There’s a moment when you walk into a space and know this is more than a home, it’s a lifestyle. For actor Colin Egglesfield, that moment happened in our North Scottsdale project. For you, it could happen every day.

When Colin first stepped inside, he said, “This feels like I’ve been transported to a luxury resort.” And when People Magazine needed a location for his second feature shoot, he specifically asked to return. That’s the magic of intentional design, it draws people back in.

Why North Scottsdale Homes Are Ideal for Luxury Desert Living

North Scottsdale offers something rare in the Phoenix metro area: expansive lots, unobstructed Sonoran Desert views, and a community that values both sophistication and comfort. Our role was to maximize those advantages while addressing the unique challenges of Arizona living.

The key was balancing what Colin described as “serene, expansive, and effortlessly elegant” spaces with the practical needs of the desert climate. The result? A home that feels like a personal resort that is designed to enhance your daily life.

Desert Resort Design Elements That Work Year-Round

Maximizing Natural Light Without the Heat

We don’t just bring in the light, we curate it. Soaring ceilings and strategically placed windows capture soft morning light from the McDowell Mountains, while architectural overhangs and thoughtful orientation protect from harsh afternoon sun. The effect: interiors that feel bright and open without sacrificing comfort.

Indoor-Outdoor Living That Actually Works

In Arizona, outdoor spaces shouldn’t be seasonal. We created year-round usability with covered patios, integrated ceiling fans, and outdoor kitchens positioned to avoid direct summer sun. Landscape design blends beauty with natural cooling, so the transition from indoors to outdoors feels effortless.

Materials That Stand the Test of the Desert

Quality wins every time. We selected finishes that complement Arizona’s natural palette and can handle its extremes – warm travertines, weather-resistant metals, and performance textiles that resist fading in our legendary sunshine. Timelessness over trend ensures this home will feel current for years to come.

The ROI of Thoughtful Design in North Scottsdale

When Colin said the home “sparks creativity, calm, and connection,” he unknowingly summed up the real value of luxury design: it enhances daily living in ways that go far beyond aesthetics.

Market Appeal in a Competitive Luxury Market

In North Scottsdale, buyers are discerning. Homes that merge elevated design with desert functionality consistently outperform those that don’t. We focus on timeless elements so that your home stays as valuable emotionally as it does financially.

Long-Term Enjoyment Over Trend-Chasing

We don’t chase trends, we create timelessness. Every decision in this home was guided by enduring style, climate resilience, and the homeowner’s lifestyle. The result is a design that will age beautifully.

Lessons for Arizona Luxury Homeowners

Whether you’re in Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, or anywhere in the Valley, certain principles always apply:

• Respect the Climate: Work with Arizona’s weather, not against it. That means strategic sun control, material selection, and realistic outdoor living plans.
• Embrace the Setting: The Sonoran Desert is a stunning backdrop, so choose to highlight it, don’t compete with it.
• Design for Real Living: Every space should function for daily life and entertaining, through all seasons.

Ready to Experience Your Own Resort-Style Retreat?

Thoughtful design doesn’t just look beautiful; it transforms how you live.

If you’re ready for a home that’s as elevated as your lifestyle, let’s start the conversation. We’ll bring the vision, the process, and the polish, while you bring the dream.

Contact Us Today!

What Our Scottsdale Clients Say

Arizona Homeowners Are Choosing Design-Build—Here’s Why

If you’re remodeling or building in Arizona, you’ve likely heard the term design-build. But what does it actually mean? And more importantly—how can it make your renovation smoother, faster, and more beautiful?

At Living with Lolo, we combine luxury interior design with licensed general contracting to deliver true design-build services in Arizona. That means we don’t just design your dream home—we execute it with precision, control, and full visibility from concept to completion.

What Is Design-Build and Why Does It Matter?

In traditional renovations, you hire a designer and contractor separately—and hope they communicate. In a design-build model, you hire one firm to manage everything: layout, materials, construction, and furnishings.

