ColeDesign Studio

19 Reviews

Interior Designers & Decorators

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About Us

Award winning

Published nationally

30 years in business

Recognized as Toronto’s Top Residential Designer for Timeless Appeal

I am the founder and principle in my boutique firm ColeDesign Studio - an established Toronto based design firm. My look is Classic with an edge... and I strive for 'timeless appeal', 'casual elegance' and 'easy living'. I believe we should be nourished by the things we love, and find ways to - with reason- have them around us. Making these things work together as a harmonious whole can be a challenge well worth the effort. I strive to create small surprises and moments of beauty in a space with a spirit, complexity and depth. Like most, I am always looking to create the classic look with the ubiquitous timeless appeal. Press: Houses and Homes - Kitchen & Dining Room: https://houseandhome.com/video/karen-coles-kitchen-dining-room/ Houses and Homes - Bohemian Chic Home: https://houseandhome.com/video/karen-coles-bohemian-chic-home/ Houses and Homes - Ultimate All-Season Cottage Retreat: https://houseandhome.com/video/tour-the-ultimate-all-season-cottage-retreat/ Houses and Homes - Bold, Colorful Townhouse: https://houseandhome.com/video/before-after-bold-colourful-townhouse/?vb=th&thr=100026&sbt=1018901/ Houses and Homes - Living Rooms: https://houseandhome.com/gallery/photo-gallery-vote-for-your-favourite-hh-living-room/

Services Provided

Bathroom Design, Custom Cabinets, Custom Kitchen Cabinets, Custom Pantries, Custom Walk-in Closets, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Kitchen Design, Universal Design, Wine Cellar Design, Custom Furniture, Space Planning, Remodeling, Home Remodeling

Areas Served

Alexandra Park, Armour Heights, Cabbagetown, Casa Loma, Centre Island, Chaplin Estates, Corso Italia, Dufferin Grove, East Danforth, East York, Eatonville, Etobicoke, Greektown, Little Portugal, Maple, Moss Park, North York, Old Toronto, Bloor West Village, Humberwoods, Leslieville, Lytton Park, Playter Estates, Scarborou, collingwood, creemore, mono, Hockley, Prince Edward County

26 Projects

Large eclectic open concept living room in Toronto with brown walls, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Business Details

Business Name

ColeDesign Studio

Phone Number

+1 647-503-0281

Website

coledesignstudio.ca

Address

Toronto, Ontario M4X 1E6
Canada

Typical Job Cost

CAD $25,000 - $5,000,000

Costs range based on the scope and scale of the project: Initial Consultation can range from $200 - $500. Design Plans are covered by a retainer of $5,000 (Includes custom concepts, measurements, and design plans). Interiors Refresh can range from $5,000 - $10,000. Custom Renovations can start at $25,000.

Followers

123 Followers

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Credentials

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Featured Review

Lucie G

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19 Reviews for ColeDesign Studio

Newest first

Lucie G

We hired Karen when renovating our very first home in Toronto. From the moment we met her, we liked her style and her sense of colour! Since then, we’ve worked with Karen on other projects and she has without fail, always exceeded our expectations. We always enjoyed working with her and we look forward to working with her again on our next project. Her creativity and her ability to adapt to constant changes make her an ideal designer to work with. Karen designed the interior of our home in Toronto almost 12 years ago and there is not a day that goes by without me loving this house.

May 1, 2019

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Lucie - Thank you so much for your kind words I always enjoy working with you both and have enjoyed watching the growth of your beautiful family. The projects we have done together are among my favourites. Our working relationship is easy and the Ideas and epiphanies seem to appear like magic. Each of your projects have been uniquely different - one from the other and I have loved each of them.

kirshenbaum

Karen hears and intuits your preferences and vision. She takes your ideas to an elevated level beyond anticipation. This is the second home Karen has designed for me and it is as high functioning as it is spectacular. Her sense of style and design is beautifully detailed and customized. A unique approach to layering and whimsy is signature. Karen’s transformations of space are remarkable from her exceptionally designed kitchens, hidden storage and overall striking design surprises. The entire process working with Karen and her exquisite creativity is delightful. And most important, it feels wonderful to live in Karen’s spaces.

March 28, 2019

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Wow Fern ! Thank you so much for your vote of endorsement. It was an extreme pleasure and a lot of fun working with you. We made a wonderful team.

