“the end result was unequivocally five stars”

Don Lee is the Architect of my entirely remodeled estate in San Juan Capistrano. He worked closely with my General Contractor, allowing me to be largely hands off, but the end result, and my consultations with him beforehand, and during the project were unequivocally five stars. 

“impeccable taste for up-to-date, crisp, yet warm architectural results”

Don has impeccable taste for up-to-date, crisp yet warm architectural results, built upon a foundation of an encyclopedic knowledge of architectural traditions. His understanding of topics ranging from engineering to feng-shui to materials and costs, combine with his contemplative personality, easy going style, but tireless work ethic and unimpeachable integrity, guarantee happy customers. 

“Don’s contemplative personality [and] unimpeachable integrity, guarantee happy customers”

Visitors to my home in addition to commenting on the clean architectural lines, almost always comment on the welcoming warm "livable" environment, Don Lee (and my interior designer, Ed Knight) created.

— Peggy & John B.

“Don listened carefully and worked with us”

Our family has owned a condominium in Wailea Elua Village, Maui for many years. Elua Village is an older, low rise complex built next to Ulua Beach and with a lot of open landscaped space and really represents the best of“old Hawaii.”

Our condo had never been remodeled and while very homey and Hawaiian, it badly needed a complete remodel of the entire interior with all new cabinets, appliances and finishes. Even though our condo is 1700 s.f. with three bedrooms, it felt small and worse yet the old kitchen was completely enclosed and had no view of the water!

“Don was able look at many options, many that we would have never thought of”

What we needed was someone to come in and completely revision our interior space. Using 3d computer designs, Don was able look at many options for our interior space (and many that we would have never thought of) and show us exactly what the finished spaces would be like.

But as wonderful as the new spaces would be, it was very important to our family that we keep the feeling of Hawaii even with brand new materials and finishes. Most of the condos in our development have been completely redone, but we never saw one that really captured the special qualities of Elua Village.

“The result was better than we would have ever imagined!”

We weren't sure what we wanted could be done, but Don listened very carefully and worked with us to select just the right wood flooring, granite and onyx counter tops, metal and glass tile and wood cabinets. The result was better than we would have ever imagined!

— Mae C.

“We just finished the project and it's stunning!”

We hired Don to transform our 1950's ranch house into a more modern and efficient space for our family of five. Don was able to redesign the space without adding additional square footage - which was very important to us. 

“I highly recommend Don for his artistic vision, attention to detail and constant support!"

We just finished the project (which included a complete demolition and redesign of our living room, dining room, den, master bedroom and bath, kitchen and patio) and it is stunning! Don served as our designer on the project and worked with me every step of the way, helping me choose stone and tile, stain color, paint colors, fixtures - and on and on.

“Don's attention to detail made the tough decisions so much easier”

Don's attention to detail made the tough decisions so much easier and it was a relief knowing he would be there for guidance. He was readily available to our contractor and all the subs when they needed his input. 

I highly recommend Don for his artistic vision, attention to detail and constant support! 

— Joanie & Tim R.

“I couldn't recommend them enough.”

We had a great experience working with Don and Lorrene! We purchased a beautiful home in Anaheim Hills in early 2011. They really helped us explore the potential of our house. 

We really wanted to expand our master bathroom and they were able to to show us 3D computer designs first to help us solidify our decision to go through with it. We shared everything with them: thoughts on what we would like the house to look like, photos from magazines, pictures online, how we'd like the home to function and which parts of the home we like to spend a lot of time in. 

“[HDA] helped us make smart decisions about our home design”

They took in consideration all of the information we gave them and outlined the scope of the project in detail and ultimately helped us make smart decisions about our home design. We quite enjoyed working with them as they are lovely people and professional. 

Communication was never problem between us. Whenever we ran into a small problem they were right there to help us solve it quickly. They were with us throughout the entire project (helped us with getting approval with our HOA, picking tile/wood flooring, went shopping with us for fireplaces, negotiated prices with contractors, checked to see if work was finished and up to standard before we made any payments) and we appreciated their attention to details. 

