Testimonials

We hired SDM Design (Stephen DerMargosian) to design a remodel of a recently purchased home which was built in 1954. A ranch style brick which had never been updated. The “remodel” was virtually a complete reconstruct with the exception of exterior walls. Stephen’s vision made the finished product a work of art which is both functional as well as visually magnificent. His eye for and attention to detail, his professionalism in dealing with the Contractor as well as the Owner (Us) place him in high regard.

We came to know of Stephen through a friend of ours who had hired him to design a new construct on a very challenging lot. Their house as well turned out wonderfully and were as well impressed and satisfied with Stephens work on all fronts.

The man truly has an eye for space, flow, form, detail and style. He is one of a kind.

John Shaw
Asheville, NC

Stephen DerMargosian was the architect who designed our house in Asheville, NC. It was the fifth house my wife and I have had built. It is by far the prettiest house [and most practical] we’ve ever lived in and it has been described by neighbors and guests as elegant and refined. Stephen was the driving force in the decisions that we believe resulted in our liking the house so much. His patient understanding and explanations persuaded us, something none of our prior architects ever managed, to make choices that were not obvious to us but worked out exceptionally. Every day as we look admiringly at our house we are reminded why we continue to hold him in the highest regard both as a superb designer and as a fine person.

Vince Amoroso
Asheville, NC
Sarasota, FL

I am a builder who has worked with SDM Design on multiple projects. It’s common for most architects to design from scratch with vision and clarity, but the measure of Stephen’s skill lies in his amazing ability to transform ill-designed space of an old home into elegance and efficiency.

Joel Barto,
R-Squared Construction

Stephen is, without question, the most professional and knowledgeable person we worked with in building our home. We’ve lived here for over 7 years now and the exterior is still lovely, tasteful and beautifully executed. The interior (something I found not all architectural types can successfully accomplish) is a joy and lives exactly as we planned it. Our home is beautifully sited, a rarity in the mountains. Stephen has superb taste and is a strong guiding force when needed. We appreciated his happy outlook and good working relationship with the general contractor and everyone else on the project. Stephen kept us within budget and on time. I’ve built 4 houses in my life. This build was the best experience and the best outcome due to his skills.

Deb Reeves
Weaverville, NC

The project was a bathroom remodel disaster that SDM Designs took over and made into a place of beauty, as well as safety and security. In short, Mr. DerMargosian was a lifesaver. He took over the languishing and ill-conceived project, redesigned it in a way that not only made practical sense but was beautiful; hired wonderful, skilled professionals who got the job done within the time specified and within budget, and held my hand through the whole project. He was there to ensure quality every step of the way. He attended to the infrastructure damage and problems with as much concern as the aesthetic issues. This was a relatively small project in the scheme of things, but he gave it his exquisite attention and was always professional, always kind and helpful, always available for contact. He’s a magician with designing spaces of exceptional flow and originality, with an uncanny ability to elevate his clients’ ideas to spaces of surpassing beauty. I would recommend him to everyone – a dream to work with, sensitive, caring, professional, intensely creative, with years of experience both designing and compiling a team of professional workmen to execute his designs. I’ve seen a lot of his work and am always bowled over by his aesthetic vision, his creativity, his knowledge of materials and possibilities, and mostly, the extraordinary beauty of his creations.

Joan Maxcy
Asheville, NC

In 2005, we purchased an old ranch near the Grove Park with the intention to demolish or renovate it. Given the state of the house, size of our parcel and the prominence of its location, we recognized the need for a strong design concept before commencing the project. After reviewing and meeting several architects, in 2009, we selected Stephen DerMargosian of SDMdesign as our architect. Stephen worked closely with our builder and us to craft a design concept that fit the site and detailed design drawings to fit our budget. We found Stephen to be the consummate professional, continually bringing us innovative and cost-effective ideas for making the house the best it could be. He gave us candid input on our suggestions, and always responded well to our input, making adjustments where required. He and our builder made a great team. In short, Stephen helped make our renovation project a positive experience, and our house a source of pride for years to come.

