Though Candice Quinn became interested in interiors at a young age—a passion partially inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright book given to her by her father—her first career was in the real estate investment side of the housing industry. The process of buying, renovating, and reselling homes quickly showed her that her heart was truly in design. Fortunately, she had the waitlists and design requests to back up her dreams. She launched her Scottsdale-based residential and commercial design firm, London Pierce Design, in 2015. Recently, Quinn launched London Pierce Home, a 10,000-square-foot showroom showcasing furniture, lighting, art, and decor.
We caught up with Quinn to hear more about her process, her inspirations, and The Dreyfus, a peaceful contemporary desert vacation villa she recently designed.
What is most rewarding about your chosen career?
I absolutely love taking a blank canvas and envisioning what it can become. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about bringing that vision to life. What makes this even more rewarding is that I can help clients create their dream space. I enjoy listening to my clients’ stories, understanding what inspires them, and turning that into a design that truly reflects their personality and lifestyle.
What do you find most challenging about the work you do?
I would say the most challenging part of my profession is managing all the moving pieces involved in bringing a project to life. There are so many factors at play—coordinating with multiple teams and dealing with all the issues that come up throughout the construction process. This is a complex process that requires attention to detail and a lot of flexibility. While these challenges can often be frustrating, they’re also what make the final result so rewarding. It’s all about problem-solving and finding creative solutions to keep things on track.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere. When I’m in a creative mood, a simple hike in the desert can spark ideas. I love traveling and exploring new cities, studying architecture worldwide, and immersing myself in the details of different cultures and environments. For me, inspiration is about experiences, not just looking at Pinterest and magazines. It’s about feeling the energy around you, whether it’s the textures in a building, the color of a sunset, or elements in nature. The world is full of creativity, and I believe the best designs come from paying attention to all the incredible things that surround us.
Give us the backstory on this project.
My clients own several vacation rental projects, and they approached me with a vision for a luxury vacation rental that would serve as a true destination. They desired a space that would offer an immersive experience, where their guests could escape and unwind in a beautiful environment. Together, we developed the concept of “Desert Spa,” and from there, the transformation started. We completely redesigned the space to reflect this concept.
How did you approach the project? What were the steps involved in your creative process?
I approached this project with the idea of completely transforming the space, as it was outdated and lacked flow. My goal was to create something truly captivating and functional. I wanted to bring the outdoors in, and the first step was to create a gorgeous sightline from the front door all the way to the pool in back. We accomplished this by adding a large glass pivot door at the entry and a wall of glass in back to create a focal point to the pool from the front door. We removed the old pool and designed a new one that fit the vibe of the project. We created the indoor-outdoor showers to allow guests to rejuvenate and experience the luxury of the desert and nature. Beyond all the physical changes to the property, I feel that we were able to create an environment that evokes emotion and offers a truly luxurious experience for all the guests to enjoy. It’s moments like this that remind me why I love what I do.
What are your favorite details or elements of this design?
My favorite aspect of this design is all the natural materials that create a deep connection with Mother Nature. From the textured plaster finishes to the rich wood details and organic shapes throughout, every element brings nature into the space. It was very important to my clients that all items in the home have meaning, so all the accessories and furnishings were curated by my team to tie it all together.
What ideas or tips can our readers take away from this project and apply to their own space?
One takeaway from this project is the power of using natural materials, organic shapes, and inspiration to create a space that feels grounded and balanced. Incorporating elements that evoke personal experiences can add to the story and transform a space.
