Montreal-based Studio Kiff is far from your conventional interior design firm. Besides creating distinct spaces that blend the old with the new, their interiors have a pulse. Specializing in commercial spaces—such as boutiques, bars, and select residential projects—their design work can be found across Canada’s leading venues. Think the contemporary minimalism of RUSE Boutique or Dime in Montreal—and even an international leap with Apt. 200 in L.A.. To step into a Studio Kiff space is to step into a curated world. Every element considered, every detail intentional—each with a backstory, reference, or sense of history. The result is a distinct design narrative, infused with playful nods to the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. “I want our projects to have soul, so it lasts,” founder Hélène Thiffault says.
The studio started in 2019, driven by the desire to build strong visual identities that combine boldness with restraint. Holding a background in product design, Thiffault wanted to shift her focus from individual objects to entire environments. “I wanted to create little universes from beginning to end, curating each little detail,” she says. She hoped to create spaces where, upon entry, one felt transported to a distinct little world. Each world is unique from the other with its own quirks and personality.
Thiffault explains that traditional interior design studios can sometimes feel stiff and rigid in their approach, or the opposite, and be overly designed. To oppose that, Studio Kiff operates at the crossroads of aesthetics and functionality, while exploring perception and nostalgia. “Function is as important as aesthetic,” she explains. “If you want a space or an object to last, it has to be functional and ergonomic. Aesthetics and function go together and are a must for creating impactful and timeless design,” she says. She also rejects the overly minimal, “too clean” aesthetics, believing they won’t withstand the test of time. Instead, she prefers older, lasting interiors, drawing inspiration from past centuries for their acute freedom of expression. “We like to be bold, we like to stand out, but it needs to be effortless,” she says. “Past eras had such a free spirit, and we want to bring that back and keep it alive.”
Studio Kiff is also about connection. “We’re also very fascinated with how people interact with spaces, for me, interior design is very social,” Thiffault says. She describes it as an art form that brings people together, and these interactions set the tone for an atmosphere beyond the design elements. That same curiosity extends into another branch of her business, product design. The studio offers items such as tissue box covers, chairs, and tables, which serve as vessels to reinforce the brand’s creative identity.
“A big part of what inspires me in my work is taking things people often consider ‘ugly’ or kitsch and recontextualizing them to make them beautiful. I love embracing risk and creating spaces that truly impact the people who experience them—turning the ‘ugly’ or ‘weird’ into something memorable and meaningful,” Thiffault says.
Feature image by Jodi Heartz and Alex Blouin.
