Meet the Team: Zoe’s Journey to Interior Design

TEAM

Jul 1

Introducing: Zoe Zimberg! She’s the newest member of our team, joining our team as an interior designer.

I grew up in River Heights, in the South/Central of Winnipeg. Mesmerized by the mid-century bungalows and split-levels in the neighbourhood. As a little girl, my days were filled with singing, dancing, drawing—anything to fill our house with colour and movement. I was always rearranging my bedroom to assert autonomy and independence. Creativity wasn’t just something I did—it was who I was. I spent most summers at sleep-away camp, my home away from home in the wilderness. I am still inspired by the mid-century, cozy warmth and natural elements from my childhood.

So, when I told my parents I wanted to become a teacher, expecting their usual support, I was confused by their hesitation. Their firm “NO” was guided by love – they wanted me to have a fulfilling career and for me to set my sights higher. In search of a creative but practical career, I stumbled across the Environmental Design program at the University of Manitoba - a Bachelor of Environmental Design, coincidentally still abbreviated B.E.D. It felt like fate nudging me toward design.

I still remember sitting in my first intro Environmental Design course – a large lecture room of 200 people. The instructors welcomed us, or threatened us, “There are many of you here, but only a few of you will make it into the program, maybe just the front row.” The instructors pointed to the enthusiastic students in the front row, and I leaned over the desk of my spot in the back to catch a glimpse of their faces. I was always a great student, but University held new challenges. I remember applying to the Faculty of Architecture for the Second Year Studio and thinking – I hope those instructors were wrong. AND THEY WERE WRONG! I made it in!

What followed were seven transformative years at the University of Manitoba, where I earned my Bachelor’s and then my Master of Interior Design. I was luckily able to graduate right before COVID-19 hit Canada, in February 2020. The program was challenging, as the education proved to be more about failing and critical thinking than following instructions. The instructors broke you down to build you back up. However, it made me resilient to criticism and helped me navigate the challenges of professional work. It was a scramble to absorb all the information, learning about history, materials, light, and theory. It reshaped the way I navigated the world. I started noticing construction details everywhere. Suddenly, I was in every restaurant, petting the upholstery and at the coffee bar, looking under the counter.

My practicum project, “The Healing Centre for Survivor Wellbeing” at 784 Wolseley Avenue in Winnipeg, was where both my intellectual and emotional ambitions converged. It was aimed to be an inclusive and supportive healing space for survivors of sexual violence. Driven by my research into gendered space and the often‑unseen ways design impacts healing. I grappled with deeply personal and systemic questions: What makes a space feel safe and inclusive? What makes a space supportive for healing? How can interior design ease trauma rather than exacerbate it? This was more than a thesis—it was a mission. My philosophy emerged naturally from those months: thoughtful, intersectional design must recognize gender, sexuality, race, ability, and more. It must serve the many, not the few. I was grateful to work with advisors from Women and Gendered Studies and Social Work to gain insight into the practicality of my design and its impact on potential users. It was clear that a facility for survivor wellbeing would be incredible to have in Winnipeg, as it has the highest rate of reported sexual assaults in Canada.

As I was completing my Master’s degree, I joined a local design firm in 2019 as a junior designer, stepping quickly into an intermediate role after graduation by 2021. I learned quickly as I was thrown into ongoing commercial and residential projects. We focused on smart, sustainable spaces that emphasized function in order to create designs for our clients that would last a lifetime. One of my proudest moments was taking on a leadership role on a large new build – coordinating with Architects, Engineers and Contractors. I learned a lot about communication and how to manage clients’ expectations throughout a project. Check out Essential Balance on Grant Avenue if you’re needing a massage!

Regardless of the project or client, my practice always returns to function first. I focus on the “why” behind the design elements. I aim to create spaces that don’t just reflect a client’s lifestyle but that can evolve with their daily activities. Using a client’s rituals and routines, I want to make magic from the mundane. Then, once the function is achieved, I can inject soul through the layers of colour, texture, and lighting.

Home for me is still in River Heights, shacking up with my parents after a landlord hiked up my rent. I want to save up for a home of my own one day! I love being back with my family and especially our rescue mutt, Dexter, as he lives out his last days. He’s 15 and a big boy! When I’m not designing, I’m going on walks with Dexter, or hunting for vintage gems on Facebook Marketplace and in thrift shops. I can see the potential of (almost) everything. I love an eclectic smattering of new and old. I enjoy hot yoga – when I can get my butt to the studio to stretch and sweat. I’m also an unapologetic Swiftie. I can talk lore behind almost every lyric. My friends tease me for dissecting metaphors and taking them all a bit too seriously. The highlight of my life was seeing her on the recent Era’s Tour in Toronto (Night 5) with my best friend. And yes, I track astrology: Scorpio sun, Leo moon and rising. Emotional depth meets dramatic flair—truly, it all fits.

After a year hiatus from Interior Design, I’m back and dare I say, better than ever. Sometimes I marvel: how did I end up here? The girl who spent hours making dances in her room became a designer. I’m living proof that curiosity matters. That insisting on your individual path - even when it requires a pivot -can light the way. That if you love what you do, you will be great at it. I’m in my fifth year of professional practice, but it still feels like the beginning. Regardless of the project, each new day brings exciting challenges and problems to be solved. Like a puzzle, I’m focused on getting each piece into place as the final image becomes clear. I hope to continue my education and become NCIDQ certified. I want to deepen my commitment to inclusive, wellness-focused design and sustainable design practices and can’t wait to do so at Bungalow Interior Design.

Zoe