TESTIMONIALS — Mild Designz

EMMA - BRUNSWICK - MARCH 2019

Mariana was excellent from start to finish and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.
She completed our bathroom and powder room renovation with great care and was very clear about any cost changes along the way. They look absolutely beautiful and she clearly uses good quality tradespeople to complete the work too. She was great with communication and went above and beyond to help when we unexpectedly had to travel for a family emergency. She understood out tight timeline and was great at keeping things on track (even when little bumps in the road came up). She clearly cares about her work and it really shows in the quality product she delivers.
Thank you Mariana and we will definitely get in touch if/when we have future renovation work to do!

LINDA AND JIM - MACLEOD - FEBRUARY 2019

I signed up mild designz on the recommendation of my local real estate agent whom I have known for +20 years. He had used the company to undertake his own home renovation. I had a home which was 20-years old and whilst in good order, it was "tired". I used mild designz to make it contemporary and bring it up to today's standard (e.g. it did have an internal spa bath - a sure sign of a '90's home)!
I am very very happy with the outcome. I spent more than what I had originally set myself but I did this of my own volition in understanding the impact of over-capitalising, but I wanted to ensure the overall impact of the renovation was not compromised by the "last-mile cost". In effect I have a brand new home in the shell of one built in 1998.
Through my experience, Mild Designz brings together two very discrete skills and attributes - 1) very effective project management of high quality tradesmen and 2) leading interior design concepts through Mariana Thom's past experience and very trained eye.
It is not often that both skills are contained in one engagement.
This was the aspect that made me contract with mild designz in the first instance, one which I think is a competitive advantage for them and a combination which has led to an outcome for me which is better than what I had envisaged (and lets face it when it's your HOME, second best is not an option). For those who either 1) have very little time, experience or inclination to project manage home reno's 2) may not have an eye to what a finished renovation could look like or 3) a capacity / interest to understand the latest trends in home renovation, I would most definitely recommend you seeking out Mariana for an initial consultation (she can also show you some of the thousands of reno photos she has stored which will demonstrate the passion she has for doing this work).
Further, the work was completed when stated, I was provided with options for how the work could be completed if I chose to stay there whilst the renovation work was occurring and I was provided weekly updates of progress.
Finally, it is very easy to spend significant dollars to get a home renovation for what is many people's main asset. Its very easy to also engage the wrong people or spend on the wrong aspects which compromises that investment. Engaging the right people to do high quality work is nothing less than what most people would consider is prudent management of that asset - as well as providing much satisfaction from actually living in it.
As such I have no hesitation in recommending mild designz....

TITI & PETER - MONT ALBERT - JANUARY 2019

I took a leap of faith engaging Mariana of Mild Designz for our Mont Albert North home renovation. I felt immediately comfortable with Mariana after our first consul call where Mariana not only listened attentively to my brief but also was very open and candid in sharing her experience and thoughts. The biggest challenge of our renovation was that we were oversea and could not meet on site regularly to confirm the specs, pick samples of materials and finishes and colour scheme etc... but with clear communication and trusted partnership Mariana competently executed my brief and efficiently managed the tradespeople to complete the project within the time given. My family and I love the seamless opening of our living, dining, kitchen and butler pantry (I wish it came with a butler) area downstairs. It was quite a transformation aesthetically. But more importantly it makes my domestic life quite efficient with thoughtful space planning. Thank you Mariana. You can come over for some bubbles anytime!
Titi & Peter.

SARAH - WATSONIA - OCTOBER 2018

Mariana designed and project managed our home renovation which was AMAZING. The result and quality are brilliant, and the execution was great. From weekly project updates, to texting us regular photo updates, we were constantly informed and able to make decisions to even improve things further. If Mariana noted something that she knew was important to us, then any opportunities for improvement while doing the project were raised for us to decide. A great example was the quality of our existing insulation - so Mariana noted it, raised it and it was replaced on our say so without moving the project timeline at all. It was brilliant. We are so happy with the process and the end result.

