I’ve been down a long road of ups, downsm, and loop-de-loops. I want to share my story with you, to tell you all about how I got into the interior design field and where my inspiration lies. It all starts in Israel.
I was born some moons ago to my Russian mom and Egyptian father, but I actually spent a large chunk of my childhood in Belgium before we all upped and moved to Toronto, Canada. Since I was exposed to so much culture before I could even understand what that was, I think that gave me a better appreciation and understanding of the world of design. You can’t escape culture, and it definitely pushed me to explore the world around me a lot more. Inevitably, this seeped into my work ethic by expanding my capabilities as an artist and nurturing my thirst to achieve, learn, and develop my talent.
I began my design education at the University of Toronto from 1998-2001, majoring in Architecture and minoring in Fine Art History. For some, choosing a path in university can be daunting and even overwhelming, but to me it was obvious. I knew this was the path I was meant to take, and that proved to be right! Following UofT, I completed a Master of Science Degree in Interior Design at Pratt Institute in New York – another step in the right direction that felt second nature.
You don’t think of an interior designer getting their “big break”, but I got that – After my masters I began working for a handful of world-renown design firms in New York AND my chosen hometown of Toronto, before getting some big news: I was going to be on the design-based reality show “From the Ground-Up” with Debbie Travis. If that wasn’t all, not only did I beat out 9,000 applicants in the first place, but I competed against 14 other finalists – and won!
If I didn’t know it already, I did then. Design comes to me as naturally as breathing.
I became Debbie’s Chief Designer, and was awarded the opportunity of designing and developing ten show homes for Tribute Communities.
Following that success, I did what I had always wanted to do: I established my own design firm. I juggled this with being featured on various other design shows on HGTV. I was the guest designer on the Unsellables, Reno or Relocate, Downright Domestic, and even a regular designer and art director for 9 seasons of Income Property with Scott McGillivray.
My work is my first love, but it also gave me the ability to pour love into other passions: I had always been actively involved in various projects related to the design field, including everything from curating art exhibitions, to building homes in El Salvador for those in need and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.
It all seems short and simple just writing it down here, but it took grit, passion, and more hard work than I can say. I love what I do, and I love bringing designs to life in real time. I was meant for this, and I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to really have at it. It’s been a long road, and I can’t wait to discover what else is hiding behind the corner!
Are you looking to completely reno and transform your space? Ensure the careful smart planning you need from day one, and contact Dvira Interiors! We look forward to incorporating our vision, scope, technical expertise and industry connections to make your home’s design/build experience as positive and rewarding as possible.
