What to Ask a Luxury Interior Designer Before You Hire Them

If you are planning a remodel or renovation in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or anywhere in Arizona, you will need permits for most construction work. What many homeowners do not realize until they are already deep in the process is that not every interior designer can legally pull those permits.

Here is the straightforward answer and what it means for your project.

Who Can Pull Permits in Arizona

In Arizona, pulling a construction permit requires a licensed general contractor. Specifically, a firm must hold an active license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, known as the ROC, to legally perform and permit construction work on a residential property.

An interior designer who does not hold a GC license cannot pull permits. Period. They can design the most beautiful kitchen renovation in Scottsdale, but if that renovation involves moving walls, relocating plumbing, adding electrical circuits, or any other work that triggers a permit requirement, a licensed general contractor has to be the party pulling those permits and taking legal responsibility for the construction.

This is not a technicality. It is a meaningful distinction that affects who is accountable for your project and what happens if something goes wrong.

What Requires a Permit in Arizona

In Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix metro area, permits are typically required for the following types of work.

Structural changes including removing or adding walls, opening up floor plans, or modifying load-bearing elements all require permits and engineering review.

Electrical work beyond simple fixture replacements, including adding circuits, moving panel components, or installing new outlets in certain locations, requires an electrical permit.

Plumbing work including relocating sinks, toilets, or showers, adding new plumbing lines, or modifying the drain and supply system requires a plumbing permit.

Mechanical work including modifications to HVAC systems, ductwork changes, or adding new equipment requires a mechanical permit.

Additions and structural modifications of any kind require building permits and in many cases engineered drawings.

Kitchen and bathroom remodels that involve any of the above, which most do, require permits even if they are not full structural renovations.

Cosmetic work, meaning painting, flooring replacement, cabinet refacing, or furniture changes, typically does not require permits. But the moment you open a wall or move a plumbing fixture, you are in permit territory.

What Happens if You Skip Permits

Skipping permits is a risk that homeowners sometimes take, often because a contractor suggests it will save time or money. It is worth understanding what that risk actually looks like.

Unpermitted work can create serious problems when you sell your home. Buyers and their inspectors routinely identify unpermitted work, and in many cases the seller is required to bring that work up to current code before closing. What seemed like a shortcut during the renovation becomes a very expensive problem at sale.

Unpermitted work may not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. If something goes wrong, a fire, a flood, a structural failure, and the cause is traced to unpermitted construction, your insurer may deny the claim.

In some cases municipalities can require unpermitted work to be opened up, inspected, and redone at the homeowner’s expense. This is relatively rare but it happens.

The bottom line is that permits exist to protect you. A licensed general contractor who pulls permits is taking legal responsibility for the work meeting current building codes. That is worth something.

How Living With Lolo Handles Permits

At Living With Lolo, we hold an active Arizona general contractor license through the ROC. That means we handle all permitting for every project we manage as a standard part of our process.

You do not need to research permit requirements, contact the city, submit applications, or schedule inspections. We manage all of it. Every inspection is scheduled and passed before we move to the next phase of construction. Every project we complete has a clean permit history, which protects our clients at sale and gives them confidence that the work was done correctly.

This is one of the most practical reasons to work with an integrated design-build firm rather than hiring a designer and a contractor separately. When design and construction are managed by the same licensed entity, there is no gap in accountability between the two. The firm that designed the work is the same firm that permitted it and built it.

Questions to Ask Your Designer About Permits

If you are interviewing interior designers for a project that involves any construction work, here are the questions to ask directly.

Do you hold a general contractor license in Arizona? Ask for their ROC license number and verify it at roc.az.gov.

Will you be pulling the permits for this project? If they say yes, verify that they hold a GC license to do so. If they say no, ask who will be pulling permits and what that relationship looks like contractually.

What is your process if we discover unpermitted work during construction? This happens more often than people expect, especially in older Scottsdale homes. A firm with experience in this market will have a clear answer.

The Difference Between a Designer Who Coordinates Construction and a Designer Who Manages It

If you are interviewing interior designers for a project that involves any construction work, here are the questions to ask directly.

Do you hold a general contractor license in Arizona? Ask for their ROC license number and verify it at roc.az.gov.

Will you be pulling the permits for this project? If they say yes, verify that they hold a GC license to do so. If they say no, ask who will be pulling permits and what that relationship looks like contractually.

