Madison Thorburn Design and Toronto Real Estate Agent

10/10/2026

🖐️ Do you remember touch and feel books? 🖐️

As humans we are super tactile creatures, we want to touch and feel and understand objects and elements of our physical world by physically interacting with it. Looking at objects in a digital collage is well and good, but there is something very important and integral to the decision process that involves touch and feel. Physical sample boards involve using swatches of finishes that you can touch and feel. It makes the whole process feel (pun intended) way more real. When you can understand the way fabrics, woods, tiles, etc behave in real space and real light, then you can make an informed decision.

Want help with a room? Reach out!

08/01/2026

Pink plaster has such a special space in my heart. There are so many ways to have a minimal space without it being white or grey. And that makes the space feel so elevated. Colour language speaks loudly, and white/grey often reads as boring if there's no thought put into "why" other than the answer being "inoffensive" or "unobtrusive". Texture or pattern can elevate white/grey, or you can go for other colours that read as more elevated.

Plaster pink in this historic home complements its aged quality, proving soft pink paints can be a more welcoming alternative to white, while still remaining timeless.

Image credit: Liddicoat & Goldhill / Hector Interiors / Sam Grady

07/02/2026

🤝What can I say, some styles just work!🤝

Combining styles can be a really fun and innovative way to make your space feel personal and unique. Using just one style can sometimes feel too same-y, or like its plucked right out of a catalogue. To get those magazine ready rooms that feel aspirational, you have to get creative!

Combining styles can seem very daunting, and it definitely is when you start, but design styles that share similar elements of their design can be pulled together. In my example of retro-futurism/mid-century/bauhaus and industrial, both elements share a similar use of strong lines, and geometric shapes. But where they differ is where you can create that unique feel. Industrial has a very limited colour pallette, whereas retro-futurism and bauhaus have a more bright and varied colour pallette.

What two design styles do you think would work well together?

06/21/2026

👩‍🏫 This or That? 🧐

It may seem like there is a right answer, but there isn't! It really depends on what works for your space. In a smaller space, there can be a lot of pros and cons to either.

One couch can be convertible, it could double as a pull out bed for company or storage. One couch can also condense the space quite a bit, keeping all your furniture in one dedicated space.
It can also stagnant the space, making it feel to static and typical. It could take up more space than you need to take up.

Multiple armchairs can allow for versatility. You can use multiple armchairs to express yourself and mix-and-match styles. They can also make the space feel lighter and give it more air to breath.
They can also cause a lack of intimacy, making meetings in the living room always feel distant.

Of course, if you have the space for it, you can opt for both. But not everyone has space for both, so it's about coming to a decision that's right for your home.

A designer can help you to allocate that space, and try out what might work best for you.
Feel free to reach out if you are looking for any design services or real estate needs.

04/07/2026

🌷Giving you space to bloom!🌻

I have started taking on design projects! I like all spaces, but bathrooms are particularly fun. You can kind of do anything with a bathroom space, and a bathroom that is more fun and themed doesn't feel like it's overpowering all of your house. And people love mirror selfies, so wouldn't it be fun to give them a backdrop? 😆

I am currently working on this bathroom design for a guest bathroom, and my clients were not looking to make huge changes, but something to freshen the space up. We decided on not redoing the floor, shower tiling or the cabinet and counter space. So really just a decor update. The pink beige with the brown does match the counter and cupboard, but it was weighting the space down. I suggested a complementary colour scheme for the bathroom (yes brown and blue are complementary colours because most browns are orange), and the clients loved it. Because the shower tiles aren't going to be changed, I wanted to almost lean into the idea of being dated and go with vintage on purpose. PLUS, anyone who really knows me knows, I love thrifting. So leaning into that aesthetic means....you guessed it, thrifting!

I can't wait to update you all when the space is done!

04/03/2026

🌟 Nothing makes me happier than a return client! 🌟

I was lucky to work with Victoria around this time last year, but even luckier to get to work with her again, this time looking for a place for her and Felix! We were able to secure a place they were happy with that worked with their budget. Word of mouth and repeat clients are the best ways that real estate agents make connections, because what goes further than trust?

Feel free to reach out if you're looking for somewhere for this spring/summer!

03/31/2026

🥱 I was hibernating, what'd I miss? 🥱

In all seriousness though, although I have been quiet on "The Socials" I have been up to some things behind the scenes. If you know me personally, you might know that I started an Interior Decorating diploma program in September, and I have been working through that, steadily and surely, in order to work towards bringing you further services that also strike my fancy. Advertising is important, but staging is also a world of difference.

Anyways, that's some checking in with me before I disappear off the map for a bit again. Haha, just kidding. I will have some more content for the feeds this spring.

03/31/2026

Cafe Serano is a great local stop for a quick drink and bite, or a long and slow afternoon spent gabbing and relaxing!

09/05/2025

🌟This or that?🌟

Mid Century Modern has made a huge resurgence in the past few years for people wanting a modern look that is still sleek while having nostalgic comfort. Bauhaus is heavily tied to Mid Century Modern design, as it's design concept favoured smooth lines, clean finishes and beauty in construction and craftsmanship over decoration.

Both have their charms, which do you prefer?

05/28/2025

🌟 Factors that determine property value! 🌟
What determines your property's value when looking to sell?

📈 State of the market - the market changes, throughout the year, and year to year. It's important that value is determined as closely based on the current market as possible. It can be easy to see a number at some point and get stuck on that number, but it's important to be realistic when deciding value.

📏 Size - size has a lot to do with pricing. Although that sounds obvious, it can also mean the perceived size of a property as well. A house with a large amount of small rooms can seem a lot smaller than the same house with fewer, larger rooms.

🔎 Condition - condition has so much to do with value. Many shoppers understand that some changes will likely need to be made to a property they purchase in order to be exactly what they want, but many buyers are scared off by having to do extensive work to a property.

🗺 Location - the saying "location, location, location" doesn't come from no where! Location is a very important factor for buyers looking to purchase.

⌚ Age of the House - the age can determine elements of the condition of the property. If an older house is not well maintained, it could need more work. Some buyers will pay more for an older home that has kept its charm and been well maintained.

➕ Add - Ons - certain add ons and upgrades can improve the value of a house. A solarium, an extension, an upgraded bathroom, could all improve the value of the house to the right buyer.