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Stephanie Larsen Interior Design: Functional luxury homes

Posted at 7:54 AM, Feb 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-22 15:36:56-05

Stephanie Larsen Interior Design is a paid advertiser of Sonoran Living.

Functional Luxury Homes
by Sedona's Top-Rated Interior Designer

Stephanie Larsen is passionate about interior design. "I love being creative every day," she says. "It's like being an artist with a canvas, and each step you take is making the canvas come to life."

Larsen's pursuit of excellence has earned her accolades both nationally (on Houzz) and in Sedona (voted "Best Interior Designer" by Kudos readers every year since 2009). She designs beautiful luxury homes that are comfortable and functional and tailored to the preferences of her clients.

I listen to what clients have to say. My designs reflect their personality and taste. The contributions I make include knowing how to put things together, what works and what doesn't, how a home flows from one room to the next, and where the best resources can be found. Someone who is not an interior designer is not going to know what's out there. I really know the market. So there is no need to hire a designer from New York, Los Angeles, or Scottsdale. I have the expertise and the knowledge.

Larsen strikes a balance between keeping abreast of design possibilities and trends and developing strong collaborative partnerships in Sedona, where she has lived for nearly two decades.

Being in town for so many years is one of my strengths. I know who to use, whose quality is reliable. I work with architects, general contractors, painters, cabinet makers, granite artisans, tile setters, and window-covering experts. I have done my homework. I also like to incorporate design elements from local resources-whether that's furniture made from reclaimed wood, a bronze sink, or a painting from a local gallery. I believe you are only as good as the people you work with and the resources you have. Being in town also gives me the opportunity to keep an eye on the project and to make sure that the design is moving forward as planned.

When asked if she has a signature style, Larsen says she leans toward a warm color palette and a look that is sophisticated and timeless whether the style is modern, Mediterranean, Zen, French country, Spanish ranch, or Southwestern. But, she adds, "ultimately my style and color choices reflect each and every client's personal tastes."

Just because someone is living in Sedona, doesn't mean they must choose a Southwestern design (although I do Southwestern very well). You don't have to have the red rocks, the terracotta, or the sage green in your home. I think the backdrop of Sedona creates the beauty, the view. And your home can be who you are.

I always tell people when they are building or remodeling a home to use a neutral palette for appliances, countertops, and major pieces of furniture. Pops of color can come in the artwork, the rugs, the pillows, and other accessories that can easily be changed. Having a neutral background creates a timeless look.

Where does Larsen find her inspiration? I find my inspiration by traveling, being outdoors in Sedona, visiting design centers, going to trade shows, seeing the new fabric lines, educating myself as an active member of ASID (the American Society of Interior Designers), and seeing how other designers have put things together in commercial properties, such as high-end hotels and restaurants. Then I put my own twist on what I see.

The delight that Larsen gets from the end product is the same thrill she felt when she first discovered design as a teenager: seeing her vision come to fruition. Designing a home takes time and diligence. So at the end, when all the hard surfaces are in, and the furniture truck arrives, and everything is put in place, and the last picture is hung on the wall, and the accessories are placed on the coffee table, that's when I sit back and look up and say, "This is amazing! This is worth it."
StephanieLarsenInteriors.com