--- title: "Affecting Spaces Design Studio — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/affecting-spaces-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~310620242 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~310620242.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Affecting Spaces Design Studio" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/14231fce0033c6bd_7616-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Toronto, Ontario m6h 2x7, Canada" phone: "(647) 889-9431" website: http://www.affectingspaces.com rating: 5 review_count: 40 best_of_houzz_awards: 18 followers: 784 last_updated: 2026-08-17 --- # Affecting Spaces Design Studio Original Houzz profile: [Affecting Spaces Design Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/affecting-spaces-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~310620242) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Toronto, ON - **Serves:** Clarks Corners, Davisville Village, Distillery District, Don Mills, Downsview, East Bayfront, Etobicoke, Forest Hill, Harbourfront, Hillcrest, Humber Valley Village, Lawrence Park, Leaside, Little India, Little Italy, Main Square, Malton, Mirvish Village, Mississauga, Moore Park, North York, Old Mill, Pape Village, Parkdale, Parkway East, Port Credit, Port Lands, Princess Anne Manor, Regent Park, Rexdale, Roncesvalles, Scarborough, Scarborough Bluffs Park, Scarborough Station, Seaton Village, South Hill, Summerhill, Thorncrest Village, Thornhill, Toronto, Woburn, Woodbine Corridor - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (40 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2013–2023), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Award winning - 18 years in business Welcome to Affecting Spaces Design Studio, your premier destination for cutting-edge interior designs and architectural solutions. We're a passionate crew of seasoned designers and creative visionaries deeply rooted in the thriving communities of Toronto and Halifax. Since 2006, we've had the privilege of crafting a diverse range of spaces, from intimate powder rooms to complete homes. Our mission is crystal clear: we redefine ordinary spaces, delivering sophisticated, exceptionally functional designs. We believe your home is more than just bricks and mortar; it's your sanctuary, the canvas of your life's extraordinary narrative, and investing in a meticulously designed home isn't just a financial decision; it's an investment in your future, one you'll cherish every day, for years to come. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Home Restoration - Structural Engineering - Basement Remodeling - Mudroom Design - Attic Conversion - Basement Design - Tiny House Construction - Staircase Design - Deck Design - Laundry Room Design - Home Gym Design & Construction - Rooftop Deck Installation - 3D Home Design - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Clarks Corners - Davisville Village - Distillery District - Don Mills - Downsview - East Bayfront - Etobicoke - Forest Hill - Harbourfront - Hillcrest - Humber Valley Village - Lawrence Park - Leaside - Little India - Little Italy - Main Square - Malton - Mirvish Village - Mississauga - Moore Park - North York - Old Mill - Pape Village - Parkdale - Parkway East - Port Credit - Port Lands - Princess Anne Manor - Regent Park - Rexdale - Roncesvalles - Scarborough - Scarborough Bluffs Park - Scarborough Station - Seaton Village - South Hill - Summerhill - Thorncrest Village - Thornhill - Toronto - Woburn - Woodbine Corridor ### Typical Job Cost CAD $50,000 - $3000000 We offer a wide range of services for any type of construction project. Reach out to us to get an idea of how we work. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Affecting Spaces Design Studio | | Address | Toronto, Ontario m6h 2x7, Canada | | Phone | (647) 889-9431 | | Website | http://www.affectingspaces.com | | Followers on Houzz | 784 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/pages/Affecting-Spaces/252553034924972 ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Affecting Spaces Design Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/affecting-spaces-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~310620242) - **Website:** http://www.affectingspaces.com - **Phone:** (647) 889-9431 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 18 awards (2013–2023), for Service, Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 40 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Tara Marshall, Sept. 2022** > I loved working with Affecting Spaces. Gillian and Michelle listened to me and provided excellent design solutions in the complete renovation of my house. We are so happy with the results. I highly recommend them. **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Thank you Tara for the awesome review. It's been an absolute pleasure working with you over the years! Your keen sense of style adds an extra dimension to the final product that is totally unique and absolutely stunning. Can't wait to get back into your house! **★★★★★ — Regina Ko, May 2021** > We are so grateful to the team at Affecting Spaces for transforming our home into our forever home. Gillian, Michelle and Bill were amazing to work with throughout our home renovation. Gillian listened to what we wanted and we were absolutely floored with her design