Journal Entry #6 - May Recap

As we bid farewell to the vibrant days of May into the warmth of June, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the highlights and inspirations that marked this beautiful month at MRD.

This month we signed on two new clients both looking to refresh and revitalize their spaces. #MillwoodProject recently renovated, but wanted to live in the space before investing in decor. We are excited to help them elevate their family living area through a thoughtful decor plan that marries family movie night and entertaining. Our #BrendanProject is set to start next month in the charming neighbourhood of Bennington. This beautiful and unique home on the ravine will have us tackling several room updates and three design projects including a new bathroom and office space. I know I haven’t been the best at sharing progress pics, but June’s resolution is to be better :) Stay Tuned!

May also had me networking more and through that I was connected with two new designer friends in Rebecca Hay and Jessica Kelly. I also attended the first of several upcoming events hosted by Wendy Smith of Matter Homes which focused on sustainable living. Networking and collaborating with like-minded, driven women has been a real inspiration and driver for me this month. I’ve felt more creative, more connected and more focused on where MRD can grow and I am excited about the opportunities.

As the school year winds down and the days grow longer, it's the perfect time to breathe new life into your outdoor living spaces and prepare your home for a season of sun-soaked relaxation. Whether you have a weekend or just an hour; these tips will help you welcome summer with style and ease.

1. Gardening: Cultivate Your Outdoor Oasis

Gardening is a fantastic way to enhance your home's exterior and create a peaceful retreat. Here are some ideas to get your garden summer-ready:

• Plant Summer Blooms: Create a layered garden using perenials and annuals, flowers and shrubs. You can go for a coehesive look or add pops of vibrant colour. Connect with your local nursery for help on what to choose and how to take care of your plants.

• Create a Herb Garden: Not only do herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary smell wonderful, but they also add flavor to your summer dishes. Plant them in a sunny spot or in charming pots on your patio.

• Outdoor Living Spaces: Set up a cozy seating area with weather-resistant furniture, soft cushions, and fairy twinkle lights. This will become your go-to spot for relaxing with a book or hosting evening gatherings.

2.. Getting Ready for Summer and the End of School

As the school year ends and summer begins, it's time to transition your home to accommodate new routines and activities:

• Organize Study Spaces: Clear out old school supplies and create dedicated spaces for exam prep and then summer hobbies. A tidy, organized area can inspire creativity and productivity.

• Summer Storage Solutions: Store away winter items and bring out summer essentials. Use stylish baskets, bins, and hooks to keep everything from beach towels to sports gear easily accessible.

• Outdoor Activities: Prepare your backyard for fun with the family. Set up a space for games and socializing and prep your BBQ area by cleaning your grill and making sure your proparne tank is filled to make the most of the warm weather.

• Seasonal Cleaning: A thorough cleaning can refresh your home and get rid of any lingering clutter. Focus on areas that might have been neglected during the busy school year.

With these tips, you can transform your home into a summer sanctuary. Embrace the season's energy, and enjoy the bright, beautiful days ahead!

Whether you're diving into new decor projects, cultivating a garden, or getting your home ready for summer, the key is to create spaces that bring joy and relaxation. Happy almost summer!

Meg

Journal Entry #5 - April Recap

March felt more like Spring than April did, wouldn’t you agree? I was so hopeful with Bayview’s flower shops brimming with colourful blooms that April would bring me to my garden and have my front porch planters welcoming our guests, but instead its kind of been miserable in terms of weather. That said, not so miserable in other ways…like momentum at MRD, family life and overall prepping for the change in season that is hopefully just around the corner.!

Things are moving along at both our #Merton and #FieldingofDreams projects. Each design project is so personal and although some decisions take more time than others, it feels good to support our clients as they make their way through our process. While #Merton is moving into the final design presentation phase, we continue to update and address different parts of the #FieldingofDreams home bringing each area into the overall design aesthetic fold. I cannot wait to get these two projects photographed to share their great transformations.

On the home front, after a long winter of hockey rinks and indoor soccer fields, we took a the kids on a family holiday to visit their grandparents in Florida. The colours and smells and warm feels of the sunny state are instant mood boosters. We played a ton of pickleball, ate dinner at the beach, biked to the pool each day and enjoyed just checking out for a week. With sun-kissed skin and happy hearts, we returned rejuvenated and ready for what Spring has in store.

If you didn’t catch my Instagram collaboration with my friend and colleague Wendy Smith of Matter Homes, I will share the spring tips again here, but first a bit about Wendy:

Wendy is passionate business woman and marketer with a customer-service mindset working the real estate market for her clients. At Matter Homes, they recognize that selling or buying a home is one of the biggest business decisions of your life. And to this end, they proudly work with each client to develop a strategic business plan—from pricing strategy to end negotiations, driven by a customized marketing strategy that clearly outlines every aspect of their approach. If you or anyone you know is looking to sell or buy in the Toronto area, Wendy at Matter Homes should be your first call! You can find Wendy on Instagram at @matter_homes or reach out directly to her at wsmith@bosleyrealestate.com . #womensupportingwomen

Spring Tips from MRD:

1. Revitalize Your Space: Spring beckons for a thorough decluttering and rejuvenating cleanse. Dive into your closets, cupboards, and linen closets, reassessing each item’s relevance. If something hasn’t seen the light of day in a year, consider passing it on to someone who will cherish it. Once you’ve brought the order back to your home, it’s time to clean. Nothing says Spring like a good deep clean. Break out those lemony scents and bring those baseboards back to life!

