Worked with them on a partial interior redesign of our living and dining spaces, and I have to say they bring a rare mix of vision and practicality. From the first meeting, the team took the time to understand not just how we use the space, but also what kind of atmosphere we wanted for family dinners and evenings with friends. They proposed solutions that were modern yet warm, clean lines natural materials and lighting choices that make the space feel inviting without being overdesigned. What I really appreciated was their attention to detail. Things like flow between the kitchen and dining area, sightlines to the garden and even how the furniture would interact with the architecture, all of it was considered. Communication was excellent throughout: clear updates, quick responses and they navigated the city requirements smoothly so I didn't have to. The result feels both stylish and deeply livable. Hosting dinners now feels effortless, the layout encourages conversation and the finishes add just the right amount of elegance. If you care about design that balances beauty with functionality, this team delivers. They're not just designing a house, they're designing a home. read more

I was ready to be impressed when I interview Malika for my house as I saw her "Startrek" House in the Wall Street Journal. However, after speaking with her, I can't believe her lack of knowledge for my City. It appears she only knows how to build modern houses in Los Altos. Chip, her partner had previously helped us with a small additional over 15 years ago. I felt he was much more grounded and gave sound advice instead of a sales job that was going to cost a lot more just for bragging rights. read more

"Needless to say construction projects are not easy but having a good partner in crime/guide is essential to make the project successful and M Designs Architects are awesome partners. They are very professional and are willing to go above and beyond for their customers. We had a wonderful experience working with MDesigns for our major remodeling project. Maurits and Malika were amazing and always on top of things. Not just with designs (which are fabulous and personalized to our taste) but also with every aspect of the construction phase where we needed guidance. Big THANK YOU to Maurits and Mallika !!!" read more

I wish I could give 10 stars. M Designs is a once in a lifetime find. Malika designed our amazing new home and we love it. She is innovative, visionary, and somehow manages to design with cost in mind too! She supported us through every step of the process with the town, engineers, getting bids, helping push our GC when things got tough, amazing interior design ideas, connections to vendors in other parts of the country who could do amazing things. Honestly I just can't say enough. And. Let's face it. She is an amazing person besides. In her free time she leads an organization that brings quality education to girls in Pakistan, invests in innovative education here locally, and raises her 2 amazing daughters. I talked to 12 different designers and architects before choosing her and I have never been disappointed. I will never use another architect for any future project. None that I've worked previously with can even hold a candle. read more

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I can't express how impressive Malika is dealing with every aspect of her business. She is passionate, professional, thorough, knowledgeable, and extremely friendly. I did not hesitate to refer he to 3 of my clients. I can't say how refreshing is is to deal with such a talented designer/architect who genuinely cares about their work. Thanks again M Designs Architects. read more

Malika is terrific. She is responsive, great to work with, and quickly understood our questions. Malika proposed smart and creative solutions to our house. She can move fast with a remodel project and make the process smooth and enjoyable. Malika has done many great homes in the Los Altos Hills area. We recommend Malika. read more

Favorite home decor store. I just fully remodeled my house and decided to redecorate the space and purchase new furniture. My home now looks just wow. I'm totally satisfied with the choice of a store, quality of piece, at the same time price range is also reasonable. read more

Having had some luck with "design build" on a spec house, we gave a local well known design build firm the nod. $18,000 later they provided us a "concept" that neither met our needs, blew our budget and was bad design. We then turned to M Design and were completely satisfied. The Principals met with us several times to define our needs and styles, and developed great plans. The project was guided through planning and there was great project support throughout. Chip was always accessible when "things" happened and the rebuild was a huge success. We constantly get "oohs and aahs" when we entertain and love the space and style that M Design conceived of. read more

I have know Chip and Malika for several years now. I am a general contractor who specializes in energy efficient, non toxic and comfortable homes. I rated Malika's home for Green Point Rating a year or so ago and they did a great job on her home and were new to green building at that point. They have come a long way in thinking about ways to make their homes less toxic, more comfortable and more cost effective to build, maintain and live in, while still maintaining the wonderful aesthetic for which they are well known. My company has only done one job with Chip and Malika, where they were the architects, and they did a great job. The house won the Environmental building award for the city of Menlo park in 2011 and will be the 5th greenest home in the state of California. They were on top of all the details for the home and really eager to see the project succeed. The clients loved them and project turned out great. Besides everything else, they are really nice people. read more