presentation. We could not have envisioned what she did for our space and she has made our home more functional for us. We absolutely LOVE our forever home and would not hesitate to recommend the team at Affecting Spaces to our friends who need a designer. Thank you Affecting Spaces! **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Thank you so much for the lovely review Regina! Your home looks absolutely stunning thanks to your very clear direction. You're such a lovely and positive person. I hope that your home brings joy to you and your family for many years to come. **★★★★★ — muleissa, May 2021** > We worked with Affecting Spaces to do a full condominium renovation, in a heritage building which is unique, but comes with challenges (e.g. strange footprint). Further complicating matters, we did the planning and renovation during the Covid pandemic, which meant mainly working remotely on the design. > > The Affecting Spaces team listened to our wish list and was able to reimagine the space in a way that we were not able to articulate. The design process itself was easy and incredibly professional: the overall design was comprehensive and detail oriented, options were presented clearly and the few times there was a construction challenge, the Affecting Spaces team worked with the contractor to develop viable options and recommendations. > > There were no surprises in terms of design budget and the process was explained very clearly at the outset. The Affecting Spaces team helped us receive bids from reputable construction companies and also worked to help us gauge/understand where we SHOULD spend our money versus where we shouldn’t. > > What I was not expecting in the process was that the Affecting Spaces worked so closely with the construction company. Each detail was meticulously overseen and the construction team knew when, exactly, they needed to get Affecting Spaces to weigh in on something (eg the height to hang a coatrack!) > > We couldn’t be more pleased and would work with this company again in a heartbeat. **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Thank you so much for the fantastic review! You guys were dream clients. So lovely and easy to work with. Because you guys were incredibly understanding and able to articulate what you wanted in your new space, your job ran super smoothly, despite what was going on in the world. Enjoy your new home. You guys deserve it! **★★★★★ — Michelle Bar-Haim, March 2020** > From start to finish, Gillian and her team were absolutely amazing to work with during our recently completed rebuild project. After taking the time to understand the style we wished for our house, they came up with conceptual designs for the entire house that were nearly exactly what we wanted, on the first try! The drawings they provide are amazing, and allow you to really understand what the future house will look like. Throughout the project, they were incredibly organized, detail oriented, and communicated very well. They were able to work very well with our builder and architect, despite having no previous relationship with them, and they really helped to keep everyone on track and organized. Throughout the project, we had many trades in the house commenting on the amazing design Gillian and her team had come up with. As with any building project, issues arise from time to time, and whenever an issue was tied to Gillian and her team, they always took ownership and worked hard to come up with the best solution - which earned them a ton of respect from us. The level of time and attention they devoted to our project made it feel like we were their only client, despite being incredibly busy with a dozen other ongoing projects. Lastly, their pricing was very competitive and they were quite mindful of our own building budget when coming up with the design for the house. I would highly recommend using Gillian and her team for any building/reno project, small or large! **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Michelle, you and Tamir were the perfect clients. It was our absolute pleasure to do anything we possibly could have to make your home perfect for you and your family. You were both incredibly patient, understanding and gracious through the entire process. We all feel extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you guys on your beautiful project. **★★★★★ — Karen Benner, Oct. 2019** > Gillian and the Affecting Spaces team were amazing from beginning to end. They really "got" us and nailed the design plan. Not only does our new space solve our issues, it's also beautiful and functional and a pleasure to be in. The team was super supportive throughout the process, answering our million questions. They even supported us in finding the right pros to help with finishing touches (like blinds and cushions) when the job was complete. I would highly recommend them! **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Karen and Leif, > Thank you so much for such a lovely review. It was wonderful to work with you both on your job. You guys really brought a creative element to the job that allowed it to turn out incredibly unique and beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing the transformation to the front of your house as well! **★★★★★ — Jacqui Holiff, July 2019** > We can't say enough about Affecting Spaces! Gillian and