You’re finally doing it. You’re moving forward with plans to build your dream home. It’s been a long time in the making, and you’ve chosen the right architect, the right builder.
Do you really need an interior designer to help with your custom home? Yes, yes, a resounding yes!
Interior designers are part of the building trifecta (architect, builder, designer) for a reason: We take into account every detail of your lifestyle and wish list, then we carefully explore, plan and curate the details to make your home work for you. And we do this all before the ground even breaks on the construction.
Good design is in the details! While builders and architects are talented on the structural side, building more than 54,000 homes in the Dallas area alone last year, they don’t always have a sharp eye for interior design. Additionally, some builders don’t have interior designers on their team, or they are related to the ones they do have. It’s common for home builders to rely on a spouse or relative for material selections and interior design recommendations where they too often side with you or the builder- neither one of which is a professional designer. We are a third-party: impartial and beholden only to you.
It’s our job to know design trends as well as important details about Dallas homebuyers’ home dreams, including the fact that most prioritize home offices, home gyms and outdoor living spaces. And if your dream is a home office with hidden charging stations throughout and a huge chandelier over your desk, we know exactly how to make that happen for you.
If you are buying a new construction from a production builder or building a custom home, there are several good reasons you should talk to an interior designer like Keti Abazi before you get started.
Do you want to enjoy the selection process? Nod your head “yes” with us. Of course! Nobody wants any extra stress when going through the home building process. You probably have an extensive wish list of things you want, but at the same time you have no idea on how to achieve the style you’re going for. Let us guide you through the myriad decisions such as tile, lighting, fixtures, flooring, counters, paint colors, you name it! We can help you avoid decision fatigue by guiding you in the design direction you need to go, thus reducing the time it takes to make the decisions in the first place.
It’s our job to think of every nook and cranny. We think about the lighting before the wiring is installed. We pay attention to where to place the wall sconces. We know when function matters. We plan how hardware, paint colors and furniture and decor will work together before the drywall is even up. Not only do we select these materials, we also manage the installation process. Fireplace tile, grout color, cabinetry design — it’s all in the details, and it’s what makes your house a home.
If you work only with the builder, you will end up with one of the limited “cookie cutter” options the builder offers you. If you work with us, we have knowledge and resources to bring not only custom options in your home, such as built-ins, a wine bar, or a secret storage room but also furniture, window treatments, soft goods, artwork, accessories and lighting.
We can create a unique home that reflects exactly who you and your family are.
With our interior design help on your new home, you can avoid spending money on the wrong choices for your home. Avoid expensive selections and finishes that make your home look trendy, aka dated from the get go.
Have you ever painted several times because you didn’t like the color? Have you ever purchased furniture only to realize it doesn’t match your home? It may seem counterintuitive to save money by paying a designer, but trust us when we say ripping out the wrong kitchen backsplash can set you back an even prettier penny. Also, we know how to get the best value out of your budget by helping you save where it makes sense, and splurging where it matters.
During the construction phase, we can dive into the details by being your eyes and ears, acting as a liaison with the home builder. Avoiding negative and costly design outcomes related to the footprint of the home, layout, functionality, scale and style is an important job of an interior designer.
We speak the same language (building terminology), and can bring up any issues as we see them. For example, proper outlet placement is going to be important for the functionality of your home, such as where you want to place furniture, whether a lamp will work in that corner, etc. We know exactly what we need to bring up before it’s too late.
Our talent is to ensure that the space works not just visually, but physically, as well.Its all about form and function and the perfect marriage of the two. We can determine whether certain spaces are the adequate size, whether there’s enough height for ceiling beams, whether to plan for a clawfoot bathtub that needs special plumbing fixtures.
Say you want to use reclaimed wood ceiling beams, or a particular specialty flooring type, or a freestanding bathtub with a faucet that comes out of the ground. The more we can plan in the early stages, the faster, smoother and less costly the home building process will be.
We can visualize your space for you and work with the architect and builder on spatial planning, such as door and window placement. Sometimes 2-D and 3-D plans can be misinterpreted if a contractor is in a hurry — but we know how to stay on top of this.
In addition to advocating for you with the builders and contractors, we can help alleviate the stress of disagreements with your partner! That’s right — couples disagree on all sorts of design decisions, but we can reconcile these conflicts by offering new solutions that make both parties happy.
And, last but not least, we know when to say no. It’s our job to help you make a good return on your investment. All selections and design choices should reflect the price point of the home, while at the same time being aware of where the design trends are headed in the next 10 to 15 years.
Working with you to create an amazing home isn’t just a job for us — it’s a calling. Making you happy and comfortable in your new space is what we love to do. It’s our pleasure to take the guesswork out and bring excitement to the process.
Don’t wait until you’ve already started the build — contact us today so we can work on your dream home together!
