Testimonials

Client Referrals

“When we purchased our home 20 years ago, it was always with the intent of renovating and modernizing it. When the time came, we searched for the best interior designers and Sarah’s name came up as a top award winner in the Vancouver area and we immediately made the call. From the initial discussions to the final plans, Sarah and her team made the project seamless. They worked tirelessly with the consultants, engineers, and city to get all designs and permits in place and recommended contractors who we were able to have full confidence in. While we didn’t have a final vision when we started the design process, Sarah and her team helped us create the open kitchen plan we’d always dreamed of, update the whole main floor to include a beautiful entrance, living room and dining area and integrate it with the rest of the house. They also helped us select the materials and furniture to come up with the perfect result and a home we are proud of. We are extremely happy with the result and would highly recommend Sarah and the team to anyone considering a home renovation.”

-Larry & Verna Heinzlmeir, White Rock BC – Main Floor Renovation

“Sarah and her team’s design for the renovation of our typical 1970’s boxy house has transformed it to a beautiful, light filled, airy, open space that wows all our visitors. From our first meeting with Sarah we were excited by the possibilities that she suggested and reassured that there would be no unpleasant surprises as the project proceeded. We weren’t disappointed. Sarah clearly understood our wish for an open concept living room, dining room and kitchen that would also open up views to our backyard. The final plan involved incorporating the balcony along the front of the house into the interior space and relocating two bedrooms from the back to the front of the house. These changes meant that the exterior needed an update. Sarah and Niki were meticulous in detailing every aspect of the design and material selection and helpful in finding alternatives if we changed our mind. We have beautiful built ins in the dining area, living area as well as window seats in our new bedrooms. We love everything about our renovation and feel like we are living in a new home, in a neighbourhood we love! We couldn’t have imagined the redesign of our home without their expertise, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to others.”

-V. Wilmot, Delta BC – Renovation

“We approached Sarah Gallop and decided to hire Top Shelf Design Inc. when we determined that it was time to change the look and feel of our home. We really wanted to brighten up our place – with its dark floors and dark cabinetry, the north facing home just did not get enough light! Our objective was simple – give us light, warmth and a contemporary look – and don’t ask us to pick out a thing! They really listened and were able to translate our objective into a design that completely transformed our home in ways we could not have imagined.  The open concept with its large widows, warm palette, clean lines and unique stone and wood features has turned our home into something really special. The feature wall in the staircase is particularly outstanding! An added bonus in the design, and one that Sarah paid attention to even though it was not on our radar initially, was the clever use of custom millwork throughout creating stylish functionality and storage opportunities without compromising the bright, warm contemporary feel.  From the first meeting, Sarah understood who we are and what we would like and, while the finished home is very much us, what you see is entirely the result of the designer we chose. They also referred us to our builder, Aaron of Finnish Builders Inc. who did an amazing job with the construction and all of the unique finishing details – and under budget! We are very impressed by our experience with Top Shelf Design and would certainly recommend them; they listen to who you are and what you want and then translate that into a design that is uniquely you.”

-L. Bachynski, Vancouver BC – Renovation

“I purchased a house that needed updating on a tight timeframe before moving in and knew exactly who to call! My current house was still as beautiful as when Sarah Gallop and her team helped me renovate it years ago, it just didn’t fit our family anymore, so it made sense to use them again… This being my 2nd project with Sarah I knew exactly what I was signing up for, and that I could trust her to take the design forward so that construction could be achieved in the expedient manner which I required and make this new place into something that I could love.  Top Shelf Design was able to take my vision for this straightforward home renovation and put together all the documents to make everything as easy as possible for my builder. I was mostly hands-off on this one, with a few straightforward requests, and the place turned out wonderfully!  I wanted the house to be fun and decorative but upheld functionality and easy maintenance as my main goals. The only major change was the removal of a dividing wall between the kitchen and previous dining room area that has dramatically changed the vibe of the home into a very interactive space.  A built-in nook was added to the kitchen, which along with bar top seating for 5, provides enough space for comfortable family dining, eliminating the need for a formal dining room and providing more space for our busy family of boys! The bar top creates a welcoming space for guests. This becomes the main gathering spot for both my family members and when I have guests over. The extension of our kitchen allowed for more storage cabinetry as well, which keeps the house looking organized and uncluttered.  With all the considerations made for the house to be clean and functional, there was still careful thought put into ensuring that it would be pleasingly decorative to my artistic eye. My spa-like ensuite is one of the highlights for me personally, patterned tiles and nice new fixtures to match throughout. The home looks great and feels comfortable! We love it all!”

