Our North Scottsdale client wanted more than a remodel, he wanted a home that reflected his lifestyle. The result is a layered, grounded, and elegant space that gently rebels against trends.
Project Overview: What We Designed
A young creative making his first leap from apartment living into a home that’s all his. Our goal? To shape a space that supports every side of him- rest, ambition, and creative flow- without needing to perform for anyone else. We leaned into the essence of wabi-sabi: honest materials, quiet texture, and beauty in imperfection. Think matte limewash, cement lighting, warm oak, and finishes that feel better the more you live with them. Every decision was hands-on and high-touch, from integrated appliance handles to the intentional placement of art.
Our client wanted a home that felt:
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Timeless, not trendy
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Textural, but minimal
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Sophisticated, but never cold
The final result isn’t just a home, it’s a full expression of who he is and where he’s headed.
Swipe to see the transformation. This kitchen went from dated and disconnected to modern, functional, and layered with warmth. Every finish, fixture, and layout shift was made with intention because good design isn’t just about how it looks, but how it lives.
Design Goals & Challenges
Our design goal was to create a peaceful, minimalist retreat, one that feels calm the moment you walk in. We prioritized organic textures over anything overly shiny or polished, allowing natural materials and tactile finishes to ground the space. Every element was selected with intention, balancing beauty and functionality. The layout was thoughtfully planned to support both work-from-home focus and personal hosting, ensuring the home feels equally supportive and welcoming. To protect the investment, we layered in high-performance finishes throughout and choices that stand up to real life without sacrificing style.
Design Challenges:
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Overcome original Tuscan-style details
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Custom fabricate porcelain and cement sinks
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Navigate HOA approval for outdoor finishes
- Rebuild schedule around delayed trades
This project required us to thoughtfully modernize outdated Tuscan elements, custom-fabricate key fixtures, navigate HOA restrictions on exterior updates, and pivot our schedule around delayed trades, turning each challenge into an opportunity for elevated, lasting design.
This dining room is a study in contrast and restraint. The matte black limewash envelope creates an intimate, moody backdrop, while textured neutrals, sculptural forms, and warm woods soften the edges. It’s bold and totally worth it.
Signature Design Elements
We sourced from our trusted trade vendors in Arizona and beyond, selecting high-quality, durable materials designed to age beautifully.
Kitchen:
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Creamy SapienStone countertops
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Custom white oak cabinetry with integrated pulls
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Handcrafted zellige backsplash tiles designed to beautifully capture and reflect natural light.
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Matte black woven barstools for subtle contras
Family Room:
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Modern fluted fireplace surround with built-ins
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Soft linen drapery to diffuse Scottsdale’s sunlight
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Clean, low-profile furnishings for a grounded look
Dining Area:
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Clean-lined table and sculptural seating
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Layered pendant lighting
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Natural oak textures paired with soft black accents
This family room was reimagined as a calm, modern retreat that is layered with neutral tones, organic textures, and sculptural simplicity. The custom media wall creates a quiet focal point while letting the furnishings breathe. Every detail was chosen to feel intentional, not overwhelming, because timeless design should feel effortless.
Design Development Process
Discovery & Assessment- North Scottsdale Remodel (weeks 1-2)
During the design development phase of our design process, one of our biggest challenges was helping the client envision how to thoughtfully utilize a home designed for many, when only one person lives there. With so many rooms, it was essential to assign clear functions to each space so the home would feel purposeful, not overwhelming.
We strategically zoned the layout to create distinct, meaningful areas: a video room for content creation, a dedicated podcast studio, a home gym, a serene guest retreat, a refreshed primary suite, and updated bathrooms throughout. One major design decision was removing an underwhelming fireplace in the living room that was visually shrinking the space. Eliminating it opened up the room and allowed us to anchor the area with a custom-built TV wall, sculptural cement pendants, and curated sconces—transforming the space into something both modern and expansive. Every decision was made to maximize functionality without compromising style.
Conceptual Development Phase – North Scottsdale Remodel (weeks 3-4)
This entire project was anchored in a warm, lived-in sense of calm—drawing from the spirit of wabi-sabi without ever feeling forced. We wrapped every wall in lime wash, which was a bold investment, but it completely transformed the feel of the home. It adds that quiet, layered character you can’t fake. From the start, our client made it clear: he wanted comfort over everything, paired with clean, unfussy aesthetics. So we leaned into a palette of soft neutrals, rich wood tones, and tactile textures. Nothing too precious—just thoughtful, imperfect materials that make the whole space feel grounded and relaxed.
