Vancouver Interior Designer Taylor Reiko Competes in Renovation Resort Season 3
If interior designer Taylor Reiko could offer one piece of advice to her younger self, it would be to embrace uncertainty and pursue passions with confidence. The Vancouver-based creative talent is now showcasing her skills as one of eight contestants selected for season 3 of Renovation Resort on Home Network, premiering April 5.
From Sociology to Design Stardom
Reiko's journey to television design competition was anything but conventional. Before discovering interior design, she studied sociology and worked extensively in event planning and hospitality. It was during her time at a restaurant that she first noticed the profound impact of physical spaces on human behavior.
"Patrons would wait for hours to sit in a particular space within the restaurant," Reiko recalls. "It was an area with a gallery wall that somehow felt elevated and especially appealed to diners celebrating special occasions. People wanted to stay there longer."
This observation became foundational to her design philosophy: good design isn't just visual—it alters experience, encourages connection, and makes people feel cared for.
The Renovation Resort Challenge
Season 3 of Renovation Resort follows four teams from across North America as they transform a neglected lakeside property in Ontario's Kawarthas region into a dream vacation destination. Reiko has been paired with builder Mehrdad Amini for the competition, with teams vying for a substantial $100,000 grand prize.
Judges Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler will oversee the transformations, evaluating both aesthetic appeal and functional design. For Reiko, whose work typically develops through careful collaboration and deep understanding of client lifestyles, the fast-paced competition format presents a significant test.
Design Philosophy: Emotion Over Spectacle
What sets Reiko apart in the design world is her focus on emotional experience rather than visual spectacle. "I've never wanted to put myself in a box," she explains, emphasizing openness as central to her design approach.
Even when designing for a short-term rental property with unknown future occupants—as with the Renovation Resort project—Reiko thinks beyond finishes and furniture. "I asked myself, how do I want to make them feel? How do I want to feel when I'm on vacation?"
Her work demonstrates this philosophy through thoughtful details that balance everyday function with modern elegance. A kitchen anchored by a rich green palette brings the outdoors inside, while a laundry room with clean lines, smart storage, and polished finishes shows how practical spaces can still feel beautifully considered.
Creative Roots and Professional Evolution
Reiko acknowledges she's always been creative, though this wasn't always celebrated during her formative years. Like many young adults, she initially followed conventional paths—attending university with hopes of finding a respectable profession, even when it didn't align with her true passions.
Today, her design work in Vancouver reflects a thoughtful, design-forward yet warm aesthetic that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. A North Vancouver bedroom inspired by its forest setting features earthy tones and natural textures to create a restful retreat, demonstrating her ability to harmonize spaces with their environments.
As she prepares for her television debut, Reiko represents a new generation of designers who understand that the most successful spaces aren't just beautiful to look at—they fundamentally improve how people live, connect, and experience their surroundings.