What is your process if we discover unpermitted work during construction? This happens more often than people expect, especially in older Scottsdale homes. A firm with experience in this market will have a clear answer.

What This Means for Your Scottsdale Remodel

If you are planning a remodel in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley that involves any construction work, here is the practical takeaway.

Make sure the firm you hire holds an active ROC general contractor license. Verify it yourself at roc.az.gov before you sign anything. Ask specifically who will be pulling your permits and confirm that person or firm is licensed to do so.

If you want one team managing design, construction, and permits under one contract with full accountability for every phase, that is exactly what Living With Lolo is built to do.

Have Questions About Your Project?

We are happy to talk through what your specific project requires and what the permit process looks like for your scope of work.

📞 Call us at 480-702-1189 and book your consultation.

✨ Explore our latest projects and portfolio

✨ Want to work with an award-winning designer? Book your consultation today

Related Post: Living With Lolo Named a Top Scottsdale Interior Design Firm by AD PRO 2025

What to Ask a Luxury Interior Designer Before You Hire Them

Hiring a luxury interior designer is one of the most significant decisions you will make for your home. The firm you choose will have access to your space, your budget, and your daily life for anywhere from six months to two years. Getting it right matters.

Most designers will show you a beautiful portfolio and tell you what you want to hear in a first meeting. The questions below are designed to get past the presentation and into the substance of how a firm actually works.

We are sharing these because we believe informed clients make the best clients. If you ask these questions and a firm cannot answer them clearly, that is information worth having before you sign a contract.

Questions About Credentials and Licensing

Do you hold a general contractor license in Arizona?

This is the single most important question you can ask a designer in the Scottsdale market, especially if your project involves any construction, remodeling, or renovation work.

An interior designer without a GC license cannot legally pull permits, cannot supervise construction, and is not legally accountable for construction outcomes. They can coordinate with a contractor on your behalf, but the contractor is a separate entity with a separate contract and separate accountability.

Ask to see the license and verify it at roc.az.gov. A firm that holds both an interior design credential and an active ROC general contractor license is a fundamentally different offering than on

Are you NCIDQ certified or a member of ASID?

These are the primary professional credentials in interior design. NCIDQ certification requires passing a rigorous exam and meeting experience requirements. ASID membership indicates professional standing in the industry. Neither is legally required to practice interior design in Arizona, but they signal a commitment to professional standards.

What is your insurance coverage?

Any firm doing construction work should carry general liability insurance and workers compensation coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance and verify that coverage is current. This protects you if something goes wrong on your property during the project.

Questions About Process and Project Management

Who will be my day-to-day point of contact?

In many design firms, the principal designer sells the project and then hands it off to a junior designer or project coordinator. Ask directly who you will be working with day to day, who attends site visits, and who makes design decisions when questions come up during construction.

At Living With Lolo, our founder Lauren Lerner is involved in every project. We do not sell work and hand it off.

How do you manage communication during construction?

A whole-home remodel involves hundreds of decisions over many months. Ask what the firm’s communication process looks like. How often will you receive updates? Through what channel? Who do you call when you have a question or concern? A firm with a clear answer to this question has managed complex projects before. A firm that fumbles this answer probably has not.

How do you handle changes during construction?

Change orders are a normal part of construction. Hidden conditions behind walls, product substitutions, and client-initiated changes all happen. Ask how the firm documents and prices changes, how quickly change orders are presented, and what approval is required before additional work proceeds. A firm that cannot answer this clearly may be the type that presents a large surprise invoice at the end of a project.

How do you manage procurement and what happens when something is delayed or arrives damaged?

Custom furniture, lighting, and finishes have long lead times and are occasionally damaged in transit. Ask how the firm tracks orders, what their process is when something arrives wrong, and how they manage substitutions when a product is discontinued mid-project. This is a real operational question and the answer will tell you a lot about how experienced the firm is at running complex projects.

Questions About Budget and Fees

How do you charge for your services?

Fee structures vary significantly across luxury design firms. Some charge hourly, some charge a flat project fee, some charge a percentage of total project cost, and most use some combination. There is no universally right answer but you should understand exactly how you will be billed before you sign anything.

