Did anyone else have to google "what is the design development phase?"
Just me?? Lol! When our architect emailed us and said we were moving into this phase of our design, I got really excited. But I definitely had to look it up. Basically what this means is that we are now refining all of the details and as our architect tells us - the design is in the details. By the end of this process, the exterior will be designed and materials selected, the interior layout will be fully refined and completed and things like electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems will be developed. There will be more technical information and installation information given and the most exciting part - 3D renderings!! I cannot wait to see what our house will look like!! If you need to catch up on our new home build, you can start at the beginning or just head to the last post.
Our tasks to keep the process moving along are as follows...
- decide window and door style & color
- decide interior ceiling style and what kind of beams, ceiling details we want
- decide exterior details like chimney style, gables, etc...
- choose a landscape architect to bring into the project
- research home builders (decide if we are going GC the project ourselves or work with a custom home builder)
So, now for the last few weeks I have been on a deep dive through photo after photo and I am still not 100% sure what Elmon and I are going to choose, but let me take you through some options that we are considering.
Windows
There are so many options when it comes to windows. What color are they? Will there be grids? Hinge style? Floor to ceiling? Which ones will open and which ones won't? Luckily we don't have to make all of those decisions yet, but some anything that is considered structural will have to be decided sooner rather than later. Right now the debate I keep having with myself (even though I can wait on this decision) is what color they will be. Or maybe they will be one color on the interior and different color on the exterior. I didn't know that was an option until Kristin Forgione over at the The Lifestyled Co shared that she was doing that at her new home. So there's a whole new level that I can add in to the options to consider. Right now, let's just assume they will be the same color inside and outside and call it a day.
black
I love the high contrast look of black windows. I have them at my current home and I love them in pretty much every home that I have seen them in. They are bold and classic and I really love it. Here are some of my favorite looks.
via Studio McGee
via Beach Pretty
white
Ok, but then what about white windows?? I used to think that white was dated and that black was updated and modern. But maybe white is just clean and timeless. They are soft and they blend in, but they are still a beautiful moment. See what I mean...
via Studio McGee
via Amber Interiors
via Studio McGee
wood or beige
And those aren't even all of the options!! What about wood or beige or something else all together? These are the decisions that haunt me, you guys! Lol! I do loft that wood or beige adds a level of softness and contrast at the same time.
via Studio Mcgee
via Caitlin Flemming Design
via Grand Tradition Homes
Doors
I've decided that I want to do an arched front door. That's about all I know so far. Seriously, the amount of doors that will be leading outside is kind of crazy and there are plenty of options that we can choose from. French doors are probably going to be prominent throughout. I also want to have a couple of dutch doors, maybe off of the family room. So now we need to decide if there are going to be any sliding doors outside and where. We have decided against doing a large multi panel sliding door. That's not the overall feeling that we want the home to have, but we do want to make sure that we have an integrated feel to the covered patio as well.
via Lavendar Lane
via Grand Tradition Homes
Exterior Details
I keep saying that I want our home to have a Napa European feel. I know that it's a made up style. It's never been more obvious, especially when you try to Pinterest search that. Haha. But here is what I mean... I want the simplicity and comfortable feeling of a Northern California home, but I want the home to feel timeless and have character as well. But how to mix those things? That's the question. European is broad - English, French, Spanish, Dutch? Each influence has it's own details and I don't want it to feel jumbled.
Here is what I know. I want a mixture of over mortared limestone, vertical siding and stucco. I want simple eaves and gables. I like a more traditional chimney look. I want some wood accents, but nothing super rustic. Maybe lentils above the windows or built out details around the window? You can see the photos that i'm drawn to below. Hopefully that will give you a sense of what I am looking for and I hope that it helps Clayton come up with something that we love.
via Rafterhouse
via Grand Traditions Fine Homes
via Amber Interiors
Clayton visited the site with us in person a couple of weeks ago and we will be releasing our first YouTube video soon showing you the walk through with him. I can't wait to take you more in depth in this process with us through video. You can subscribe to my channel here.
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