Why Mercer Island Homeowners Trust
Our Architectural Design Process

Mercer Island homes sit between city access and retreat living, with sweeping Lake Washington views and high expectations for privacy and comfort. Ariana Designs & Interiors plans building layouts, glazing, and interiors as one integrated vision so your home feels calm, tailored, and built for long-term value—not just short-term trends. From view-oriented space planning and envelope strategies to supporting your wider team through design, permitting support, and construction, every decision is made to honor the island’s setting and your lifestyle.

Site Analysis & Feasibility 

We study your site, lifestyle, and goals, review existing structures and constraints, then propose tailored architectural layouts that become the foundation for planning, engineering, interiors, and construction.

Schematic Design

We explore building massing, preliminary floor plans, and exterior character, using sketches, 3D concepts, and imagery to align on aesthetics, functionality, circulation, and indoor‑outdoor connections.

Design Development

We refine approved layouts, coordinate structure and building systems, and select key exterior and interior materials, creating a cohesive architectural vision prepared for technical documentation and construction.

Construction Documents 

We produce detailed drawings, specifications, and schedules, including plans, sections, and elevations, guiding pricing, permitting, and construction with clarity, precision, and code‑compliant documentation.

Permit Facilitation

We coordinate with permitting authorities, submit complete drawing sets, address plan review comments, and support revisions so your project moves smoothly from design approval to permit issuance.

Construction Administration

We serve as your design advocate during construction—reviewing submittals, answering contractor questions, visiting the site, and managing changes so the built home reflects the approved vision.

Designing for Mercer Island’s
Waterfront and Wooded Sites

Mercer Island’s mix of lakefront lots, wooded hillsides, and quiet residential streets calls for nuanced residential architectural design.

  • View‑first layouts – We orient main living areas, suites, and outdoor terraces to capture panoramic Lake Washington and Cascade views while maintaining privacy from neighboring homes.
  • Light and openness – Large, well-placed windows and open layouts bring in natural light and connect interiors with the surrounding landscape without feeling exposed.
  • Refined envelopes – Clean rooflines, thoughtful overhangs, and durable, elevated materials keep homes feeling timeless and appropriate in Mercer Island neighborhoods.
  • Indoor‑outdoor living – Covered decks, patios, and landscape integration make it easy to move between home, yard, and shoreline in every season.

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A grand staircase at the Suncadia Grand Retreat, showcasing elegant railings and sophisticated design that adds to the home's luxurious ambiance.

What Mercer Island Homeowners Say About 
Ariana Designs & Interiors

Mercer Island homeowners come to Ariana Designs & Interiors when they want a quiet, luxurious retreat that still supports busy, modern life. They appreciate our ability to listen, manage complex high-end projects, and coordinate with builders and consultants so the process feels organized, transparent, and respectful of their time.

Carl Silverberg

We were in serious need of an office update and Ariana tool about an hour to change all the paint colors and give us office furniture suggestions. She didn’t push anything, listened and helped a great deal. Very professional in her approach.

Beckie Oliveira

We had a complete remodel done on both our bathrooms and Ariana and her crew were spot on every step of the way. They were easy to work with and had great communication throughout the project. We were extremely happy with the results and would highly recommend them to anyone needing work..

Wanda Kristjanson

I love Ariana’s style and she found just what I envisioned for our new living room and kitchen. Highly reccommend her and her team for their exceptional creativity and attention to detail. The entire process was smooth and stress-free.

Evan Apolis

Ariana provides well thought-out designs that compliment the existing architecture and environment. They are a pleasure to work with and handle changing circumstances such as design changes or unexpected conditions quickly and efficiently.

Bob Dawson

We just got stated with Ariana Designs and Architecture. Normally I would wait to leave a review, but I feel compelled to let everyone know how great they’ve been so far!
We recently engaged with them about a challenging project where the client is constrained to the existing footprint of the home due to its existing nonconforming status.
Ariana and her Delightful Team have quickly and expertly employed their skills and giftings to transform the project from frustrating to exciting!

Cody Dinkelspiel

I am the owner of a high end custom closet company of nearly ten years . I have worked with Ariiana and her team at Ariid Home on multiple projects and can confidently say she is hands down one of THE best designers I have ever worked along side of . Her finished home projects are something to marvel at and should be featured in any high end home magazine. I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone looking for the best of the best when it comes to home design and I even plan to re design my own home based on her work. Five stars doesn’t do justice . Her design work is absolutely stunning!

Jennifer Kuenzli

I recently had an onsite design consultation with Ariana Designs and Architecture, and it was a great experience. The team was punctual, professional and knowledgeable. They took the time to understand my vision and provided insightful suggestions to enhance my ideas. I felt heard throughout the process. I’m excited to see how the project unfolds and highly recommend their services!”

Emanuel

I highly recommend Ariana Designs to anyone looking for a top-notch architecture and design team. The design of my home was functional, beautiful, and perfectly suited to my lifestyle. They are professional, skilled, and truly care about their clients. Throughout the process, the team was responsive and always available to answer any questions I had. They kept me informed of progress and made sure that I was fully satisfied with the design before moving forward.

Carl Silverberg

We were in serious need of an office update and Ariana tool about an hour to change all the paint colors and give us office furniture suggestions. She didn’t push anything, listened and helped a great deal. Very professional in her approach.

Beckie Oliveira

We had a complete remodel done on both our bathrooms and Ariana and her crew were spot on every step of the way. They were easy to work with and had great communication throughout the project. We were extremely happy with the results and would highly recommend them to anyone needing work..

