5 Luxury Living Room Ideas From a Top Interior Designer

Living room with chairs and rug.

Let’s take a look at what makes a living room luxury, and ways Alisha Taylor can elevate your living room design.

With nearly 20 years of running her own interior design studio in Scottsdale and as a recipient of both local and national awards, Alisha Taylor is an expert in luxury interior design.

5 Luxury Living Room Ideas (With Examples)

Your living room is the heart of your home. It’s often the entertainment hub and the place where you can gather with family and friends. It’s the room that sets the tone for the rest of your house. It’s also most often one of the first rooms that your guests will see. So it’s only fair that you would want to make a big impression with your living room. Learn from Alisha Taylor Interiors and how our tips and examples can be applied when designing custom luxury living rooms.

Add a Stunning Accent Rug

Living room with an accent rug.

An accent piece is a pop of color, pattern, or other bright design that draws the eye as soon as someone walks into your living room. Often, the perfect accent piece is a stunning rug. The rug will warm your feet and pull the focus of the overall design style. Rugs can make the room more dynamic by adding bold colors or a variety of patterns and textures to the space.

Vintage accent rugs are a popular trend, especially when offering a lovely contrast to an otherwise modern room. You might also enjoy the look of layered rugs, with one larger, subtler rug to complement the accent rug and make it appear larger.

Custom Lighting Adds Elegance

Custom lighting adds elegance.

One of the hallmarks of luxury interior design is that it‘s not cookie-cutter. It offers a look and aesthetic that you can’t find elsewhere, something that feels entirely yours. There are so many options when it comes to living room lighting, from elegant chandeliers to small built-in lights to industrial lighting that makes a statement.

Take the above piece, for example, and how the light contrasts with the black coffee table frame and black display case. The effect is stark but pleasing to the eye. It adds not just light but dimension to the room. The structure of the light fixture also plays into this luxury living room’s design theme of clean, modern lines.

Lighting is an essential part of a room’s design as a whole. We search for custom lighting options to truly bring your dream luxury living room to life.

Don’t Miss the Small Details

Coffee table and plant.

Luxury is all about decadence, and decadence is in the details. The smaller decorative pieces like shag pillows, vases, lamps, and wall hangings all add something unique to the design of the room as a whole. But small details aren’t exclusive to small fixtures. We manke sure to get the little details right when it comes to the big pieces and focal points of the luxury living room.

As interior designers, we make sure that there’s a variety in your furnishing. We play with different heights and surfaces for display cases, side tables, coffee tables, and so on, while including different patterns and colors to truly bring the room to life.

Increase Interest With Accent Walls

Living room featuring accent walls.

Accent walls are another great way to draw the eye in a pleasing way. A tasteful accent wall will pull focus while still blending smoothly with the rest of the room’s design. This may look like a series of wall hangings, a dramatically different paint color, or a featured piece of art or sculpture that you love. If your accent wall is too loud, it might overwhelm the room. The right balance of accent and taste can be hard to find, so an interior designer can help to create the desired effect.

If you have an open layout living room, we like to design two accent walls beside each other. This can help to make a clear and fashionable distinction between two rooms. Look at the above image, for example. Even without a physical division, it’s easy to tell where the living room ends, and the dining room begins.

Mix Patterns and Textures

Living room with a mix of patterns and textures

Not everything has to match when it comes to patterns and textures. It just has to go together. In fact, if a luxury living room is too one-note, the overall appearance might be a little dull. Instead, we try to mix patterns and textures. A mix of textures makes the space a tactile adventure as well as a visual one.

Design Your Luxury Living Room With Alisha Taylor

Your living room should be one of the places where you feel most comfortable and most at home. That’s why luxury living rooms have so much appeal and why the right interior designers are essential. When you’re on the hunt for interior designers in Scottsdale, Arizona, look no further than Alisha Taylor Interiors.

Our team has the experience and the keen eye for design that you need to make your living room everything you’ve dreamed of and more. We can help you revitalize a living room in a new home that’s not to your luxury taste. If you’ve recently built your new home, we can help put a personal stamp on your living room.

Contact Alisha Taylor Interiors today to get help with your full remodel or new build or to schedule a design consultation.

Everything You Need to Know About Custom Cabinetry & How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets with open cook book on counter.