Shari Wohl

Always so great to work alongside the ever talented Karen Cole! Her layering of texture and colour creates truly effortless design concepts that are timeless! Everyone needs some Cole Design in their lives :)

March 11, 2017

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Your enthusiasm for my projects is always very much appreciated Shari. thank you.

Weavers Art

Karen is an absolute delight to work with. She is highly recommended for her elegant and inviting spaces, using her expertise in layering textures and colours beautifully. Her professionalism and energy is felt working with her clients at Weavers Art in reviewing the best rug selections for her design projects. We are always excited to see the end results!

February 21, 2017

Cathy Uberti

Working with Karen has been both a pleasure and learning experience. She thinks outside of the box, creates and inspires, and is a true professional. Looking forward to many more years of business with this talent.

February 21, 2017Last modified:February 21, 2017

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Cathy - thank you. It is always a pleasure to work with you as well. Your professional expertise and wonderful materials help make me look good.

Rick Hodges

As a custom woodworker I have worked with Karen on a number of projects over the last twenty years or so .She is consistently professional and always has a way of creating extraordinary spaces.I have worked for many well known and respected designers and she is among the very best.

February 16, 2017

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Thank you for your kind words. I have always enjoyed our easy and productive working relationship. Your expertise helps me consistently. May it continue.

Lisa Shea

Karen has the unique ability to create a space that is magazine worthy! She makes a space gorgeous and livable. Incredibility talented with fabric and texture. I look forward to working with Karen on my next project.

February 4, 2017

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Thanks so much Lisa. Your comments are much ! appreciated. It was fun to work with you and I also hope to do it again some time soon.

dlsdoyle

I have used the services of ColeDesign Studio for almost 20 years for projects ranging from major renovations to colour consultations. Regardless of the project size, Karen always does everything necessary to ensure success. I enjoy working with her very much and recommend her highly. She always pushes the envelope a little, resulting in a finished product that I would not have arrived at on my own. Her designs are warm, welcoming and current without being too trendy.

June 20, 2016

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

I have very much appreciated our very longstanding relationship of working together on many projects as they present themselves. ... and I look forward to the next.

bmhschamberger

I have worked with Karen Cole several times over the past 15 years, on projects of different scopes - it has always been a pleasure. She is very good at establishing a client's taste preferences and working with them, while always maintaining her originality and creativity, which are substantial, she is not afraid of challenging a client's ideas if she sees problems with them, she is flexible in terms of scheduling, forthright, and respectful of financial determinations.

June 9, 2016

Susan Guichon

I hired Karen to help with a living and sun room renovation. I liked how she allowed me to make all of the choices on materials and would only step in if I was making a bad call. She has a great sense for colour and space. I most appreciated how she finished each project down to the accent pieces. I was so happy with this project that I used her again for a kitchen/powder room renovation. Again I am very happy with the result. She was particularly good with a unique look with functionality, storage space and again, the fine tuning that provided a great finish.

May 29, 2016Last modified:March 29, 2019

melhebs

We were thrilled with the results. Cole Design was professional, respectful of our needs and budget, and a pleasure to work with. We would absolutely hire this design company again for future projects!

May 26, 2016

Andrea Weissman-Daniels

Karen Cole is a wonderful designer. She is creative, imaginative and full of resources. Karen loves colour, texture and originality. She has a flare for the exotic and yet can bring any vision to life. Karen is friendly and professional and very easy to work with.

May 24, 2016

pforeht

I particularly respect Karen's ability to "hear" and "see" my needs and taste. Her creativity and her sense of style and colour are amazing. For each project that she assisted me with,Karen sourced out materials and objects that were unique and tasteful and that "worked" for me.

May 24, 2016

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Dear Pam, Thank you so much for your kind words. I particularly like your irreverent spirit. It has always been a joy to work with you and to see the amazing places you find to live in.

HU-602152

Karen helped me design and build a new family room. She was professional, knowledgeable, brought in great contractors and helped select and build all the furnishings and curtains.

