Design that is priced and buildable
The most common problem we hear about is a beautiful design that comes in far over budget, or that the builder cannot build as drawn. Kay2's designers work in the same office as our estimators and project managers, so every layout and finish is checked for cost and buildability while it is being designed.
That is the main difference between hiring a designer on their own and working with a design-build team.
Who you work with
Kay2's design team is led by Carolina, our lead interior designer, who holds a master's degree in architecture with a focus on architectural interior design. She works with Krishna, our interior design assistant, who has a degree in architecture and a diploma in interior decorating from Bow Valley College, with more than eight years in showroom staging and decorating.
They meet you at the Showroom and stay with your project until the last finish is installed.
What the design process looks like
- A first meeting at your home to understand how you live, what is not working and what you love.
- Measurements and drawings of the existing space.
- Space planning and layout options, including any walls that could move.
- 3D renderings and sketches so you can see the space before it is built.
- Finish, fixture and lighting selections at the Kay2 Showroom and Design Centre.
- Detailed millwork drawings for cabinetry, built-ins and feature walls.
- A design that carries straight through to construction with the same team.
Space planning comes before finishes
Finishes get most of the attention, but the layout decides how a home feels to live in. Where the kitchen island sits, how a hallway flows, whether a bedroom gets a walk-in closet or a bigger ensuite. These decisions are much cheaper to make on paper than after construction starts.
We look at sightlines, natural light and how people move through the house before we talk about tile or paint colours.
Millwork and built-ins
Custom millwork is where a renovation starts to feel personal. Kitchen cabinetry, mudroom lockers, fireplace surrounds, home office walls and closet systems are all drawn to the inch by our designers, so they fit the space exactly and work the way you need them to.
Choosing finishes for a Calgary home
Calgary is dry, bright and cold for months at a time. Solid wood can move in low humidity, some natural stone needs more care than people expect, and rooms that feel warm in summer can feel flat on a January afternoon. We choose materials that stay stable year-round and plan lighting, window treatments and colour palettes that work in every season.
You choose every finish in person at the Kay2 Showroom and Design Centre in SE Calgary, so you can see real samples in real light before anything is ordered.
What design costs at Kay2
Design is included at no extra charge on every Kay2 renovation, covering the plans, drawings and core selections the project needs. If you would like help with every detail, from lighting and hardware to furniture placement and styling, a full interior design package is available. We explain both at your consultation.
Where design makes the biggest difference
- Kitchens, where layout, storage and lighting decide how well the room works.
- Primary ensuites and walk-in closets.
- Open-concept main floors after walls come out.
- Basements that need to feel like part of the house.
- Whole home renovations, where every room needs to work together.
