Background & Overall Design

Q: We deeply resonate with your mantra of living unapologetically. How does this translate into your work?

A: For me, living unapologetically means trusting your instincts and creating spaces that feel honest rather than overly calculated. In design it’s very easy to play it safe, but the most memorable homes come from conviction. I approach every project with the mindset that a home should feel deeply personal and layered. When a space reflects the people who live there and the designer’s point of view, it naturally becomes more interesting, more soulful, and ultimately more timeless.

Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

A: I often describe my aesthetic as raw meets refined. I love pairing materials that feel grounded and tactile with moments of polish and sophistication. You might see antique brass against marble, sculptural stone paired with soft textiles, or traditional architecture balanced with contemporary details. The goal is always a space that feels collected and effortless rather than overly decorated.

Q: Where does that POV come from? What has helped shape it over the years?

A: A lot of it comes from my background and the places that have influenced me. I grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by architecture that blends cultures and eras, and my Persian heritage also instilled a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and detail. Over time, traveling and working with incredible artisans and manufacturers has further shaped my perspective. I’ve learned that great design isn’t about trends. It’s about materiality, proportion, and creating an emotional experience within a space.

Q: What sparked the Clifton Project? How did you work with this home’s history and architecture style while also putting your personal stamp on it?

A: Clifton started as a design exercise in reimagining a historic Craftsman home for modern California living. The original home was designed in 1941 by Edith Northman, who was one of Southern California’s first female architects and the first woman licensed as an architect in Los Angeles. That history felt important to respect. The house had beautiful bones, so the goal wasn’t to reinvent it but to evolve it. We designed a two-story addition at the rear that maintains the scale and proportions of the original structure while introducing a cleaner, more contemporary sensibility. Materials like brick, oak, and traditional millwork echo the original architecture while the fixtures, layout, and detailing bring the house forward for modern California living—showcasing how the two can coexist beautifully.

Q: What drew you to choose Signature Hardware for this project?

A: Signature Hardware strikes a balance that’s actually very difficult to find. Their pieces feel classic but still fresh, and the craftsmanship is excellent. When I’m designing a home like Clifton, I want fixtures that feel timeless and substantial, not overly trendy. Signature Hardware offered that versatility across multiple spaces in the home.

Q: Any tips for giving a room that layered, collected, raw-meets-refined vibe you’re known for?

A: Start with materials that feel honest. Stone, wood, plaster, and metal always create a strong foundation. Then layer pieces that contrast each other slightly. Something antique next to something modern, something sculptural next to something soft. The magic usually happens in those small tensions between materials and styles.

The Kitchen

Q: With the heart of the home unique to everyone, what was your vision for this kitchen?

A: The kitchen was designed to feel like the true heart of the home, a place where people naturally gather. I wanted it to function beautifully for everyday family life while still feeling warm and inviting for entertaining. We incorporated a built-in banquette to create a more intimate place for casual meals and conversation, and the kitchen opens directly to the family room where large bifolding doors lead out to the yard. When those doors are open, the whole space expands and the kitchen becomes part of the outdoor living area, which really reflects the way people live in California.

Q: How did you bring that to life?

A: We focused heavily on materiality and proportion. The farmhouse sink, bridge faucet, and aged brass hardware all reference traditional kitchens, but the cabinetry lines and layout keep the space feeling modern. It’s that balance of heritage and simplicity that makes the room work.

Q: We see aged brass fixtures used all throughout the home. What is it about this finish?

A: Aged brass has warmth and depth that other finishes simply don’t have. It feels timeless and lived in rather than overly polished. In a home like Clifton where we layered natural materials like oak, stone, and plaster, aged brass adds richness and ties everything together beautifully. balance of heritage and simplicity that makes the room work.

Q: What’s your favorite spot in this kitchen?

A: The dining bar. It’s where the kitchen really becomes social. It allows people to gather, have a drink, and interact with whoever is cooking without feeling like they’re standing in the middle of the workspace. I love moments like this where something practical becomes part of the design language of the room.

The Primary Bath

Q: What was your vision for the primary bath?

