Building Dream Homes: How KED and MT Higgins Construction Create Luxury Spaces

Why the right interior design and contractor team matters

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A successful home renovation or new build isn’t just about the final result—it’s about the process. At KED, we believe that careful planning, innovative design, and attentive client service are foundational to creating exceptional homes. Additionally, a strong collaboration between the interior designer and contractor can make all the difference in achieving a well-executed project. For our projects, we’re proud to partner with MT Higgins Construction, one of California’s premier general contractors, to ensure a seamless, high-end experience from concept to completion.

This month on the blog, we sat down with Michael Higgins, founder of MT Higgins Construction, and Kristen Fiore to discuss their working relationship, their recent modern home project, and the key insights every homeowner should know before embarking on a home construction journey.

Designed by Kristen Elizabeth Design, Constructed by MT Higgins

The Power of a Strong Design & Build Partnership

What makes your partnership work well?

Kristen: Communication is the cornerstone of a good working relationship. Michael and his team do a great job keeping everyone in the loop, including the clients and the design team. MTH consults us on decisions large and small and we appreciate their attention to detail, their trust in our expertise, and their respect for our designs. 

While we run different businesses at the end of the day, we are all on the same team. Our shared goal is a successful project and happy clients. Things happen in remodels that require patience, professionalism, and problem-solving, and we work together to find the best solutions.

Michael: We believe that a well-laid plan sets the foundation for a successful project. From the start, we align with KED to ensure all design elements are accounted for, which helps avoid delays and unexpected costs. Our team prioritizes open communication and transparency to ensure the client's vision is realized with precision and efficiency.

A Modern Home Transformation

You recently partnered on a stunning modern home project, tell us a little about the project and how you collaborated to bring it to life.

Kristen: Our clients in Loomis, CA, came to us to renovate their new home. Though the property was newly built, it lacked originality. Our clients wanted the home to feel like them—reflecting their style and personality. Our job was to create original, one-of-a-kind spaces that elevated the entire home.

We brought in MTH at the outset, knowing we wanted to work with a crew fluent in high-end design projects. The MTH team is open to new materials and ideas, values their craft, and keeps clients informed every step of the way.

The entire home was customized with sophisticated materials and design concepts. One showstopping element is a backlit, three-dimensional feature wall in the Primary Suite. This highly technical design required troubleshooting to execute correctly, and MTH worked through solutions to ensure it was visually stunning and cost-effective. 

Another challenge we ran into was finding artisans who could create custom 100-inch-high inset glass doors for the Primary Living Room. MTH found the right team, ensuring every detail was executed flawlessly. We also appreciated their openness to reusing materials, like the pick onyx quartzite we repurposed as a countertop and feature wall in the Arcade/Game Room. The result was a beautiful, one-of-a-kind space that married sustainability with luxury.

This project exemplifies how thoughtful planning and a skilled team can successfully execute ambitious design ideas—seamlessly blending innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship.

Michael: Transforming a design vision into reality is what we love most about our work. This project was a great example of how collaboration between design and construction leads to amazing results. Our role was to bring KED’s original creative vision to life while ensuring practicality and structural integrity. We embrace challenges like custom elements and unique materials because we believe in making every home as special as the people who live in it.

Designed by Kristen Elizabeth Design, Constructed by MT Higgins

What Every Homeowner Should Know Before Building or Renovating

What should clients know before starting a home construction project?

Michael: If the client can be aware of a few key things in advance it helps the whole project run more smoothly. This includes having a clear understanding of the project timeline and schedule, confirming finishes early in the process, and prioritizing communication. When all parties are on the same page, projects move much more efficiently.

What common challenges do you face, and how do you handle them?

Michael: The biggest challenge is often a lack of planning before construction starts. We always encourage clients to invest time in detailed architectural plans and work with an interior design team. This allows for a more accurate budget, prevents ordering delays, and ensures that every design element is accounted for before construction begins. This is where working with a skilled interior design team, like KED has been an invaluable part of the process.

What’s the most common misconception you find in your industry?

Michael: One major misconception is that contractors often cut corners to save time and money. While that’s a common stereotype, in reality, quality craftsmanship is key to a successful project, most builders prioritize integrity, ensuring that every detail is up to code and industry standards. Education and open dialogue can dispel these myths and help build trust in our industry.

