Distinct Interior Design: Timeless Elegance Meets Modern Innovation

In 2010, after studying marketing at the University of Alberta and spending a decade as a stay-at-home mom, Susan Jomha shifted gears and pursued her passion for interior design, founding Distinct Interior Design in Edmonton, Canada. “With a busy family life, I decided to do something I enjoy while my kids were in school. It was supposed to be part time, just a few projects a year,” says Susan. “But it turned into so much more.”

Today, Susan and her team work on large-scale luxury homes, including a stunning 16,000-sq.-ft. showhome four years in the making. Drawing inspiration from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, her team creates spaces with an uncompromising focus on quality and ease.

The business has grown through clients’ appreciation for her process, from a warm and professional communication style to meticulous attention to detail and a creative vision derived from many sources: nature, art, travel, and even everyday life. “Architecture, both historical and contemporary, also plays a significant role in shaping my designs,” she adds. “There’s so much to learn from different cultures and periods. And the way people interact with spaces often sparks new ideas.”

A Cambria Connection from the Start

Susan has specified Cambria quartz surfaces since 2015, drawn to their distinctive patterns. “It was the first countertop product I used in my business,” she notes. “And I have Cambria in my own home—so I’ve experienced the quality and durability firsthand, and I convey that to my clients.”

Innovation—combined with a responsive team and skilled fabricator partner—helped Susan be among the first to create a Cambria staircase in her own studio. “I wanted the Bentley® design dripping down each step—something that would make people say ‘wow’—and working with the fabricator, that’s exactly what we achieved.”

Making Projects Easier

Susan finds sharing the benefits of quartz helps clients understand its value—from being maintenance free to serving as a perfect complement to other materials that define a high-end home. She notes, however, that “the product often sells itself. Once you show them the samples, they fall in love.” She adds, “It’s important that clients see, feel, and touch the materials so together we can make the best decisions for their home.” 

Cambria also supports her presentation workflow. Easy access to its digital assets for 3D renderings leads to faster creation of customized presentations that help clients envision the end result.

Quartz Appeal

For Susan, Cambria quartz surfaces stand out for their elegance and long-term performance, as well as a wide range of designs and a transferable Lifetime Warranty.

“And I love that it is a natural element that works well with my designs. I often combine stone and wood, accented with metal, to create depth, texture, and an eye-catching look,” she says.

Top designs for her clients include Brittanicca™, Berkshire Brass Sculpted™, Skara Brae®, and Bentley, which she incorporates into kitchens, baths, integrated sinks, showers, and showstopping fireplace and feature walls. 

A current project, a 10,000-sq.-ft. Edmonton residence, will feature Cambria innovations throughout. Skara Brae will appear on the home’s two bars, both backlit and thermoformed. And Brittanicca Warm will distinguish kitchen countertops and backsplashes, fireplace wall cladding, custom integrated sinks, and a custom shower.

Words of Design Wisdom

For Susan, early planning is essential—especially for large-scale homes. “I tell clients, let’s start the interior design three months before the digging of the foundation. That way we stay ahead of the contractor and ensure material selections are done beforehand. When we are prepared, even the biggest projects become much easier for everyone.”

Looking Ahead

“I’m already thinking about fluting with integrated lighting for a future project,” she says. “And laser cutting with metal integration could also open new design possibilities. I also hope to use Cambria in custom furniture—coffee tables and more.”

And a major focus is taking her firm’s creative vision beyond Edmonton. “People are reaching out from Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. We’re ready to take Distinct Interior Design across Canada.”