About Us

Founded in 2002 by Mary Arthur, SURROUNDINGS BY MARY ARTHUR is a dynamic design firm - a passionate and inspiring team of designers, artists and creatives - focused on creating, transforming and revitalizing both new and existing spaces.                                                                                                                          
Our team works as a collective, utilizing each of our unique perspectives and creative experiences to attain the optimal design for every project. Our passion is to create unique and outstanding designs that bring to fruition a customized interpretation of our client’s functional requirements and aesthetic desires - we act as the catalyst for our client's spatial and lifestyle aspirations. Our promise is to deliver a thorough and cohesive design plan with intention in every decision to meet aesthetic goals and operational requirements, while ensuring perfect harmony between form and function.
Our years of experience have proven that success comes from having a cooperative team of client, designer, contractor and consultant partners - all sharing the common goal of fluid communication, mutual insights, professional processes and exceptional enthusiasm for the project.

Meet Mary, Our Founder

President & Principal Designer

Mary Arthur

“The foundation of my interior design business began as a franchisee of multiple Dulux Paint Stores. During this period, my husband and I transformed our locations from corporate paint stores to one-stop decorating and design hubs. Our mission was to streamline the home renovation and custom build process. We brought in a wide range of finishing items including wall coverings, flooring, draperies & window shadings, home decor & accent furnishings, seasonal decorations and more. With design services, colour consultations, the above mentioned retail offerings, and my husband’s real estate services all available in-house, we provided a full-service experience. Owning the stores, I grew a vast network of developers, builders, trades, vendors and clientele, intrenching me into the local industry and community.

I shifted sole focus to my design career in 2008, and rebranded my company to Surroundings by Mary Arthur. My desire is to create spectacular spaces that are thoughtful, distinctive, and grounded in how people actually live and work.

I have instilled a very collaborative environment at Surroundings. We approach all of our projects as a team, bringing each of our unique perspectives and skills to every idea and decision. I am honoured to be a mentor to, and to be surrounded and influenced by all the incredible women who have been a part of the Surroundings team over the years, becoming family along the way.”

With almost three decades of experience in the industry, Mary has made her mark in Southwestern Ontario. Mary is known for her thoughtful approach, clear vision and ability to develop intimate and long lasting relationships with her clients. Mary gained local notoriety at the start of her career as host of the interior decorating and design segment DesignLine on A Channel News from the early to mid 2000s.

“I pride myself on having a fluid and adaptable style that is ever changing - ebbing and flowing with the times - always tailored to individual client preferences and unique project requirements. I approach each design with a clean slate and fresh ideas, excited by every opportunity that allows me to be my most creative and to be challenged in new ways. Although I don’t impose my personal taste on all my work, a true Mid-Century Modern home is the key to my heart, and in my eyes, walnut is the best wood species there ever was.

I have called many cities home throughout my life - from smaller communities, to the heart of the thriving metropolises of Toronto and Philadelphia - contributing to a diverse exposure of architecture, lifestyles, climates and landscapes. Moving from place to place, my husband and I have renovated and flipped eight personal homes together over the past three decades, providing me with a great understanding of the process from both a personal and professional perspective. My greatest source of inspiration is found traveling the world as it brings greater understanding to life and how we interact with the world around us.”

Our Team

Caleigh Arthur

“I fell in love with interior design because it sits at the intersection of creativity and pragmatism - two opposing facets of my personality. My university studies in Architecture and Visual Arts have bolstered my passion and knowledge of the construction and artistic industries and contributed greatly in the development and honing of my creative and technical skills. My most imaginative, bold or ambitious creative ideas will always be balanced by practicality. I appreciate Biophillic design, sustainability, and creating connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces. I prioritize novelty and uniqueness over convention and conformity in both my every day life as well as my design practice. I am drawn to curves and organic forms, clean lines, earthy palettes, intentional use of colour, layering textures and prioritizing personal touches.”

Vice President & Design Director

Cynthia Williams

“My passion for design began young and accelerated during my college studies in Interior Design. I gravitate towards interior design styles that prioritize comfort, tranquility, functionality and livable flow. I love nature inspired spaces and Biophilic designs that embrace warm wood tones, natural light, and organic textures. I appreciate the charm and character of incorporating historic architectural details into modernized spaces. My belief is that a home should be an expression of our unique personalities, as opposed to conforming to trends, or feeling like a showroom. I am drawn to clever hidden storage solutions, multi-functional spaces and unique cabinetry or furniture designs.”

Senior Designer
Design Associate

Toni Haveman

“Much of my interior design inspiration comes from art, photography, fashion and nature. I focused my college studies and career in Interior Design, but I love experimenting with different forms of media and exploring new creative outlets. Alongside design, my strongest creative passion is photography. I love capturing unique architecture, compelling portraits, and thoughtfully styling tablescapes, vignettes and interiors to capture artfully. I love to celebrate the beauty in imperfection and the character that comes with aging and patinaed materials. I aspire to follow the philosophy that less is more. My favourite interiors are a thoughtfully curated collection of new, vintage, and on-of-a-kind pieces that join together, creating a space that feels both timeless and deeply personal. Each unique furnishing should tell a story or hold a personal meaning.”

Design Associate

Adria Macri-Chauvin

“My passion for visual art, particularly digital and illustrative animation, forged my pathway into design. My university and college studies in both visual art and animation, provided me with the technical skills to express my creativity and desire to bring virtual spaces and artistic mediums to life. My favourite interior spaces feel warm, inviting and lived-in; creating a sense of comfort is paramount to me. Earthy tones, cozy and plush textures, layered materials and curved and organic shapes bring me joy when designing and utilizing a space. I love incorporating a bit of whimsy and nostalgia in my every day life, carrying that mission through to interior and furnishing design”