Design Studio West

From the moment we met Karina in our old kitchen, she instantly grasped our priorities. She presented floor plan options that perfectly hit our goals for our Pacific Beach home. Incredibly, after just two meetings, we had a new layout selected and were already choosing finishes. Based on of our earliest conversations, Karina was able to read our style and presented us with hand-selected cabinetry finishes, countertops, and backsplash tile options. We felt “heard” and together we narrowed down selections, bringing us confidence in our choices. After almost a year, we can confidently say everything is exactly where it "should" be. The new layout is absolutely fantastic! Extending our kitchen into our existing garage, we gained a dedicated scullery area complete with ovens, a second refrigerator, cleanup sink, and dishwasher. The new pass-thru windows from our patio directly into the scullery make clearing dinner items painless and remarkably organized. It's wonderful how our main kitchen stays neat and organized even as we transition from dinner to dessert and drinks. Our family and friends adore the seamless indoor/outdoor atmosphere. Karina made the entire design process engaging and exciting, consistently guiding us forward with ease. Despite the scope of the construction, the entire project unfolded with impressive smoothness. This speaks volumes about Karina's meticulous designs and detailed drawings, coupled with the seamless execution by DSW’s exceptional project managers and tradespeople. Our sincere thanks to Karina, Karl, Doug, Tracie, and the entire DSW team of professionals!

We can't say enough about how happy we are with the work Design Studio West did on our kitchen remodel. The project was complex—we were extending our small kitchen into a spare bedroom—and our house, built in 1947, presented some unique challenges with its uneven floors and walls. From the very beginning, however, Margaret Dean found brilliant solutions to every issue. She took the time to truly understand our needs and personal style, which was especially important to me as an avid cook. This made the entire process so much more enjoyable and efficient. The entire DSW team, including Margaret, Doug Hyatt, Steve Hunt, and Tracie Hyatt, demonstrated an incredible level of customer service. They were highly collaborative, even accommodating my desire to do some of the work myself. Doug and Steve were instrumental in coordinating tasks and offering valuable problem-solving advice for my part of the project. Tracie provided regular, clear updates on billing and was always available to answer our questions. The transparency about costs from the start was a huge plus. I also want to give a special shout-out to our cabinet installer, Stephen Calleja. The "levelness" issues of our old home must have made his job a nightmare, yet he made the new cabinets look absolutely stunning. Having worked with numerous contractors over the years, I can confidently say I've never experienced this level of satisfaction with a home-improvement project. The entire process with DSW was seamless, and the results are spectacular. We're so impressed that we’ve already decided to hire them again for our master bathroom remodel. I highly recommend Design Studio West and everyone on their team.

Working with Design Studio West was seamless. From our first meeting to completion of the project, they were on top of every detail, from modifying as needed to having the onsite project manager checking in with us everyday. Even though we had only a small job, remodeling 2 bathrooms, we felt as if we were their only client. Not only were Doug, Steve and Margaret professional and personable, but every single one of their sub-contractors were as well. All showed up as scheduled, on time, and always respectful of our home and property. All the sub-contractors were equally complementary about Design Studio West, which I would imagine is rare in this industry. We would hire them again for any job, large or small, and would recommend them without any reservations.

When our 30 year old SubZero freezer and refrigerator required replacement, we realized we would need a kitchen remodel to help accommodate the new SubZeros ( sizing was different). After reading reviews of various contractors we decided to contact Design Studio West - the posted pictures of their work were lovely. I felt an instant connection with Margaret, their lead designer - she was very easy to talk to and understood right away what I felt we wanted. She visited our home a number of times for discussion and measurements, etc with both my husband and me to guide our choices and help us firm up a plan. Kitchen remodels are a big job and require a lot of forethought. Margaret accompanied us to slab yards and for selection of fixtures, etc. When planning was complete and work began, we could not have been more pleased with the carpenters and other tradespeople who worked in our home. They always arrived on time, were neat and cleaned up daily. Their work was meticulous and beautiful - they were master carpenters, and they were delightful to have working in our home. From plumbers to the electricians and all others, everyone was professional and exceptional. The project went smoothly, proceeded on time, and we were thoroughly pleased. Design Studio West has our highest recommendation.