Designed by Kristen Elizabeth Design, Constructed by MT Higgins

The Passion Behind the Craft

Share a little about your story and how you got to where you are today.

Michael: I come from a long line of builders—my father was a builder, and my grandfather was a stone mason in Ireland. After working as a carpenter and project manager, I moved to San Francisco, where I worked on some of the most beautiful luxury homes in the Bay Area. Eventually, I launched my own company, and every project continues to be an exciting new challenge.

What do you love most about your job and what makes you great at what you do?

Michael: I genuinely love what I do. I don’t think everyone can say that and I feel very grateful that I can.

The best advice I ever received was to listen more than you speak. This simple insight has helped me understand my clients' needs, build great relationships, and ultimately create homes that truly reflect their aspirations. Listening opens doors to endless possibilities.

Our core values help me and my team produce great work. Craftsmanship, integrity, and a love for bringing dream homes to life are at the heart of everything we do. I prioritize clear and open communication, take a detailed approach to planning, and foster collaboration with our clients and partners. This allows us to build lasting relationships with clients, architects, and designers, ensuring that every project is completed with the highest standards of quality and care.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

Michael: I cherish moments with my wife Brianne and our golden retriever Fran, whether we are playing fetch in the backyard or exploring the great outdoors, our time together is priceless. I also love hitting the golf course at Del Paso Country Club or soaking up the beauty of the mountains and coast. Nature fuels my creativity and refreshes my spirit.

Designed by Kristen Elizabeth Design, Constructed by MT Higgins

Bringing Your Dream Home to Life

Our collaboration with MT Higgins Construction shows that the best projects come from strong partnerships. At KED, our expertise in luxury interior design, combined with our dedication to superior client service, ensures that we not only meet but exceed expectations. We are committed to delivering personalized, high-quality designs that reflect our clients' unique visions and lifestyles.

If you’re considering a home renovation or new construction project, partnering with a skilled design and build team like ours guarantees a seamless, rewarding experience. Contact us today to embark on your journey to a dream home that epitomizes luxury and sophistication.

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Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your unique project goals and needs.

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Make your home your favorite place to be.

Quiet Luxury: A Country Estate Transformation

A harmonious blend of style, comfort, and sophistication

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This month on the blog, we’re thrilled to share that our Calm and Collected project has been highlighted in AD Italia! A big thank you to the AD Italia team, we are honored to be included as a special feature. To give you a closer look, we’re diving into an in-depth before and after, so you can explore all the details behind this stunning project.

When a couple left the chaos of the Bay Area tech scene and relocated to a peaceful 5-acre Loomis countryside estate, they were drawn to the ample space, idyllic surroundings, and thoughtful layout. However, the aesthetic didn’t reflect their style. The house, a time capsule of the early 2000s, felt dark and dated in a French Country aesthetic. Our clients saw the strong bones and potential beneath the outdated features and were ready for a fresh start. Keep reading to discover how we transformed this home into a warm inviting, timeless California residence.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

Before: Stuck in the Past

The home was in desperate need of an upgrade, with a design that belonged to a different era—remember when sponge-painted walls were trendy? The original build had potential, but the faux architectural elements and overwhelming dark palette took away from the beauty of the space. Large windows were hidden behind shutters and bulky drapery, blocking the natural light the home deserved. The homeowners wanted to brighten things up and create interiors that felt both fresh and timeless. Our goal was clear: breathe new life into the space while honoring the structure's strong bones.

Every room needed an update, from the entryway to the family room. While the layout remained intact, we knew that a full transformation, including a kitchen remodel and updating all surfaces, finishes, and furnishings throughout, was necessary to achieve the clean, classic look the clients desired.

The Transformation: Breathing New Life Into the Home

Updating a 6,500-square-foot home is no small task, but we embraced the challenge. In addition to overhauling the look and feel of the home, we also wanted to draw stunning views from the backyard inside. To accomplish this, we updated every room. With new cabinetry, flooring, lighting, furnishings, custom design elements, and fresh paint throughout, we transformed the home into a space that was truly reflective of our clients.

Taking inspiration from Quiet Luxury we used classic design principles and elevated materials to create an understated yet undeniably sophisticated home. We looked to the Arts and Crafts movement, particularly Mission style, and married it with a laid-back California vibe. Authenticity was key, so every material we used was chosen for its craftsmanship and timeless appeal.

