FAQ

I believe that home design should be both stress-free and enjoyable.

Have questions?

For more info on what you can expect when working with me, check out the answers to my FAQs:

What is your role as a design professional?

As a design professional, I act as a trusted advisor in creating bespoke, thoughtful, full-service solutions for my clients. This relationship is important to me. I want to understand your lifestyle and what makes you, well, you!

I help my clients to dream big. It’s then my job to develop a design that will deliver maximum impact and maximum value. My magic is taking the vision and reverse engineering it to deliver something you’ll love within your scope and budget. My experience allows me to present the best possible options to help create a uniquely beautiful space that reflects who you are.

It’s my job to bring a feeling of ease to the entire project. For example, I manage vendor relationships, communicate with trades, identify opportunities to increase efficiencies, etc.

Can you visit our home before we commit to your design service?

Absolutely! We offer a 1.5 hr Initial Consultation.

This consultation is an opportunity for us to meet in your home and discuss what works, what doesn’t, and what you’re hoping to achieve in your space. We will give you design suggestions that you can implement on your own, or you can choose to proceed with our design services.

I’m not sure where to begin and how big the project could be. How do we determine this? How do we establish a budget?

Answering questions like these, is what the Initial Consultation is all about. It’s a great opportunity to discuss the “art of the possible”. We can then prioritize what is most important to you and identify what size of project feels right. This will help us determine the scope and budget for the project.

We will then curate a design package based on this information.

What are your COVID 19 Protocols?

We take your well-being and safety seriously. We are now offering our in-home consultations with safety precautions in mind. We are vaccinated, masked, and when possible keep the windows open to allow for fresh air to flow through your home.

What should we expect given current supply chain issues, delays and backorders due to the ongoing COVID 19 situation?

While delays have been a result of COVID, we have processes in place to keep your project moving along. We have no problem being a ‘squeaky wheel’. We regularly check on the status of items ordered and provide our Phase 2 clients with weekly updates. We are also a very agile team! If something isn’t working out, we can quickly pivot to an equally amazing plan B!

Is it hard to book trades right now due to how busy the home improvement industry is?

Luckily, at MPI+D we have strong relationships with trusted trades. This is one of the ways our project management skills shine! We juggle schedules to get the job done in the right sequence. This is one less headache for you!

What is your process? How long do your projects usually take?

I have a clear 12-step process that I follow for projects that include both interior design and implementation and oversight.

My projects typically run from 3-10 months, depending on the scope of the project.

What are your design fees?

I quote fees for Phase 1 and Phase 2 separately.

Phase 1: Research, Design and Presentation – After the Initial Consultation, I’ll provide you with a Design Consultation Summary and Proposal. As part of this, we confirm the scope of the project and I estimate how many hours it will take to develop and complete the design plan for your project.Based on this, I am able to quote you the Phase 1 fee.

Phase 2: Implementation + Oversight – Once the design has been approved and all elements are finalized as part of the Final Presentation at the end of Phase1, I will quote and collect the fee for the Project Implementation + Oversight along with the deposit for purchase expenses.

Why do you organize your projects into two phases?

We’ve learned that things often change between the scope defined at the initial consultation and the finished project. Sometimes we mutually decide to expand the scope (add rooms, items, etc.), and sometimes we scale down and put things on hold to prioritize a specific space.

By organizing your project in two phases, it allows us to make sure you end up with exactly what you want. We like to leave room for your inspiration and wishes to evolve!

How can we stay on budget?

It’s all about balance. Our philosophy is that your space should be a reflection of you. We mix high and low design to maximize your investment and keep it interesting.

This isn’t our first rodeo. Experience matters. We know how to prioritize what needs to get done and how to get the most out of your budget.

We are happy to include furnishings and accessories you already own and love in our design plans. We don’t believe in throwing the good out with the bad, and love coming up with clever and beautiful ways to remix, reuse, and repurpose what you already have. Designing with objects that have significance, meaning, and history is a cornerstone of MPI +D’s approach. That said, we’ll be honest and let you know if something just won’t work.

Why do I need a design professional if I have a contractor, builder or architect?

While these roles all play an important role in the project, a design professional holds the overall vision for the space. This is an important distinction. Often contractors, builders and architects aren’t experts in how to make the space perfect for you.

MPI+D designs are uniquely beautiful and perfectly practical.

Is it better to do one room at a time or tackle everything we want to do at once?

It is always best to tackle all the rooms you would like to improve at once. Generally speaking, it makes for a more cohesive space and decisions made in one room can affect another. Considering the layout and design of an entire home, or floor, at one time leads to the most advantageous outcome (like removing a wall or borrowing furniture or artwork from one room for another, for example).

There are also efficiencies and time savings relating to duplications of tasks when doing multiple rooms at once which I apply discounts for. However, I know it’s not always possible to do this. A good solution is to design everything at once, but implement in phases as your budget allows.

Do you take on smaller projects? Is there a minimum?

Due to demand, we are only offering full service projects right now. We can accommodate projects that are multiple rooms to full house renovations.

I love your style, but I don’t live in Toronto. Can we still work together?

I predominantly focus on homes in Toronto’s east-end. I’m a proud Toronto east-ender. When possible, I use local suppliers and trades who are familiar with the particular needs of east-end homes.

Outside of Toronto? Let’s talk. Depending on my workload, I am delighted to travel and work with clients outside of the immediate Toronto area for an additional fee.

How do I get started?

The first step is to book your 20-minute discovery call. This is a free, no-obligation call, where we discuss what you’d like to do with your home. If we think we’re a good fit, we can schedule an in-home Initial Consultation. You can book a call here. Easy peasy!