her staff (Michelle and Bill) are very professional, knowledgeable, and skilled!! We were working on a budget and they stretched our money so far using the computer program that Gillian developed. They were very accessible and went above and beyond in helping us design a space we would love. We just moved into our house and it looks even better than we thought it would! Affecting Spaces gets our highest recommendation :) **★★★★★ — Elizabeth Lynett, June 2019** > We are just coming to the end of our second and third floor renovation including new bathroom, living area and updated bedrooms. Working with Gillian and her team has been, without a doubt, the best decision we made. From our first contact with Gillian to the final phases of furniture choices, window coverings, carpets etc Gillian has been wonderful to work with. Not only did she advise us about what we should do, she steered us away from ill advised choices. She is exacting in her attention to detail. She has transformed our old High Park/Roncesvalles house into a beautiful as well as practical living space. Her choices of design, colour palette, materials, fixtures, all transform this space from what was a busy home (where we raised three kids) to a peaceful retreat-like space as we are now empty nesters looking forward to retirement. Throughout this process many people would ask about our stress level and I have to say that this was the most stress-free renovation I have ever experienced or heard about from others. Gillian's estimates of cost and completion date were right on. We communicated regularly and she always responded in a very timely manner to any questions or concerns. She put the job out to tender to contractors that she knew from previous experience. They too were very professional. I can recommend Gillian and her team without any hesitation and hope to use her in the future with any other renovation projects. Thank you Gillian!! **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Elizabeth, you and Tim were exceptional clients who took every second of your renovation in stride. It was such a pleasure working with you guys. And I look forward to seeing you again in the near future. Can't wait to snap photos of your beautiful new second floor. **★★★★★ — HU-853823526, June 2019** > We started with a blank slate. An empty box. We ended up with all aspects. Form. Function. HVac Sound. Stone. Kitchen. Lighting. Plugs. Esthetic and concepts being discussed. Sourced and made real. A dialogue that led to our house becoming our home. Gillian and her team brought us home inside and out. **★★★★★ — Selena Yeh, July 2018** > Affecting Spaces is the best thing that could ever happen to your renovation! Gillian is very professional and resourceful. She kept our interest in mind and proposed solution that's cost efficient yet pleasing aesthetically. When there is surprise with the project (and we had tons), she proposed alternative solutions responsively and efficiently. She really takes ownership of the project and follows through until the last minute even after we have paid for her service fully. Needless to say she knows the best people in the industry and we also benefit from her designer discount. We now enjoy the renovated house so much that we don't want to step out of it. LoL **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Selena, you and Ephraim are the most amazing people we've ever met. Your kindness and gratitude is truly an inspiration for everyone here at the office. We feel so lucky to have met you both, and to have had the opportunity to have worked with you. I hope that we will stay in touch for ever! Gill & Bill **★★★★★ — Gina Buonaguro, June 2018** > We feel very lucky to have hired Gillian and Affecting Spaces to help us redesign our kitchen, fireplace, master bedroom, and fireplace in the living room. We got her name off a neighbourhood FB group and interviewed a few people and liked Gillian's aesthetic best. Little did we know how knowledgeable, exacting, and detailed she and her team would be. Our contractor (she also put together the specs and put our job out for tender to three of her vetted contractors) said she was one of the best designers he'd ever worked with since she also really understood construction and what it took to make her vision a reality. She has totally transformed our house through good design, good paint choices, and good furniture advice. It feels so big and light and airy now, though we did nothing to the footprint or walls (in terms of moving anything). Plus we feel that although we had to pay her (reasonable) fees, it was worth every penny and saved us money in the long run. We recommend Gillian without hesitation for any project in Toronto. **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Gina, thank you so much for your amazing feedback. It brings me so much pleasure knowing that I’ve helped to make your home more functional and beautiful for you and your family. You guys have been a joy to work with. I can’t wait to put those finishing touches in place!! Enjoy. **★★★★★ — Simon Lim, May 2018** > Gillian and her team has provided a design that has suited our needs. She is very responsive when design challenges arise and has gone above and beyond to attend to our project needs. **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Thanks Simon. It's been great