Ask for the fee structure in writing, ask what is included and what is not, and ask for an estimate of total design fees for your project scope before work begins.

Do you apply a markup on furnishings and materials?

Most full-service designers purchase goods on your behalf and apply a markup above trade cost. This is standard practice and it compensates the firm for the time, relationships, and expertise required to source and manage high-quality goods. Typical markups in the luxury market run 20 to 35 percent above trade cost.

Ask about this directly. A firm that is not transparent about markup structure is a firm worth being cautious about.

Have you completed projects at my budget level before?

This is a direct question that deserves a direct answer. A firm that primarily works on $150,000 furnishing projects operates very differently from a firm that manages $800,000 design-build renovations. Ask for examples of completed projects at your budget level and ask to speak with past clients if possible.

Questions About Their Portfolio and Experience

Can I see completed projects similar to mine in scope and style?

A portfolio of beautiful photography is not the same as a track record of successfully completed projects at your scale. Ask to see specific completed projects that are similar to yours in scope, whether that is a whole-home remodel, a new construction interior, or a specific room type. Ask about the timeline, budget, and any challenges that came up during those projects.

Do you have experience with Scottsdale and Paradise Valley specifically?

The local market matters. HOA and ARC approval processes, preferred trade relationships, permit timelines, and the specific aesthetic sensibility of the luxury buyer in this market are all things an experienced local firm will know intuitively. Ask how many projects they have completed in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley specifically and whether they have relationships with local trades and vendors.

Have you been featured in any design publications or won any industry awards?

Press recognition and industry awards are not vanity metrics in the luxury design world. They signal that the firm’s work has been evaluated by outside authorities and found worthy of recognition. Phoenix Magazine’s Best of the Valley, Houzz Best of Design, Architectural Digest AD Pro, and Luxe Interiors and Design features are all meaningful signals in the Scottsdale market.

One Final Question

Why should I hire you over the other firms I am considering?

This question will tell you everything. A firm with genuine confidence in their differentiation will answer it directly and specifically. They will tell you what they do differently, what their clients say about working with them, and what makes their approach uniquely suited to your project.

If the answer is vague or sounds like a rehearsed pitch, trust that instinct.

At Living With Lolo, our answer is this. We are the only luxury interior design firm in Scottsdale that also holds an active general contractor license. We design and build your project under one roof, under one contract, with one team that is accountable for every phase from concept through construction and final installation. Our work has been recognized by Architectural Digest, Phoenix Magazine, Luxe Interiors and Design, and Houzz every year since 2018. And our clients will tell you that the experience of working with us is as good as the finished product.

That is our answer. Make sure the firm you hire has one just as clear.

Ready to Ask Us These Questions?

We welcome them. Book a consultation and come prepared. We will answer every one.

📞 Call us at 480-702-1189 and book your consultation.

✨ Explore our latest projects and portfolio

✨ Want to work with an award-winning designer? Book your consultation today

Related Post: Living With Lolo Named a Top Scottsdale Interior Design Firm by AD PRO 2025

If you are considering a whole-home remodel in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley, you have probably done some research and found a wide range of timelines, budgets, and processes described online. Most of it is vague. Almost none of it is specific to the luxury market here in Arizona.

This post is different. We are going to walk you through exactly what a whole-home remodel looks like when it is managed by an integrated design-build team, what happens at each phase, what surprises are normal, and what you should never have to deal with if you hire the right firm.

The Reality Nobody Talks About

Here is the thing about whole-home remodels that most designers and contractors will not tell you upfront. The process is not linear. It does not move in a clean straight line from design to construction to done. It involves decisions layered on top of decisions, timelines that depend on vendors in other states, and construction realities that occasionally require the design to adapt.

That is not a failure. That is renovation. The question is whether your team is equipped to manage it without pulling you into every detail.

At Living With Lolo, our job is to absorb that complexity so you do not have to. Here is what that actually looks like from your side of the process.

Phase One: The Discovery and Design Phase (Months 1 through 3)

The first phase of a whole-home remodel is almost entirely about design, documentation, and decisions. No construction happens yet. This is intentional.

We spend the first several weeks in deep discovery. We walk every room of your home with you. We ask questions about how you use each space, what is not working, and what you want to feel when you walk through the door at the end of the day. We look at natural light patterns, existing architectural features worth preserving, and structural elements that might affect what is possible.

