Jim Brophy

President

From a young age, I knew that building was in my heart; nothing could keep me away from construction sites. As a young boy, I remember knocking the mortar off bricks, and being paid by the day-laborers in cookies and soda. I told everyone who would listen that I was going to be a carpenter when I grew up. However, things changed as they always do, I attended college and earned a B.S. in Chemistry, but I kept feeling that tug – building and design. Within six months of graduation, I bought my first house, tore it apart and rebuilt it. I was in heaven – good bye chemistry.

I call building my art. Some people work with brushes and canvas or musical notes and instruments – I work with hammers and nails.

Patrick Carlisle

Architect Team

I had always been unable to choose between art and science, so I would choose a wide variety of subjects whenever I had the chance; science for the intrigue and art for the creative pleasure. When I first began my undergraduate studies, I soon realized I found satisfaction in the art of design. I studied many fields during my first few years in college, including engineering, physics and mathematics – lucky for me these subjects aligned with architecture.

After graduation, I worked for large engineering and architecture firms. While I was excited and eager, the satisfaction in the art of design was missing. So I packed up and walked through the doors to designing and building private homes – my satisfaction.

Ryan Heiman

Construction Team, Los Angeles & Orange Counties

Before heading off to college, and working part-time during those same years, I was employed as a framing carpenter, constructing custom homes with intricate architectural significance and details. I watched and smiled as the homeowners’ excitement grew nearing completion. After graduation I put down my hammer and nail bags, and change into a business suit and pursued ventures in real estate development. Yet a creativity gap began to form inside me.

At the intersection of art and function lies the media of home building. For years people have described beautiful homes as fine craftsmanship. A cut-above is fine art. Through quality craftsmanship and love for the artful craft of building, I believe in creating functional art in the homes that will be shared for generations. Sculpting environments from good to great is my mantra.

Ted Lambros

Architect Team

I have always had a considerable interest in residential architecture, ever since a young age. My neighbor was renaissance man of sorts; he create beautifully scaled models for each of his projects, mixed his own paints and was forever experimenting with various materials and alternate construction methods – it all fascinated me immensely. He “hired” me to sand, paint and run errands. I was part of the design team, and thrilled to walk the jobs during construction. It’s no wonder that architecture has always stood out as the perfect path for me.

Creation is a powerful skill, and when I heard that Winston Churchill once emphasized, "We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us," I would daydream about how my designs would shape the inhabitants. I’ve focused my career on the intimacy of single family residences and the homes in which we live.

Bruce Lissak

Landscape Architect

I’ve always appreciated the variations in plants; unique forms, colors and textures. Images of plants and trees became subjects of my early creative expressions through photography, jewelry and furniture design. These interests set the foundation for a future . . . yet unknown.

After earning a Bachelor of Science in Business, I enjoyed success in banking and insurance industries; although with a sense that my passions had been forgotten somewhere along the way. During a time of personal growth, I discovered my interests and talents aligned with landscape architecture; I soon embarked on a new journey. That was in 1991, and I have been designing ever since. I enjoy helping clients realize their dreams, creating a sense of place and lasting impressions, with a design process that considers functionality, aesthetics, sustainability and budgets.

Dale Majors

Construction Team, Riverside & San Bernardino Counties

Born into a family of carpenters, my great-grandfather emigrated from Germany and began our family’s tradition of fine home building; all of his sons worked in the family business. I too inherited the family “gene” and began working in the business at age 16. For over 30 years, I’ve designed, fabricated and installed custom kitchens and baths, and developed an extraordinary talent for modeling solid surfaces. DuPont honored me with the title of Master Fabricator of Solid Surface Materials, and as a consultant for their Corian Division, I trained woodworkers in the U. S. and Brazil.

It always thrills me to experience the “before and after” of a new space. I appreciate the opportunity to step back and look at the things I had a hand in creating; it’s become my art – a very satisfying endeavor!

Rick Starley

Design Team

Thirty-five years ago I established Rich Starley Interior Design Studio to assist homeowners with construction and interior design. People refer to me as the curious creator; seeing things as they truly are and what they can be. I believe that everything has the ability to be improved in one way or another, and have a keen interest in materials, construction, shape and function.

Design is a part of our everyday life – homes are my playground. What turns an ordinary house into a beautiful home? Why is it that some homes just “feel” right? I believe it’s the design, attention to detail and consideration of material finishes early in the design process. Space planning, lighting, cabinetry, furniture, stone/tile, color and finished are all best when given considerations long before any work begins.