With Design-Build, You Get:

• One point of contact

• Seamless communication between design and construction

• Faster timelines and fewer delays

• More accurate budgeting and real-time cost tracking

• A unified vision with fewer compromises

It’s the difference between managing chaos—and managing a trusted team.

Where We Work: Design-Build Across Arizona

Our design-build team works across high-demand areas in the Phoenix metro, including:

• Scottsdale – Custom home remodels and full-furnishing projects

• Paradise Valley – Ground-up new builds and major renovations

• Phoenix & Arcadia – Historic updates with modern luxury

• East Valley (Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek) – Family homes ready for elevated living

• Cave Creek & Desert Mountain – Large-scale homes with natural surroundings

We’re licensed, insured, and deeply experienced in local construction processes. (ROC #347577)

Design-Build Case Study: Paradise Valley Remodel

One of our recent design-build projects in Paradise Valley began as a kitchen update—and evolved into a full-home transformation. Because our team handled both design and construction:

• We pivoted quickly on a framing change mid-project

• All cabinetry was custom-designed and built in-house

• Installation happened on time—without client micromanagement

• Furnishings arrived coordinated with lighting, paint, and architectural finishes

The result? A completely cohesive, magazine-worthy home—with zero stress for the client.

Why Arizona Clients Choose Design-Build Firms Like Ours

• Fewer vendors. One team, no handoffs.

• Tighter budgets. We quote, refine, and execute—without inflated markup surprises.

• Streamlined schedules. No design waiting on construction (or vice versa).

• Less client stress. You focus on your life—we handle the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for a Scottsdale Design-Build Firm?

Living with Lolo offers full-service interior design and licensed construction services across Arizona. We specialize in design-build for remodels, new construction, and fully furnished homes—with a signature aesthetic that balances boldness, warmth, and clean-lined luxury.

Whether you’re in Paradise Valley, Arcadia, or Desert Mountain, we’ll bring your home to life—seamlessly.

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Find Out More: Fairway Home Remodel Chandler Arizona

Located in North Scottsdale, this tranquil, full-home transformation embraces the timeless principles of Wabi-Sabi design, an aesthetic gaining popularity among discerning homeowners in Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, and throughout the greater Phoenix Valley.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:

• Timeless, not trendy

• Textural, but minimal

• 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. With its proximity to the McDowell Mountains and upscale neighborhoods of Scottsdale, this project reflects a growing trend toward serene, nature-inspired interiors that blend organic textures and modern luxury. A look that’s resonating with clients across Phoenix metro’s high-end communities.

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:

• Overcome original Tuscan-style details

• Custom fabricate porcelain and cement sinks

• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Signature Design Elements

We sourced from our trusted trade vendors in Arizona and beyond, selecting high-quality, durable materials designed to age beautifully.

• Plaster Walls and Textural Finishes

  Custom plaster wall treatments introduce soft, tactile dimension that feels handmade and timeless that is perfectly aligned with the wabi-sabi appreciation for imperfection and texture.

• Organic, Earth-Toned Palette

  The use of warm neutrals, stonewashed hues, and earthy materials creates a grounded, calming interior that reflects the surrounding desert and invites stillness.

• Sculptural Lighting and Forms

  Throughout the home, lighting and furniture feature organic curves and asymmetry, adding visual interest while reinforcing a sense of fluidity and balance.

• Minimal, Intentional Styling

  Every space is styled with restraint. Negative space is celebrated. This “less but better” approach gives each item visual breathing room and highlights quality over quantity.

• Layered Natural Materials

  Linen, wood, stone, ceramic, and metal come together in subtle contrast, offering depth without noise. These materials wear beautifully with time, an essential tenet of wabi-sabi living.

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.

Before | Plain kitchen before interior update

After | Modern Scottsdale kitchen makeover

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.

Looking for a Scottsdale Interior Designer?

We specialize in:

• Full-service interior design

• Whole-home furnishings

• Remodels and new builds

• Second homes and vacation properties

Minimum investment starts at $75K. We serve clients across Scottsdale, Arcadia, Paradise Valley, and surrounding Arizona cities.

Explore our full range of Scottsdale interior design services