April 10, 2026

Design Built to Fit the Way You Live

A conversation with Stella Salvador, Principal Interior Designer and Jim Stoops, Senior Design Services Director on the thinking, care, and expertise behind every Tridel home.

What makes a home feel right the moment you walk in?

At Tridel, it begins with understanding how you live. For Stella and Jim, great design starts with listening, shaping spaces that are not only beautiful, but intuitive, functional, and built to last. Their work goes beyond aesthetics, creating homes that flow effortlessly and support everyday life from the very first moment.

In this conversation, Stella and Jim share how Tridel approaches design: from personalization and thoughtful planning to sustainability and long-term value, and what “the best” truly means in the homes they create.

In terms of design, what does “the best” mean to you?

Stella: It means being responsive. A successful design integrates functionality and aesthetics. Not just in terms of product, but in service. It’s about listening, understanding who the homeowner is, what they want, and delivering on our promise. Consistently. With quality. "The best" means supporting a homeowner's vision forward from an already great design.

How does Tridel approach design differently from others in the industry?

Jim: We always start from the resident’s perspective. How will they use this space? What matters to them? Every decision from layout to materials comes from that place of empathy and forethought. There’s also a level of personalization that’s available in our entire product line. It’s your home, and we’re here to help tailor it to you.

How are customers involved in design decisions?

Stella: Once a homeowner walks through our doors, it becomes a personalized experience. We break the process down into manageable parts - cabinetry, kitchen, stone slabs, home automation - and guide them through each decision, one step at a time.

What design services does your team offer beyond finish selection?

Jim: A lot! We help configure the entire suite layout—non-structural changes—and prepare quotes for personalizations. If it’s an investment property, we can also provide strategies to make suites stand out in the rental market. That design thinking translates to long-term value.

How do you support homeowners through the personalization process?

Stella: We ask a lot of questions. Do they entertain often? Have pets? Are they downsizing? Our job is to understand their lifestyle, then bring our design expertise to meet it. Trends come and go, but people always need a home that works for how they live. That’s the foundation of personalization.

What about balancing timeless design with forward-thinking function?

Jim: It’s a fine line. Finishes need to perform as well as they look. So we choose holistically, what works within a series, what’s sustainable, what meets scheduling and budget goals. And we adapt based on suite size, too. The most sustainable product is the one that can be scaled and never has to be replaced.

How does homeowner feedback influence design at Tridel?

Stella: Feedback is part of our design loop. We learn from one community and apply that insight to the next. That’s why personalization is so key. Trends aren’t universal. Design has to flex to individual needs.

Are there any design trends or principles you’re excited about right now?

Jim: Smart storage and multi-functional layouts. Condo living requires nuance, especially in smaller spaces. We trial different millwork configurations in our showcase suites to maximize space. We’re also exploring materials like porcelain wall cladding and new countertop technologies.

How does Tridel's commitment to sustainability show up in your design work?

Stella: Every Tridel community targets LEED® Certification, and interior products are part of that process. We’ve even piloted a Go Green initiative, where our eco-friendly finishes earn a distinctive ‘leaf’ rating for sustainability. Giving healthy consideration to every detail is an essential part of the conversation when we vet suppliers.

How do you approach the design of smaller versus larger suites?

Jim: We plan each suite with a furniture layout, so we know exactly how someone might live there, from lighting placement to flow. In smaller suites, we sometimes offer turnkey packages with built-ins for flexibility.

What would you want readers to know about your team and your role within Tridel?

Stella: We design suites for people and real living. Design at Tridel revolves around personal choice and wellness, and to that end we’ve done everything from combining two suites to redesigning floorplates across multiple floors. We don’t impose a design; we help bring your vision to life—whether that’s traditional, modern, or anything in between.

Design at Tridel isn’t just aesthetics. It’s advocacy. Through thoughtful personalization, responsive planning and enduring quality, Stella, Jim and their teams ensure every home reflects something far greater than style: the life you want to live.

Learn more about Tridel’s excellence in architecture, design, customer care and innovative living.