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Pro Spotlight: 3 Tips for a Home Design That’s Right for You
A San Diego interior designer shares advice on ways to ensure your space reflects who you are and how you live
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Who: Karl Utzman of Design Studio West
Where: San Diego
In his own words: “It’s very rewarding to create spaces that transform how clients live and how they relate to their friends and family.”
Karl Utzman and his team at Design Studio West want your remodeling experience to be fun, not overwhelming. “Sure, there are a lot of decisions to be made and a lot of working parts to be completed,” the designer and partner in Design Studio West in San Diego says. But the right design professionals can help you navigate all of those decisions, he says, as well as the steps to create a home that’s functional and a reflection of your unique life and style. “At Design Studio West we are fortunate to have the designers, project managers, and installation team that can make all that happen.”
Where: San Diego
In his own words: “It’s very rewarding to create spaces that transform how clients live and how they relate to their friends and family.”
Karl Utzman and his team at Design Studio West want your remodeling experience to be fun, not overwhelming. “Sure, there are a lot of decisions to be made and a lot of working parts to be completed,” the designer and partner in Design Studio West in San Diego says. But the right design professionals can help you navigate all of those decisions, he says, as well as the steps to create a home that’s functional and a reflection of your unique life and style. “At Design Studio West we are fortunate to have the designers, project managers, and installation team that can make all that happen.”
Design decision. Utzman first discovered the concept of home design when he spent time with his grandfather watching the land his grandfather had sold go from bare ground to finished home. His interest was reawakened after college when he was involved in building a new restaurant. That eventually led Utzman to move from Washington, D.C., to study at the Design Institute of San Diego in 2000. “I completed my degree in 2005 and have never looked back,” he says.
An ever-changing landscape. Utzman says one of the most gratifying parts of his job is that each home and project has its own unique style and challenges. “The clients have different life experiences that shape how they view their environment and how they live their lives,” he says. Utzman and his team at Design Studio West use those experiences as the driving force for every design. “Our job is to see the big picture and pull it all together,” he says.
Looking for ways to personalize your own space? Utzman offers some tips below.
Looking for ways to personalize your own space? Utzman offers some tips below.
1. Plan for Now and the Future
Create a space that meets both your current needs and future plans. “Don’t just consider how you live in it now, but be forward-thinking,” Utzman says.
Design Studio West’s remodel of the expansive primary bathroom in this Poway home gave the homeowners a beautiful and serene space with functional features that will stand the test of time. A new freestanding stone soaking tub has a view of the backyard they can enjoy for years to come. The barrier-free steam shower is a welcome spa-like feature they can enjoy now and if they decide to age in place. A sitting area with a nearby coffee maker and undercounter refrigerator was also added to create another spot for the homeowners to relax. A final touch is the island, which helps define the sitting area and also becomes a handy countertop for packing. “Our team hit everything on the owners’ wish list,” Utzman says.
See more of this project
Create a space that meets both your current needs and future plans. “Don’t just consider how you live in it now, but be forward-thinking,” Utzman says.
Design Studio West’s remodel of the expansive primary bathroom in this Poway home gave the homeowners a beautiful and serene space with functional features that will stand the test of time. A new freestanding stone soaking tub has a view of the backyard they can enjoy for years to come. The barrier-free steam shower is a welcome spa-like feature they can enjoy now and if they decide to age in place. A sitting area with a nearby coffee maker and undercounter refrigerator was also added to create another spot for the homeowners to relax. A final touch is the island, which helps define the sitting area and also becomes a handy countertop for packing. “Our team hit everything on the owners’ wish list,” Utzman says.
See more of this project
2. Talk to the Pros
Turn to a design professional for advice on the latest materials and products. “You may only remodel once in your lifetime, while designers are up to date on what’s available and how well it functions,” Utzman says.
The wood countertop extension with waterfall finish adds architectural interest and definition to this remodeled kitchen in Rancho Peñasquitos. “The owners hadn’t considered wood for countertops, but our designer introduced them to a natural wood option that had been treated with a long-lasting sealer that prevents stains and water rings,” Utzman says. The bar-like counter is now a gathering spot where family and friends can chat with the cooks without overwhelming the relatively small kitchen.
See more of this project
Turn to a design professional for advice on the latest materials and products. “You may only remodel once in your lifetime, while designers are up to date on what’s available and how well it functions,” Utzman says.
The wood countertop extension with waterfall finish adds architectural interest and definition to this remodeled kitchen in Rancho Peñasquitos. “The owners hadn’t considered wood for countertops, but our designer introduced them to a natural wood option that had been treated with a long-lasting sealer that prevents stains and water rings,” Utzman says. The bar-like counter is now a gathering spot where family and friends can chat with the cooks without overwhelming the relatively small kitchen.
See more of this project
3. Be True to Yourself
Choose what makes you happy and comfortable. “At the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary and should reflect your own personal style and feeling,” Utzman says.
When remodeling their 1980s tract home in Carlsbad, these homeowners ignored the latest trends to create the Spanish Revival paradise they had always dreamed of. “The fresh, bright blue color on the cabinets was a custom selection specifically chosen by the homeowner,” Utzman says. Our designer helped the couple find the perfect materials for the rest of the space, from the flooring and tile backsplash to the lighting and window treatments. “It’s now a cohesive, balanced space that the homeowners love,” Utzman says.
See more of this project
More: For more information and examples of Design Studio West’s work, visit their Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Choose what makes you happy and comfortable. “At the end of the day, your home is your sanctuary and should reflect your own personal style and feeling,” Utzman says.
When remodeling their 1980s tract home in Carlsbad, these homeowners ignored the latest trends to create the Spanish Revival paradise they had always dreamed of. “The fresh, bright blue color on the cabinets was a custom selection specifically chosen by the homeowner,” Utzman says. Our designer helped the couple find the perfect materials for the rest of the space, from the flooring and tile backsplash to the lighting and window treatments. “It’s now a cohesive, balanced space that the homeowners love,” Utzman says.
See more of this project
More: For more information and examples of Design Studio West’s work, visit their Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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Our family had an incredible experience working with the team at Design Studio West. We had quite a large scale project. Completely remodeling our kitchen, adding custom cabinetry and a fireplace. Re...More
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