DESIGNING YOUR CUSTOM HOME

Get inspiration by looking at magazines, home decor books and style boards. Try online home design resources like Houzz and Pinterest to identify your style. As you go through the process, be sure to ask yourself:

• Modern Exterior, Colonial, Spanish, Mediterranean or Asian?
• What colors do you want to design your home around?
• What styles and looks are your top priorities?
• What decorating touches make you feel at home?
• Is there an existing restaurant, home or store you can pull inspiration from?
• What are the colors and styles that you don’t want in your home?

Setting a few hours aside to review your personal style will leave you happier with your selections and will leave less room for doubt. If you have a partner, then make sure that you and your partner are on the same page, so you two can avoid having to make difficult design decisions on the fly.

Now that you know your style, it’s time to set a budget. Costs for design and construction can add up fast, especially when it comes to top of the line appliances and premium materials. Being prepared with your budget can help you make easier decisions about where to splurge and where to save.

Once you have your budget, you can determine your wish list. Prioritize what’s most important to you, and work your way down the list as you go. Just remember: It’s your home, so style it the way you’ve always dreamed.

When it comes to actually picking appliances, upgrades and decor, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and sidetracked by beautiful, sleek choices. It’s important to trust your instinct and go with your original style wish list. Just because a style is trending, doesn’t mean it’s going to be your style.

It’s smart to splurge on your flooring. Here is why: One of the most common design mistakes that homeowners talk about is choosing standard carpet with the intention of replacing it a few years down the road. There’s no time like the present to invest in high-impact areas of your home, because once you’re settled in, the last thing you’ll want to do is disturb the nest once again.

There’s a common misconception that you’ll end up paying more for an upgrade if it’s rolled into the mortgage. This leads some buyers to pay for upgrades out of their own pockets. Talk to your your lender to see what the best options will be for you.

If you communicate with your partner and your other family members in advance, then you’ll enjoy a better experience during this phase of the build process. It’s the perfect time for being imaginative and for having fun.

To get a closer glimpse of the materials, please visit the Showroom.