Behind the Business | Getting to know the Re:Creative team
What sets Re:Creative apart from other staging firms?
We pride ourselves on creating beautifully well-styled spaces using modern furniture and carefully curated accessories. We design a custom plan for each property — we do this so no two spaces we design ever look the same. We are always on the hunt for cool and unique items to add to our inventory.
What is styling vs staging, in your eyes?
Staging focuses more on the furniture in the space and styling is all the details that pull the space together. We like to refer to ourselves as real estate stylists rather than stagers because we truly believe the magic lies in the details. The term “real estate stylist” is a more modern and updated title that evokes exactly the feeling we want our spaces to feel like.
How long have you been working in the industry / related fields?
Renee: My background is in fashion and I worked full-time as a sales agent representing a ton of cool brands for more than six years. It was a fun job right out of college that involved travelling, working with designers and store owners and learning a lot about being a lady boss. The owner of the agency, Alyssa Kerbel, has always been a major inspiration to me and continues to guide me through business decisions. Alyssa went on to build children’s clothing brand Mini Mioche and I designed the store(s) with her and created the window displays. ⠀
I always knew that one day I would like to have my own business and in 2012 with a combination of timing and courage I started Re: Creative. At the beginning I was working on DIY workshops, store designs, window displays, interior styling projects and product styling and after a few years I added real estate styling to my services (thanks to the encouragement from my bestie) and that is now my sole focus. I quickly learned that focusing on one area instead of trying to do it all was the right move. It’s been a wild four-year ride and I love every minute of it!
Michael: I’ve been working in visual merchandising and space planning for the last 10 years. Primarily in a retail setting, and more recently with homes and restaurant interiors.
How did you become passionate about home styling?
R: My mom was big into interior design and we never had a white wall in our home growing up. Every few years I was allowed to redesign my room — from dusty pink wall paper and super girly to deep wine-coloured walls and leopard print. It was never boring and I loved getting creative from a young age.
M: I’ve always been obsessed with space design and planning. When I was a kid I used to pretend my bedroom was an apartment and imagine where everything was going.
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What’s your favourite design style / trend?
R: I love curved furniture and alllllll of the muted shades.
M: I’m consistently into mid-century and boho trends, but tend to dip into a little bit of everything.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
R: I love rummaging through antique shops and markets, hiking, eating out and traveling.
M: Travel! Whether it’s a day trip, weekend getaway or trip I love to visit new places and get inspired.
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What’s your favourite place to hang out in Toronto?
R: Union for the most delish food, Hoame meditation studio for zen, VdeV for all the home-decor goods, Hammam Spa to relax, and Trillium Park or High Park for some nature in the city.
M: Toronto? No, Hamilton! I recently moved back to Hamilton and am obsessed! I tend to hang out in the James North/King William and Augusta Street neighbourhoods. There are so many amazing restaurants and so close to home.
Anything else you’d like the world to know about you?
R: I pimp my dog out. He’s been hired to model for Target, Sephora, Walmart and Rogers Media. Real estate stylist by day, stage mom by night.
M: Iced coffee. Black. Unsweetened. Any time of year.
We love networking, meeting likeminded people, and any excuse to take a meeting in a beautiful space. If you want to know more about what we do, who we are, or are interested in a career in home styling – reach out!
