Sklar Studios

Karyn came highly recommended and we were thrilled with both the outcome and the process. We wanted to stay true to the mid century style of our home, but still make it functional and livable for a family. Karyn listened intently to our preferences, asked great questions, got a good gauge of our style and needs, and guided us through the process. The range of options she was able to provide allowed us to make choices that fit our lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic. From vintage furniture and fine art to a couch our daughter can jump on, Karyn delivered. Our home is beautiful, but more than that, it feels like us. We love being in the environment she helped us create and enjoyed every minute of working with her.

We engaged Sklar Studios for a challenging second story remodel. We had the space to work with, but the pre-existing layout made it very difficult to see the potential. Karyn Sklar was the perfect blend of practical approach combined with an artistic eye that worked very well for our project. She listened to our ideas, but was also not afraid to voice her opinion if she felt that something wouldn't work. She also did a masterful job of navigating the waters with contractors and deadlines as needed. I would highly recommend Karyn at Sklar Studios if you are considering a remodel.

Sklar Studios is a detail oriented company that provides amazing design choices for their clients. They can handle all aspects of any project including construction management. We had our entire 1968 home, that had been untouched from its original condition, reimagined by Sklar Studios and we love it! Their team gave us four beautiful bathroom layouts that are designed impeccably. Our previously closed off kitchen is now wide open with a beautiful view and all of the finishing details were thoroughly planned out and executed. Our living spaces had many unique angles that needed to be seamlessly transitioned and they pulled it off perfectly. They were able to keep some of the midcentury charm while definitely adding the modern pop! We highly recommend Sklar Studios to design the space and home of your dreams!

Karyn has an amazing wealth of knowledge. Working with her for renovating half of our home was the best decision we made. Reworking so much of your home is an overwhelming task. Karyn presented us with multiple options. We started with the big picture, and narrowed it down to the fine details. Karyn was able to provide us with ideas we never would have thought of on our own, and to steer us away from things that would have been the wrong decision in the end. Without her guidance there is no way we would have the home we have today- we use every space, it's more efficient, and we enjoy being together in it so much more than we did before.

Over the past 2 years I've photographed several of Karyn's high-end design projects, and I'm always struck by how well she nails the details that link a whole-home or commercial design together. She approaches projects with an architectural eye (her background), which is perhaps why we work together so well. Even the smallest job takes on special significance when Karyn is in charge! My favorite thing about working with Sklar Studios is the breadth of work I've gotten to document: commercial, residential, institutional (private school facilities), houses of worship, and hospitality. All that experience goes into every future project, which benefits her clientele.

I have worked with Karyn, photographing her projects, multiple times now and one thing stands out. Her passion. She works hard for her clients and truly improves their spaces, whether it be residential or commercial. Collaborating with Karyn on the photo shoots is inspiring and she makes me a better photographer. It's been a pleasure capturing her creative and practical designs and I look forward to the next shoot!

I bought the condo for its location and layout. Most certainly not for the interior. In a nutshell, everything had to go. Knowing the place had to be gutted was the easy part. The hard part was finding an interior designer to transform the space. This was not an investment property. It would be my home. The scope of work covered nearly everything. The bathroom was completely gutted. New flooring throughout. Custom cabinetry. The list goes on. All furnishings would need to be acquired. Other than a few moving boxes full of documents Karyn would be starting from a clean slate. From the beginning Karyn was a joy to work with. She took the effort to learn my ‘must haves’, understand my design aesthetics and identify opportunities to impart aspects of my life into the project like my love of golf and travel. All the hard work paid off. I love the result. I entrusted my home to Karyn and she delivered beyond my expectations.

