One of the most exciting parts of building a new home is choosing the interior scheme, colours and materials that will bring your vision to life. As part of your new build, you’ll be assigned your very own qualified Boutique Homes Interior Designer to guide you in shaping that vision.
Will you design a hotel-style oasis? A Georgian wonder? A relaxing Hamptons-style sanctuary that has you dreaming of the coast? Or perhaps a space somewhere in between?
Material and colour selections can be overwhelming, so let your expert Interior Designer guide you through the entire process. Our dedicated team will be able to answer any questions you have about style and product choices, so you gain the best outcome for your needs and budget.
Whether you have your Interior Design Consultation in person in the Showroom or choose the convenience of a virtual appointment, our expert team will work closely with you to find the perfect design style to suit your home and lifestyle.
But, the secret to a stress-free consultation is to research before you get there so that your Interior Designer knows how to best support you. That’s where the Home Inspiration Journal comes in.
Here are five simple ways you can prepare for your Interior Design Consultation, and how to make the most of your Home Inspiration Journal
1. Gather interior design inspiration
With a whole house to plan for, you might not know where to even start when it comes to finding inspiration.
‘Magazines are a great place to start, and then research different styles on Pinterest, Instagram and other design blogs,’ says Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Nicole Messina.
Design blogs are also a great place to read top tips from people who style for a living. We have a range of design blogs that feature top tips from our amazing team of Interior Designers. Whether you want to make your home a trendy abode that incorporates current styles and trends, or you find it difficult to select a paint colour to suit your personality, our design blogs are a great starting place to find inspiration. Flick through your Home Inspiration Journal or read them on our website.
‘You can also find inspiration from our Display Homes,’ says Nicole.
Styled by Boutique Homes’ leading Interior Designer, Mitra Whittle, our display homes provide a wealth of inspiration for you and your personal style.
‘Display homes are a great chance to touch, feel and imagine yourself within a space, to see if the functionality, style and finishes match your vision,’ adds Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Jessica La Rosa.
Tip: You can use the “Display Homes Worksheet” list in your Home Inspiration Journal to note down any design elements of each display home you like and bring this along to your Interior Design Consultation.
2. Talk to other Boutique Homes customers or family members
Enter a world of new ideas, inspiration and online support from other customers who’ve brought their dream home to life with us. Our Instagram community is filled with like-minded families who went along the Boutique Homes build journey as well.
‘Try and unearth your own style by exploring the style of others,’ says Nicole.
Tip: Search #OurBoutiqueHome, #BoutiqueHomesVictoria, or #WeFoundTheOne to find a realm of imagery from customer homes. Your Home Inspiration Journal also includes customer stories along with their tips to making the most out of your Interior Design Consultation.
It’s also a good idea to think through who is going to be living in the home and, where possible, get them involved in the research process. ‘It’s important to discuss likes and dislikes with those involved, including your partner and family members, to find common ground and narrow down decision making,’ explains Nicole.
Is this your forever home that you plan to be in for a long time? If your home is an investment, think carefully about the market you may be selling and/or renting to in the future. What type of colour scheme, interior design and materials will appeal the most to them and stand the test of time (without breaking the bank)?
3. Create a mood board
‘As you discover looks and trends you love, start creating a mood board or scrapbook,’ suggests Nicole.
Tip: Print out or scan appealing photos and collate them in your Home Inspiration Journal, with space dedicated to each room in your home.
‘Style hunting is when you have the most fun. Get creative and express yourself!’ says Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Rhys Duncan. ‘Real-life examples can convey an idea or style, ensuring you’re working together to create your dream home from day one!’
4. Put together a list of must-haves
Every new home builder will have colours and features they feel they can’t live without. Before your Interior Design Consultation, make sure to jump on to Abode Online to look through our list of inclusions, upgrades and extra selection items that you might want.
‘When deciding on areas to upgrade, have a think about what’s most important to you,’ adds Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Sarah Young.
Tip: Use the Home Design Wishlist in your Home Inspiration Journal to list out your dream features and must-haves. This will help your Interior Designer understand your priority areas and help you create your dream home at an affordable price.
5. Know which questions you need to ask
There’s really no limit to the looks you can achieve in your home. But first, you need to ask the right questions. ‘Your New Homes Consultant, Interior Designer and our supply partners have a wealth of knowledge ready to share,’ says Nicole.
Whether there’s a particular style you’re not sure will ‘work’ with your chosen façade, or you want to discuss the most durable surfaces for your lifestyle or family – make sure you write those questions down and bring them with you to your Interior Design Consultation.
Tip: Read through the design blogs throughout the journal to hear directly from our team of Interior Designers and their top tips for your home.
‘An Interior Designer’s job is to do justice to your vision. Make sure you share your motivations for building your new home. There’s nothing better than seeing a customer’s vision come to life,’ shares Boutique Homes Interior Designer, Nadija Saluwadana.
Looking for more inspiration to help you find your unique style and design?
Read through our design blogs to hear from our talented team of professional Interior Designers.
Have you found ‘The One’?
Share your home journey and connect with the Boutique Instagram community by using #ourboutiquehome