As a general contractor, the success of any project hinges on the clear communication of ideas and direction with the designer. Together we share the responsibility of guiding our clients through the construction/renovation process from design to completion while maintaining a watchful eye on the parameters of the budget provided. I had the great pleasure of working with Celia on a project that presented us numerous challenges, but which ultimately left our clients extremely grateful for what we had jointly created for them.
Celia’s clear vision and unbelievable organization enabled myself and my trades to tackle the project in a manner I rarely get to experience. Product information, availability and lead times were all provided to me well prior to the commencement of construction. Design layouts and configurations were clearly detailed. All of these things resulted in the project going more smoothly than most I have done over the past 28 years! On top of all this Celia has the patience of a saint! It is my sincerest hope that I have numerous opportunities in the future to work with Celia once again!
— James Darling
— Sandra Bollenbach and John Amadio
— Claudia & John Zuccarini
— Amy Coupal
Celia helped reconfigure our downstairs layout and helped source furnishings and the colours. It wasn’t a very large job, and she took the time to listen to everything that I wanted and made it happen on time and in budget. The end results were fantastic and couldn’t have been accomplished without her.
We liked the end results so much that we’re now working with her for a whole house renovation, and already her advice has been invaluable. She’s made the design work with the architect easier, and the floor plan is way more efficient under her eye. I highly recommend using her services.
— Sue Soamboonsrup
I met Celia at a social function and immediately felt comfortable with her.
I hired Celia for modifications to my home and was so pleased with her work that I have since referred her to clients.
When she worked at my home, I found Celia to be an astute listener, and she presented several possible solutions to the projects. The tradespeople she recommended were excellent.
The most recent project was completed while I was out of the country. Celia oversaw the project and I was delighted to return to a completed job, right down to the smallest detail. I highly recommend Celia and will continue to refer her.
— Kathy McLachlan | RE/MAX Hallmark Kathy McLachlan Group Realty Ltd. Brokerage
— Christine Fadare
— Jan Goddard and Gordon Howe
— Debra Lovinsky
— Albert Donadio | AJD Design Group Inc. | Alair Homes Orillia and Barrie Ontario
— Karen Bishop
Celia came highly recommended through my contractor to help me with concept drawings for a three-level (unexpected) renovation to my new house.
After meeting with her, I was impressed with her focus on getting to know exactly what my style and design inspiration ideas were (rather than just what I thought they were) and knew I had to hire her right away. Celia was absolutely great to work with and so kind when explaining the process to me as I had no prior experience in this field. I learned so much about what I really wanted for the renovations through Celia’s guidance. It’s incredible the difference she made and I’m so happy I got to work with her! I can safely, highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for a real high-quality professional for their renovations.
— David Casey
I have been a contractor for over twenty years and have worked for clients with all different sorts of budgets and scopes of work; anything from bathroom renovations to large additions. Each project and every client are vastly different. I have also worked with many designers brought in by clients. There is not enough time to describe the numerous negative interactions I have had with some designers. I never know what situations will arise when designers insist on doing something one way, even though it will add thousands to their client’s bill; and where the design usually puts form over function (which I know the clients will regret once they live in the space, or use a fixture that looks pretty but does not function well.)
Working with Celia has been a pleasant surprise. From the first moment we did a walk-through together of our mutual client’s project to the finish of the project, Celia was always respectful of my input and changed her design to accommodate both budget and function. Celia also offered more of a coaching role to the client where the client knew what she wanted but benefited from bouncing ideas off of Celia. Celia also offered a range of services and, instead of charging for drawings in certain situations, she saved the client money and time by meeting with me on site to measure out locations for lighting and fixtures. Celia also has excellent contacts for products and services. She also reached out to check on the project even though her role was mostly finished, which I really appreciated.
For anyone out there who would like an interior designer who is flexible, listens to you, and offers valuable advice or coaching on design elements, I highly recommend working with Celia from Design For Conscious Living!
— Aresh Katirai from Brilliant by Design Inc.
We had the absolute pleasure of working with Celia and are beyond thrilled with the stunning spaces she has created. She designed a walk-in closet, spa bathroom, entertainment room, and bedroom that are nothing short of extraordinary.
From the very start, Celia demonstrated an incredible ability to understand my design dreams and bring my vision to life. Her dedication to ensuring every detail reflected my preferences while maintaining a fabulous friendly partnership with the contractors and trades, was remarkable. The walk-in closet feels like a dream—elegant, organized, and tailored perfectly to our needs. The spa bathroom is an oasis of serenity, blending luxury with comfort in a way that makes it a true retreat.
The entertainment room is a masterpiece of design, offering the perfect balance of style and relaxation for hosting or unwinding. And our bedroom—oh, our bedroom—is a sanctuary of peace and beauty, with every element harmoniously coming together to create a calm, inviting space.
What sets Celia apart is her unmatched dedication to making everything not only beautiful but also peaceful and personal. She went above and beyond to ensure that every space felt uniquely ours, and her creativity and professionalism made the entire process enjoyable and stress-free.
If you’re looking for a designer who listens, understands, and creates with passion and precision, I wholeheartedly recommend Celia. She has a true gift for turning dreams into reality, and I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with her.
— Charlie Rice
We have worked with Celia yet again on one of our projects and she continues to provide excellent and detailed design insight and drawings for our clients. She is very detail orientated and keeps the design process moving by taking command of schedules and milestones. We would continue to recommend Celia and will continue to work with her on future projects.
— Dave Jurinic | Toronto Custom Concepts
Celia Rutte, Design for Conscious Living was the designer for a complete gutting and expansion of our home in Mid town Toronto. The project took just over a year to complete, and Celia was present with us all the way. She helped guide us through the multiplicity of options and choices to be made in such a big undertaking. She always kept our preferences in mind and chose options we liked. She has an excellent sense of space and proportion and a wonderful colour sense. She was mindful of our budget and kept us on track there as well. She was extremely organized and conscious of deadlines, keeping us and at times our contractor on track. The trades people she suggested were excellent as well. Her communication skills and organizational skills are second to none. She really worked hard and has exacting standards. She has created for us a home that we love and one about which we receive many compliments. We can’t recommend Celia highly enough.
— Anne Ferguson and Gary Ryan