A: I wanted the primary bathroom to feel timeless and almost spa-like. The space was designed more like a European-style wet room, with the clawfoot tub positioned in the center and a large open shower surrounding it with dual shower heads. The black and white checkered marble floor gives the room a classic European sensibility, while the marble walls and aged brass fixtures add warmth and refinement. The goal was to create something that feels elegant and timeless but also incredibly relaxing to use.

Q: How did you bring that to life?

A: It really came down to material choices and keeping the architecture simple. We used marble on the walls to create a clean, cohesive envelope for the space, and the honed and antiqued black and white checkered marble floor adds a classic graphic moment that grounds the room. Aged brass fixtures bring warmth and contrast against the stone, while the large open shower with dual shower heads keeps the layout feeling spacious and relaxed. Everything was chosen to feel timeless and quietly luxurious.

Q: What Signature Hardware piece brings you the most joy in the home? What do you love about it?

A: The Rosalind clawfoot tub in the primary bathroom is probably my favorite moment. There’s something incredibly romantic and sculptural about a freestanding tub like that. It anchors the entire room and immediately creates a sense of calm and luxury.

Q: We love that you chose our Vela smart toilet for the primary bath. What are your favorite features?

A: Honestly, once you use one of these smart toilets you can never go back. The comfort and functionality are on another level, and it completely changes the everyday experience of a bathroom. I love incorporating modern conveniences like this, especially when the design itself stays clean and understated so it doesn’t distract from the rest of the space.

The Secondary Baths

Q: How about your vision for the rest of the bathrooms? Is there a common through-line or does each tell its own story?

A: Each bathroom has its own personality, but they’re all connected through a similar material language. I love when secondary spaces still feel considered and memorable rather than purely functional. One bathroom leans more earthy with rich green tile and aged brass fixtures, while another feels softer and more classic with warm wood cabinetry and marble. The powder room is probably the most playful moment. We installed a dramatic chinoiserie wallpaper from Little Greene that completely transforms the space. I always think powder rooms are the perfect place to take a design risk and create a little moment of surprise.

Q: Let’s talk vanity/sink choices. What makes the Delavan, Nikolai, and Cierra the perfect choices for these baths?

A: Each vanity was chosen to give its bathroom its own character while still feeling cohesive with the overall design of the house. The Cierra vanity has a beautiful architectural quality with its open brass frame and porcelain sink, which feels classic and timeless. The Delavan brings warmth with its rich wood tone and furniture-like presence, which works beautifully against the marble top and aged brass fixtures. The Nikolai introduces texture with its reeded detailing, giving that bathroom a slightly more tailored and refined feel. I love when pieces like this feel almost like furniture rather than standard built-ins because they add personality to the room.

Q: We see our Greyfield faucets and accessories show up in almost every bathroom. Why this collection?

A: The Greyfield collection has a simplicity to it that I really love. The forms are clean and architectural, which allows it to work beautifully across different bathrooms without feeling repetitive. Even though each space has its own personality, using the same faucet collection creates a sense of continuity throughout the house. The aged brass finish also adds warmth and depth, especially against materials like marble and tile, so it felt like the perfect balance of classic and modern.

The Finishing Touches

Q: Let’s talk finishing touches. What do you seek in the small details throughout a home?

A: For me, the smaller details are what ultimately give a home its soul. I’m always thinking about how materials and finishes layer together to create a feeling. In this house we used rich French oak floors throughout, exquisite lighting that adds warmth and atmosphere, and beautiful wallpapers from Little Greene Paint Company to bring personality and heritage to the powder room. Even architectural moments like the travertine marble–clad fireplaces help anchor the rooms. When all of those details are thoughtfully considered, the home begins to feel layered, intentional, and truly special.

Q: We can all agree first impressions matter. How do you feel our front door sets help set the tone for this home?

A: The entry is the first handshake a home gives you. Strong, beautifully crafted hardware immediately communicates quality and intention. It sets the tone before you even step inside.

Q: We love that you chose the Lazzara leather hardware for the closets here. Could you share with us why?

A: I love mixing unexpected materials, and leather hardware is a beautiful example of that. It adds warmth and texture in a place people interact with every day.

Q: What small detail surprised you most with its impact? How so?

A: It’s always the smallest details that make the biggest difference. Things like door stops, hardware, and even matching bath accessories might seem insignificant, but when everything is consistent, the house just feels more elevated. People may not always notice it consciously, but they feel it.