Whether you’re looking for a little midday inspiration or want to shake your world inside out, I’ve got the goods.

Live in any beautiful part of North America? I work serious online magic.

Live in the Greater Toronto area? Let’s rock it, traditional style.

Feeling overwhelmed and in a state of stuck-ness? Real-world, time-tested solutions coming right up.

Of course, you wouldn’t be human if you weren’t a bit skeptical so don’t let me convince you. A few words from formerly skeptical clients should take care of that.

Have a few questions? These ones, maybe?

The whole concept of working with a designer freaks me out. How do I know you’re not going to take over or cost me an arm and a leg?

Working with a designer (a good one, anyway) isn’t about remortgaging the house or having a one-way relationship. It’s about making smart decisions and saving you from costly mistakes along the way regardless of your budget. It’s about having an experienced sounding board, not a dictator interested in a personal aesthetic agenda. My goal isn’t to work with everyone; my goal is to create connections with people who ‘get’ my way of working and want to join the revolution. Design isn’t about money; it’s about manifesting your unique perspective on the world.

You don’t seem very designer-y. What’s up with that?

I’ll take that as a compliment. I have a few bones to pick with designers still operating with an old-school mentality. It’s the information age people! Working in a vacuum or advocating the exclusivity philosophy does nothing but create resentment and confusion and that ain’t the way I roll. I believe design is as much about a client’s self-discovery as it is about creating a kick-ass space.

So how do you know my style if all I’m sending you are pictures of my crappy old college furniture and a few fugly hand-me-downs?

Whether you’re living with a case of the visual hives or you’ve had one-too-many “what the hell was I thinking?!” moments, the You of you definitively shines through. It’s my job to bring that essence to the surface regardless of what that surface currently looks like. I accomplish this in a number of different ways but we start by jamming on the phone rather than having you answer questions in an online form. Besides being way more intimate, how else would I understand exactly what you mean when you say, “mid-century-but-not-too over-the-top-modern-kind-of-warm-and-clean-all-at-the-same-time”? Uh-huh. Much easier to discuss together than to guess.

How does this online stuff work, anyway?

The principles of design remain the same whether you live in my city or a city across the continent. Our jam session helps me understand who you are and what’s most important to you so we can start creating the space you’ve been envisioning. It goes something like this: you send me digital photos and measurements and I send you, well, You in visual form. And the best part? You’ll receive detailed, step-by-step instructions to bring the visual you to life so there’s no guesswork involved. I even highlight your priorities and give you tips and tricks to carry you through the project. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, I’m right beside you – digitally speaking – so you can hit me with any questions or concerns as they come up. Really, it’s as easy as 1 – 2 – 3. You can start now or work on bits and pieces over time. You can also follow the plan as closely or as loosely as you like. No second-guessing, no messing around, no bullshit. How easy is that?!

So, if you’re interested in being at one with your space, regardless of whether we’re rocking Fortuny or Ikea, let’s chat. Email is the best way to start.

erica AT ericaswansondesign.com (replace the AT with @ and you’ll be golden). Or check out the other marvelous ways of getting in touch.

Need more? Check out the love fest.