Anatomy of a New Construction Project: How We Get Started Designing Dream Homes
PEEK AT A PROJECT
Anatomy of a New Construction Project: How We Get Started Designing Dream Homes
Have you ever wondered how you would even start to design your new construction dream home? What do you pick first, paint or tile? Which room do you start in, kitchen or bedroom? We’ve got a proven process for starting off that we’ve been using for years. (We think it works pretty well.) Here’s what we do to guide our clients down the path to building their dream homes.
The Client Profile
We start every design project by asking our clients to fill out our carefully crafted questionnaire. We ask practical questions about function in addition to questions about aesthetics. We gather as much written information as we can to inform our decision making as the project unfolds.
Inspiration images
Written information is important, but we also make sure to gather visual information. This helps paint a better picture of what the client is looking for. Not everyone excels at articulating their style, so pictures often help do the talking.
Concept words
We create concept words to help us refine the concept. This means that every choice going forward needs to support the concept rather than contradict it. It helps us guide client’s decisions so that the end product is cohesive. After all, there are a lot of choices out there and it can be overwhelming!
Paint Palettes
While selecting actual paint colors for walls is one of the last things we do in a room scheme, we do like to start by gathering paint swatches that establish a color direction. These colors might end up being reflected as cabinetry colors, tile colors, or even fabrics. The palette helps us to round out the materials story and to guide our selections for any and all materials.
Gather materials- LOTS of materials
With the concept, functional requirements and aesthetic style in place, we start gathering physical materials for the home. We gather LOTS of materials. Much more material than we would actually need for the home.
Create Materials Schemes
The next step is to take all of this material and create groupings that work well together. We typically create three distinct material schemes. Each material scheme must be in keeping with the established concept, but each offers something different. The reason we present three different options is because it gives our clients ownership of their decisions. Seeing three great options, but then settling confidently on one grouping that they LOVE helps the client to know they are making the right decision.
Want to see our past New Construction projects? Click here.
9 May, 2020 at 7:56 am
I love how you create a material scheme at the beginning. I think one of the biggest mistakes clients and designers make is trying to incorporate everything they love into a new house, and it ends up feeling disjointed, with your method, I’m sure the final results feel very unified and harmonious.
9 May, 2020 at 8:05 am
I always love seeing how clearly you delineate your process and this is no exception! Also, your examples just happen to contain all my favorite color palettes!
9 May, 2020 at 9:00 am
What a terrific post with respect to showing your design process, Lisa. I loved seeing how you laid out the 3 schemes. I’m getting so inspired this morning! Of your 3, if it was my home, I would be heading towards turquoise waters.
I look forward to seeing what your client chooses!
10 May, 2020 at 11:11 am
Lisa, I love how you use concept words to aid in the development of your projects. That is so helpful!
10 May, 2020 at 2:58 pm
I love the way you laid this whole process out with great images and also love the idea of concept words and sticking to them to help narrow down choices! Wonderful post.
11 May, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Beautiful color schemes I would not be able to pick! These homeowners are lucky to have you to help, can’t wait to see the final result!
12 May, 2020 at 10:56 pm
What a thorough post!! If I were building a home this would be the perfect place to start. Love all your boards and had not thought of “concept words”. That was new to me. Your blog is always so inspiring and I love to PIN your great images!