The goal for Gillian Gillies is to tease out a client’s own sense of style. “The best results come through collaboration—it’s important that clients feel they’ve contributed to the design process,” she insists. That said, the affable designer leans toward a classic but contemporary look, with an added touch of formality, found in silks and other natural textures. What really irks the Edinburgh expat is furniture chosen simply for looks and not comfort. That’s why family homes have become a specialty for Gillies, who has a bevy of north Toronto renovations and stately Kingsway residences in her portfolio. Comfort and function are of utmost importance to the designer. “There is nothing worse than an over-designed room that no one wants to spend time in. I design rooms to be lived in and enjoyed.” Fee from $145 per hour.