Our 2D design boards, created in DesignFiles, are where concept becomes tangible. This curated visual map shows how each piece of furniture, finishes, textiles, and styling comes together in a cohesive story. It’s a critical checkpoint for client alignment and a tool we use to ensure every selection serves both function and feeling.
Material Selection & Sourcing – North Scottsdale Remodel (weeks 5-6)
The client was drawn to the look of natural stone but without the shine. So we sourced a porcelain slab that mimics the beauty and movement of stone in a completely matte finish. It checked every box: timeless look, low maintenance, and that grounded, organic vibe we were after.
From day one, we knew the dining room needed to be bold. A black limewash on the walls will give it that moody, enveloping feel, softened by light oak finishes and sculptural lighting with organic forms woven throughout.
We collaborated closely with our local concrete and millwork partners to dial in every finish from the custom stain on the cabinetry to the perfect tone of the integrated cement sinks. Every material was selected with care to feel honest, elemental, and intentionally imperfect, just the way we like it.
Elevation drawings at this phase are where design clarity meets construction precision. These detailed visuals made in Autocad ensure our clients understand every element of the design intent, while giving contractors exact direction to bring it to life, without guesswork. It’s how we protect the vision and elevate the entire process.
Project Management – North Scottsdale Remodel (weeks 7-16)
At Living with Lolo, we don’t chase timelines, we lead them with clarity. Our weekly Monday updates keep everyone aligned, flagging key decisions and creating what we call “critical path communication” to protect momentum throughout the build.
On this project, we hit a few pivots that required fast, clear decision-making. The concrete fabricator delayed installation of the custom sinks multiple times, impacting our trades down the line. When they were finally installed, the slope and faucet placement had been miscalculated, which meant we had to start over. It was a setback, but it also gave us a chance to refine the details even more.
Midway through, we uncovered an issue with the home’s original wood flooring that forced a last-minute material change. We sourced an alternative that honored the design but could be installed on schedule. We also flagged water intrusion from the existing patio sliders. After vetting warranty coverage, we pivoted to a better product that offered long-term protection. Every adjustment was made with intention, so the client never had to worry because we handled it.
We use Buildertrend to manage every detail of the construction phase—from timelines and trade coordination to budgets and approvals. This platform gives our clients full visibility into their remodel, so they can stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. It’s transparency, elevated.
Construction Collaboration & On-Site Execution
This luxury remodel in North Scottsdale was a true team effort, made possible by trusted partnerships and skilled trades. We collaborated with our longtime construction partner, A Team Construction, whose professionalism and communication are always aligned with our standards. We also brought in a specialized stone fabricator to create integrated sinks from porcelain slabs, and a cement artisan who crafted seamless cement sinks throughout the home, both requiring a high level of precision and coordination.
While the project moved smoothly overall, we faced a few key challenges.
- Delays from our concrete vendor forced us to reshuffle trades and re-sequence installations, but thanks to tight project management, we only extended the timeline by a couple of weeks.
- Coordinating with the HOA for outdoor paint and lighting approvals added additional friction, but we navigated it with persistence and clarity.
- Quality control was essential, especially with the custom integrated sinks. Initial installs revealed issues with drainage slope, so we worked hands-on with both fabricators to resolve the problem before completion.
- We also engineered custom wood handles for integrated appliances to match the cabinetry and allow proper function, since the original push-latch system wouldn’t support panel-ready refrigerators and dishwashers.
- Small details mattered too. We learned the importance of thoroughly cleaning hand-grain Zellige tile before sealing, as leftover pigment can cause discoloration.
- When one piece of art didn’t feel right in its intended room, we pivoted quickly, relocating it to the entry where it now sets the tone for the entire home.
Every solution was made in real time, reinforcing our commitment to detail, adaptability, and a seamless final result.
