EXPERIENCES





Whether traveling for business or pleasure, hospitality spaces are meant to evoke an emotional response. Each carefully orchestrated moment contributes to the quality of the guest experience.
At CHIL Interior Design, we believe every brand and location has a unique story to tell through the experiences they offer.
We believe in the power of storytelling through design to communicate what inspires, drives, and excites people.
In demand hotels capture the unique character of a neighbourhood. With a keen eye for the local context and deep knowledge of current and future trends, we explore our clients’ visions to bring them to life. Synergies across our international teams allow us to blend a boutique approach with global sensibilities and resources to design elevated hospitality experiences.
We translate each clients’ story into physical spaces that embody memorable experiences.
Moments that leave an indelible mark mean earned patronage for your brand. We marry the essence of a brand and location with an eye for detail. At CHIL, we design spaces that speak to the art of life, the thrill of the journey, the pinnacle of luxury, and the gratification that comes from a notable stay.
Our design teams have created iconic environments for leading hotels, resorts, and mixed-use developments across the globe.
Hospitality offers an everchanging landscape with endless opportunities to inspire people.
The number of singles of all ages is growing rapidly globally. With commitments moving beyond getting married, buying a house and having kids, singles are seeing the solo lifestyle as the key to flexibility, freedom, affluence and empowerment.
With nearly three times as many internet users than the US, China‘s digital key opinion leaders (KOLs) have the power to make or break brands, turning collaborations into massive sales or destroying reputations.
Outnumbering millennials in 2019, Gen Zers will be seeking sociallyconscious destinations that are off the beaten track and relatively inexpensive. Providers offering affordable accommodation at remote locations with solid Instagrammability will be geared up for this growing generation of tourists.
Unique experiences are defining luxury in travel and the more mysterious, the better. In a world where travellers are yearning to do more than chase the perfect selfie at the latest hot Instagrammable spot, secret locations are becoming the newest indulgence in luxury travel. From surprise daily activities, to secret destinations, mystique is the new luxury.
Great hospitality is grounded in providing a genuine and authentic welcome experience for every guest. Designers are listening and learning - and are inspired to find new ways to accommodate and be inclusive to all in the spirit of current social engagement.
Design shapes the response to disruptions. Traditional standards of cleanliness and safety are being challenged and informing new ways of designing and planning hotel spaces. New approaches are evolving to both guestrooms and shared spaces - ones that balance the luxury of personal service and the necessity of guests’ personal safety.
Environmental concerns and the popularity of eco-friendly practices continue to increase. Being sustainable is no longer a buzz-word and is now a quality the new generation of travelers are looking for in their stays. From using recycled materials, to efficient space planning to lower carbon footprint, designing the future means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: Water over my head and no land in sight. This sometimes enters my dreams when I am very busy.
Q: What is it that you most dislike?
A: People who lie and advance their own cause by dismissing or belittling others.
Q: What do you most value in your friends?
A: Loyalty and continuity. One of my oldest friends I met in grade school.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I am inspired by good people and great hospitality design. Most guests will not remember the exterior design of a hotel but will remember and be inspired by beautiful interiors. The careful balance of a wellexecuted design combined with the careful
consideration of guest needs elevates the guest experience providing comfort and respite, opportunities for casual as well as structured interaction, and moments of visual calm and drama.
Q: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
A: Going to work, not enjoying it - and doing the exact thing day after day.
Q: If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing?
A: The design industry is unique in that every project and every day present new and exciting opportunities. I feel very fortunate for the career that I have had in hospitality. I worked as an architect for 18 years designing new hotels in western Canada. I then had the opportunity to cross the table and work as Director of Design and Construction for Delta Hotels and then Fairmont hotels &
Resorts providing an entirely new outlook on how the hotel industry values and approaches design. After 6 years with the brands, I joined CHIL Interior Design and have led this talented boutique studio with Adèle for the past 16 years. Whatever else I might do – it will certainly involve hospitality.
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
A: I am (outwardly) calm, and solution driven. This is partly by nature and mostly learned through four decades in the hospitality industry.
Q: What is your motto?
A: My motto is that there is no motto – each day presents new opportunities that require new and unique solutions.
What is your favourite journey? I toured Europe by rail and thumb in the 70’s. It was a fantastic trip of over six months where I was exposed to so many distinct cultures with a history of great and varied design.
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Principal, Global Design Lead
Q: What is your current state of mind?
A: Pretty content, mixed with a good amount of stress.
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: I don’t like saying those things out loud – my only superstition.
Q: What is a lesson you learned from a project that you will never forget?
A: Don’t make a mistake your pay cheque can’t cover! Seriously though, think things through and prioritize the important aspects and don’t be precious about everything.
Q: Was there a particular moment of inspiration that changed your thinking about design?
