Meet Jude Kamal | Founder & Interior Designer at Sansa Interiors Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jude Kamal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jude, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born and raised and lived a good chunk of my life in Amman, Jordan. When I talk about my background and upbringing, for some reason, people are intrigued by it. Probably because it was not very traditional, or perhaps because my family was unconventional. I cannot pin-point it so I will share with you and you can decide for yourself.

I had a very interesting childhood, one that constantly captivated my creativity. I grew up surrounded by a family of creators, makers, entrepreneurs, professional athletes and scholars. My dad is an olympian, my mom ran a successful business, my grandma was a haute-couture fashion designer, my grandpa was a golf champion and my dad’s side of the family were philosophers and scholars. I know it’s crazy.

I spent most of my childhood outdoors running around with my siblings and the neighbours and spending a lot of time in my grandpa’s garden which was so luscious. I climbed trees, had bugs and random animals as pets, and painted a lot. My parents always encouraged our freedom of thought, our authentic selves and they always ignited our interests and hobbies.

As a kid, I made a lot of art, I would spend time with my grandma at her fashion studio and would sew buttons and fabric off-cuts onto canvases and paint on top of them. I had a very distinct fashion taste at a young age (often horrendous outfits) and never really gave it much thought, I was just being me.

I always had an interest in art, design, creating and making things but at the same time I had the business mindset and understood that if you create things that people need, they will want to buy it.

When I moved to Canada at 16, the first two years were really a struggle for me. I didn’t feel that I belonged, and all the sudden my routine of constantly being in nature and creating had stopped. It was hard to make friends and to be myself. I stopped wearing colourful clothing and layered fabrics, I tried to morph into what others wanted me to be, or thought they wanted me to be. I was told that my art was too wild, and that I need to tone it down a bit.

At 18, I learned that no one will be true to you but yourself. So, I decided to bring my wild self back, and let my curly hair loose and just be, like I always did. Trust me when I tell you, I went all out.

Today, I always ground and connect back to my roots, whether it be in my decisions or in my designs. Without my upbringing I would have never been able to come this far to start an interior design firm. I wouldn’t have had the business intuition that I have today. It is a humbling experience and a very rough and bumpy path. The secret is; to never loose your true self along the way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I always say to my team and to clients: “We Are Sansa”. Which means, we create holistic and charming spaces that have a purpose and story.

Sansa Interiors is a boutique interior design studio that specializes in creating tailored residential and commercial spaces with a holistic approach. We mix textures, materials and layers to give any space a warm but minimalistic feel. Our holistic design process is streamlined to create a beautiful interior, while fully supporting our clients throughout every step.

Looking at how far we have come, I am definitely proud. But in all honesty, I need these constant check-ins because I tend to be very harsh on myself.

Our company has experienced growth in recent years, and we’re always looking for new ways to grow and be better for our clients and community. We’re committed to building a business that not only provides exceptional services but also has a positive impact on society.

Starting a business is a challenge on its own, as the business owner you have to wear many hats and you have to sacrifice a lot to get your vision built and off the ground. Until this day, I sacrifice a lot of personal time, sleep and prioritize the company and my team. It is definitely something I am working on to integrate a better balance in my life.

Running a business is a rollercoaster, and it can get lonely at times. Usually I like to go for a mid-day walk in nature to re-charge and have the energy to push through very long workdays. But that is the price you pay if you want to grow, and expand.

The most important thing is, I love what I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would love if my best friend comes to visit me. I would definitely tour her around, filling the trip with delicious foods, amazing places and showing her a great time. Since I am in Toronto and it is freezing here during the winter. I would first recommend that my friend visits in the summer.

So let’s assume it is summer, and I am at the airport to pick her up:
1. The moment she is in my car, I will take her for a drive to show her the area, some landmarks and my neighbourhood.
2. We will then grab a quick bite to eat at my all time favorite taco place; Campechano.
3. Since we are in Toronto and the night is young, we walk around Toronto, people watching, grabbing ice cream or something to drink then go dancing at Supermarket in Kensington market – my favourite area in Toronto.
4. We ease into the day by grabbing bagels and pastries from Sanremo Bakery and hit the road to check out Niagara on the Lake and Niagara falls where we will walk, play games, take a tour and spend the night overlooking the falls.
5. After we arrive back to my home, we rest and then go hiking to some beautiful Hamilton waterfall trails, we go into the town and get a healthy meal at Earth to Table or Bean Bar.
6. We take a day to relax, talk, explore some cafes, take photos, and at night we have a girls night with face masks, movies and popcorn.
7. We head for 2 days to Montreal so my friend can experience another part of Canada that is really fun in the summer. We explore, walk, visit galleries and the cathedrals, shop, eat lots of delicious food, dance, sing and celebrate our friendship.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my family. My husband who supports all my dreams,
To my friends who I met in the most unconventional way.
& Lastly to all the people who doubted me.

Website: www.sansainteriors.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sansa.interiors/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sansainteriors

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sansa.Interiors

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sansa.interiors

Image Credits
@Bruno Belli/ @Sansa Interiors