Then we develop a comprehensive design concept for the entire home. Space plans. Finish palettes. Custom millwork drawings. Lighting plans. Plumbing fixture selections. A full furniture and accessory plan. All of it is developed together so that every room relates to every other room.

This phase takes longer than most clients expect and it should. Decisions made in design are far less expensive than decisions made during construction. Every hour spent getting the design right saves multiple hours and thousands of dollars during the build.

What you will experience during this phase is a lot of meetings, a lot of samples, and a lot of decisions. We manage the process so that decisions come to you in a logical sequence rather than all at once. By the end of this phase you should feel completely confident in the vision for your home before anything is touched.

Phase Two: Pre-Construction and Permitting (Months 3 through 4)

Once design is approved and finalized we move into pre-construction. This is the phase most homeowners do not see but it is where a huge amount of work happens behind the scenes.

We finalize all construction documents and submit for permits with the city of Scottsdale or the relevant municipality. Permit timelines in the Phoenix metro area typically run 4 to 8 weeks depending on the scope of work and the current backlog at the permitting office. We factor this into your overall timeline from the beginning.

We also lock in your trade schedule during this phase. Framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, tile, cabinetry, painting, and finish carpentry all have to be sequenced in a specific order. We work with a vetted network of subcontractors who have worked on our projects before and know our standards.

At the same time we finalize all procurement orders. Custom cabinetry lead times in 2025 and 2026 are running 10 to 16 weeks for most manufacturers. Specialty tile, plumbing fixtures, and lighting can run 8 to 20 weeks. Everything has to be on order before demolition begins so that materials arrive in time for installation without stalling the schedule.

Phase Three: Active Construction (Months 4 through 10)

This is the phase that feels the most intense from the client’s perspective, even when things are going well. Your home is a construction site. It is loud, dusty, and constantly changing. If you are living nearby or checking in regularly, the pace can feel slower than you expect at some points and faster than you expected at others.

Here is the general sequence for a whole-home remodel. Demolition happens first, removing everything that is being replaced. Then rough trades, meaning plumbing, electrical, and HVAC are roughed in before any walls close. Then framing, insulation, and drywall. Then tile and hard flooring. Then cabinetry installation. Then countertops and finish plumbing. Then painting. Then finish carpentry, hardware, and light fixtures. Then final inspections and punch list.

Every phase depends on the one before it being complete and inspected. This is why construction sequencing matters so much and why having a licensed general contractor managing the schedule is not optional on a project of this scope.

What you will experience during this phase is regular updates from your project manager, a predictable communication cadence so you always know where things stand, and a single point of contact for every question. You should not be fielding calls from subcontractors or making decisions about construction details on the fly. That is our job.

Normal surprises during construction include discovering conditions behind walls that were not visible during the design phase, minor schedule adjustments when a trade runs long or a delivery is delayed, and the occasional substitution when a specified product is discontinued or backordered. None of these should derail your project if your team is experienced and communicates proactively.

Phase Four: Installation and Styling (Final 4 to 8 Weeks)

As construction wraps and final inspections are complete, we transition into the phase most clients look forward to most. All furniture, lighting, window treatments, textiles, artwork, and accessories are delivered and installed by our team.

This phase requires precision scheduling. Large furniture pieces have to come in before smaller items. Art placement depends on furniture placement. Styling layers in last. We typically complete installation over several days and finish with a full styling walkthrough where every surface is considered and every detail is in place.

Move-in day should feel like a reveal, not a construction handoff. When we hand you the keys your home should be completely finished, completely furnished, and completely ready to live in.

How Long Does a Whole-Home Remodel Take in Scottsdale?

The honest answer is 9 to 18 months from first design meeting to move-in day, depending on the size of your home and the scope of construction.

A 3,000 square foot home with a moderate scope of construction typically runs 9 to 12 months. A 5,000 to 7,000 square foot home with significant structural work, custom millwork, and high-end finishes typically runs 14 to 18 months.

These timelines assume a well-managed process with design finalized before construction begins, permits submitted early, and procurement managed in parallel with construction. Projects where design and construction are managed by separate firms almost always run longer because of the communication gaps between them.

What Makes a Whole-Home Remodel in Scottsdale Different

The Scottsdale and Paradise Valley luxury market has specific characteristics that affect how whole-home remodels are planned and executed.