CRAIG BULL - EAGLEMONT - JUNE 2018

DAVID - DIAMOND CREEK - FEBRUARY 2018

My wife and I presented Mariana with 2 bathrooms, a toilet, a laundry, and a walk in wardrobe which were in a somewhat of a sorry state, to say the least; in fact, they were quite embarrassing. However, once Mariana and her team had plied their trade, the transformation was incredible; our bathrooms would now put the bathroom you would find in a 5-star hotel to shame; the laundry and other rooms look fantastic too. Mariana’s flair for design, coupled with her experience in project management, worked perfectly with the skills and attention to detail showed by her team of experienced tradesmen. Some may say I could be considered a demanding customer, but nothing was too much trouble and every issue I raised with Mariana was addressed and finished to the highest standard. Every renovation project will encounter unforeseen problems, and again Mariana and her team found solutions to them anything that came their way.
I would highly recommend Mariana and her team from Mild Designz, for any renovation project, I am sure you will not be disappointed with the result.

AINSLEY - ELTHAM - OCTOBER 2017

I had the pleasure of working with Mild Designz and its principal Mariana Thom. Mariana and her team were highly professional, providing very good advice. Our brief was to renovate an ensuite bathroom to suit the needs of my elderly mother. The bathroom was redesigned incorporating a new larger shower (no step) with rails and the ability to insert a shower chair if needed as well as new tiling, easy to open cabinets and new heating. Mariana provided a detailed quote together with a timeline for completion. The project was completed on time and on budget (with variations due to changes at my instigation). Mariana managed all the trades - carpentry, tiling, plumber - as well as meeting with the Occupational Therapist who provided the final sign off on the job in order to comply with our councils Aged Care home standards. Mariana kept me fully informed and assisted with tile and bathroom accessory selection. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mild Designz for any renovation project.

CHRIS - SURREY HILLS - SEPTEMBER 2017

I had the pleasure of working with Mild Designz and its principal Mariana Thom. Mariana and her team were highly professional, providing very good advice. Our brief was to renovate an ensuite bathroom to suit the needs of my elderly mother. The bathroom was redesigned incorporating a new larger shower (no step) with rails and the ability to insert a shower chair if needed as well as new tiling, easy to open cabinets and new heating. Mariana provided a detailed quote together with a timeline for completion. The project was completed on time and on budget (with variations due to changes at my instigation). Mariana managed all the trades - carpentry, tiling, plumber - as well as meeting with the Occupational Therapist who provided the final sign off on the job in order to comply with our council Aged Care home standards. Mariana kept me fully informed and assisted with tile and bathroom accessory selection. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mild Designz for any renovation project.

ANNA - IVANHOE - DECEMBER 2016

I had the pleasure of working with Mild Designz and its principal Mariana Thom. Mariana and her team were highly professional, providing very good advice. Our brief was to renovate an ensuite bathroom to suit the needs of my elderly mother. The bathroom was redesigned incorporating a new larger shower (no step) with rails and the ability to insert a shower chair if needed as well as new tiling, easy to open cabinets and new heating. Mariana provided a detailed quote together with a timeline for completion. The project was completed on time and on budget (with variations due to changes at my instigation). Mariana managed all the trades - carpentry, tiling, plumber - as well as meeting with the Occupational Therapist who provided the final sign off on the job in order to comply with our council's Aged Care home standards. Mariana kept me fully informed and assisted with tile and bathroom accessory selection. I would have no hesitation in recommending Mild Designz for any renovation project.

CORNELIA AND BRETT - MOOROLLBARK - AUGUST 2016

Mariana spent 2 hours looking around our house made some notes. She then created a layout plan and sent a van load of accessories and artwork to our home. Finally, she came and spent a day staging our house before THE estate agent's photographer took the ad photos. The transformation was beyond what we hoped for and the house looked more like something out of a magazine that a regular family home.
Mariana obviously has a flair for design, but she has other talents too. She showed imagination, attention to detail and ever so gently steered us away from anything might not have appealed to potential purchasers. Mariana obviously grasps both the aesthetic and psychological aspects of what appeals to people.
I believe that the house sold more quickly because of her work. I also believe the cost of her services paid for itself many times over in a boost to the sale price.
Plus, while Mariana chose the accessories with an eye to potential buyers, we liked them so much we are purchasing some of the accessories from her.
Finally, we are so pleased with her work, we are planning to engage her services on our new home. Highly recommended.

RENZO - South Bank - July 2016

Mild Designz successfully completed renovations of my kitchen and en suite bathroom. The project manager, Mariana Thom, provided a very detailed plan and ensured that work was completed on time. She clearly has experience in renovating apartments by way of being conversant with body corporate rules and requirements, and her ability to cooperate well with the live-in manager. Mariana spent much time on site to ensure that work was done to an acceptable standard. Perhaps, the most pleasing aspect was her preparedness to promptly answer the many questions I had re the detailed contract and make changes when appropriate, both pre and during renovations. With her experience as an interior designer she provided much value add by making useful suggestions, including colour schemes re painting and carpeting, as well as through her retail contacts when it came to purchasing appliances. I have no hesitation in recommending Mariana and her Mild Designz company for any renovations work.

