Project Spotlight The Willistead
Published on
June 30, 2025 at 12:58:30 PM PDT June 30, 2025 at 12:58:30 PM PDTth, June 30, 2025 at 12:58:30 PM PDT
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
The Willistead
A METICULOUS RENOVATION BY MISTER STYLES
Nestled in the heart of historic Walkerville in Windsor, Ontario, The Willistead Project emerges as a testament to the marriage of timeless elegance and contemporary sophistication. This ambitious endeavor unfolds as a meticulous full modern renovation of a captivating revival-style home from the 1960s, breathing new life into its architectural soul while preserving the essence of its storied past.
The design ethos of The Willistead Project takes inspiration from the modern-chic aesthetic, seamlessly blending timeless charm with avant-garde flair. Across the threshold, the atmosphere transforms into a symphony of black and white tones, accented by deep earthy greens and illuminated by Regina Andrew lighting that casts a warm, inviting glow throughout.
From the grand entrance, where black and white checkered tiles set the stage, to the powder room adorned with ferocious Gucci patterned wallpaper, every nook and cranny of The Willistead Project breathes new life into a once-traditional home.
“To me, inspiration comes from surrounding myself with those passionate about aesthetics, whether it be in fashion, food, interiors, or something else entirely. I find that when you fill your life with passionate people, inspiration comes naturally.”
Q&A
A DISCUSSION WITH WINDSOR’S NOTABLE INTERIOR DESIGNER & HOME STAGER - MISTER STYLES
What made you pursue a career in design?
From a young age, I remember time spent with my grandmother, known for her timeless yet forward-thinking sense of design aesthetics. This is where it all began for me, and I name these moments as my interior origin story. As I got older, my favourite thing to do when visiting family was to reorganize their living spaces. Instead of playing with toys, I’d style coffee tables, and consoles, often impressing my loved ones.
What led you to start your own company?
In my early twenties, fresh out of a hospitality and tourism program and an internship at Walt Disney World, I managed a Costco before seizing the chance to buy a struggling cleaning company. I revitalized it into Windsor’s top cleaning service, adding home staging for real estate clients—a first for the city. This led to the creation of Mister Styles Home Staging, which soon evolved into full-scale interior design.
With a growing team of designers, we’ve since completed over 100 residential and commercial projects across North America.
What’s been your biggest “aha” moment as a business owner?
My “aha” moment came when Mister Styles expanded from staging to interior design. Staging thousands of properties honed our skills, but client demand for permanent interiors sparked our real growth. Today, our design services have taken off, allowing us to push creative boundaries and craft truly unique spaces.
How do you approach incorporating lighting into your projects?
Lighting is one of my favorite design elements—it not only illuminates a space but acts as its own artwork. We select it alongside statement furniture to ensure harmony and balance. While the choices can be overwhelming, brands like Regina Andrew offer a curated selection that blends diversity with cohesion.
Being based in Detroit, my birthplace, makes it even more special, allowing us to support a local industry while enjoying easy access to their stunning collections.
How does lighting impact a design?
To us, lighting can act not only as a functional piece of the puzzle but an art piece in and of itself. Depending on the space, you can go bold, or subtle, with each piece having unique yet cohesive sensibilities that accent the overall look. It’s something that can truly tie an entire home together and create a sense of cohesion, even if different rooms have entirely different flavours.
How do you spark self-expression in your projects?
It is important to me to align with clients who share in the design aesthetic of me and my team. This often allows us to create building designs that speak to both ourselves and our clients. We always embrace timelessness with a touch of the extraordinary. We try to align ourselves with residential and commercial projects that are looking to convey these things, which allows us to easily express what makes Mister Styles, Mister Styles.