This was a bedroom in a condo complex where RDSI was responsible for the interior design of model homes. The target market was first time buyers, young single executives, young married couples, and retired couples.

This home is located at the base of the Sandia Mountains. The objective was to combine contemporary southwest architecture with a rustic Tuscan style.

The interior of the home was designed to reflect the warmth and charm of the Tuscan style. The design included arched entryways into each room, stone fireplaces, straw textured walls and ceilings, travertine floors, granite and stone counters and decorative old world iron light fixtures, faucets and hardware. Custom cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms were sandblasted to capture the look and warmth of old distressed wood. Private courtyards were added off the breakfast room and master bedroom.

These clients bought a contemporary home that had been built in the 1970’s. They wanted to update the look yet keep the contemporary feel. They asked RDSI to design a new kitchen that would include unusual angles, seating for four and booth seating.

A sleek contemporary look was selected for the cabinets using beautiful riff cut wood with a grainy textured feel, granite counters, and bronze metal tiles for the backsplash. Porcelain tiles replaced the old floor, and contemporary lighting completed the look.

Over the years this couple has used us to transform their home into the rustic Tuscan look they love. Along the way, we have changed wall color, used faux painting, and added old world patterned travertine stone floor tiles. This assignment was to redesign their small kitchen without moving walls or destroying the surrounding areas.

As you can see by the before photos, the kitchen was small and outdated. (See Before/After). A challenge was to design a bar area for additional seating which had previously not been included in their kitchen design. To do this we removed a portion of the wall separating a small but cozy library/sitting room next to the kitchen, and added a raised bar counter with cabinets below and double sided glass doored cabinets above.

We used an old world distressed finish on the wood. The ceiling in the kitchen was raised to add height and to accommodate a small dropped marble light. Granite counters, old world faucet, hardware, and a hand painted mural on tumbled stone tiles over the oven completed the look. Two faux angels were painted over the kiva fireplace in the sitting room, and vines and flowers were painted in the bath.

This  project was designed  while Leslie was the New Mexico Chapter President of ISID. It was a backdrop for the Business Expo at the Albuquerque Convention Center.  

Natural southwestern latilla poles were used over a framework of rough textured wood posts and corbels.  Faux painted buffalo running across the straw textured walls gave the room a warm and inviting feel.  Custom designed southwest furniture included hand painted fabrics and leathers and southwest accessories.

This kitchen design was part of a larger addition to a home in Oceanside, California.  The clients wanted RDSI to assist them with creating a cozy master suite, office and great room as well as a kitchen that would not only be beautiful, but be comfortable and roomy enough to entertain their large extended family.

This project included the addition of an exercise room, and master bedroom and bath with an elegant office area off of the master suite. The objective was to create a space that was open to, but was not actually part of, the master suite. The office needed to include two desk areas (with views), a library area, and a hidden flat screen television (available for viewing in both rooms).

This client was the owner/developer of Elan Homes in Phoenix, Arizona. This project was to design and build his new home and office in New Mexico.

Mr. Lindeman and his family loved the southwest. We incorporated his love of horses and cowboy living in the design of the home, beginning with the custom carved entry doors painted in teal green.

Mr. Lindeman wanted to incorporate items that had belonged to his mother into the design. Many of these items were not Southwestern, but he wanted them to blend with that style. The photos show a few of these items integrated into this southwestern style.

Throughout are authentic western and Indian accents and original New Mexican art complimenting the lifestyle and tastes of the owner.

The goal of this project was to create a Ralph Lauren looking master suite.

Furniture, bedding and draperies were designed and personal accessories were added, to create the warm and inviting Ralph Lauren style.

This home is located across from the boardwalk in Oceanside, California. The clients wanted to update an old-world style, and capture a cleaner view of the ocean from the deck and main living area on the second floor. (See Before & After)

We opened up the view by removing the heavy balustrades and replacing them with glass panels. We added new windows, centered the doors to the deck, and added a continual awning across the top.

Interior changes included a kitchen remodel. A wall between a small bedroom and the existing living room/kitchen was opened up to create a Great Room.

This project was a small house built in the 1950’s. The clients wanted to create a more traditional cottage style without changing the main structure of the home. (See Before & After)

We achieved the cottage style by designing an extension to the existing roof and porch, selecting new posts and railings, and designing new entry steps. Corbels and an arbor were added over the new garage door, with potted vines flanking each side. The new cottage was landscaped with more traditional plants,brick walkways and stone walls.

This eclectic living room was created from plain walls, windows and flooring. The new interior design and furnishings centered around the original art screen placed behind the sofa. We changed the molding around the windows, added a new fireplace mantel and a new bookcase.

These clients wanted a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired craftsman kitchen to compliment their mission style home. To achieve this transition, we removed walls, incorporated a small sun porch and laundry area into the kitchen, and made room for seating and family style cooking.

An original craftsman tile design accents the new cherry cabinets and granite counters. We added a built-in table, butler’s pantry and a new laundry room. The subway pattern flooring pulled the look together. The clients loved their new kitchen.

This beautiful Del Mar, California project is a second home for a couple wanting to escape the heat in their primary residence in Arizona.

We updated the kitchen and laundry rooms, create a new bar with seating and wine storage, and co-ordinated new living room architecture into this contemporary design.

This was a New Mexico Parade of Homes entry. We selected all the construction finish’s and furnished the home with custom southwest furniture, original art and accessories. Leslie faux painted the dining room wall to add warmth and a touch of color.

The home won the grand prize “Home of Enchantment” award from Su Casa Magazine.

The developer selected RDSI to combine a Tuscan style with the mountain timber style of the Aspen/Snowmass area. We worked with the architect to create design elements that softened the timber look, and added a high country Tuscan feel.

We designed all of the interior specialty areas including the floor plans, fireplaces, and details for the living room, dining room, kitchen, bar, butlers pantry, family room theater, laundry areas, and bathrooms. This included dry wall designs, cabinet design, equipment selections, construction finishes, stone, faucets, fixtures, hardware, lighting, tile selection and designs, and selection of the rails on the stairwell and exterior balcony.

The first home was sold three months before construction was completed, off of our designs, and sketch book drawings. These homes included ski in ski out features, formal living and dining rooms, study, family/game room with theater viewing, full bar areas, wine cellars. Kitchens all adjacent to a butler pantry, some with fireplace, all with five bedrooms with bath, two of which were master suites. Each bedroom included fireplaces and television/video cabinet above.

The goal of this project was to paint a realistic stone surround around the existing stain glass windows in this church.  The challenge was that these windows were 17 feet from the ground floor.  It was an adventure to say the least! Click here for other faux painting projects.