Designing a Home: Where I Actually Start

Most people think designing a home starts with finishes.

It doesn’t.

It starts with understanding how someone lives.

I Start With the Client

Before I look at materials, I spend time getting to know the client.

Not just what they like—but how they move through their day.

Do they entertain often or keep things quiet?

Is the home relaxed and lived-in, or more structured and formal?

And the smaller details matter just as much.

Do they come home and change into sweats? Or stay in work mode?

Are evenings centered around hot tea, a glass of wine, or tequila with friends?

That tells me more about how a home should feel than any style label ever could.

Then I Let One Material Lead

Once I understand the client, I don’t try to select everything at once.

I start with one decision that sets the direction.

Most of the time, that’s the slab.

The movement, tone, and overall feel of that material will influence everything that follows—from cabinetry to tile to the overall warmth of the space.

I’ve seen entire projects shift because a client connected with a slab.

That’s usually when the design becomes more personal.

From There, Everything Gets Refined

Now the process becomes more focused.

We’re not guessing—we’re building.

We look at:

• Tile—porcelain, marble, travertine

• Texture and finish

• How each material relates to the next

Each decision ties back to that original direction, so the home starts to feel cohesive instead of pieced together.

Not Everything Needs to Stand Out

One of the biggest shifts in the process is understanding that not every material needs to be the feature.

Some elements lead. Others support.

When everything tries to stand out, the space loses clarity.

When materials are controlled, the home feels intentional.

Final Thought

Designing a home isn’t about picking beautiful pieces one at a time.

It’s about creating a clear direction—and staying consistent with it.

It starts with the client. It’s anchored by one strong decision. And it comes together through thoughtful, refined choices.

That’s what makes a home feel complete.