Design Studio West did a super job in remodeling our master bath. Previously, they remodeled our kitchen not once but twice, so it was an easy choice to have them handle the project of our master bath. They worked beautifully as a coordinated team from the initial consultation to full completion of the project. We fully appreciated the attention to detail from beginning to end. Audry Cordero was our designer. She is a dream to work with. She listened carefully to what we wanted, made suggestions, then put together a beautiful plan that reflected all of the care that she took to make sure the ultimate product produced reflected what we wanted that was not only functional but beautiful. We had total confidence in Audry and the team. They had the expertise to execute our vision for our kitchen and master bath which gave us peace of mind during our construction period. As a homeowner, it is hard to put a price on the joy that you feel when you walk into a kitchen and master bath of your dreams. Thank you Audry and the team of DSW for making our dreams come true!

Our family had an incredible experience working with the team at Design Studio West. We had quite a large scale project. Completely remodeling our kitchen, adding custom cabinetry and a fireplace. Replacing flooring and repainting the entire house to pull everything together and create a cohesive design throughout. From the first few meetings with Karl when we were initially trying to figure out exactly what we even wanted to do, we were put at ease and felt like we were in great hands. Karl listened carefully to our needs, was very frank when it came to budget, and really guided us as far as nailing down the scope of the project. He then put together an amazing team to carry out the rest of the design/build. Our designer Audrey created a vision for our home that was exactly aligned with our athletic. She took our dated 2000’s Tuscan kitchen and made it both contemporary and yet classic. Audrey picked out gorgeous materials and suggested subtle details (such as the curved ends of the kitchen island) that really make the space special. Additionally, the functionality of our kitchen and living space is so much better than it was before. We have way more storage, things are much easier to reach and there are dedicated spaces for everything. The actual construction process was also 100% flawless. We have worked with a few other companies for construction projects before and there have always been issues (both major and minor). We can absolutely say that there was not a single issue that came up during the entire project. It was IMPRESSIVE! The project manager Doug is so incredibly knowledgeable, and his crew was the best we ever worked with. Each team member is truly a master of their craft. Communication was terrific, if we had any questions they were answered immediately. Doug was on site all the time to check in and make sure everything was going smoothly. The team literally took a fine tooth comb to the house and made sure that not a single detail was overlooked. The quality and craftsmanship of every little thing is absolutely perfect. We even had friends and family that have done large construction projects marveling at the quality as being the best they have ever seen. If we ever had any construction or design needs in the future, we will definitely be using Design Studio West again.

From the minute we stepped into Design Studio West's showroom, we were impressed. Since this was our first home renovation, we appreciated how Audry, Doug, and Lee guided us through our whole home renovation. Thanks to our amazing designer Audry Cordero, who designed a stunning renovation of our entire home. Audry's creative ideas, detailed plans, knowledge of materials, and coordination with our project manager Doug Hyatt made the project flow beautifully. All concerns were addressed in a timely fashion with excellent results. We loved DSW's selection of Hallmark and Sollera cabinetry, custom finishes, preferred subcontractors, and great team. Audry's design of our new staircase, master bath, kitchen, dining and living rooms, and den exceeded our expectations.

Karina Borg at Design Studio West gave us the kitchen we wanted, needed and could afford! Her thoughtful choices and attention to detail gave us confidence throughout the process. We went from a tiny 70’s u-shape to a sleek entertainer’s kitchen that our friends all say is their dream kitchen. Somehow, our new space is so organized it feels like it cleans itself after a party. The team at Design Studio West far exceeded our expectations for listening, planning, guidance and follow through.

I have done many remodels with the crew at Design Studio West. The last one I tried to do it on my own and ended up calling them up and begging them to finish it for me. I had tried to save money and it cost me much more in the long run because they're so efficient and have such loyal subs. Margaret is wonderful with design, sourcing and bouncing ideas off of. Doug is unflappable with changes and last minute requests. Their subs do only quality work and help immeasurably with lighting design, plumbing and HVAC solutions which has made the homes they worked on fly off the market when I was ready to sell. And hardly any inspection objections! I cannot recommend them highly enough. I will never again try a project on my own. Worth every penny. Plus, every person involved is a delight.