-Cathy Zhang, Vancouver BC – Renovation

“We bought our home with a plan to renovate the great room including the kitchen. That was at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, and we had no idea of what challenges that would present. Enter Top Shelf Design to the rescue. At first, we were impressed by the website, showing not a singular look, but a wide variety of beautiful homes’ interiors and exteriors, indicative of a design team that created for the clients’ individual preferences and lifestyles. It also showed a highly qualified group of professionals including designers recognized by the Interior Designers Institute of BC, who can attend to and support all the construction and architectural details as well as the look of the final project. With this vital skill set, Sarah Gallop and her team at Top Shelf Design worked seamlessly with our builder to easily manage the unexpected. They guided us through the big picture with multiple creative floor plan options and then through the myriad of choices for flooring, ceiling details, cabinetry, tiling, lighting, colour palette and furniture. The design team made our decisions easy by presenting just a few carefully selected options, so we weren’t overwhelmed. Additional options were always available on request, but we often returned to the team’s original suggestions. The result was a timeless and comfortable kitchen and great room that will function well now that the pandemic restrictions are lifting, allowing us to bring our extended family and friends back into our wonderfully updated home.”

-Kathleen Johnson, South Surrey BC – Renovation

“While planning a reno on our older house, we knew we needed help. We met with a couple of designers but were really impressed with Sarah and her team. We hired Top Shelf based on our first meeting. Sarah’s ability to look at a space and come up with a completely new layout was amazing. Many people had tried to reimagine the space, but no one came up with the layouts that Sarah did. We were given six different options to consider. This let us match possibilities with budgets. The entire process was amazing and just helped reduce stress. Once a layout was picked, the Top Shelf team and Niki did a great job helping us pick the finishings. The amount of time and stress that was saved is immeasurable. Sarah and Niki worked closely with us and got everything together quickly. We always felt like a priority even though we were just doing a smaller reno compared to their full house projects. Having a comprehensive plan to hand to the builders meant that the vision became reality. The project moved along swiftly thanks to all the work that the Top Shelf team did. Working with Top Shelf was the best decision that we made with our reno. It made sure we avoided the common reno disaster stories and just have a beautiful new space that we couldn’t be happier with.”

-Lisa Kinneard, Delta BC – Renovation

“Sarah Gallop and the team at Top Shelf Design made our renovation a breeze! We were nervous about starting a major renovation in our East Vancouver townhouse, but Sarah and her team made it straightforward with clear communication and documentation. Her recommendations were helpful – we found our contractor through her (and we were very happy with the result). I felt that she really listened to our needs and the designs she helped us select were beautiful as well as perfect for the space and our lifestyle (with two little kids). Honestly, the end results surpassed our expectations. We feel comfortable in our home and know that the space will grow with us for many years to come. I would highly recommend Top Shelf due to their customer care, attention to detail and quality, and design innovations.”

-Lindsay Cunningham, North Vancouver BC – Renovation

“Our home was dated and posed some barriers to our ultimate enjoyment. We had decided that we wanted to stay in this house, so we sought professional help to take it from what it was to what we wanted it to be. Sarah Gallop and her team were able to clearly understand our dilemma and to see how we wanted to live in our home. They suggested some very creative design solutions. One of the issues was that the house felt disconnected from the backyard, accessed only by one awkward sideways door from the eating nook. Now our new kitchen opens completely by means of an accordion door system onto a brand new back patio living space. This has transformed our outdoor enjoyment and entertaining ability. Another improvement was a beautiful timeless fireplace that became the focal point of our family room. Built in shelves around it gave us a special place to display family treasures. Sarah Gallop Design coordinated everything from start to finish. We felt overwhelmed with the prospect of starting such a large renovation and having to choose from so many options and details, but SGDI was able to narrow down the materials, finishes and fixtures to a few options for us to choose. This made it an enjoyable and stress free experience. We were able to leave everything in the designers’ hand and ended up with a beautiful and cohesive design, and a home we are proud of and love. We would recommend SGDI to anyone considering a renovation.”

