Twenty years ago, Michael and Deborah Sauri founded Arlington, Va.-based TriVistaUSA Design + Build to focus on home projects in Northern Virginia. By their own admission, the back story of the firm is rather unconventional: Michael was a musician, while Deborah Sauri was a graphic artist.

But they say that each brought creativity, vision and passion to the firm. Michael found he really understood the challenges people were having with their homes and connected with them in a way that seemed to resonate, while Deborah brought a heightened level of design and professionalism to client service. The couple built the company as a team around one central mission: to provide high quality and creative designs with an aesthetic yet practical flair woven into their client’s lifestyle needs. 

The company said the company name is an anagram of their two last names, enmeshing the value of collaboration that is the basis of the company.  Drawing from Michael’s background as a professional musician and Deborah’s experience in graphic design, the pair easily translated their creativity and artistry into the spaces they design for clients.

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“Founded in 2005, the company was tested early on by the economic climate of 2008,” the company writes on its website. “TriVistaUSA faced a high stakes challenge—either to be a company people pursued, or to close up shop. Not only did Michael and his team stay afloat, they flourished, gaining attention and accolades, and over 40 (and counting) related awards, including being voted Best Builder by the readers of Arlington Magazine in 2025.”

“We’ve always been motivated by connecting with our customers to really understand their challenges and vision for the future and to help them achieve it,” says Michael. Now they realize they can do the same for their employees by creating opportunities to bring young talent into the industry.

The owners and team are proud of their accomplishments over the last 20 years and are looking forward to the future. “In the beginning, we really pushed the capabilities of our young firm to be among the best, in terms of design, build and overall customer care,” says Michael. As they continue along the same path, Michael adds, “We’ve now earned award-winning skills and expertise in the architectural design and construction fields through 20 years of experience and success.”

Recently, Design Vibes caught up with the couple to get more info about the firm’s work, its history and its philosophy of design and materials.

Design Vibes: What kind of work does your firm do?

Michael and Deborah: We do residential home remodeling all around the DC metro area. Basically, we help fun people fall in love with their homes all over again! We design and build custom spaces that fit their lives. Our favorite part is getting to know our clients so well that we can create something even better than they imagined.

DV: Is most of your work in Virginia?

M+D: Yes, most of our work is in Northern Virginia; however, DC and Maryland have been an important part of our community over the years. The permitting process might be different, but the people and the houses are very similar. The DMV is full of our people.

DV: How has the firm changed in the last 20 years? M+D: The people running it have gotten 20 years older. And of course, we have evolved significantly in response to market needs and our expanding capabilities. In the early years, when Michael was running the organization on his own, we were really focused on the build quality and getting every detail right. Over time, Michael realized that clients appreciated a thoughtful and experienced partner when it came to making design decisions as well. That’s when Deborah officially joined the firm, bringing with her a background in graphic design, invigorating our architectural and interior design process to where it is today: a true integration of design innovation and build quality.

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DV: How has the DMV design scene/clients changed over that time?

M+D: Our region has changed considerably over the past twenty years, driven largely by population growth and increased density. As a result, we’re finding that more of our clients are investing in renovations to stay in the neighborhoods they love rather than moving. Clients are asking us to be increasingly creative in helping them adapt their homes for long-term living. The combination of design-focused social media and homes in the area that are often more than 75 years old means clients are not only looking for updated infrastructure, but also spaces that they are excited to share with friends and family. I mean, if it’s not on the ‘gram, did it even happen?

DV: Is the average DMV client different now than 25 years ago?

M+D: Perhaps clients are different but the world has also changed around them. We are seeing more people want to stay where they are and enjoy the benefits of their urban or suburban lifestyle throughout their life stages, whereas in the past, they might have been more likely to move. We love helping people make their homes into the perfect place for them as their lives change.

DV: What are some of the design features that your clients request?

M+D: Each of our clients is unique, but they’re susceptible to the same trends in home design as everyone else. Not long ago everyone wanted open floor plans with few dividing walls, but we coached our clients not to go too far in that direction or they would miss having cozy or private spaces. Recently there has been a trend toward all white in kitchens and bathrooms, which can look very elegant. But we’re helping our clients find opportunities to bring in some pops of color or patterns that speak to their personal style and the personalities of their homes. We’re also seeing more of our clients request custom nooks, like a wet bar or coffee bar areas, to cater to their particular lifestyles, which, for us, is really how a home feels more personal.

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DV: Are there design features that clients hate?

M+D: Clients feel very strongly about what they want in their homes, and what they don’t want. But our process is designed to collect that information at the very start of the process as well as with every design consultation. So we don’t spend nearly as much time thinking about what they hate as we do designing and building what they love.

DV: Design is a client-focused business, but are there requests that you don’t like but you do it anyway?

M+D: In any creative field, there’s always a productive tension between what the clients want and what the professionals determine is the direction of the industry. Some in our field want to only work on whatever is cutting edge, while others focus on what’s tried and true. We like to strike a balance between the two where we bring a variety of ideas and inspiration into every process to ensure our clients are exposed to a wide range of possibilities. But in the end, if it makes our clients happy, we like it too! Except for carpet in the bathroom. I mean, just no.

DV: What are some details, features or materials you wish your clients will accept?

M+D: We don’t see it as our job to convince clients to accept anything. We collaborate with them to create something that makes them happy, which is unique in every case. As experts in the field, we act as a trusted advisor and provide guidance along the way so that our clients feel supported and excited about their project. Ultimately, they’re the experts on their own lives and environments and shouldn’t accept anything that isn’t catering to their wants and needs.

DV: Which one do clients want more–traditional design or modern design?

M+D: We find that this dichotomy isn’t as clear cut in practice as it might sound in concept. As most of our business is renovating existing homes, we have to ensure that the new parts fit with the old, meaning there are almost always traditional elements that should be included. But at the same time, modern construction materials and methods have made things possible that simply were not when the homes were built, and homeowners want to reap those benefits, which often include more space or light. So traditional and modern are ends of a spectrum that we explore to find what best suits the home and the owners’ personalities. It’s our job to ensure everything fits together in a way that feels natural and cohesive.