Lisa Canning is the Owner of Lisa Canning Interiors. Based in Toronto, her set design, prop styling, and art direction work has been featured on HGTV and Much Music.

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

6:00-7:30 Rise and shine. Babies make the best alarm clocks. Eat breakfast with husband and baby, get myself ready for the day.
7:30-8:30 Check e-mails, reply to pertinent requests and review my list of appointments / TO DO’s for the day.
9:00 – 9:30 Every Thursday morning I participate in a mom and tot music class. It’s my cardio for the day and a definite highlight. I am guaranteed to be energized and positive on Thursdays because of this class with my son- so I try to schedule things I know might need a lot of energy like load in’s at client’s house or major shopping trips.
10:00 – 12:00 I drop my son off with his grandmother and hit the town running. If major work is going on at a client’s house I’ll usually
check in with trades. If not, Thursday is usually the day I schedule coffee chats with other entrepreneurs, designers, friends, people who
inspire me. I’m usually checking in with Tatiana Read of KnotPR by now for any immediate media requests at this time.
12:00 – 1:00pm I try to pause in the middle of the day to reflect, pray and give thanks. This is followed by a hearty lunch- I love food.
1:00 – 5pm I am usually found with my mac attached to my hip updating my blog, working on designs for clients, scouting out amazing finds on Craigslist, or I am shopping. Favourite furniture shopping areas include King Street W, Queen Street E & Vaughan Mills for the massive HomeSense.
5pm – 7pm I am usually relaxing, eating dinner and playing with my son, maybe (big maybe!) sneaking off to the gym as well.
7pm – 8pm Thursday evenings are usually reserved for meeting with a potential new client or offering one time interior design consultations.
8pm – 9pm. Baby is put to bed and my husband and I catch up on the day’s events. In an effort to maintain balance, we both have a no internet after 9pm rule (we’re not always good at it but we try!).
9pm – 10:30pm We relax. I try to read, my husband and I might watch a movie or just chat over a glass of wine. I am in bed by 10:30pm and that’s my day!

What was your first job out of school?

I was offered the awesome opportunity to be the designer on Marriage Under Construction, a 13 episode series following a young married couple purchase, renovate and decorate a home on HGTV. My first or second day on set was the day of my convocation so I remember having to film and then rushing off to put on my cap and gown.

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Good communication skills, resourcefulness and loads of creativity.

What do you love most about your career?

I love that I get to create spaces that look and feel good and capture the personality of my clients. When I design it is a very personal process. I try to really understand how my client thinks, works, relaxes, etc. Translating their needs into a room they love- I love it!

Do you have any warnings?

Being an entrepreneur can be challenging as it is the opposite of 9-5pm. In the beginning, I could work almost every working hour. And if I wasn’t actually physically working, I was always thinking- about new possibilities, new partnerships, new opportunities. I still have this
mindset, but I force myself to turn it off and recharge. I am more creative and more productive when I have given myself space. Also- working
from home does not entitle you to stay in pajamas all day (as tempting as it is).

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

After the Olympics I am completely obsessed with curling. The skill and precision it takes is amazing. So maybe I’d curl for a year.