Your cabinets are one of the most important design elements of your kitchen, which is why it’s so important to know how to choose kitchen cabinetry. Your kitchen cabinets determine how much storage space your kitchen will have, as well as setting the tone for the style of the kitchen. At Alisha Taylor Interiors, we understand this is no easy decision. Today we’ll discuss how to choose cabinets and the different cabinet options available to you.

How To Choose Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing your kitchen cabinetry is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. Here are our tips for finding kitchen cabinets.

Consider the Layout of Your Kitchen

Next, you have to decide what you want from your kitchen cabinets. Start by considering the layout of your kitchen. Is it a large, open space or a galley kitchen? The goal of custom cabinetry is to maximize your storage space based on the space you have, no matter how large or small.

This is also a good time to consider how often you use the kitchen and how much storage space you need. Do you spend more time eating out or do you like to plan large meals for friends and family? Do you need a pullout trash can near the sink, or are you considering a back kitchen?

You don’t have to go through this process alone. Schedule a design consultation with Alisha Taylor Interiors to create your vision for your dream kitchen. You can discuss your needs and your designer can observe your space to come up with the best plan for your kitchen cabinetry.

Modern vs. Traditional Cabinetry

When considering the style of your kitchen cabinetry, one of the biggest questions is whether to choose traditional or modern.

Modern cabinets tend to be sleek and minimal in their designs. They can most often be found in white, black, or a shade of gray, allowing for neutrality that suits most kitchen designs. Most often, modern cabinets can be found in contemporary-style homes.

As a rule, traditional kitchen cabinets have more intricate designs. They have more beveled styles, and in addition to painted traditional cabinets, you’re also likely to find traditional cabinets with exposed, stained wood. Traditional does not mean old-fashioned. Rather, traditional designs have stuck around due to their timeless quality.

A Pinterest search may help you find a cabinet style that you enjoy. You can even pin your favorite cabinet images and show them to Alisha Taylor.

Consider Different Color Combinations

One option for custom cabinetry finishes is to be painted all one color. This offers a sleek, cohesive style. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. You may choose two complementary colors. You could paint the top kitchen cabinets one color and the bottom kitchen cabinets another color. These choices can add character to your kitchen design.

Color is one of the best ways to set the mood in your kitchen. Do you want a cozy, warm kitchen? Natural wood stains might suit your kitchen cabinets well. If you’re looking for a more open and airy feeling, white cabinets could be the way to go. For a stark contrast, we even like to play with blue and navy as a cabinetry finish.

It might help again to search Pinterest for cabinets that speak to you and your vision for your kitchen. Another tip is to make a trip to a hardware store and look at paint swatches. You may even be able to bring samples home to view them in your kitchen.

Don’t Forget to Consider the Rest of Your Kitchen

Take stock of your entire kitchen when choosing your kitchen cabinets. What color are your other appliances? Or, if you plan to replace appliances, what colors do you want them to be? What about your walls? Your kitchen backsplash? Or your countertops?  You want your cabinets to flow with the rest of the kitchen, so it’s important to consider the kitchen as a whole.

Pick the Best Hardware

Hardware includes the handles used to open your kitchen cabinets. You might choose metal handles, wooden knobs, or magnetic closing cabinets. Round knobs are often used for overhead kitchen cabinets, while pull handles are used more frequently for drawers. However, you don’t have to be bound by convention if you like the idea of knobs for drawers and pulls for cabinets. Consider your options and pick the best choice for you and the design.

Alisha Taylor Can Help You Choose Your Kitchen Cabinets

Whatever you choose, your kitchen cabinets should be the best fit for your kitchen, not just now but for years to come. That’s where Alisha Taylor can help. Alisha Taylor has been helping homeowners for over 20 years, and her team brings years of experience and expert eyes to every project. Contact Alisha Taylor today to learn more about how we can help you choose your kitchen cabinetry, or to schedule a design consultation.

Behind the Design: FAMILY FUN HOUSE

Our Family Fun House Project focuses on luxury entertainment & family function

We sat down with our Junior Designer, Madi McNeal, to get the “Behind the Design” of this 7,200-square-foot family home and what we can expect from its design as it progresses through the Construction Phase. Read on to learn more about the #FamilyFunHouse and its incredible entertaining details that were incorporated into this family’s active lifestyle.