I wanted to take a moment to thank you Karl, and the entire Design Studio West Team. As a design professional I rely on my supporting cast to be experts and to deliver on their promises. You have repeatedly proven that Design Studio West does exactly that. Having access to your beautiful showroom has provided a fantastic “hands-on experience” for materials selections and design options that my clients really appreciate. Your years of experience in cabinetry design and construction has helped me “Wow” my clients time and time again. For custom cabinetry options, design support services and complete kitchen and bath remodeling services I know I can count on Design Studio West to impress my clients and make my task list shorter. I look forward to working on our next project together. Margareta MK Interior Design

Time Flies Karl, I just realized that it’s been 17 years since I first used Design Studio West custom cabinetry on one of my projects. My company, Arise Interiors focuses on exciting and beautiful interior and exterior spaces. My clients appreciate my “out of the box” design style and Design Studio West has the knowledge and capability to support my creativity. Because my focus is high quality, creative design, I recognized early on that I needed product venders and construction resources who have high ethics and expectations. Design Studio West is aligned with my business philosophies. You have been supportive of my endeavors, a team player, and accommodating to my needs and requests. I’m pleased to say that my time invested in cabinetry selection and ordering has decreased, and my profitability has increased because of your commitment to delivering quality products and professional services. A huge benefit of teaming with Design Studio West has been all the support I receive from the showroom and the skilled professionals that truly know cabinetry, design, and construction. Participation of your design and construction team at site meetings regarding, installations, construction feasibility, cost projections and plans-permits-implementation has been a great value to my business. As an independent designer it is priceless to know that the Design Studio West team stands behind me and supports my business as though it was their own. Your consistent support with quality product and attention to professionalism has helped me earn repeat clients who have referred me to their family and friends. Many thanks to you and your team. Traci Taylor, Principal Arise Interiors

Margaret and Doug worked together with us to create and realize our master bathroom remodel. The company runs so smoothly and although we had a few challenges along the way, they did a fantastic job and would have come in right at the estimated completion date if not for something out of their control. During quarantine, they complied with every county directive and still had a worker or tradesperson at our job site almost every day. We never felt like our project was sitting idle, not even for a day.

By chance one Saturday, we noticed Design Studio West’s showroom (then on Girard) and the beautiful kitchen displays. Audry Cordero cheerfully greeted us walked us through all the latest and greatest appliances and cabinetry. We liked the design-build format and the DSW trifecta of owner Lee Austin, designer Audry, and project manager Doug Hyatt. Audry was creative and detail-oriented, a perfect combination of skills for our particular remodel. She and Lee adeptly mediated our differing views of wants and needs during the design phase, offering welcome design, product, and material suggestions. Audry incorporated the design and materials in a thorough set of plans (complimented by key trades for accuracy and detail). DSW has long-term working relationships with key vendors and trades resulting in a well-organized sequence of work. The obvious pride each trade took in their respective tasks was impressive and appreciated throughout the construction phase. We highly recommend DSW

Let me make this really simple. Hire them. We discovered DSW in 1989 when they resigned an built an new amazing kitchen and family room for our La Jolla home that still dazzles visitors to this day. So I wasn't going to go anywhere else when we decided to remodel our master bedroom and bathroom and study. We are in the middle of construction now and it is looking absolutely stunning. I cannot day enough about our designer, Karl. He is a design genius, has the patience of a saint and has literally made us feel, like we are his only clients, from concept through design and design refinements, materials selection, pricing and construction. He is always available for questions, always receptive to our ideas, and always professional as he helps us navigate to the best decisions. One thing you get here that you don't get in most situations is a team of designers and builders who work together. They are on top of everything when it comes to identifying potential issues before building begins, having materials ordered and available well before they are needed, and coordinating all the various trades. You are never ever going to hear a contractor blame a designer for some problem or vice versus. If they haven't found a problem before construction, they'll find it before you do, tell you about it and explain how they've already coordinated to fix it. But they are so meticulous in the design process, they're not going to find much that needs fixing or Re-thinking. From design to build they are sticklers for detail and their workmanship is exceptional. They are so experienced, you can be very comfortable with their price quotes. Remodeling an upscale home is never cheap. But these folks give you an accurate quote, work with you to find the best ways to save if you need to, and put the money where it shows. No last minute price increases. No, "Oh, sorry, we didn't include that". I cannot even count the number of hours Karl put into our project long before it started and always with so much energy and commitment that it's as if he's designing his own house. He is an absolute joy. Forget competitive bids or any thought of having one firm design and another one build. I am so impressed with DSW (both times) I just want to tell everybody I know to choose them when they are about to remodel. If I could give them 100 stars, I would.

