I have a builder so why would I need an interior designer?

You are already going to pay hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to build your dream house. You already know what you like and have a terrific reputable builder. You already have 10 Pinterest boards dedicated to your new house….

But do you know what types of lighting needs to go where? What paint colors look like depending on which way your house faces? Do you know how to cohesively select tile style and finish for every surface needed, including the grout and the edging AND then pattern you want it laid in? You probably know what cabinetry style you want, but what type of wood and stain/paint? Have you thought about your baseboards and if the style you like makes sense with the style of the house?

There are a million things to consider. OK, maybe not a million, but hundreds if not thousands! 

Most clients that hire us are already stylish professionals, but being doctors, scientists, or running a company often means they are busy and that design isn't in their wheelhouse. They can make decisions quickly because they trust that we've done the research to give them solid options to consider. We are the design liaison between our client and their builder. Builders LOVE us because we select all the things they don't often care about, and we stay out of the way on the stuff they do care about- the build itself. We give them selections and specs on everything months before they are needed so we greatly reduce the stress on them too! THIS! This ladies and gents, is why you need both your builder and a designer - well not just any designer but US! 

This picture is the EXACT same floor, just in different lighting, which is why it's important for us to know what we are doing! 

We help create the perfect floor plan with your architect and builder. We add tremendous value to the plans, especially for functional areas, because we raised families in our homes, just like you. Honoring your allotted budgets in your contract, we start researching and selecting to present to you the things on the list below:

Interiors:

• All hardwired lighting (We are not only talking the dining room chandelier, but things like toe kick lighting for kids' vanities and automatic motion sensor lighting when you walk into the pantry)

• Door styles, knobs, and hinges

• Paint colors and finishes for walls, trim, ceilings, doors, etc. (We love a venetian plaster!!) 

• Wallpaper

• Trim- baseboards, ceiling crown, door and window trims, wainscotting or judges panels, etc.

• Fireplace design and hearth / mantle selection 

• Stair design

• Flooring- wood species, stain and finishes for hardwoods, LVP, cork, stone, tile, carpet

• Appliances

• Electronic media or security

• Kitchen, butlers pantry or prep kitchen, laundry room, bar, wine cellar, office, etc. cabinetry

• Cabinetry hardware hinges, pulls and knobs

• Countertops

• Tile floors, walls, backsplash, showers, etc. 

• Plumbing fixtures such as your faucets, shower heads

• Bathroom elements like vanities, sinks, toilets and bidets, mirrors, bathtubs (these can get pretty exciting for us!), and accessories such as your towel bars

• Vents- no ugly vents here! When we are dealers for Top Step Vents and also love Fitties; you will have pretty vents. 

• Outlets (if we can hide them we will! We don't love to see an outlet EVER!) and Faceplates for switches 

• All the functional pieces and organization to kitchen, laundry room and baths- spice organizers, pull out trash cans, there are a ton of terrific things you an install these days!

• Work shop, home gym or saunas, massage rooms- The specialty things that make homes magic! WE LIVE FOR THIS KIND DESIGN! 

Exteriors:

• Porches and entrances, floors and ceiling (we love a tongue and groove ceiling in the south)

• Entry door and all exterior doors. 

• The right siding material for your climate and build style such as brick, stone, stucco, etc

• Roof material- we like to do at least 2 or 3!

• Garage style, material and colors

• Windows

• All paint and stain colors and finishes 

• Lighting on the home and throughout the landscaping 

• Driveway material and style (We like to add detail work anywhere we are able)

• Landscaping: trees, grass, shrubbery, flowers, pathways, water features, etc.

• Gate entrances and fences

• Mailbox

• Entertaining zones- we love a party so we love to work with pool designers and landscape architects on how to best create zones for gatherings! Outdoor kitchens, play houses, play sets, you name it!

Hiring us on your build is roughly 3-5% of your cost of the entire build. You are hiring us for our time and skill. We send all your selections to your builder for purchasing. The only time we purchase something is if we have a connection they do not. For instance, we found an incredible fireplace mantel at an antique shop while traveling. That one we took care of and communicated with the builder and he removed it from his scope of work. We like to book builds as soon as possible- often we are hired a year before we break ground, but after financing is settled. It's such a happy project to be a part of because people have worked hard to build their dream homes and they are so excited! 

We'd love to work with you on your custom home build! 

XOXO-

Brit 

Top Step Vents- flushed curve