About the Clients

The clients decided to build their dream home in Peoria, AZ, and we are excited to expand our design services over the Valley. Being a new Junior Designer, whose heart and interest are in entertainment design, Alisha knew these clients and I would be a perfect match. Their home has unique design features, such as a luxury kitchen space and a fully equipped basement sure to entertain! Their home is perfect for hosting family get-togethers and raising their four, energetic kiddos under the age of ten and their new, adorable puppy. We designed the livable 7,200 square feet of the Family Fun House and the client’s family will definitely live out every piece of square footage!

The Design Direction

After presenting contrasting quartz countertops of black and white, lantern-style chandeliers, and natural wood tones, we came to the conclusion that the clients’ design direction was Industrial Farmhouse. In this project, you will see steel detailing in chandeliers, brass hardware galore, and many built-ins for ideal storage and the family’s function.

Our Client’s Priorities

The top priority spaces of this project were definitely the basement, kitchen, and laundry room. The basement is where the kids are going to spend their playful hours and where the family will create memories together. The clients were very concerned about how to spatially layout the basement to maximize its square footage and function. After putting our designer pen to paper, we designed a basement that no one should ever be bored in! You can start your fun by swirling your way down through a slide, stopping to have a tea party in the playhouse underneath the stairs, gaming your heart out in the arcade, twinkling your fingers on the piano keys, watching your favorite action movie in the theatre, cheering on the basketball game or shooting hoops in the basketball gym, all while having a snack bar convenient for food and drinks!

The kitchen was also important as it is the heart of the home. We produced a photorealistic rendering to help our clients perfectly visualize all the contrasting countertop finishes and cabinetry colors. The photorealistic rendering also helped the clients understand how they would function in the kitchen. Finally, the clients were keen on having the laundry room maximize function given its space. Not only will this laundry room serve the daily task of cleaning clothes, but also include a crafting/gift wrapping center with a view of the basketball court and house their puppy when it needs to take a little puppy nap throughout the day.

What To Expect From This Design

My favorite part of this home was being able to say that I helped design a home with a slide swirling down into the basement. How fun is that?! I am also extremely proud of the laundry room as it has earthy tones with a feminine flair. I absolutely fell in love with the two-toned hardware and earthy, timeless wallpaper in this space. Lastly, I really loved designing the little girls’ bathrooms. The daughter of the client is obsessed with mermaids, and it was fun to design a darling mermaid-inspired bathroom that she could easily grow into. We used white, dainty scallop tiles on the shower wall to resemble mermaid scales and the vanity mirror has a white, ruffled edge that can be perceived as the lagoon’s coral reef.

I am most excited about three things: 1) to take a trip down the slide into the basement, 2) to see the kitchen come to life and compare it to the photorealistic rendering, and 3) to watch the New Build design service from start to finish.

Our interior design projects are individualized to create a true sense of place, reflecting the desires, personalities, and styles of the clients that put their homes in our hands. Be sure to follow us on social media to get sneak peeks as the Family Fun House project progresses.

High Point Market Trip 2022

This year, I had the privilege to bring my small team to High Point Market, and we had an absolute BLAST! Our trip started off as we arrived at the airport to travel to North Carolina. We spent three exhaustingly amazing days exploring Market, visiting showrooms & attending speaking events, and then caught our breath on the plane as we headed back home to Scottsdale. After many jam-packed days of design, inspiration & education, we are so excited to share our experience with you!

WHAT IS MARKET?

‘Market’ is held in High Point, North Carolina, and has been going on for over 110 years. Thousands of manufacturers from around the world set up showrooms for one week each Fall and Spring to display their new furniture collections throughout 180 buildings. There are over 10 million square feet of design to go through (well if it were physically possible to go through it all in only one week.)

In addition to manufacturer showrooms, the design industry pulls in the best of the best to offer seminars, specialized classes, and panel discussions where designers and business owners can learn from each other. Market then adds a nightlife element as well (which is welcomed after the miles you walk each day.) There are private dinners to be invited to, parties to attend, and wine to drink… LOTS of wine!

THE TEAM’S THOUGHTS ABOUT MARKET

Marti [Junior Designer] has been to High Point Market with Alisha Taylor Interiors quite a few times and always enjoys “the buzzy feeling of being around so many designers & design products, and seeing the newest collections that nobody has seen yet!” When asked what her favorite part about this particular Market Trip was, she responded, “I was so glad they still had food everywhere! That sounds funny, but it meant that we have got through the time when we had to have so many restrictions for the pandemic. And I love seeing what each showroom does to get our attention and keep us interested & inspired – and for most of them, it’s adding food and drinks into the mix!”. While exploring at Market, Marti found it helpful going to the different events and listening to “other successful designers discuss how they run their businesses, what they charge, and how they keep their clients happy & projects profitable in the current market.”

