Tianna Harms has a habit of turning her dreams into reality, whether it’s imagining a career in interior design or creating a playhouse concept and then building it from the floorboards up.

Harms’ passion for interior design started early. Growing up in a family that moved frequently, she quickly developed a keen eye for what worked and what didn’t in different homes. “When I was young, I would just draw floor plans for fun. Nothing realistic, but it excited me. There was always something about creating spaces that felt like home,” she says.

As she spent more time sketching floor plans, Harms realized that interior design wasn’t just a hobby but a path that would allow her to challenge her creativity and open doors for the future. She wanted a path that would allow her to continuously grow and express herself. She applied to Lakeland College’s interior design technology program looking for that opportunity.

As part of the program, first-year interior design technology students were charged with designing a playhouse. Completed designs were then put up for vote. After the public vote, her design was selected as the winner and work is already well underway in constructing the project. Students are working together to construct the winning design, with the final product raffled off to raise funds for the students’ trip to the Toronto Interior Design Show. For inspiration, Harms turned to Pinterest and current trends in newly built homes.

"Ultimately, I envisioned a building design that was versatile for any age, whether it is a space where kids play or a space where adults hang out, and reflective of modern trends in the design industry,” she says.

“This project gives a preview of what real-world situations are like and makes me feel excited about the future after school,” says Harms. “Building it shows the important role that interior design plays when building from the ground up. It gives a greater appreciation for the timelines of building, ordering materials, and completion of finishes. We have gained extensive knowledge in just under a year, and this project proves that we can take our learning from a classroom setting and apply it to a real-life and hands-on experience.”

Tickets for the playhouse raffle are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the IDT Custom Playhouse Raffle 2025.