Wabi Sabi Design · Scottsdale, AZ
Wabi Sabi Interior Design in Scottsdale, AZ
Award-winning design and licensed general contracting for Scottsdale's most discerning homeowners. One contract, one team, zero compromise.
Book a Discovery Call Complimentary · No obligation · We follow up within one business dayWabi Sabi Design
Where Imperfection Becomes Intentional Design
Wabi sabi is the Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. Applied to interior design, it creates spaces that feel deeply calm, intentional, and honest. Living with Lolo brings this philosophy to homes across Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the Phoenix area, interpreting it through the desert landscape that surrounds us: natural stone, weathered wood, earthy tones, and spaces that invite you to slow down.
We bring an award-winning design approach, named Best Interior Design by Phoenix Magazine three consecutive years (2024, 2025, and 2026), alongside a licensed Arizona General Contractor credential (ROC #347577). Whether your wabi sabi project involves cosmetic work, full-room renovations, or structural changes, we manage design and construction under one roof.
Who We Work With Here
Designed for the Wabi Sabi Client
Our wabi sabi clients are drawn to spaces that feel quiet, honest, and grounded. They are not looking for trend-driven design or spaces that perform for social media. They want their home to feel like a refuge: natural materials that age gracefully, a palette drawn from the earth and the desert, and a sense of calm that deepens over time rather than fading.
Many of our clients come to wabi sabi design after years of interiors that felt too precious, too finished, or too loud. They want something that feels real. We translate that instinct into specific material choices, spatial decisions, and a design process that is thoughtful rather than fast.
The Client Who Values This Approach
Our Work in This Area
Wabi Sabi Projects in Scottsdale & Paradise Valley
From whole-home renovations to full custom interior fit-outs on newly constructed estates, our portfolio across North Scottsdale's most prestigious communities reflects the level of craft and curation our clients expect. Every project is managed from concept through white-glove installation: design, procurement, construction, and styling under one roof.
Browse our full portfolio to see recent work, or book a discovery call to discuss what is possible for your home.
Our Differentiator
Interior Design + Licensed General Contractor, Under One Roof
Many homeowners pursuing wabi sabi design are undertaking significant structural renovations: not just decorating. New additions, reconfigured floor plans, kitchen expansions, wine cellars, home theaters, and resort-style outdoor living spaces that require a licensed contractor, not just a designer with a vision board.
Living with Lolo is the only full-service interior design firm in the area that is also a licensed Arizona General Contractor (ROC #347577). This means you sign one contract. You have one point of contact. Your designer and your contractor are the same entity: no communication gap, no finger-pointing, and no cost overruns from miscommunication between trades.
Design Only
Separate contractor required. Multiple contracts. Communication gap between designer and general contractor. No single accountability for timeline or budget.
Living with Lolo
Design and construction under one contract. One point of contact. Licensed GC ROC #347577. Full accountability from concept to completion.
What We Can Do That Others Cannot
Pull permits. Manage structural work. Hire and oversee licensed trades. Manage new construction interior fit-outs from the architectural drawing stage.
The Client Experience
You leave town. We manage everything. You return to a completely finished, fully furnished home: exactly as you imagined it, delivered on time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wabi Sabi Interior Design
What is wabi sabi interior design?
Wabi sabi is a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. Applied to interior design, it creates spaces that feel honest, grounded, and calm. Materials are natural and tactile, palettes draw from the earth, and spaces are edited rather than filled. Living with Lolo interprets this philosophy through the lens of the Sonoran Desert landscape, using local stone, weathered wood, handmade ceramics, and muted desert tones.
How much does wabi sabi interior design in Scottsdale cost?
Wabi sabi interior design projects in Scottsdale typically range from $50,000 for a single-room redesign to $300,000 or more for a whole-home transformation. Because wabi sabi design values quality over quantity, the investment is concentrated in a smaller number of exceptional pieces rather than a large volume of furnishings. Living with Lolo provides transparent pricing and a detailed scope of work before any project begins.
Does wabi sabi interior design work in a desert climate?
Yes, and often better than in other climates. The Sonoran Desert shares much of the same material vocabulary as wabi sabi: natural stone, bleached wood, muted earth tones, tactile textures, and spaces that breathe. Living with Lolo has developed a specific approach to wabi sabi design for the Scottsdale climate, selecting materials that age well in the desert heat and that connect interiors to the landscape outside.
What materials are used in wabi sabi interior design?
Common materials in wabi sabi design include natural stone (especially travertine, limestone, and soapstone), reclaimed or wire-brushed wood, linen and wool textiles, handmade ceramics, rattan, and unlacquered metals. Surfaces are matte rather than glossy, and patina is valued rather than avoided. Living with Lolo sources materials from artisan suppliers and prioritizes pieces with history, character, and longevity.
Can Living with Lolo handle structural work as part of a wabi sabi project?
Yes. Lauren Lerner holds an Arizona General Contractor license (ROC #347577), which means Living with Lolo can manage both the design and construction phases of your project under one roof. If your wabi sabi vision requires removing walls, renovating a bathroom or kitchen, adding a fireplace, or any other structural work, we manage it. One team, one timeline, one point of accountability.
What areas does Living with Lolo serve for wabi sabi interior design?
Living with Lolo serves clients in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, north Phoenix, and surrounding communities in the greater Phoenix area. We work with clients who are drawn to wabi sabi design regardless of neighborhood, from high-rise condos in Old Town Scottsdale to custom estates in Paradise Valley. Named Best Interior Design by Phoenix Magazine three consecutive years (2024, 2025, and 2026).
Let's Talk About Your Home
Your Your Wabi Sabi Space Deserves This
Every project begins with a conversation. Tell us about your home, your vision, and what you want to create. We will take it from there, completely.
Book a Discovery Call →Complimentary · No obligation · We will follow up within one business day
Lauren Lerner has designed and project-managed luxury interiors across Scottsdale and Paradise Valley since founding Living with Lolo in 2017. Scottsdale and Paradise Valley clients who pursue wabi sabi design are often looking for a firm that can manage both the design vision and any structural work required to realize it. ROC #347577.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes interior design in Scottsdale different from other Scottsdale neighborhoods?
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley have specific permit requirements and, in many neighborhoods, HOA or architectural review processes, and the large estate scale all require a designer with specific experience in this community. Projects at Scottsdale are typically $500,000 to $2M+ and demand a level of coordination between designer, GC, and the relevant review board that generalist firms are not prepared for.
How much does interior design cost in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale?
Interior design projects in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley range from $200,000 for focused renovations to over $2 million for full estate remodels. The scale of homes in these communities (typically 5,000 to 15,000+ square feet) and the expected finish quality at this price point drive investment levels significantly higher than typical Scottsdale residential work.
Do you work with HOA architectural guidelines in Scottsdale?
Yes. Living with Lolo has experience with the architectural review and approval processes in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and other HOA-governed communities in North Scottsdale. Our design process accounts for HOA requirements from the first concept presentation, which prevents costly design revisions later in the project.
What neighborhoods in North Scottsdale does Living with Lolo serve?
Living with Lolo serves clients in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Troon North, Troon Village, Desert Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, and surrounding North Scottsdale communities, as well as Paradise Valley and Arcadia.