Inspired Environments Through Interior Design | Sarah Mandell

For Sarah Mandell, Lead Interior Designer at Madison Taylor Design, interior design begins long before finishes and furniture are selected. Thanks to Madison Taylor’s integrated design model, her role starts on day one of every project, working closely with clients and the architectural design* team to ensure that every space is thoughtfully planned from both the exterior and interior perspectives.

From the earliest stages, Sarah is involved in shaping how a home will both function and feel. Spatial planning, millwork, kitchens, and furniture layouts are all considered together, allowing the design to develop holistically rather than in isolation. This integrated approach ensures that every decision supports the way a client lives in their space.

Designing Spaces That Work Beautifully

Being involved early allows Sarah to focus on functionality just as much as aesthetics. Each project requires a careful balance—making sure the space works while also creating an environment that feels intentional and personal.

Some clients are drawn to neutral, minimal interiors with clean lines and open vistas, while others gravitate toward bold, bright, or moody spaces. For Sarah, that range is part of what makes the work so rewarding. Every Madison Taylor project offers a new creative opportunity, and no two days ever look the same.

Bringing Materials Together to Create a Home

What excites Sarah most is how all of the interior elements come together. Architectural finishes on walls and cabinetry set the foundation, but it’s the layering of furniture and textiles that truly transforms a space into something that feels like home.

This process often includes curating custom furniture, incorporating vintage pieces, and sourcing from trusted vendors to create a cohesive and unique result. Thoughtful material selection and texture play a key role in shaping spaces that feel collected, expressive, and lived in—never generic.

Spotlight Project: An Eclectic Interior with Personality

One project that stands out to Sarah involved a client who came to Madison Taylor for a full interiors and furniture package. What made the project especially compelling was the client’s eclectic taste and her collection of inherited pieces rooted in classic modern Italian design.

Rather than replacing these meaningful items, the design centered on using them wherever possible and reimagining them through new upholstery and finishes. That approach became the foundation for the entire interiors package.

To pull the eclectic look together, the design embraced bold colour and pattern. The space began with a striking patterned area rug, layered with cheetah-print swivel chairs, a leather sofa, richly textured throw pillows, and even a bright tiger-print drapery. Each element contributed to a space that feels confident, expressive, and carefully balanced.

Trusting the Process

Designing with bold patterns and colour always carries risk, but trust played a crucial role in the success of this project. The client was willing to take those risks alongside the design team and trusted that every decision would come together in the end.

That trust is what allows truly unique interiors to take shape—and it’s also what makes the work so fulfilling for Sarah.

“It’s always really exciting to me when a client says, ‘I never would have thought of that,’ and that is when I know I’ve done my job because I’ve brought something really unique to them into their project.”

Creating Interiors That Feel Personal

At Madison Taylor Design, interior design is about more than creating beautiful spaces. It’s about shaping environments that reflect each client’s personality, lifestyle, and willingness to explore what’s possible when design is approached with creativity and collaboration from the very beginning.

If you’re planning a new build, renovation, or full interior design project, the Madison Taylor team would love to help bring your vision to life. Contact Madison Taylor Design today to start creating a space that feels uniquely yours.

*Designs are developed by Landscape Architects, Architectural Technologists and BCIN-qualified designers registered with the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario, the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, and/or the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.