If you do a search for “top designer in Arroyo Grande, California,” you’re likely to see Honeycomb Home Design bubble up in your results. Led by Iranian-American designer Ariana Afshar Lovato, the young firm has built a reputation for sophisticated kitchens and interiors that you usually see from more experienced firms.

Lovato, an Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer with the NKBA, has a design degree from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and a business degree from the University of LaVerne–important for running heer growing firm. In 2016, she founded Honeycomb Home Design in the coastal town of Arroyo Grande with a simple mission: creating timeless interiors with a modern edge. Her clientele is primarily made up of high-earning professionals, so the firm is extremely organized and structured to ensure the design process goes as smoothly as possible. As she says, time is money.

We recently sat down for a chat with the designer.

Design Vibes: A firm name is very important. Why did you call yours Honeycomb and what is the significance?

Lovato: I wanted to name the business something that could translate well if I sold it in the future. When I started running through ideas, I started thinking about different shapes that I loved. I’ve always loved a hexagonal shape and pattern, and thought Honeycomb could be a super cute and memorable name. Play off words with “hive” and “honeycomb hive” comes really easily too! The honeycomb structure is one of the most structurally sound shapes so that was fun to find out too. 

DV: How did you grow and what fueled the growth?

Lovato: I took on any and every job in the beginning; from decorating offices and homes for the holidays, to paint consultations, to shopping trips with clients, to helping set up fundraisers to get my name out there. I networked with Builders, Realtors, the whole gamut. I even did home shows where I would talk about my business and how we provide 3D renderings (which was a newer tech thing back then). For the first three years, I worked from my kitchen table and eventually got my first space which was 300SF by the beach. I hired my first employee in 2019 and starting selling cabinetry, which helped our profit margins substantially. Now, I have a team of 8 people, 2 in our cabinetry department, 5 designers, and 1 head of ops. 

Honeycomb staff includes (from left) Emily Rhodes, lead designer; Melissa Castro, interior designer; Reanna Janowicz, cabinet specialist; and Jill Boaz, cabinet specialist.

DV: Is your work considered boutique or luxury residential or do you work with all budgets?

Lovato: I started Honeycomb with the intent to help people with limited budgets because I knew ways to maximize their dollar. Now, with our firm growing in size, we are focusing on luxury residential projects but we have a program called, Access Honeycomb, which allows us to work with anyone regardless of budget. We have expert sessions, which are an accessible way to work with us and how we can provide insight on design as well. 

DV: What’s your philosophy on materials? Do you have a favorite?

Lovato: There is never a substitute for anything real – real wood, real stone, real patina. I love the worn in finishes. It shows a life well lived! I love calcutta marble and taj mahal quartzite. Those are my favs!

DV: What should consumers know about selecting a designer for their project and what are some non-obvious questions they should ask?

Lovato: It’s so much more than what the cost for hiring a designer. It should be about if the designer understands your vision for your home even if you can even articulate it. It’s our job to pick up on social cues, and really understand the client and their needs. It’s a long term relationship and you have to ensure you can trust your designer to just get you! 

DV: Your posts on Instagram have grown more educational in tone; what’s the reason for that?

Lovato: There is so much misinformation out there about designers and what we do. I want our clients to know that we’re speaking from experience and have so much insight (and constantly learning) on what works and what doesn’t when remodeling or building. We’re our client’s resources and advocates to build them the best! 

DV: Recently (or maybe not so recently) you launched a cabinet line. Tell us about it and what are some of the features that will resonate with buyers?

Lovato: Yes! It is called Honey Cabinetry (honeycabinetry.com). We’re on a mission to make custom cabinetry more accessible to anyone who is wanting a designer-inspired kitchen. Our cabinetry team has been in the cabinet world for over 15 years and are so driven to solve our client’s storage issues and needs in kitchen and bath spaces. Combined, we have over 25 years of cabinetry experience and additional training through the NKBA. Our cabinetry is factory finished and made in the USA, our team provides cabinetry layouts and plans for you. We want to give the same concierge style treatment that we have at Honeycomb, with Honey cabinetry. 

DV: Many designers and architects draw inspiration from traveling; Where do you get yours?

Lovato: I’m always looking at my design idols for inspiration. Kelly Wearstler has been a design inspiration for me since I was in design school. I also love watching new movies and studying the trends in the set designs. Lastly, fashion always bleeds into design. I like to see what the major fashion houses are doing and I like to predict what we’ll see blend over into the design world. Travel is an amazing way to get inspo too – although I haven’t been traveling as much since we have young kiddos. 

DV: What do you do when you’re not working?

Lovato: I’m spending time with my family! I have a 15 month old and a 3 y/o. We love going on walks, hikes with my husband and spending time with our family. I also love exercising and aim to do it everyday as a way to manage stress and health!