Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background as a designer.
I first discovered my passion for interior design at 11 years old, redesigning the unfinished basement of my parents' home into my own bedroom oasis. That passion stayed with me, but it wasn't until I was building my own dream home that it became a full career — that's when M Designs was born. Today I specialize in kitchen and bathroom renovations and custom new builds across the Lower Mainland, with a particular love for heritage and craftsman homes.
What inspires your design work?
I am drawn to spaces that feel like they have always belonged — new builds that read like they have history, and renovations that respect the character already there. When I built my own home in Queens Park, I designed it to sit naturally among the neighbourhood's heritage homes, and that same philosophy guides every project: keep what earns its place, and build around it with clean, functional design.
Can you share a recent project where you featured Atlas Homewares hardware and how it enhanced the space?
One recent project I am excited to share is a townhouse kitchen renovation. The original kitchen had dark espresso cabinets, mismatched and dated lighting, and outdated plumbing fixtures and hardware, and since the layout couldn't change, my focus was on making the space feel lighter and more timeless. I chose a lighter color palette with black accents throughout, including black plumbing fixtures, and brought in Atlas Homewares hardware in black to tie it all together. That consistent thread of black against the lighter cabinetry gave the kitchen a clean, cohesive, updated look.
What led you to choose Atlas Homewares for your projects?
I chose Atlas Homewares' Griffith Collection for the look — it had exactly the style I was after for the space. It was also a nice bonus that the collection included matching appliance pulls, so I could carry that same finish and design across the cabinetry and appliances for a fully cohesive look.
What advice do you give to clients—or fellow designers—when selecting decorative hardware?
I always tell clients to think of hardware as the jewelry of the space — it's a small detail that makes a big impact. My advice is to choose a finish that echoes at least one other element in the room, like your faucet or lighting, so the space feels intentional rather than assembled piece by piece. Something I always say is to use both knobs and pulls rather than just one piece everywhere — mixing the two levels up the look and feel of the cabinetry.
Have you ever mixed and matched hardware styles or finishes in a project? If so, tell us about that process.
Yes, I have — it all depends on the project. I'm not afraid to mix and match finishes if it works for the space. For example, I've paired polished nickel plumbing fixtures in a kitchen with black cabinetry hardware, and in another project used a chrome bathroom faucet with black hardware on the vanity. It really comes down to what best suits the specific space rather than sticking to one finish throughout.
What kitchen and bath trends are you currently loving? How does decorative hardware play a role in that?
Honestly, my design philosophy is timeless over trendy, so I don't tend to chase trends, especially ones that are short-lived and can quickly date a space. Instead, I gravitate toward finishes and details that will still feel relevant in 10 or 20 years — clean lines, warm neutrals, and quality materials that age well. Decorative hardware plays a big role in that longevity: choosing a well-made, classic finish means the hardware won't need to be swapped out every time a trend shifts, so the space stays feeling current for years to come.
Where can people follow your work or learn more about your design services?
