Many think that in the interior design world, beauty often takes center stage, but for Madeleine Sloback, success lies beneath the surface. As the founder and creative director of Madeleine Design Group, Madeleine’s entrepreneurial journey is a story of aesthetic excellence as well as of intention, resilience, and a deep respect for how spaces are actually built and lived in.
From Curiosity and Craft
Madeleine started her business at 25 after 4 years of employment in a corporate interior design role. Throughout high school, she was drawn to the field of interior design. She used to and really enjoyed re-designing her own bedroom, particularly drawn to furniture design. Madeleine elected joinery whenever possible and built her own furniture throughout her high school years.
A woodshop teacher recognized her aptitude and encouraged her to explore ‘finishing carpentry’. For her, this suggestion became a turning point. While attending interior design school, Madeleine worked in finishing carpentry, gaining hands-on experience that many designers never get. “If design school taught me how to design spaces, carpentry taught me how they are fundamentally constructed”, Madeleine confirms.
Madeleine’s philosophy is a blend of creativity and construction. She learned how spaces should look and work. According to her, the early exposure shaped the practical, construction-conscious approach that later defined Madeleine Design Group.
Madeleine Design Group: Designing from the Inside Out
Madeleine Design Group is a full-service interior design firm with a prime focus on residential projects. It is one of the best luxury interior design firms in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. The firm approaches each project with a customized mindset, be it a single-family home or a multi-family development. They also offer turnkey furnishing and decorating services, ensuring clients experience a seamless, end-to-end journey from conception to completion.
But what truly sets them apart from the crowd is their thoughtfulness behind their services.
The Blueprint of Success
Madeleine knows that a conversation with the client is the key to a successful project; sketches or samples follow afterwards. And hence, she holds an in-depth discussion, using thoughtfully designed questionnaires. The purpose of the conversation is to understand how clients want their space to feel, how they live, and which styles, finishes, and fixtures resonate with them.
After receiving all the required insights, they decide on a clear aesthetic design, which acts as the blueprint for the entire project. Like a compass guiding a journey, this approach ensures every design remains aligned, intentional, and personal.
Navigating an Industry of Contrast
“It is a common perception that interior design is a female-driven field. Certainly, there are many women designers, but the surrounding ecosystem, which includes contractors, developers, and other service providers, is male-dominated. Earning respect, particularly from male contractors who were not always perceptive to direction from a young woman, was a challenge”, she admits.
Not only this, but some high-profile clients underestimated project costs or failed to see the value behind thoughtful design. These challenges are enough to lower someone’s confidence. Madeleine used every experience to sharpen her skills and confidence.
Steadily, she gained trust by communicating her vision and the value behind it. Her clear articulation helped in gaining rewarding collaborations, proving that respect, once earned, can become the strongest design element of all.
A Philosophy That Evolves, Not Imitates
Madeleine describes her design philosophy as ever-evolving. She is drawn to classic, timeless design; however, she also embraces contemporary and modern influences. A single design pattern can not define her work, as every project’s aesthetic is shaped by the people she designs for. Every project becomes a mirror reflecting the client’s lifestyle, personality, and needs. This approach keeps the firm’s portfolio diverse and authentic, proving that originality doesn’t come from chasing trends, but from honoring individuality.
“Beauty alone is not enough. A space may look stunning, but if it doesn’t function for the people living in it, the design has failed”, Madeleine states.
She treats every project as a unique narrative. While there is consistency in the quality and thoughtfulness of the work, no two projects are ever the same because no two people are the same. In every Madeleine Design Group project, functionality is woven into the design from the very beginning, much like structural beams hidden behind elegant walls.
Leadership in a Subjective World
“Design is inherently subjective, which makes leadership in this field both challenging and essential”, she admits. For Madeleine, confidence is the most crucial leadership quality a designer can possess. She believes clear and decisive communication builds trust with clients and collaborators, ensuring the project runs smoothly and efficiently. According to Madeleine, “In a world full of opinions, confidence becomes the anchor that keeps creativity from drifting off course.”
Teamwork, Technology, and Thoughtful Growth
Staying informed about emerging trends and innovations is a collective effort at Madeleine Design Group. Madeleine credits her highly capable team for continually sharing new ideas, tools, and technologies. “Teamwork, ongoing education, and open communication are the backbone of the firm’s evolution”.
Her team embraces innovation and consistency, as they share strong core values and a commitment to excellence.
A Defining Leap of Faith
Having faith in one’s own capabilities results in something extraordinary. For Madeleine, one of the most defining moments was her decision to leave corporate interior design and start her own residential firm. Even though the corporate world offered structure and scale, it lacked what mattered most to her: ‘meaningful client relationships’. Definitely, it was a leap of faith, but the one that led her exactly where she belonged.
The most rewarding chapter of her life was building personal connections and designing spaces that genuinely impact the experience of staying in their house.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Madeleine’s focus is on expanding sales and marketing efforts for her firm, Madeleine Design Group. Particularly, she is looking forward to connecting with more contractors and developers. The strategic growth will allow Madeleine to remain rooted in the creative side of the business while strengthening the firm’s long-term sustainability and presence.
Piece of Mind for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
For aspiring interior designers, especially women, Madeleine has strong yet grounded advice. She strongly recommends gaining experience at an established firm and, if possible, taking a business course before starting independently. “Real-world experience and mentorship provide insights that no textbook can replace”, she suggests. Looking back, she admits this could have accelerated her own success earlier on.
Redefining What Success Looks Like
Since Madeleine started her career in finishing carpentry, constructability and functionality are the core of every design. She challenges the industry’s growing obsession with surface-level beauty, often amplified by social media, to ask deeper questions about flow, usability, and everyday life.
Nowadays, even awards tend to celebrate aesthetics over practicality; Madeleine’s vision is grounded. She advocates for design that supports how people live and not just how spaces look in pictures. She looks forward to educating both clients and the industry about the same.
Madeleine Sloback’s journey is just like a well-designed home: balanced, intentional, and built to last. Through her firm, Madeleine Design Group, she continues to convey the message that when creativity meets craftsmanship, design becomes more than decoration; it becomes a way of life.
( Clad in Nero Marquina marble and black oak, this Langley estate kitchen received a dramatic update when the client requested an attention seeking showpiece. )
( A surprising transformation. This builder spec townhome kitchen was transformed into a personalized, warm, cozy, and extremely functional space for a family of 6. )
( The kitchen of a special Kitsilano heritage home, showcasing original floors that were uncovered and restored, dating back to 1912.)
( Our Dundarave remodel received a fresh and contemporary update to emphasize our client’s desire for a contemporary kitchen to complement her traditional craftsman style architecture. )
( The whiskey room at our spectacular Ocean Bluff Estate. Layered in opulence, hand selected walnut burl veneer, solid brass inlays and wedge veneer make up the bespoke wall panelling. )
( The moody powder room at our Ocean Bluff Estate. Cladded in walnut panelling and Nero marquina marble, layered with accent lighting for functionality, and as decorative accents. )
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