M Designs helped us add-on to our Eichler without blowing the architectural integrity of our home. They gave us several ideas to choose from, all interesting, and we opted for the one that really kept our home exactly within the Eichler aesthetic. We wanted that, but we also felt it was important for our neighborhood. In our view, you can go off the reservation quite a bit with ranch houses, but with Eichlers you really need to keep design standards homogeneous. M Designs "gets it" though they didn't force that on us - it is what we believe. Because our addition was classified practically like building a new house in Sunnyvale, we/they were faced with a great deal of code issues that impacted design, making it hard to add-on to the house "the right way:" In fact, Sunnyvale suggested changing the plans such that we could have built a monstrosity to meet the new codes in order to have the additional square footage classified as part of the house as opposed to an "out building" which would mean we couldn't sell our house - if we ever do - as the larger house it now is. M Designs really helped us by pushing the City of Sunnyvale for us though we did have to make it VERY clear we were not going to settle for an "out building" permit. They went to bat for us with the City and prevailed. Sunnyvale really needs an architectural review committee. Of course, all you have to do is drive around the City to see that. I think the City is coming to that realization as well. Yay! Sorry to digress. Regarding budget issues, we didn't have any with M Designs. They also gave us a selection of contractors to talk to and obtain bids from. We were satisfied with their suggestions and the contractor we chose was great. We appreciated that they could screen contractors for us, since we moved here from NYC and didn't have anyone to talk to about referrals. We have found any sort of home remodeling project to be a challenge. However, we would not hesitate to work with M Designs again. read more

We recently purchased a SFR in Sunnyvale's CherryTree neighborhood. We loved many aspects of the house, but we also knew that we wanted to make some changes to make it our own. Well, easier said than done. We interviewed multiple structural engineers / architects / interior designers, and we always felt something was lacking, and that we didn't quite connect with them. And then, I found M Designs on Yelp. First meeting with Malika at the house, and we instantly connected with her. She instantly pointed out suggestions that we were already thinking about, and then went well beyond those with aspects we hadn't considered. Specifically, here are some things that we would never have without Malika's help: 1. Converting a small office + laundry area downstairs into a second Master suite, with a Patio door to the backyard 2. A wonderful, ~300 sft Master Bath + WIC for the Master bedroom, with vaulted ceilings, skylights, heated floors, and a jacuzzi 3. Lots of great suggestions on design / colors / materials for the rest of the remodel Malika's obviously got great design sense. But there's more to her and the way she worked with us that we really appreciated: 1. She got the core design done in a timeframe that most other design firms couldn't even consider matching (it was less than 2 weeks for us, and a lot of that was time on our end to get the drawings for the house, with other firms talking about months) 2. She considers architectural implications, structural implications, cost implications and city regulations while working. That saved us a lot of time because there were no surprises down the road. 3. Finally, she really cared about who we were, and how we would live in the house, and what ideas best made sense in that context. The best part: I never thought I could afford someone who added as much to the remodel as Malika did! Having her lead the design was the single most important decision in our remodel, and we think we got an amazing value for what she delivered. Bottom line: If you are considering a small or large remodel, and could use some expert help on design or architecture or guidelines, you should at least interview M Designs. From our experience, your search should end there. read more

Spectacular designs, exceptional attention to detail, and great customer service is what you will get from the team at M Designs Architects. Malika and Chip are simply the best. Their body of work demonstrates their ability to deliver many different styles unique to each client. I highly recommend M Designs for your next project. read more

We found M Design through Yelp initially, but after started working with Malika to rebuild our house we just couldn't believe our luck that we get a chance to work with someone who's super smart, extremely understanding, unquestionably ethical and incredibly capable, in addition to being a great architect and designer. Malika and her team not only does the best design work, but also go out of their way to help us manage our project. Our house is a bit complicated for various reasons, so the amount of coordination involved is just overwhelming in order to get contractors, engineers, interior and landscaping designers, vendors work seamlessly together. Malika brings her passion and her calmness to every meeting we had with all the consultants we hired, and everyone looked up to her for guidance and for leadership. She is our general to lead the army into battles. Over time my wife and I feel she's becoming our friend in every sense of the word. And we thought we were special, but it turns out Malika manages to become friends with all her clients, which is unheard of in today's world. Beyond Malika herself, the M Design team is stellar in every way as well. Don't be fooled by their unassuming office setting, as this is the best architecture team one can wish for. I almost never post reviews of businesses, but when it comes to M Design I just couldn't suppress the urge to share my experience. read more

Malika is an exceptional architect and designer. We worked with her on remodeling our Saratoga home and couldn't be happier. We recommend her highly! read more

