The Journal
Notes on designing for feeling.
Allaie on architecture, landscape, light and visualization, and how each shapes the way a San Diego home feels to live in.
Philosophy · 5 min read
Designing a home around a mood
Why I begin every San Diego residence with one question, how do you want to feel here, and how that answer shapes light, material, proportion and planting.
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Landscape · 6 min read
Coastal landscape design in San Diego: planting for salt, sun and less water
How to design a garden near the San Diego coast that looks generous all year, handles salt air and wind, and uses water wisely.
November 14, 2026
Visualization · 5 min read
Why photoreal 3D visualization is the best money you spend before you build
How photoreal renderings and walkthroughs help homeowners decide with confidence, avoid costly changes on site and give builders a clearer brief.
November 14, 2026
Architecture · 5 min read
Indoor-outdoor living: designing the house and the garden as one
In San Diego the garden is part of the house. How designing architecture and landscape together creates seamless indoor-outdoor living.
November 14, 2026
Interiors · 6 min read
Lighting a home by mood: a guide to colour temperature and layers
A practical guide to residential lighting design: colour temperature, layers of light and how to light each room for the way you want it to feel.
November 14, 2026
Process · 4 min read
Preparing for your first design consultation: ten questions worth answering
How to prepare for a first meeting with an architect or landscape designer in San Diego, and the questions that lead to a better home.
November 14, 2026