy. Thanks , Barb **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Hi Micki, > Thank you for your wonderful review. > You have such a beautiful home and it was truly my pleasure assisting you in updating the kitchen and family room. The changes we made both brightened up the space and created a more cohesive flow with the rest of your home. > I am sure you will enjoy these updates and new additions for many years to come. **★★★★★ — Roberta Staley, April 2018** > Barb Aylesworth of A Stroke of Genius was hired in 2017 to undertake the interior design of the Oakmont building in Vancouver. At 25 years old, the common areas within Oakmont, a three-storey condo/apartment building, were shabby, poorly lit and uninviting. Barb came up with a renovation concept and collaborated extensively with the strata council and property manager on three individual design schemes. She met numerous times over a period of several months with the strata, explaining how the colours and designs fit together and working out a renovation plan that would meet Oakmont's tight budget. > Barb had various experts, such as electricians and tile layers, come out several times to ensure that the work could be done within an allotted time frame. She went to great lengths to source materials that would honour the design scheme as well as the budget and, when renovations began, was at the building almost every day to oversee the work. > Barb was flexible with the design and when the strata requested changes, such as the creation of a new closet in one area of the building, or the addition of new shelves in another area, the changes were done quickly and within budget. The quality of the materials used was excellent and the workmen she hired to undertake the work polite, efficient and proficient. As a result of Barb’s imaginative, modern, elegant and sophisticated interior design, there has been a significant increase in the value of the building, giving each condo owner a remarkable ROI. > In summary, I cannot recommend Barb highly enough. **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you Roberta. It was a very fun project. I really enjoyed working with you to transform the lobby and common areas in your building that more reflect the beautiful neighbourhood and community you live in. I am sure the residents of your building will enjoy the upgrades for many years to come. **★★★★★ — Nelson Quiroga, April 2018** > Barbara put together a fabulous selection of colours and materials for an upgrade to the common area of an older apartment building that included a re-fresh of the elevator cab. Her skill at pulling it all together was a demonstration of her extensive experience and the end result was simply amazing. A real pleasure to work with. **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for your kind comments, Nelson. > Oh, if those elevator walls could talk, they would probably thank us both for the new set of clothes!! Before the reno, this was a dark, drab elevator cab. The new vinyl wallcovering was the perfect solution to transforming this space on a budget. The vast selection of wall covering materials you offer made the choices easy. It was a pleasure working with you as well, and I look forward to working with you again on many more projects. **★★★★★ — Diana Tchakalian, Dec. 2017** > My master bathroom renovation went smoothly because i had the foresight to hire Barbara Aylesworth to be in charge of it. She is an artist, a perfectionist as well as a true professional. > She listens to the client and makes recommendations based on the client's preferences. I love the colour scheme and simplicity of the bathroom. Barbara is experienced in all aspects of design and has a group of professionals that she calls upon to produce the desired outcome, from custom made cabinets to glazing an oversized bathtub. Her artistry really came to light when she decided to finish the walls in Italian plaster (that she did herself). **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for your kind and generous review Diana. I am so happy you contacted me to help you with the renovation of your bathroom. And what a beautiful room it turned out to be! So clean and bright now. I am sure you will enjoy it for many years to come. > The Italian plaster finish applied to the walls looks like 'Moon Stone'. I think it was the perfect compliment to the feature wall and quartz countertop. **★★★★★ — John Macmillan, Dec. 2017** > Wow! We're so glad we found Barb to help us with our Kitchen upgrades, lighting, and conversion of one spare room into a well designed office space. She was meticulous and worked well with us to provide guidance and insight into counter top & fixture selection, colors, and proper design of our new office. She was always available to respond to our questions, stayed on budget, selected trades people that knew what they were doing, and completed the job in a timely fashion. Our High recommendation to Barb. **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > Thank you for the wonderful review. It was my pleasure working with you to put the finishing touches to your home. I am so happy you are pleased with the changes that we made. The new office design and colour scheme flow seamlessly with the rest of your beautiful home. Thank you for inviting me to assist you. **★★★★★ — Judith Barran, Sept. 2017** > Barb has recently completed an entire renovation of our home's interior. She had worked with us 13 years ago, and we are so grateful to have found her again! > Barb is very professional and detail oriented, very meticulous. Completing our bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room while we lived in our home took great skill in her juggling the schedules of her excellent subcontractors making the process almost stress free for us. All lighting, cabinetry, flooring, carpeting, painting and appliances were dealt with. She was able to guide us through the multitude of decisions that would have otherwise overwhelmed us. She was able to envision both pragmatic and attractive solutions, at times successfully pushing us out of our comfort zones. We particularly appreciated her own touch with paint finishes and would recommend her very highly **Comment from A Stroke of Genius:** > It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to work with you again. Thank you for your trust and confidence that the materials and finishes I suggested would work. Your home is now bright, open and airy. I am so happy and proud of the results. I look forward to working on other areas of your home. ## Selected projects - [Mixing Old