When Furnishing Isn’t Enough
Some Scottsdale condo buyers close on a new home and need it furnished and others close on a space and need it transformed.
Maybe you purchased a resale unit in one of Scottsdale’s established luxury buildings like Optima or the Waterfront and the bones are good but the finishes are dated. Maybe you bought new construction at Portico, Optima or Kierland and the builder-grade tile, lighting, and fixtures aren’t doing justice to what you paid for the views. Either way, you’re not just looking for furniture, you’re looking for someone who can take the whole thing from where it is to where it should be.
That’s exactly what Living with Lolo does and we’re one of the only firms in Scottsdale that can do it all under one roof.
The Two Condo Buyers We Work With Most
The Resale Buyer: Great Location, Dated Interior
You found the right building, the right floor plan, and the right views but the condo needs an update. The kitchen hasn’t been touched since 2009. The bathrooms have builder tile that belongs in a different decade and the lighting fixtures basic and boring.
You don’t want to live around someone else’s decisions. You want to renovate before you move in, before your furniture arrives, before you invite anyone over.
This is one of the most common projects we take on for out-of-state buyers purchasing condos in Scottsdale. Our clients purchasing a home in Scottsdale are purchasing these homes for a new lifestyle. They are not here to manage contractors. They’re not here to make tile decisions on the fly at a showroom. They need a team that can run the entire project while they are out of state and hand them the keys to something that finally feels like it was designed for them.
Living with Lolo holds an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors general contractor license alongside our interior design credential. That means one team manages your design, your trades, your timeline, and your budget. You don’t hire a designer and then separately hire a contractor and hope they communicate. We are both.
The New Build Buyer: Right Address, Wrong Finishes
New construction condos in Scottsdale communities like Optima Camelview Village, One Scottsdale, and Kierland come with a level of finish that looks fine on a sales sheet. But when you’re spending at that level, fine isn’t what you had in mind.
Many times the builder tile selection feels generic, the lighting doesn’t reflect how you actually want to live. The fixtures are functional but not the quality you want in a space you’re proud to show and the outdoor terrace is a blank concrete slab that could be something extraordinary.
We work with new build buyers before they move in to upgrade the finishes that matter most. That might mean replacing the kitchen backsplash and countertops, swapping out every light fixture in the unit, adding wallpaper or architectural detail to the primary suite, and building out the terrace as a true outdoor living space. We sequence it strategically so the renovation is complete before the furniture arrives, and the whole project is managed with you fully informed but never overwhelmed. We have experience working in high-rise condominium complexes with strict HOA guidelines and challenging construction sequences that we know how to work through and get your project done.
Kayla D.
Our out-of-state condo clients say it best. Here is what one family had to say after we completed their fully furnished Scottsdale condominium, managed entirely remotely from start to finish. "We had such a wonderful experience working with Living with Lolo. Lauren and her team are a dream, professional, organized, efficient, and friendly. From the very first phone call with Lauren to the final reveal, Living with Lolo truly exceeded our expectations. They handled ALL of the details, which was a lifesaver since we live out of state. And the end result is beautiful, stunning. Thank you, Living with Lolo, for everything. We would use you again without hesitation."
What the Process Looks Like for Out-of-State Buyers
Whether you’re renovating a resale condo or upgrading a new build, the process is designed around the fact that you’re not in Scottsdale right now.
We start with a detailed design consultation, which can happen virtually. We review your floor plan, your priorities, your timeline, and your aesthetic direction. From there we build a full scope of work with selections presented clearly so you can make confident decisions without being in a showroom.
We manage every trade from the plumbers, electricians, tile setters, carpenters, painters. We have established relationships with trusted contractors throughout the Scottsdale area and we sequence the work so nothing is waiting on something else longer than it needs to be. We will even communicate with your HOA.
We keep you updated throughout with clear communication and visual progress so you always know where the project stands. No surprises, no chasing us down for information.
When construction wraps, our design team moves straight into furnishing. Same team, same vision, no handoff gap. The space goes from renovation complete to fully styled and move-in ready as one continuous process. You arrive in town and walk into your fully furnished new home.