Brett & Cornelia - Doreen - July 2016

We recently hired Mariana of Mild Designz to style our place for sale. By the time she was finished, our house looked like a show home. Mariana spent 2 hours looking around our house made some notes. She then created a layout plan and sent a van load of accessories and artwork to our home. Finally, she came and spent a day staging our house before the estate agent's photographer took the ad photos. The transformation was beyond what we hoped for and the house looked more like something out of a magazine that a regular family home. Mariana obviously has a flair for design, but she has other talents too. She showed imagination, attention to detail and ever so gently steered us away from anything might not have appealed to potential purchasers. Mariana obviously grasps both the aesthetic and psychological aspects of what appeals to people. I believe that the house sold more quickly because of her work. I also believe the cost of her services paid for itself many times over in a boost to the sale price. Plus, while Mariana chose the accessories with an eye to potential buyers, we liked them so much we are purchasing some of the accessories from her. Finally, we are so pleased with her work, we are planning to engage her services on our new home. Highly recommended.

OTTO AND BARB - SOUTHBANK - JUNE 2016

We recently had Mild Designz renovate our bathroom and powder room, which was done to our complete satisfaction. Mariana Thom organised the presence of trades people like clockwork and was present on the job most pf the time, ensuring that the quality of the work was at a high standard. She was very helpful with advice on design and choice of materials. Throughout the process protective sheeting was on all floors including the corridor outside our apartment and each evening Mariana ensured work areas were cleaned. Mariana seemed to have a very good relationship with her trades people and all of them were friendly and showed pride in their workmanship. Work done in an apartment building must comply with certain conditions in terms of working hours, material movement and noise; matters handled efficiently by Mariana and her team. We have no hesitation recommending the work of the Mild Designz team to anyone requiring renovation services.

TESS - FAIRFIELD - MARCH 2016

Mariana responded to our enquiry straight away, she provided us with a quote that remained and she was straight into the work, giving us some great ideas and taste that fitted in with our taste and the what suits our type of building (Californian bungalow). Mariana did not waste any time and attended to the job straight away which was great for our short length of time we had to finalize our decision. Mariana does not waste your time, she is great at choosing colors types of skirting board and other renovation choices. We are very satisfied with her work and so was our builder. We were very impressed with her work. I would highly recommend her. March 15, 2016

Steve and Melissa - ALPHINGTON - June 2015

We engaged Mild Designz to do a bathroom renovation. Wow – are we glad we did! Mariana made this so easy! We have built a few times, and renovated many times, and never has it been as easy and hassle free as this Reno.
Right from the start Mariana made it simple. She turned up on time, listened to our ideas, and offered suggestions. We discussed budget, how involved or not we wanted to be, colours, styles, etc, then Mariana measured up, told us when we she would be back to us with and off she went.
Mariana was back to us as she said with a couple of well-developed ideas. We discussed these openly, including the pros and cons and cost estimates. After a few changes we settled on a design, and Mariana said work would start within a week.
The next step was the hardest – selecting tiles, basins, toilets, etc. Mariana guided us through this, but we wanted to make the choice. She told us the shops to visit so off we went. Once we had selected, we gave Mariana the details and she arranged everything there after. All we did after that was give access to our house, and paid the bill – it was unbelievably simple.
Demolition and construction started when Mariana said it would. Her tradesmen were on time; polite, considerate with regard to noise, etc, and best of all clean! They cleaned up after themselves everyday, and they put plastic sheets up to contain the mess to the impacted area.

Mariana’s attention to detail was incredible. She had the tradies change things if they weren’t quite up to her high standards, and picked issues before they became major issues, for example she picked up that the bath plumbing was about 10mm too low which would have caused the flick mixer to hit the bath.
The renovation was completed on time and for the budget we had allowed. Best of all though is that we love it! This renovation completely transformed an outdated, cold, sterile room into a warm and stylish bathroom straight out of a magazine.
The best thing though was that besides a couple of initial meetings and selecting the components we wanted to select, there was nothing for us to do. The whole renovation ran like clockwork from start to finish – just like Mariana said it would.
If you want a stress free, professional building project, give Mariana at Mild Designz a call. We are certainly glad we did! We have recommended Mariana to friends who have also had a great experience. If you want your job to look great and be on time and budget, call Mild Designz.
Steve & Melissa - Alphington