Madi [Junior Designer] and Rebecca [Marketing Director] experienced High Point Market for the first time. After encountering the magic of Market, Madi stated, “My favorite part of Market was seeing online pieces of furniture in person, browsing all the fabric samples gave me total heart eyes, and the food (especially the cake pops) definitely won me over as well!” After exploring for three whole days, she was surprised to see that Market was as spread out as it was. She says, “It was amazing how some showrooms had their own storefront. I was so used to the Las Vegas market and was mainly expecting just sky-scraping towers of furniture showrooms. I was also surprised to be in the same room as big-name designers like Bria Hammel, that was totally cool!” Something Madi learned and is excited to implement in our new designs, “is that as designers, we can be more creative with how we apply fabrics to furniture. Instead of making a chair just a solid blue, we can add a contrasting welt to the cushions or back it with complimenting fabric.”

Our Marketing Director, Rebecca, learned a lot at the marketing events held by our industry peers, “and is excited to take what was discussed, and implement them as we focus on elevating our brand & continue to capture our dream clients.” As our only non-designer employee, Rebecca states, “It was an amazing experience to see what Alisha & our junior designers source for our clients in person, and to be able to recognize the level of quality in these luxury pieces.”

ALISHA’S THOUGHTS ABOUT MARKET

I absolutely LOVED the energy at Market! There was certainly a buzz and creative excitement in the air.  In the past, I’ve enjoyed the speakers, classes, and CEU classes offered at Market. As a small business owner, I’m constantly trying to learn and make my business better, so it is a treat to come to a seminar or class, meet other design professionals around the country, and learn together. It’s inspiring!

Market 2022 was special for me because after a couple of years of canceled or scaled back markets ….the buzz and excitement are back! Now as an established interior design business attending Market, we spent time as a team exploring and learning about potential new vendors and did a deep dive into each of our current vendors learning about their new collections and the custom options we get to design into our projects.

Because I’ve attended market so many times in the past, it’s not necessarily about learning something brand new, but a reminder of what is already at our fingertips as designers. Market acted as a recharge of our creative battery, and a reminder of the beauty & artistry that exists in the design world that I feel blessed to be a part of!

Luxury Tile Patterns: Understanding Each Stunning Style

Tile patterns used in the kitchen

One of the most important design elements in your luxury home is your floor and wall tiles.

Choosing the right floor tile pattern is just as important as choosing the type of tile –– it is essential to the feel, look, and durability of your home.

Making decisions about types of tile can be overwhelming as a homeowner. There are endless patterns and styles to choose from. As your interior designer, we at Alisha Taylor Interiors can make this decision process simple.

Read on to learn more about the different types of tile patterns, what to consider when choosing your floor tile patterns, and how we can connect you to professional tile installation services to make sure every tile is laid in the right spot.

What Is a Tile Pattern?

A tile pattern is how tiles are arranged on the floor or a wall. It may sound simple, but there are many arrangements to choose from, and each can dramatically alter a room’s appearance.

This is an opportunity for you to get truly creative and express your personal style to design rooms that are uniquely “you.”

Different Types of Luxury Tile Patterns

Let’s go over some of the most popular floor tile patterns, as well as what to consider when choosing each type.

1. Herringbone

This classic pattern is distinguished by its v-shaped rows at 45-degree angles. It is often used as a floor tile pattern or as a backsplash. The wide v-pattern creates an illusion of more width, making this an ideal tile pattern for small spaces such as bathrooms or hallways. We advise against using the herringbone tile pattern in large rooms as it can look too busy.

This is a classic and popular tile pattern to use with subway tiles and a contrasting grout color to highlight the design.

2. Brick (horizontal or vertical)

This is a type of tile pattern that you have likely seen many times before. The brick tile pattern is organized so that each tile starts directly in the middle of the one below it.

If you are going for a simple and clean look in your room, this is a great tile pattern choice. The brick layering gives any wall or floor an industrial, metropolitan, “subway” effect. You will see it most often used in walkways or as a backsplash to give the illusion of height.

3. Hexagon

Hexagon tile patterns are a playful way to add visual depth to any room. This style of tile comes both as larger individual tiles, typically used for flooring, or in sheets of smaller tile.