“Big bonus points to them really helping us control our budget”

At one point in the process we weren't even in town for a couple months and they kept the project going. In the end our house turned out beautiful. They gave us everything we needed and more because they truly went above and beyond for our home. Big bonus points to them really helping us control our budget. I couldn't recommend them enough.

— Xiapeng & Angel L.

“I have worked with many architects [and] would highly recommend Don and Home Design Architects for any project.”

I am a cabinetmaker by profession and have worked with many architects. When it was time to remodel our first home, Don really gave me a great outlook on the overall construction and design process and put things into perspective. 

“We quickly received input with design renderings and construction details to begin the building process”

We really had a short time line, but quickly received input with design renderings and construction and lighting details to begin the building process. Don would often tell us, "We have options", which helped us understand that there was a process in remodeling our home and a budget which we had to be comfortable with. 

We really had a choice in the way we wanted our home to feel and look and Don really expressed that well with great ideas. I would highly recommend Don and Home Design Architects for any project.

— Jen & John D.

“Don's knowledge and experience with challenging field conditions was very helpful.”

Don helped us to redesign not only our kitchen - our primary focus - but the other common living spaces bringing in more light and fluidity beginning with the front porch, front hall, kitchen, living and dining room through to the family room. 

“Don was helpful with the multitude of design details”

We encountered the usual problems of remodeling an older home built in the '50s. cracked foundation, uneven flooring, sloping beams and a cracked sewer line to name a few. Don's knowledge and experience with challenging field conditions was very helpful in finding structurally sound yet economic solutions. 

“Our new home is both functional and beautiful with a coherent style that reflects our tastes”

Don's availability to the contractor was also a benefit and the contractor and foreman were able to contact Don at any given time, ensuring the work could continue. Don was also helpful with the multitude of design details. As a result our new home is both functional and beautiful with a coherent style that reflects our tastes.

— Carolyn & Charlie T.

“During the process, although it was stressful, Don and Lorrene held my hand every step of the way.”

My remodel was done by Don and Lorrene.  I couldn't have asked for a better outcome.  I am so pleased with the house that I love showing it off to family and friends. It is now a beautiful house to live in.

“They are willing to go the extra mile to keep their client less anxious about the process.”

During the process, although it was stressful, Don and Lorrene held my hand every step of the way.  Helping me to make wise choices on all the finishings in the kitchen and bathroom. Don even went shopping with me. 

“They are honest and true to their word.”

They are willing to go the extra mile to keep their client less anxious about the process. They are honest and true to their word. I highly recommend them to anyone that wants a happy remodeling experience.

— Youngsil M.

“For very little money, he designed an addition that brought the entire house together and gave it life.”

Years ago, I had purchased an older home with potential, which is the nice way of saying that it was in desperate need of updating. A friend whose husband had worked with Don recommended him to me. Of course she assured me that he was an excellent architect, but what sold me was that she said he was known for his creativity.

“'That room accomplished more than I could ever have imagined.”

If ever there was a house in need of creativity, this one was it. For very little money, he designed an addition that brought the entire house together and gave it life. That room accomplished more than I could ever have imagined. It opened up the house to the view as well as to the rest of the house. Though this house was essentially a cottage, that room with it’s high ceiling gave a feeling of airiness to a low little bungalow.

“Living in this house, I think of Home Design almost everyday.“

That was, believe it or not, 18 years ago.  A lot has changed in my life, but the room remains gorgeous. By using his creation with it’s excellent proportions and clerestory windows as an inspiration, little by little, the rest of the house has caught up with his design. Living in this house, I think of Home Design almost everyday.

— Gale

“Don listened to all our wants and asked many questions to learn about our lifestyle.”

Wow, Don created a new home for us! And it’s perfect! Our 31 year old home needed to change with our life as grandparents and we wanted it “new”. He listened to all our wants and asked many questions to learn about our lifestyle. He worked within our time frame and provided us with a great set of plans turning our 80’s home into an open floor plan, even completely relocating our kitchen. We just love it!

— Sue & Mike H.