Hidden Gems: Meet Blima Ehrentreu of The Designers Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Blima Ehrentreu.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path into design started very naturally. From a young age, I was drawn to building and creating. I loved using blocks to put things together and thinking about how spaces could come to life. As I got older, that instinct evolved into a deeper awareness of how environments impact how we feel and function. That perspective stayed with me and ultimately led me to pursue my master’s in interior design in Toronto.
I began my career at an architectural firm, where I developed a strong technical foundation and gained a real understanding of how projects come together. I always had a clear vision of building something of my own, and in 2009, I founded The Designers Group in Toronto.
From there, the growth was intentional. We expanded into New York, then Miami, and most recently into Los Angeles through the acquisition of Interior Images, a firm specializing in healthcare and senior living design. LA represents an exciting next chapter for us. It is a city where design is very connected to lifestyle, creativity, and innovation, which aligns closely with how we think about space.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like anything worth building, there have been moments that challenged me and pushed me to grow.
In the early years, TDG was establishing itself in male-dominated industries, which meant I had to be especially focused on building credibility and trust. Opening our New York office in 2016 was another defining step. It is one of the most competitive and complex markets, and navigating that required resilience and adaptability.
The pandemic was another pivotal moment. We had to make quick, thoughtful decisions to support our team and clients while maintaining the standard we hold ourselves to. At the same time, it created space for innovation, leading to some of our most impactful initiatives, including TDG Furniture Exchange and the expansion of our branding division.
Stepping into Los Angeles presents a different kind of opportunity and challenge. It is a market with a strong point of view on design, where expectations are high and creativity is constant. It pushes us to refine our approach and continue elevating the way we think about space.
Each phase has required a different version of leadership, and I have learned to stay focused, adaptable, and open to growth.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Designers Group?
At The Designers Group, everything we do is grounded in purpose. We are not just designing spaces. We are creating environments that influence how people feel, function, and experience their daily lives.
We work across residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and senior living sectors, bringing a consistent level of intention to each project. What sets us apart is our ability to apply a hospitality-driven mindset to spaces that are often overlooked, particularly in healthcare and senior living. We believe thoughtful, elevated design should be felt by everyone.
That perspective translates naturally in Los Angeles, where design is closely tied to lifestyle and well-being. We approach projects with a focus on how spaces support everyday living, connection, and ease, while still delivering a strong visual experience.
Our work is rooted in a vision-first approach, where design leads from concept through execution. This allows us to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but also highly functional and aligned with our clients’ goals.
What I am most proud of is not only the work we produce, but what we stand for as a firm. Through initiatives like TDG Gives Back and TDG Furniture Exchange, we are intentional about creating impact through design and beyond.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories was watching my parents rebuild our home across the street. I remember being completely fascinated by every part of the process, from the demolition to seeing the house come together.
I would stand there for hours, paying attention to the details, the materials, and how everything came together step by step. The idea that a space could be completely reimagined, and that every decision played a role in how it would ultimately feel, stayed with me.
Looking back, I can see how important those early planning decisions are and how much they shape the final experience of a space. That perspective has stayed with me and continues to influence how I approach design today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thedesignersgroup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedesignersgroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedesignersgroup
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedesignersgroup/about/
• Other: https://www.tdgfurnitureexchange.com/

Image Credits
The Designers Group