--- title: "open mode — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/open-mode-pfvwus-pf~279926275 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~279926275.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "open mode" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/0443a37e0a70ed9a_0379-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "santa monica, California 90401, United States" phone: "(646) 240-9149" website: http://www.open-mode.com rating: 5 review_count: 7 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 17 last_updated: 2026-08-14 --- # open mode Original Houzz profile: [open mode](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/open-mode-pfvwus-pf~279926275) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** santa monica, CA - **Serves:** Los Angeles, Bel Air, Brentwood Los Angeles, Hollywood, Venice, Van Nuys, Inglewood, Universal City, Santa Monica, Hawthorne, North Hollywood, Woodland Hills, Encino, Gardena, Sherman Oaks, Culver City, Studio City, Tarzana, West Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Lawndale, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, El Segundo, View Park-Windsor Hills, Del Aire, Marina del Rey, Topanga, Alondra Park, Playa Vista, Hidden Hills, Playa del Rey, Toluca Lake - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2019–2024), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Offers Custom Work - 6 years in business Focusing on residential and commercial projects, Open Mode was founded in 2015 on the principle that collaboration and communication are the basis of every design. Every project's success relies upon a strong partnership between the project team and client. Open communication, open flow of ideas, and open concepts are what we strive toward with each client and project. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Multigenerational Homes - Drafting - Project Management - Handicap-Accessible Design - Barn Design & Construction - Attic Conversion - Tiny House Construction - Staircase Design - Site Planning ### Areas Served - Los Angeles - Bel Air - Brentwood Los Angeles - Hollywood - Venice - Van Nuys - Inglewood - Universal City - Santa Monica - Hawthorne - North Hollywood - Woodland Hills - Encino - Gardena - Sherman Oaks - Culver City - Studio City - Tarzana - West Hollywood - Manhattan Beach - Beverly Hills - Lawndale - Calabasas - Pacific Palisades - El Segundo - View Park-Windsor Hills - Del Aire - Marina del Rey - Topanga - Alondra Park - Playa Vista - Hidden Hills - Playa del Rey - Toluca Lake ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | open mode | | Address | santa monica, California 90401, United States | | Phone | (646) 240-9149 | | Website | http://www.open-mode.com | | License Number | C-39716 | | Followers on Houzz | 17 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/openmodeDESIGN/ - Blog — www.open-mode.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [open mode](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/open-mode-pfvwus-pf~279926275) - **Website:** http://www.open-mode.com - **Phone:** (646) 240-9149 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2019–2024), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [AIA Los Angeles](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-los-angeles-pfvwus-pf~1829789113) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [AIA New York State](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-new-york-state-pfvwus-pf~345574433) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 7 reviews **★★★★★ — Ann Daniels, Feb. 2023** > Each day, I woke up feeling loved and safe in the house Sarah designed for us at Atwater Village in Glendale. I have had so many compliments from family, friends, guests and neighbors passed by the house. Sarah's services is with trust and timely without a doubt. You can rely on Sarah's expertise as she will be holding your hands throughout the projects. > > Ann Daniels > Glendale, CA **★★★★★ — Monica Haley, Sept. 2022** > We hired Sarah and Open Mode to help us renovate our house to almost double our square footage. Sarah took our vision and designed a new floor plan that perfectly fits the needs of our growing family. In our expansion, she incorporated the original house seamlessly and also created a new exterior that is modern, updated, and a house that we love. She has excellent style, taste, and attention to detail. She went above and beyond to make herself available during all phases of the project. She is fair and honest and her billing practice was clear. She is a delight to work with and made the process easy and enjoyable! We highly recommend Open Mode and would hire Sarah again in a second! **★★★★★ — Josh Melnick, Aug. 2018** > I cannot recommend Sarah and Open Mode enough. Quite simply, Sarah went the extra mile with every little detail of our project. She has great taste, a great eye, and the ability to truly collaborate. She's able to design with budget in mind, and every choice is well thought out and considered. Her mastery of 3d renderings allowed us to see ideas quickly and with no drama (or extra costs). And she handled all aspects of the project, including interfacing with us, contractors, permit offices, and so on. There was never any drama or unexpected costs. We grew to love Sarah as a designer and a person, and so did our kids! Having her around and involved in our home redesign was such a pleasure, I can't state it enough. She has a passion for her work and dedication to her clients, and we really felt looked after in every way. **★★★★★ — Rick Thompson, Aug. 2018** > Open Mode helped us with a full home redesign, with our kitchen being the initial core of the project. We loved their work so much that it expanded throughout the house. They are great to work with and excellent at what they do. We're looking forward to working with them again on future projects. **★★★★★ — Ellen Turner, Aug. 2018** > Working with Sarah LeClerc of Open Mode made our home remodeling dreams come true. We loved her style from the beginning, but it was how she was able to help us realize the look we had been kicking around in our heads for so long that really impressed me. Sarah helped us with two complex projects -- a major bathroom renovation and a structurally-critical beam replacement in our open concept living/dining/kitchen. The bathroom designs she created for us were so beautiful it was hard to choose! She also worked with us to adapt the plans and find the right balance of "needs" vs. "wants" that helped meet our budget with our contractor. The beam replacement project may sound simple -- but it was Sarah's insights that helped us turn a structural issue into a chance to make our open, airy space even more beautiful. She worked closely with us and our contractors throughout the process, was always available for questions and helped expedite all of the areas of the projects. I would recommend her highly to anyone, and I plan to hire her again as soon as possible! **★★★★★ — Christian Owens, July 2018** > Sarah helped us remodel a kitchen and reconfigure just about everything. Her design skills and ability to navigate space is amazing. Her contacts are great, and she is so fun and easy to work with- a