Steve and Bharti - OAK PARK - October 2015

In the middle of 2015 we bought our new home in Oak Park, Victoria.
We took the opportunity to discuss the possible renovation of both bathrooms (en-suite & main) with Mariana from Mild Designz before moving in.
One of the big challenges was the en-suite, which didn't leave a lot of room for the larger shower we wanted.
We couldn't have been more pleased with the solution that Mariana came up with options that gave us the space without compromising the look.
Mariana has done work for us before this job, like the others it was completed professionally, on time with no fuss.
We would not hesitate in recommending Mild Designz to anyone wanting to a first class renovation to his or her property.

Kim and Gil - BOX HILL - July 2015

We had our kitchen renovation and laundry completely renovated through Mariana at Mild Designz in July 2015. Throughout the whole process I was really impressed with my experience. Mariana never pushed us into going ahead or tried any hard sales tactics in order to make us proceed before we were ready. From the very first visit Mariana listened to what we wanted out of our kitchen and would then put forward ideas and suggestions that she thought could work. You could really see her mind clock into action as she visualised and explained different options. We had trouble knowing exactly what we wanted at times and were open to ideas. Mariana always provided several options throughout the process and we never once felt pressured to go one way or the next.
Mariana has now created an amazing space for us in both our kitchen and laundry. She coordinated everything and also helped to advise us on various other jobs around the house. She has a great team of tradies and suppliers that she obviously trusts very much and the whole project seemed to run seamlessly. Should any hiccup arrive, then she would keep us informed and the whole process ran extremely smoothly at a time when it could have otherwise been very stressful. I was pregnant with our first baby and the due date was in the middle of the kitchen renovation. Mariana insured that I was comfortable with everything going on and kept all the tradies mindful of our situation.
I would not hesitate for a second to recommend Mariana for a house renovation. She has a creative mind, a great vision, is not pushy at all and very easy to work with. I would definitely look to use Mild Designz again for any future projects as I trust Mariana to complete the project to a very high standard. She has high attention to detail and when there were a couple of jobs not fully completed to her standard, she would bring the tradies back to complete it to perfection.
Thank you Mariana for everything you have done. I am so impressed with the outcome and we now get to enjoy a stunning kitchen and laundry at a very special time of our life with having a new baby. I will certainly be in touch in the future for any future projects!
Thank you Kim, Gil, Barney the dog & Baby Ryan :0)

Rhoda - EPPING - June 2015

You did an amazing job! Hopefully this will help lease the property !

Steve and Bharti - BURWOOD EAST - April 2015

We recently sold our Burwood East property and achieved a result far beyond our expectations. This was not due solely due to a buoyant property market, but due mainly to the excellent renovations carried out by Mariana from mild designs. The house had been a rental property for many years and desperately needed work throughout. Some of it being quite major. The entire home was made over, which included a redesign of the bathroom and laundry. Mariana organised the various tradesmen within the agreed time frame. Mariana was great to work with and provided us the finished property in perfect time for the marketing campaign to begin. That included selecting and organising hire furniture. Oh...and she did an excellent job of the outdoor areas and the garden as well.

In short, the return on our investment was outstanding.

Ada - IVANHOE - May 2015

I can not more highly recommend Mariana and Mild Designz. She makes renovations easy and hassle-free. In a way that I can’t understand, Mariana loves dealing with tradies, and manages to somehow coordinate them all on a tight schedule and eliminates all the stress from our end. Furthermore, her property experience and ideas are invaluable. We have entrusted her to renovate several of our properties for sale, and for rent and I have recommended her to multiple friends.

FRED FORD - DONVALE - NOV 2014

Mild Designz were excellent and did a beautiful job renovating our pantry. All issues that came up were resolved immediately and to our deepest satisfaction. I highly recommend their business and craftsmanship.

We recently hired Mariana of Mild Designz to style our place for sale. By the time she was finished, our house looked like a show home.

Sandy - EAGLEMONT - November 2014

Mariana I would like to express my appreciation for the work you have done on our house so far. Right from our first meeting you displayed such enthusiasm at helping make our spaces what we wanted of them. You had a great vision and were able to point out things that we hadn’t thought of. Being a very visual person who is challenged with ‘imagining how it will look’ I loved that you gave me lots of tactile things to help make my choices – samples of tiles, materials, fittings, colour’s. You took all the hard work out of it and brought it to our fingers tips in the blink of an eye.