May 24, 2016

david o'carroll

ColeDesign Studio has assisted us with two significant projects. A major renovation of our classic Halifax home including the kitchen and main bedrooms, plus the rebuild of an early 1800 Cape Cod that was stripped and rebuilt from its shell. Each projects required a different aesthetic approach. Our main home had good 'bones' but the main floor lacked flow and functional layout. The large open kitchen designed by Karen Cole and the newly created access to the water view through the living room provided the desired layout. The tones, colors and textures selected reflected our personal preferences while pushing our boundaries to a more elegant yet function look. The farmhouse was a very unique project with many salvaged pieces refurbished and reused to great effect. The result was a cozy hideaway respectful of the architectural heritage while adding a great deal of a unique modern aesthetic that made for a treasure. Featured in Canadian House and Home the farmhouse was a perfect blend of past and present. We cannot recommend ColeDesign Studio more highly if you want something that is unique and reflects your personal lifestyle.

May 17, 2016

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

Dear David and Elizabeth. I will always treasure my design experiences with the 2 of you. You are both lovely and warm with such great spirit. Thank you.

Naomi Horodezky

Thank you Karen, for helping us with our townhouse renovation. It was such a pleasure to work with you, and the result is everything I wanted it to be and many things I would not have thought of myself as well. I appreciate so much how you streamlined the process for us, working with our taste, our quirks, and our own furniture and art, sourcing products, mediating with the contractor, trades, and cabinetmaker, and calmly and immediately taking care of the glitches. We felt well taken care of, and my husband (who didn’t really want to move), is also totally delighted, especially with his home office, but every other room as well. What was extra special was the way that you continually came up with new ideas, not letting up on your creative impulse in the face of the practicalities. I didn’t always agree, but I did always appreciate, and often love, the new ideas. Our place is now gorgeous, personal, and functional. Thank you so much. Naomi Horodezky

April 17, 2016Last modified:April 1, 2019

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

I could say the same thing for you.Thank YOU so much for your lovely words of praise... and for making the project so much fun to work on. I treasure the beautiful painting you created for me and I feel honoured that you were inspired to paint your own lovely scene 'Through the Window'.

vsera

Karen is a joy to work with. She is extremely talented and creative with the ability to personalize the space so that it could only belong to you. It's like dealing with the best friend who gets you but is also trained in design and has access to the best suppliers. I would highly recommend her.

April 14, 2016

annelliott4

I have done 3 renovations with Karen, two of them "back to the stud walls" renovations. I have enjoyed working with Karen on everyone of them. Karen's space planning is really, really good, you will get the maximum usage out of every square foot. Karen is also open to feedback and to incorporating many ideas, from the owner, to the architect to the builder. This makes for robust design and the creation of amazing spaces that reflect the best ideas. I love my spaces, the are beautiful, elegant and warm. My goal is to create beautiful spaces that feel comfortable. Karen has helped me to do exactly that!

April 11, 2016

Joan Cohen

This is the second time in four years that we have used Karen Cole as our Designer. She is has the great ability to see fresh ways of using your own things and you never feel that you have to get rid of everything you love. She looks at spaces in a very unique way to help you use every nook and cranny in its most advantageous way. Her kitchen design is spectacular and practical as is all of her millwork. She is a delight to work with and really understands the customer's viewpoint. If you appreciate an 'out of the box' thinker with some unique and fashionable ideas, this is the designer for you.

October 31, 2014Last modified:March 29, 2019

Comment from ColeDesign Studio:

You also are a delight to work with Joan. You are able to see the picture instantly and your artistic eye and expertise make you an ideal partner for our ventures. Thank you so much for the opportunity to work together.

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7 Comments

Commented: PendantsThanks for asking about these pendants. I love them too. These lights were custom made for my client a couple of years ago. It's difficult to see the top detail in the photo, but they were actually...

February 18, 2017

Commented: Love the bedI apologize for the delay. I saw your email briefly. It then disappeared. Could you resend your email once again, and I'll get right back to you.

October 9, 2016

Commented: Who makes these wonderful mirrors?so sorry for the delay. The custom mirrors were actually designed and made through my company - ColeDesign Studio.

January 20, 2016

Commented: I love the floor. What is it made from?So sorry for the delay. The floor is a custom marble checkerboard pattern.

June 26, 2015

Commented: Please tell the manufacturer of the drawer pulls. Thnk you.Emtek

April 10, 2015

Commented: What is the cabinetry paint color?Gull wing gray 2134-50 for the Perimeter Cabinetry Farrow and Ball Downpipes for the Island

February 9, 2015

ColeDesign Studio