Beyond the "Pretty Picture": How We Uncovered Hidden Luxury in a 1980s Remodel

The Challenge: Location Potential vs. Architectural Limitation In 2018, my clients secured a property in a coveted Rio Verde, AZ neighborhood. While the location was perfect, the 1989 construction was failing them. The layout was fragmented, featuring a partial wall that isolated the kitchen and choked the flow of the home. They needed a contemporary sanctuary that didn't just look modern, but functioned for a lifetime of entertaining.

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Curating Calm: Why Your Workspace Needs a Dedicated "Creative Corner"

In the world of interior design, we often talk about how a space should feel. It’s easy to focus on the technical details of a floor plan or the specifications of a fabric, but the true mark of great design is the emotional response it evokes. And nowhere is this more critical than in your own office.

As a designer, my brain is constantly switching between analytical problem-solving and free-flowing creativity. To sustain my energy and maintain a laser-sharp focus, I’ve learned that the environment is everything.

That is why I created this dedicated sitting area immediately adjacent to my main desk in my design studio.

A peaceful place to be creative…

It is more than just a place to sit; it is a conceptual "reset button." When I am stuck on a color palette, trying to reconfigure a difficult floor plan, or simply need to write a post like this one, I leave my primary workstation. Moving my physical body just a few feet away into this calming, texturally rich environment signals a powerful mental shift.

By creating a space that feels curated, quiet, and peaceful, I can look at my projects with fresh eyes. This "change of perspective" isn’t just about seeing a different view out the window; it is about physically stepping outside of the day-to-day grind to let the ideas breathe. This is where my biggest "aha!" moments happen—where a space for a client truly begins to take shape.

Whether it’s a dedicated nook with a great armchair, or simply moving to a different chair at the other end of your home office, never underestimate the power of a physical shift to unlock new creativity.

Need help designing a space that fosters your own peace and productivity? Let's connect.

Scottsdale Interior Design Group - We were named an expert on ApartmentGuide

Check out the recent ApartmentGuide article we were featured in:

Quality sleep is as essential as breathing and eating; in fact, sleep deprivation can lead to increased risk for depression, mental illness, and other life-threatening complications – don’t mess around when it comes to your rest. If you’re looking to create the perfect sleep sanctuary that will leave you rested and rejuvenated, you’ve come to the right place. 

Whether you’re renting a house in Birmingham, an apartment in Boise, or even own a home in Seattle, WA, ApartmentGuide has amassed a wealth of tips from sleep experts to help you turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary while also laying the foundation for your body and mind to wind down and enjoy your new space. Read on to learn more and begin getting the best rest of your life.

Read the full article here: How to Curate a Sleep Sanctuary: Sleep Experts Reveal Their Secrets

Scottsdale Interior Design Group Portfolio

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Jackie Santos Named as Top Expert in Interior Design - 2025

Tuesday, November 15th, 2024

Jackie Santos - Named as a Leading Expert in Interior Design Industry for 2025

A prestigious annual list showcasing the most talented interior design professionals has been released. This list recognizes experts who excel in creating spaces that seamlessly integrate beauty and functionality, reimagining areas that promote comfort and meaningful connections. The 125 Top Interior Design Experts 2025, published by Fixr, includes professionals known for their innovative designs and dedication to shaping and inspiring the industry.

Chosen for their ability to transform interiors and elevate spaces, these experts represent the very best in the field. Fixr’s selection process assesses candidates based on their expertise, experience, and their role as a source of inspiration for others. Among the honorees is Jackie Santos, whose expertise in interior design has made a significant impact.

Inclusion in this list means that Jackie Santos has demonstrated strong leadership and expertise within the interior design industry. Jackie Santos's ongoing innovation is a crucial driver behind the continued growth and evolution of interior design practices and trends in 2025.

About Jackie Santos

Owner and Interior Designer

Jackie is an ASID award winning designer, a Midwestern native and transplant to Scottsdale, Arizona from nearly 25 years ago. She realized her love for and gifts with Interior Design began early in her professional career.

