Designing A Home

 My Process When Designing A Client Home Or Spec Home

Stage 01

Starting the design process of any home you need to develop the perfect floor plan for your family. Having your perfect floor plan is something you can already have drawn up and brought to us, or something we can develop and draw together.

With every floor plan I draw for clients I make sure to explain the purpose of every room; in relevance to other rooms, and the built-in elements designed to fit the room. I believe in using as much of the square footage as we can as well as bringing attention to the ceiling.

Stage 02

I like to start designing all houses with the exterior first. The exterior is the first impression people are going to have of your style with your new home. I believe the exterior should represent what to expect when you walk through the front door. This is the time when you need to decide your personal style for your home. Are you drawn to traditional, modern, contemporary, prairie, a mix a styles??

Stage 03

Now it’s time to focus our attention to the design of the interior of the house. I like to start with the design and layout of the kitchen. The kitchen is the number one used space in any house. This is the place to step out of your comfort zone. Add those designer elements that will make people say “Wow” every time they walk into your house.

Do you like the idea of a designer kitchen but too afraid to pull the trigger on the bold material choices? Ask for me draw up 3D perspectives like the ones here to see everything put together. Feeling confident in the space will encourage you to have the kitchen of your dreams.

Another area of design that is over looked are the ceilings. If you have the space and the height add that vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceilings make a space feel much larger and more grand. You’d be in disbelief at the cost comparison between a vaulted ceiling and a flat ceiling. Add molding, wallpaper, or paneling to bring detailed attention to the architecture of the home.

While we are in this view lets talk about lighting. Lighting is right up in there in importance as architecture. Lighting should play off the architecture in size, spacing, and shape. When deciding on light fixtures for any space you need to think about how you want the room to feel in any given setting; moody with dim lighting, bright with light airy fixtures?

While designing the rest of the house you need to take into account how you want your furniture and art displayed throughout the house. Add interesting details in unexpected places throughout the house. Wallpaper on the ceiling, interesting tile or stone on the fireplace, pops of color in art and floral arrangements.

The design and feel of the other rooms should show similarity to the living space. But, shouldn’t look exactly the same. Use different materials and colors in every bathroom, use different wallpapers in multiple rooms. Make people interested in wanting to see all the rooms in your home and how they are all unique in there own way.

Have fun and be excited about designing your home. Consider stepping out of your comfort zone and trusting your designers opinion. If you have been playing of the idea of building a new home and would like help designing the exterior and interior, contact me through the design inquiries and lets discuss your wants further.