The team at The Ring knew instantly that we wanted to share our love for Ainsley Poirier and Dolly Radmore, the creative brains behind Fresh Look Design Interior & Wedding Specialists. We loved their philosophy....every couple's wedding should be unique to their personal style. And we also loved their commitment to bringing fresh, innovative and creative ideas to every single couple they meet.
And we soon found out that brides and vendors alike are just as smitten with this fabulous duo as we are. One bride told us, "People NEED to know about this team. Fresh Look Design should not be a secret." One photographer that has worked on a wedding with Ainsley and Dolly was so blown away by their work that she says that she can't imagine using another design team for her upcoming wedding. Here's more on Fresh Look......
Personally speaking
Ainsley has always had a passion for design. So, when she graduated from high school, she went right into the Interior Design Program at Sheridan College. After she completed her design program, she decided to specialize in the Residential Design program at The Art Institute of Toronto. After graduation, she found herself with several job offers at large design firms. While most people would be thrilled, Ainsley felt like she was missing something, "I really wanted to jump right into the design process and be face to face with clients."
So in 2003, Ainsley opened Fresh Look Design Consulting. She spent four years learning the ins and outs of design, working on exciting projects and interior design concepts. But she still had the feeling that she was missing something. It was then that Ainsley and her close friend Dolly, started to notice that friends and family were asking for help coming up with creative ideas for their weddings and events. Dolly, the planner and Ainsley, the designer found that their individual visions for owning a business were starting to transform into a joint venture.
In the last four years the company has grown dramatically, and is now known as Fresh Look Design Interior & Wedding Specialist. With the growth of the company it has also grown the friendship and drive for both Ainsley and Dolly that they decided to make it a true joint venture by partnering in 2011. With the launch of the new studio and image they have successfully decorated more than 25 weddings this past season (May-Nov) in the KW and surrounding areas.
Ainsley, the Lead Designer, became the face of Fresh Look Design, "I bring the couples vision to life and makes sure that it is followed through by the rest of the team on the day of the special event."
Dolly was perfect for the role of Creative Assistant/ Marketing Business Manager, "I am behind the scenes, assisting in the design process and leading a hand with the set up on the special day. I have more than seven years of business marketing experience from my past and current career that I have been able to implement into Fresh Look Design."
For this team, planning and designing weddings is a dream come true, “we love the satisfaction of a job well done. Being able to work with couples to bring their unique personality and vision to life is an experience we will never tire of! We have the opportunity to work with many different styles and themes which makes our job truly exciting and keeps our creative juices flowing."
Kara Derose from Purple Door Photography says she would hire Fresh Look Design in a heartbeat, "I have seen their designs again and again and everytime, I am blown away by how talented they are. Their passion for their job is obvious. They are professional and fun and always bring your vision to life. They deliver what they promise...everytime."
Incredible Experience
The team at Fresh Look Design has planned almost every kind of wedding, from a small quaint outdoor wedding at the cottage to a 500 person Masquerade themed French wedding in Montreal.
But that hasn't stopped them from continuous growth and education. Ainsley believes that staying on top of her game means taking ongoing classes to further her skills set. She is currently looking forward to a florist course in Toronto in the fall.
And both woman have had the opportunity to plan, design and decorate their own weddings. "One of which was a swing on the Traditional Catholic wedding and the other a Cross Cultural wedding of Laos and Canadian...for 600 people!"
Kristen Smith, an account manager at Bingemans, has worked with Fresh Look Design on several occasions. She told The Ring, "They provide great services! Ainsley is easy to work with, and is able to see your vision and help it come to life. She is punctual, communicative and responds in a timely manner. She does not force her ideas on you, but is sympathetic to each person’s wants and needs. She is able to work with all budgets and is not pushy about what she thinks is best – using her experience to advise, not dictate. She is all about the bride/client – she has a passion for ensuring that her clients are happy. At the end of the day, if the client is happy, she is happy. "
Couples love....
One of our favourite things about Fresh Look Design is their commitment to always bringing in fresh, creative innovative ideas to all of their couples.
The team is therefore continually sourcing out products and purchasing inventory. "We use this inventory in many different ways to allow us to work with any budget....big or small!"
They also say that really listening to their clients helps them create a successful wedding day. "It helps make sure that each couples vision comes through in the final outcome."
But it's also their fun and flexible personalities that has couples raving about Fresh Look Design. Ainsley told The Ring, "We build memorable relationships with our clients and treat every event as if it were our own. We are a family business and want our clients to feel like they are a part of the family."
Jill Ross-Melanson used Fresh Look Design for her June 2011 wedding at The Tannery, "The options were endless, they were able to create everything I was looking for. One of the most talked about things at our wedding was the gorgeous décor, it was simple yet elegant, they knew exactly what I wanted and created it all for our day. They were creative, friendly and easy to work with."
The Fresh Look Style
Ainsley and Dolly describe their style as casual, unconventional and flexible. Their décor can accommodate traditional, simple or elaborate weddings, however they are mostly asked for something elegant, simple and fresh.
"Because we mesh well together we have been able to blend our skills to create something quite amazing. We bring our spunk and positive energy to every client and try our very best to make their experience truly enjoyable!"
