Black and white abstract illustration of two leaves with intricate line patterns, arranged in a circular formation with four small circles around them.

Intrinsic Studio Collective is a full-service residential interior design studio serving Markham, Toronto, and the GTA. Guided by a wellness-first philosophy, we create timeless homes that balance beauty, function, and everyday wellbeing.

Wellness-Centred Interior Design in Markham

A mid-century modern bathroom in Markham / Unionville with a vessel sink, matte black modern faucet, and custom wood millwork panelling.

Based in Unionville, Markham, we create wellness-centred homes throughout Markham, Toronto, and the Greater Toronto Area. Guided by intentional layouts, natural materials, and a holistic approach to design, we create interiors that support wellbeing while balancing beauty, functionality, and everyday living.

Drawing from serene minimalism and global influences, our aesthetic is grounded, soulful, and refined. Through full-service residential interior design, home renovations, custom millwork, furnishings, and interior architectural design, we create timeless spaces tailored to the way our clients live.

START YOUR JOURNEY

Modern living room renovation in Markham / Unionville with limewash walls decorated with gallery wall and a wooden sideboard, potted plants, a decorative clock and a beige textured rug.

WHO WE ARE

Intrinsic Studio Collective is a full-service residential interior design studio based in Unionville, serving Markham, Toronto, York Region, and the Greater Toronto Area.

Guided by our Southeast Asian influences and the practice of intentional living, our studio approaches each project through a holistic lens - designing interiors that support wellbeing, clarity, and connection.

Our clients include families enhancing their primary homes and global homeowners seeking beautifully tailored secondary residences. Whether reimagining an existing home, customizing a new build, or furnishing your space, we create interiors that feel cohesive, considered and personal. From concept to completion, we deliver a seamless, turnkey experience for homeowners and property partners alike.

LEARN MORE ABOUT US

Custom modern home bar in Markham / Unionville with wine cooler, oak millwork, and decorative items in a contemporary living room.

THE FACES BEHIND THE SCENES

CHERYL TAY & CALVIN LAM

Cheryl Tay and Calvin Lam, from Markham and Unionville interior design firm Intrinsic Studio Collective, sitting on a beige curved boucle sofa in a minimalist, modern living room.

Cheryl and Calvin lead Intrinsic Studio Co. with heart, vision and a shared belief in design’s ability to shape how we live. Cheryl’s path began with an innate understanding of how space influences wellbeing - pairing aesthetic depth with emotional resonance and functional clarity. Calvin’s background in technology and construction brought the structure and systems to expand that vision into a seamless, full-service experience. Together, they’ve built a practice rooted in holistic living - crafting refined, meaningful environments that elevate how clients live, feel and connect at home.

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Mid-century modern living room in Markham / Unionville with limewash walls, a modern fireplace, gallery wall with beige and modern designer furniture and slat wood panel accent wall.

At Intrinsic Studio Co., we believe true luxury is more than aesthetics: it’s about creating a home that nurtures well-being, enriches your lifestyle and reflects your personal story.

Our design philosophy is rooted in the belief that homes should be grounding, inspiring and personal.

Learn more about our Design Philosophy:

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Modern dining room renovation in Markham / Unionville with a wooden table, white chairs, a vase with green foliage, a bowl of oranges, and sheer beige custom drapery.

Modern bathroom renovation in Markham / Unionville with hardware-free Japandi style wood vanity, large window, mirrors, modern black sconce and neutral-toned wood panelled walls.

FEATURED PROJECT

PROJECT MAPLE LANE

Modern kitchen renovation in Markham / Unionville with oak cabinetry, a white island countertop, two leather bar stools, hanging pendant lights, a matte black sink faucet and custom wine storage.

After purchasing their Unionville home for its location, our clients found the layout no longer supported their lifestyle. We reimagined the main and second floors to improve flow, light and storage, transforming the kitchen into an open, central gathering space and introducing thoughtful additions like a custom mud hall and discreet private office. Upstairs, the layout was reconfigured to create an expanded primary suite, improved children’s bathrooms, a dedicated guest room and a centrally accessible laundry. The design required careful precision to work around existing plumbing constraints, with close collaboration between our team and the clients throughout.

VIEW PROJECT

Interior view of a modern foyer in Markham / Unionville, featuring a curved wooden staircase with black metal balusters, a large potted plant near the staircase, and minimalistic oak hardwood flooring.

"We did a very large renovation this year that involved a complete change to the main and second floor. We decided to go with Intrinsic Studio Co. because we felt that both Cheryl and Calvin understood our style, our personalities and how we intended to use the spaces. Right from the beginning, they were very forthright with the scope, the phases, the timeline and the budget. They presented us with an amazing rendering of the new floor plan, the styling and details of the individual rooms and budgeted out all parts of the project scope. In my opinion, the overall timeline was quick and was completed in less than 6 months! We are very happy with the final results, and we could not have ever dreamed of such an amazing space and flow to our home."

BRIAN CHAN | MARKHAM, ONTARIO
"This was our second time working with Cheryl, Calvin, and the team, and this time, it was a refresh of our main floor. From design to the construction phase, the process was seamless. Cheryl is a great listener and understands my style, so making design decisions was easy and exciting. Calvin managed the build phase and was always around to check on the progress and to answer questions. The end result turned out better than we imagined and we absolutely love the new space. We look forward to our next project with them!"

STEPHANIE NGUYEN | MARKHAM, ONTARIO
"We used Intrinsic Studio Co. to design, renovate and decorate our condominium and were thrilled with the results. Cheryl and Calvin was extremely thoughtful in developing the design, incorporating existing artwork into the final product and handling the project from start to finish. In comparing renovation experiences with friends, I found that the project management component alleviated a lot of stress and anxiety because there is one point of contact. The execution was spot on, and everyone who has seen the finished condominium has commented on the quality of finishes and beautiful design elements, particularly the master bedroom. We will be using Intrinsic Studio Co. again for another project in the coming months."

ANGELA BAI | TORONTO, ONTARIO