Our Team.

Meet Mireille Metwalli and Krysia Gorgolewska, Co-Founders and Principals at i.d.ah. design studio located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Mireille and Krysia bonded over an appreciation for design, the desire to make a difference in their industry, and their shared passion for life and beauty.

Having worked together in Toronto, they respected each other’s distinctive knowledge and their commitment to the profession. After reconnecting as friends in Halifax, they recognized an opportunity to build a design studio based on a progressive approach to female ownership, the creative process, and fostering talent in line with their mission and values.

Driven by the power of designing to a client’s identity and story, they view every project as an opportunity to deliver tailored design experiences that are long lasting and reflective of it’s people. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of design, they are establishing themselves as leaders in their field.

  • Co-Founder & Principal.

    My superpower is human connection and a lot of my joy and energy lives in the moments where I feel most connected to those around me.

    Peoples’ characters and personalities often influence my design process - before I put pen to paper, I focus on building a relationship of trust and comfort.

    For me, this always sets the tone for how our clients are best reflected in the design, and the type of experience the space needs to promote.

    My belief has always been that if we must spend a good portion of our lives indoors, let it be in places where we can thrive and feel good.

    In my opinion, design is all about how it makes us feel.

  • Co-Founder & Principal.

    I’ve always been a very curious person, and along with my analytical mind, my superpower is born. I’m driven by my curiosity to get to the bottom of the issue at hand and solve the problem by asking the right question.

    I thrive in working my way through the layers of information and arriving at the end with a solution, an idea, or a concept that will then guide your project through to fruition.

    I believe that having a solid set of guiding principles to reference during the project ensures targeted goals and objectives are being met, and, is the key to delivering a successful project.

    The strategic process to me is fun and playful – a meeting of minds; the asking of curious questions; a discussion between experts; ending with a discovery of solutions.

  • Project Designer.

    I believe that design is all about creating spaces for everyone to enjoy, embracing diversity in every project I undertake. This passion has been a driving force throughout my journey as a designer.

    The concept phase is where I truly thrive; it’s my favorite part of the process because it allows me to connect deeply with clients and transform their dreams into reality. I love collaborating with people, understanding their visions, and crafting unique environments that resonate with their needs and desires.

     For me, design is not just a profession- it’s a lifelong passion. I am motivated to use my skills and creativity to make a positive impact on the world around me.

     I take great pride in my ability to listen and empathize, which I consider my superpower as both a person and a designer. This skill allows me to create spaces that foster connection, well-being and community.

  • Project Lead.

    What excites me most about the interior design industry is the endless opportunity for learning and growth. Each project is a chance to research new trends, refine design strategies, and create spaces that elevate the user experience. I’m drawn to the iterative nature of design—where initial ideas evolve, refine, and ultimately transform into something better. This continuous process of improvement is what makes the work so rewarding.

     

    A key strength of mine is my ability to observe. When I need inspiration, I visit public spaces—like malls or food courts—to see how people engage with their environment. These observations help me make informed design decisions and refine my approach with purpose.

     

    There’s no greater satisfaction than stepping into a completed space and seeing the vision come to life. The joy of clients and users makes every project truly fulfilling.

  • Senior Technical Lead.

    I firmly believe design centres on combining insightful life experiences with explicit design research to craft innovative, user-centric solutions. My passion is to truly elevate the user experience, and I thrive within the iterative design process where each outcome fuels the next breakthrough. I'm also a strong advocate for meticulous details; 3D modeling is instrumental in my design process, enabling me to validate constructability and material application in an accessible way. This effectively bridges the gap between conceptual design and every successful real-world implementation.

     Also, a brilliant design is only as impactful as its execution. This is where effective project management becomes paramount. From initial planning and resource allocation to anticipating and mitigating challenges, I believe strategic project management is the essential backbone that orchestrates every phase from concept to completion. It's the comprehensive and controlled process that safeguards the entire delivery, ensuring every project is not just well-designed, but also brought to successful fruition with precision and efficiency.

  • Project Designer.

    Some of my favourite aspects in the design process happens in the beginning. Both visioning and conceptual development are exciting phases; and every new project feels like a puzzle waiting to be solved!

    I enjoy visioning sessions as a way to understand a client’s current conditions, what they hope for in the future and how we can make their vision a reality. During the conceptual phase I like to use both creativity and problem solving to produce the best solution based on a project’s unique set of circumstances and requirements. During this process, I always like to consider the psychological well-being of users through materiality and planning, and enjoy finding solutions that will improve productivity, creativity, and wellbeing for all.

    As a designer, I take great pride in creating spaces that help individuals enjoy and better utilize their built environments!