Robyn Manning is the principal designer and owner of Bricks + Birches. Her passion for beautiful and functional spaces stems from a fine Art background, studying textile and furniture design.
Robyn prides herself in being able to realize her client’s visions for their built environment, even if they don’t quite know what they’re looking for. Her work is not limited to any particular design aesthetic, but rather an emphasis on quality and bold styling. Her work is a masterclass in color and texture, recognizable in its “je ne sais quoi” style.
Before launching Bricks + Birches in 2016, Robyn spent 7.5 years honing her craft with one of the top residential Design firms in the Maritimes.
Email: robyn@bricksandbirches.com
Marissa Buckley has been a senior designer for Bricks + Birches since 2018. As both our lead draftsperson and senior designer, Marissa brings nearly a decade of expertise in understanding and obsessing over both the big picture and small details of your project. Marissa brings a “timeless-with-a-twist” design perspective to the team recognizable by her signature design sophistication.
Marissa comes to team B+B with an Interior Decorating diploma and 4 years of industry experience.
Email: marissa@bricksandbirches.com
Vanessa is a design consultant with a passion for eclectic, character-driven interiors. A lover of historical homes but an appreciation for contemporary design, her design perspectives comfortably find themselves in all architectural styles. As a mother of 3, she understands the function and lifestyles of busy families better than anyone and is able to beautifully marry form and function for our clients. No one mixes colour and pattern quite like she does, as beautifully demonstrated in her personal home.
Vanessa nearly completed a PHD in clinical child psychology before courageously following her heart to pursue her true passion in the world of interiors. Following 3 years of industry experience Vanessa joined Bricks + Birches in 2021. Her intellect and creative perspective lends itself perfectly to the design process, making her a true asset to our team.
Email: vanessa@bricksandbirches.com
If design was a sport, Lauren would be the coach on the sidelines, holding the clipboard and directing the plays. As the backbone of the business, Lauren manages all the logistics of Bricks + Birches, as your first point of contact when inquiring, to communicating with customs brokers, right down to knowing the exact delivery date of that one missing lightbulb. Passionate about design and the “Nancy Drew” of sourcing unique products and vintage decor, Lauren does it all for Bricks + Birches and you can most certainly expect to hear from her throughout the course of your project.
Prior to joining the team in 2021, Lauren graduated from Saint Mary’s university with a degree in commerce but her exceptional taste is inherent.
Email: office@bricksandbirches.com
Brian officially joined our team in late 2025 but has been a big personality behind the scenes since 2018. Passionate about fine art, antique furniture and vintage décor, Brian’s unparalleled talent for decorating and styling comes through in his layered, soulful interiors. With an aesthetic that falls somewhere between a cottage in the Cotswolds and a weekend in Provincetown, his spaces are collected, romantic and chic—without taking themselves too seriously.
Before joining B+B, Brian spent a decade in high-end furniture and home décor, working closely with a discerning clientele and developing an intuitive understanding of how people want to live. That experience translates naturally to his work today: he knows how to listen, where to find just the right thing, and—perhaps most importantly—how to make the design process genuinely fun.
Email: brian@bricksandbirches.com
Founded in 2016 by Robyn Manning, Bricks and Birches is an Internationally recognized boutique design firm based out of Kentville, Nova Scotia.
Intentionally designed as a small-but-mighty team, We work collaboratively to bring your project to life through 5 distinct creative perspectives. Our work is not synonymous with one particular design aesthetic, but rather a concept-driven design approach that allows us to interpret and reimagine the unique taste and lifestyle of each individual client. At our core, our team is a motley crew of passionate and inspired creatives who are motivated by the unique challenges of each project.
Introduction
Whether it’s virtually or in person, our process begins with you. Starting with an initial discovery session, we discuss your design dilemmas to help mutually understand the scope of work, your design aesthetic, and your functionality requirements. This is often followed by an in-person consultation of your space prior to being provided a proposal.
Proposal
After our first meeting, we’ll send over a project proposal for you to review and approve. Our design services are billed hourly, but you’re provided with an estimate so you know roughly how many hours the project should need.
Design Development
Depending on the scope of your project design development can/may include: floor plans, 3D renderings, elevations and custom millwork designs, mood boards, physical finish samples, direct meetings with trade-only vendors, etc. Expectations of these deliverables are outlined within the proposal process.
Completion
Whether it’s new construction, renovation, or styling services, we have the eyes for detail and we’ve got your back. We strive to take the stress out of the construction process, and have the experience to ensure the right people are hired for the job. The relationships with our trusted trades and vendors give you the peace of mind your project deserves.
The Reveal
Following professional installation, assembly services and styling touches from our team, your space will be ready for its close up! No boxes to break down, no customer service emergencies to handle, and no sore muscles from moving *that sofa*. From assembling your furniture, to hanging the draperies, down to curating the perfect “shelfie”, we provide a turn-key service to make life easy.
