--- title: "Craycroft Design — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/craycroft-design-pfvwus-pf~310600858 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~310600858.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Craycroft Design" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ea033f4b0ff5be12_1689-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "455 Happy Valley Way, Santa Cruz, California 95065, United States" latitude: 37.0089 longitude: -121.9849 phone: "(831) 427-3048" website: http://www.craycroftdesign.com rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 129 last_updated: 2026-09-17 --- # Craycroft Design Original Houzz profile: [Craycroft Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/craycroft-design-pfvwus-pf~310600858) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Santa Cruz, CA - **Serves:** Santa Cruz, Los Gatos, Monterey - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves We design new homes, additions & renovations, providing innovative solutions for designs that harmonize with the site and each client's unique taste and lifestyle. Established in 1985 and located in the Santa Cruz Mountains we serve the Monterey and San Francisco Bay areas and beyond. ### Services Provided - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Historic Building Conservation - Barn Design & Construction - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - Santa Cruz - Los Gatos - Monterey ### Typical Job Cost $10,000 - 30,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Craycroft Design | | Address | 455 Happy Valley Way, Santa Cruz, California 95065, United States | | Phone | (831) 427-3048 | | Website | http://www.craycroftdesign.com | | License Number | 468-608 | | Followers on Houzz | 129 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/CraycroftDesign - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=30859860&trk=nav\_responsive\_tab\_profile\_pic - Blog — http://santacruzconstructionguild.us/craycroft-design/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Craycroft Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/craycroft-design-pfvwus-pf~310600858) - **Website:** http://www.craycroftdesign.com - **Phone:** (831) 427-3048 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certified Professional Building Designer (CPBD) \#05-636California Contractor \#468-608Awards:1st Place: 2013 American Residential Design Awards: Renovation 1st Place: 2012 AIBD CaliforniaDesign Awards, Custom Home1st Place 2010 American Residential Design Awards: Renovation - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2014–2015), for Service. **Affiliations** - [AIBD - American Institute of Building Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aibd-american-institute-of-building-design-pfvwus-pf~1544540709) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — MG Custom Builders, May 2017** > As a General contractor with 20 years of building experience I can tell you that choosing the right design professional is paramount in creating a successful project. I can say without hesitation that John and Zach Craycroft are great to work with. We hired them to design our first spec house last year and were really happy with the ease of the design process and the outcome of the build. Both John and Zach are such easy going guys and have always been a pleasure to work with. I have a project coming up with Craycroft Design and I'm looking forward to it, and hopefully many more in the future. **★★★★★ — dkono, Dec. 2014** > We recently employed Craycroft Design to help us with an addition to our home in El Dorado Hills, and we could not be happier with the result. Zachary drove 3 hours to meet with us, listened to our many needs for the addition which included multiple rooms and a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony room, then crafted a plan that blended into the existing house perfectly. Throughout the design process and the subsequent build we were in constant communication via phone and email making changes until we were satisfied. Thank you Craycroft Design! **★★★★★ — mhauze16, Dec. 2014** > John and Zach do an all around fantastic job. Aside from being incredibly knowledgeable and creative, they are very easy to work with, which is one of the most important (if not the most important) attribute a professional can have in the building industry. They are responsive, respectful, flexible, efficient, and have a great work ethic. They recently designed a new residence for us and made the process easy and pleasurable, while working within our tight budget and timeline. We would highly recommend Craycroft Design for any drafting/design needs! **★★★★★ — Nancy Van Natta Associates, Dec. 2014** > We've just used Craycroft Design to complete work on a house we are building. John Craycroft has a great ability to envision details and understand how they can be built. We've depended on him to figure out some difficult problem areas and he has done a great job. He has a great understanding of every aspect of residential design and we could not recommend him and his group more highly. **★★★★★ — sxt9, Nov. 2014** > Craycroft Design came highly recommended to us and they certainly lived up to their reputation. John took our initial design concept for a new home and transformed it into a design product that is thoughtful and cohesive from the top down. He adeptly incorporated our needs and wants and made excellent suggestions that will make this home a very special place for our family. He also assisted us in navigating the permitting and contractor selection processes, which we found extremely helpful and worth every penny. Designing a new home can be daunting but John and Craycroft Design take a very fluid approach that make it almost easy to oversee the details and significant thought and consideration that go into their work. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Craycroft Design to anyone else. **Comment from Craycroft Design:** > Thank you very much, it has been a pleasure working with you! **★★★★★ — Jenny Marini, Jan. 2014** > John and Zach designed our perfect home. I feel like we were a team not just a client. They listened to our needs and wants and found imaginative and often creative ways to incorporate them into reality. They were accessible and accommodating. They made our home building experience a remarkable one and we enjoy the finished project every day. **★★★★★ — ahdelaney, Dec. 2013** > John & Zach designed the renovation / restoration of our 1888 Victorian in Santa Cruz and we couldn’t be happier with the result. Specifically, they updated the floor plans to be more suitable for modern living while keeping true to the Victorian spirit. They also created the exterior elevations, with a small addition, a few new windows and porches all of which are indistinguishable from the original building. Working with them was a breeze and things went as smoothly as could be hoped for with such a project. They charged for their time fairly and their estimate of architectural fees (which go on through construction) was quite accurate. We highly recommend Craycroft Design! **★★★★★ — bendettling, Nov. 2013** > I am a Custom Building Contractor that has used and referred Craycroft Design on various projects involving creative design. They have been very helpful in dealing with planning departments and engineers. Their problem solving has always been a positive and impressive experience. We have worked well together on projects spanning many years on my own projects and those of clients. **★★★★★ — reimansl, Nov. 2013** > Craycroft Design designed our new home, selected our contractor and managed the construction project. It was a very good experience and we would do it again. Our house is exactly what we wanted. ## Selected projects - [Farm House Restoration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farm-house-restoration-pj-vj~5916349) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Beach House Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-house-makeover-pj-vj~3636643) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 10 - Description: 2018 ARDA--American Residential Design Awards Winner: The Pleasure Point renovation project completed in 2017 with Casa Cruz Design and John Winterburn Construction - [Drawings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/drawings-pj-vj~840201) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Beach House 4810](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-house-4810-pj-vj~4337644) - Location: Capitola, CA - Photos: 8 - [Rio Del Mar](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rio-del-mar-pj-vj~1228804) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Santa Cruz Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-cruz-modern-pj-vj~400303) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 15 - Description: This modern home in Santa Cruz, features a courtyard between the home and garage. The living areas are on the second floor where the combination of flat and raised curved ceilings create subtle separations in this exciting and comfortable space. - [Santa Cruz Mountain Ranch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-cruz-mountain-ranch-pj-vj~136111) - Location: Bonny Doon, Santa Cruz County, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: Mountain Ranch Home, contemporary layout with elements drawn from traditional local vernacular, and rustic features:, wrap around porch, exposed pine lumber and furniture milled from Ponderosa Pine trees on site. - [Kitchen & Dining Makeover](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kitchen-and-dining-makeover-pj-vj~767241) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: Complete renovation of a Seascape kitchen and dining room with added balconies and spiral staircase. - [Contemporary California Spanish](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-california-spanish-pj-vj~284077) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 30 - Description: This contemporary Spanish styled home features local historic vernacular patterns from California Mission and Monterey architecture with plaster and tile exterior in warm tones, and an open floor plan with ample natural lighting and folding window walls opening to the outdoor porches and landscape. - [Santa Cruz Historic Restoration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-cruz-historic-restoration-pj-vj~290561) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: Restoration of the "Williams House" in Downtown Santa Cruz, California, a Victorian home of the Stick-Eastlake style built in 1888 for Daniel Williams and designed by John Williams - according to "The Sidewalk Companion to Santa Cruz Architecture" - [Beach House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-house-renovation-pj-vj~353970) - Location: Watsonville, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: Renovation, remodeling, and updating to a 1970's split level beach house. - [Soquel Historic Restoration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/soquel-historic-restoration-pj-vj~362246) - Location: Soquel, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: The Benjamin Parrish House built about 1883, Soquel CA http://www.craycroftdesign.com/Parrish\_House\_Article.html - [Santa Cruz Town and Country](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-cruz-town-and-country-pj-vj~312769) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: This home takes advantage of the best of town and country. The front faces a civilized neighborhood cul de sac, but the lot plunges dramatically in the rear with windows and decks opening to a wild forested canyon with mountain views in the distance. With the building site very tight and odd shaped, the house is nestled in the oak trees to the north at the edge of the slope. The interior opens readily on to decks off the kitchen and a sunken courtyard patio kids play area from the family room on… - [Manresa Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manresa-beach-house-pj-vj~284126) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Beach Houses](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-houses-pj-vj~282173) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 18 - Description: Santa Cruz Beach Houses - [Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/furniture-pj-vj~136113) - Location: Santa Cruz Mountains, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: Rustic Pine Furniture with lumber from Ponderosa Pine Trees milled on site. - [Craftsman Contemporary in the sun.