For 20 years, Sanctuary Design Build has been redefining the meaning of home—one enduring sanctuary at a time. This family-owned and -operated residential design-build firm in Newport Beach, led by designer Lauren O’Connor and contractor Josh Baker, has built a reputation for seamless collaboration, a timeless aesthetic, and meticulous craftsmanship.
A clear-eyed approach to creativity, collaboration, and precision defines Lauren’s career in interior design. With an architecture background from USC, she quickly discovered that her passion lies in transforming interiors into thoughtfully designed sanctuaries—where function, beauty, and personal meaning come together beyond the constraints of a blueprint. “I realized that interior design was something I would truly love and could build a career around,” she recalls—a realization that set her on a path to craft well considered surroundings that lead to well lived lives.
Central to Lauren’s vision is her business and life partner, Josh, whose expertise as the general contractor is integral to every project they undertake. Their partnership is built on the belief that “your home is your sanctuary.” For them, every project begins with an in-depth understanding of the client’s lifestyle. Lauren listens carefully, gathering insights from the sentimental value of family heirlooms to the subtle nuances of daily routines. Meanwhile, Josh ensures that every design detail is translated into reality with precision and quality workmanship. “Our work is not about chasing trends—it is about creating enduring spaces and truly supporting our clients’ well-being,” Lauren explains.
Keeping their team intentionally small allows them to dedicate their time fully to each project, ensuring a highly personalized, hands-on approach. “We are very accessible to our clients at all times. That can be rare for owners and not necessarily the dynamic at larger firms,” Lauren shares. With projects that span several years, their long-standing partnership of two decades eliminates the learning curve and ensures that every decision is informed by experience and instinct.
At the project’s inception, they bring clients into the fold and learn as much about them as possible—their family, their pets, their hobbies, their entertaining style, how they cook, what they cook, and how they like to start and end their days. They don’t just design and build homes; they become their clients’ advisors and advocates, ensuring that every detail serves a purpose. “We genuinely care that they have a positive experience through design and construction, and that the years they spend in their homes following our time together are so, so special. We want to be invited back to hang out!”
Their latest project, Eleven Oceancrest in Pelican Crest, exemplifies this high-touch, personalized approach. Designed for clients with refined tastes and a clear vision for their forever homes, the project is a high-end remodel that balances elegance with functionality. Lauren’s design sensibility paired seamlessly with Josh’s construction expertise, ensuring that every decision—from materials to finishes—was made with a focus on quality and practicality. The Eleven Oceancrest project is a testament to their combined skills, merging thoughtful design with robust construction to deliver a luxurious and livable home.
At the heart of their philosophy is the understanding that a home should be more than just a space—it should be a welcoming and restorative retreat, a sanctuary that supports the way its occupants live, work, and unwind. Their design ethos is rooted in harmonizing beauty and function, ensuring that no detail is purely aesthetic without a purpose. This philosophy is evident in Eleven Oceancrest, where they have seamlessly blended stunning natural materials, custom finishes, and intelligent layouts to create an environment that soothes and energizes everyday life.
Lauren and Josh also understand the emotional and mental toll construction can take on homeowners. “Endeavoring in a construction project in your home or building a new home from the ground up can be taxing in many ways—and not just financially. Making decisions and concessions can wear on the decision-makers,” Lauren acknowledges. As a couple that works together daily and makes tough decisions themselves, they recognize their clients’ challenges. “We counter that with calm and confidence. We make it our job to bring relief (and hopefully deep meaning and joy!) to the process.”
That close, familial energy extends to their construction team as well. “Many of our guys, we’ve known for years and years,” Josh adds. Their projects are built on trust, experience, and a shared enthusiasm for the craft. “We get excited to work together, to take on another challenge, and to celebrate the accomplishment of creating beautiful homes that mean everything to the people who live in them.”
Their measured, client-focused process and dedication to quality ensure that every project becomes a personal sanctuary—a space where design meets functionality, and every detail matters. Through projects like Eleven Oceancrest, they continue redefining the meaning of home—crafting spaces that inspire and enrich daily life.
Sanctuary
120 Tustin Avenue, Suite C1023
Newport Beach
949.554.4639
sanctuarysocal.com