The Dual License Advantage
Most interior designers will tell you they can manage a renovation. What they mean is they’ll hand you a design plan and refer you to a contractor, and then you’ll spend the next several months in the middle of two separate conversations hoping everyone is on the same page.
Living with Lolo holds both an interior design credential and an active Arizona ROC general contractor license. We don’t refer you out. We don’t coordinate from a distance. We design it and we build it, with full accountability for both.
For out-of-state buyers especially, this is not a small thing. It means one point of contact, one contract, one team that owns the outcome from the first design call to the day you walk in.
Buying at Waterfront, Portico, Optima Camelview, Kierland, or DC Ranch?
We know these buildings and we know Scottsdale. We understand the light, the desert landscape, the architectural context of each community, and the lifestyle these spaces are meant to support. Whether you’re in Old Town, Arcadia-adjacent, north Scottsdale, or the DC Ranch corridor, we bring that local knowledge to every design decision.
And we work with buyers at every stage. If you’re still under contract and want to start planning before you close, we can do that. If you closed three months ago and the condo is still sitting empty, we can do that too.
Kim G.
"We had a wonderful experience working with Living With Lolo. Since we were building our home from out of state, the process required a high level of trust, and it absolutely paid off. The team understood our style and created a vision that felt cohesive, elevated, and true to how we wanted our home to feel. What really stood out was their ability to execute that vision all the way through to the final details. When we walked into the completed space, it was truly a “wow” moment. Everything from the furnishings to the accessories felt thoughtfully curated and perfectly pulled together. They were also incredibly responsive and easy to work with throughout the entire process, which made a big difference given that we weren’t local during the project. We’re so happy with how our home turned out and would highly recommend Living With Lolo to anyone looking for a team that can bring a vision to life in a beautiful and seamless way."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you renovate my condo if I'm not in Scottsdale?
Yes, and this is one of our specialties. We manage the entire renovation process remotely for out-of-state clients. From virtual design presentations to trade coordination to final styling, you stay informed and in control without ever needing to be on site. Our clients have closed on condos from Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, and beyond and handed us the keys without ever being there for a single construction day.
What's the difference between hiring an interior designer and hiring Living with Lolo for a renovation?
Most interior designers will design your space and refer you to a separate contractor. You then manage the relationship between the two, which adds time, friction, and risk especially when you're not local. Living with Lolo holds both an interior design credential and an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors general contractor license. We design it and we build it under one roof, with one team accountable for both.
My condo is a new build. Do I really need to renovate before I furnish?
Not every new build needs a full renovation, but most benefit from targeted upgrades before furniture arrives. Common improvements we handle before furnishing include lighting replacements, tile and countertop upgrades, wallpaper and custom millwork in key spaces, and outdoor terrace buildouts. We help you prioritize based on what will have the most visual and functional impact for your budget.
How long does a condo renovation and furnishing project typically take?
Every project is different based on scope, but a focused condo renovation followed by full furnishing typically runs 12 to 20 weeks from kickoff to move-in ready. We build realistic timelines upfront and sequence the work strategically so you're not waiting longer than you need to be. If you have a target move-in date, tell us on your first call and we will design the schedule around it.
Thinking About a Project in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley?
If you are planning a whole-home remodel, new construction interior design, or full furnishing project and want to work with a team that is licensed for both the design and the build, we would love to talk.
Learn more about our services →
Living with Lolo is a licensed interior design and design-build firm serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and the greater Phoenix metro area. Arizona ROC License 347577.
Lauren Lerner is the founder of Living With Lolo, a nationally recognized Scottsdale interior designer and an Arizona licensed general contractor. She is celebrated for creating luxury homes that are warm, livable, and deeply personal, blending thoughtful design with seamless construction and curated furnishings. Recognized as one of Arizona’s top interior designers, Lauren has worked with celebrities, athletes, and executives across the country. Her work, known for its elevated yet inviting style, has been featured in multiple national publications. Guided by the belief that great design should feel as good as it looks, Lauren transforms houses into homes that truly reflect her clients’ lives.