-Ann & Chris Hartman, South Surrey BC – Renovation

“Our home needed a major renovation which included the complete main floor as well as three upstairs bathrooms. We contacted Rob and Sarah Gallop as they have a great reputation in our community. We’re happy we did as they exceeded our expectations! Our initial contact started with Rob who was able to provide us an honest perspective as to the process and costs of a major renovation. On the design and selection of materials we worked closely with Sarah and Kaylee who were very easy to work with and quickly picked up on our style and tastes. They were able to come up with many creative ideas for us as well as to provide feedback on our ideas as to what would and wouldn’t work. After the renovation we also had Sarah and Kaylee assist us with furniture layout and selection that fit with our renovation. We made the right choice in trusting Sarah and the Top Shelf Design team with our renovation and furniture selection!!”

-Dave Gilliland, Tsawwassen BC – Renovation

“The Top Shelf Design team was amazing work with. Truly the best part of our reno process. Sarah and her team helped us create an open concept kitchen, living and dining area as well as expand and update our powder room. From the first meeting Sarah understood what we wanted to do and was able to take our thoughts and expand on them and make them better. The material and furniture selection process was quick and painless. The team was also quick to offer alternative selections when we wanted to see more options. Both my husband and I work full time and have 2 busy kids. It was so nice not to spend our weekends looking for tile, flooring, lighting etc.. They were always quick to get back to us when we had questions or concerns. Our home looks amazing and we could not be happier!! At least once a day I say “I LOVE our house”. Wouldn’t hesitate to engage in their services again.”

-Lynne Taverner, Ladner BC – Renovation

“When we purchased our townhouse at our dream location, we made a decision to update it into our dream home as well. Although we had some vision of what we wanted, we knew perfection could not be accomplished without the expertise of a designer. Sarah Gallop and the Top Shelf Design team were recommended to us by friends who had used their services in the past. From the very first meeting with their team, they did not disappoint. They explained their process in detail, leaving no questions unanswered. They listened to our ideas and visited our home before starting their design plan and took great care to include all things that were important to us. Actual samples of suggested colours, tiles, flooring, etc for each room were professionally presented to us in their showroom. And alternate samples and suggestions were available on the spot if needed. And all the while, they remained patient as we considered the all the options. The end result is everything we had hoped for and more. We often say to ourselves “Wow … do we really live here?” It IS our dream home and we thank and are so grateful to Sarah and the Top Shelf Design team for helping to make it a reality.”

-Bruce & Allison Miller, Ladner BC – Renovation

“When it came time to renovate our home, there really was only one choice; I love Sarah’s design aesthetic. We had gone to several Vancouver Home Shows and decided to approach Sarah to renovate our home. My husband was a little hesitant but Rob put him at ease about the process. From the first time that Sarah came to our house, to the final photographs, the process was enjoyable. She helped us to see the potential in our house, and she came up with a design that allowed us to use the space more effectively. Sarah and Kaylee incorporated many of our choices from our Houzz account, and in some instances, read our minds! They listened to both of our concerns and took both of our tastes and styles into account – not an easy task. The result is a beautiful home that we love. We can’t believe we get to live here! Thank you to the whole team at Top Shelf Design.”

-Renae Risley, Langley BC – Renovation

“Once again Sarah Gallop and her team have proved they are exactly who you want to guide you through your home renovation, big or small. From design to final details, Sarah will always find a way to make your project work not only for your budget but also for your lifestyle. As the homeowner, I felt like an active member of her design team. Top Shelf is respectful of your needs ( and wants!), trouble shoots for you whenever necessary and is always available to take a call. Homeowner satisfaction is number one with Top Shelf. I can’t imagine doing any renovation or new build project without Sarah and frankly I won’t.”

