Ethical Design & Construction

Bilingual designer Johanne Roy fully appreciates the power of word-of-mouth marketing. In fact, this owner, founder, and principal of Ambiance Design Studio, who, in 1994, founded the firm in her British Columbia house, never advertised more than in the phone book. The company’s work started with one small interior-renovation project, and Roy has never stopped since.

Today, Ambiance provides complete interior-design services and project management for interior renovations, additions, new construction on custom residences, and commercial and hospitality projects. “With our new constructions, we create each house from a ‘design for living’ perspective, which enables us to effectively integrate the interiors and clients’ lifestyles with the architecture of every house,” Roy says.

Ambiance’s clientele varies among residential, commercial, and hospitality areas, with some work cropping up for multifamily condos and vacation properties. The firm is currently completing a 7,000-square-foot modern residence in Durham, Ontario, and a 7,500-square-foot classic residence in Prince George, British Columbia. “We also provide interior-design services for a large amount of British Columbia government offices,” Roy says.

Ambiance stays competitive by taking pride in its ethical business practices and by providing unique concepts to all of its clients. “Although a large amount of our clientele desire a rustic or mountain aesthetic, we ensure that all of our projects are different,” Roy says. “We never repeat a design concept, and we are comfortable within every style—whether contemporary, classic, or rustic.”

Roy has always been interested in being a business owner, and she has consistently had a clear vision of how an ethical interior-design practice operates. At the root of such conviction is her team. With a very distinct set of skills, everyone at Ambiance Design Studio contributes to the success of every project.

Ambiance is now beginning to focus on environmentally friendly materials and concepts, as well as ensuring a low-carbon footprint and employing sustainable-building practices. “Two of our team members are currently upgrading their skills with LEED certification,” Roy says. In the short term, Roy hopes to complete LEED accreditation, and her long-term goal is to establish a “sustainable interior-design concept and operating program” for green hotels.

The keys to Ambiance’s success read like a best-practices handbook: integrity; being respectful of all team members, employees, trades, and consultants involved in a project; customer service; open lines of communication; and originality.

“We take pride in delivering a construction-document package with all the information required for all trades involved during the construction process,” Roy says. “We continually try to challenge ourselves while creating comfortable and functional spaces for our clients.”

As it looks ahead, Ambiance plans to maintain a superior level of customer service; to continue growing, learning, and self-educating; and to remain up-to-date with building and design trends. As for Roy, she simply plans on continuing to do what she loves. “I enjoy starting a project, understanding the clients’ wishes, and transforming their thoughts into reality by creating functional and beautiful environments,” she says. “I absolutely love [turning] a space from a drawing to reality.”