This tile pattern is perfect for any area where you may want to draw the eye’s attention such as a kitchen backsplash or an accent wall in your shower.

4. Stacked (grid or vertical)

If you’re looking for simplicity, look no further than a stacked tile pattern. This style is exactly what it sounds like, square or rectangular tiles stacked directly on top of one another.

To add more visual variety, you can alternate the colors of the tiles creating a “checkered” look.

5. Versailles

For an elegant, European feel, consider the Versailles pattern. This style combines square and rectangular tiles to create a repeating timeless design reminiscent of the old world.

This pattern is easy to install and works in any type of room, or as a transition tile from one room to the next.

6. Diagonal (diamond)

This style takes square tiles and places them at a 45-degree angle to create a “diamond” pattern. It is typically used as a backsplash or as an accent piece. But it can also be used as a floor tile pattern to give a room a wider feel.

7. Basketweave

The basketweave is a timeless tile pattern that uses rectangular tiles or a mosaic of tiles with tiny squares to create the appearance of a woven basket.

This is a delicate design that is best used in small spaces.

8. Chevron

A close relative to the herringbone pattern. This style is currently in vogue because of its ability to turn any room into a classic look.

The tiles are placed at a 45 degree angle, but with the shorter end of the tiles lined to meet up, creating a look similar to the logo of the well-known Chevron energy company.

As you can see, there are so many tile pattern options to choose from! If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want the eye of an expert designer, let us help you bring your vision to life.

Choose the Best Tile Pattern With Alisha Taylor Interiors

When it comes to floor tile patterns, the options are endless. That’s where we can help.

With years of experience, we at Alisha Taylor Interiors can help you choose the right tile pattern, styles, and textures to create the function and feel that you are imagining for each home in your house.

And once you have decided on a pattern, we can connect you with one of our trusted professional tile installers to make sure every single tile is laid down perfectly. Your home is a refuge, your place to land at the end of the day. Contact us today to learn how we can support you in creating the home of your dreams.

Keep Your Area Rug Pristine: 4 Best Care Tips

how to keep rugs clean

A beautiful area rug can tie an entire room together, yet many homeowners never learn how to keep rugs clean. With the right rug cleaning tips under your belt, you can keep your area rug pristine for years to come, allowing you to enliven your home with the same family heirloom or rug of your choice for years to come.

Pet owners and homeowners who frequently entertain guests face unique perils that endanger the beauty and longevity of their fine rugs. Here are the four best care tips that will ensure you know how to clean an area rug no matter what kind of stain pops up!

Rug Cleaning Tips for Homeowners

We share the best area rug carpet cleaning tips to ensure your rugs stay in pristine condition. Read on to learn different methods to keep your rugs clean for the long term.

1. Vacuum and Dander Control

Pet owners, in particular, should know that area rug carpet cleaning requires regular vacuuming and dander control. Vacuuming your rug at least once a week will help keep its visual appearance in stellar shape, but it will also help you cut down on allergic reactions if pet hair and dander are trapped within the rug itself. Parents of young children should also recognize that regular vacuuming helps toddlers stay healthy, clean, and allergy-free despite their proximity to the floor.

Do you vacuum all the time but still can’t figure out why your area rug has an odor? Learning how to keep rugs clean requires that you flip the area rug over and vacuum both sides occasionally. This bolsters the overall lifespan of your rug and ensures unpleasant odors are nowhere to be found. Some homeowners sprinkle a tiny amount of baking soda a few minutes before vacuuming to ensure as much odor as possible is vacuumed up during the cleaning process.

2. Beat Your Rug On a Hot, Sunny Day

Investing in a dedicated rug-beater is essential for luxury homeowners who want their interior style to be on display at all times. Many homeowners put off rug beating because it’s more labor-intensive than simply vacuuming. What they fail to understand is that area rug carpet cleaning can’t be managed with vacuuming alone but requires the occasional beating to ensure trapped particles that cause unpleasant smells or dirty looks are eliminated.

Be soft when beating the bottom of your area rug, but ensure that your hits are swift and in rapid succession. Too much rug beating can dislodge some fibers, so ensure a gentle approach and remember that rug beating should only occur one to three times per year. Remember to do your rug beating outside so that dust, dirt, and other particles don’t descend on your luxury flooring.

