ARIDO Spotlight: Cori Halpern, ARIDO
Cori Halpern, ARIDO | Cori Halpern Interiors
Cori Halpern is a Registered Interior Designer and the founder of Cori Halpern Interiors, a boutique Toronto-based firm specializing in high-end, bespoke residential interiors. Since 1996, Cori has been creating one-of-a-kind, highly personal spaces that blend colour, pattern, texture, and custom details. Known for her joyful approach to design, she seamlessly marries classic and contemporary elements, bringing beauty and functionality to every project.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a Registered Interior Designer that is passionate about creating custom interiors that delight my clients with a joyful mix of colour, pattern, texture and considered details. Established in 1996 my company, Cori Halpern Interiors, is a Toronto-based boutique firm specializing in high-end, bespoke, and full-service residential interior design and renovations. The studio creates one of a kind, highly personal interiors that are as unique as each client. Hallmarks of my work include custom millwork and furnishings, an adept marriage of classic and contemporary elements, and attention to the little things that make a house a home.
A graduate of Toronto’s TMU (formerly Ryerson) School of Interior Design, I am proudly affiliated with ARIDO, NCIDQ, IDC and NKBA. I have been published in Style at Home and House & Home magazines, was nominated for the 2023 House & Home of the Year, and is featured for the second year in a row on the HH100 list of House & Home Magazine’s Top 100 Designers to Watch.
2. Why did you choose to study and practice interior design?
A creative to the core, I loved the idea of designing and creating interior spaces for people. Whether at work or at home, our environments are key to our well-being. I welcome and enjoy the challenges that come with the opportunities to tell my clients’ stories and create custom spaces that fulfill both their practical and aesthetic needs.
3. Can you describe your style in one word?
Colourful
4. How do you approach work-life balance?
This is something that I have had to learn and work on, but also something that I have come to truly value. Having my design studio separate from my home has helped a lot, since when I leave the studio it is easier to switch off my brain. In fairness, it is virtually impossible for an interior designer that has their own company to “fully and completely” leave work behind, and I often wake up in the middle of the night thinking about a project, but I am doing my best! I have also trained myself to not look at my work emails after 6 pm or on the weekends – that was a huge game changer!
5. How do you spark your creativity?
I love to travel, that is definitely my biggest inspiration. I also love beautiful textiles and wall coverings, and often a project’s design concept will be determined based on something that I fall in love with.
7. What are the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
It is definitely challenging to actually run a business! I didn’t go to business school, nor did I learn anything in design school about running a design company, so a lot I had to learn on my own. I am grateful for everyone who has held my hand and helped me along the way! Working with an amazing team, and surrounding myself with an excellent support system has made all the difference. Working with my own strengths and hiring for my weaknesses means that I can work efficiently and professionally.
I love to travel, that is definitely my biggest inspiration. I also love beautiful textiles and wall coverings, and often a project’s design concept will be determined based on something that I fall in love with.
Cori Halpern, ARIDO
8. What did you discover that you didn’t know before? How did interior design or your projects shape you personally?
That people don’t know what they don’t know…. there is a lot of “education” that we as interior designers have to do for our clients. Whether it is in regards to pricing, or timelines, or building codes. HGTV has done a lot to damage the industry, so I spend a lot of time managing expectations and explaining “reality” vs “as seen on TV/Pinterest/Instagram”.
As for how projects have shaped me personally… I think I have become more patient, a better listener, and I value quality, attention to detail, and craftsmanship more. It drives me crazy when I see the cheap junk that some vendors want to pass on to the uneducated consumer.
9. Do you remember the first design that struck you or lingered in your mind?
I remember as a teenager my parents were going to renovate the kitchen. What they were planning didn’t make sense to me, so I suggested a different idea – and they went for it!
10. What is one thing you did for the first time recently?
Appeared on TV as a design expert, and then participated in various speaking engagements.
