2024 Design Excellence Awards

Right off the pool area, this game room, with the slider door and corner window is the perfect spot for indoor-outdoor fun.

This photo showcases the extensive redesign of the ceiling, which includes a complimentary light fixture and cove ceiling lighting, an intimate seating area with custom swivel chairs, and an ottoman. On the right, a built-in workspace is visible, and the second seating area has a large custom sofa and projector for the ideal movie watching experience.

The fireplace wall showcases large-format porcelain tile, unique metal sconces, custom metal and glass built-ins, a fireplace with an oversized angled wood mantel and black geometric tiles, custom furniture and fabrics, wooden ceiling beams, and a cream rug.

The great room features a living area, bar, and dining area with wood flooring in a herringbone pattern. The living area features custom furniture, including a uniquely shaped curved sofa, Slab fireplace and bar front, glass chandelier, wall molding with glass sconces, and plush rug. The dining area features a floating glass chandelier, art glass centerpiece, custom table, and chairs.The bar features sleek pendants, custom leather barstools, antiqued mirrored glass back wall with shelving, and patterned wall and floor tiles.

Custom furniture, curated accessories, a stone fireplace with custom steel media, and custom fabric selections complement the client's existing art.

A custom wrought iron glass front door invites you into a world of opulence, while two 18th-century Italian credenzas adorned with towering antique oil paintings set a tone of majestic splendor.

The warmth of the walnut cabinetry on the lower portion of this kitchen provides a rich, grounding effect, while the glossy sand-colored upper cabinets impart a light and airy ambiance.

In the kitchen we created natural stained walnut cabinetry brought up to the ceiling to visually enlarge the space. Further detailed with real oak flooring, leathered quartzite countertops/backsplash with integrated appliances, cognac leather stools, linen and glass pendant lighting over the island. Adding a bar into the kitchen on the right side, lower wine fridge with 1/4" fluted textured glass doors uppers and glass shelves with integrated lighting.

Two key objectives guided this renovation: first, to establish additional prep and cleaning areas, and second, to introduce island seating. The kitchen's expansion facilitated the incorporation of a second island, showcasing counter seating. This strategic planning allowed the new, larger main island, featuring a 60” Galley Workstation sink, to be dedicated to cleaning and prepping tasks. Preserving the home's desert architectural design, the original vaulted ceiling constructed with brick in a herringbone pattern was maintained, complemented by the authentic beams.

The timeless Calacatta porcelain is employed in simple and dramatic ways by running the slab the length of the range backsplash and creating a ledge detail that is just as functional as it is beautiful. Sculpted but solid oak counter stools with no cushion are kid friendly, easy to wipe up spills and not so easy to tip over! Antique mirror bell pendants are the jewelry that top the 12-foot island, while the unlacquered brass and stainless steel LaCanche range anchors the space with a stunning slab backsplash. The tension between quiet and matte finishes and the reflectivity of the mirrored bell shades and range creates a beautifully balanced kitchen. Photographer: Dan Ryan

Publication Photo 1

The mirror, designed to appear as if slicing through the countertop from ceiling to floor, is held off the wall by two inches to accommodate LED lighting, casting a soft, enchanting glow. Coordinating its installation with the wallpaper and countertop fabrication was a meticulous process, resulting in a seamless and striking visual feature.

Black and White marble checkered flooring with a free standing marble pedestal sink gives an authentic NYC Vibe the client was trying to achieve.

Publication Photo 1

Storage space within the bathroom was effectively maximized with the design of the new vanity even though it shrank from two sinks to one. The size of the vanity was also influenced by the restricted placement of the toilet. The handcrafted encaustic tile was strategically extended into the shower, creating a seamless flow and visually expanding the bathroom to appear more spacious and unified. The achromatic color scheme of grays, blacks, and whites adds a timeless elegance to the space. Opting for wallpaper over painted walls not only introduces texture but also elevates the overall aesthetic of the bathroom. Despite a reduction in size, the bathroom retains ample storage options and boasts a sophisticated design, offering a practical yet stylish environment for everyday use.