This was our second major remodel using DSW and knew we could expect a quality product. Karl Utzman had great ideas and developed an outstanding design plan with custom finishes that fit our individual taste. Our field project manger, Doug Hyatt, was very attentive, easy to work with, and stayed on schedule. Thanks to Karl, Doug , Lee and Dana Austin, and all the staff at Design Studio West giving us a beautiful home.

We hired DSW to do our Kitchen and Bathroom, we became so pleased with their professionalism, that we appointed them as GC for our entire re-model. They did a fabulous job. We are very pleased with the results. They are also extremely attentive with any follow up service issues. Highly recommended.

We loved working with design studio west. We renovated our galley style kitchen and added a deck and outdoor shower. It’s been a few years and I wouldn’t change a thing about the whole project! Audry is the best! She came up with wonderful ideas and solutions in our somewhat small kitchen. Everyone at DSW listened to our input and ideas, at all stages of the process. Doug was our project manager, and he was excellent as well. Renovations can be stressful, but ours went really smooth with DSW at the wheel. I can’t say enough good things. If you are considering a renovation, choose Lee Austin and his team at design studio west!

We recently completed a kitchen remodel with Design Studio West. It also included an adjacent family room/desk configuration. They were wonderful! Carl was instrumental in helping us lay out the design, select materials and appliances. The lighting layout was especially helpful. Doug, the project manager, was always there if we had questions and managed his team and subcontractors in such a way that things were done correctly and on time. Lee and the team completed the project on time and on budget. We would recommend them to anyone who wants things done properly and beautifully!

I first dealt with Lee Austin Construction about 25 years ago when they were a sub on my kitchen remodel. Lee Austin Construction was the one bright spot in what turned out to be a difficult remodel. Unlike the rest of the subs, they came in on time and on budget and did a great job. Ever since that kitchen remodel, I've used Lee Austin Construction exclusively as my general contractor for all my remodeling jobs. Not long after remodeling the kitchen, we decided to remodel our bathrooms. This time, we went to Design Studio West due to their great reputation and their association with Lee Austin Construction (then a separate company). They designed some great bathrooms for us, and the master bathroom was so beautiful it ended up in magazines. Lee Austin Construction took care of the actual work, and once again came in one time, on budget and with no BS. The whole experience was great. That house was sold (sniff) and we've since moved to a high-rise condo unit in the downtown San Diego area. Recently, when it came time to do some work on the place, we went straight to Design Studio West (now a division of Lee Austin Construction). We started with the idea of just replacing the floor of the entire unit with porcelain tile and perhaps adding a new coat of paint to the walls. Eventually though, we had a small wall section removed; replaced the old orange-peel drywall finish with a light skip-trowel throughout; upgraded all the interior doors and kerfed all the jams; installed custom cabinetry and shelving in all the closets; and finally had the interior of the unit completely repainted. The planning and design stage took about two months and the work itself another three months. As with all our previous jobs with Lee Austin Construction and Design Studio West, they came in on-time and on-budget, and we are super happy with the results. During the entire remodel we were kept continuously updated on the process and they were very responsive whenever we had any questions or concerns. They never promised anything they couldn't deliver; they came up with solutions for problems we hadn't even considered; and offered alternative suggestions when our ideas proved too outlandish or expensive to implement. When it comes time to do the next remodel in our unit we'll be taking our business back to Lee Austin Construction and Design Studio West.

This is the second time I have worked with Margaret. The first time was such a great experience and the kitchen that she created over 10 years still looks wonderful. The new project was much larger and included an entire condominium. The style was contemporary and Margaret did an amazing job.

27 years ago Design Studio West built us a beautiful kitchen. Up to the remodeling it still looked great. All of our friends questioned why we were contemplating a new kitchen since our kitchen still looked so good and was still so functional. We decided to go for a new kitchen, and of course, with Design Studio West. Audry Cordero did a fabulous job in designing our new kitchen. She was a pleasure to work with. Lee, Toby, Doug and Dave (who worked on our kitchen 27 years ago !) were all outstanding and fun to work with. Our new kitchen exceeded our expectations. Everyone is WOWing it!. It is so nice to walk into our new kitchen every day and enjoy all the details that Audry so beautifully put together.. Design Studio West is a notch above the rest with their service and building talents. Now, they are designing a new wall unit for us. Can't wait for it to be finished ! Luigi & Jeanne