A: Realizing that design is not about the designer but all about the end user and their experience.
Q: What is it that you most dislike?
A: Injustice and feeling out of control.
Q: What is your greatest extravagance?
A: Chai lattes too often.
Q: Are there any words of wisdom from one of your clients that have stuck with you?
A: When you point a finger at others be aware that there is always three now pointing back at you. Always think about your responsibility to solve a problem before casting blame.
Q: What do you most value in your friends?
A: Good humour and understanding.
Q: What is something a well-designed building can’t live without?
A: Atmosphere, soul and purpose.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I would be more patient.
Q: If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing?
A: This industry is in my blood, so I was never going to avoid this path… although is global spa-tester a thing?!
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
A: I always carry nuts to snack on and I happily multi-task like a pro.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Sunny late afternoon, good wine in hand, listening to my beautiful daughter telling me a story.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Besides my 2 amazing children, running the Boston Marathon. I never was a true marathoner but loved every step of the way.
Where would you most like to live?
Costa Rica. The land, people and natural beauty of the area is amazing.
When and where were you happiest? Honestly, now.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
“Long story short…” I like to distill information when unnecessary details are not needed but like to leave the opportunity to come back and give the background. Bullet points are my best friend.
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty, humour and reliability….. But mostly humour.
What is your most marked characteristic? Well…when I applied for my passport and Passport Canada called all my references to verify my existence - they all described me with curly hair… so????
What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate covered in chocolate sauce on a bed of chocolate
Who are your favorite artists? I don’t think I have one favorite artist. I have various artists that inspire me but what I am so incredibly intrigued by is Street Art. I am fascinated by the where, the how and why of it and I love how it breaks up the monotone of the city.
Where do you find inspiration? I find a lot of my inspiration in the little things that surround,
whether it was an acorn falling from a tree on a sunlit morning that sparked my interest in the texture, the shape and the layers below or a horse saddle with it’s lovely leather smell, smoothness and mechanical fasteners. I love deconstructing a simple item.
What would you tell your younger self? Always believe in yourself.
What is your motto? If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
What is your design process? Listen to the wants and the needs of a project…client, look at your inspiration, create and then make sure that it addresses those fundamentals while transporting your guest to another era, feeling, or place.
Why interior design? The ideation and process of taking a blank piece of paper and transforming it into a built environment for people to enjoy, celebrate, heal or gather is not only rewarding but also makes me feel like I have contributed to our society’s well being.
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Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: Listening to podcasts alone in the car. Taking a few extra minutes between work and home life to just do something for myself without being interrupted. Smartless is great.
Q: Who are your favorite artists?
A: I’m a huge fan of a lot of current local Vancouver artists. To name just a few, Scott Sueme, Drew Young and Andy Dixon are all doing really amazing and interesting work right now. Also Gailen Ngan is an incredible ceramic artists that I’ve admired for a long time.
Q: Why interior design?
A: Because every day is different and presents new challenges, and because I get to use both sides of my brain.
Q: Which living person do you most admire?
A: My dad. I can always count
on him on moments of stress.
Q: When and where were you happiest?
A: Sleeping with a tent with my family while camping.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
A: Giving birth to 2 daughters and work aside, installing my own flooring at my home with my father is my greatest achievement.
Q: Where would you most like to live?
A: I am living where I want to live most… in Vancouver, it’s home and has everything I’ll ever need and want. And nowhere in the world is more beautiful than Vancouver in August.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: My grandma’s favorite perfume bottle that I inherited when she passed.
Q: What do you most value in your friends?
A: Loyalty and honesty.
Q: What are the proudest moments in your career?
A: Anytime a project is completed and seeing the visions come into fruition.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: Quiet moments in nature. Traveling and experiencing different culture and local architecture.
Q: What is your design process?
A: Thorough research on location and targeted demographic. Listen to the clients’ wants and rely on the consultants’ expertise.
Q: What is your greatest journey?
A: Spending a week on Little Corn Island in Nicaragua with no cars, no traffic, and snorkeling with hammerhead sharks.
What would you tell your younger self? You have something special to offer because nobody else is like you. Seize every opportunity that comes your way. The most challenging moments are the greatest opportunities to learn.
Design Director, Vancouver
a feeling of bliss and the sense of oneness with the universe that comes from the simplest of delights. It’s the pursuit of small, daily pleasures that add up to a great sense of happiness and fulfillment
人情味 rén qíng wèi // CHINESE
Warmth, love, empathy, and hospitality to other humans
Invitation. The occasion of arrival. Heartfelt greetings. Relief upon the exquisite surrender of suitcases, responsibilities, and worries. Liberation. The undeniable allure of unexplored settings. A home away from home – but better.
