New Service: Design Center Sessions for New Home or Remodel Selections.
- Veronica Solomon
- Oct 13, 2025
- 4 min read
Selecting materials for a new construction home or a remodel can be both exciting and overwhelming. With countless options available, it can be challenging to make the right decisions that will result in a cohesive look for your new construction home.
Most homebuilders provide 2-8 hours of design time at their design center to choose all materials for a new build or remodel.
While a design center representative will assist you with paperwork and guide you through the choices, having an advocate by your side is invaluable. That's where our Design Center Session comes in!
Our Design Center Session is ideal for anyone building or remodeling their home, particularly if your builder has a designated design center for selections. We will be with you from start to finish, ensuring your choices align with your desired functionality and style.
Understanding the Design Center Session
Our Design Center Sessions last at least 2 hours. This timeframe gives us enough opportunity to explore your options with your builder design center without you feeling rushed.
If you think you’ll need more time, longer appointments can be split into two sessions. If you’re planning an 8-hour appointment, we recommend booking two 4-hour sessions, as our calendar cannot accommodate an 8-hour block in one go.
One 6 hour session can be booked, but we will likely notify you about splitting it into two 3 hour sessions.
In our experience, it's best to keep design center sessions to a maximum of 4 hours. Your focus and energy tend to fade after this period, which can impact your selections.
Preparing for Your Session
Preparation is essential for a successful Design Center Session. We require at least one initial meeting via Zoom or phone call at no extra cost to you. This discussion allows us to understand your design preferences better.
We recommend that you also complete our design and style assessment form and send us your floor plan, elevations, materials allowances, and upgrade options ahead of time. This information is very important for tailored advice during your session and helps us maximize your time effectively.
If you prefer a more personal touch, we offer in-home consultations for up to 90 minutes for an additional fee of $400. This can provide deeper insights into your style and needs.
Making the Most of Your Time
During your Design Center Session, we’ll help you navigate selections, from flooring to countertops, cabinetry to fixtures. Our guidance will ensure your choices reflect your vision for your home or remodel.
One key advantage of having us by your side is our ability to help you use your budget effectively. We will guide you in allocating your finances wisely so that you are making a sound investment in your home, for your own enjoyment and for resale. We can identify value options in flooring or countertops that maintain quality while achieving your desired look. We have the expertise to guide you on what you can forego with your builder but plan for after market.
Tips for a Successful Design Center Session
Know Your Style: Take some time to gather inspiration before your session. Create Pinterest boards or browse magazines focusing on styles you love. For example, if you prefer a modern aesthetic, sharing that vision will help guide selections.
Research: Do some research with what your builder has available compared to what is available in the market. Visit various model and spec homes to view materials and method of installation by your homebuilder.
Stay Open-Minded: While it helps to have a general direction, being receptive to new ideas can lead to unexpected and wonderful choices.
Look Beyond Trends: You will find that your builder design center will have materials that are trendy available. We recommend looking beyond these popular trends and explore more unique and less used materials.
Ask Questions: Never hesitate to ask about durability, maintenance, or design trends. We are here to ensure you have the information needed for smart decisions tailored to your lifestyle.
Take Notes: Bring a notebook or use an app on your phone to document the selections you love. This is particularly useful if you're making numerous choices across different materials over several sessions.
Trust the Process: Building or remodeling a home is a journey. Enjoy the experience, knowing you are creating a space that reflects your personality and meets your needs. We are here to help and will not let you make wrong choice for your home. That's why we take the time to listen and understand your style and vision for your home.
It’s All About Collaboration
Our goal is to ensure your selections match your vision for your new construction or remodel while making the best use of your budget.
With our guidance, you can confidently choose materials that enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your home. Our role is to be there every step of the way and advising you, but we allow your design center representative to take the lead. They are responsible for all paperwork and follow-up. Our scope of work ends after each session, however we would love to stay involved in your project through to the installation of furnishings.
Other Services Available With Our Design Center Sessions
Floor Plan Layout Changes: This typically happens before your design center sessions, but we strongly recommend that if your builder allows for changes to your floor plan layout and lighting layout, that you reach out to get us involved.
Final Sign-Off: This may or may not be a separate meeting, but we are happy to join you for the final sign off meeting to ensure that all the selections we made are accounted for.
Pre-Sheetrock Meeting: As your construction progresses, there will be several phases requiring builder sign-offs before advancing to the next stage. The pre-sheetrock meeting is crucial to get right. We will assist in ensuring that electrical components are correctly installed and identify any issues that need addressing. Consulting with a home inspector for this meeting is also advised.
You may also consider exploring our full service furnishings service well before your home is complete, so we can have furnishings ordered and ready to install right after you close.
Book your Design Center Session today!
Wishing You Boldness & Great Style!
Veronica
Comments