Looking for the best interior designer in Ottawa or the Ottawa Valley? Discover what to look for in a designer—and how Candace Plotz Design creates timeless, tailored homes across Ontario.

They say moving ranks among life’s most stressful undertakings and after more than fifty personal relocations, I’d have to agree. Yet in the midst of the chaos, there’s a clarity that only comes from starting anew.

There’s a magic to summer by the water—days stretch longer, breezes carry the scent of cedar and fresh air, and life slows to a more intentional pace. Lakeside living isn’t just about the view—it’s about the way a home can embody the rhythms of the season, celebrating both its vibrant moments and its quiet, restorative ones.

There’s something about summer that always awakens the dreamer in me. I often find myself imagining long, languid afternoons spent poolside—perhaps at a quiet luxury hotel or along the sparkling coast of Italy, where the sun warms your skin and the world feels beautifully slowed down.

When you’re building a home from the ground up, it’s easy to get swept away in the big, beautiful decisions. But the difference between a well-built home and a thoughtfully tailored one often lies in the little things—the quiet details that elevate both form and function.