Heartfelt wish for someone to enjoy their meal
Connections. Six degrees of separation. Dinner effortlessly drifting into late night cocktails. The shortest distance to friendship. Curiosity. Synchronicities. Insight. An exuberant toast. Playfully whiling the night away.
Sobirat’sya s muslyami // RUSSIAN
Collect, gather thoughts to make up one’s mind
Execution. In the zone. The privacy of a cozy nook. Alone together in an animated space. Plugged in. Amped up. Productivity punctuated with moments of inspiration. Gratification: mission accomplished.
Toronto, Canada
The Japanese art of mending the areas of breakage in pottery with gold to create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art
Respite. Cozy nest of dreams. Toes dipping, gingerly, into a warm bath. Tension melting. A freeing. Comfy slippers and crisp matching robe against bare skin. A snug nest. Deep breaths. Gentle softening. A bright new day.
DELTA VANCOUVER SUITES Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver, Canada
The act of being in rest, outdoors and in a shady place, during the warm hours of midday
Rejuvenation. Food for the soul. An intense workout – difficult, but oh, the endorphin rush. A meticulous manicure and a soothing massage – ready for anything. The best of both worlds at your fingertips. Bliss.
Forever devoted to seeking and searching with curiosity
Adventure. Transformational experiences. A once-in-a-lifetime voyage. Eyes wide. Heart open. Discovery. Inner journeys and earthly expeditions. A restored sense of self. The world will never look the same again.
The interior design concept for the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver celebrates the historical significance of this prominent hotel while selectively updating elements within to their original grandeur.
Inspiration was drawn from iconic Canadian visionaries to create a design for the hotel that is as bold and unforgettable as the icons themselves. Bringing the suite into the new century, streamlined and unexpected modern elements are incorporated, perfectly balancing the line of historic and urban nature of the city.
Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s sharp wit and ability to surprise, whimsical and playfully designed features peppered throughout the hotel. Unique details and one of a kind furniture pieces are found at every turn, teasing guests with creativity and ‘Aha!’ moments to discover. The saturated colour palette is equally hip and restrained. European sophistication combines with the region’s beautiful geography to create a richly layered environment that embodies a new and modern sense of Wild(e).
Versante Hotel is a new boutique hotel that celebrates everything the social media community has to offer. Guestrooms and suites are divided up into 5 unique schemes that speak to the individual personalities we celebrate within the online community: the Creative, the Wanderer, the Active, the Social, and the Individual. The entire hotel, from public areas to guestrooms, is infused with bright colours, elaborate patterns, bold stones, bright reflective materials that all speak to and celebrate that main statement of you have arrived.
The design for the Public Areas and Guestrooms at this 395-unit hotel is inspired by the unique diversity that Calgary offers. From the business professional to the party atmosphere during the stampede, the city is in a constant state of movement.
Hotel Belmont is a boutique property that re-envisions the traditional hotel model in Vancouver, enhancing the value of the building through an innovative and locally inspired approach to design and development. CHIL’s design is engaging, vibrant and unique. Along with the many hotel perks, the interior design makes staying at the Hotel Belmont a timeless, immersive experience.
Situated in the beautiful Yuelan Bay with a mountain backdrop, the Primus Hotel Sanya Pleasant Bay provides modern travellers a peaceful and relaxing retreat away from the hustle and bustle on Hainan Island, also known as the Eastern Hawaii.
VANCOUVER CALGARY MONTREAL
TORONTO SEATTLE
LOS ANGELES
SAN DIEGO
DUBAI SHANGHAI SHENZHEN
HONG KONG
VANCOUVER
1706 West 1st Avenue, Suite 400, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6J 0E4
T +1 604 685 9913 F +1 604 685 0694
TORONTO
320 Bay Street, Suite 200, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 4A6
T +1 416 596 2299 F +1 416 586 0599
ASIA HONG KONG
Units 3601-03, 36/F, AIA Tower, 183 Electric Road, North Point, Hong Kong
T +852 3158 2123
VANCOUVER
1706 West 1st Avenue, Suite 400, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6J 0E4
T +1 604 685 9913 F +1 604 685 0694
TORONTO
