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CLIENT GOALS
This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn.
In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry.
OUR DESIGN SOLUTION
Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco.
Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

Our client wanted a SIP built home and we incorporated this and many other energy and sustainability features into this home which was in the Sheboygan County Parade of Homes.
Named "The Green Balanced Home", this project was all about creating practical and stunning living spaces that combined with sound environmental building materials and methods. By showcasing an assortment of leading-edge- green technologies, the Green Balanced Home was the talk of the Parade that year. In cooperation with our client, our methodology was:
Start with the site:
1. Protected tree lines
2. Drought resistant vegetation
3. High proportion of natural, plantings versus higher maintenance lawn
4. Optimal home placement on lot for solar exposure
5. Narrower streets
Build a high thermal envelope:
1. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam under basement, garage, and patio.
2. R-10 Gold Guard laminated EPS foam around exterior foundation walls.
3. R-10 ESP foam "shirt" around foundation
4. R-24 Structural Insulated panels (SIPs) for exterior walls, including garage
5. Sprayed foam in basement box sills and attic separation walls
6. R-15 garage door
7. R-60 blown cellulose attic insulation
Add efficient heating, cooling, ventilation, and electric utilization elements:
1. High efficiency fireplace with auxiliary ducting
2. Pull-out exterior wood-loading drawer
3. Air-to-air heat pump
4. 95% efficient, ultra-quiet variable capacity furnace
5. 19 SEER air conditioner
6. Five zones with programmable thermostats
7. Heat reclamation from hot water usage
8. LED lighting
9. Skylights
10. Energy Star appliances
11. Prep for in-floor heating system
12. Prep for photovoltaic (PV) solar
13. Prep for solar hot water
Incorporate water conservation:
1. Rain water recapture for toilet flushing and irrigation
2. Motion activated hot water circulation system
3. Power flush toilets
4. Dual flush toilets
Create high indoor air quality:
1. HEPA and UV filters
2. Air-to-air exchanger
3. Ultra-quiet bathroom fans with moisture sensor activation
Integrate sustainable, efficient materials:
* Expanded polystyrene (ESP) foam that does not emit HCFC "greenhouse" gases
* Oriented strand board (OSB) based siding, trim, and shutters
* SIPs panels that contain ESP an OSB
* Carpeting pads made from recycled materials
* Stewardship-certified cabinet manufacturing
* Job site recycling and reduce waste with SIPs

Custom Home Built for Real Life
Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more.
Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind
Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth.
Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group.
For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out.
A Backyard Built for Real Rest
Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings.
Room to Grow
With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one.
A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs
Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower.
This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like
The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.
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To reimagine his loft in the heart of Hoboken, his Décor Aid project manager took on the challenge from the ground up.
By pairing him with the best construction service providers in New Jersey, his project manager oversaw a powerful transformation that would meld the kitchen and living areas with timeless dark finished wooden flooring. For the kitchen, our renovation experts reimagined the space with updated contemporary cabinetry, high-shine matte appliances, a stone and tile backsplash, and marble countertops.
Décor Aid interior designer Nicolina E. was brought in to enhance his existing furnishings while changing the overall mood of the loft by switching the original moody color palette of deep reds and dark blues with a fresh coat of paint in a brighter and more soothing eggshell hue.
She introduced color into the space by taking cues from his classic Oriental rug – a family heirloom, as a foundation. Accessories and additional furnishings featuring light and airy blues, beiges, and creams were brought in to add life to his existing couch. For a touch of personality new artwork, decorative extras and a modern, multi-dimensional entertainment center were sourced to fill a large empty wall.
From basic to refined, this was a quick home refresh handled with ease and a considered finessing of some of our client’s cherished furnishings.

To reimagine his loft in the heart of Hoboken, his Décor Aid project manager took on the challenge from the ground up.
By pairing him with the best construction service providers in New Jersey, his project manager oversaw a powerful transformation that would meld the kitchen and living areas with timeless dark finished wooden flooring. For the kitchen, our renovation experts reimagined the space with updated contemporary cabinetry, high-shine matte appliances, a stone and tile backsplash, and marble countertops.
Décor Aid interior designer Nicolina E. was brought in to enhance his existing furnishings while changing the overall mood of the loft by switching the original moody color palette of deep reds and dark blues with a fresh coat of paint in a brighter and more soothing eggshell hue.
She introduced color into the space by taking cues from his classic Oriental rug – a family heirloom, as a foundation. Accessories and additional furnishings featuring light and airy blues, beiges, and creams were brought in to add life to his existing couch. For a touch of personality new artwork, decorative extras and a modern, multi-dimensional entertainment center were sourced to fill a large empty wall.
From basic to refined, this was a quick home refresh handled with ease and a considered finessing of some of our client’s cherished furnishings.

