Saint Clair Kitchen & Home

Q&A with Antoinette Fraser

Where do you find design inspiration?

My clients inspire my work. I look for clues from their personality and interests. For some clients it may be their art collection, for others their fashion sense. But something invariably takes the design in a direction uniquely theirs.

How do you approach the design process?

Design begins with a conversation. I start to by itemizing and prioritizing the client’s wishlist. Often a client tells me something that makes no sense and I get a bit frustrated. I will then do my most original work by trying to see with their eyes. A client told me once that they wanted a “beachy” feel in the kitchen. I kept looking at photos of coastal homes, until it occurred to me that most people define “beachy” through color. I asked the client to help me see what they wanted with color. “Beachy” turned into “happy.” A space that could have been more predictable turned into a special place that the client found herself, I was only her guide.

What makes your aesthetic stand out amongst other designers?

I see the kitchen as separate vignettes rather than as a whole. Each one has to stand on its own merit. I like classic lines with a bit of glamour.

What is the greatest value you provide to your clients?

I approach every design with value in mind. The best way to achieve that is through quality and timelessness.