Summer heat impacts construction schedules. Exterior work and certain finish applications are affected by Arizona summers. We factor this into project planning from the beginning.

HOA and ARC approval processes in communities like DC Ranch, Silverleaf, and Arcadia add time to the pre-construction phase. We are familiar with the requirements across the major Scottsdale communities and we manage the approval process as part of our pre-construction work.

The luxury buyer in this market typically has high expectations for both process and outcome. They want to be informed without being burdened. They want decisions presented clearly without being overwhelmed. They want a team that manages complexity invisibly. That is exactly the experience we are built to deliver.

Ready to Talk About Your Whole-Home Remodel?

If you are planning a whole-home remodel in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley and you want a team that manages every phase under one roof, we would love to hear about your project.

📞 Call us at 480-702-1189 and book your consultation.

✨ Explore our latest projects and portfolio

✨ Want to work with an award-winning designer? Book your consultation today

Related Post: Living With Lolo Named a Top Scottsdale Interior Design Firm by AD PRO 2025

Design That Works as Hard as You Do

When actor, author, and entrepreneur Colin Egglesfield chose one of our Scottsdale projects twice for People Magazine features, he called it:

“Serene, expansive, and effortlessly elegant.”

That feeling didn’t happen by chance. It’s the product of a signature Living with Lolo process that is designed for people whose time is precious and whose homes need to deliver more than good looks.

For our Scottsdale and Paradise Valley clients (CEOs, physicians, founders, and creatives) design is about function, flow, and feeling…all without adding another task to your plate. Scottsdale interior design at its finest. Here’s how we make that happen:

Why Scottsdale’s Top Professionals Choose Living with Lolo

We Start With How You Live, Not Just How You Want It to Look

Before we pull a single fabric or sketch a floor plan, we focus on your lifestyle as your Paradise Valley interior designer. Do you host client dinners with mountain views? Need a polished home office for high-stakes video calls? Want your mornings to feel like a spa retreat in the Sonoran Desert?

This lifestyle-first approach to a Scottsdale home remodel and furnishing ensures your space supports you in tangible, everyday ways.

We Handle Every Detail So You Can Stay Focused on Your Work

Our clients don’t have time to chase down trades, track orders, or stress over install day. We manage it all, from concept to final styling so you can keep building your business, closing deals, or catching flights…while your home quietly transforms behind the scenes.

We Integrate Beauty and ROI

Your home is your sanctuary and a major asset. We think about:

• Durable, timeless materials that thrive in the Arizona climate
• Flexible layouts for evolving lifestyles
• High-end Scottsdale interiors
• Elevated finishes that increase resale appeal in competitive Scottsdale neighborhoods

The Result? Spaces That Feel as Good as They Look

When Colin stepped into our Scottsdale project, his words, “creativity, calm, and connection” summed up our goal perfectly. We design for the feeling you want to live in every day: whether that’s focused, relaxed, inspired, or all of the above.

What Our Scottsdale Clients Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Work With Scottsdale’s Trusted Luxury Design Team

If you’re a Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or Phoenix-area professional ready for a home that works as hard as you do (without the endless to-do lists), we’d love to help.

Serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and nationwide luxury clients. Schedule your consultation today.

📞 Call us at 480-702-1189 and book your consultation.

A Whole-Home Transformation Rooted in Clarity, Comfort, and Wow in Arizona’s Most Prestigious Community

When this Paradise Valley family in the 85253 zip code reached out to us, they weren’t chasing Pinterest perfection, they were craving peace. Their luxury home had great bones, sweeping views of iconic Camelback Mountain, and plenty of square footage typical of homes in this exclusive Arizona community, but no flow, no identity, and no real sense of comfort.

With three kids, a demanding career, and a space full of leftover furniture that didn’t match Paradise Valley’s sophisticated standards, they needed more than a makeover. They needed a comprehensive design strategy that would work for their busy family lifestyle while elevating their home to match the caliber expected in Paradise Valley’s luxury real estate market.

Here’s how we transformed their Paradise Valley home into a calming, cohesive sanctuary they never want to leave, while building significant equity in Arizona’s most exclusive residential community.

