Over the past two years, while many of us were feeling more cooped up, restless, and starved for social interaction than we would like, every retailer with an interest in the home improvement market was salivating for our attention, and, in many cases, succeeded in convincing us to turn our homes into the perfect mix of sanctuary meets work from home space meets kids’ classroom. Preferably with some light soundproofing sprinkled throughout.
Choose your poison: Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, the list goes on and encompasses every budget and a multitude of tastes. But at the end of the day, so many of the couches, tables and chairs, look the same. This is where custom furniture has an opportunity to create interest and personalization in a space. Evena single thoughtfully designed custom piecehas the power to elevate the existing elements in a room. Call it glam by association.
An architect by training and an interior designer by trade, I started Handbuilt Furniture & Fixtures to fulfill a growing need from my commercial and hospitality clients for custom furniture designed with specific needs in mind. Informed by my lifelong passion for architecture and interiors, Handbuilt has evolved to become a source of creative inspiration its own right. While furniture procurement and selection are included among the services we offer, many clients have design visions that can only be realized through the custom build process. We aim to exceed expectations, and employ a series of highly-perfected quality control steps throughout the design process and prior to final fabrication to guarantee that we do.
Custom Furniture – 1
While custom furniture and professional design services are often viewed as luxuries reserved for large scale commercial projects, small businesses also have much to gain from engaging the services of a professional designer as they bring form, clarity, and efficiency to a project. Not to mention saving business owners countless hours they would have spent in pursuit of DIY. At Handbuilt our clients range from small businesses to multi-property corporations, and we make recommendations on design modifications to accommodate a range of price points.
As our lives continue to become increasingly adaptive, more and more people are appreciating the value of a well-planned space and the impact that custom furniture makes from both a practical and design standpoint.
Here are the top three reasons custom furniture should be on your radar:
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1. You Finally Get What You Want
We all know how it goes – the endless googling, price comparing, measurement taking, and ultimately talking ourselves into something that isn’t perfect just because it’s practical or the price is right. With custom furniture you get exactly what you want.
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2. It’s Good Value
While it’s an accurate assumption that custom furniture is inherently more expensive than its mass-produced counterpart, the added cost is worth it. You’re not only investing in something unique and of verifiable quality, but something that’s perfect for you because it was designed with you in mind.
Custom Furniture – 5
3. It’s More Sustainable
There’s a reason furniture ends up on the street. Much of it is cheaply manufactured abroad, held together by glue and plastic, and is not designed to last. When so many people are compromising in terms of what they buy, why should it? Custom furniture is furniture you can feel passionate about because you had a hand in its very existence, and furniture you don’t have to feel guilty about because it was produced locally.
Custom Furniture – Allison
—Allison Whitt, Handbuilt Founder + Creative Director
Today’s seniors are more connected than ever, with a renewed focus on retirement as a time of discovery and enriching experiences. The ultimate reward for a retirement well-earned is the wisdom to appreciate it all, and what better place to enjoy that unique perspective than Vi at La Jolla Village, in the heart of San Diego.
All-access pass to good living.
As a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), Vi provides access to a connected and fulfilling community while making it easy to plan for future care, should the need ever arise. With a care plan in place, residents enjoy greater financial predictability and long-term value, freeing them to focus on making the most out of retirement.
Resort-style amenities at the epicenter of a cultural hub like San Diego offer a retirement experience unlike any other. Paired with exceptional dining, spacious accommodations and dedicated staff, the best of maintenance-free living is all around. And with the introduction of Vista 360 Well-Being, Vi’s panoramic approach to wellness, there are more ways than ever for residents to access it all.
The harmony of mind, body and community.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
The key to longevity is striking the right balance in maintaining an active lifestyle with an active mind in a fulfilling community. With newly renovated community spaces and restaurants, Vista brings a variety of opportunities for residents to elevate their well-being through Vi-exclusive “Signature Experiences.”
Vista Enrich takes an evidence-based approach to brain vitality, keeping residents at the forefront of cognitive health through exergaming (exercising + gaming), nutritional plans and informative workshops. It is also home to The Brain Vitality Studio, an innovative facility dedicated to cognitive fitness that has garnered national recognition.
