Wrapping up 2022 & an Exciting Look at the New Year

It’s getting to that time of year – 2022 is coming to a close and 2023 is just on the horizon. With projects now nearing completion that were delayed due to COVID and exciting new projects in the works for 2023, Craig reflects on the highlights of the year, design themes and how technology enables him to work on inspiring projects away from home.

2022: A Year of Project Ends, Collaborations & New Destinations 

Design in Costa Mesa & Next-Gen Technology 

Down in sunshine-filled Southern California (Costa Mesa, CA), Craig was excited to jump on a full-home renovation starting in 2019, but then COVID hit. Luckily, with the help of a great team, technology, good communication and wonderful, collaborative clients (who own a landscape design business), the project wrapped just in time for the family to move in before the holidays. The full-home renovation opened up the floorplan and added a luxurious master suite with a glass hallway connecting it to the house, similar to this Calistoga project. Here’s a sneak peak of the home with a snapshot of the new hallway. A full photo shoot is planned for the New Year, so stay tuned for more.

Craig designed this glass breezeway to connect a master suite addition to the main living areas and provide seamless indoor/outdoor flow for a Costa Mesa remodel.

As far as the distance goes, while Craig loves working in the Bay Area and wine country, he has a case of wanderlust and is inspired to extend his work beyond the Bay. In addition to Southern California, he also had a recent project near Missoula, Montana and a wishlist of project locations that includes Hawaii and Colorado. With excellent technology in place and good communication, he thinks it can be a great success.

“I do believe that with the right team and technology – I can continue the process during construction in a good way. And a lot of it comes down to building a solid team and then trusting and letting go,” he says.

And, with his new 3D LEICA, a supercharged next-gen imaging laser scanner, he can capture a full scan with spherical images in seconds.  The scans feed right into the architecture software, Revit, so he is able to “take a step back” to see everything clearly, even from thousands of miles away.

“It scans 360 degrees up and down and around. It's shooting little points. And so you get that data, and that data is very accurate. With that data, you can create a floor plan: with 3D views, windows, doors, ceilings…and you can do the outside as well.”  

In San Francisco: A High-End Kitchen and Four-Story Remodel with a Rooftop Deck 

This beautiful, bespoke artisan custom kitchen in San Francisco near Dolores Park was recently completed (here is a rendering). Photos coming in 2023.

Also completed just in time for the holidays is a beautiful, bespoke artisan custom kitchen in San Francisco near Dolores Park. 

Craig teamed up with friend and General Contractor, Hibbs Hawke of Hawke Building Company to tackle the project. We can’t wait to share photos, coming in 2023. 

Another celebration of 2022 is a hard-won building permit for a 4-level remodel in Lower Pac Heights, San Francisco, which was a delayed process due to COVID. The home was built in the early 1900s and the new design will transform it into more light-filled, comfortable and functional living areas that complement the owners’ style and living habits. Construction begins in 2023 and is expected to take a year. 

This 4-level remodel in Lower Pac Heights, San Francisco is set to begin construction in 2023. The house was built in the early 1900s.

More in 2023: A Mill Valley Cottage & Ranch in Los Gatos 

Construction recently began on a quaint Mill Valley Cottage, which was built prior to the 1900s. The design is complete, the permit is secured and now general contractor Buck O’Neil and his team are hard at work bringing Craig’s design to life. It includes: a down-to-the-studs remodel to modernize the cottage and to create better flow and function for the family of four. Craig and his colleague Alexandra Barrett are very involved during construction, attending weekly site meetings with the owners and construction team to address field issues and ensure the design intent comes to life, with careful consideration to tastefully pay homage to the original character of the home.

Heading just a bit south of Marin to Los Gatos, CA, Craig is starting a full remodel on a 1950s ranch-style house.  He and his team plan to achieve more open and spacious living areas with improved function, flow, views of the surrounding nature and an overall cohesive mid-century modern design aesthetic. 

Currently under construction, this cozy Mill Valley, CA cottage built prior to the 1900s is undergoing a down-to-the-studs remodel for a family of four.

A Touch of “Home” Through Modern Design 

“I think people are craving that warm touch, with elements like wood – something that’s not super polished or glossy and clean. I consider myself to be more minimalist, yet always design with organic and rustic materials to make a home feel more lived-in and cozy.” 

What’s the throughline of what people want in their design? Craig says that in addition to elegant mid-century modern-inspired features, people want organic modern, also known as rustic modern. 

“I think people are craving that warm touch, with elements like wood – something that’s not super polished or glossy and clean. I consider myself to be more minimalist, yet always design with organic and rustic materials to make a home feel more lived-in and cozy.” 

This “organic modern” design by Craig was created for good friends and next-door neighbors in Woodacre, CA a few years ago.

As 2022 draws to a close and Craig reflects on the past year, he is extremely grateful for his team, including project architect, Alexandra, his clients, and the many contractors, engineers, and subs who help bring his designs to life. The New Year is filled with inspiring projects - from Wine Country to Silicon Valley and beyond -  that he’s looking forward to shepherding to the finish line. 

At the same time, he is always working to find more balance in his work and life, so his continued meditation and journaling practices, as well as family travels, are a priority.  He’s looking forward to spring break in Maui, where he’s still hoping to land that next dream project!

Happy Holidays from the O’Connells: Jessica, Craig, Wyatt and Farrah pose over Thanksgiving Break in beautiful Joshua Tree, CA.