The primary goal of this extensive renovation was to maximize space in the vanity area, achieved by expanding into the former master closet. This extension doubled the counter space and storage capacity, enhancing the overall functionality of the area. The color palette - featuring grays, creams, blacks, and golds - is consistently applied, evident in the countertops, floor tiles, and cabinetry. Gold accents in the terracotta floor tiles from Tabarka harmonize with the warm wood tones of the custom cabinetry, giving a modern touch. Vertical grain matched rift cut oak cabinets with slab fronts maintain a contemporary aesthetic, complemented by black cabinet hardware. Walls finished in the creamy natural earth plaster from American Clay add a soft and inviting feel to the space, enhanced by the addition of floating mirrors. The design is further accentuated with a tower diving the vanity area. In this photo subtle clues suggest this is her side with the custom makeup stool and artwork depicting a Grecian female. The blend of modern and traditional elements offers a refreshed transitional design, ideal for a desert environment.

Primary Bathroom - After

With unparalleled views of the iconic Camelback Mountain in the owner’s suite, the team created dramatic sight lines connecting the ensuite bath and bedroom. Originally a dark and disjointed hallway with no ceiling and asymmetrical cathedral ceilings, the hallway leading to the en-suite bathroom was transformed with the reorganization of the space. Photographer: Dan Ryan

Symmetry was of upmost importance in this space. We arched the doorway to the wine room to blend seamlessly with the mirroring molding on the dining room wall.

The newly extended patio shown in the upper portion of this photo was large enough to house the outdoor kitchen and have designated space for both entertaining and dining. In this view it is easy to pick up the complimentary color scheme of blues and oranges. The blues colors dominate the pool area with the pool tiles, water, and lounge chair fabrics. While the orange hues can be found in the dining chairs, flagstone cladding the home, and in the warm tones of the house color. The clients wanted a more open feel around the pool area, so the old fake boulders were replaced with fire features and smaller rocks. They also wanted a direct path to the inground spa, which is evident in the photo.

Twinkle lights shine down on the dining area covered by a ceiling mixed with sky and green canopy vines growing along archways. Touches of blue in the tiles and pots salute the nearby ocean.

Right off the great room is the outdoor living area, featuring high-end patio furniture laid out similar to a living room, creating an enjoyable space to enjoy the fireplace and TV.

Her office blends brightness and personal character to create an inspiring workspace. The custom built-in features lacquer cabinets and shelves with powder-coated supports that match the wall paint, providing a cohesive and sophisticated aesthetic. The left-side cabinetry replaces a traditional closet with hanging storage at each end cabinet, while the center cabinet discreetly houses office equipment and file storage. The desk and TV are positioned on the opposite wall for optimal functionality. A sleeper sofa adds versatility, complemented by lightweight acrylic ottomans that can be easily moved for additional seating. Backlit wall sconces provide ambient reading light, enhancing the serene atmosphere. Personal touches, like curated artwork and memorabilia, add warmth, while the built-in shelving serves as both a practical storage solution and a gallery for displaying inspirational objects. Every detail, from the carefully chosen finishes to the thoughtful layout, contributes to a workspace that embodies both elegance and productivity.

The well-lit ADA-Shower features a shower mirror for shaving, non-slip flooring, a showerhead, hand-shower, wall-mounted seat, grab bars, and large shampoo niche reachable when standing or seated.

The orange and white custom penny tiles in this striped pattern take fun to a new level while the brass pulls and knobs on the classic cabinetry add sophistication. The wood cabinets and shelves add a warm contrast. The Brizo kitchen sink pull down faucet has a knurled brass cap with cross hatching tying it into the hardware. A Miele two burner stove sits atop the sleek quartz countertop, and the skylight brings in additional natural light to showcase this blissful balance of styles.

