---
title: "KC Karen Cullen Design For Living — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kc-karen-cullen-design-for-living-pfvwus-pf~939607439
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~939607439.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "KC Karen Cullen Design For Living"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/00d3d5110d994cec_0200-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Monterey, California 93940, United States"
latitude: 36.5802
longitude: -121.8443
phone: "(650) 388-8319"
website: http://kcdesignforliving.com
rating: 5
review_count: 13
best_of_houzz_awards: 1
followers: 52
last_updated: 2026-08-17
---

# KC Karen Cullen Design For Living

> Leading Architectural Design Solutions in Monterey County

Original Houzz profile: [KC Karen Cullen Design For Living](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kc-karen-cullen-design-for-living-pfvwus-pf~939607439)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Monterey, CA
- **Serves:** Seaside, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Del Monte Forest, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel By The Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Carmel
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (13 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2020), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Pro Software User
- Recommended on Houzz
- 100 Ideabook Saves
- Best of Houzz winner
- Locally owned
- Online consultation

My earliest memories are of watching the house designed by my father, architect William. S. Cullen, take shape. It was the only modern house on the block, which turned out to be good preparation for when I was one of very few unregenerate modernists studying architecture during the height of post-modernism.

After moving into the utopian Greenmeadow Eichler neighborhood, I founded Greenmeadow Architects, a community based design firm, to save existing at-risk Mid Century Californa Modern houses from obliteration until the time that they would again be appreciated as living art. The firm received national awards and international recognition for breathing new life into 50 year old modern homes, continuing the original principles of the open floor plan, indoor / outdoor living, structural innovation and natural materials. 

I continue to explore the design opportunities of new green materials and eco-friendly technology within the modern idiom of simple clean lines and planes, natural light and seamless flow of space.

While each project is a unique work resulting from a close collaboration between architect and client, my common thread is open, light-filled spaces with a strong connection to the natural environment.

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Home Remodeling
- Custom Homes
- Home Additions
- Kitchen Design
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Bathroom Design
- Green Building
- Historic Building Conservation
- Handicap-Accessible Design

### Areas Served

- Seaside
- Monterey
- Pacific Grove
- Pebble Beach
- Del Monte Forest
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Carmel By The Sea
- Del Rey Oaks
- Carmel

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | KC Karen Cullen Design For Living |
| Address | Monterey, California 93940, United States |
| Phone | (650) 388-8319 |
| Website | http://kcdesignforliving.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 52 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/KcCullenArchitecture
- Blog — www.kcdesignforliving.com

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [KC Karen Cullen Design For Living](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kc-karen-cullen-design-for-living-pfvwus-pf~939607439)
- **Website:** http://kcdesignforliving.com
- **Phone:** (650) 388-8319

## Credentials

- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2020), for Service.

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 13 reviews**

### Reviews

**★★★★★ — Mary Anne Deierlein, Dec. 2019**

> We hired KC Cullen for two major remodels ($250K each). The first one, in 2000, we expanded our Eichler on three sides (38% of the lot) adding a butterfly roof/front living room and entertainment room with custom cabinetry, fabric wall. The featured room and entry area is surrounded with natural light via clear story windows. Also, we added a fourth bedroom, third bathroom, eight skylights, radiant heat in new slab areas, a den/office in the master suite, relocated the boiler room and redesigned the heating system to five programmable zones. During our second major remodel, we re-designed and installed a new kitchen, gutted and redesigned the original three bedrooms, hall closets, and two bathrooms adding sheetrock, insulation in walls, soundproofing and updated lighting in every living space in the house eliminating 19 various lamps!  KC is a pleasure to work with as she listens to her clients ideas and translates them into a number of creative options. Most importantly, KC is closely involved on site during all phases of her projects' construction.  We highly recommend KC!

**★★★★★ — Lisette Narragon, July 2019**

> I have used KC for 2 projects, a kitchen remodel in 2006 and currently for a bathroom remodel. She is so easy to work with, very creative, and her follow through is excellent. I would highly recommend her for new designs and also remodels.

