What Worked, What Surprised Us & What We’d Do Again
We did it! After a brief pause, we’re back to wrap up this home with one final look behind the design. After going room by room, sharing the details that shaped each space, I wanted to take a step back and reflect on the experience as a whole. Because creating a home is a process – full of decisions, excitement, surprises and plenty of lessons along the way.
As I’ve mentioned before, this home was deeply personal; there were moments of joy and unexpected challenges. However, many of the things we learned along the way can apply to anyone building, renovating or reimagining a space of their own. So, for this final look behind the design, I wanted to share not only the challenges, but also the investments that shaped this home and the lessons we learned along the way.
The Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge was me, which kind of came as a surprise! Being a designer didn’t necessarily make the process easier…although one might think that it would. In many ways, it made some decisions more difficult because of the emotional investment; this project was/is my own home and after living in our last one, the one I raised my boys in for 20+ years, I knew this house was going to be the beginning of a new chapter, new experiences and I wanted it to be special.
With that being said, this is something that I always tell clients: hire someone who is not emotionally attached to your project. A designer can help you stay decisive, clarify the overall direction and choose finishes based on your wants, needs and lifestyle -rather than on the emotions that can naturally come with creating your own home.
When you are designing it for yourself, every decision can feel personal. Having someone who can take a step back, look at the project objectively and keep the larger vision in focus is incredibly valuable.
The Biggest Investment
Now, here is something that worked well in our favor, investing in the home itself – and the land it sits on.
Finding a property we could truly make our own without starting from the ground up was one of the best decisions we made. Don’t get me wrong, it was a process. However, with a little patience and trust, we found this existing footprint and ran with it! The added bonus was that this home gave us helpful boundaries, while still allowing for plenty of freedom to transform the home in meaningful ways.
Those limitations ultimately encouraged more thoughtful decisions. We were able to preserve what worked, reimagine what did not and make significant changes throughout the property – including, quite literally, raising the roof. I loved being able to give an existing home a new life – one that allowed both the house and our family to step into a new chapter together.
What I’d Do Differently
Looking back at this project and the journey it took us on – I would have educated myself more on the landscaping before making some of the early decisions. Don’t get me wrong, our backyard is one of our favorite spaces – but it is one of those areas that has continued to grow based on how we’ve lived in and experienced it.
Initially, we made certain choices based largely on cost, only to realize that they were not necessarily the right fit for the property or the way we wanted the outdoor space to function and feel. Landscaping truly does have such a strong influence on the way a home feels from the outside. Thoughtful planning at the beginning can help prevent costly changes later on.
My biggest advice would be to bring in a landscape architect early on in the process. Don’t be intimidated, focus on taking the time to understand the different styles, materials and the maintenance needs, as well as the pricing associated with each option. And remember, it is all a process, so be patient with yourself and the professionals you’re investing in.
It’s so fun to look back at these original photos and see just how much each space has grown with us. We’ve made several changes to this backyard over time, creating more shade for summer and more places for our family to gather. This is also a place that guests consistently notice. They’re often surprised by how much we were able to include while still keeping the space feeling open and expansive. I can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve!
What We’d Do Again
We would absolutely choose a property with potential again.
As I mentioned, the existing footprint worked in our favor. It challenged me, garnered creativity and inspired thoughtful problem-solving. What you see today is a home full of so much character, lots of love, and lots of hard work.
I would also continue to prioritize how the home feels over how it is photographed. The warmth, comfort and sense of welcome our friends and family experience while they are here makes my heart full and it makes every second spent creating this home even more meaningful.
As we come to the end of spotlighting this home, a good reminder that I can’t help but leave you with is that good design isn’t just in the beauty; it is about understanding how a client wants to live in the home and then brining that vision to life with thoughtful, functional and yet still beautiful decisions. It is truly an art to create spaces that feel just as good as they look.
And while every home in this collection will come with its own story, its own uniqueness, these honest reflections will remain part of each one – because the lessons behind the design are often just as valuable as the finished spaces themselves.
Thank you for following along!
Up Next: The Highland Glen Manor – Where We Nourish