No renovation comes without challenges. What I LOVED about you were your calm approach and your ‘can do’ attitude. You don’t settle for near enough being good enough – if a tradesperson hadn’t delivered 110% to what you wanted, you would quickly and calmly resolve it. You have an incredible eye for detail, a natural flair for style and colour, which results in a fantastic end result.

Stage 1, 2013 - for us was a major transformation of an old 1950’s bathroom into a modern and stylish powder room, main bathroom and ensuite. Wow what a transformation!

So happy were we, we are now beginning Stage 2 in 2014 – transferring our laundry into an office (with a European style laundry hidden in a cupboard).

Looking forward to working with you again on the final stage in 2015 – the kitchen! (don’t tell my husband J .)

We would not hesitate to recommend you to future clients.

Adam - September 2014

Mild Designz 's professional service is just supurb. Mariana has been thought through every piece and bit for us in details. Her creative idea works better than our imagination. Appreciate all the effort Mild Designz has done for our new home. Adam"

Bharti - BALWYN - June 2014

Mariana did an amazing job with my bathroom. Still can't believe its the same room. The new tenants are loving it. June 2014

Annette - BRUNSWICK - September 2014

From the moment we saw Mariana, we immediately felt comfortable with her. Her professionalism, understanding of our needs, suggestions and her valuable time she spent with us, were beyond our expectation. Mariana went through every aspect of what was required for our renovation and furthermore, kept us up to date. We appreciate every thing she did for us and have no hesitation in recommending her. Annette

Eric - ROWVILLE - September 2014

Mild Designz did very good. She is a very practical designer and understood the actual building part of the renovation."

David and Julie - EAGLEMONT - March 2014

Mild Designz has just completed renovations of kitchen ,bathroom,laundry and toilet at our Unit in Eaglemont.
From our first consultation with Mariana Thom,in which she outlined the visual design which could be achieved ,we felt very assured.The later provision of quote with detailed presentation of plans,fittings and appliances ,as well as timetables for works to be done,was professional and thorough.From concept to completion this was followed with precision.
Under Mariana's vigilant supervision best quality and design were ensured throughout. Time frames were met,even when some additional works were considered appropriate,and we were always welcome to view progress.
Mariana's professional expertise has produced a result which has totally delighted us.
With our thanks for a job well done within an atmosphere of friendly and competent assurance we have been completely comfortable and relaxed throughout; this at a time when expectations would normally carry an element of apprehension,We commend Mild Designz and offer our unreserved words of reference.
David and Julie ABELL March 2014

Rayson and Cherie - BRIGHTON - May 2014

Dear Mariana Thank-you for helping us complete our house at Elm Brighton .Really appreciate your efforts in fixing issues.
Hope we get the chance to work with you again.
Rayson and Cherie

Hazel and Bruno - EAGLEMONT - November 2013

Thank you Mariana for the professional way in which you carried out the renovation work on our bathrooms. We appreciated your assistance with the design of them and the selection of fittings and tiles.We were especially pleased with your willingness to accommodate our preferences for style and colours. The process of construction and refitting was a smooth one with a high quality of workmanship due to your efficient scheduling of the stages involved.Your attention to detail has produced a great result which not only looks good but functions well.
We would be very pleased to offer our recommendations to any of your clients in the future.

Gordon - VIEWBANK - April 2013

Hi Mariana This is not to let you know how pleased I was with your service,you already know that.But to give anyone considering using your service an appreciation of how well you do your job.
Renovating a home, on a large or small scale,can be a daunting thing.Knowing what to do and where to start is hard enough, but then dealing with tradies not turning up, the danger of shaddy workmanship and a timeline & budget that keeps growing and growing is,I'm sure,why so many home renovations remain only an idea or just a wish.
I can only testify to my experience. You were excellent in the early design process. Your skill and ideas for the bathroom were great. Giving what is a small bathroom the feeling of space and a more ergonomic use. Again your ideas in the kitchen were great ... it just works perfectly.
Another point i would like to make,is how impressed I was with you bargain sourcing.The deals and discounts you negotiated with the appliances ,fixtures and tradespeople were far better than I would have had the time or connections to achieve .I would suspect those savings alone would have covered your cost.
Finally,I would like to say how well communicated throughout the whole process .At every stage I felt in total control,and best of all,the project was finished on budget and under time.
Mariana ,please feel free to give my number to anyone who would like to talk with me about your service.
Very,very happy customer ,