The Entryway

The inviting entryway makes for a grand yet welcoming first impression, offering guests an immediate sense of luxury as they arrive. Using classic materials and shapes, we paired a custom mosaic marble mat with a mercury glass and chainmail pendant light overhead. The interplay of materials is subtle yet captivating.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Kitchen

The kitchen was a complete overhaul. We updated cabinetry and surfaces to create a cohesive, functional design. Custom inset cabinetry includes a combination of traditional style doors, frosted glass fronts, and open shelving that gives the space a varied yet balanced and elevated look. The island is a showstopper, featuring a honed, bookmatched Calacatta Borghini Supreme slab that exudes elegance. We balanced this luxurious stone with playful barstools, adding a touch of casual fun. These elements combined with the quiet white Dolomite backsplash, Belgian-inspired terracotta floors, and custom range hood epitomize Quiet Luxury.

The breakfast nook includes a custom-designed built-in with a hidden laptop workstation—perfect for keeping tech out of sight when not in use. The industrial-style light fixture over the table by Hubbardton Forge brings an unexpected edge that elevates the room’s design.

The space is now the true heart of the home—a place where our clients can enjoy casual meals together or host friends for a weekend brunch.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Living Room

Off the kitchen is the living room, which presented an opportunity to blend comfort with sophistication. We refaced the fireplace in beautiful hand-cut Rocky Mountain granite, added custom white oak beams, and redesigned the millwork to showcase family collectibles and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. 

With two seating areas, this room is ideal for conversation, free from the distraction of a television. Verellen sofas by the fireplace are some of the most comfortable pieces we’ve ever had the pleasure of sitting in. The custom white oak and steel coffee table by Douglas Allen Designs ties in with the wood and metal accents throughout the space.

For a personal touch, the built-ins were styled with our client's travel mementos—South African statuettes, an ostrich egg, and generational books, among other keepsakes. This serene and elegant space is perfect for entertaining guests, enjoying quiet evenings by the fire, sharing stories, or simply relaxing.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Powder Room

Glamour meets elegance in the powder room. The room features a laser-cut marble wall, soft pink paint, blue diamond hand-painted terracotta floor tiles, and a luxurious Waterworks commode, all chosen to reflect the homeowner's elevated sense of design and create a space that is purely feminine.

This beautifully crafted space offers guests a charming yet luxurious experience, a small jewel box of personality within the home.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Dining Room

A departure from the original paint design in the dining room turned out to be a happy accident. The painter mistakenly painted the whole room a rich plumb color—Amazon Soil by Benjamin Moore—leaving the room feeling like a cozy cocoon, wrapped in a deeper, richer hue than originally planned. We decided to keep it, forgoing the chair rail and lighter paint, which would have softened the effect. The Thos. Moser classic walnut table and mohair-covered seating in mossy green complement the drama of the rich walls. And like the breakfast nook, the pendant drop chandelier adds the perfect unexpected element of industrial edge yet sophistication to polish off the space.

The intimate setting is now the perfect backdrop for family dinners, holiday celebrations, and heartfelt conversations over a lovingly prepared meal.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Primary Bedroom

In the primary bedroom, we embraced color, introducing grasscloth walls in Blue Violet Juicy Jute by Phillip Jeffries, and octagon terracotta tiles for the hearth of the newly refaced fireplace. The balance between vibrant and neutral elements brings a feeling of both relaxation and sophistication. 

A luxurious Nathon Anthony bed, dressed in cozy textiles and playful patterned pillows, adds to the serene ambiance. This calming sanctuary is now a peaceful escape, where the couple can unwind at the end of the day, enveloped in understated luxury.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Family Room

The last stage of the project included the family room, which has a sophisticated yet playful feel. The striped table by Global Views, paired with the green chenille Rowe and Robin Bruce Derby Sectional, brings an unexpected pop of personality. 

This relaxed space serves as the home’s ultimate gathering spot, where loved ones can come together for fun and laughter or a quiet, cozy night in.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

The Final Result

The completed home is a harmonious blend of quiet luxury, authentic materials, and personal style. We successfully merged the couple’s different design preferences, creating spaces they’ll love for years to come. In the end, this is more than an updated house—it’s a fully reimagined home, where every corner reflects the clients’ personalities. A place where they can relax, entertain, and create lasting memories.

Photographed by Stephanie Russo

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Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss your unique project goals and needs.

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Make your home your favorite place to be.