**★★★★★ — Jim P, July 2019**

> We worked with KC on a major remodel that was just short of a tear down.  It was a very complex project with a lot of regulations and restrictions.  KC was excellent.  She listened, understood our needs and translated them into a very workable design.  KC is easy to work with and she works well with contractors.  We were very please.

**★★★★★ — HU-289619041, July 2019**

> I have known KC for about 25 years.  We worked together in our Community Association and she provided much professional support to our Board.
> We hired KC when we remodeled our home.  She was an absolute pleasure to work with and one of the most competent professionals I know.   She took our ideas and always listened but provided astute feedback and did a splendid job.   We live in an Eichler and she kept its integrity beautifully.
> KX managed the often complex process of getting Coty approvals and she was terrific at working with our contractor.
> I can recommend KC without reservation.  Anyone would be lucky to work with her.

**★★★★★ — Shahani Towfiq, July 2019**

> KC has a remarkable ability to synthesize beautiful, clean, practical design with budget, schedule and code requirements—all while honoring the integrity and historical character of the original home. Her depth of knowledge, years of experience and professionalism were abundantly clear in her design, documentation, and interactions, including with contractors and city officials as she deftly helped us navigate the often challenging process of home renovation. She listened deeply, probed, problem-solved, and designed our home for living the way our family needed.  She gave us clear guidance and suggestions, but also encouraged us to make our space our own. We consequently have a home we love, are in awe of her talent, and ever-grateful to KC. Visitors to our home often remark that KC’s architectural design is seamless, practical and elegant and ask for her contact information— a referral we gladly give (we too learned of KC from eager referrals from our friends). She has become a renowned architect in our community and we can often recognize stunning homes in our neighborhood that bear her mark.

**★★★★★ — User, July 2019**

> KC designed both the first and second phases of our Eichler renovation. We loved working with her. Her vision matched ours, and the results are fantastic. She paid attention to every detail, including where to place our furniture after the renovation was completed. She knows her stuff, and it shows. She's the only person we want to hire for any other renovations!

**★★★★★ — Srinivas Avasarala, May 2019**

> We hired KC for Design services to remodel and expand our Eichler home in Palo Alto and we were extremely happy with her work. She was very friendly, patient, understood our needs well. She provided a beautiful and economical design and recommendations for materials and suppliers. She has a good knowledge of city codes and got my plan check approvals with the city without much difficulty, incorporating comments with creative options. When I had construction issues with the contractor, she intermediated well to resolve issues to our satisfaction. Her estimate (number of hours of design services) was very close to the actual. Overall highly satisfied and thankful for her services.

**★★★★★ — Shiraaz Bhabha, May 2019**

> KC is a great architect and designer - she is honest, smart, unassuming, understanding and incredibly capable. She has a great eye and imagination and really understood our vision and implemented it amazingly well.
>
> Not only does KC do the best design work, she helped us manage our project to the end. She brings her passion, her calmness, attention to detail and problem solving skills to every meeting and kept our project on track. There were issues and problems that came up during the remodel that she resolved with incredible patience and flexibility.
>
> KC worked with the city and engineering seamlessly. She considers architectural, structural and cost implications as well as city regulations. She was great at getting the plans approved with the city and we hardly had any involvement. It just got done!
>
> I would highly recommend KC to anyone looking for architectural and design services!

**★★★★★ — Virginia Henke, May 2019**

> It was wonderful working with KC. She understood and honored the style of our mid-20th century Eichler home.  She guided us through the design process with patience and skill and communicated very well with the construction team. KC made the remodeling process much easier than we anticipated. It was fun!

