I consider myself a well-rounded and hard-working designer, with over 15 years of experience across both commercial and residential projects, as well as a diverse set of practical skills gained through work and travel.

After completing the Interior Design Advanced Program at Algonquin College in 1999, I began my career in Ottawa’s commercial design industry. During this time, I worked on large-scale projects such as the Embassy of Finland, collaborated with corporate clients including Raytheon Canada, Tyco Healthcare, and Atomic Energy of Canada, and completed projects for government agencies such as the NDP and the City of Ottawa. I also designed a restaurant in Ottawa’s New Edinburgh neighbourhood. Over time, my career naturally shifted toward residential design.

After several years in the design industry, I broadened my perspective through work and travel abroad. I lived in Taiwan while exploring Asia, an experience that deepened my appreciation for cultural diversity and global design influences. During this time, I also trained and competed in Gaelic Football with the Gaelic Athletic Association, participating in tournaments across East and Southeast Asia.

I later spent time in Alaska working with an Iditarod musher, training and caring for young sled dogs—an experience that reinforced resilience, teamwork, and preparation. Returning home to Tamworth, I worked for a local bee-keeper, reconnecting with rural life and the community I grew up in.

From 2017 to 2020, I worked as a Design Technician in the cannabis industry, where I combined design skills with technical and regulatory requirements in a fast-growing field. I began on the production floor, gaining first-hand experience in horticultural operations, before moving into the Facilities Department. Much of this work centred on building a new addition for a GMP facility, where I managed construction details and project management while supporting the facility engineer. My responsibilities included producing and maintaining AutoCAD drawings, such as a Facility Sanitation Map to ensure compliance with GMP and Health & Safety standards, leading the start-up of the Ethanol Extraction Lab, and managing facility modifications to meet Health Canada regulations. I also held a Security Clearance and WHMIS certification and contributed to the Health & Safety and Environmental Committee. This role strengthened my technical expertise, precision, and project management skills, all of which I carry into my residential design work today.

In 2021, I launched my own residential design business in Stone Mills Township, where my family has lived for six generations. Today, I work closely with trusted local trades, offering clients a mix of technical expertise, creative design, and community-rooted care. My goal is to create thoughtful, well-crafted homes and renovations that reflect both lifestyle and landscape.

Rooted in Stone Mills and inspired by the people I work with, I look forward to creating spaces that reflect both lifestyle and community.

— Amy Gillan