Karyn was the designer for 2 of our major home remodels: 1. Kitchen 2. Masterbath These are some attributes that were important to us in which Karyn surpassed our expectations: -Attention to detail -Listened to our wants and needs -Cost- conscious -Consideration of functionality without compromising design -Passionate about her profession -Innovative -Extremely knowledgeable of our preferred design style (contemporary/modern) Highly recommend her and would hire her again for other projects!!! Karyn went above and beyond in her designs. She took the time to get to know what we were looking for (design as well as functionality) in our kitchen and master bath. She took into account our preferred style (contemporary), my love for concrete (or the concrete-look) as well as other materials (wood and marble flooring) which already existed in the house and added additional warmth to our home. The kitchen is where I spend most of my time and now I love to be in there even more! Karyn created an open-concept kitchen with an incredible amount of storage. A unique, waterfall edge adds sleekness to our island area. 2 different types of counter top materials/patterns were used on the island and the contrast is amazing. The wood cabinets on the island and sink area provide some warmth next to the high gloss white cabinets ( floor to ceiling) which encase our flush-mounted stainless appliances. I love the clean lines, uniqueness and functionality. It's never a chore to be in our kitchen. She has created my dream kitchen!! As for our bathroom....she created consistency and utilized the same counter top and warm wood material as the kitchen for the bathroom cabinets. She designed a unique floating vanity which included additional storage up the side walls (hard to picture, but it is amazing!!!) Concrete-Looking tile for flooring and up the shower area walls looks real classy with a glass partial panel in the shower. The linear shower drain added a very modern touch. Feels like I am getting ready at a spa every morning! To top it off, a reclaimed wood barn door closes off the bathroom from the bedroom. This is not just a door but a piece of art and once again adds warmth. Can't forget about my concrete sink :) Karyn is an exceptional designer. Her creativity and passion shines through. We could tell she loves her profession. Her outside of the box thinking intrigued me and opened my eyes to additional features in our kitchen and bathroom which I wouldn't have even considered. Karyn, Thank you for creating these amazing spaces in our home and teaching me about design along the way. Will be in touch for the next project ;)

Karyn helped us to design a warm and beautiful living room and dining room that both reflects and fits our family. She was creative and practical, fun and detail-oriented. We cant wait to work with her again!

Karyn of Embrio Design was a pleasure to work with. She created a wonderful design for the Homeowner, while keeping within a reasonable budget and addressing and meeting the Homeowners' needs and desires. She was easy to communicate and collaborate with and she helped to keep the job running smoothly and on time. As a General Contractor, I truly appreciate collaborations with professionals like Embrio Design.

Professional, creative, extra ordinary. I had the pleasure of working on a contract lighting job with Embrio Design in the summer of 2015. They were tasked with remodeling the University Club of SD, a private professionals club with a long and respected history in San Diego. I entered the project mid way. I mostly worked with Karen. On a peer professional level, the information I needed to complete the project came quickly in a very comprehensive, detailed and thorough manner. When pressure was placed, either with materials or manner of delivery, Karen was quick to come up with cost effective solutions. Interacting with Karen was not only informative and functional, it was fun! My memories of that work experience brings a smile to my face. As designers, they brought ideas and resources to the project that were exactly what the client wanted, with a unique and creative twist. I overheard other professionals on the project comment that they thought they were one of the most innovative designer firms in San Diego. They worked on the project with dedication and determination into the late hours of the evening, personally installing some of the decorative artwork on the walls. When the club threw their launch party, I overhead the clubs management say that they loved what they had done and felt so good about the clubs changes. I would be honored to work with Embrio Design in the future. I was impressed by them on all levels.

Karyn Rovner-Sklar first designed and supervised our guest bathroom re-model. Her choices in marble and tile were breath-taking. She maximized space for storage, helped select fixtures and lighting and designed custom cabinets. It turned out gorgeous. She then designed our living room re-do. She incorporated our rare sofa with contemporary furniture that was exciting. She designed a porcelain tile wall over the fireplace that looks like a painting, added carpeting and custom shelves that give warmth to the space, and she even helped with finishing touches like the reframing of art. Her creativity, attention to detail (and cost) put her in a class above the rest. She was wonderful to work with..

Embrio is great at helping homeowners achieve their lifestyle and space goals without breaking the bank. Successful home remodeling and construction comes from synergy and great collaboration between the Client, Architect, Designer and Contractor. To accomplish this, there needs to be a high level of trust, communication and transparency by all parties. I have worked with Embrio and have seen their teamwork firsthand!

I have worked with Karyn over the course of the past 15 years on a number of different projects - two of my personal homes, my company's office, as well as several of our residential properties that we were preparing to sell on the market. While I know what it is I like in terms of style, I rely on Karyn and the team at Embrio to transform my ideas, come up with unique solutions, present me with options, pull it all together, and make it happen. As a developer, I've recommended them to several of our own clients both for residential and commercial projects. The fact that I've followed her career and hired her repeatedly for well over a decade speaks for itself.