Ivy Borja is a designer originally from Vancouver, Canada. She moved to Florida in 2013 and now lives and works in Winter Park.

For Ivy, working towards becoming an Interior Designer was a winding path and formed by a few key experiences. She grew up around her grandmother’s restaurant. What she didn’t realize at the time, was that she was training every day - to work well with others, keep a clean and presentable work space, to communicate with a team and to develop a good rapport with her customers. Ivy was also introduced to the career of interior design when her grandmother expanded her business and hired a designer for the renovation. That’s when the seed was planted, a creative career was a possibility in the future.

After graduating high school, Ivy put herself through University working a couple of jobs. One in fashion retail where she started to learn about textiles, finishes, interiors, furniture and merchandising. The other job was at a non-profit organization working with adults with special needs. Here, she was able to work with many individuals with differing abilities and this introduced her to the world of universal design and how to adapt assisting others with their daily living tasks.

She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the University of British Columbia and worked as a Registered Nurse for over a decade. While nursing, she was drawn to how people interacted with space and was curious how interiors affected one’s mood and health. She started studying plans and always tried to think of ways to improve them. After her rookie year as an RN, she followed her creative passion and studied Interior Design part time, while still working as an RN. Though it took a little longer than anticipated, Ivy graduated with her Diploma in Interior Design with honors and distinction from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

These experiences have helped form her considered interior design approach to create spaces her clients love to live and work in. When she’s not working, you’ll find her with her husband and kids, seeking out their next adventure.