THE STUDIO
The People Behind the Work
The Local Studio is a team of designers, project managers, operators and creative thinkers who share a single commitment: craft, individuality and a deeply managed client experience.
We are boutique by design — which means the people you meet at the beginning of your project are the people delivering it.
Kate Sadler founded The Local Studio with one clear conviction:
FOUNDERS STORY
great interior design is not about imposing a look. It is about listening carefully, understanding how a client genuinely wants to live and building a home that reflects that — beautifully, and without compromise.
After developing deep expertise across interior architecture, space planning, custom millwork, sourcing and procurement, Kate established the studio as a full-service firm that could deliver the creative depth of a large practice with the personal attention and agility that only a boutique team provides.
The studio grew around that founding intention. Today the TLS team brings the same standard of care to projects across Muskoka and destination markets beyond.
Our work is not defined by one aesthetic. It is defined by an approach: start with the client, respond to the architecture, draw from nature and execute with precision from concept through installation.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
What We Believe About Design
We design for living.
A home should respond to how its owners move through it — how they entertain, how they rest, how they want to feel when they walk through the door after a long trip. The visual result matters. But so does everything beneath it: the quality of the materials, the logic of the layout, the mood in the room at seven in the morning and at midnight.
Biophilic design is our foundation and throughline. Not as an aesthetic category — but as a way of thinking. Light, texture, natural materials, organic form, connection to landscape and a sense of calm and restoration run through every project we take on. A lake cottage, a mountain chalet, a contemporary urban apartment and an oceanfront villa can all be profoundly biophilic. We interpret these principles in a way that feels entirely tailored to each home.
We also believe the process should be as considered as the product. Our clients are busy and discerning — they should never feel like their project is managing them. Every engagement we take on is organized, proactive and built to give our clients complete confidence at every stage.
Meet The Team
OUR STORY
Kate Sadler
FOUNDER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
Kate founded The Local Studio on the belief that the best interior design begins with deep listening and ends with a home that could not have been created for anyone else. Her background spans interior architecture, space planning, custom millwork, sourcing and full-project procurement.
She leads the studio's design vision and client relationships — and has built a team that shares her commitment to craft, individuality and a highly managed client experience.
Allyson Richter
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Allyson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design and brings over ten years of experience at The Local Studio, along with a genuine passion for creating beautiful, meaningful spaces. As a Muskoka local, she draws inspiration from the natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle of Cottage Country. Her approach to design combines her education and experience with a thoughtful, personal touch, creating interiors that feel as good as they look - timeless, welcoming, and designed to be lived in and loved for years to come.
When she’s not immersed in design, Allyson’s world centres on her growing family and a well-set table: good wine, better company, and a charcuterie board worth lingering over. The warmth she brings home is the same warmth she brings to every project.
Danielle Doner
INTERIOR DESIGNER
With a lifelong connection to Muskoka, Danielle has always been drawn to the region's natural character, developing an early appreciation for organic textures and relaxed yet sophisticated living.
Danielle holds an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design and has been part of the team since the beginning. She specializes in designing custom luxury furniture and transforming challenging footprints into seamless balanced living environments. Constantly on the hunt for fresh inspiration, Danielle has a keen eye for unique artwork that brings character to every project. She has a particular obsession with statement chairs and one-of-a-kind creative pieces that double as functional art.
When she isn’t dreaming up custom details, you’ll find hiking with her four-legged friend or spending time out on the water.
Serena Fraser
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Serena believes the most inviting spaces live in the quiet details. To her, great design isn’t about imposing a single style, but about creating spaces that feel personal and thoughtfully built from the inside out. She holds a Diploma in Interior Decorating and an Honours Bachelor of Interior Design from Sheridan College. With a background in both residential and commercial design, including hospitality, multi-residential, and healthcare projects, she blends creative flair with technical detail.
Outside the studio, Serena enjoys golfing and has mastered the art of shooting one under (the trees, that is).
Amanda Sipos
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Amanda brings a unique perspective to interior design, shaped by her professional background in architecture and experience working with architectural firms in Kitchener, Burlington, and Muskoka. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Technology degree in Architecture Project and Facility Management from Conestoga College, where she developed a strong foundation in architectural design, technical coordination, and the built environment.Combining her architectural knowledge with a passion for interior design, Amanda approaches each project with an appreciation for the relationship between form, function, and detail. Her understanding of spatial planning and technical detailing informs her thoughtful approach to creating interiors that are both beautiful and functional.
Outside of work, Amanda enjoys travelling and exploring new places, finding inspiration in the architecture, culture, and character of the places she visits.
Andrea Kluczenko
STUDIO PROJECT DIRECTOR
For Andrea, design has always been a family affair. Raised in a home of house flippers, where her parents were constantly transforming spaces, she developed an early appreciation for the art (and logistics) of creating beautiful homes.
With over 20 years of experience in interior design and a strong foundation in custom home construction, Andrea brings equal parts creativity and technical expertise to her role as Studio Project Director. She believes in timeless, collected interiors, intentional functionality, and the magic that happens when beautiful design meets thoughtful execution. Equally comfortable navigating blueprints and spreadsheets as she is discussing finishes and furnishings, Andrea thrives on making the design process feel seamless for clients.
Outside the studio, she's a small-town girl with homesteading dreams, a growing sourdough obsession, and a love of travel, foraging, and all things homemade.
Fun fact? She once had a pet pig Kevin (named after Kevin Bacon) —and fully intends to again.
Patricia Wark
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Born and raised in small-town Ontario, Patricia's journey has taken her from the aisles of her grandfather's grocery store to the majestic Rocky Mountains, with a few adventures in Australia and New Zealand along the way. A McMaster University graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce, she brings a diverse background in hospitality, home building, and office management to her role overseeing operations and finance at The Local Studio. She loves bringing all the pieces together and making things happen.
After 15 years in the Rockies, Patricia and her family settled in Muskoka, where she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. When she's not busy keeping things running smoothly at the studio, you'll likely find her cooking up something delicious in the kitchen or cheering on the Blue Jays and Raptors.
Chelsea Callard
STUDIO MEDIA MANAGER
Chelsea grew up surrounded by fashion and design, and her love of magazines, imagery, and creative spaces has shaped her ever since. With a background in fashion marketing and merchandising, she began her career on the apparel side of the industry, developing a sharp eye for styling, storytelling, and brand presentation.
At The Local Studio, she leads social media and visual content, translating the photography and interiors of each project into stories that reflect the studio’s elevated, bespoke approach. She also oversees the Shoppe, the studio’s curated collection of everyday luxuries, as it enters its next chapter.
Chelsea loves bringing the work of The Local Studio to life.
THE EXPERIENCE
Why Clients Choose Us
01.
We do not have a signature look — which means your home will look like you, not like us.02.
We manage the full scope: design, sourcing, procurement, logistics and installation. One trusted team, from first concept to final walkthrough.03.
Biophilic design principles run through everything we create — resulting in homes that feel grounded, restorative and genuinely connected to their place.04.
We are a small, senior team. The people you meet at the start of your project are the people who deliver it.
Begin with a Conversation
Every project starts the same way — a conversation about your home, your vision and how we can help. We would love to hear about yours.