I can't rave enough about Design Studio West and the superb quality of their work! Thanks to Design Studio West, I now have THE MOST stunning, elegant, and functional wall unit in my living room and office and a really awesome bedroom closet. I'm simply THRILLED with the work they did... Everyone -- from Margaret, the talented designer; to Lee, the friendly owner; to Doug, the efficient head foreman; to the dedicated workers such as Dave -- was amazingly professional, prompt, and flexible. Admittedly, I have very high standards, and this project required lots of creativity, a number of complicated elements and HUGE attention to detail. All along, everyone, especially Margaret with the design, was so open to incorporating my many ideas, some of which were quite unusual. (For instance, I wanted a place in the office wall unit to hide my printer.) Always, Margaret had the MOST BRILLIANT suggestions. It was really fun to help design everything with her. Phew! I'm so glad that the other woodworking company I initially hired bailed out after wasting 6 weeks of my time. The people at Design Studio West saved the day!! FYI, I usually never have time to do reviews, but these people at Design Studio West are so wonderful that I just had to take time out to rave about them. By the way, the living wall unit and office unit are so gorgeous that I often break into a smile when I see them! When I move again, I will definitely use this wonderful company to do more work for me.

It was a great experience to learn about the professionalism of all the team. As supposed to other companies, we met 8+ members of the team and all of them were better than the other ones. I already recommended them to a friend.

It was delightful to work with Margaret Dean at Design Studio West. She understood our needs and contributed design ideas and selected materials accordingly. We worked together at a distance and Margaret continuously kept me abreast of material choices and progress. I was consulted and had no surprises working with Margaret.

Design Studio West, specifically Audry, Lee, Doug and company, just finished our kitchen remodel far exceeding our expectations . The project was so well planned out, the execution so seamless, it is hard to believe a major remodel: new cabinets, all new appliances, granite counter top, lighting, plumbing, painting, etc., could go so smoothly. We are delighted with the results. The project was under budget and finished before the original time projection. Any other remodeling projects in our home will definitely begin in the Design Studio West office.

We recently completed a kitchen remodel with Design Studio West. They provided excellent, high-quality work and exemplary service. They are a design and build full-service company. This "one-stop shopping" feature made the entire process so much easier and more convenient. I had the pleasure of working with Lee, owner/contractor, Audry, designer and Doug, project manager. They are all extremely knowledgeable, helpful, personable, responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to make us happy. My husband warned them about my perfectionism, but they were definitely up to the challenge. Amazingly, they finished the project under budget and in less time than estimated. Design Studio West exceeded our expectations. We will definitely use them again for any remodeling needs.

We hired Design Studio West to renovate out townhouse, and they exceeded our expectations. Their staff and their subcontractors are first-rate professionals who were easy to work with, and their advice was invaluable. They handled the inevitable surprises and glitches professionally and often fixed problems before we even knew about them. Our reno included extensive lighting and electrical upgrades, drywall repairs, plumbing, soundproofing, a total bathroom remodel, new countertops throughout, new hardwood floors, new appliances, and painting throughout -- including all cabinets. We are thrilled with the results.

Design Studio West met and/or exceeded all expectations my husband and I had. They are a first class outfit. All of the people that worked in our house were professional and very respectful. Our kitchen is beautiful and Design Studio West made the entire process painless. In fact because of them the process was actually enjoyable. I look forward to working with them again.

Design Studio West is one of the best companies to work with when you do a remodel. They did my Kitchen, bathrooms, master closet and media cabinets. Absolutely a pleasure to work with their team. Very professional.

We had build two houses from the ground up in other parts of the country and now with DSW gutted and remodeled a 40 year old condo in San Diego. Remodels have a lot more challenges and this project could not have gone more smoothly. They did both the design work and the construction. Their attention to detail was fantastic. The result is very lovely and just want we wanted. I would use them again in a heartbeat.

After thinking about a kitchen remodel for 11 years we finally decided to embark on it. We interviewed several companies but felt most comfortable with Lee Austin and Margaret Dean of Design Studio West. They were wonderful to work with, provided us with several design solutions, and were readily available for design consultations to fine tune our plans. We chose a design and were presented with very concrete cost estimates, time frames for the work, spread sheets to indicate progress and associated fees. Our project had great oversight by Doug Hyatt, he was very responsive to any question or request regarding our project. DSW has a great team of craftsmen and wonderful job oversight for sub contractors. All of the team members were respectful, clean and always punctual, every day for 3 months! This was our first experience with a remodel and the service and work ethnic was top notch. We will collaborate with DSW again in the future.

