Our Story
Lili & Frank Khalilnia
Founders
Family owned and operated since 1985, Import Temptations began its climb to success as a small wholesale company and growing quickly into an established and well respected luxury furnishing and interior design business.
Lili Khalilnia, founder and president of the company attended one of the finest interior design schools in Italy where she developed her passion for the best in Italian style, furniture and design.
Joined by her husband Frank Khalilnia, Import Temptation’s growth in the industry of furniture, giftware, and distinct design of mirrors, has gained the definitive image of being the very best in all aspects of consumer vision and fortifying strong relations. Frank uses his fluency in 5 languages to ensure strong and reliable relationships with international suppliers.
Shiva Khalilnia
Principal
Toronto Based Designer, Shiva Khalilnia, has been creating sophisticated interiors for her clients for over 20 years. Her portfolio includes grand residences and luxury hotels throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This well-traveled Designer is highly versed in European elegance, having worked with and designed for high-end furniture lines in Milan, Italy for several years.
Today, Shiva has established exclusive relationships with some of the very best luxury European Manufacturers and North American brands, giving her the ability to bring clients impeccable craftsmanship and opulent design options.
Our team
Lyda Ziaaein
SALES MANAGER / INTERIOR DESIGNER
Email: Lyda@import-temptations.com
Lyda has been playing an integral role at Import Temptations, using her extensive experience of over 15 years along with her degree in Interior Design to create exceptional spaces. Her fluency in 3 languages has been essential to multiple international design projects. Coupled with a warm and caring personality, her strong management skills, solid knowledge of products, fabrics, finishes as well as order and supply processes make her the ideal Sales Manager and Interior Designer.
Emile Mourani
MASTER FINISHER
Having been with the company from its early beginnings, Emile brings an extensive knowledge of fine finishing’s and craftsmanship of luxury furniture, making him an essential and beloved part of the Import Temptations team. His role includes operations and warehouse support along with custom finishing and leafing.
Afif Bakkar
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Email: Afif@import-temptations.com
Having graduated with honours from York University with a degree in Computer Science, Informatics Security; Afif plays an essential role as the Operations Manager at Import Temptations. Afif’s duty is to ensure everything in the company runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Whether it’s organizing the inventory logistics, placing orders, processing and organizing deliveries, or handling day-to-day operations. Afif has been part of the Import Temptations family for many years before acquiring his current position.
Amy Ko
PURCHASING & ADMINISTRATION
Email: Purchasing@import-temptations.com
Amy joins Import Temptations with an extensive background in administration and order management. Having worked with various companies in the shipping industries, her attention to detail and project management keeps the orders running smoothly. Her positive and bubbly personality is a welcome addition to the team. She is also fluent in Korean and is studying Mandarin.
KHRYSTYNA FEDORKIV
LEAD DESIGN ASSISTANT
Email: Khrystyna@import-temptations.com
Joining the Import Temptations team, Khrystyna brings a fresh and stylish perspective on interiors. Working as Shiva’s design assistant, her highly detailed and extensive background in interior design and spacial planning is a welcome addition to each project. With an understanding of European styling and fashion, she is also fluent in Ukrainian and Russian.
CINTYA CASTELLANOS
LEAD DESIGN ASSISTANT
Email: Cintya@import-temptations.com
With over 10 years experience in the design industry, Cintya is committed to creating unique and beautiful interiors. Her background in kitchens and baths has given her an eye for balance and detail. In her current role as assistant to the lead designer, she has gained extensive expertise in sophisticated interiors, luxury materials and high-end finishes. She is passionate about each project and enjoys being involved throughout the design process.
David Meredith
SALES AND DESIGN CONSULTANT
Email: David@import-temptations.com
With a design background spanning more than three decades, David spent the first half of his career as an international theatrical stage and lighting designer. Now working exclusively in the world of luxury interiors, he has transformed his unique skill set from the stage to creating beautiful settings for both residential and commercial clients. Using history, culture and passion for the arts, David creates inspired designs for both traditional and contemporary spaces.
Galina Kouznetsova
Sales and Design Consultant
Email: Galina@import-temptations.com
Galina studied at the University of Art and Culture in Minsk. With over twenty years of experience, her passion for art and travel, she brings her international flare to Import Temptations. She also has a creative eye at product and accessory merchandising the showroom. Galina is fluent in Russian and Belarusian.