Most houses are designed by one team and built by another. Somewhere in the hand-off, a sconce drifts two inches to the left and nobody notices until the paint's dry.
Charlotte and Hunter Rice don't do hand-offs. As Rice Design & Build, they design and build homes across coastal San Diego — from the first sketch to the last screw.
For this edition of Designer Diaries, we talked about what makes a house feel like home, designing by the sea without a single anchor in sight, and the hardware they've specified from Plank Hardware along the way. Ten questions on craft, partnership, and real life.
How did you each end up in design and building? Was it in the blood, or did you take the scenic route?
It was definitely in the blood for both of us! Hunter grew up in Texas, where his family owned a custom home building company, and I grew up in a family involved in real estate development. We were both exposed to the industry from a young age, so I think it was pretty natural that we found our way into it. We started dating in 2019 and eventually decided to combine our backgrounds and build something of our own. Hunter's strengths are on the construction side, and mine are on the design side, so it ended up being a really great fit.
Everyone says they want a house to "feel like home." What does that look like in practice? Is there a moment on a project when you can feel it click?
For me, a home should feel like a reflection of the people living in it, not just a collection of beautiful things. I love incorporating natural materials, interesting textures, and pieces that feel collected over time. I think the most beautiful homes have a mix of old and new, and aren't so perfect that you're afraid to actually live in them.
There's always a moment toward the end of a project when the construction dust is gone, the lighting is installed, and everything starts coming together. But I think the real magic happens when the clients move back in and start making memories in the space. That's when it really becomes a home.
You run the business together. Who handles what, and is there anything you each guard like the last slice of pizza?
We have pretty defined roles, which I think is why working together works so well for us! I oversee the design side of the business, from space planning and material selections to the little finishing details. Hunter manages construction, our trades, and all the technical aspects of bringing those designs to life.
We definitely overlap, and there's a lot of collaboration throughout every project. I'm very particular about the design details, and Hunter is equally particular about how things are constructed. We both have strong opinions, but I think that's a good thing! We challenge each other, and the end result is usually better because of it.
You do both the design and the build. What do you catch that usually gets lost in the hand-off when those are two separate teams?
So many little details! It's often the smallest things that make the biggest difference in how a space feels. The placement of a sconce, how a countertop meets a cabinet, the alignment of tile, or the exact height of a backsplash. Those details can easily get lost when the person designing the space isn't involved in the construction.
Our design team stays involved throughout the entire build, which is something we're really passionate about. We're constantly checking that the design is being executed as intended, making decisions on-site, and working with our trades to problem-solve. I think having design and construction under one roof also creates a lot more accountability. We're all working toward the same vision from beginning to end.
"Coastal" can mean a lot of things, and not all of them involve rope. What does it mean to you, and what would you quietly talk a client out of?
Living in San Diego, coastal design is something we naturally gravitate toward, but I don't think a home needs to look like a beach house to feel coastal. To me, it's more about creating a relaxed, effortless feeling. Natural stone, warm woods, beautiful textures, soft colors, and plenty of natural light.
I love mixing coastal elements with other styles, whether that's Mediterranean, traditional, or something a little more modern. It creates a home that feels more interesting and personal.
I would probably steer a client away from anything too literal or themed. You don't need seashells, anchors, or everything painted blue and white to make a home feel coastal. I'd much rather create that feeling through the materials and overall atmosphere.
Sea air is hard on materials. How do you choose finishes that will change over time? Are you team patina or team polish?
I'm definitely team patina! I love natural materials and the character they develop over time. There's something really beautiful about a stone countertop that's been used for years or unlacquered brass that has naturally aged.
We use a lot of natural stone in our projects, and I'm always upfront with clients about the fact that it will change with use. Marble might etch, brass will darken, and wood will develop character. I don't necessarily see those things as imperfections.
That said, we always consider the client's lifestyle and how much maintenance they're comfortable with. Not everyone wants to embrace patina, and that's completely fine! Especially in coastal homes, we're thoughtful about selecting materials and finishes that will hold up to moisture and salt air. The goal is to find that balance between beauty, durability, and how someone actually lives.
What's the boldest thing a client has said yes to, the one you were secretly hoping they'd pick?
I love when clients are willing to take a little risk with color or materials! We recently designed a closet with high-gloss brown cabinetry, olive green carpet, and a custom marble accent table. It's such a fun combination and definitely not your typical closet, but that's what makes it special.
I think people sometimes feel like they need to play it safe with every selection, especially during a large remodel. I always encourage clients to have at least one moment in their home that feels a little unexpected. Those are usually the spaces that end up having the most personality.
When does hardware come into the conversation on your projects? And what happens when it's left until the very last minute?
We actually select hardware pretty early in the design process! It's one of those details that might seem small, but it has a huge impact on the overall look of cabinetry.
We consider everything together, from the cabinet style and finish to the plumbing fixtures, lighting, and hardware. The shape, scale, and finish of a knob or pull can completely change how a kitchen feels. A simple cabinet can lean traditional, modern, or somewhere in between depending on the hardware you choose.
Leaving it until the last minute can create issues beyond aesthetics, too. Certain pulls require specific spacing, and hardware placement needs to be considered before cabinetry is drilled. I always say the little details are what make a design feel really intentional.
Which room tells you the most about how people actually live? How do you design for real Tuesday mornings, not just the photo shoot?
Definitely the kitchen! It's where so much of everyday life happens, especially for families. We have three young kids ourselves, so we know firsthand that a kitchen needs to be able to handle a lot more than just cooking.
When we start designing a kitchen, we ask a lot of questions about how our clients live. Where do the kids eat breakfast? Do you entertain often? Where does the coffee maker go? Are you constantly unloading the dishwasher while someone else is trying to make lunch?
I think a beautiful kitchen is important, but if it doesn't function well, the design has missed the mark. We spend a lot of time thinking through storage, circulation, appliance placement, and how people will actually move through the space. I want our kitchens to photograph beautifully, of course, but more importantly, I want them to make everyday life a little easier.
Ten years from now, you walk back into one of your kitchens. What do you hope has picked up a bit of character, and what do you hope nobody has touched?
I hope the natural stone countertops have developed a little patina, the wood has aged beautifully, and the kitchen feels like it's been loved and lived in. I love the idea of a home getting better with age rather than feeling like everything needs to stay brand new.
What I hope nobody has touched is the overall layout and cabinetry! We put so much thought into how a kitchen functions and how the design will hold up over time. I want someone to walk into one of our kitchens ten years later and still love it just as much as the day it was finished. Maybe they've changed the barstools or added some new accessories, but the bones of the kitchen should still feel beautiful and timeless.
Team patina. Hardware picked before the drill comes out. Kitchens designed for Tuesday mornings, not just the photo shoot.
No seashells were harmed in the making of these homes 🐚
Browse our cabinet hardware — and pick yours before the cabinets are drilled
Shop Unlacquered Brass for team patina
Follow Charlotte and Hunter on Instagram at @ricedesignandbuild, or see more of their work at ricedesignbuild.com.
Still weighing up patina against polish? Our finish guide breaks down how each one ages. And for more Designer Diaries, catch up with Ivana Bramson of GLB Properties and Amber Pierce Designs.