Wanda Kristjanson

I love Ariana’s style and she found just what I envisioned for our new living room and kitchen. Highly reccommend her and her team for their exceptional creativity and attention to detail. The entire process was smooth and stress-free.

Evan Apolis

Ariana provides well thought-out designs that compliment the existing architecture and environment. They are a pleasure to work with and handle changing circumstances such as design changes or unexpected conditions quickly and efficiently.

Bob Dawson

We just got stated with Ariana Designs and Architecture. Normally I would wait to leave a review, but I feel compelled to let everyone know how great they’ve been so far!
We recently engaged with them about a challenging project where the client is constrained to the existing footprint of the home due to its existing nonconforming status.
Ariana and her Delightful Team have quickly and expertly employed their skills and giftings to transform the project from frustrating to exciting!

Cody Dinkelspiel

I am the owner of a high end custom closet company of nearly ten years . I have worked with Ariiana and her team at Ariid Home on multiple projects and can confidently say she is hands down one of THE best designers I have ever worked along side of . Her finished home projects are something to marvel at and should be featured in any high end home magazine. I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone looking for the best of the best when it comes to home design and I even plan to re design my own home based on her work. Five stars doesn’t do justice . Her design work is absolutely stunning!

Jennifer Kuenzli

I recently had an onsite design consultation with Ariana Designs and Architecture, and it was a great experience. The team was punctual, professional and knowledgeable. They took the time to understand my vision and provided insightful suggestions to enhance my ideas. I felt heard throughout the process. I’m excited to see how the project unfolds and highly recommend their services!”

Emanuel

I highly recommend Ariana Designs to anyone looking for a top-notch architecture and design team. The design of my home was functional, beautiful, and perfectly suited to my lifestyle. They are professional, skilled, and truly care about their clients. Throughout the process, the team was responsive and always available to answer any questions I had. They kept me informed of progress and made sure that I was fully satisfied with the design before moving forward.

Luxury Spaces We’ve Designed

Explore how our recent projects blend structure, light, and interiors in ways well suited to Mercer Island living.

Stanwood Lake House

In Stanwood, this 1,684 sq ft lakeside cabin with attached garage and covered deck blends black siding, gray stone, metal roofing, and warm wood accents to create timeless lake house living with modern comfort and generous outdoor gathering spaces.

View Project

Medina Residence

A 5,000 sq ft Bellevue home where expansive windows—especially around the staircase—invite abundant daylight, blur indoor-outdoor boundaries, and create a tranquil, open-feeling environment that connects daily living to the surrounding landscape.

View Project

Grand Retreat in Suncadia

This 13,500‑square‑foot custom home in Suncadia is designed for multigenerational living, balancing generous gathering spaces with quiet suites and thoughtful circulation, lighting, and finishes for holidays and extended stays without sacrificing daily function.

View Project

View Full Portfolio

For The Best Architectural Design Services in Mercer Island WA, Contact Ariana Designs & Interiors

Frequently Asked  Questions

How Ariana Designs & Interiors Works With You

Schedule a Private-Client Discovery Call. We’ll discuss your vision, properties, and goals, then outline the right engagement for your project—whether it’s a consultation, partial design, or full-home renovation. This call is complimentary and helps us determine if we’re the right fit for your vision.

Projects vary by scope:

  • Initial Proposal: Moodboards and design direction (pre-engagement).
  • Site Analysis & Feasibility Study : 1-2 weeks (Site visit, measuring, assessing existing conditions, and verifying local zoning or code constraints).
  • Programming : 2-4 weeks (Layout, drawings, and deep dive into lifestyle requirements).
  • Schematic Design : 2-4 weeks (Design moodboards, aesthetic direction, and initial material pre-selections).
  • Design Development : 4-8 weeks (Finalize all selections—cabinetry, tile, wallpaper, furniture, and detailed layouts).
  • Construction Documents : 4-8 weeks Specifications, final presentation, pricing, and technical architectural drawings.
  • Permit Set : 2-6 weeks Preparation of the specific drawing set and documentation required for local building department submission.
  • Permitting Facilitation : 2-9 months Management of the application process, responding to city comments, and securing necessary approvals.
  • Pre-Construction Coordination : 2-4 months Finalizing contractor bids, site walkthroughs, and setting the construction schedule before breaking ground.
  • Management & Delivery : 2-12 months We order materials, coordinate contractors, and provide weekly updates on shipments and timelines.
  • Construction Support : 2-18 months Ongoing site visits, quality control, and troubleshooting during the build phase to ensure design intent is met.

We specialize in both. Whether you’re building a new luxury home, completing a major renovation, or remodeling your existing space, our team brings the same award-winning approach to every project type. Many of our clients come to us specifically for renovation expertise because of our meticulous coordination and design-build integration.

We’re Kirkland-based and primarily serve the greater Seattle area, including Bellevue, Mercer Island, Medina, Clyde Hill, Redmond, Sammamish, Seattle, and surrounding communities. We also take on select projects for vacation homes and second properties throughout Washington and beyond.

Several factors:

  1. Award-winning expertise: 2x National NKBA Design Awards + 25+ years of experience
  2. Integrated design-build: We own/partner with ARIID Build & Remodel, eliminating coordination gaps
  3. Furniture sourcing control: Direct ownership of ARIID Home & Furniture ensures cohesive design and timeline efficiency
  4. Personal oversight: Every project is personally supervised by Ariana Anderson from concept through installation
  5. European sensibility + Pacific Northwest practicality: Elegant designs that work beautifully for how you actually live
Ariana Adireh Anderson - Ariana Designs