Where Montessori insights meet practical tips for everyday family life

Say yes to “yes” spaces! Explore featured interviews, workshop replays, blog posts, and more.

Having spoken to 250+ parents through workshops at Montessori schools and parent groups across the GTA, and appearing on live television and in trusted publications, Sophie brings Montessori-grounded reframes and practical tips to help you bring more calm, creativity, and connection to life with littles.

Subscribe to Show & Tell, Sophie’s roundup of child development insights, family-friendly design tips, and client project recaps.

For media and partnership inquiries: hello@chezshaydesigns.com

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Outline of a paper boat with a neon light effect, blue in color.
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From television interviews and published features to community workshops and practical blog posts, this is where you'll find conversations, insights, and resources designed to help you create calmer, more connected spaces for your little ones.

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Line drawing of a paper bird, with a light purple background.

On Air

  • Toronto kids interior designer Sophie Shay with Breakfast Television hosts Meredith Shaw and Sid Seixeiro

    Breakfast Television

    I share with hosts Meredith Shaw and Sid Seixeiro my top tips to maximize the spaces we have at home with kids.

    Watch Now
  • Toronto kids interior designer Sophie Shay with CTV Your Morning host Lindsey Deluce

    CTV Your Morning

    I share with host Lindsey Deluce my top tips to maximize the spaces we have at home with kids.

    Watch Now
  • Toronto kids interior designer Sophie Shay with CTV Your Morning host Kelsey McEwen

    CTV Your Morning

    I share tips with host Kelsey McEwen on easing the back-to-school transition for families with young kids, using Montessori principles.

    Watch Now
  • Toronto kids interior designer Sophie Shay with CHCH Morning Live host Louis Butko

    CHCH Morning Live

    I share tips with host Louis Butko on easing the transition from school to summer break for families with young kids, using Montessori principles.

    Watch Now
  • Toronto kids interior designer Sophie Shay with CP24 Breakfast hosts Jennifer Hsiung and Nick Dixon

    CP24 Breakfast

    I share tips with hosts Jennifer Hsiung and Nick Dixon on easing the transition from school to summer break for families with young kids, using Montessori principles.

    Watch Now

In Print

Sophie Shay Toronto kids designer featured in Today's Parent article about Montessori toys

Today’s Parent

“This can be as simple as a kid-sized table and chair set, with accessible art supplies nearby,” says Sophie Shay. “It invites open-ended creativity, helps develop…”

Read Full Article
Read Full Article
A presentation slide titled 'How can space design impact my child's development?' showing a comparison between traditional and Montessori environments, with circular diagrams indicating stages of child growth. Another slide titled 'The 4 planes of development' displays four colored triangles with age ranges 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24, describing characteristics and focuses of each developmental stage.

Workshop Replay

Kids’ Space Design 101

In Sophie’s workshop with Toronto’s Westside Montessori School, she shares how Montessori principles can be applied at home to foster calm, creativity, and connection.

Topics covered:

  • The environment as the third teacher

  • Montessori’s 4 Planes of Development and what it means for our home environment

  • Sophie’s 5 Montessori home design principles used in every project

Catch the Replay
Catch the Replay

On the Blog

playrooms, big kid, toddler, multi-age spaces Chez Shay Designs | Kids' Spaces by Sophie Shay playrooms, big kid, toddler, multi-age spaces Chez Shay Designs | Kids' Spaces by Sophie Shay

Sorry! That’s Not Montessori

Montessori is a term that is being tossed around often. Everywhere you look, toys or furniture are being marketed as being “Montessori.” As a kids' space designer who specializes in using child development and Montessori principles in all her designs, I'm here to demystify the myths surrounding this popular term.

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