Vista Discover invites residents into stimulating educational experiences, from chef-led cooking demos and guided wine tastings to lectures at local universities and intimate lectures following cultural outings.
While Vista Enrich focuses on brain health and Vista Discover engages residents intellectually, Vista Explore cultivates a sense of adventure through curated travel and local excursions. But broadening one’s horizons doesn’t always require a plane ticket. One recent event brought a taste of the world right to the community: an onsite “jazz cruise” featuring live music and global cuisine served at a series of themed “ports” all within the community’s own ballroom.
“Location, location, location”
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
One of the biggest perks of life at Vi at La Jolla Village is its proximity to just about everything. With easy access to transportation and local attractions just steps away, residents can explore and engage with their community at their own pace.
“There are trolley and bus stops within a 5-minute walk that will get you to the beach, UCSD Campus, medical appointments, downtown La Jolla or San Diego, et cetera. We rarely use our car,” said resident Tom Yager.
With the best of San Diego just steps away, residents don’t just live in the city, they live within reach of everything that makes it special.
The best of all worlds.
Courtesy of Vi at La Jolla Village
At Vi at La Jolla Village, retirement isn’t a chapter to slow down; it’s an invitation to discover more. Tailored community experiences created by Vista, paired with the vibrant pulse of San Diego just outside the door, mean that residents don’t have to choose between security and adventure, connection and independence. They get all of it.
This is what an all-access pass to good living looks like: the comforts of an elevated lifestyle, a community built for growth and a city made for discovery – all in one place.
To learn more about Vi at La Jolla Village or for details on available floor plans, visit ViatLaJollaVillage.com/SDM.
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
At Sutra Dental Spa in La Mesa and Coronado Dental Group, dentistry feels less like an appointment and more like a self-care day. Led by nationally recognized cosmetic dentist Jimmy C. Wu, DDS, both practices combine advanced dental technology with a relaxing space.
“Our top priorities are safety, comfort, effective treatment, and results that look and feel natural,” says Dr. Wu, founder of Sutra Dental Spa and cosmetic dentist for over 25 years. “We’re proud to offer the most advanced dental technologies and techniques available in a calming, even meditative, environment.”
Patients can turn to both practices for everything from routine dental care to cosmetic services such as porcelain veneers and teeth whitening, as well as full mouth reconstruction and single-visit smile makeovers and crowns. At Sutra Dental Spa, the experience goes a step further, with Asian-inspired art, a Zen oxygen bar, aromatherapy pillows, and even in-appointment massage therapy.
“Dentistry has always been thought of as something you have to do versus something you want to do,” says Dr. Wu. “My goal is to change that perception for everyone.”
Visit
Sutra Dental Spa 7851 University Avenue, Suite 206, La Mesa, California 91942 | 619-589-6060 sutrads.com
Coronado Dental Group 1301 Ynez Place, Coronado, California 92118 | 619-435-6227 coronadodentalgroup.com
Faces of Healthcare 2026: Spine & Brain Institute of San Diego
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
Ramin Raiszadeh, MD; Paul D. Kim, MD; Sunil Jeswani, MD; Sabareesh Natarajan, MD; Evan Nigh, MD
At Spine and Brain Institute of San Diego, every patient gets innovative, advanced care.
Dr. Ramin Raiszadeh, president and co-owner, is a board-certified orthopedic spinal surgeon who specializes in disc-replacement surgery. Co-owner Dr. Paul D. Kim handles complex disorders across the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, leaning on nonsurgical and minimally invasive techniques. He’s known for being upfront with patients. Dr. Sunil Jeswani brings a thoughtful, hands-on approach to complex cranial and spinal conditions, from brain tumors and cerebral aneurysms to arteriovenous malformations and spinal deformities. Dr. Sabareesh Natarajan is one of few neurosurgeons in Southern California with dual board certification in neurosurgery and neurointerventional surgery—an expert in vascular disease and brain tumors. Dr. Evan Nigh, a board-eligible orthopaedic spine surgeon, has published research in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
“Sharp Grossmont Hospital has become the epicenter for spine surgery in this country,” says Dr. Raiszadeh. “Here, the nation’s most talented neurosurgeons and spine surgeons perform the entire spectrum of neural axis surgeries, setting the gold standard for care.”
