Shirley Meisels

Shirley Meisels has built a career around her true calling. As the principal of Toronto’s highly acclaimed MHouse Inc., Shirley has a style that is modern yet warm; she incorporates midcentury pieces and global influences into each of her projects, ranging from new builds to century-old homes to Muskoka cottages and vacation spots in Florida. Her design sensibility comes from her early days working as a stylist for luxury and lifestyle clients such as Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen. “I look at a home and imagine each room as a photograph. This comes from long hours spent on set during my styling days,” she says. “I envision a space and think, ‘What would make a great shot on a page?’ There needs to be a balance of interest and excitement. When I choose large investment pieces, I opt for something that is classic and then pair it with an element of surprise.” Whether she’s playing with colour or proportion, Shirley creates unexpected yet inviting living spaces. Her eclectic style has landed Shirley on the cover of Canada’s leading design magazines, including House & Home and Style at Home. She has also appeared as an on-air expert on Cityline, has been a featured designer at the Toronto Interior Design Show and has made Houzz.com’s coveted “Best of” list since 2012 (she was recently named an influencer by the prestigious site). When it comes to décor and design, there’s nothing more satisfying to Shirley than seeing her vision come to life. From resolving small-space issues to mapping out extensive floor plans, she welcomes any design challenge that comes her way.