Jennifer Davies has used Fresh Look Design for her September 16th, 2011 wedding, "Ainsley took time to find out who we are, what our hopes and dreams were for our wedding day and make every piece personal and unique for us. Fresh Look was a critical piece in our 'stress free' wedding planning. Instead of being frantic and overwhelmed, we were able to enjoy planning and soak in this very special time in our lives. Fresh Look is about creating a décor that is unique and personal to the couple, not about making a wedding look exactly like everyone else’s. If you want an amazing experience that will create those lasting memories….call Fresh Look Design!"
Personalizing Trends
One of Fresh Look Design's most loved products is their chair covers. Ainsley and Dolly say adding quality chair covers to your wedding decor can make a huge difference, "chair covers are a great and inexpensive way to add elegance to any space. We are able to supply them to our clients at a very reasonable cost."
The team is always on the lookout for new trends and stand out ideas. Here are some of the latest trends the team at Fresh Look Design is seeing:
•More relaxed atmosphere: holding your wedding outside, at a family property or even using a space like a barn or museum
•Couples being more involved with the whole planning process, especially your 'better half'
•Vintage accents are also becoming more popular, especially for the 2011/2012 season
•Although colours do continually change, right now, the team is seeing combinations of purple and silver, Fuchsia and lime green, neutrals with metallic or bright accents.
While these are some popular trends, Fresh Look Design continually thinks outside of the box and has trend setting design concepts of their own.
"Although we try to incorporate current trends, we are very conscious of not duplicating the same idea from one event to the other. However if a couple sees something they like from another event that we have done, we will recreate it, but with their personality in mind."
Pricing and Products
Fresh Look Design offers something for every budget. From simple accents and centrepeices to full decor, they will work with you to create your dream vision on your wedding day.
They provide individual pieces or full wedding décor packages. To give you an idea, the average full wedding décor package with 150-200 guests runs at approximately $2000-$2500.
Here are just a few ways you can utilize Fresh Look Design's expertise for your wedding:
•Use fabric to change a bland space into something soft and elegant, by draping panels, using ceiling canopies and lit backdrops.
•Use of good quality stretch chair covers to give a space that last little touch.
•Use their vast inventory of linens and accessories, working with your specific colour schemes and style.
•Use their many options for vases, to accommodate any style and concept of centre pieces or floral design.
•Working with your florist to come up with unique designs, to ensure that each couple has the perfect centrepieces on their wedding day.
•Working closely with vendors and the venue(s) to ensure that all requirements are met and that everything runs smoothly.
DIY couples will love that Fresh Look Design offers several items that you can purchase or rent to complete your own vision. Some of the more popular items available are vases of all shapes and sizes, fabric, linen, and accent pieces.
For the creative Couples
Ainsley and Dolly find that most of the couples that use Fresh Look Design are fun and outgoing. "They're looking for a decorator that will be able to involve their ideas as well as come up with some original creativity to match their personalities....and theirs alone!"
Walking you through it
If you're interested in knowing more about Fresh Look Design, you can send them an email or give them a call.
The team takes their first impression seriously. "We are personable, fun and fresh with creative ideas. When the couple comes to our studio it's similar to stepping into our homes. We welcome them with open arms and make sure they are truly comfortable with the whole process. "Ainsley and Dolly believe that a relaxing atmosphere allows couples to openly communicate and feel comfortable sharing their vision. "We listen, were thorough, and were appreciative of their time!"
During your first consultation, you'll discuss décor options and come up with a design that works for your vision and your budget.
Leading up to your wedding day, Fresh Look Design will be in touch with you as many times as needed, to ensure everything is in place for your special day.
On your wedding day, Ainsley and Dolly are both usually there, along with the Fresh Look Design team. If the set up is in the morning, they like to have everything done at least two hours before the event. They'll return at the end of the event to teardown, unless otherwise agreed. The team knows how busy wedding planning is and are accommodating with appointments as well as the setup and teardown of every event.
If you would like the team to be there for the whole day, they ALSO OFFER FULL DAY COORDINATION.
After your wedding, Fresh Look Design will follow-up with you to make sure that your wedding day was absolutely perfect.
Vanessa Vandenburg from Van Photography, told The Ring, "Fresh Look Design was a great company to work with. What I enjoyed most was that I found the team quite easy to get along with. I believe that in any industry, compatibility is key. In fact I am getting married next year and plan to use the services of Fresh Look Designs. They are incredibly inspirational and I love their unique collaborations and designs."
Details, details, details,
•The average bride spends between $1500-$2500 with Fresh Look Design
•HST applies
•To hold your wedding date, Fresh Look Design asks that couples put down 50% of the overall price at signing of contract. However, they are flexible and willing to work with clients on an individual basis.
•It's best to book six months to a year before your wedding day. However, if your day is available, they can accommodate last minute requests.
Contacting Fresh Look
For more, email Ainsley and Dolly at at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or give them a call at 519-954-8978. Or, make an appointment to visit their studio at 5-148 Bedford Road, Kitchener. Check out their website at www.freshlookdesign.ca
