Video Series, Part 2: Building a Home is a Rewarding Labor of Love
One of the most rewarding parts of designing and building a house from the ground up has been seeing the design that was in my head come to life in reality.
When things are actually being constructed, there are always going to be things that don't go as planned. We always have to come up with solutions very quickly, and sometimes those solutions turn out to be even better designed than before. Or sometimes you do have to make compromises.
We discovered we had no good place to put the actual heating unit. But because I was on-site, I was able to work with the trades to discuss all the possible options. We did sacrifice some storage space under the stairs, but we got to add an unexpected architectural detail to hide the duct from the heater. Had I not been closely involved, that decision may have been made on my behalf by the contractor or someone else, and I may not have been happy with it.
Rarely is there a decision that is made in a vacuum. In a kitchen, you're selecting the cabinetry and the finishes, but you're also thinking about the countertop, the backsplash, cabinetry hardware, or perhaps you don't do hardware at all. All of these decisions are made together to deliver on a cohesive vision. For the perimeter, we went with a light wood, very clean finish, very little hardware, flat panels to balance that out. The island ended up taking on a little bit more detail, so we did a thin frame on the cabinetry, a very dark brown-red paint color, curved panels on both ends of the island.
All of the design decisions are driven by the aesthetic, but also the function and the preferences of the client. For example, this house has three and a half bathrooms. I have a preference for not having a lot of grout in places that get a lot of water, like the shower. I specifically chose porcelain slabs for the shower surround. Above that, I did tile. And I also tiled the front of the tub to give it a blocked effect.
I'm really looking forward to the day-to-day moments in this house. Things like having coffee at my dining table in the morning when the sunlight is pouring in, watching a movie with my family on the sofa, and entertaining friends both indoors and out.
I think being involved throughout the whole process really helped me to make good design decisions that will also end up being functional. Designing this home was a labor of love, but I also experimented, pushed my own boundaries, and used it to showcase what I can do. So, I look forward to sharing it with others.
If you have any questions or want to chat, click here to learn more about how I can help you with your home, or schedule a call to talk about your project here. I can’t wait to help you design and build your dream home!
Talk soon!
Rosanna
