Mitchell Brooks didn’t just fall into the design world; you might say it was in his foundations. From childhood mornings spent with his grandfather, a man who helped shape the Calgary skyline, to responding to a global pandemic by launching his own firm, Mitchell’s journey is one of resilience and vision. Today, Lawrence Inc. is a rapidly growing practice that balances design excellence and community advocacy.
In this Q&A, we go behind the scenes with Mitchell to talk about his recent award-winning work in Houston, his commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy in the industry, and how he’s transforming “builder-grade” houses into contemporary masterpieces.
First thing I want to say is, congratulations. I saw that you won an award back in October. Would you like to tell me about your recent win and how did that feel?
It was the masi Design Awards, which are the Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan Interior Designer Awards. We submitted a client’s project in Houston, Texas for their residential renovation. And out of the three top finalists, we won the gold. So that was really nice.
What do you think pushed you into winning the gold?
We worked very closely with our client, and it [the project] was tailored to her personal tastes, which were very Texan, but also kind of a very unique style. We had a lot of layered finishes and materials and palette. We took the space from a builder-grade 13-year-old house to a very modern, contemporary floor plan, and opened things up.
What is the story behind your business’s name?
So Lawrence is my middle name–after my late grandfather, who worked for a construction company from the 60s into the early 2000s. Growing up, we would hear his construction stories of concrete trucks being laid or 24-hour continuous pours. He was involved in the concrete pour for the Calgary Tower, the Bankers Hall East Tower, and a bunch of other different bridges and buildings around Calgary.
We were very close. We would spend a lot of time with them growing up as kids. And when I started taking drafting [classes] in high school, which was just a couple blocks from them, I would go to their house, and he would take me to school early so I could work on assignments. It was really supportive. And that really got me inspired and connected with the construction industry.
From starting out in the business as a junior interior designer and working in a firm, how did you then make the decision to start your own?
I had always thought about having my own firm. Then in 2020, with the pandemic, my husband and I were actually in South Africa. The world locked down, and I went from full-time work to no work. At that point, there was really no other option but to try and start something new.
In the middle of 2020, I started a design partnership before starting Lawrence in 2022. Then went through the process of becoming a licensed interior designer in Alberta.
You started out in the beginning of 2022 by yourself, how many people are now on the team?
So, we’re growing quite quickly, which has been very exciting! I had a senior interior designer join the team in January of this year [2025]. We had an intern from the Mount Royal Interior Design program who interned with me last summer and fall. Now that she’s graduated, she’s joined us full-time as a junior interior designer. We’ve got an intern now, who’s in his final year of studies. He has continued with us through the fall, and will continue with us this year.
Going behind the scenes. Would you like to share what a typical day looks like for you?
Every day is different and exciting in its own way, because we have multiple different kinds of projects, [and] different stages through the process. So, we could start a day working on drawings and drafting. We could be doing finish selections or picking out the different plumbing fixtures, lighting, furniture, specifications, equipment and [other] finishes. We could be putting together material or concept presentations. We could be on-site during construction, seeing projects reach that final stage and come into reality. There’s lots of different facets and pieces to what we do that keeps every day interesting.
What are some of the unexpected challenges that people might not expect from your field?
When we work with clients, we make sure that a space is not just beautiful for them and not just functional for them, but when we get into our commercial projects, making sure that they meet health and safety regulations. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.
What’s one misconception that you often have to dispel when you talk to people about your line of work?
I would say the biggest thing is [that] there’s quite a difference between interior decorating and interior design, and what our team does reaches more of that almost interior architectural level, where we’re dealing with really the full scope of the project.
What is your favorite part of the design process?
I really love that initial concept phase, of ideation, idea generation. Seeing a space and visualizing and imagining what it could be. The potential of the space, and working with the client in those early stages. To come up with the dreams and the hopes and aspirations for the project. And then, because my background is very technical, working that into how do we physically build this out? How do we practically make this work? How do we bring these details together?
How can the community support you in the work you do with Lawrence?
We would love it if someone’s interested in a project opportunity or maybe an event opportunity. We’d love to be more involved and support the community and support businesses in general, if we can have the opportunity.
What’s next on the horizon for Lawrence?
We are looking to grow. We’re currently in the process of looking for a larger office space. I am licensed in Alberta, but I’m also a registered interior designer in Texas, so we’re looking to do more work there. And then we’re also in the process of starting a new procurement side of our business that we can help clients source and procure their furniture or lighting or accessories.
You’ve mentioned being registered in Texas and working there and expanding there. It’s an unavoidable question with the times that we’re in. But as a queer person traveling to the United States right now, how have you found working down there?
I go down cautiously. We are a group of people who are always much more self-aware and conscious. I think of the environments that we’re in there is perhaps maybe a certain degree of code switching that you have to navigate. But I think what I’ve been fortunate in is that the clients and the connections I’ve made down there have been very open and welcoming. And I think the advantage, perhaps too, is interior design is an industry that is perhaps a little more diverse than other certain industries.
I originally also created Lawrence to be a queer, LGBTQ owned business example. We host events and sponsor different events in terms of community advocacy and those sorts of things. So when I go out representing Lawrence, when I meet with a new client or new rep or a new contractor, that’s something I lead with.
I try not to shy away from hiding that, and representing our community.
*This interview has been edited for length. All images courtesy Mitchell Brooks & Lawrence Design Inc.
