Ask an empty nester or a busy middle-aged professional living in a mature, one-of-a-kind home if they’d ever move, and they’ll likely say, “I’d love less maintenance, but I can’t imagine living in a cookie cutter house”. Moving to a new construction home can be a tradeoff, especially if it’s to a planned community where you’re likely to gain cool updates and more leisure time but might sacrifice architectural character.
NW Design Studio Adds a Personal Touch to New Construction Homes
Amanda Miller of NW Design Studio by Northern Woodworking in Wexford builds life into new construction. It’s all about the details, especially inside, she says. And while finishes, furnishings and accessories play a role, it’s “the big three”—millwork, lighting and custom cabinetry—that turn bland into bedazzling.
New builds can look like big boxes with 10-foot ceilings. Simple additions such as framing a passageway between two rooms with trim or adding crown molding to a ceiling bring character and elegance, Miller says. Custom cabinetry distinguishes the space. And respect for the function, color, temperature and scale of lighting fixtures pulls everything together, she says. “Lighting is one of the ultimate jewelry pieces of a space.”
Miller has designed five models for Foxlane Homes, a semi-custom builder of over-55 communities such as The Landings near Wexford. She also has designed for homeowners there. Her goal is that “no one else’s house on the street looks or feels like my clients’.”
Make a Home That’s Perfect for You
Rather than see generic decor, Miller wants prospective buyers to “feel like they’re taking a peek into the amazing, beautiful home of someone who has wonderful taste.” The main living area of the craftsman-inspired model she designed at The Landings is fairly conventional—rich brown PVC flooring, a kitchen with dark lower and white upper cabinetry and white quartzite countertops, a great room with a stone fireplace that bumps into the room, creating a space for window seats, and bedrooms in comforting pastels. But the gigantic walk-out basement really makes a statement. “Clients are more adventurous in outdoor and basement spaces,” Miller says.
Highlighting the basement is the bar, with dark floral, metallic-accented wallpaper from Hygge & West separating black cabinets and extending over part of the ceiling. An island with a white quartz Armina Stone top, stainless and black leather stools from Alder and Tweed and brass trimmed globes from Visual Comfort provide seating for a small crowd.
Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact
Once the model was sold, Miller went on to decorate a home there—the same style as the model—for a couple with grown children who had considered updating their family home but decided instead to build. “Same exterior, different finishes,” says Miller. ‘My clients wanted the space to be classic but fun and eclectic as well.”
They increased the size of the kitchen island, since there’s lots of family nearby and the couple loves to cook. A rich copper toned hood over the KitchenAid range contrasts with the white tile backsplash and Century cabinets. In the pantry, assorted baskets on open shelving offer convenient storage.
The piece de resistance is the master suite. The owners love blue, so their retreat is predominantly blue and white, with herring bone patterns reflected both in fabric and bathroom tile. The “art” for the room is the pastoral backyard, framed by a large window elevated by millwork. Flanked by soft pale drapes and with power roll-up shades, the window provides provide an unobstructed seasonal scene. An oversized gilded chandelier with leaf detail extends the theme. The bed, layered in poofy blue and white comforters and pillows, some with a leaf design, invites you to jump in and curl up.
“Designing beds with sumptuous luxury bedding is one of my favorite things to introduce clients to,” says Miller. “It’s a game changer for how you live and sleep.
You can visit NW Design Studio showroom by appointment.
Story by Susan Fleming Morgans
Photography by Dave Bryce
Design by Amanda Miller, Northern Woodworking
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