Interior Design Blog

Building a custom home is such an exciting process.

It's also a process that comes with...let's just say...a lot of decisions.

You hire an architect. You choose a builder. You pore over floor plans. Before long, you're selecting everything from windows and flooring to plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware, and paint colors. (Who knew there were that many shades of white?)

It's easy to assume an interior designer comes in toward the end to choose furniture and make everything look beautiful.

But here's the thing...

The most successful projects almost always begin with the designer at the table from day one. Why?

Because we're not just thinking about how your home will look, we're thinking about how you'll live in it. That's exactly what happened on our Portsmouth Seaside Project - proof that the best time to bring in a designer is before construction ever begins.

Our Portsmouth Seaside Project – A Seamless Project from Beginning to End

We're so excited to finally share a little sneak peek of one of our newest projects in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. While you'll have to wait just a bit longer for the full reveal, this home perfectly captures why we love being involved early in the design process.

One of the absolute highlights of this project was collaborating with the incredible team at Star Island Builders.

We love working with builders who are passionate about what they do because everyone brings something different to the table. Star Island Builders were focused on building an exceptional home with incredible craftsmanship. We were focused on making sure every finish, every fixture, every architectural detail, and eventually every piece of furniture contributed to one cohesive vision.

That's the sweet spot.

No one is stepping into someone else's lane. Instead, everyone is doing what they do best, and the homeowner benefits from that collaboration.

One of the things builders often tell us is how much they appreciate having an interior designer involved from the beginning. It allows them to focus on construction while knowing someone else is thinking through the hundreds of design decisions that happen along the way.

And trust us...there are a lot of them.

The Questions We Ask So You Don't Have To

One of our favorite parts of every project is thinking about the details most homeowners simply shouldn't have to worry about.

• How will the morning light come through the kitchen windows?
• Is that beautiful pendant actually the right scale for the room?
• Will the flooring transition feel seamless throughout the home?
• Have we planned for furniture before finalizing outlet locations?
• Should that wall have custom millwork to give it a little more personality?

None of these decisions, by themselves, make or break a home. But together? They make all the difference.

Good design isn't about making hundreds of beautiful decisions.

It's about making hundreds of decisions that all support one beautiful vision.

The Beauty of Building on Relationships

This project was especially meaningful because it was the fourth home we've designed for these wonderful clients. By now, we can honestly say that we know them well. We know how they entertain. We know where they'll gather with family. We know the colors that make them happy and the little details that make a house feel like their home.

Instead of spending our time discovering their style, we were able to spend our time refining it for this new chapter of their lives. That allowed us to layer in thoughtful details that made this home feel personal from the very beginning.

And honestly...that's one of the greatest joys of what we do.

Why Hiring an Interior Designer Early Saves Time, Money, and Stress

We completely understand why many homeowners wait to hire an interior designer until the end of the project. On paper, it makes perfect sense. Build the house first. Decorate it later.

But here's what we've seen over the years.

By the time we're invited into a project midway through construction, so many of the important decisions have already been made. Cabinets are ordered. Electrical plans are finalized. Plumbing fixtures have been selected. The budget has been stretched.

At that point, we're often trying to improve what's already there instead of helping shape it from the beginning. Sometimes we can, but oftentimes the budget simply doesn't allow for it, and that's the part that always makes our designer hearts feel a little sad.

In my 25+ years of experience, I’ve seen this happen over and over - one of the first things that often gets pushed aside is furnishing the home. Construction ends. Everyone is exhausted. The budget is tighter than expected. And suddenly, a beautiful new custom home sits with temporary furniture...or empty rooms...while homeowners promise themselves they'll finish it "next year."

Sound familiar?

The truth is, your home isn't finished when construction is complete, it's finished when every layer has been thoughtfully considered.

What a Full-Service Interior Designer Really Does

One of the questions we hear most often is, "What does full-service interior design actually include?" It's a great question, and the answer is about so much more than selecting finishes or choosing furniture. We’re often mistaken for decorators, but the two roles aren’t the same. Here’s the difference.

Think of it this way. Building a custom home is a bit like conducting an orchestra. You have incredibly talented musicians - the architect, the builder, the cabinetmaker, the electrician, the painter - each bringing their own expertise. But someone needs to make sure they're all playing the same piece of music.

For us, full-service means becoming the conductor or keeper of the vision. Every decision gets filtered through one simple question: "Does this support the home we're trying to create?"

We're thinking months ahead, coordinating selections, and organizing schedules.

We're helping clients prioritize their investment, so they don't accidentally spend their entire budget before the home is ready to be lived in.

We're collaborating with the builder.

Communicating with vendors.

Answering questions before they become expensive change orders.

Yes, we're designing beautiful spaces.

But we're also creating a smoother, more enjoyable experience for our clients. And honestly, that's every bit as important. Full-service really does mean, “full-service”! 

The Small Touches You’ll See When the Photos Are In

We couldn't resist sharing a few images before the full reveal.

This home is warm, layered, relaxed, and deeply personal…everything we hoped it would become when we first sat down with these clients and the team at Star Island Builders.

We can't wait to show you the rest.

Planning a Custom Home or Renovation on the New Hampshire Seacoast?

If you're planning a custom home or whole-home renovation in Portsmouth, Exeter, Rye, New Castle, North Hampton, or anywhere along the New Hampshire Seacoast, we'd love to be part of the conversation.

The earlier we're involved, the more opportunities we have to collaborate with your architect and builder, protect your investment, and create a home that feels thoughtful from the inside out. Because honestly, the best homes aren't created one decision at a time. They're created by hundreds of thoughtful decisions, all working together toward one beautiful vision.