-Cindy Oliver, Burnaby BC – Renovation

“We are absolutely thrilled with our kitchen Renovation, and it is largely because of the skills and expertise of the professionals at Top Shelf Design. They gave us a layout that we had never even contemplated (and significantly added value to our home) and provided us with suggestions for materials and finishes that professionally integrated the renovation. We can unreservedly say that hiring Top Shelf Design was the best dollar value decision of the entire project. Relying on a team of professionals with reams of experience ensured that we got a professionally designed kitchen at the best possible cost. We are pleased to give Top Shelf Design our highest recommendation for the work they did for us. Thanks again.”

-Greg & Laurene Whalley, Tsawwassen BC – Renovation

“We used professionals from Top Shelf Design to plan and detail our kitchen, media and laundry room renovation. They were excellent to work with and we absolutely love the end result. They recommended beautiful materials, and stayed on top of design and material changes to ensure that the final product(s) all worked well together. Highly recommended.”

-Stan Dueck, Tsawwassen BC – Renovation

“We engaged Sarah Gallop in February 2014. We were extremely frustrated with our house designer and needed help. She was AMAZING! She was able to take all of our dreams and convert them onto paper. We were very worried about our budget because it was tight as we were a year late in beginning construction. She understood this and recommended ideas to fit. When we received our invoices they were always fair and were within the range she projected. We LOVE our house! Sarah designed so many areas of our house but two of my favourites are my kitchen and office. They are so well organized and functional. As someone who loves to entertain there is room for everyone and all my gadgets. Every single drawer, nook, and cranny has a purpose. It is a chef’s dream. My office is similar – no ugly printers can be seen anywhere. Lastly, I am someone who loves the process of picking out items and I wanted to be part of all decisions. I was worried that I might struggle when working with a designer because I wasn’t fully ready to hand over all the decisions. Sarah understood my needs and was happy to provide me with choices and guide me in the right direction. We will forever be grateful to her for creating our dream home!”

-Jen Barker, Ladner BC – Custom Home

“We hired SGDI early in the planning stage and had them review the architectural plans for our new waterfront home. Sarah has a very good eye for detail and worked with me to make a few design adjustments which resulted in a much more functional use of living space. 
Throughout the process the team was very efficient and made planning the interiors of the home quite easy, given our very busy work schedules. They were able to find us alternates, when necessary, which still gave us the same impact and level of finish we desired. 
We are constantly entertaining at our new home and it is so great to have such a well thought through space that not just looks great, but works! Thanks to Sarah and her team we love our beautiful new home and are enjoying sharing it with friends and family.”

-Randi Segal, Tsawwassen BC – Custom Home

“Just wanted to give some feedback from Sarah and co. We are building a new house in Vancouver and where else do I go to find a interior designer then Houzz? I was most impressed by Sarah’s projects, so much that we are taking a lot of elements of it and incorporating it into our design. Rob followed up with my initial inquiry and was quite informative, at that stage of the contact we just submitted our plans to the city so we had plenty of time to finalize our interior plans and actual layout of the house. We met initially to kind of give them an idea of what we were going for as me and my wife like the transitional craftsman style and wanted something like that. Unfortunately, our home is on a smaller lot and we couldn’t quite pull off all that we wanted to but Sarah has helped us maximize our space and given us invaluable feedback regarding the planning of our built ins and room layouts. We also had Sarah choose our furniture as well which we are in the process of placing the order. My builder gives Sarah top marks as well since he has been in constant contact with her in regard to the paneling, niches, built ins, drop ceilings etc. This was our first home and me and my wife were debating on whether or not it was worth it to hire a designer…seriously Sarah and co has made our lives much less stressful. We’ve recommended Sarah to friends, and wouldn’t hesitate again to do so.
Oh yes forgot to add, not only do you get to deal with Sarah, but you get to deal with Rob as well, he’s awesome and funny!”