Beat your rug on a hot, sunny day and lay it over a railing or exterior banister in the sunshine to ensure the best possible results. Area rug carpet cleaning that’s aided by natural sunlight often yields the best results.

3. Brush Your Rug To Ensure Deep Cleaning

Do you regularly vacuum your area rug only to find that pet hair still clings to its exterior or underbelly? Ensuring a deep clean may require a thorough brushing. Homeowners who know how to keep rugs clean understand that a hands-on approach is usually the best bet. Slowly and carefully run a stiff brush in the same direction as your rug’s fibers to ensure any lingering particles are entirely eliminated.

Brushing the underbelly can also help remove any dirt that may be building up as you step on your area rug.

4. Rotate Your Rugs Every 4-8 Months

Even the finest area rugs need to be rotated on a regular basis to ensure their quality isn’t diminished by frequent foot traffic. Area rugs that are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time –– such as those that are underneath the magnifying effect of certain windows or in a sunroom -–– may also need to be rotated even if they’re seldom stepped upon.

Many guides on how to keep rugs clean recommend rotating your rugs once per year. In reality, this is too infrequent to do much good for your elegant area rugs. Depending on how many people live in your household and whether it’s being stepped on barefoot or with heavy shoes, you may need to rotate your rug as often as every 4-8 months to guarantee its pristine beauty for years to come.

Work With Alisha Taylor To Find Your Ideal Design Style

Learning how to keep your rugs clean is far easier when you invest in high-quality rugs that last longer and dazzle every guest who walks into your home. Alisha Taylor Interiors will ensure you find an individualized rug to match your design style. If you are considering furnishing your luxury custom home or hiring an interior designer to elevate your home’s appearance, contact Alisha Taylor.

The team at Alisha Taylor Interiors specializes in creating spaces you are proud to live in. From choosing area rugs to furniture and much more, an interior designer can ensure your beautiful vision comes to life. Visit Alisha Taylor today and fill out a contact form for your next home project.

Project Reveal: DC RANCH VILLA

Say hello to our latest project – a Spanish-style home with all the Arizona charm.

Our #DCRanchVilla project has been such a joy to design & we’re so excited to finally share the Full Reveal! Although this finished project has been a long time coming, we believe it was completely worth the wait! After one full year of patiently waiting for all their furniture to arrive, we’re proud to present this desert-sunset inspired furniture project.

REMODEL DESIGN NOTES

Our clients loved the layout of the home as-is. But with a few little modifications, we made it more comfortable and personal to our clients’ casual lifestyle, as this space would act as a second home to their Ohio property. Throughout the downstairs, we replaced the original dark wood floors with a light blonde oak finish to add warmth to the space. The Front Room features a new large picture window, which let in those amazing Arizona sunsets we know and love, and we designed a dry bar off the dining room featuring quartz countertops, wood floating shelves, and an organic zellige wall tile. In the Family Room, we rethought the existing fireplace and added a new decorative surround. In the kitchen, we added new gold cabinet hardware and two aged iron chandeliers to update the space.

For the upstairs remodel design, our priority was updating the Primary Suite, which featured a private sitting room. We kept the existing dark wood floors to compliment the cooler tones used throughout the furniture design. In the Sitting Room, we opted for Dunn Edwards Novelty Navy paint on all the walls, including the custom built-in unit with a laptop to create a cozy & serene space.

FURNITURE DESIGN INSPIRATION

We wanted to still pay homage to the original Spanish-like style yet incorporate the beautiful soft pastels of the Arizona landscape and pallet to bring something unique to the homeowners. They were used to a more mid-west style and wanted something different than that, so our biggest anchor for the design and selections was “Desert Sunset”. For furniture pieces on the first floor, we focused on a calming and warm, yet youthful palette, warmer tones, and textural pieces like wicker & oxidized woods. We added unique fabrics like fur, linen, boucle, and tribal print rugs to bring it to life. For the second floor, we mixed blues & purples into the palette to give a gender-neutral, yet soft and light ambiance to the space.

4 Custom Home Building Blogs For Expert Design Advice

building a house blog

If waking up every morning to the house of your dreams sounds ideal, it’s time to invest in interior design and home improvement. While many homeowners think that hiring contractors is the only way to receive expert design advice, there are many custom home building blogs that convey critical information to homeowners before they start expensive renovations.

Ready to find a new home construction blog that will help you turn your dreams into a reality? Check out these custom home building blogs for the best expert design advice.