2. Refresh Your Space - Another great way to celebrate the new season is to bring some lighter elements into your home. A quick pillow update reflecting a cheery spring palette can easily and affordably bring new life to any room. Opt for fresh linen or supple cotton fabrics to provide a light and airy feeling. Revisit your window treatments - look to bring in more natural light with sheer drapery that is light filtering creating a warm glow in your home. Have fun with your current items - find a new home for a loved piece of furniture or art or rearrange your living room bookshelves for a fresh take.

3. Reconnect Your Space - Embrace the spirit of spring by incorporating natural elements into your interior design. Consider adding fresh flowers or potted plants to brighten your home. Additionally, you can incorporate natural materials such as rattan, jute, or bamboo through furniture pieces, area rugs, or decor accents. These elements not only add visual interest but also create a sense of connection to the outdoors, which is particularly refreshing this time of year.

With that, I will sign off and return to unpacking and sorting through closets - ha!

Happy Spring!

Meg

Journal Entry #4 - March Recap

How is it already the end of March? This month brought us a lot of family time :) and some good progress on the business side of things too!

I am excited to share that we have further defined our service offerings to provide potential clients with different tiered packages based on their needs and wants. This was a fun exercise in terms of market research and I think we’ve come up with a bundle of options to suit any point of entry into the design process.

Our first service offering we named DESIGN CONCIERGE. This package is a great option for someone looking for the support of a design expert on a small project or room refresh. It is also a great way to get to know us and launch a larger project kick-off. Some might use this service to validate a floorplan, recommend a piece of furniture, styling a room or bookshelf, or even helping with paint selection. DESIGN CONCIERGE is an hourly service with a minimum two hour booking and is offered both in-person or virtually.

Our second offering is called ROOM SERVICE. This is our e-design package that is ideal for the client looking for a customized decor and design plan, but has the time and energy to execute the project on their own. ROOM SERVICE is a budget conscious approach to interior design and a great point of entry into the process. This package takes the client from concept to final product recommendation and sourcing lists. It is a team effort that brings your personalized design to life. This service is based on scope (number of rooms, size, needs, etc.) and is booked as a fixed fee.

FULL-SERVICE DESIGN is our premium service offering where MRD runs the project from start to finish. Here, MRD handles all aspects of the project - including procurement, project management and installation. Our goal with this package is to relieve you of the stress of building and designing your beautiful home, while providing a white-glove service built on communication and a kind approach. With our team of trades, we will help guide you through creating a custom, detail-oriented, thoughtful design. This service follows our 7 Step Process and is a fixed fee service.

If you or someone you know is contemplating a new design project, is in need of a spring refresh or is struggling to pull a space together, please reach out - we would love to be a part of your next design transformation.

Happy Spring!

Meg

Journal Entry #3 - February Recap

February came and went in a blink of an eye! Between projects, networking and our constant hockey and soccer schedules, this month felt like a blur, but progressive nonetheless.

Our #FieldingofDreams Project is coming along with the front hall and stairway being our next focal point. We have been sourcing paint and carpet for the runner and believe we have landed on a beautiful combination that speaks to our clients’ vision of Paris meets Brooklyn Brownstone. We can’t wait to share the before and after shots of this space, but for now here are some of our inspo pics:

Another exciting project that is starting to take shape is our #MertonProject. Our clients are busy working parents of two young boys who want to update and refresh their newly purchased home to reflect their family’s warm and welcoming lifestyle. First on the punch list is the kids’ play areas, the family room, the front entry and the primary bedroom. We are presenting our client mood boards and budget review documents this week and will share more as are move ahead. Be sure to follow #MertonProject on Instagram.

February also marks my husband and my annual Tremblant ski trip. We were hit with every weather system imaginable; +10 and slushy, rain and fog with amazing snow conditions and finally, -24, icy but beautiful blue skies…it was just what the doctor ordered to recharge for a busy March ahead.

Meg

Journal Entry #2 - January Recap

January was an exciting month at MRD.  I launched my new website and social accounts, had my first trip to the Interior Design Show in Toronto, attended my first Designer’s Meet Up, and I just signed on two new clients for February which I am so excited to share with you soon.

The Interior Design Show was held at the International Convention Centre in downtown Toronto.  I attended Thursday and Friday and was instantly inspired by the vendors and speakers that were in attendance.  There was a clear focus on sustainability which was interesting in terms of understanding the impact and importance of different materials in the supply chain on design and construction.  I loved listening to Alison Brooks (Alison Brooks Architects) discuss how she looks to the past for inspiration, the future of design through sustainable and living materials, and how she is evolving her firm in London.  I met many local makers and artisans, purchased some art, and connected with designers I had met through my course at Rebecca Hay’s (Rebecca Hay Designs) Designer’s Meet Up at the Weaver’s Art booth.

February is looking busy with two new projects in the city, an event to support a friend in her mission to give back and a solid stack of magazines to digest!  I am thankful for this fun time and look forward to sharing my progress along the way.

Meg

Journal Entry #1: January 2024 New Year and New Beginnings

Happy New Year and cheers to new beginnings!  I am so excited to share my journey in interior design with you and look forward to updating this space monthly with everything we are up to at MRD.

This month we are launching www.megrogersdesign.ca as well as our Instagram and Pinterest accounts which will act as a running log of all things we love and are inspired by daily which influence the designs we bring to life.

I am starting 2024 with two new clients and a handful of openings for both décor and design projects in the coming months.  If you or someone you know is contemplating a new project, please reach out as we would love to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for your interest and support in my new adventure and I look forward to sharing this ride with you.

Meg