Designing Through Problems: A Live Design Consultation - Ep 020

In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with homeowner Lyn to unpack a renovation story filled with rising damp, mould, drainage failures, insurance setbacks, a faulty fireplace install, and a tighter budget. Lyn recently bought a brick home in Tighes Hill and soon discovered the property had multiple hidden issues—from broken stormwater and sewer lines to persistent moisture under the floors and blocked gutters. Together, she and Matt walk through the home layout, the problems underneath it, and the design changes that could transform it into a functional space. They explore budget-friendly layout options, staging the renovation over time, how to deal with ornate ceilings, where to move the kitchen and laundry, what walls can realistically come out, and how roof modifications might work with her insurer’s requirement to replace the entire roof. This episode is a rare, detailed look at what a genuine MT Design client consultation sounds like—full of practical advice, real problem-solving, and the trade-offs that come with renovating an older home on a set budget.