DSW did a complete kitchen remodel for us, including all the design, demo, cabinetry, appliances, etc. Excellent team, on time, and on budget! Beautiful custom cabinetry, great installation workmanship, very accommodative to personal requests and respectful of our home. When there were issues or concerns, the team took them seriously and resolved them as promptly as possible. Highly recommend!

We used Design Studio West for the renovation of our kitchen, both bathrooms, and the addition of a half bath. We were extremely pleased with the entire process and the results. Lee Austin and his team are experienced, professional, and a pleasure to work with. The initial time and cost estimates were very accurate. Our designer, Karl, is very talented. He started out by talking to us about what we wanted, and then came up with ideas that we reviewed. He presented options that saved us countless hours in product selection, as the choices can be overwhelming when trying to shop on your own. His designs are not only beautiful and creative, but are very practical to live with. We were impressed with the quality of the construction. And even though we were not living in the house, the job site was kept orderly and was swept up at the end of every day. We have been back in the house for several months, and Lee continues to follow up with us to make sure everything is still working properly. We would not hesitate to use them in the future.

Professional, craftsmen, outstanding project oversight, on time and on budget. Lee Austin's crew is exemplary...not only are they terrific craftsmen they are quietly competent and professional in all ways. Attention to detail is a hallmark of this firm. From the preparation...dust-proofing and protecting everything to clean-up and respect for your house, every aspect of the project has been planned and executed. It is clear that Lee attracts and hires the best. You get what you pay for with DSW! I was so pleased with our first project together, I hired them for another major project...couldn't be more pleased.

I highly recommend the team at Design Studio West, with Margaret Dean as my Designer and Doug as the installation Project Manager. From start to finish it was such a pleasure working with them on what could be a difficult and stressful complete kitchen remodel. Margaret has the combination of poise, client understanding, good humor, and top notch expertise that you dream for in a designer. She works well both collaborating with the client on ideas incorporating your thoughts into the design, then takes over and gets every detail of the project completed perfectly. She knows what she is doing. Doug made the installation go very smoothly, and he and his team are impressivly dedicated to iron out every issue and solve for every situation. With their level of skill and high standards, you can trust that they will get the job done right. Thank you DSW team! I love my kitchen!

Highly Reliable, Trustworthy and does what they say they are going to do! I not only would hire them to do work for my clients but also have used them in my own home.

Design Studio West is the superior Southern California company for consultations, designs and constructions. Their service, performance and products are all "state of the art," and their efficiency and follow up is outstanding. They completely redesigned, updated and rebuilt my large kitchen as to walls, doors, cabinets, floor and table tops to my absolute satisfaction. The designer, carpenters, contractors and management did an excellent job and they have my warmest recommendations for new constructions and for similar remodeling projects. Dr. Ola Grimsby.

Karl at Design Studio West (DSW) was our designer for the complete remodel of our house. Karl did all of the design work, to include interior layout, drawing / design for every room, interior design, and supported us in the interior design decisions including color palette, flooring (tile/wood/carpet), doors / windows, cabinetry, counter tops, appliances, hardware, fireplace, etc. Karl brought great expertise, opinions, and organization to help manage the project; his consultative style was also great in getting a common solution to the "different" opinions my husband and I had on just about everything. The DSW team is is very professional, easy to work with, and helped out tremendously with all of the wide ranging activities of our remodel. Lee is a fantastic resource and continues to be helpful with our needs long after we completed the remodel. We would recommend Design Studio West to anyone.

Design Studio West designed and completed the construction on the remodel of my kitchen. It was quite a substantial job. All of the individuals from Design Studio West were the most professional workers I have ever encountered in the construction business. So respectful, professional, trustworthy and they never settled until the job was perfect. I would hire them again in a heart beat. The kitchen was designed and built seamlessly, and is just perfect. It is clearly the center of my home in every sense and the design is timeless and elegant. I could not have been happier with every single aspect of the work from Design Studio West. They are a fantastic group of people to deal with and aren't happy until the customer is happy.