Bathroom in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.

Custom Home Built for Real Life
Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a home that could adapt to their lifestyle and growing family. They needed a home built with intention, designed with the future in mind, and built around the routines they loved and the people they loved more.
Open-Concept Living With Hosting in Mind
Our clients hosted often and lived actively, so the main level had to be flexible for all of life’s moments. The goal was a space that felt grand without losing its warmth.
Cooking together as a family mattered to our clients – the Wolf range, farmhouse sink, integrated appliances, and large island gave them a kitchen that flowed effortlessly while looking beautiful. This space also served as the bridge between other parts of the main level so that they would stay in view of the next. This created the perfect environment for gathering where everyone had their own spot without ever feeling apart from the whole group.
For the living room, our clients wanted space that felt open without losing its warmth. Soaring ceilings created that sense of scale, while warm tones and materials, like the wood coffered ceiling and fireplace wall, kept it grounded. That same warmth carried outside, where an outdoor lounge with a fireplace and dining area made sure guests felt welcomed the moment they stepped out.
A Backyard Built for Real Rest
Every corner of the backyard was designed with one goal: to be the ultimate outdoor retreat. The elevated, white-brick-framed pool and integrated spa hot tub gave them a place to truly exhale. As the sun set, the fire pit lounge next to the pool became the hangout spot when they hosted their youth groups and family gatherings.
Room to Grow
With kids in the house, “custom” had to also mean flexible. Our clients had 2 young sons and needed their rooms to grow with them through the years. The two bedrooms and a full bath sat beside a loft that served as both their hangout-and-homework spot. The guest suite sat on the same level where a four-poster bed, floor-to-ceiling wood-look tile, and a frameless glass shower welcomed their guests from day one.
A Retreat That’s Actually Theirs
Between hosting and raising kids, this couple needed a suite that felt like a true escape. The wood-planked tray ceiling and French doors grounded the room in warmth the moment you walked in, while the ensuite bathroom carried a spa-like feeling with a freestanding soaking tub, custom double vanity, and a glass-enclosed shower.
This Is What Approachable Luxury Looks Like
The approachable luxury experience meant starting with conversations about how they wanted their space to live with them – how they hosted, how their kids played, how they wanted to feel walking through their own front door, and how we took their goals and experience and used it as the foundation of every decision that was made from start to finish. We wanted our clients to feel taken care of through the process and, most importantly, feel heard.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

Bathroom in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom.
- Jacqueline Southby Photography

Kitchen in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.

Bathroom in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.

Designed and installed in the summer of 2013, this Carmel residence is a true gem. The clients asked BPI to design a space to accommodate several outdoor living needs. The BPI design team creatively designed the space to allow each aspect of the space to flow from one to the other, but to also create separation so it did not feel too large or lack scale.
The use of angles to separate the covered space from the fire pit was a clever way in doing just that. The gas fire pit is surrounded by stone seating walls, which allows for neighborhood kids to join in on the fun of smores nights. The adult space is covered by a cedar pergola to shelter from the sun and provide a sense of scale to the space.
The raised planters along the house allow for another dimension of the space but also allowed the team to hide unsightly portions of the foundation. This space lives great and looks fantastic.

Bedroom in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.

Sponsored
Delaware, OH
Buckeye Basements, Inc.
Central Ohio's Basement Finishing ExpertsBest Of Houzz '13-'21

To reimagine his loft in the heart of Hoboken, his Décor Aid project manager took on the challenge from the ground up.
By pairing him with the best construction service providers in New Jersey, his project manager oversaw a powerful transformation that would meld the kitchen and living areas with timeless dark finished wooden flooring. For the kitchen, our renovation experts reimagined the space with updated contemporary cabinetry, high-shine matte appliances, a stone and tile backsplash, and marble countertops.
Décor Aid interior designer Nicolina E. was brought in to enhance his existing furnishings while changing the overall mood of the loft by switching the original moody color palette of deep reds and dark blues with a fresh coat of paint in a brighter and more soothing eggshell hue.
She introduced color into the space by taking cues from his classic Oriental rug – a family heirloom, as a foundation. Accessories and additional furnishings featuring light and airy blues, beiges, and creams were brought in to add life to his existing couch. For a touch of personality new artwork, decorative extras and a modern, multi-dimensional entertainment center were sourced to fill a large empty wall.
From basic to refined, this was a quick home refresh handled with ease and a considered finessing of some of our client’s cherished furnishings.