The transformed staircase has evolved from an eyesore into a captivating centerpiece within the residence. Boasting a modern aesthetic, the design showcases a blend of glass panels, black metal hand railings and posts, and a single stringer resembling a spine for support, coupled with open treads to deliver a sleek and sophisticated look in a modern style. The strategic integration of various materials such as metal, glass, and wood not only create contrasting textures but also adds layers of visual interest to the staircase. The repositioning of the lower section of the staircase has notably enhanced the entrance, now offering an open and inviting ambiance for a striking first impression.

This stunning hanging mirror was no easy task. It took a team to pull this off with perfection. The result is this functional masterpiece

Our fireplace wall features custom steel and glass cabinetry to store and display our client's accessories and a custom angled wood mantel.

Integrating a revealed structural post led to innovative elements, including textured wall tiles, a striking metal feature, and a plaster firebox, all anchored by a poured concrete hearth. A testament to creative adaptation and meticulous design, the fireplace wall is a transformative focal point that embodies the essence of the space.

The lobby design combines elegance and functionality. The front reception desk, crafted from natural stone and dark millwork, overlooks the main sitting area and bistro. Luxurious lighting fixtures enhance the sophisticated ambiance. The floor tiles are designed to create a direct pathway from the two main entrances, guiding guests intuitively through the space.

This theater and club room was designed with multifunctionality in mind. Used for movie nights, conferences, and Sunday services, it features cabinetry that encloses the TV when not in use to transform the space. The design includes elegant seating, contemporary lighting, and a sophisticated ambiance for various activities

This inviting bistro area features exquisite millwork that brings a fresh, modern look to the space. The intricate backsplash and sleek cabinetry are complemented by natural wood tones and geometric patterns. The thoughtfully designed millwork, combined with contemporary lighting fixtures, creates a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance.

The reception area was designed to create a focal point and welcoming brand statement. The desk features Cambria Windsor Brass Satin Ridge which contains real brass and has an organic satin finish. Brass straps form an X to echo the company logo and conceal slat wall seams. A monitor behind the desk displays the menu, and the wall adds mystery and privacy for patrons. Streamlining the nail products allowed us to display them on clean, simple, and easy to access custom designed racks. The symmetric balance of the space elevates the expectations while providing serenity.

Workstation: This bespoke workstation comprises of an upholstered bench, executive desk, computer station, open shelving, file storage, equipment storage, device charging, and office supplies storage. The materials blend textured rift-sawn white oak laminate, black fluted wood, slatted white oak acoustical panels, teal vinyl wallcovering, and nubby red upholstery fabric, creating a harmonious visual palette. Integrated LED lighting and touch-to-open drawers enhance functionality. Thoughtfully selected accessories, including a custom painting, plants, books, and photographs, infuse the space with personal flair while reinforcing its creative, contemporary aesthetic.

Workstation: This bespoke workstation comprises of an upholstered bench, executive desk, computer station, open shelving, file storage, equipment storage, device charging, and office supplies storage. The materials blend textured rift-sawn white oak laminate, black fluted wood, slatted white oak acoustical panels, teal vinyl wallcovering, and nubby red upholstery fabric, creating a harmonious visual palette. Integrated LED lighting and touch-to-open drawers enhance functionality. Thoughtfully selected accessories, including a custom painting, plants, books, and photographs, infuse the space with personal flair while reinforcing its creative, contemporary aesthetic.

Rendered entryway with views of the kitchen, formal dining and fireplace wall with wine cellar.

Main Kitchen View

Demonstrates the sightlines across the open concept main living area and how the captivating view is showcased in the design. Illustrates the careful distribution of color within the design and the flow between the spaces.

The centered seating area in the courtyard is designed with red reclaimed brick, concrete, and ceramic tile. The large arched component is made a steel frame that is cladded and plastered.

The exterior lounge connects the living units and serves as a community gathering space. The design of the shade structure is taken from the patterns seen on the cactus wren bird; while the design of the custom built-in exterior seating is based on the existing architecture of the site.

Rendering