More About CHIL

More About CH I L 31

At CHIL, our design process revolves around trust and collaboration.

BEFORE WE CREATE, WE LISTEN.

For us, ideas come first, not egos. We believe success is the result of the collective minds of CHIL and our clients.

Q: What is your greatest fear? A: Water over my head and no land in sight. This sometimes enters my dreams when I am very busy.

Q: What is it that you most dislike? A: People who lie and advance their own cause by dismissing or belittling others.

Q: What do you most value in your friends? A: Loyalty and continuity. One of my oldest friends I met in grade school.

Q: What inspires you? A: I am inspired by good people and great hospitality design. Most guests will not remember the exterior design of a hotel but will remember and be inspired by beautiful interiors. The careful balance of a well- executed design combined with the careful consideration of guest

Paul Morissette

Senior Principal, Global Lead What is your favourite journey? “

I toured Europe by rail and thumb in the 70’s. It was a fantastic trip of over six months where I was exposed to so many distinct cultures with a history of great and varied design.

needs elevates the guest experience providing comfort and respite, opportunities for casual as well as structured interaction, and moments of visual calm and drama.

Q: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? A: Going to work, not enjoying it - and doing the exact thing day after day.

Q: If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing? A: The design industry is unique in that every project and every day present new and exciting opportunities. I feel very fortunate for the career that I have had in hospitality. I worked as an architect for 18 years designing new hotels in western Canada. I then had the opportunity to cross the table and work as Director of Design and Construction for Delta Hotels and then Fairmont Hotels & Resorts providing an entirely new outlook on how the hotel industry values and approaches design. After 6 years with the brands, I joined CHIL Interior Design and have led this talented boutique studio for the past 16 years. Whatever else I might do – it will certainly involve hospitality.

Q: What is your most marked characteristic? A: I am (outwardly) calm, and solution driven. This is partly by nature and mostly learned through four decades in the hospitality industry.

Q: What is your motto? A: My motto is that there is no motto – each day presents new opportunities that require new and unique solutions.

Q: What is your current state of mind? A: Pretty content, mixed with a good amount of stress.

Q: What is your greatest fear? A: I don’t like saying those things out loud – my only superstition.

Q: What is a lesson you learned from a project that you will never forget? A: Don’t make a mistake your pay cheque can’t cover! Seriously though, think things through and prioritize the important aspects and don’t be precious about everything.

Q: Was there a particular moment of inspiration that changed your thinking about design? A: Realizing that design is not about the designer but all about the end user and their experience.

Adèle Rankin

Principal, Global Design Lead What is your idea of perfect happiness? “

Sunny late afternoon, good wine in hand, listening to my beautiful daughter telling me a story.

Q: What is it that you most dislike? A: Injustice and feeling out of control.

Q: What is your greatest extravagance? A: Chai lattes too often.

Q: Are there any words of wisdom from one of your clients that have stuck with you? A: When you point a finger at others be aware that there is always three now pointing back at you. Always think about your responsibility to solve a problem before casting blame.

Q: What do you most value in your friends? A: Good humour and understanding. Q: What is something a well-designed building can’t live without? A: Atmosphere, soul and purpose.

Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? A: I would be more patient.

Q: If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing? A: This industry is in my blood, so I was never going to avoid this path… although is global spa-tester a thing?!

Q: What is your most marked characteristic? A: I always carry nuts to snack on and I happily multi-task like a pro.