We undertook a complete remodel of a 1989 vintage kitchen and transformed it into a state of the art masterpiece. Design Studio West provided a complete solution, including all aspects of design and construction. Designer (Karl Utzman) was extremely creative and knowledgeable , resulting in a unique very functional showcase kitchen. He was able to find a local supplier for our art glass table, thus saving us a significant amount of money. Lee Austin's team was meticulous in their workmanship and responsive to all of our requests and needs. Design Studio West may be somewhat more expensive than other firms, but they are surely worth every penny. We expect to use them in the near future for a remodel of our master bathroom .

i hired this company to manufacture and install new cabinets for my kitchen and two bathrooms around November 2012. The projects was completed approximately February 2013. Several months later, there was a problem with the edges of drawers located next to the stove. When I notified the company, they sent out someone to repair the problem. A few months later, the same problem showed up again. Once again, they sent out their experts who used another approach to resolve the problem. A third time, the problem showed up on just one edge. This time, the company responded promptly and has used another creative approach to resolving the issue. They also replaced parts to another drawer that was not closing automatically. In summary, I have been very satisfied with the responsiveness of this company and their prompt efforts to resolve a recurring problem, as well as a new issue. They have been courteous, quick to respond and very professional. I have and will continue to recommended them highly to others seeking to have the same or similar service.

Design Studio West did a complete remodel for our kitchen and two baths, and did outstanding work. We have a "new house". The timing and followup was first class. We couldn't be happier with their services.

We worked with Design Studio West in designing of two kitchens. Both were remodels in an older home (main kitchen and guest suite mini-kitchen) and both involved working within an existing space. It was important to us that the design blend well with a home built in 1930. The designer was excellent! We were well pleased, have recommended their services, and would use Design Studio West again.

Design Studio West designed and, in concert with our general contractor, installed a Poggenpohl kitchen and wet bar as part of our home remodel. They provided a very creative design (solving a problem of how to open the kitchen to the breakfast and family rooms) and their workmen and subcontractors did excellent work. The kitchen, six years later, still looks like new and still gets rave reviews. Design Studio West was a pleasure to work with.

Remodeling a kitchen can be somewhat daunting, and we are definitely glad we found Design Studio West to help guide us through the process. They remodeled our kitchen from start to finish and were a pleasure to work with. The design talent is top notch, and our skilled team of contractors worked diligently to complete our project by Thanksgiving. Our home is a 1920s Craftsman and we especially wanted our new kitchen to blend with the Craftsman design of our home. We are very pleased with the result and would highly recommend DSW's remodeling services.

We went to DSW about 2 1/2 years before we actually engaged them to do our kitchen in our downtown condo. Karl Utzman, our designer, was fabulous. He understood our tastes, our style, and our goals with the renovation. Although our project was modest in terms of the work in which DSW regularly engages, we were never treated as if we were not a priority. The entire installation team was professional, were true craftsmen, and were very trustworthy. We love our new kitchen and can't recommend DSW enough. When we renovate our bathrooms--DSW is the company we will call.

We worked with DSW as part of a total house remodel, with DSW doing the design and largely acting as our contractor for the kitchen part of the remodel. They provided an excellent product start to finish. They listened carefully to our desires and proposed a project that was exactly what we wanted. They were very receptive to making changes to fit our needs and budget. We wanted to use environmental (green) materials, and they provided excellent suggestions. They were frequently on-site to make sure the project was moving forward and they oversaw their sub-contractors closely, to the point that the had the stove exhaust re-done three times until the sub-contractor did it perfectly. The finish product is wonderful, and in fact was rewarded by San Diego Home and Garden as one of the best kitchens in San Diego in the 2/2013 magazine, with 3 full pages of photos. We absolutely highly recommend Design Studio West.

We had Design Studio West design and install our kitchen, master bath, entry cabinets and several other areas when we did a whole-house remodel in 2011. We have done remodels on several homes over the years and have never experienced a level of professionalism and follow-through to compare with DSW. Our master bath has won an award and the kitchen is not only visually stunning, but extremely functional for both my husband and me, as we often cook together. Our designer Karl Utzman struck the perfect balance while listening to both of us and guiding us towards decisions that would turn out best from both an application and a budget perspective. He created a sleek, contemporary look to the kitchen that is visually appealing and welcoming. The master bath had some very unique challenges. He was able to utilize the spaces efficiently, meet our requirements and again make the room beautiful as you passed through. Throughout the project, the owner, Lee Austin, was always available and followed up on any problems promptly. Two plus years later, we are still delighted with the end product.

