One of the best parts of being in our field is the constant flow of beautiful projects—modern homes on the Oregon Coast, Southern wedding barns, and tasting rooms surrounded by vineyards, to name a few. But with beauty comes a bit of pain: we often have to wait until our projects are camera-ready—or client-approved—to share them with the world.
Today, we’re delighted to toss patience out the window and spotlight a project that’s been a massive source of inspiration for our team. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this custom shop offers a stunning preview of how our interior design team elevates our high-end wood structures.
Taking cues from the Stillwater Barn Home Kit by our sister company DC Structures, this shop features a light and airy interior framed by large king-post timber trusses. Inside, Scandinavian influences meet mid-century modern fixtures and finishes, creating a warm, contemporary space that invites connection and creativity. The shop opens to nearly 1,000 square feet of living space, complete with a modern kitchen and island, central fireplace, and open loft above. A secluded office provides a serene retreat from meetings or gatherings—an ideal space for focus and reflection.
This client originally envisioned a modern rustic design, with floor-to-ceiling wood-clad walls, a dark gray fireplace and range hood, and stone and steel accents that gave the space a sharp, masculine character. After working closely with our interior design team, they found themselves drawn to a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic—and the shift feels every bit as intentional and cohesive as the original concept.
Our Head of Interior Design, Rochelle Talwar, shared a bit about the design process:
“This client was an absolute pleasure to work with. He had a mix of Scandinavian and mid-century modern furniture that he wanted to reuse. The challenge was blending the heavy timber, farmhouse-style open-concept kitchen vibe with modern textiles and materials to create a unique, elevated dining experience—and we achieved just that.”
With its cherry wood kitchen cabinets, white-and-wood palette, and sleek built-ins, this shop delivers an endlessly inviting design that feels luxurious yet minimalistic, understated yet brilliant. We can’t wait to see this project come to life as construction begins!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more behind-the-scenes updates on this and other projects in development. If you have an idea for your own custom shop, home, or commercial space, we’d love to hear about it—request a quote here or call us at (888) 975-2057 to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives.