true pleasure! **★★★★★ — Marlen Farley, July 2018** > We hired Open Mode and worked with Sarah Le Clerc, who was amazing. She helped us remodel our house which included new layout, new window plan and roof. Sarah was super professional and contributed a ton of value by working out the new layout of the house, specifically the kitchen and bathroom, drawing detailed plans so we could visualize the concept and also submitting everything to get permits turned around quickly. I also asked Sarah a million design and finishing questions and her opinion helped us so much to make the right decisions. Project costs were very fair and she was transparent with her estimate. If I ever need an architect again, I would only want to work with Sarah. ## Selected projects - [HILLCREST](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillcrest-pj-vj~6765215) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 3 - Description: Contemporary Spanish style addition + renovation in Los Angeles. - [BIENVENEDA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bienveneda-pj-vj~6555172) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Contemporary kitchen renovation in a single story style ranch home in Los Angeles. - [CLOVERDALE](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cloverdale-pj-vj~6125448) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 6 - [SJW](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sjw-pj-vj~5612143) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: This two story 1975 private residence on the boundary of Topanga and Woodland Hills needed some severe updating. We enclosed a front and rear patio to provide additional interior usable space. With the rear addition we were able to enlarge the kitchen and dining area while opening it up to the rear deck area with custom foldable iron framed doors. Given the low ceiling we installed a new king-truss to open up the ceiling and install new skylights for a beautiful high space. New cement board sidi… - [CANTON](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/canton-pj-vj~5623254) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [TUNA WRITING STUDIO](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tuna-writing-studio-pj-vj~2911637) - Location: Topanga, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: This 10’ x 12’ structure was commissioned as a library/writing studio for a director. The site is nestled on the ocean side of Topanga with large windows framing the views of the mountains beyond. The studio references the vernacular with its exterior redwood vertical siding wrapping a covered porch and deck. Slowly, over time the redwood will weather to a gray, blending in with the beautiful surrounding landscapes. - [CLELAND](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cleland-pj-vj~4133207) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: The client’s goal for this 1963 ranch style house was to update the original kitchen and open it up to the adjacent dining, living room and beautiful brick fireplace. We removed the wall separating the kitchen and replaced it with a peninsula for casual eating. Custom shaker cabinets were installed with a subtle light green tone to warm up the space while the white countertop leaves it feeling light and clean. The open white oak shelving provides a focal point on the exterior wall. - [QUAIL](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/quail-pj-vj~2944041) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Looking for a house in the Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles, two New Yorkers found the perfect tri-level with views of the surrounding hills. With this purchase they wanted to update the home. Open Mode focused on the main entertaining level of the home reconfiguring the kitchen to provide an easier flow of the space around a central island. We used simple tones to compliment the new modified cement floor and handmade wall tile for warmth. - [DEAN](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dean-pj-vj~2911401) - Location: Brooklyn, NY - Photos: 2 - Description: Open Mode used the renovation of an apartment in Brooklyn, NY as a case study in small-space-functionality. We focused on the kitchen as the heart of the space, maximizing storage and incorporating a seating area adjacent to the original fireplace. From compact appliances, “hidden” cabinets and a full height panty we made sure that every last inch was utilized. - [CRESCENT](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/crescent-pj-vj~2911383) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: Built in 1905, this Hipped Roof Cottage was originally a maze of small rooms and un-permitted work that fought the original character of the house. Open Mode provided proof to the Historic Overlay District of what the house once was so that we were able to regain some of the exterior qualities, such as front door location and style along with porch access. The client’s wish was to open up the interior and have a kitchen that functioned between the private living spaces in the rear, bedrooms and… - [SANTA ROSA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-rosa-pj-vj~6048701) - Location: Pasadena, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: A rear addition to an existing home in beautiful Pasadena allowed for a larger dining room, kitchen and living area. We opened up the interiors with large La-Cantina doors to the back yard. A soft natural toned palette was implemented for all of the living spaces allowing for our clients amazing mid-century furniture to settle in nicely. - [PALMS](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palms-pj-vj~7336412) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Front and rear addition to an existing single family home in the Palms area of LA. - [87TH](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/87th-pj-vj~7336416) - Location: Los Angeles, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: Interior remodel to an existing home in Westchester. [See all 13 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/open-mode-pfvwus-pf~279926275) ## Community Q&A **Q: Love the backsplash. What size is the tile?** *(in Photo Questions)* Size of herringbone tile A: Yes, the tile is 2x6. Good luck! **Q: Beautiful work!** *(in Photo Questions)* I love your aesthetic. Can you tell me how many sq. ft. the addition added? Thank you. A: Of course, and good luck!! **Q: I like the floor, please, what is it?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It's a white oak engineered floor. Hope this helps and good luck! **Q: Island and post** *(in Photo Questions)* Really like how you integrated the post with the soffits. Does the island continue past the load wall/post? What is the dimension of that wall? Thank you! A: Thank you! Yes, the counter does continue to the end of the mechanical chase. See the photo below for a view from the other angle. Hope this helps! **Q: Counters, Pulls, Backsplash** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi, Can you tell me the counter material, pull brand and backsplash tile? Love the kitchen. A: It's around 10 feet from the post to the end of the counter. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-14.*