One might say that Katherine Newman was destined to be a designer. The Toronto native grew up assisting her interior designer mother in showrooms and visiting antiques dealers and shops with her grandmother, who collected English furniture and porcelain. After a brief detour to study law, she formed her firm in 1990 and was joined in 1995 by Polish-born architect Peter Cebulak. The firm now employs a staff of 12 and takes on projects in Canada and the United States.

“Our designs are the outcome of an approach that considers the relevance of context and reflects a historical reference while providing solutions to the requirements of modern daily life,” says Cebulak. Adds Newman, “Good design is about achieving balance and order, connecting all elements.” Though their work is influenced by the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the pair are known for their graceful juxtaposition of what they call “contradicting styles.” Says Newman, “As artists, we’re not lacking ideas, and I can say that we both think outside the box.” She finds the movement toward eclecticism—one that “values refinement, quality and utility rather than the focusing on one specific style”—“a welcome change that allows people to express their individuality and not have to strip their environment according to one definitive trend.” Newman and Cebulak also create furniture and lighting for their Lona Design collection.

Katherine Newman Design

416-961-5675

www.lonadesignom