Design that supports real life

Floe Studio is an Ottawa‑based interior architecture and design practice founded on a simple but often overlooked idea: our homes should actively support us through every stage of life.

I’m Leilla Czunyi, principal designer and founder of Floe Studio. I bring more than two decades of experience in interior architecture, lighting design, and project management to my work—but the heart of my practice is deeply personal. As a passionate universal design advocate, I focus on creating beautiful accessible spaces. If you are curious about my work history, please check out my resume here, or scroll down for a brief synopsis.

My story, and why it matters

A sudden car accident changed my abilities overnight.

In the space of a single moment, my relationship with my home and with my own body, shifted dramatically. Tasks that had once been automatic now required planning, recovery, and adaptation. The built environment around me began to reveal its limits in very real, very personal ways.

What followed was not one major renovation, but a decade-long process of evaluation, adjustment, and learning. Small changes came first: observing what caused strain, what created friction, what quietly drained energy. Over time, those observations informed more meaningful interventions—incremental, intentional decisions that eventually culminated in a deeply supportive renovation.

Living through this process taught me that truly effective design rarely arrives all at once. It emerges through careful listening, honest assessment, and respect for how bodies and needs evolve over time.

This experience fundamentally reshaped my approach to design and became the foundation of Floe Studio.

A design philosophy grounded in listening

My approach is rooted in slow design: thoughtful, layered, and deeply responsive to the people who live in the space. Every project begins with listening. Not just to aesthetic preferences, but to routines, energy patterns, pain points, aspirations, and the ways a home needs to function on both good days and hard ones. This often includes structured interviews with everyone who lives in the home, so design decisions are informed by real use (not assumptions). Rather than applying one‑size‑fits‑all solutions, I design bespoke environments that:

Support independence without advertising accessibility Anticipate change over time without feeling clinical Balance beauty, function, and long‑term resilience Reduce physical and cognitive effort in daily routines

Universal design, beautifully integrated

Universal design is not a style—it’s a strategy.

At Floe Studio, universal design principles are integrated quietly and intentionally. Zero‑threshold transitions, supportive layouts, carefully considered lighting, reach ranges, acoustics, and material choices are woven into the architecture so that spaces feel calm, elegant, and intuitive.

Lighting design is a cornerstone of this work. Thoughtful lighting can reduce fatigue, improve safety, support circadian rhythms, and dramatically change how a space is experienced—particularly for people with invisible disabilities or sensory sensitivities. My background in lighting design allows me to layer daylight, task, ambient, and accent lighting in ways that support wellness as much as aesthetics.

Designing for now—and for what comes next

Many of my clients are thoughtful renovators: homeowners who are planning ahead. They may be navigating mid‑life changes, caring for aging parents, adapting a home for multi‑generational living, or simply wanting a space that will continue to serve them well in the decades to come.

My role is to help evaluate homes holistically before renovation begins—identifying risks, opportunities, and strategies that align with how clients actually live. This early evaluation work often saves time, money, and stress while resulting in homes that feel deeply supportive and future‑ready.

A collaborative, human‑centred design process

I work with a limited number of clients each year so every project receives the depth of attention it deserves. Collaboration with homeowners, builders, and allied professionals is central to my process.

The result is not just a finished space, but a home that feels considered, personal, and quietly empowering.

Floe Studio designs supportive, resilient homes for real life; now and in the future.

If you’re considering a renovation and want to understand how your home can better support you, I’d love to start that conversation.

DID, LEED AP, B.Des, MDes.

Building Biology trained, Adaptiv Home Certified.

Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certificate trained.

ARIDO EAP Candidate.