The Challenges We Solved in This 85253 Paradise Valley Home

• Disjointed layout with rooms that felt visually and emotionally disconnected, despite the home’s premium Paradise Valley location and Camelback Mountain views.
• Furniture from a past life that was undersized, outdated, and lacking the intentional design that luxury homes demand.
• Unclear design direction, despite knowing they loved “warm” and “transitional” styles that complement Arizona’s desert environment.
• Sensory overload from mismatched finishes, poor lighting that didn’t work with Arizona’s intense sun, and no softness to balance Paradise Valley’s dramatic landscape views. 

They didn’t need more stuff. They needed a cohesive vision that honored their lifestyle and a skilled Arizona design team to bring it to life while building long-term value in the 85253 luxury market.

The Living With Lolo Process for Paradise Valley Luxury Homes

Step 1: Deep Listening & In-Home Discovery

We started with a comprehensive one-hour consultation at this Paradise Valley home, virtually walking the space with Camelback Mountain views in mind, listening deeply to understand how this family wanted to live in Arizona’s most prestigious community, and aligning on their priorities: calm, elevated, livable luxury that matches Paradise Valley standards.

No chasing trends. No overwhelm. Just clarity that works for desert living 

Step 2: Strategic Space Planning + Investment Clarity

We reimagined the floor plans with scale, flow, and function specifically designed for Paradise Valley’s luxury lifestyle. Then we delivered a customized Minimum Furniture Investment Plan (starting at $75K+) tailored to maximize ROI in the competitive 85253 luxury real estate market and guide smart decision-making across the entire home.

Step 3: Layered, Intentional Design for Arizona Desert Living

Our Arizona design team created a tonal, textural palette that softened the entire home while complementing the natural desert surroundings.

• Custom drapery designed to filter Arizona’s intense sunlight while framing Camelback Mountain views created visual calm throughout the home.
• Statement lighting replaced harsh glare with warm glow, perfect for Paradise Valley’s bright environment.
• Curated furnishings brought sophisticated elegance without clutter, matching the refined taste of 85253 residents.
• Hidden storage and multifunctional spaces honored this busy family’s real life while maintaining the luxury aesthetic expected in Arizona’s premier community.

Before & After Highlights: Paradise Valley Home Transformation

The Living Room Renovation

Before: Oversized sectional, clunky media console, and no clear personality despite the home’s prime Paradise Valley location and stunning Camelback Mountain views.

The Dining Room Transformation

Before: Dark, cramped, and forgettable space that didn’t match the caliber expected in luxury homes with stunning views.

After: A stylish dual-purpose dining room designed for the entertaining lifestyle, featuring elegant grasscloth wallpaper, hidden storage that works for busy families, and sophisticated design that creates the perfect atmosphere for both dinner parties and after-school projects.

What the Client Said About Their Paradise Valley Home Transformation

We love to hear feedback from our clients, and here’s what this particular client had to say:

Want to Understand What Your Paradise Valley Home Investment Could Look Like?

These are the typical investment ranges for a high-end Paradise Valley home furnishings, from $13K entryway transformations and $40K living room renovations to $30K+ outdoor desert retreats, all designed for lasting luxury that matches Paradise Valley’s exclusive standards and creates a cohesive, elevated look that appeals to discerning buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Paradise Valley Interior Design

The Takeaway: Paradise Valley Home Design That Transforms Lives

Great design doesn’t just fill a Paradise Valley home with beautiful things, it grounds a family in a space that supports their lifestyle and reflects their future in one of the state’s most desirable communities.

If you’re living in visual chaos in your North Scottsdale or Paradise Valley home, or just craving more cohesion, our experienced design team specializing in luxury homes can help you go from scattered to serene.

Scottsdale-Based Design Studio Recognized for Excellence in Desert Modern Luxury

We’re thrilled to announce that Living With Lolo, led by founder Lauren Lerner, has been named Best Interior Design Firm, One to Watch 2025 by Modern Luxury. This honor places our Scottsdale-based team among the top luxury design firms in the country, recognized for innovation, elevated execution, and a client experience that’s second to none.

What It Means to Win “Best Interior Design Firm 2025”

Modern Luxury’s Best of Luxury Design Awards celebrate leading firms reshaping the national design landscape. Their selection process looks beyond aesthetics, it rewards design innovation, project complexity, client satisfaction, and industry leadership.