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-contemporary-in-the-sun-pj-vj~1933512) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 62 - [Contemporary Mid Century](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-mid-century-pj-vj~1930611) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [West Cliff](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/west-cliff-pj-vj~6937010) - Location: Santa Cruz, CA - Photos: 12 [See all 19 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/craycroft-design-pfvwus-pf~310600858) ## Ideabooks - [Farmhouse Details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/127881142/list/farmhouse-details) — 1 idea - [Modern](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/119814217/list/modern) — 2 ideas - [Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/113128919/list/beach-house) — 3 ideas - [Small Spaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/117428724/list/small-spaces) — 1 idea - [Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/51871166/list/ideas) — 14 ideas - [Technical](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/111261717/list/technical) — 3 ideas - [Sweet Spot](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70389433/list/sweet-spot) — 4 ideas - [506](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59116504/list/506) — 3 ideas - [Furniture](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27550740/list/furniture) — 7 ideas - [Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29662704/list/kitchen) — 6 ideas - [Details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23252682/list/details) — 17 ideas - [Sheds and Outbuildings](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25785878/list/sheds-and-outbuildings) — 1 idea - [Local Lumber enriches Mountain Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21590095/list/local-lumber-enriches-mountain-home) — 12 ideas [See all 13 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/craycroftdesign) ## Community Q&A **Q: How to improve this exterior?** *(in Design Dilemma)* Hi all, I'm new to Houzz but loving it. We are in the process of buying our first house right now, a very exciting process! The house is pretty nice on the inside, but the outside to me is quite dull. I feel like a couple of small changes could make a big difference to it...it's just deciding what! I've attached a pic of the front for you. The next few are a couple of pics of exteriors I really like, but I'd be open to any suggestions! The main issue to me is that I don't think the color of the wood on the doors and windows really go. Would a different wood stain look better, or do you think cream or a light greenish colour would suit? I also think the gravel is too "grey" , maybe a yellowy type of gravel might look better? I will also be ripping out that miserable bush and hopefully doing something a little bit nicer with the garden - or that is the idealistic plan - I've never done any gardening before so I might be biting off more than I can chew!! What do you guys think I can do to improve on what's there? (location - ireland) A: The front door could use a trellis, say 6' wide and 4' deep, to frame it and give some articulation to the flat front of the house, and stained to match the wood door and windows. Add some landscaping along the front with small stone patio at the entry and move the bench to the left of the door. **Q: Hate my new granite!!! This whole process has been a nightmare :(** *(in Design Dilemma)* I'm really trying not to get so worked up about this, but it's hard not to. I made SO many trips to the granite yard (dragging my 2 young kids along) to find the \*Perfect\* granite and when I thought I found it, after it's installed I see that it is not at all the look I was going for. I feel like the granite is way too light and has greenish undertones, while my cabinets and floor have red/orange undertones. What a gross combination :( Since financially I do not have the option for new counters, I'm trying to figure out a backsplash and paint color that will help me minimize the green in the counters and bring out the warmer undertones. Please help. Once again, I'm trying not to take this too seriously...I know there are so many people out there that have much bigger and more serious problems than kitchen design. However, I have spent MONTHS ever so carefully repainting the cabinets, adding trim, adding crown molding, and picking out granite only to be sorely disappointed by the results. I've been sick to my stomach the last 3 days since the granite was installed. I appreciate your help. A: Given this is a budget kitchen with 5 years or less for your living there I would suggest finish the kitchen as planned and you will likely find that you grow to like the granite, or can certainly live with it. But forget about a full backsplash with busy subway or similar tile and go with a 6-8" backsplash of the same granite. It is pretty standard and probably as good or better than something custom for re-sale. Using a different countertop for the island is also popular with butcher block or similar wood top common and good choice. **Q: The floor** *(in Photo Questions)* Is that cement floor? I love the doors by the way. A: The floor is stained, acid washed concrete. The doors are restored antique doors, cleaned and repaired but left in distressed state. **Q: I love the old wooden theater-style fire-pit seating.** *(in Photo Questions)* Did you have to do anything special to preserve the wooden seats from the elements? I know it sometimes rains here in Santa Cruz. A: Yes it does rain, though not enough yet this year!. So covers are necessary for these and advisable for most outdoor furniture, even redwood weathers. **Q: Can you tell me where the light fixtures are from-very nice kitchen!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: I don't know the exact model and source for these pendant fixtures, but Sea Gull Lighting, www.seagulllighting.com, has many similar to these. **Q: Need help with fireplace** *(in Design Dilemma)* Wondering if I should add a mantel to the new fireplace feature? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! A: It's a clean look as is but seems incomplete, think it could look good with a 6"x\*8" mantle of the same or similar lumber as the doors, on the wall about 12" above fireplace and extending about 3" on either side, clean, eased edges, no brackets, floating. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-17.*