Designers of the Year: Introducing Our Interior Design Judges

A trio of internationally renowned designers joins our Interiors panel for 2019.

An Italian architect and designer whose work will soon be seen in Vancouver’s Oakridge development, a Toronto-based designer whose projects include that city’s Momofuku, and a Vancouver-based designer whose gorgeous work can often be seen in the pages of WL and House and Home—these are our 2019 Interior Design judges.

Piero Lissoni

In 1986, the Italian architect, art director and designer Piero Lissoni, together with Nicoletta Canesi, founded the interdisciplinary studio Lissoni Associati in Milan, focusing on architecture as well as interior and product/light design.  Lissoni and his multinational team thus comprehensively cover these areas, completing them with graphics, art direction and corporate identity. Projects extend globally to include private villas and yachts, residential and hospitality buildings—including the interior design of the new Oakridge development by Westbank in Vancouver.Piero Lissoni has designed products and exhibition stands for many prestigious companies including Alessi, Audi, B&B Italia and Cassina, and he is art director for Alpi, Boffi, De Padova, Lema, Living Divani, Lualdi and Porro. His architecture and design work is recognized worldwide and has earned him a series of international awards, including the Good Design Award, Red Dot Award, Compasso D’Oro ADI, Elle Decor International.

Matthew Davis

Matt Davis is a Principal and Founding Partner of DesignAgency, a global design studio operating out of offices in Canada, the US and Europe. DesignAgency was founded in Toronto in 1998 by Davis along with his long-time friends Allen Chan and Anwar Mekhayech, to apply their diverse talents and expertise towards creating relevant and impactful design experiences. Over the years their mission has remained strong while adapting to a range of consumer tastes, technologies and markets, and broadening their focus from interior design to a variety of sectors and disciplines. DesignAgency’s work has led to numerous awards and accolades from Fast Company, Architectural Record, The New York Times and countless others.A landscape architect by training, Matt has a knack for drawing out the uniqueness of environments to create intriguing spaces. His passion for connections has led to signature collaborations with other artists and designers, and meaningful relationships between brands, operators and investors — helping to bring great projects and partnerships to life.Some of Matt’s best known projects include Generator Barcelona — the first flagship for a brand based on affordable accommodation that lead to a cultural shift in perception about hostels, and a transformation in the industry; Lena Restaurant and The Broadview Hotel, both of which transformed heritage structures into two of Toronto’s most beautiful hospitality destinations. In 2018 he helped Hilton launch “Motto by Hilton”, a new and affordable lifestyle hotel concept that gives guests much freedom and flexibility to design their own stay. Matt is currently working on new landscape hotels including Irth in Prince Edward County, and Costa Elena in Costa Rica.  Matt Davis received his Bachelors in Landscape Architecture from the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto.

Kelly Deck

Designer Kelly Deck of Kelly Deck Design believes that, above all, a home should be quiet and replenishing. She loves elegance, never at the cost of ornamentation or fuss.The firm’s talented team of interior designers undertake a select few projects each year. Homes are chosen for their creative potential and the opportunity to do meaningful work for like-minded patrons.Kelly’s interior design and home decor ideas have gained an international following—through her column in the Globe and Mail, her series on Home and Garden Television, and ongoing contributions to Western Living, Canadian House and Home, and Style at Home.

Enter Designers of the Year by April 1, 2019! Questions? Check out our FAQs.