Bob Melville
Asheville, NC
Chapel Hill, NC

Stephen helped me salvage a situation that seemed hopeless. My builder went out of business half way through my build having taken most of my money and completed a little more than half of the work. Stephen stepped in and redesigned the home, both inside and out. He helped me find a reputable builder and helped oversee the project. He stayed with me through every decision with unerring taste and style.

My home turned out to be more lovely than I could have dreamed. The interior layout is perfect, the exterior suits the site beautifully. The main living area is a joy; it’s fun to see the looks on people’s faces when they first enter the home – ‘wow’! Considering what he had to work with, Stephen produced a miracle. Once he took over, the experience became one of pleasure and anticipation rather than worry and frustration. Thank you, Stephen!

Deb Reeves
Weaverville, NC

We had been searching unsuccessfully for an affordable Arts and Crafts bungalow, but in 2007 we purchased a 1950s ranch house instead — primarily because of its location and the layout of its interior spaces. The house was sited on Evelyn Place, a lovely street lined with old sycamores and old homes of architectural merit. The back yard abuts the Grove Park golf course with spectacular views of several fairways, the Grove Park Inn, and Sunset Mountain. In truth, this house might have been characterized as the worst house on the best street, and we knew all along that we wanted it to be transformed to fit in with the character of homes in the neighborhood.

The original ranch style of the home fit neither the character of the street nor our own vision of the house we wanted, so we sought to convert it into Arts and Crafts style. For some months that proved harder than we expected, until we met Stephen, who immediately became our architect. He developed the design concept of the exterior as an English Stone Cottage, which enabled us to incorporate Arts and Crafts design elements into the interior.

In order to accentuate the slope and scale of the roof, the existing ridge was raised four feet with fabricated trusses. As the roofline approached the ground, additional curve cut rafters were applied to the existing decking to create deep overhangs with a gentle swag, to accentuate the cottage character. Additional intersecting gable structures were built in the front: one to accommodate a new garage where a carport had existed and the other to create and help define a pronounced entrance.

This transformation of 69 Evelyn Place was imagined and made possible by a community of local artisans—architect, master carpenter, stone expert, and others responsible for stucco, painting and staining, hardware, driveway and landscaping. The transformation process lasted several years, during which Stephen, its initiator, was continually integral to that community, always willing and able to work collaboratively and gracefully with its other members. We consider Stephen to be our friend, as well as the guiding spirit of the process that turned a 1950s in-fill house into the stone cottage on Evelyn Place.

Joe Sitterson & Lisa Nanney
Asheville, NC

Stephen DerMargosian worked wonders with a very difficult site, designing a guest house/garage on the side of a hill adjacent to our home. His design, coupled with his recommendation of a conscientious general contractor and supervision of construction, resulted in an addition to our property that complements our circa 1945 home. On occasions too many to count, people have stopped to ask who designed and built our cottage/garage. Guests who have stayed in the 530-square-foot cottage have all commented how spacious, accommodating and well-designed it is. People really notice it in a very positive way.

Stephen went through the important pre-design process of gathering our thoughts, made his recommendations for our consideration, and then presented a design that was perfect for the site and for our needs. Attention was given to every detail.

He was a delight to work with. Even though this was not a design project on the scale of a larger building, he gave it his full enthusiasm, and even though the site was difficult (and ultimately proved perfect with its spectacular view), Stephen worked effortlessly, it seemed, through the entire construction process. From the beginning, he respected our budget requirements and managed a project that came in on budget.

I have recommended him and will continue to do so without reservation, knowing that he is the ultimate creative professional.

Ralph Simpson
Asheville, NC

I most highly recommend Stephen DerMargosian for any initial construction or rehab projects you may have.

My wife and I purchased a vacation house on Elk Mountain Scenic Highway just over three years ago. The house had great potential but was very bare bones. Stephen suggested that we use Joel Barto as our contractor. Stephen was able to see possibilities in the project with the use of creative millwork, color, flooring and design that were remarkable. Working with Joel, Stephen’s vision of a cozy but elegant mountain retreat came to life and the bare bones house was transformed into our beautiful Asheville home. As we were many miles away, we trusted Stephen to manage the entire project. He did so with the integrity by which he has become known throughout Asheville.

If you want a project done right the first time, I urge you to contact Stephen DerMargosian.

Gary Weiner
Asheville, NC
Boca Raton, FL