New Home Construction Blogs for Expert Advice

Alisha Taylor Interiors

The best building-a-house blog in the business belongs to Alisha Taylor. Homeowners who visit Alisha Taylor Interiors can depart with the wisdom needed to create a true sense of place in their house with careful renovations and clever design strategies.

Alisha Taylor Interiors offers the best build-a-house blog you can find because it centers around personalization. Clients can learn how to turn their custom homes into personalized luxury estates at Alisha Taylor Interiors, where custom home design guides are freely available to readers. Whether you’re redoing your bathroom, kitchen, or living room, Alisha Taylor Interiors’ building-a-house blog will ensure you enjoy stylish interiors with a unique flair.

Fans love the expert design tips we dish out when it comes to positioning works of art, statement pieces, and other amenities throughout their homes. Homeowners on the prowl for a new home construction blog should make reading about Alisha Taylor’s work a top priority.

Retro Renovation

Homeowners with a fondness for the past should definitely look into Retro Renovation, a build-a-house blog that mixes vintage style with modern insights. The blog has an incredibly clean design that’s easy to navigate, and it’s regularly updated with the latest insights in DIY-home renovations. Homeowners who want the power to remake their humble abodes into luxurious dream houses will find few DIY-home blogs with better content than RR.

What makes this building-a-house blog so different? It has a wide array of advice cultivated to help you renovate any room in your house, whether it’s a home bar or laundry and mudroom. It also features a popular digital museum of mid-century material culture, allowing you to take inspiration from the homeowners of yesterday when planning out your home of tomorrow.

While Alisha Taylor Interiors is perfect for those in search of sleek, modern interiors, those other homeowners who want to renovate older structures will find that RR is a great building a house blog for their needs.

Architectural Digest

Looking for stunning inspiration? Architectural Digest isn’t your typical new home construction blog. Instead, it showcases some of the greatest architectural accomplishments of our era, especially those homes owned by famous individuals or artists. If you’re in search of beautiful homes with impressive celebrity style, AD might replace the build-a-house blog you currently depend upon.

Just think of all the secret design tips you’ll uncover when browsing through the digital pages of a blog that countless interior design experts and construction gurus consult! It could inspire a new paint job in your own home. Architectural Digest also includes some helpful DIY content that you see other build-a-house blogs produce, too.

Web Urbanist

Homeowners who want to think outside the box should check out Web Urbanist at the first available opportunity. This innovative new home construction blog covers some of the most exciting and unprecedented architectural and design concepts to have ever emerged. It also familiarizes you with the principles of modern urban design, which could come in handy if you want to pursue real estate more seriously later on.

Web Urbanist is popular with homeowners who want a build-a-house blog that covers emerging technologies and forthcoming trends in the real estate and design space. It also has a vibrant culture and history section, as well as selected blog content for those interested in traveling and architecture in the world abroad. If you’re interested in gadgets and geekery when it comes to home building, this new home construction blog is perfect for you.

Build Your Custom Home Right The First Time

Alisha Taylor Interiors is ready to help you turn your dreams into a reality with a luxurious custom home that will quickly become the envy of everyone on the block. Alisha Taylor and her team can help you with new builds, full remodels, and furniture design that captures your unique style as a homeowner. Whether you’re in the planning stages of a new home or want to spice up your current abode, Alisha Taylor’s build-a-house blog has the best insights to help you achieve the perfect results.

Ready to build the custom home of your dreams? Visit Alisha Taylor Interiors today and start receiving the best expert design advice on the internet.

Behind the Design: BLUE SAGE ESTATE

Photorealistic Rendering | Blue Sage Estate Kitchen

About the Clients

We absolutely ADORE this couple! They have several grown kids who are (mostly) out of their house and starting families of their own. We also got to meet her cute 90-year-old mother who will be living with them. We are excited for this home to reflect our client’s personalities, but also to grow into their next chapters of life together!

The Design

The inspiration for the style of this home is an updated, classic look. Lots of touches of traditional charm, done in a simplified, clean way with a fresh new color palette. Since this is their dream retirement home, we had to take multi-generational living and aging-in-place design principles into consideration. We also had to account for the frequent, large family gatherings that will be happening in this home.

