By Donna Heiderstadt

Interaction is fundamental to Amanda Tong’s life, both professionally and personally. The 28-year-old, who has been an Interior Designer at North Vancouver, BC-based Flatwater Finishes since April 2021, specializing in millwork finishes, says her most memorable design moment was an initial visit to a client’s home with a contractor. “I thought I was just coming for a quick site measure, but the homeowner ended up cooking us the most delicious lunch, with great conversation, allowing me to learn more about the client and their lifestyle in an organic manner,” she recalls. “It reminded me of why I love working with homeowners and in residential design.”

A trip to Laos offered similar insights. “Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, there were far fewer tourists, which made my interactions with the locals incredibly special,” she says. “Life there feels much simpler, and visiting was such a grounding experience. The people are incredibly kind, and I can’t wait to return.”

How does this translate into Amanda’s day-to-day work? She admits she spent a lot of her college years weighing the pros and cons of pursuing residential versus commercial design before innately finding herself drawn to the residential side. “Functional design and craftsmanship have always been my passions,” she explains, “and the kitchen and bath industry lets me combine both in spaces that are central to everyday living.”

As for her personal design preferences, Amanda says she I tries to keep an open mind and evolve. “I lean more towards a blend of modern and classic styles, with a preference for clean lines, warm tones, and natural materials,” she notes “The mid-century era speaks to me for its timeless appeal and functionality.” Amanda describes herself as “driven” and her talents resulted in her being named a 2024 Georgie Award finalist for Best Kitchen Renovation Under $200,000. She will also serve as Membership Chair for NKBA’s British Columbia Chapter in the coming year.

This boundless passion for design emerged as a young child, when she was encouraged by her mother to voice her opinion about the family’s home renovations — leading a teenage Amanda to continuously redecorate her room. “Though I was constantly experimenting with new ideas, I never strayed from classic colors or styles much and always preferred neutral warm tones and a cozy room,” she says.

These days, Amanda enjoys cooking, taking walks, training her new American Pit Bull Terrier puppy named Odie, and visiting art galleries and furniture/home décor shops to spot new trends. Her future must-do list is centered on more travel. “I have a few destinations in mind,” she says. “Japan, Egypt, South Africa, and many more. I love exploring cultures, art, food, and of course architecture and design!”