Market Context
Scottsdale interiors have been moving steadily away from heavy Tuscan influences, favoring a more grounded, earthy minimalism. The Wabi-Sabi Abode taps directly into this shift, embracing a quiet luxury that values texture over shine and restraint over excess. Located in a gated North Scottsdale community, this home originally featured builder-grade Mediterranean architecture like stucco walls, arches, and visually heavy finishes that felt disconnected from the client’s desire for calm. Rather than imposing a traditional Wabi-Sabi look on a structure that didn’t support it, we stripped back the ornamentation and let texture, light, and purposeful zoning lead the way. The result is a space that honors the home’s original bones while softening its presence, offering a more modern expression of desert living that feels aligned with both place and lifestyle.
This home also reflects the evolving priorities of today’s luxury clients, particularly those in neighborhoods like DC Ranch, Silverleaf, and Troon North, who are craving homes that support not just style, but real life. In this case, that meant creating intentional zones for both work and restoration: a podcast studio, video room, gym, and guest suite, all tailored to the client’s solo lifestyle. Materials like cement, lime wash, and porcelain replaced the more expected white oak and brass, signaling a quiet rebellion against the Instagram-ready showroom aesthetic seen in newer builds. Seasonal conditions also shaped our approach—matte finishes and thermal-conscious materials were selected to soften harsh summer sun and maximize comfort year-round. Every decision was rooted in livability, creating a home that feels elevated, personal, and utterly timeless.
Expertise in Intentional, Full-Service Transformation
The Wabi-Sabi Abode is a clear reflection of our firm’s expertise in translating nuanced design philosophies into deeply livable, modern homes. Instead of applying a literal or trend-driven version of Wabi-Sabi, we focused on capturing its core values: visual quiet, organic texture, and intentional imperfection, while working with the home’s original Mediterranean bones. This required both restraint and creativity, and it’s where our team thrives. From guiding a first-time homeowner through a full-scale remodel to orchestrating phased construction, custom fabrications, and high-performance finishes, this project highlights our ability to manage complexity without losing clarity. Every material was selected for both aesthetic integrity and everyday durability, and every space was designed to feel aligned with the client’s lifestyle. It’s what we do best: helping clients uncover what they truly want from their home and delivering it with intention, ease, and excellence.
This master bathroom went from basic to spa-level serene. We reimagined every surface to create a space that feels calming, luxurious, and deeply personal. Proof that daily rituals deserve a beautiful backdrop.
Client Words
“As a first-time homeowner in North Scottsdale, I knew I wanted something timeless, not trendy and Living With Lolo absolutely delivered. The end result is spectacular. Every detail, from the finishes to the styling of my shelves, feels both elevated and personal. What impressed me most was how seamlessly the design supports how I live: working from home, hosting friends, and finally having a space that feels like mine. The procurement process was smooth, and I felt well-informed every step of the way. There was some early confusion during construction about who I should be communicating with, but once I was connected directly to Jake from A-Team Construction, everything clicked. Anytime I had a question, the LWL team responded quickly and got the right person involved, no runaround, just solutions. The renderings helped me really see the vision early on, and thoughtful touches like the surprise install-day gift made it clear how much they care. I would 100% recommend Living With Lolo to anyone in Scottsdale or the surrounding area looking for high-level, livable design with real heart behind it.”
Looking for a Scottsdale Interior Designer?
We specialize in:
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Full-service interior design
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Whole-home furnishings
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Remodels and new builds
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Second homes and vacation properties
Minimum investment starts at $75K. We serve clients across Scottsdale, Arcadia, Paradise Valley, and surrounding Arizona cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wabi Sabi interior design?
Wabi Sabi is a Japanese design philosophy that embraces natural materials, organic textures, and imperfect beauty. It’s about creating spaces that feel calm, authentic, and quietly luxurious.
Do you work with Scottsdale remodel clients?
Yes, Living with Lolo specializes in full-service remodels and furnishings for Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the Phoenix metro area.
What’s the investment for a project like this?
Our full-service furnishing and remodel projects begin at $75K for three rooms. We create a tailored proposal to align with your space and goals. In general, most full home remodels start at $150 a sq/ft.
Let’s Design Your Next Chapter
Ready to reimagine your home? Let’s talk about your goals, investment range, and vision. We’ll handle the details—from floor plan to final styling—so you can relax and enjoy the transformation.
📍 Based in Scottsdale, Serving Clients Nationwide
