Victory Retreat
Phoenix Arizona Oasis
Full-Home Furnishings by Living with Lolo
PHOENIX, ARIZONA | FULL-SERVICE DESIGN
PROJECT OVERVIEW
- Scope: Great Room, Kitchen, Dining, Primary Bedroom, Primary Bathroom
- Lead Designer: Lauren Lerner, Sara Morgan and Megan Edmundo
- General Contractor & Construction Management: Living with Lolo
- Photography: Life Created
- 2,236 sq ft home | New Construction | Full-Service Interior Design and Furnishing
- Client Location: Canada | Project Location: Phoenix Metro, Arizona
Construction was led by our in-house general contracting team, ensuring seamless coordination between trades and design intent.
Key Materials
- Chandelier by Visual Comfort: Griffin Grande Linear Chandelier– Lending a touch of sophistication to ceilings and walls alike, the clean designs feature curved lines and unique accents like leather wrapping and chains that add textural details to any room
- Furniture by Bernhart:Luca Entertainment Credenza is designed with clean lines, ornate patterns and metallic accents, representing classic Art Deco styling
- Living space rugs by Jaipur:Mihail rug is beautifully soft, it’s also unbelievably strong, woven to last for generations with easy care and long wear, perfect for high-traffic homes, kids, and pets.
- Mirrors by Uttermost: Tordera Arch Mirror Crafted with a sleek iron frame and a satin black finish that surrounds a floating polished edge mirror perfect to complete a bathroom
Client Testimonial
“We connected with Lauren to help with our new vacation home in the Phoenix area. We live in Canada, and the thought of trying to decorate and furnish our home from such a distance was just overwhelming. Lauren and her team worked with us via email and video conferencing. They listened very carefully, came up with a design that reflected our taste and budget. They have very professional systems in place that made the process seamless. They implemented and installed everything. The day we arrived, the house was ready to enjoy. We absolutely love it. The house looks amazing. Attention to detail on all levels. I’d highly recommend Living with Lolo. Amazing design and highly professional.”
Melanie S. | Canada
The Project Details
Project: Victory Retreat
Type: Furnishings
Location: Metro Phoenix, Arizona
See other projects we have done in Phoenix.
DESIGN GOALS
During our design process we established that our design goals for Victory Retreat focused on creating a sophisticated Arizona retreat that feels deeply personal, effortlessly livable, and timelessly beautiful. The clients came to us with a clear sense of who they are, wellness-focused, globally traveled, and drawn to spaces that feel calm and curated without being overdone. Every decision was grounded in creating a home that functions as both a private sanctuary and a welcoming environment for intimate entertaining, always asking: will they still love this in ten years?
Warm Minimalism with Staying Power: Build a design rooted in warm neutrals, natural wood tones, and organic textures that transcend trends and improve with time.
Spa-Inspired Living: Create spaces, particularly in the primary bath and great room, that deliver a resort-quality sense of calm and restoration.
Seamless Remote Collaboration: Develop a communication and procurement process that allows an international client to feel informed, confident, and connected throughout every stage.
Early Builder Integration: Partner with the builder early in the design center phase to guide hard finish selections, ensuring a cohesive foundation for all furnishing decisions.
Functional Beauty: Select furnishings that support how the clients truly live, from low-profile seating that enhances social connection to a kitchen designed for cooking and a dining space that comfortably transitions from everyday use to hosting.
Effortless Execution: Manage the details behind the scenes so the final result feels intentional, personal, and never overdone.
This approach reflects our understanding of Arizona second-home living and the level of trust required from out-of-state and international clients, resulting in a home that feels timeless, functional, and deeply connected to its setting.
DESIGN CHALLENGES
The primary focus was executing a fully furnished home for an international client while maintaining a cohesive, elevated design vision and a seamless installation experience. With the clients based in Newfoundland, Canada and unable to be onsite, every detail required a higher level of communication, trust, and precision to ensure the home was complete and ready upon arrival.
Remote Client Coordination: Manage the full design and installation process for clients living internationally, building a structured communication system with consistent updates, detailed documentation, and clear visibility into every decision so they felt confident and connected throughout.
Supply Chain and Backorder Management: Navigate delays on key furniture and lighting pieces by identifying issues early, sourcing in-stock alternatives, and presenting curated substitutions that maintained the integrity of the original design while keeping the project on schedule.
Elevated Yet Livable Design: Deliver a home that feels calm, refined, and highly functional, supporting both everyday living and intimate entertaining.
Cohesive Vision Across Spaces: Ensure every room reflects the same level of intention and detail, creating a seamless and unified experience throughout the home.
Creative Agility: Use the clients’ trust to make thoughtful, efficient decisions when timing required quick action, without sacrificing the overall vision.
Strategic Project Management: Coordinate procurement, timelines, and installation with precision, ensuring the home was fully completed and move-in ready despite distance and logistical challenges.
This approach highlights the importance of strong systems, proactive communication, and decisive execution, especially when managing projects for out-of-state or international clients. Despite distance and unexpected challenges, the project stayed on track and true to the original vision, allowing the home to come together efficiently and intentionally while balancing design integrity, clear communication, and a well-executed timeline aligned with the level of detail seen across our portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to hire an interior designer for a new construction home in Arizona?
New construction interior design fees in Arizona typically range depending on the scope of the project, the number of spaces being designed, and whether furnishing and installation are included. At Living with Lolo, our full-service new construction interior design packages are tailored to each project. We work with clients across the Phoenix metro, including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and surrounding communities, on projects ranging from single-room furnishing to complete whole-home design. We recommend booking a consultation to discuss your specific scope and investment level.
Can I hire an interior designer for my Arizona vacation home if I live out of state or out of the country?
Absolutely, and it is something Living with Lolo does exceptionally well. Victory Retreat is a strong example of our ability to manage a full-service design and furnishing project for an international client who was never physically present during the process. We use professional project management systems, weekly client updates, and video conferencing to keep remote clients fully informed and confident at every stage. When you arrive at your home for the first time, it is ready to enjoy.
What is the process for designing a second home or vacation home in Phoenix or Scottsdale?
The process begins with a discovery consultation where we learn how you live, what you value, and how you want the space to feel. From there we develop a full design concept, present furnishing selections, manage procurement, and coordinate installation. For new construction projects, we recommend bringing us in early enough to attend the builder's design center meeting so we can guide hard finish selections before construction wraps. This early involvement creates a cohesive foundation that makes every subsequent decision easier and more intentional.
What makes Living with Lolo different from other interior design firms in Scottsdale?
Living with Lolo holds both an interior design credential and an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) general contractor license, which means we can manage the full scope of a project, from design concept through licensed construction, under one roof. This dual capability is rare in the Scottsdale market and gives our clients a seamless, accountable experience that most design firms simply cannot offer. We also bring professional procurement systems, a trusted vendor network, and a remote-client capability that allows us to serve homeowners across the country and internationally.