**★★★★★ — Sharon Melamed, May 2019**

> I first met KC touring a house she designed in Palo Alto. I loved the house and KC’s exquisite modern taste. I met several architects and chose to have KC design my home that met my family's needs. During my first meeting with KC, she listened to our ideas and made wonderful practical suggestions. The home came out better than expected. I truly enjoyed working with KC who is a top notch professional with fantastic taste. KC is responsive, creative, extremely knowledgeable and above and beyond a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend KC!

**★★★★★ — Shalini Kamala, May 2019**

> We worked with KC to remodel our fixer-upper. KC is amazing - she is extremely organized, creative, at the same time budget conscious. We found KC very easy to work with. She came across as very knowledgable about city codes/regulations. Getting the plans approved by the city was a breeze, KC took care of everything. Highly recommend her.

**★★★★★ — Maryam Mostaghimi, May 2019**

> Pleasure to work with KC on our remodel project. KC is very kind , polite,   professional  and easy to work with.  Her vision was always to keep us comfortable.

## Selected projects

- [Mission](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mission-pj-vj~7677973)
  - Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
  - Photos: 6
- [Mal Paso](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mal-paso-pj-vj~7511007)
  - Location: Carmel, CA
  - Photos: 3
- [Evergreen ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/evergreen-adu-pj-vj~7677942)
  - Location: Pacific Grove, CA
  - Photos: 4
- [Littlefield](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/littlefield-pj-vj~6075740)
  - Location: Monterey, CA
  - Photos: 2
- [Lopez Avenue](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lopez-avenue-pj-vj~7511015)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
- [Holly Oak](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/holly-oak-pj-vj~1228207)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Henrybuilt Cabinets
- [Tarrytown](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tarrytown-pj-vj~2205902)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Wilderwood House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wilderwood-house-pj-vj~517484)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [Cardinal](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cardinal-pj-vj~1228237)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 13
- [Ames](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ames-pj-vj~5714147)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [Clay](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/clay-pj-vj~5716852)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
- [Nelson](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/nelson-pj-vj~1228252)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
- [Normandy](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/normandy-pj-vj~1228259)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
- [Eichler Project Exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eichler-project-exteriors-pj-vj~5775354)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [Eichler Project Interiors](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eichler-project-interiors-pj-vj~5775378)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9

[See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/kc-karen-cullen-design-for-living-pfvwus-pf~939607439)

## Ideabooks

- [Arriba](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/183817935/list/arriba) — 24 ideas
- [Lobos](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/183288609/list/lobos) — 5 ideas
- [ViaGayuba](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/182703693/list/viagayuba) — 1 idea
- [Mission2](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/181626878/list/mission2) — 5 ideas
- [Lincoln](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/180731959/list/lincoln) — 24 ideas
- [Santa Rita](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/180501100/list/santa-rita) — 6 ideas
- [Bruce](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/177187049/list/bruce) — 5 ideas
- [Ventura](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/175873374/list/ventura) — 8 ideas
- [Van Buren](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/174632136/list/van-buren) — 2 ideas
- [Bertrand](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/172899805/list/bertrand) — 5 ideas
- [Funston](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/168575949/list/funston) — 6 ideas
- [LakeRoad](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/168573549/list/lakeroad) — 7 ideas
- [HeniginADU](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/167950321/list/heniginadu) — 1 idea
- [Vallejo](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/164958165/list/vallejo) — 3 ideas
- [CarmelValley](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/159796940/list/carmelvalley) — 4 ideas
- [ElBosque](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/157881400/list/elbosque) — 20 ideas
- [Houzz Sponsored Photos](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/146811720/list/houzz-sponsored-photos) — 15 ideas
- [ThirdStreet](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/144214938/list/thirdstreet) — 1 idea
- [Lovoi](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/95364838/list/lovoi) — 8 ideas
- [1101](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16698426/list/1101) — 13 ideas

[See all 46 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kcdesignforliving)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Cabinet color** *(in Photo Questions)*

What is the color of the cabinets?

A: The cabinets were manufactured by HenryBuilt with a high pressure laminate face. They referred to the color as "Precision White."

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*