11. How would you describe your last year?
High highs and low lows. Grateful for all of the wonderful blessings this past year, but very happy to see 2024 be over.
I have always loved colour and have always incorporated it into my work. I began doing more custom work when I couldn’t find what I was looking for, for my clients. It was probably about 10 years ago when I realized that there were not many other designers who worked with a lot of colour. So, rather than be like everyone else, I decided to lean into what made me unique. I embraced and doubled down on my “niche style”, and have never looked back.
Cori Halpern, ARIDO
12. How did you develop your distinctive style?
I have always loved colour and have always incorporated it into my work. I began doing more custom work when I couldn’t find what I was looking for, for my clients. It was probably about 10 years ago when I realized that there were not many other designers who worked with a lot of colour, that Toronto is a pretty “safe” market in terms of that – lots of white kitchens! So, rather than be like everyone else, I decided to lean into what made me unique. I embraced and doubled down on my “niche style”, and have never looked back.
13. What is a quality you most cherish in your designs?
Other people have often described my work as “joyful” and I love that.
14. Did social media affect your work? If so, how?
Absolutely. I have been so incredibly inspired by beautiful images, interesting products, gorgeous materials and finishes, and new innovations. I have also “met” so many other people in my design community, and that has been wonderful. I have been able to find out about design events that I have subsequently attended (and even if I couldn’t go, I feel like I have been able to “see” how others have participated). I have engaged in design education, because I found out about it through social media, and that has been such a bonus! It is also an opportunity to showcase my work to a much larger audience, and the feedback has been so valuable.
15. What advice would you give someone who is interested in interior design?
Also study art history and business!
Build a good foundation (no pun intended!), it’s not all about the glam and pretty stuff that you see at the end – SO much had to go into that project to make it seem effortless. As Registered Interior Designers, we are also dealing with risk and safety, so remember that real people will be using your “beautiful” spaces, and design accordingly.
16. Describe the impact a mentor (formal or informal) has had on you.
Sadly, I don’t think I have ever had a proper mentor… but I am eternally grateful for all of the design professionals who have taken time for me, nurtured me, answered my questions, pointed me in the right direction, shared their sources and resources, and provided support and cheerleading as required. I am very lucky to have a wonderful group of designer “peeps” who are just incredible.
Build a good foundation (no pun intended!), it’s not all about the glam and pretty stuff that you see at the end – SO much had to go into that project to make it seem effortless. As Registered Interior Designers, we are also dealing with risk and safety, so remember that real people will be using your “beautiful” spaces, and design accordingly.
Cori Halpern, ARIDO
16. Is your legacy important to you? What do you hope to pass on to the next generation of Interior Designers?
I have never actually thought about my legacy before!
But this is the advice that I would pass along:
Be honest, have integrity – your work is about what is best for the project and your client, anything else is a bonus.
Bring your best creativity every time. Be adventurous and try new things. Support “makers”, artisans, and other creatives.
Be a cheerleader for your peers and colleagues, and truly – if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything, and for gods sake do NOT post anything!
Travel whenever you can.
17. Describe a new strategy or technique you’ve recently incorporated into your design practice.
Not exactly “new” for me, I have been doing this for the last several years…. Every project is the same, even though every project is different – no matter the size or scope of work. This is because I have sound processes in place that make every project run smoothly. Be organized, and get your processes in order!
18. How can people connect with you? What is your preferred method of communication?
Email and Instagram DM
ARIDO Spotlight
The purpose of the ARIDO Spotlight is to spark meaningful conversations.
We think honest and real conversations are at the heart of community building. Every voice matters and that there is a place for everyone in these conversations.
We feel it’s far more touching and honest to hear from the members who make up our design community – from members at large firms to small business owners, students, newcomers and independent creatives.
Would you like to be featured? Complete this form at the link below:
-The ARIDO Communications Committee
Don’t hesitate to contact Maia Stamatov at mstamatov@arido.ca if you have any questions