working with you. Even though you're the client, you're one of the fastest project managers I've come across. :) **★★★★★ — Monique Twigg, May 2018** > We would highly recommend Affecting Spaces - we are incredibly pleased with the work Gillian and her team did for us! Gillian's process ensured that her designs met our needs, tastes, and budget perfectly. She is very knowledgeable about all aspects of the construction process too. Gillian has very high standards, and her attention to detail ensured that the finished product was everything we had hoped for. She helped us find a great contractor, and shepherded the whole project from start to finish (we actually left the country during most of the work, with no worries thanks to great communication and Gillian's tendency to solve problems before we even heard about them). If you want a more detailed review, just ask Gillian for our contact information - we would be happy to talk. **Comment from Affecting Spaces Design Studio:** > Thank you Monique for the fantastic review. We absolutely loved working with you guys (and Sadie). And are so excited to see you use all of your new storage!! Enjoy your space. You deserve it. ## Selected projects - [Melrose](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/melrose-pj-vj~6923076) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 21 - Description: This project is a new build located near Lawrence and Avenue Rd. The family living in the home wanted a modern, bright space that would hold up well to heavy use by young children and endure transitory trends. The interior design of the home fused minimalist design, along with Scandinavian and industrial influences. - [Donwoods](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/donwoods-pj-vj~7175469) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 20 - Description: A full house renovation involves completely updating and transforming an outdated home into a modern, stylish space with lots of character. This type of renovation typically involves significant changes to the layout, design, and functionality of the home. The renovation process often starts with a thorough assessment of the current state of the property, identifying areas that require attention, and developing a detailed plan for the project. This may involve gutting certain parts of the house… - [Fiddlehead way](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fiddlehead-way-pj-vj~6649559) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 24 - Description: This house is perched on the edge of the lake, overlooking the beautiful Porters lake. The house was designed to maximize the views from every room. It's meant to feel and function as a cottage while feeling like a home. Open wide spaces make it ideal for entertaining, watching the sunrise and just enjoying the view. - [Ellis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ellis-pj-vj~6788367) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 15 - Description: The home features a stunning blend of Scandinavian design and industrial design influences, creating a space that is both stylish and functional. The home features a neutral color palette, with shades of white, gray, and black dominating the space. Sleek and minimalist architectural features, clean lines, and simple shapes are a hallmark of Scandinavian design, and this is reflected throughout the home. The home is flooded with natural light, highlighting the natural materials and sleek design e… - [Soudan](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/soudan-pj-vj~3157230) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 25 - Description: Once a decrepit and abandoned house, the old building has been given a new lease on life, transformed into a beautiful and modern space that stands as a testament to the power of restoration and renovation. The exterior of the house has been carefully restored, with the cracked and peeling paint stripped away and replaced with fresh stucco and wood siding. The windows, once boarded up and broken, have been replaced with energy-efficient panes that flood the space with natural light. Step inside,… - [Dalhousie](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dalhousie-pj-vj~6626122) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 14 - [Glencairn](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glencairn-pj-vj~460747) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 14 - Description: This minimal, bright and modern addition incorporated a neutral palette and high quality finishes that complimented our client's taste and lifestyle. - [BAX](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bax-pj-vj~2618358) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 16 - [Pheasant Lane](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pheasant-lane-pj-vj~6383382) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 12 - [Grenadier](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/grenadier-pj-vj~5861589) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 13 - [Bedford Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bedford-park-pj-vj~2219115) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 6 - [Joicey](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/joicey-pj-vj~2725956) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 22 - [Fallingbrook Contemporary Condo renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fallingbrook-contemporary-condo-renovation-pj-vj~493045) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 10 - [Kenninghall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kenninghall-pj-vj~1993678) - Location: Mississauga, ON - Photos: 13 - Description: A 2 storey house with a basement was renovated from top to bottom to accommodate a family of 5. Open concept was key in this project, as well as inviting the outdoors in to lighten up the space. - [Ruscombe Clse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ruscombe-clse-pj-vj~3004982) - Location: Mississauga, ON - Photos: 6 - [Carey Rd](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carey-rd-pj-vj~2146305) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 8 - [WARLOCK](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/warlock-pj-vj~2213470) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 9 - [Townsgate](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/townsgate-pj-vj~820368) - Location: Vaughan, ON - Photos: 21 - [Milverton](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/milverton-pj-vj~5888854) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 8 - [Robert Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/robert-street-pj-vj~3752866) - Location: Toronto, ON - Photos: 17 [See all 81 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/affecting-spaces-design-studio-pfvwus-pf~310620242) ## Ideabooks - [Office design](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/166883261/list/office-design) — 26 ideas - [kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/161572994/list/kitchens) — 1 idea - [Gregory/Stanisz](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/159811466/list/gregory-stanisz) — 271 ideas - [exterior](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/148708209/list/exterior) — 29 ideas - [Contemporary/ transitional ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/145769778/list/contemporary-transitional-ideabook) — 250 ideas - [Jet's bedroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/145597080/list/jet-s-bedroom) — 1 idea - [GOO Idea book](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/118921730/list/goo-idea-book) — 164 ideas - [LYN](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114273450/list/lyn) — 79 ideas - [BAR](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/114268954/list/bar) — 157 ideas - [POK Ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/106506315/list/pok-ideabook) — 59 ideas - [FIN STAIRS](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/105437164/list/fin-stairs) — 23 ideas - [10 Surefire Ways to Boost Curb Appeal](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/76558784/list/10-surefire-ways-to-boost-curb-appeal) — 10 ideas - [10 Steps to an Organized and Functional Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74157084/list/10-steps-to-an-organized-and-functional-kitchen) — 10 ideas - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/73446237/list/wish-list) — 1 idea - [A Designer’s Top 10 Tips for Increasing Home Value](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70532974/list/a-designer-s-top-10-tips-for-increasing-home-value) — 10 ideas - [How to Update Your Stairs and Railings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68082247/list/how-to-update-your-stairs-and-railings) — 13 ideas - [How to Hire a Contractor](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/65714029/list/how-to-hire-a-contractor) — 8 ideas - [12 Must-Haves for Aging in Place](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/61443562/list/12-must-haves-for-aging-in-place) — 12 ideas - [10 Things to Consider Before Remodeling Your Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59865028/list/10-things-to-consider-before-remodeling-your-bathroom) — 10 ideas - [What’s Your Neutral: Beige or Gray?](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/58129904/list/what-s-your-neutral-beige-or-gray) — 10 ideas [See all 47 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/affectingspaces) ## Community Q&A **Q: paint vs stain** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello, Are these steps painted or stained? If they are painted, what type of paint and what type of finish is the paint? A: Hi..The stairs are painted. First, we used an oil-based primer, and the we used Benjamin Moore floor & patio paint. **Q: Beautiful pendants, who is the manufacturer?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi there. These are Hubbardton Forge pendants. **Q: Builtins** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you please share who did the built ins? Thanks! A: This is custom millwork by a company called Excalibur designs. **Q: Love this look. what kind of cost associated with slab tile** *(in Photo Questions)* Using for master bath was is price per square for slab tile like this A: At the time, this slab cost about 20/sf. You can find them today for as little as 12/ sf. **Q: What is that marble/backsplash?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: valley gold vein **Q: Where do you find a piece like this for the sink?** *(in Photo Questions)* It's gorg!! I'm struggling both how to get something like this made and don't know wherto start A: silver wave marble --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*