What does it look like to take a dream and turn it into a full-fledged design studio? For Ksenia Berkovich, it began with a passion for storytelling through space — and a leap of faith into the world of interior design. Over eight years ago, she enrolled in The Interior Design Institute’s flexible, self-paced online course. Today, she leads Fancy Interiors Studio, a boutique firm in Toronto known for high-end, emotionally driven residential design.
In this feature, we catch up with Ksenia to hear about her journey from student to award-winning studio founder. She shares her creative process, her biggest lessons learned, and why leading with empathy is the secret to great design. Whether you’re just starting out or dreaming of launching your own studio one day, her story is sure to inspire.
Image Source:
Interiors by Graduated #IDIstudent Ksenia
Berkovich from @fancy_interiors_studio.
Hi! My name is Ksenia, and I’m the owner and principal designer of Fancy Interiors Studio. I’m also a proud graduate of The Interior Design Institute (IDI) and a mom of two, living in the beautiful Toronto area here in Canada.
My design journey started over eight years ago, and it’s been an incredible ride ever since. What began as a passion has grown into a successful high-end design studio where we bring custom homes to life, one thoughtful decision at a time. Today, I lead a talented team that works closely with clients to completely transform their spaces — not just visually, but emotionally and practically too. For us, it’s not just about creating beautiful interiors — it’s about improving people’s lives and guiding them through one of the most exciting chapters: the renovation of their home. Every project is a new adventure, and I’m grateful every day that I get to do what I love.
As a kid, I was always drawing and dreaming up little worlds. One of my favorite games was designing a home for a mouse — I’d draw all its rooms, organise the layout, and imagine how it would live in its cozy little burrow. That was my earliest version of space planning! I come from a creative family: my grandmother was a fashion designer, and my mom is an engineer. I was always strong in math, but I also had a deep love for visual storytelling — and interior design became the perfect marriage of those two worlds.
I used to rearrange my bedroom every six months, just to find a better layout. Originally, I dreamed of becoming an architect, but I realised I was more drawn to the intimate, lifestyle-focused side of design. I love that interior design allows me to create harmony, comfort, and beauty in people’s everyday lives — and that’s where my heart truly lies.
Looking back, it all adds up — my creative roots, my love for floor plans and layout, my obsession with functionality, and the joy I found in transforming a room. Interior design brought together all the pieces: creativity, calculation, beauty, and purpose. I love that this career lets me reimagine how people experience their homes — and I never take for granted the trust my clients place in me to help bring their vision to life.
As both a designer and the owner of the studio, my days are full and well-structured — they have to be! I balance creative meetings with clients, site visits, vendor coordination, and hours of focused desk work. I actually love the contrast between the highly social side of the job and the quiet, precise moments when I’m drawing or developing a concept.
I enjoy the flexibility of being able to start my day later, take care of my family in the morning, then fully dive into work. Whether I’m discovering new materials, meeting with trades, or finalizing drawings, every day brings something new. In the evening, I return to my family — although I’m often still on my phone, fielding questions or coordinating next steps.
My style leans toward elevated contemporary with a touch of transitional warmth. I love clean lines, rich textures, and purposeful layers — but I always start with the client. I ask a lot of questions to understand how they want to live in their home, and I take into account the architecture of the space to ensure everything flows together seamlessly. I also love minimalist aesthetics and incorporating eclectic, character-filled elements where it makes sense.
So, while I have a signature style, I believe that the best design reflects both the space and the people living in it.
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Source: Interior by Graduated #IDIstudent Ksenia
Berkovich from @fancy_interiors_studio.
I draw inspiration from art, architecture, fashion, and nature. I’ve always loved Renaissance and Impressionist paintings—their light, texture, and emotion influence how I approach materials and atmosphere in a space.
Architecture teaches me about structure, balance, and flow, while fashion design inspires me with bold uses of texture, shape, and colour. And nature grounds it all—beautiful stones, rich woods, greenery—there’s so much harmony and beauty in the natural world. For me, it’s about layering all these elements to create spaces that feel elevated, thoughtful, and real.
I always aim to create timeless design — so while I stay current with trends, I’m selective in how I incorporate them. If my clients love a trend and it genuinely brings them joy, I’ll find a thoughtful way to integrate it. But I won’t recommend spending a large portion of the budget on something that’s not practical or is likely to feel dated quickly. Great design has staying power — and I’m here to help guide my clients toward choices they’ll love for years to come.
Absolutely — contemporary elegance is a consistent thread in what I do. I gravitate toward sophisticated simplicity, natural textures, and designs that feel as effortless as they are elevated. But more than a visual style, there’s a thematic goal in all my work: to make homes that feel both grounded and inspiring, practical and beautiful.
Right now, I’m really excited about opening our own showroom! We’re in the process of setting it up, and I can’t wait to have all of our samples in one place. It’ll be such a powerful tool for our clients — to be able to see, touch, and experience everything in one space. I’m counting the days until it’s ready!