DSW representatives were responsive, professional and very collaborative throughout the project. Their customer focus, attention to detail and follow-up were excellent. Long after project completion they continued to follow-up with us to determine if any adjustments were needed. We rate them very highly.

Lee Austin and his team at Design Studio West was the right choice for the design and construction of a remodeled kitchen in our 100 year old home in La Jolla. The design recommendations and suggestions for materials and appliances were sensitive to the traditional style of our home. The construction crew at Design Studio West was always courteous, highly organized and efficient. At the end of the project, I asked myself, "Why did we take so long in deciding on a new kitchen?" During the past 4 years, the preparation and serving of many great meals to family and friends has been a joy. Martin Stein

Design Studio West did a great job. We are very please with the quality of work that they did. Lee Austin has a great team of knowledgeable and experienced people from Margaret Dean an excellent designer, to Dave Thomas, always on site and ready to solve any problem and Dana keeping track of all the communication. We would hire Design Studio West again. Maria V.

We are working on our third remodel using DSW. I am absolutely thrilled every time with the quality of work, the attention to detail, and the end product. They dot every "i" and cross every "t". They also accommodate different budget needs beautifully. I have a very strong personal design direction that I like to take and the relationships I've developed with their design consultants couldn't be better. They understand the aesthetic I'm trying to achieve and present options I couldn't have found on my own. We have become friends. I can't quite rave enough about them.

DSW designed and remodeled my master bedroom and one of my guest bedrooms, turning them into a larger master bedroom with a larger and eloquent master bathroom. The master bathroom was moved to the former guest bedroom and the master bedroom area was extended to include the old master bathroom area. A remote-controlled gas fireplace was added to the master bedroom. The new master bathroom included a glass-enclosed shower, marble tile flooring, and his/her granite counters. The design and workmanship surpassed my expectations, and DSW followed-up afterwards to ensure everything was to my satisfaction. I was so happy with DSW, I hired them to do 3 different remodels.

We have worked with Design Studio West on many projects over the years and can say we have enjoyed each and every experience. Their team works very hard to create functional design with stunning aesthetic appeal. They work tirelessly with their clients to ensure that not only is the overall goal achieved but that the implementation process is smooth. We highly recommend the entire Design Studio West team.

In 2009 we did a complete remodel on our home. The location of the kitchen changed from a closed galley kitchen to one that was open. After much contemplation we decided upon Design Studio West. We had heard of Mr. Austin's good reputation and professionalism. In addition, their product lines are beautiful and of high quality. We were very indecisive, but our designer Tracy patiently guided us through the process, showing us many different layouts and product variations. She has a great sense of style. It was a long and detailed process, and in the end we can say 4 years later that our kitchen is amazingly functional and beautiful.

Complete kitchen and family room remodel was undertaken within the same footprint. The kitchen was completely redesigned.The design and implementation was excellent and accomplished within cost and schedule. Any issues that surfaced during the implementation were addressed quickly by the Design Studio West staff. All staff members were found to be knowledgeable and attentive to detail. Craftsmanship was outstanding.

Design Studio West created the most wonderful bathroom I could have ever imagined! Ideas that were not in my experience blossomed into design. Doorways grew, cupboards appeared, the vanity grew, walls disappeared! The designer sat down with us, discussed our ideas and presented her interpretation of what we desired. Perfect! Our "we want...'s" turned into "This is how we can do that!" I would recommend Design Studio West for any job - they were neat, timely, and thoughtful.

Extremely honest company. Communication and adherence to schedule spotty. Very skilled employees who work extremely hard. Company had creative solutions to difficult issues.

I was very happy with the design help I received from Design Studio West, especially their designer, Karl Utzman. Design Studio West staff walked me through the entire process of redoing my kitchen and bathrooms. From begining-to-end they had great observations and ideas that worked within my budget. I would highly recommend Design Studio West and especially their designer, Karl Utzman.

We highly recommend this company. They did the design, ordering and installation of all the cabinetry in our new home. We enjoyed the professional staff we worked with. Our cabinetry is exactly what we wanted in our Tuscan-style home. We would recommend them to anyone seeking top-quality cabinetry. You won't be disappointed.

I'm fortunate to have known Dana and Lee for nearly 7 years. Their reputation speaks for itself. If you haven't done so already, visit their beautiful showroom on Girard Ave. The products are high quality. So many of the displays demonstrate how you can have a gorgeous, functional kitchen in small spaces.