We used OKB to remodel our kitchen and a year later to remodel our living room.

It was great to go through the whole process with Shawn and Jason. The design process was really easy. They figured out our taste pretty quickly and executed the design within those parameters. They finished a couple of weeks early on the kitchen, and were on time with the living room. We added items, but with what was originally budgeted, they stayed on budget. We ran into a few unexpected things because we have an old house, but they figured out ways to cut corners in other places so as to absorb some of those additional costs. For example, they found asbestos and it was pricey to remove it, so they reused tiles from another part of house to offset the cost of the asbestos removal.

I have recommended them to my in-laws to remodel their bath. Our friends are also using them to remodel a house they just bought.

We had a pretty general idea of what we wanted to do with the kitchen and they helped execute that. We didn’t have a specific idea about it, but they were good about giving lots of options of configurations. Jason is more of an architect and Shawn more of a contractor. I would approach Jason with design questions and Shawn with costs. It’s advantageous to have two different brains working on two different axes, rather than one person thinking of it all. And they own it all—they let me know that if there were any design screw-ups, they would be responsible for it.

- anonymous, Hollywood

I have known Shawn for a long time but our first opportunity to work together was in 2007. We worked on a remodeled 1923 cottage first, and an addition the next year. It was a dramatic turnaround. Shawn did the design work on the first project but not the construction work. Under his supervision the collaboration went smoothly he was the primary contractor on the addition. He had his own ideas but he listened to and really heard our ideas, as well. Our house is the perfect size for our family with appropriate storage and fittings. OKB delivered quality and cost on a solid budget and they were right on! Their bid was below the medium but not the least. There was no need for follow-up because Shawn tracked problems and made changes during the process. Shawn tirelessly chased after the hammer-swingers.
- Lowell Goss, Pasadena

OKB has been working on our house for the last five to six months. Without OKB we would have been in a world of hurt. Shawn managed our project from start to end. We expect to move in next month. We quickly realized we were in way over our heads when we remodeled our 1920's bungalow and found evidence of the 1920's throughout. I've learned to let Shawn take care of every nook and cranny of our cozy 1000 square foot cottage. OKB is local and we talk with each other every day. Shawn tells me what I need to know, not what I want to know. He knows intimately the minute details required of the City of Pasadena. There is no question that OKB turned a scary, first-time process into the best it could have been.
- Cory H., Santa Monica

OKB was referred to us by a personal friend. From the very beginning they were very professional and a delight to work with, always accessible and easy to communicate with before, during and after our major remodel. I had a previous experience with an architect on a project. I saw him once the very beginning of the project and that was it.

My experience with OKB was totally different. They engaged, not only with me but also with my contractor and they were always available to work through issues with either/or both of us. They found solutions for our job that were so important. An example of this was when we wanted to stay within the boundaries of our structure and this presented a big challenge. I felt we were a partnership. They provided the expertise but were respectful of the fact that we are the ones that live in the house. I have continued to counsel with them on the inside of the house and will rehire them soon to finish the last 10% of the job.

They are straightforward about their pricing structure and we knew exactly what we were paying for, without questions. Their prices were extremely reasonable. I felt I got highly qualified architects at a very fair rate. They are in touch with the design trends and yet keep to their own aesthetic-a good combination. I did get another bid but went with OKB because of their delightful personalities and ease of communication. Because OKB knows design and construction, I felt their designs would be practical.
- Laurel Wruble, Encino