This Bonita Bay home, located in a 2,400-acre gated community with 1,400 acres of parks, nature preserves, lakes and open spaces, is an ideal location for this retired couple. They loved everything about their home—the neighborhood, yard, and the distance to shopping areas. But, one vital amenity was lacking—a spacious family room. The clients needed a new space to read and showcase their treasured artwork. Building a first-floor addition was the perfect solution to upgrading their living conditions. As the project evolved, they also added a built-in book case/entertainment wall.
With minimal disruption to existing space and to the family, who lived in the home throughout the remodeling project, Progressive Builders was able to dig up a small section of the front yard, in the area where the addition would sit. We then installed a new foundation and constructed the walls and roof of the addition before opening up the existing exterior wall and linking the new and old spaces.
An important part of the design process was making sure that the addition blended stylistically with the original structure of the home. Progressive Builders carefully matched the existing stucco finish on the exterior of the home and the natural stone floors that existed inside the home. Distinctive trim work was added to the new addition, giving the new space a fresh, updated look.
In the end, the remodel seamlessly blended with the original structure, and the client now spends more time in their new family room addition than any other room in their home.

Bathroom in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.

Saturday, May 30, 1:30 to 3:00pm | Santa Monica
Hightree
Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith
This half-acre site is nestled into the Rustic Canyon neighborhood, and is the second collaboration between the landscape designer and client. Architect Steven Ehrlich designed the striking Modernist home fifteen years ago. It is set on the canyon floor amidst native California sycamores, the only holdover from the previous design. The garden is naturalistic in spirit, but carefully calibrated to include species that thrive in the canyon’s specific microclimate, primarily determined by soil conditions and limited light quality. A dramatic rectilinear elevated pool, based on the house’s strong geometry, offsets the sycamore’s angularity and curvilinear nature. The pool’s design is practical, it’s five-foot tall walls address safety concerns associated with having small children; but It’s also very sculptural, a seamless, buff-colored plaster-coated concrete monolith. The watery surface suggests one of the house’s giant windows. Vast sweeps of understory plantings offer subtle contrasts both textural and though tonal variations of green.

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Snider & Metcalf Interior Design, LTD
Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

CLIENT GOALS
This spectacular Victorian was built in 1890 for Joseph Budde, an inventor, patent holder, and major manufacturer of the flush toilet. Through its more than 130-year life, this home evolved with the many incarnations of the Haight District. The most significant was the street modification that made way for the Haight Street railway line in the early 1920s. At that time, streets and sidewalks widened, causing the straight-line, two-story staircase to take a turn.
In the 1920s, stucco and terrazzo were considered modern and low-maintenance materials and were often used to replace the handmade residential carpentry that would have graced this spectacular staircase. Sometime during the 1990s, the entire entry door assembly was removed and replaced with another “modern” solution. Our clients challenged Centoni to recreate the original staircase and entry.
OUR DESIGN SOLUTION
Through a partnership with local artisans and support from San Francisco Historical Planners, team Centoni sourced information from the public library that included original photographs, writings on Cranston and Keenan, and the history of the Haight. Though no specific photo has yet to be sourced, we are confident the design choices are in the spirit of the original and are based on remnants of the original porch discovered under the 1920s stucco.
Through this journey, the staircase foundation was reengineered, the staircase designed and built, the original entry doors recreated, the stained glass transom created (including replication of the original hand-painted bird-theme rondels, many rotted decorated elements hand-carved, new and historic lighting installed, and a new iron handrail designed and fabricated.

Bathroom in Trailside View | Refined Transitional Home in Scottsdale, AZ |
Room Type: Whole Home Remodel and Furnishings |
Project Name: Trailside View Residence |
Key Feature: A full home remodel and furnishings project anchored by white oak cabinetry and countertops, where the clients gave Living with Lolo real creative freedom to play with bold fabrics, wallpapers, and drapery that most homeowners would talk themselves out of.
Challenge: Transitional design can play it safe by default, neutral palette, inoffensive finishes, nothing that makes you catch your breath. The remodel needed a strong foundation that felt refined and timeless, but the clients wanted more than that. They wanted a home with personality, and the challenge was channeling that creative openness into something cohesive rather than chaotic.
Solution: Living with Lolo used white oak cabinetry and countertops to ground the remodel in warmth and quiet sophistication, then let the soft goods carry the personality. Bold fabric choices, expressive wallpapers, and thoughtful drapery gave each room its own moment without losing the thread that connected the whole home. Because the remodel and furnishings were managed together under one roof, the bolder design choices landed the way they were intended to rather than feeling like afterthoughts layered onto a finished renovation.
Materials: White oak cabinetry, white oak countertops, curated wallpapers, bold upholstery fabrics, custom drapery, and layered accessories sourced through Living with Lolo's trade relationships.
Budget: $250,000 to $550,000 |
Timeline: Approximately 5 to 9 months from design through completion.
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