Visit
6719 Alvarado Rd, Suite 308, San Diego, CA 1671 West Main St, Suite A, El Centro, CA 2125 Citracado Parkway, Suite 310, Escondido, CA 6260 El Camino Real, Suite 201 Carlsbad, CA 619-265-7912 | sbiosd.com
Faces of Healthcare 2026: San Diego Eyelid Specialists
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
True luxury lies in mastery. At San Diego Eyelid Specialists, Dr. Srinivas Iyengar has devoted his career to a single pursuit: the artistry of eyelid surgery, elevated to its most refined form.
A fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Iyengar belongs to a rarefied tier of his field. He serves as a board examiner for the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery—the credential by which other surgeons are measured—and holds dual Top Doctor recognition for over 10 years from his physician peers in both ophthalmology and plastic surgery. His expertise has taken him around the world, teaching advanced techniques through ORBIS International and the Flying Eye Hospital.
His signature philosophy, Volumetric Harmony, reflects a discerning eye for proportion and balance, restoring youthful elegance while honoring the individuality of every face.
From his boutique offices in Encinitas and La Jolla, Dr. Iyengar offers a bespoke surgical experience for those who accept nothing less than exceptional. For the eyes, there is no substitute for a true eyelid expert.
Visit
8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, B206, La Jolla, California 92037 477 North El Camino Real, A304, Encinitas, California 92024 858-432-2700 | @eyelidmd | sandiegoeyelids.com
Faces of Healthcare 2026: San Diego Cardiac Center
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
San Diego Cardiac Center provides truly comprehensive cardiovascular care, from prevention to heart transplantation. This year, 12 of their physicians were recognized as Top Doctors, including Dr. Brian Jaski, a heart failure and heart transplant specialist who has been in practice for 41 years. During that time, he oversaw San Diego’s first heart transplantation and has been voted a Top Doctor by his peers in 21 of the past 23 years.
With affiliations across the Sharp and Scripps hospital systems, San Diego Cardiac Center provides care at locations in Kearny Mesa, El Cajon, and Chula Vista. Their physicians specialize in preventive cardiology, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, advanced heart failure, structural heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, venous disease, cardiovascular diagnostics, and clinical research.
As one of San Diego’s longest-standing private medical groups, they’re committed to one goal: helping our patients feel better and live longer.
San Diego Cardiac Center’s Vein Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for superficial and deep vein conditions, including specialized care for venous insufficiency, DVT and pulmonary embolism. Diagnostic testing, procedures, and follow-up care are provided in-house, with personalized treatment plans ranging from conservative management to minimally invasive options.
Visit
3131 Berger Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123 300 S. Pierce St, Suite 102, El Cajon, CA 92020 750 Medical Center Ct, Suite 10, Chula Vista, CA 91911 sdcardiac.com
Faces of Healthcare 2026: San Diego Association of Physicians of Indian Origin
Meet San Diego’s leading healthcare professionals, delivering exceptional medical and dental care through innovation, expertise, and dedication to patients.
The San Diego Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (SAPI) is proud to celebrate its physicians recognized as San Diego Top Doctors. This recognition reflects their clinical excellence, dedication to patient care, leadership within their specialties, and contributions to the San Diego community.
SAPI is a nonprofit professional organization bringing together physicians and healthcare professionals of Indian origin throughout the San Diego region. Through continuing medical education, professional networking, mentorship, community service, and cultural engagement, SAPI provides a collaborative platform for physicians at every stage of their careers.
The accomplishments of SAPI’s Top Doctors reflect our values of excellence, compassion, integrity, service, and leadership. We congratulate all of our honorees and celebrate the collective impact of SAPI physicians across numerous medical and surgical specialties.
“Our goal is to strengthen connections among physicians while expanding opportunities for education, mentorship, networking, leadership, and community service,” says SAPI President Dr. Smitha C. Reddy and Dr. Farris Sandhu, SAPI Chair, both among the physicians recognized as a San Diego Top Doctor. “We warmly invite physicians and healthcare professionals throughout San Diego to become involved and join our growing organization. Together, we can strengthen our professional community and continue building a lasting legacy of excellence in healthcare.”
