Kate Davidson is #totalgoals - she's an interior designer and business owner, and a working mom of three! I admire her work - Kate creates interiors that combine classical, contemporary and elegant design while still maintaining the comfortable ease of everyday living. I had the pleasure of getting to know this hard-working and creative individual and I'm thrilled to introduce you to her!
Kate was exposed to design at an early age - she was about seven years old when her mother hired a designer, and Kate remembers how much she loved to watch the process unfold. Despite this early fascination that continued as she grew up, Kate didn't intend on going into the design field until after high school when she decided to move away from Ottawa, her hometown, to pursue arts in Toronto - Kate had been dancing since age five and was accepted at Ryerson to pursue a dance degree, but chose to attend OCAD University's Environmental Design program. The program (so called "environmental design" because of OCAD University's philosophy that interior design encompasses the entire environment) was a huge influence on Kate, where she received a well-rounded education that incorporated more than just the design fundamentals, as she also learned about graphic design, art, as well as other subjects on the periphery of interior design.
The first seven years of Kate's professional career were spent much like her educational ones, in that she gained knowledge through a diverse set of experiences - she worked in set design, did art consulting, and worked for various design firms. She highly regards her time spent learning from others when she was employed by design firms because it gave her a solid foundation from which to build her own business. Starting her own business happened organically after she had her first child - she began dabbling in working for herself and her work was so well received that, soon after, these projects became her full-time job. Kate has since grown her firm to include a team of three people, and at any given moment is managing 20-30 projects at a time.
In addition to designing spaces for others, Kate's been designing for herself, having recently “redecorated" her business by giving her brand a fresh new look - after over 10 years in business Kate has rebranded her firm to Kate + Co Design Inc, showcasing their latest work on their newly launched site Kateandcodesign.com.
Kate’s firm handles both residential projects as well as commercial ones throughout the GTA with occasional projects spanning across Canada & the US, from Edmonton to Montreal, San Diego & Miami. When designing homes and condos for her residential clients, it’s important to Kate that she creates spaces that are liveable and that work for the people who reside in them, and she achieves this without sacrificing elegant design. Of note on the commercial side, Kate designed Bacardi Canada’s head office, and Gamma Dynacare’s 50,000 square foot corporate office. Kate also seems to have a knack for bakery design - she’s currently working with her third bakery client!
Visit Kate’s website to find out more about the design services she offers, and check out her stunning portfolio while you’re there.
Want more? Here’s what #WeWantToKnow about Kate, direct from the designer herself:
I can't start my morning without...being woken up with hugs from our girls, and a cup of Matcha tea.
I can't leave the house without...curling my eyelashes, and grabbing an extra pair of shoes as I never know when I will be on a construction site.
I have a weakness for...chocolate, I have a designated chocolate cupboard in my kitchen.
Most people don't know that I...am obsessed with writing lists, with so much on the go I keep my work and personal life straight by writing to do lists, daily, weekly & monthly to keep me on track.
A nickname I've been called is…"Kiddie Kate" & "Atilla the honey" were nicknames my dad gave me growing up.
My favourite colour is...white, yes it is a colour, it is clean, looks great anywhere and goes with anything!
I want…to travel, Dubai & China are on my bucket list. Travel is good for the soul, expands your mind and draws so much inspiration.
Thanks Kate, for participating in #WeWantToKnow!
Kate Davidson is Designer, Principal of Kate + Co. Design inc. For more then a decade this design firm has focused on being a multi disciplinary interior design firm providing complete residential & commercial design services throughout Toronto, GTA. and North America. Known and respected for envisioning and creating stylish adaptable livable spaces.
www.kateandcodesign.com Instagram: kateandcodesigninc
