By Barbara Forsyth | SDUN Reporter

In exploring San Diego’s oldest neighborhoods, one is treated to a range of architectural periods and styles. There are iconic Victorian mansions, wonderfully preserved Craftsmen bungalows, Spanish Colonial charmers, and California Art Deco dwellings, to name a few of the styles represented throughout Mission Hills, Hillcrest, Banker’s Hill, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Normal Heights and Kensington.

In recent years, these Uptown neighborhoods have also experienced a pronounced urban revitalization. A diverse range of people from young professionals, families to retirees have been moving into these areas and buying up their historical gems.

As president of Design Studio West, which has been in business for approximately 30 years, designer Lee Austin has witnessed the dramatic transformation of these neighborhoods first hand.

The visible signs of renewed vitality only tell part of the story.
While these homes create a varied visual landscape from the outside, they share some common characteristics on the inside, with small, carved up spaces with kitchens and bathrooms that show their age.

Another prevalent issue buyers face is a poorly done or out-of-date remodel that did everything but improve upon the original interior. Serious design innovation is required to overcome these problems, but most of it happens quietly behind closed doors, out of public view.

Austin said he enjoys tackling Uptown projects for these reasons because they pose exciting creative challenges. The firm’s portfolio includes modern, urban lofts such as the Cable Building in Hillcrest, as well as historical styles that have been updated to suit current tastes and lifestyles while preserving the spirit of its architecture.

Austin and his team of designers specialize in achieving multiple uses out a single space, maximizing the home’s layout, including changing it when necessary, and kitchen and bath remodels.

Austin said he finds today’s homebuyers to be a discerning lot. He said they have done their research, they have ideas to bring to the table and they expect Design Studio West offers exceptional quality, value and efficiency in maximizing living spaces.

“Our clients dictate what the design will be,” he said. “Years ago buyers were less aware that design will make or break a project before the work begins, so often times they would undertake a project using a contractor with minimal design skills and hope for the best. Now we are finding that clients understand that quality design is truly the key to getting the most out of their home and their investment.”

Countless resources for remodeling projects exist, while major retail outlets such as Home Depot and Ikea offer free design consultations. Austin elaborated on the value of hiring a professional designer, especially for those of us who are part of the bottom 99 percent.

The services of professional interior designers are not limited to the top one percent, nor are they just for people who lack the imagination to do it themselves.

Austin said he tries to challenge the popular assumption that working with a designer is needlessly costly. The benefits of hiring a designer, besides his aesthetic vision, include access to better materials, functionality, durability, and energy efficiency, all of which can lead to long-term savings.

Fortunately for today’s homeowners, the state of the economy has made it nearly impossible for “average” remodeling companies to stay in business. The design firms that have survived the recession have earned their longevity; their survival is a testament to their talent, versatility and referrals from happy clients.

Good designers can find space-saving solutions to that only someone years of training and experience would notice. They listen closely to the specific preferences and needs of their clients, while pushing beyond the homeowners’ expectations and into the realm of forward thinking. They are masters of successful collaboration with their clients and the other professionals working on the job, such as architects, contractors, building managers and other designers, expanding everyone’s creative range in the process. Superior designers also recognize the need to stay within budget, finding affordable alternatives when necessary that don’t compromise quality. They offer a full range of services including permitting, they make the process transparent to their clients, and they meet their deadlines.

For more information, visit designstudiowest.com.