and New](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mixing-old-and-new-pj-vj~7441152) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: This home is a perfect example of old meets new. Mixing vintage, antique and heirloom pieces with new can create a beautiful, harmonious home if styled correctly. This couple wanted to create a neutral backdrop for their antique furniture and vintage collections. - [Clean & Simple](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/clean-and-simple-pj-vj~7041805) - Location: Port Moody, BC - Photos: 13 - Description: This project was very satisfying to say the least! Many small tweaks make very big changes. The homeowners wanted to update their newly purchased townhome. Measuring at just over 1400 sq ft over 3 floors, it was important to make the best use of every square inch of the long, narrow floor plan. The first item on the list was to create a welcoming entry by replacing an interior door that swung into the narrow 3'x6' entry hall with a large sliding barn door. Up on the next level we built bench sea… - [Open Concept Family Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/open-concept-family-home-pj-vj~6438246) - Location: White Rock, BC - Photos: 12 - Description: How do you transform a cramped 1960 era split level entry home into an open concept, welcoming space? Here’s how! Before we began this remodel, the kitchen sat at the back of the house, closed off from the rest of the home. The split level entry was cramped and lacked a coat closet. The landing was so narrow that when the homeowners opened the front door to receive guests, they had to stand on the first step leading up to the main floor. The solution was to bump out the entrance by 5’, giving us… - [Light & Polished](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/light-and-polished-pj-vj~6749601) - Location: Vancouver, BC - Photos: 28 - Description: The renovation of this 3 bedroom, one & one-half bath family home is all about the small details and clever storage solutions that make a big difference in the overall functionality of each room. The original main floor was awkward and cramped with the fireplace sitting on an inside wall, dividing the living room and kitchen. This created a long, narrow kitchen that was like a bowling alley, difficult to move around in with storage space very limited. So, we began the project by removing and rel… - [Entertainer's Dream](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/entertainer-s-dream-pj-vj~5958775) - Location: Coquitlam, BC - Photos: 35 - Description: Grand Slam Reno. This family home was originally built in the early 1970's. As was the custom of the day, the main floor consisted of many rooms, all walled off from one another. The client wanted an open concept in the main living areas of the home, that allowed easy access to the expansive 15' x 25' deck off the kitchen. To achieve this goal, all the walls separating the living room, dining room and kitchen were removed. Large sliders were added to allow ease of movement from the main floor to… - [Traditional Twist](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-twist-pj-vj~5826162) - Location: North Vancouver, BC - Photos: 27 - Description: This beautiful family home was in much need of an update. By adding a traditional moulding and trim package, including wainscott in the stairwell, painting the oak handrail, spindles and treads we created a grand entrance to this once dark and dreary home. A warm grey tone, white oak hardwood was installed throughout the main floor, creating a cohesive flow to all the rooms. A light colour pallete was used in all the spaces to give this family home a clean, bright, fresh aesthetic. - [Eclectic Styling](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eclectic-styling-pj-vj~5896773) - Location: West Vancouver, BC - Photos: 22 - Description: This project has been an ongoing labour of love since 2015. The client first contacted me to assist her in updating her family room, living room and dining room sofas and chairs with washable slip covers. From there we have touched on every aspect of these rooms. Over the past few years we have added a series of updates that include custom built-ins in the family room, refaced both fireplaces, refinished furniture, reupholstered the chair and ottoman in the living room with a gorgeous mauve velv… - [Updated Classic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/updated-classic-pj-vj~5896785) - Location: Tsawwassen, BC - Photos: 21 - Description: A beautiful home with magnificent views. The home owners contacted me through Houzz to assist them in updating their kitchen and family room. Prior to the updates we made, the rooms were painted a dark green and the windows were covered in heavy drapery. We brightened everything up with a lighter, more neutral colour scheme, from paint colours to fabrics, countertop and backsplash tile. To give the family room a 'lift', we added trim above the windows to create a faux transom, so the drapery cou… - [Custom Cushions](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-cushions-pj-vj~7449876) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/a-stroke-of-genius-pfvwus-pf~1737030636) ## Ideabooks - [Powder Room](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57293555/list/powder-room) — 36 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/taiaeden) ## Community Q&A **Q: front door color?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the color of front door? A: Benjamin Moore HC163 Duxbury Gray **Q: What is on the shower walls beside the mosaic tile detail** *(in Photo Questions)* Thank you for such a classy understated design. A: Hi Diane, We used 12"x24" white porcelain tiles layed vertically. This made the ceilings feel higher and was the perfect background for the mosaic feature. **Q: hello, can you give the name of the vanity manufacturer please?** *(in Photo Questions)* Thank you Linda A: Hi Linda, This cabinet was custom made for this project. **Q: what paint color** *(in Photo Questions)* can you tell me the paint color on the walls please? love this room! A: Hi, Thank you for your inquiry. The paint colour on the walls is OC15 Baby Fawn, the bookshelves are CC40 Cloud White. These are Benjamin Moore colours. **Q: Could you tell us the name of the paint color on the walls?** *(in Photo Questions)* Very pretty. A: Benjamin Moore 'Muslin' **Q: wall paint color?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the wall color? A: HC173 Edgecomb Gray by Benjamin Moore. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-26.*