Designing the Business, Not Just the Room | 678 | Inside Dart Studio with Olivia & Jenna Botrie

Sisters Olivia and Jenna Botrie of Dart Studio didn’t set out to build a design firm together, they grew into it. What started in a basement with a baby on the floor evolved into a highly structured, process-driven studio navigating growth, technology, and a post-pandemic design boom. Their story reveals how great design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about systems, relationships, and knowing when to think bigger. From cottage culture and client psychology to AI workflows and generational shifts, the Botrie sisters unpack how Dart Studio scaled during the pandemic, why process is their secret weapon, and how they’re building a brand designed to outlast trends and even themselves. Origins: A Basement, a Baby, and a Business Olivia launches Dart Studio solo over a decade ago. Jenna joins organically during maternity leave. The now-famous “cottage pitch” that formalized the partnership. Sister dynamics: honesty, friction, and built-in trust as a business advantage The Cottage Effect: Canadian Culture Meets Creativity The uniquely Canadian concept of the “cottage” as creative reset Minimalism, disconnection, and family proximity as design influences How environment shapes both lifestyle and design thinking Process Over Everything Jenna’s role: operations, onboarding, hiring, and systems. Why structure—not style—is the firm’s foundation. Building scalable workflows for a growing team. The importance of documentation and repeatable processes Pandemic Pivot: From Uncertainty to Opportunity Initial fear: shutdowns, no site visits, stalled work. Sudden surge: waitlists, inbound demand, and client urgency. Strategic decision: say yes, scale fast, hire quickly. Long-term impact: bigger thinking, larger projects, expanded vision The Post-Pandemic Client Shift Movement away from resale-driven design toward personalization. Clients designing for themselves, not the market. More nuanced conversations around lifestyle, not trends. The home as a “backdrop for life” Anti-Trend Thinking Rejection of trend-driven design culture. Critique of “top 10 lists” and media-driven aesthetics. Designing from human cues: behavior, personality, daily rituals Technology, Materials & the Reality Filter Navigating rapid innovation in lighting, kitchens, and home tech. Balancing “cool” vs. “lasting”. Role of reps, trade shows, and industry relationships. The importance of practical function over novelty. AI in Practice: Tool, Not Replacement Current stack: ChatGPT, Midjourney, SketchUp, Enscape. AI for speed and iteration—not core design thinking. Client misuse of AI and the limits of prompting. Why human interpretation remains essential The Experience Economy of Design Design as a two-year relationship, not a transaction. Emotional experience vs. final result. Communication, trust, and job site culture as differentiators Reactive to Proactive: Building a Brand First 10 years: purely reactive growth. Year 11 shift: rebrand, visibility, social media presence. Expanding identity beyond Olivia to a team-driven creative model. Long-term vision: a legacy firm with multiple design voices Generational Dynamics in Design Different communication styles across clients and teams. Matching personalities: clients, designers, and contractors. “Boomer whisperers” vs. Gen Z workflows. Lifestyle-driven design considerations by age and stage Designing for Climate & Context Canadian winters and their impact on interiors. Storage, materiality, and seasonal living. Lighting as a wellness tool (circadian rhythm design). Creating emotional environments: cozy vs. open The Through Line: Adaptability Design as evolution, not static outcome. Balancing tradition and modernity within a single project. Embracing change as the only constant in both life and design