Every home begins differently.
Some projects start with an empty site waiting to become a family's forever home. Others begin with a historic residence, rich with architectural character and ready for it's next chapter. While those starting points may look different, the philosophy behind every Maestri Studio project remains the same: great design begins by understanding the people who will call it home.
This month, we celebrated the groundbreaking of two projects that embody this approach. Alexander III, a ground-up custom residence, and Westlake, the thoughtful transformation of a historic Lakewood estate, represent two distinct design challenges. Yet both reflect the same commitment to creating homes that are deeply persona;, intentionally designed, and built to stand the test of time.
Designing Around the Way Our Clients Live
At Maestri Studio, we don't begin with a predetermined style. We begin with our clients.
Every family has it's own rhythms, traditions, and ways of experiencing home. Some enjoy gathering around a kitchen designed for entertaining. Others prioritize quiet retreats, outdoor living, or spaces that evolve alongside growing families. Understanding those nuances is where our work begins.
Long before plans are finalized or materials are selected, we invest time in learning how our clients live. Those conversations shape every decision that follows. From the architecture and floor plan to the smallest interior details. The result is a home that feels authentic to it's owners rather than reflective of a singular design aesthetic.
For us, luxury isn't about creating homes that look alike. It's about creating homes that could only belong to the people who live in them.
"Every project asks us a different question. Our job isn't to bring a predetermined style to a home. It's to understand the people, the place, and the possibilities unique to that project. When you begin there, the design becomes something that could only belong to that client."
- Eddie Maestri
A Collaborative Design Process
Designing at the highest level is never the work of a single discipline. Every Maestri Studio project is shaped through collaboration within our intimate team. Bringing together architecture, interiors, landscape design, procurement, and project management from the earliest stages of the process. All in an effort to serve our clients and make their experience as seamless as possible.
By approaching each project holistically, every decision supports a unified vision. Proportions, materials, millwork, lighting, furnishings, and landscape are considered together rather than independently, creating homes that feel cohesive from the inside out.
It's this collaborative process that allows each home to feel effortless. Not because the work is simple, but because every detail has been thoughtfully considered with purpose.
Our Philosophy
Our newest projects, Alexander III and Westlake, illustrate how this philosophy adapts to the unique story of every home.
Alexander III is a ground-up custom residence inspired by refined European modernism and centered around indoor-outdoor living. Designing a home from the ground up offers remarkable creative freedom, allowing every architectural gesture, proportion, and experience to be considered from the beginning. The result is a residence that feels timeless, tailored, and intentionally connected to the way it's owners will live for years to come.
Westlake presents a different opportunity. Located on the grounds of a beloved 1920s Lakewood estate, the project thoughtfully balances preservation with transformation. Rather than replacing the home's history, the design builds upon it, introducing carefully considered additions while honoring the architectural character that makes the house unique.
Though these homes differ in age, style, and context, they share the same foundation: every decision is rooted in the people who will live there and the story each home has the opportunity to tell.
The Beginning of Every Home
Breaking ground marks the beginning of construction, bur for our team, the design journey starts long before that.
Every sketch, conversation, site visit, and material selection contribute to a larger vision. One shaped by collaboration, craftsmanship, and a shared understanding of what home means to each client. Whether creating an entirely new residence or thoughtfully reimagining a historic property, our goal remains the same. Design homes that feel personal, timeless, and enduring.
As Alexander III and Westlake continue to take shape, we're excited to share their progress and the thoughtful design process behind every milestone. Each project is unique, but together they reflect what defines every Maestri home. A commitment to designing beyond the blueprint and creating places that are means to be lived in uniquely for generations.