Modern Kitchen
▸ PlayingWhite oak custom cabinetry, Taj Mahal stone, and 12 weeks start-to-finish.
KitchenSolana Beach, CA / Est. 2024
(N 32.9913° / W 117.2719°)
We design, build, and remodel the homes you live in
A coastal design-build studio in the Cedros Design District. Architecture, interior design, permitting, and construction handled all under one roof, by one team, on one schedule.
(Featured · Carlsbad Modern Kitchen)
(What we do / 06)
One studio, every phase
Whole home remodel
Structure, finishes, and flow rethought as one project, drawn and built under one roof.
Kitchen remodel
Custom cabinetry, hand-picked stone, and a layout tuned to the way you actually cook.
Bathroom remodel
Primary suites and spa-style conversions, drawn into the scope of larger remodels.
Custom ADUs
Coastal ADU permits in 60 days under AB 462. Design, permitting, and build, one team.
Home addition
Primary suite, second-story, and garage conversions that read as original to the house.
Outdoor living
Covered patios, outdoor kitchens, and pool decks designed for coastal exposure.
(Selected work / 2024—26)
Recent projects
(How we work / Integrated team)
One roof,
every discipline
Architecture, interior design, permitting, and construction live in the same office. Every decision is made in the room with the people who will build it. No telephone game. No surprises at framing. One team, one process, end to end.
(vs. the traditional architect → GC → subcontractor chain)
- 01(Architecture)
Architecture in-house
Plans drawn by the studio that builds them. No design-by-committee, no scope lost between contracts.
- 02(Interiors)
Interiors to the SKU
Cabinetry, stone, tile, lighting, and fixtures specified by manufacturer SKU during design. The bid you sign is the bid you pay.
- 03(Permitting)
Permits and structure
Structural, MEP, and coastal permits handled before crews mobilize. Coastal ADU approvals delivered inside the 60-day window under AB 462.
- 04(Construction)
One crew, one standard
The framer, finisher, and project manager all answer to the office that drew the plans. Detail decisions land exactly where they were drawn.
(Reviews / Houzz)
In their words
★★★★★“Our project actually finished ahead of schedule.”
We couldn't be happier with our experience working with John and his team. Taking on a major renovation can be stressful, but John made the entire process feel organized and manageable from start to finish.
What stood out to me right away was how knowledgeable he is. Any time a question or issue came up, he had an answer and a solution. He's also incredibly well connected and has built a great team around him. He did an excellent job coordinating all of the trades and keeping everyone moving in the right direction, so there was always progress being made on the project.
One of the biggest surprises was that our project actually finished ahead of schedule. That alone speaks volumes about how well everything was managed.
Communication was also fantastic. John was always easy to get a hold of, responsive, and willing to answer questions along the way. We never felt like we were left wondering what was happening next.
His project manager deserves a lot of credit as well. He was at the job site daily, keeping an eye on the work, following up with subcontractors, and making sure everything stayed on track. Having that level of oversight gave us a lot of confidence throughout the renovation.
The entire team was professional, organized, and genuinely cared about delivering a quality result. We are thrilled with how everything turned out and would absolutely recommend John to anyone looking for a contractor they can trust.
★★★★★“They turned a nightmare situation into a beautifully executed remodel.”
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this design-build team. What started as a stressful, unexpected flood turned into one of the best home-renovation experiences I've ever had, and it's all because of them.
From day one, they showed up with professionalism, compassion, and a calm confidence that made me feel taken care of. They helped guide me through the entire design and material selection process, managed every detail, and turned a nightmare situation into a beautifully executed remodel.
They installed gorgeous new floors, staircase, custom baseboards, door casings, and added a stunning new bathroom. Their craftsmanship is impeccable, their communication is excellent, and their ability to blend design with functionality has completely elevated my home.
What impressed me most was how much they cared. They listened, they offered smart ideas, and they treated my home like it was their own. Every person who walked through my door was kind, skilled, and dedicated to getting things right.
If you're looking for a design + build firm you can trust that delivers beautiful results, handles challenges with ease, and genuinely partners with you through the process, this is the team you want. I'm beyond grateful for their work and was so impressed that I've decided to continue into the next phase of my kitchen remodel project with this amazing design-build team.
Truly a five-star experience. Highly recommended.
(FAQ)
Questions, answered
What is design-build?
Design-build is a construction model where one firm handles architecture, interior design, permitting, and construction under a single team and a single accountability chain. It removes the traditional architect-versus-general-contractor handoff that creates scope drift on most remodels.
Where does Elevations work?
Coastal North County San Diego. Solana Beach, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla, Encinitas, Cardiff, and Carlsbad. The studio is in the Cedros Design District in Solana Beach.
Do you offer free estimates?
No. Every project starts with a complimentary phone consultation. If the fit is right, the next step is a $250 on-site design consultation with our principal, credited in full to the project. The fee is a commitment filter, not a sales tactic.
How is design-build different from hiring an architect and a contractor separately?
The plans are drawn by the firm that builds them. There's no rebidding, no architect-versus-GC arguments, and no plans that can't be built as drawn. Every selection is specified before construction is priced, so the bid you sign is the number you pay.
Last updated: June 2026