This year has already been incredible — we were honoured with a Top Choice Award 2025, and our work was published in Reno+Décor Magazine. My next big goal is to land a cover feature, and I’d also love to complete and photograph a few of our current projects. They’re some of our most exciting ones yet, and I can’t wait to share them with the world.
Even though we’re opening a showroom, I still love working from home. I’ve created a beautiful, functional office space that inspires me every day. It has everything I need — from samples to a quiet corner to sketch — and allows me to stay close to my family while remaining productive. That said, I do value the studio space and believe in the importance of in-office teamwork as our team grows.
Balance is something I strive for daily — and it shifts all the time. Some days are full of back-to-back work meetings, and others are devoted to family priorities. That’s the beauty of this profession: it offers flexibility and creativity, which makes it possible to navigate both worlds. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that balance isn’t a fixed state — it’s a rhythm, and I’ve found mine.
Image Source: Interiors by Graduated #IDIstudent Ksenia
Berkovich from @fancy_interiors_studio.
There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the joy and disbelief on my clients’ faces when they step into their transformed homes. That moment of “I can’t believe this is my house” is pure magic. I also thrive on challenges—especially when it comes to tricky layouts. I love turning what initially feels like a problem into a brilliant design solution. There’s a thrill in transforming a space’s limitations into its biggest strengths. And of course, it always fills me with gratitude when new clients reach out to work with us—that’s the highest compliment.
Honestly, design is my biggest hobby. I never really switch off from it—in my free time, I’m constantly scrolling through ideas, exploring design solutions, or watching films for visual inspiration. I also adore visiting art galleries with friends, and spending time in nature, observing its harmony and effortless balance. Nature is a huge influence on my design process—it teaches you about flow, texture, and colour in the most organic way. And above all, my greatest joy and grounding force is my children. They keep life full, unpredictable, and beautiful.
Absolutely. I find it inspiring and incredibly helpful. Seeing what other designers are tackling, learning from their experiences, and watching how creative solutions evolve in real-time is invaluable—especially in an industry that’s constantly innovating. The design community online is like a living library, full of answers, insight, and support.
Each year, we’re proud to receive the “Best of Houzz” award, which recognises our consistency and quality. One of our big highlights was being featured in Houzz’s list of “101 Most Beautiful Spaces in the World” back in 2021. That was a real milestone for us. More recently, two of our projects were published in Reno + Décor magazine—something we’re incredibly proud of. And now, we’re in the exciting process of opening our very own showroom, a dream coming true where clients can experience our materials, finishes, and ideas in one place. We also have several incredible projects underway, each one pushing us further and bringing new creative energy.
Yes. My ethos is rooted in trust, collaboration, and clarity. I believe the bond with the client is the cornerstone of every successful project. It’s about being their advocate, not just their designer. I listen deeply to their needs, preferences, and lifestyle and design a home that’s not only beautiful but truly livable. My work is about creating timeless spaces that reflect the people who live in them. I also believe in setting clear boundaries—not as walls, but as frameworks for healthy, effective communication. That balance between professionalism and genuine care defines everything we do at Fancy Interiors Studio.
Image Source:
Interior by Graduated #IDIstudent Ksenia
Berkovich from @fancy_interiors_studio.
I have a long list of brands I love—and it keeps growing.
Green.
"First we shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us" by Winston Churchill.
Architectural Digest, Vogue Living, Clements Design.
Greg Natale and Kelly Wearstler.
Refined. Comfortable. Personal.
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Source: Interior by Graduated #IDIstudent Ksenia
Berkovich from @fancy_interiors_studio.
It was incredibly convenient and flexible, which was exactly what I needed at the time. I appreciated how much valuable information was packed into the course—it really opened the door to the world of interior design for me.
I loved that it was self-paced. That structure gave me the freedom to go deeper into the areas I was most passionate about and explore them on my own time. Not having strict deadlines allowed me to balance learning with my daily life and get more out of each module.
Take your time. Explore your passion thoroughly, and think about how you can translate your creativity into real-world, practical design. The more you connect what you’re learning to everyday life, the more meaningful and lasting it becomes.
Right now, we’re working on nine beautiful projects—each one custom and unique. Some are in the renovation phase, others are in planning or concept development. We also have a few commercial properties in the mix, which always bring new challenges and excitement.
You can reach me directly through email ksenia@fancy-interiors.com or our website. And of course, you’re always welcome to follow along with our studio’s work and behind-the-scenes updates on Instagram at @fancy_interiors_studio.
Taking this course was a turning point in my life. It gave me the opportunity to step into the world of interior design with confidence and a strong foundation. What started as a curiosity quickly evolved into a full-time career, and eventually into owning my own design studio - Fancy Interiors Studio with award-winning projects. I’m incredibly grateful for the flexibility, depth, and quality of education IDI provided—it truly set the stage for everything that followed.
Image Source: Interiors by Graduated #IDIstudent Ksenia
Berkovich from @fancy_interiors_studio.
Check out more graduate interviews on our blog to see where an interior design education can take you — from first steps to flourishing design careers. If you have questions about the interior design course or want to chat with our team, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email— we’d love to hear from you!
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