Blew their budget, then refused to discuss the bill with us until we withheld payment. Bad-mouthed us to potential contractors and held our plans hostage, while hiding behind "we're professionals". Didn't understand the limitations of their own contract - for example the arbitration clause specified what turned out to be a nonexistent conflict resolution organization. The contract was explicitly on a "not to exceed" budget, but they tried to charge us extra for stuff that was explicitly included in the contract, and did not preauthorize or even note any overruns. Hardball distributive negotiators. Be very careful. I will say that they did help us to get our work though the city faster, but left many problems as an exercise for the contractor. Structural insight could have been better. If we ever do this again, I am going to go with a structural engineer instead. read more

We worked with Malika at M Designs to help us remodel and redesign our small 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Belle Haven Menlo Park. Both Chip and Malika were very attentive to our particular needs and limitations. Malika really understood our vision which soon became a shared vision. Thanks to Malika, our initial desire to remodel our home became the creation of our dream home. She played a dual role of being not just our architect but also our interior designer in selecting tiles, flooring, integrating art in niches and windows, and displaying our art collection. Her approach to our home was about bringing the outdoors indoors with large picture windows, folding Cantina doors, and a private hot tub patio/deck leading off from the master bathroom. She's very visionary in her aesthetic and over the course of the project, as we made decisions with the finishings, we often asked ourselves "what would Malika have selected?" There are many issues and problems that come up during a remodel process. One must have incredible patience and flexibility, and Malika was very creative and helpful in resolving critical issues that came up with the city and engineering. Malika stays very cool in difficult situations which helps keep the focus on resolving problems. However, more than her problem-solving skills, it is Malika's childlike enthusiasm with design and creativity that makes it so much fun to work with her. If you are considering building a modern home or remodeling, you would have a very valuable partner with Malika and Chip. read more

We had great success using M Designs for our first floor remodel as well as our master bath. The designs were innovative and fit the vision we had for our home. They provided many options for us to choose from so we didn't feel locked into to just one design. When we asked for modifications they were done promptly and completely on target with what we discussed. M Design also provided fantastic guidance as to what resources we should use to get the best quality and price on materials. They were on time and on budget each time we have worked with them. They are not inexpensive, but you certainly get what you pay for. We consider them a great resource! read more

We did two projects with Malika and are very happy with the final results! She has a great eye and imagination for how to design a beautiful living space. read more

Malika and Chip are very talented and creative people. They listen to the clients wants and needs, and always proceed with knowledge, expertise and integrity. They are well known and respected by the different planning departments. I always recommend M Designs with confidence! read more

Is there an extra credit star available? If so Malika and her design team deserve it. As a business owner who is in their clients home I often get asked for referrals for my clients. I get asked for plumbers and electricians and window washers and painters. But I guess I was in the right place at the right time when I heard my client say they wanted to remodel their home to make it functional. To late for a short story but after I referred her to M Designs architects I felt confident they were in good hands. I knew this because I clean carpets for M Designs and saw firsthand the work they were capable of. They transformed their home not only into a functional living space but they brought it up to date in style as well. Now it's a work of art. I have heard that they are award winning in their field and green certified but in the end it's most important that the clients are happy. They are. That made me look good for referring them. Win Win and Win. G.T. read more

You probably know about M Designs because they create beautiful design. Malika stands out for me because she is a master of designing around her clients' lifestyles. This means she helps her clients figure out if what they're asking for will enhance rather than detract and distract from how they actually live their lives. read more

Had a good friend who needed ideas & wanted changes.... Enter... M Designs they came in GREAT ideas & Affordable Choices scoring a home run with him. If your building or remodeling, I would call M Designs first! read more

True talent combined with a consummate professional is hard to find in the marketplace today. Malika's innovative designs combined with her professional and pleasant demeanor make her a joy to work with. We have done several projects with M Designs and highly recommend Malika, Chip and their team. read more

Both Chip and Malika are great Architects. They give their clients great design ideas and their final designs are vary detailed and flawless. I have worked with other designers which are also good, but M-Designs are a step ahead of other designers. It is also important to know that they are licensed architects not just a designer. We have already referred them to some of our friends. read more

We have seen and been a part of some of the beautiful work that Malika, Chip and the team at M Designs do. They are able to work with a variety of different types of projects, styles and designs. Their backgrounds and portfolio of completed homes speaks for itself. read more

