Andrea Throuvalas is the Creative Director and Principal Designer of Andrea Throuvalas Design, a full-service interior design firm based in Toronto.
Andrea’s perspective on design was shaped from her early childhood through a deeply immersive experience in home building and design —informing a lasting understanding of how spaces are created, and how they are ultimately lived in.
Over time, that foundation evolved into a natural instinct, refined through the thoughtful renovation and reimagining of several of her own homes—an ongoing process that shaped her appreciation for balance, proportion, and the quiet details that make a space feel intentional and refined.
With a background in psychology, Andrea approaches design through the lens of how a home is experienced. Her work considers not only how a space looks, but how it supports daily life—creating interiors that feel intuitive, personal, and enduring.
Her aesthetic is rooted in a timeless sensibility—layering classic elements with a contemporary perspective to create spaces that feel both elevated and lived in.
After years of developing her craft organically, Andrea transitioned her lifelong passion for design into a career — bringing together a depth of experience with a thoughtful, considered approach to each project.
She resides in the greater Toronto area with her three boys.
The earlier, the better.
Ideally, a designer should be engaged at the very beginning of your project—when you’re first considering a new build or renovation. Bringing a designer on before architectural plans are finalized or a contractor is hired helps prevent costly revisions, ensures a cohesive vision, and allows for thoughtful planning from the outset.
When to engage: 6–12+ months before construction.
Designers collaborate with architects early on to refine layouts, maximize functionality, and plan key details such as electrical, plumbing, and custom millwork—ensuring everything is resolved before construction begins.
When to engage: 2–6 months before construction.
These spaces require detailed planning and coordination. Early involvement allows for proper material selection, ordering, and integration with the construction timeline.
When to engage: 6–8 months before completion.
Custom furnishings, window treatments, and specialty pieces often require extended lead times. Beginning early ensures a more seamless installation and a fully layered result.
Engaging a designer early helps avoid costly mistakes, supports a smoother workflow between trades and contractors, and allows for a more intentional allocation of your investment. Most importantly, it ensures the home is designed as a whole—rather than pieced together over time.
A note on timing
Many of the pieces we source are custom or vintage, and part of creating a home that feels layered and personal is allowing time for those elements to come together. The most meaningful spaces are not assembled all at once—they are carefully considered, collected, and refined over time.
To ensure each project receives our full attention and care, we take on a limited number of clients each year. Reaching out early allows us to thoughtfully plan for your project and align timelines accordingly.
One of the most underestimated costs in building or renovating a home isn’t always what you select—it’s what gets changed along the way.
Design is inherently layered. Each decision builds on the one before it. When those early decisions aren’t fully considered, the project may move forward—but the cost often shows up later in the form of delays, rework, and unnecessary expense.
This is where a designer becomes invaluable.
A clear and thoughtful design process allows decisions to be made with intention from the outset—before construction begins. Layouts are refined, materials are selected, and details are resolved in a way that supports the project as a whole. With that clarity in place, the process moves more smoothly, and the need to revisit decisions is significantly reduced.
There is also the less visible benefit: momentum.
When a project is guided by a strong plan, trades can work with confidence, timelines are better maintained, and the focus remains on building rather than revising. The experience feels more measured, more supported, and ultimately more enjoyable.
Beyond process, an interior designer brings a trained eye—one that considers not only how a space looks, but how it functions, how it feels, and how it will live over time. It’s about creating a home that is cohesive, intentional, and reflective of you—without the missteps that can come from navigating it alone.
In many cases, the value of working with a designer isn’t in adding cost, but in protecting the investment you’re already making.
Because getting it right early almost always costs less than changing it later.
Working together begins with understanding how you live, what matters most to you, and what you want your home to feel like.
From there, each project moves through a clear and organized process—from initial consultation and concept development to budget review, presentations, sourcing, procurement, project management, and final installation. Every phase is approached with care, intention, and open communication, so you always know where things stand and what comes next.
While the process is collaborative, the goal is not to overwhelm you with endless decisions. Instead, it is to guide you thoughtfully through each stage, refining the details and shaping a home that feels deeply personal, beautifully considered, and aligned with the way you live.
Our role is to manage the many moving parts behind the scenes, working closely with contractors, builders, architects, trades, and suppliers to ensure the project unfolds as seamlessly as possible.
The result is a process that feels supported, clear, and creatively fulfilling—and a home that comes together with depth, cohesion, and ease.