After a successful career as Marketing Manager, she left the corporate world behind and began her retail business, Scottsdale Fine Living Home, as a purveyor of fine English, French, and European Antique imports where she works first-hand with Interior Designers to offer authentic and one-of-a-kind pieces and provides her clients with unique design elements for their residential and commercial spaces. 

To bring this concept full circle, she attended and graduated from the American Institute of Interior Design with Honors and subsequently founded the Scottsdale Interior Design Group and Prescott Interior Design Group. 

Jackie is also a former faculty member at The American Institute of Interior Design as an Adjunct Professor of Drafting and Space Planning, Color Theory, History of Furniture, Contemporary Architecture and Furniture.

“It brings me pure joy to contribute to the Interior Design community by teaching, guiding, sharing, and inspiring new Designers in the classroom.”

While her specialty and focus began in antiques and vintage elements, Jackie's appreciation and love for all types and styles of Design are evident in her work. She purposes to make her expressions in Design sophisticated, traditional, and transitional; yet with a fresh and somewhat modern twist. She meets her clients’ needs by providing homes and spaces that reflect their individual needs and styles.

Jackie and her team have been recognized as one of the Top 124 Interior Design Experts nationwide for the last 3 years running, also as the “Best of the Best” in Yavapai County for the past 2 years running, and as Top 10 Interior Designers in Scottsdale, AZ. Jackie has also designed tablescapes for the Independent Women’s Luncheon held annually at the Phoenix Art Museum as well as IFDA’s Charitable Event, Take-A-Seat for several years.

About Fixr.com

Fixr.com is a home improvement resource specialist with the mission of helping homeowners make better home remodeling decisions. Fixr.com is unrivaled when it comes to providing unbiased, thorough, and updated cost guides, price comparisons, and cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation, and repair projects. When the homeowner is equipped with the necessary knowledge, Fixr.com connects homeowners with the best-matched contractors in their area to begin their home improvement projects.

For the complete list, visit: 125 Top Interior Design Experts Leading the Industry in 2025

Top 200 Influencers in the Interior Design Industry - 2022

The annual Top 200 Influencers in the Interior Design Industry has just been released for 2022. Presented by Fixr.com, the exclusive list recognizes outstanding contributions and innovation at an important time for home design.

Fixr.com chose interior designers and experts in related fields using a rigorous methodology. Their contributions and achievements were analyzed, as well as their knowledge and expertise, social media and press engagement, and overall authority and influence in interior design.

“The Top Interior Design Influencer list is composed of trail blazers at the top of their game,” said Adam Graham, industry analyst at Fixr.com. “Their inspiring work, at a time when home design has been in the spotlight more than ever, warrants the recognition”.

Tim and Jackie Santos have earned their place on this exclusive list by demonstrating continually evolving creativity at the forefront of the industry. Fixr.com looks forward to seeing Tim and Jackie influence interior design trends further in 2022.

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BUILD Architecture Awards Scottsdale Interior Design Group - Best Residential Interior Design Studio - Arizona

It is our great pleasure to be named as the “Best Residential Interior Design Studio in Arizona” for 2021!

United Kingdom, 2021– BUILD Magazine has announced winners of the 2021 Architecture Awards.

Now in its sixth year, BUILD’s Architecture Awards programme continues to be an annual cornerstone, highlighting the extraordinary work and expertise of Architects around the world. Despite a year defined by unprecedented difficulty and unknowable challenges, the greater industry has found ways to exceed and thrive regardless. However, the challenges of the last year have been kept firmly in mind when we set about organising this year’s programme. After all, the bar for success has been altered, and plans have been put on hold in favour of more essential goals. Achievements of all sizes have been considered here.

Discussing the success of these deserving winners, Awards Coordinator Kaven Cooper praised the programme’s winners: “The Architecture Awards have always endeavoured to be a barometer for the greater industry. A moment to pause and reflect on the successes and growth businesses of all sizes and in all locations have achieved over the previous 12 months. I am proud to recognise them all and wish them a fantastic 2021 ahead.”