When remodelling a home you are faced with an incredible number of design choices. I was very clear about wanting a modern streamlined look for our home, but I had no idea how to go about achieving it. Luckily, I met Malika (I only wish I had met her earlier!), just as we were about to start with our remodel. Since we already had our plans in place, I needed her help with the interior and exterior 'look' of the home. She transformed the house completely from what it had been drawn up by making just a few tweaks here and there. Though the changes seemed subtle, the transformation was radical. Malika has lots of great ideas that not only look great but are practical. She understands that everyone is on a budget and suggests ways to save money. She is never pushy with her suggestions, and would always be respectful if either me or my husband had reservations about going in a certain direction. You don't have to go to San Francisco if you want a modern architect. We have one of the best and brightest right here in the Bay! read more

We did a facelift to our home in Menlo Park. We were extremely impressed with M.Designs and Malika in particular. She has a wonderful vision of what the home should look like and was full of great ideas. She recommended a contractor who stayed on budget and was on time. During the planning stages they spent a lot of time with us blending our ideas with theirs. The conceptual drawings are amazing. Malika is very good at getting the plans approved with the city, this is not a simple task!!! We are very proud of how our home looks today and would definitely recommend them read more

First off....I'm skeptical of most architects. They have their own ideas of how thing should be and don't really listen, much less stay within budget. I met Malika and Chip through a mutual friend and immediately noticed a refreshing attitude. To say I'm impressed with them is a gross understatement. Their work is phenomenal, and reasonably priced. Hiring an architect is very personal....they put you at ease and make the process easy. I've also spoken to others, who I respect, that equally sing their praises. Huge thumbs up!! read more

I went through a very long process of doing a large remodel of my house (upgrade kitchen, add 2 bedroom and 1 bathroom,). The whole process from design to completion took about 7 months. Throughout the process I was quite impressed by M Designs Architects team. During the initial phase of the design they spend a great deal of time understanding my requirements. Even though I had a very tough lot they were able to meet all my requirements and where able to provide me some amazing options that I did not even think were possible. I also liked the fact that they did my entire remodel with green design in mind. From simple things as energy efficient appliances to better insulations, built-in recyclable compartment bins, lots of skylight for natural lighting, etc. I just love everything about my new place. I also like the fact that they helped me in achieving my target construction budget. What they refer as 'value engineering'. Awesome architects, awesome team. Highly recommended Caution: Dealing with the city is not easy. Please keep at least 2 months of process time. read more

Very professional and honest. Mr. Jessup, the principal and architect, firstly, chat with me for half an hour on phone, then came to spend over an hour with me in our house, walking through it multiple times and offering many wonderful suggestions on all the inquiries I have, with no charge at all. More impressively, he already knew the scope of work we want to do may not fit what his firm does, and he concerned that it might cost us much more than hiring a general contractor. But still, he kept giving candid and elaborate suggestions. He simply wanted to offer his professional opinions and explore different options with me as a true architect and artist who loves what he does and loves to educate and help people as a friend. I'm really impressed by this architect firm, and would highly recommend it to everyone. read more

Malika and Chip are the best. Hands down. We worked with them on a fairly significant remodel a few years ago. We had an excellent experience and are thrilled with the results. We thought we were going to work them just to develop some as-built drawings...but as things unfolded we worked with them to do a whole lot more. Our house started out as a pretty basic 3/2 california ranch...they took it well beyond that and have turned things into an amazingly live-able 4/4 home. Just today, almost 3 years later, I was saying to my wife how nice our house is. We owe it all to Malika and Chip...and the amazing contractor who took things from design to completion. You're nuts not to work with Malika and Chip! read more

We loved working with Malika and Chip to create our redesigned home. They are extremely creative and really think differently. We love the use of space and design elements they used to create a unique and functional home for us. They are very talented and great people to work with. They listened to our needs and wants and came back with much more. We love our "new" home and would recommend Chip and Malika to anyone wanting creative architects. read more

I know Malika and Chip for years now, and have toured several of their projects. As a designer with the eye for details, I see the quality, and their projects are outstanding!! Unique one of a kind and personalized to fit the taste and needs of the family. They listen and provide a project that works for the home owner. Beautiful work. Very talented. read more

A very bad experience!! We hired another architect and we are seeing the difference in quality of work and communication. Highly recommend you do your due diligence and interview few other architects. And i can almost guarantee you will not sign up with M Design Archtiects. read more

We have done one addition and now, three years later, a major remodeling of our entire living space with M Design. In either case, we have been truly satisfied by both the outcome of the projects and our interaction with Malika and Chip. It has been a very effective and creative collaboration: they listened carefully to our ideas, understood our needs, including budget constraints, and gave us the necessary advice and direction. At the end, they were able to translate our desires into a very nice and functional design that we are especially pleased with. read more