Living With Lolo earned this award through:

• Design mastery in desert modern and contemporary luxury
• A deeply personalized, client-first design process
• Material innovation tailored to Arizona’s unique climate
• Seamless integration of indoor-outdoor living, an essential in Scottsdale living
• A portfolio spanning Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and high-end commercial spaces

Meet Lauren Lerner: Scottsdale’s Design Visionary

Lauren launched Living With Lolo Interior Design eight years ago after a bold pivot from retail management. With no formal design education, she built her reputation from the ground up, earning client trust, perfecting her aesthetic, and growing into one of Scottsdale’s most in-demand interior designers.

Today, she runs her business out of a custom-designed Scottsdale home-office compound that reflects everything Living With Lolo stands for: beauty, function, and the belief that design should transform how you feel in your space.

Living With Lolo Designs:

• Honor the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert
• Prioritize indoor-outdoor fluidity
• Marry aesthetic sophistication with practical function
• Embrace sustainable, Arizona-conscious materials
• Reflect each client’s identity, not a trending style board

What Sets Living With Lolo Apart?

Expertise in Arizona Climate Design

We don’t just design beautiful homes, we design them to perform in Arizona’s unique conditions:

• UV-filtering window treatments to protect and regulate interior temperature
• Cool-touch flooring that stays comfortable year-round
• Strategic color palettes that visually cool and calm
• Smart home integrations that maximize energy efficiency

Dust-Resilient Design, Done Beautifully

• Performance fabrics that resist buildup and wear gracefully
• Seamless materials that wipe clean with ease
• Thoughtfully designed entry zones that reduce dust flow
• Advanced filtration that protects indoor air quality

Built on Relationships: Arizona Vendors We Trust

Our designs succeed thanks to longstanding partnerships with the best local resources:

• Specialty tile suppliers who stock heat-rated natural stone that performs beautifully in desert conditions
• Commercial appliance distributors offering high-performance luxury brands designed for extreme climates
• Local textile vendors specializing in UV-resistant fabrics that maintain their beauty year after year
• Scottsdale-based custom millworkers who understand how dry climates affect wood movement and joinery

Our Award-Winning Portfolio

Scottsdale Residential Design

We’re known for transforming homes across the region’s most coveted communities:

• Troon North + DC Ranch: Desert modern estates maximizing natural views
• Old Town Scottsdale: Heritage renovations with fresh perspective
• New builds + multigenerational homes designed for real, elevated living

Paradise Valley Projects

Our team delivers estate-level sophistication:

• Spa-inspired primary suites
• Open-concept gourmet kitchens
• Full-scale outdoor living zones for year-round entertaining
• Custom wine and wellness spaces tailored to Arizona luxury living

Why Clients Trust Living With Lolo

Modern Luxury’s Award Criteria

To win “Best Interior Design Firm 2025,” firms had to demonstrate:

• Creative design innovation
• Proven client satisfaction and reviews
• Ability to manage large-scale, high-end projects
• Trend leadership in both aesthetics and process
• Professionalism and transparency at every step

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Luxury Design in Arizona?

Trends We’re Leading:

• Sustainable Luxury: Eco-conscious materials, water-wise landscaping, and local artisan sourcing.
• Smart Design: Climate control, security, lighting, and energy systems optimized for desert living. 
• Wellness Integration: Spa baths, clean air systems, circadian lighting, and biophilic layouts.

The Living With Lolo Experience

We don’t just design pretty homes, we design homes that change how you live.

Our Process:

1. Discovery: We listen deeply, then ask the right questions.
2. Design Development: Custom concepts rooted in your life and our expertise.
3. Implementation: We coordinate everything, from contractors to styling.
4. Install Day: You walk into a space that feels both extraordinary and entirely your own.

Why Choose the Best Interior Design Firm in 2025?

When you work with Living With Lolo, you’re choosing:

• A proven team of Arizona luxury design experts
• Nationally recognized creative leadership
• A clear, concierge-level process
• Access to Arizona’s best vendors and artisans
• Design outcomes that feel timeless, personal, and complete

Ready to Work With Scottsdale’s Award-Winning Design Studio?

Whether you’re planning a new build, full renovation, or luxury refresh, Living With Lolo delivers unmatched results, rooted in local expertise and driven by a passion for elevated living.