HG Design
Ashely Botten
Meet the Designer
We asked Toronto-based designer Ashley Botten of Ashley Botten Design what fuels her thoughtful and striking interiors. Botten's work includes family homes, multi-generational retreats and inspiring workplaces. The designer has become known for her clean aesthetic and for pushing creative boundaries where and when she can. Her goal? Adding rich, emotional currents to each room. Her passion? Working collaboratively with her clients and creating her line of custom furnishings and unique products. Read on to get a glimpse of Botten's work and inspiration.
HG: How would you define your style?
AB: Naturally refined, quietly layered, thoughtfully curated, timeless with an emotional story.
HG: When did you first become interested in design?
AB: When I was about 10 years old, just as I was able to push furniture on my own - I had a passion for rearranging my bedroom. I spent a lot of time there drawing and colouring. I'd naturally ‘curate’ everywhere I went. This led me to interior design – to create spaces that gently nudge people to feel.
HG: Who or what inspires you?
AB: Travel, art, books, fashion, hard work, all the possibilities…
HG: Where is your happy place?
AB: My happy place is where I can be in the moment with the people I love. That can be on the best holiday, the Thousand Islands, where my family has a cottage, out for dinner or in my living room. Cliché I know, but true.
HG: What's your favourite part of the design process?
AB: The startup of our projects is exciting…new ideas, new conversations, new relationships – embarking on a new experience. The ABD team is always building on ideas about how can we provide the best experience for our clients. New to our start up process, we have introduced NYCE x ABDE (New York City Experience x Ashley Botten Design Experience) where we curate a day in NYC to visit studios, galleries, and workshops of artists, designers and creators. Together, we discover the uber-talented creative activity that’s happening in the world.
HG: Styling tip?
AB: Less is more. Authentic, meaningful pieces. I like large groupings of artfully crafted vases with a ‘nonchalant’ flower arrangements. I love books, meaningful books of specific interest. I like to play with scale.
HG: Favourite room in the house?
AB: When we bought our house, the main floor front hall was a gallery. Before that, it was a coffee shop by day and an after hours hangout by night. This room is now our living room and everything in it has a story. It makes me feel calm and collected. It’s a unique space and I love that.
HG: Best entertaining tip?
AB: To create a mood that takes you on a quiet journey. The right lighting and music is so important.