320 Bay Street, Suite 200, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 4A6
T +1 416 596 2299 F +1 416 586 0599
MONTREAL 3-5609, Avenue du Parc, Montréal, QC, Canada H2V 4H2
SEATTLE
920 5th Avenue, Suite 600, Seattle, WA, USA 98104
T +1 206 582 2875 F +1 206 260 3900
SAN DIEGO
4660 La Jolla Village Drive Suites 100 & 200, San Diego, CA USA 92122
LOS ANGELES
2450 Colorado Avenue, Suite 100E, Santa Monica, CA USA 90404
ASIA
HO CHI MINH CITY
Resco Tower, Level 6 94-96 Nguyen Du Street, District 1 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam T +84 28 3822 4497 F +84 28 3833 4498
HONG KONG
Units 3601-03, 36/F, AIA Tower, 183 Electric Road, North Point, Hong Kong
T +852 3158 2123
SHANGHAI
19F, Crystal Tower No.68, Yuyuan Road Shanghai 200040 China
T +86 21 3360 7861 F +86 21 3360 7862
SHENZHEN
Level 6, Loft B, The Town, UpperHills, 5001 Huanggang Road, Shenzhen 518038 China
SINGAPORE
#01-01 Connection One 168 Jalan Bukit Merah 150168 Singapore T +65 6911 8675
DUBAI
4th Floor, Office 413 Ibn Batuta Gate Offices P.O. Box 488227 Dubai United Arab Emirates
T: +971 4 4471866 F: +971 4 4471865
2022
NEWH 2023 Top ID Hospitality Firms (Vancouver Chapter)
NEWH 2022 Top ID Hospitality Firms (Toronto Chapter)
CHIL ranked #23 on Interior Design Magazine’s “Rising Giants” list
Greenland Primus Resort Sanya 2022 Luxury Lifestyle Awards - Best Luxury Hotel Interior Design
Fairmont Château Laurier SBID Awards Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design Finalist
Chloe Kerrisdale SBID Awards Hotel Show Flats & Developments Design Finalist
Hotel Belmont M Gallery 2022 IDIBC Awards - Award of Merit
Stock & Supply 2022 IDIBC Awards - Award of Merit
Prova Bar & Kitchen
2022 IDIBC Awards - Award of Merit
Fairmont Pacific Rim
U.S. News & World Report #3 Best Hotel in Canada 2022
Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Whistler
U.S. News & World Report #2 Best Resort in Canada 2022
U.S. News & World Report #6 Best Hotel in Canada 2022
CHIL ranked #52 on Interior Design Magazine’s “Top 200 Giants” list
NEWH 2022 Top ID Hospitality Firms (Vancouver Chapter)
Fairmont Château Laurier 41st Annual Gold Key Awards Finalist - Best Suite Design
Crystal Lodge SBID Awards Hotel Bedroom & Suites Design Finalist Shaw Contract Design Award Finalist
Fairmont Pacific Rim U.S. News & World Report #5 Best Hotel in Canada 2021 Travel + Leisure 2021 #7 Best City Hotel in Canada Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 #11 Top Hotel in Canada
Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Whistler U.S. News & World Report #6 Best Hotel in Canada 2021 Travel + Leisure 2021 #4 Best Resort in Canada
Fairmont Palliser Travel + Leisure 2021 #10 Best City Hotel in Canada
Shangri-la Hotel Vancouver
U.S. News & World Report #12 Best Hotel in Canada 2021
Shangri-la Toronto U.S. News & World Report #16 Best Hotel in Canada 2021
Fairmont Waterfront
U.S. News & World Report #23 Best Hotel in Canada 2021 Travel + Leisure 2021 #4 Best City Hotel in Canada
Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2021 #2 Top Hotel in Canada
L’Hermitage Hotel
U.S. News & World Report #35 Best Hotel in Canada 2021
Fairmont Jasper Park
U.S. News & World Report #57 Best Hotel in Canada 2021
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
U.S. News & World Report #65 Best Hotel in Canada 2021
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver U.S. News & World Report #67 Best Hotel in Canada 2021
2020
NEWH 2021 Top ID Hospitality Firms (Vancouver Chapter)
CHIL ranked #48 on Interior Design Magazine’s “Top 200 Giants” list
Prova Bar & Kitchen 2020 Gold Key Awards Finalist in Best Restaurant Design Causal Dining
Fairmont Pacific Rim
U.S. News & World Report #1 Best Hotel in Canada 2020
Shangri-la Hotel Vancouver
U.S. News & World Report #10 Best Hotel in Canada 2020
Shangri-la Toronto U.S. News & World Report #22 Best Hotel in Canada 2020
L’Hermitage Hotel
U.S. News & World Report #35 Best Hotel in Canada 2020
Fairmont Waterfront
U.S. News & World Report #48 Best Hotel in Canada 2020
Travel + Leisure 2020 #10 Best City Hotel in Canada
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
U.S. News & World Report #69 Best Hotel in Canada 2020
Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Whistler U.S. News & World Report #13 Best Hotel in Canada 2020 Travel + Leisure 2020 #7 Best Resort in Canada
Fairmont Jasper Park Travel + Leisure 2020 #9 Best Resort in Canada
NEWH 2020 Top ID Hospitality Firms (Vancouver Chapter)
CHIL ranked #43 on Interior Design Magazine’s “Top 200 Giants” list
Fairmont Vancouver Hotel Interiors Designers of Canada Value of Design Awards of Excellence – Innovation in Hospitality