-Johnny & Doris Fong, Vancouver BC – Custom Home

“Our experience with SGDI has been nothing but positive, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to renovate. We worked with Amber and Sarah on a kitchen and family room renovation which, as so many do, quickly turned into an entire first floor project. Amber was our main contact, and extremely knowledgeable in her own right, but she also checked regularly with Sarah on any issues that would benefit from a second opinion, and Sarah oversaw the project. They were a wonderful team. We were initially drawn to Sarah Gallop’s design team because we loved her classically elegant style, and also wanted to support a local business. Our home is older, and there were some traditional parts of the home we wanted to keep, and others to modernize. Amber and Sarah helped us to preserve and enhance the character of the home, and give it a more updated look. They listened well to our concerns and offered creative suggestions, but also tried to include our ideas, letting us know if they thought they would not work successfully. Communication was excellent. When issues arose, they were dealt with promptly and efficiently. When we were nervous about a choice, they were available to look at it again, or reassure us that it would look fabulous. Any emails we sent were usually responded to the same day, which we greatly appreciated. Amber, Sarah and Rob also kept in close contact with our construction team, offering a wonderful partnership. They monitored every aspect of the project, and displayed excellent understanding of the process. They steered us towards quality products which we will appreciate for years to come. We felt very well supported when any difficulties arose, as they will do in all renovations. We both found Amber, Sarah and Rob easy to talk to and lovely to work with. Their professional attitude, as well as knowledge, experience and expertise inspired confidence and alleviated fears. Throughout the project their guidance and support were invaluable. We finished within the budget, and considered that hiring SGDI was money very well spent. We are so pleased with how our home now looks!”

-Garnet Millman, Ladner BC – Main Floor Renovation

“We have thankfully hired SGDI for our Renovation project. Their scope of work was the whole main floor of our house including kitchen, office, flooring, front door, fireplaces, powder room, staircase and furniture and drapery selection. We have had great value with our designers. They have listened to us, came up with a great open concept and helped us select all the material which fit with our style. In addition, they have been extremely valuable in providing support and dealing on our behalf with an extremely difficult contractor. Because of SGDI and their perseverance and dedication to our project, the quality of our project was finally where it was supposed to be. They really saved our home from complete disaster and we are extremely thankful for their work and will be hiring them again in the near future.”

-Marie-Claude Jiles, Vancouver BC – Whole Home Renovation

“Sarah Gallop Design exceeded my husband’s and my expectations for a modern kitchen this summer. We are most impressed with the quality tradespeople coming in and out of our home and their attention to the detail laid out in the design plans. The SGDI team measured very accurately and the whole kitchen fit into the plans beautifully. The quality of materials chosen was top notch and we know they will last for decades to come. It pays to use a local company when you have concerns and questions as the job goes along and someone always answered the door, emails and phone! The design costs came in under budget. When I walk around our neighbourhood I see many SGDI signs in front of homes. This is a testament to their great renovation ideas! A neighbour recommended Sarah to me and the rest is history. You’ll be happy hiring this company, I know I am.”

-Diane Bohmert, Vancouver BC – Main Floor Renovation

“Sarah Gallop Design Inc, worked with my wife and I on a gorgeous renovation of both our kitchen and ensuite.  From initial proposal discussions through all phases of construction, our experience with Sarah Gallop and her team was thoroughly enjoyable.  The kitchen was initially gutted, followed by installation of spectacular new lighting, countertops, cabinets, flooring and a larger, more versatile island. The master ensuite was gutted to allow for a larger shower and more functional vanity space. We are thrilled with our “new” kitchen and ensuite, and would happily and strongly recommend SGDI to anyone looking to renovate their home.  We look forward to working with Sarah and her team again on future projects.”

Mark Madryga, South Surrey BC – Main Floor Renovation

 

What People Are Saying

Marie-Claude J.

"We have had great value with our designers. They have listened to us, came up with a great open concept and helped us select all the material which fit with our style. In addition, they have been extremely valuable in providing support and dealing on our behalf with an extremely difficult contractor. Because of their perseverance and dedication to our project, the quality of our project was finally where it was supposed to be!"

Jen B.

"We engaged Sarah Gallop in February 2014, we were extremely frustrated with our previous house designer and needed help, she was AMAZING! She was able to take all of our dreams and convert them onto paper. Sarah understood my needs and was happy to provide me with choices and guide me in the right direction. We will forever be grateful to her for creating our dream home!"

Mark H.

"Our house had some very strange and useless areas and I was stumped on what to do with them. From the first set of drawings I was extremely impressed with her concept; every area had a purpose and was beautifully designed. I have been in the construction trade for over 25 years and was expecting I would have to make modifications during construction… typically things will work on paper but not in reality. Every measurement and design feature fit and worked perfectly, I was truly impressed."