New Construction Interior Design

Ideally during schematic design — before floor plans are finalized and certainly before construction documents are complete. The earlier we're involved, the more seamlessly interior decisions integrate with architectural and structural plans. Engaging during or after construction limits our ability to influence spatial proportions, electrical layouts, and material transitions that define the home's character.

Absolutely. Collaborative partnership with your architect and builder is central to our approach. We integrate seamlessly with their workflow, providing construction-ready specifications and attending regular site meetings. We also maintain relationships with Charlotte's finest builders and architects and can provide introductions when needed.

Design fees for new construction typically range from $100,000 to $300,000+ depending on the home's scale, complexity, and level of customization. Furnishing and procurement budgets are separate and vary based on scope and quality level. We provide a detailed proposal after our initial discovery meeting with transparent fee structures and clear deliverables.

For a typical new construction project of 5,000 to 12,000 square feet, we conduct 40 to 60 site visits over the construction period — attending framing walkthroughs, MEP coordination meetings, millwork inspections, finish verifications, and installation oversight. Our presence on-site reduces errors and ensures specifications are executed precisely.

For new construction, the distinction is critical. Interior design involves shaping the architecture from the inside — influencing ceiling heights, room proportions, electrical plans, millwork details, and material specifications that are integrated into the construction documents. Decorating addresses furnishings and surface aesthetics applied after the home is built. For custom homes, you need an interior designer, not a decorator.

Yes. We maintain collaborative relationships with several of Charlotte's most respected custom home builders and residential architects, including a longstanding partnership with Peters Custom Homes. For clients still searching for the right property, brokerages such as Peters & Associates and The Peters Team offer luxury real estate advisory in our region. We can introduce you to professionals whose work quality, communication standards, and design sensibility align with your project's vision and ambitions.

Changes are a natural part of the process — we expect and plan for them. We evaluate each proposed change for its impact on timeline, budget, and design integrity, then present options and recommendations. Our goal is to accommodate evolving preferences without compromising the project's overall coherence or causing costly construction delays.

We establish a comprehensive budget framework during the planning phase that accounts for design fees, construction finishes, furnishings, and contingency. We track procurement spending against approved budgets throughout the project and provide regular updates. This proactive approach prevents budget surprises and ensures the overall investment aligns with your expectations.

Yes. Charlotte's climate invites year-round outdoor living, and we design outdoor spaces with the same attention to material quality, furniture comfort, and spatial planning as interior rooms. We coordinate outdoor material selections with interior finishes to create seamless transitions — continuous flooring materials, complementary stone, and coordinated lighting.

Look for construction fluency — the ability to read architectural drawings, produce construction-ready specifications, and communicate effectively with builders. Look for a portfolio that demonstrates coherent, whole-home design rather than individual room snapshots. And look for a designer who engages early, collaborates respectfully with architects and builders, and has the project management discipline to keep a complex, multi-year project on track.

For a luxury custom home of 5,000–12,000 square feet, expect $100,000–$300,000+ in design fees covering architectural coordination, material specification, and project management. Furnishing budgets typically add $200,000–$1,000,000+. The total interior investment is usually 25–40% of construction cost for homes at this level.

From schematic design through final installation, a new construction interior typically requires 18–24 months. Design development overlaps with construction, so we're not adding time — we're working in parallel with your builder. The result is a move-in-ready home on day one, rather than months of post-construction furnishing.

Ideally, engage both simultaneously. Your interior designer should participate in builder selection — evaluating candidates' openness to collaboration, quality standards, and communication style. At minimum, engage your designer before construction documents are finalized to influence spatial planning, electrical layouts, and material specifications that are locked during permitting.