The architect’s design for the front of this home required significant height and some high dormer windows that turned into high ceilings in a few rooms that you wouldn’t normally expect. One of the challenges of the interior design for his office was creating a cozy, inviting space despite the extremely tall ceiling.  So, to transform the feeling in there, we added dark cabinetry and wallpaper to the lower 10’ of the walls and designed some dropped decorative white wood beams that is open enough to let all of the beautiful natural light in, but make it feel like the ceiling was 11’ high instead of 16’. Besides his beautiful office, we can’t wait to see their kitchen and back kitchen (which is huge and SO functional) come to life. The play of the different finishes is beautiful in both spaces!

Stay tuned as we document the progress of this stunning Blue Sage Estate New Build project on social media. We’re on the edge of our seats watching this home come together! Alisha Taylor believes that every home is as unique as the family that lives in it. We know how important it is to feel comfortable in your living space and work hard to create personalized designs that our clients can be proud of.

Photorealistic Rendering | Blue Sage Estate Office
Photorealistic Rendering | Blue Sage Estate Office
Photorealistic Rendering | Blue Sage Estate Primary Suite
Photorealistic Rendering | Blue Sage Estate Primary Suite

With years of experience, the Alisha Taylor Interiors team is ready to bring your custom home vision to life.

Take a look at our services and contact us to start designing your luxury home!

Relieve Custom Home Renovation Stress: Secrets From the Pros

home renovation stress

You are getting ready to take an exciting step as a homeowner — renovating your home. While this is no doubt a thrilling decision, it is likely coupled with nervousness or stress about the sheer size of the project.

A custom luxury home remodel not only transforms a home, but also the lives of the people within it. That’s why it needs to be done right. Poor planning on a home renovation can lead to overwhelm, longer construction time, or dissatisfaction with the final product.

To create the luxury home of your dreams, you need the right information and a team of rockstars to help you bring your vision to life. In this article, you will learn tips to make your renovation as smooth as possible, how to find the right team, and why working with an interior designer like Alisha Taylor can relieve some of your home renovation stress.

Ways To Reduce Home Renovation Stress

1. Be clear with your budget

When it comes to a renovation project, the number one stressor is cost. It’s important to be very clear and honest with our team about your budget and to understand that cost expectations that go into a luxury home renovation.

Once your budget is established, create a list of all the changes you are hoping to make and bring this information to your remodeling partner, contractor, interior designer, and anyone else on your team so that everyone is clear on the budget from the start. Your team can then evaluate your existing home and estimate your full remodel cost.

2. Maintain open communication with the team

Letting a team of almost strangers into your house can be a very vulnerable experience. That’s why it is essential to work with people who you trust and who you feel comfortable with voicing any concerns, questions, or updates.

Our team at Alisha Taylor Interiors knows that trust is the foundation for every client/designer relationship. We spend the early stages of the project getting to know you and your lifestyle in order to start off with open communication. A strong connection makes it easier to stay in frequent contact through every step of the remodel.

3. Create temporary solutions or consider moving

One of the most frequently asked questions we hear from clients is: “Can I live at home during my remodel?”

The answer is YES, as long as you are willing to weather some discomfort and set up temporary spaces within your home as phases of your full renovation get completed..

However, typically for our full remodel projects, we find the clients have more flexibility and comfort moving to a temporary home during the renovation process. Full remodels can take up to a year or more depending on the scope of the project, and living in those conditions for that long isn’t ideal.

4. Maintain a clear schedule

While almost every renovation schedule is disrupted by an unexpected bump in the road, it is essential for the team to be on the same page about what is supposed to be done by when.

A remodel schedule should include dates for the expected completion of each phase of the renovation as well as a project end date. This will reduce confusion and give you confidence that your project is on track. If anything comes up that causes any deadlines to be pushed back, the contractor or designer will communicate the change so that the schedule may be adjusted.

Everyone on the team wants to get the project finished on time, and a detailed schedule will help make sure this happens.

5. Take extra care of yourself

Our homes are where we go to relax and escape the hecticness of the outside world. During a home renovation, your refuge is being disrupted. That’s why it is essential to take extra good care of yourself, your physical health, and your mental well-being.

Oftentimes, being away from the project or limited to a section of the house causes people to stray from their routine. However, it is essential during this time that you continue your habitual acts of self-care. Exercising, eating well, and having people you can lean on are all factors that will reduce your home renovation stress.

How To Select Your Team

One of the most important steps in any home renovation project is assembling a team of seasoned professionals who will get the job done right. Here are the essential players you will need to hire for a successful renovation:

  • General Contractor
  • Tradesmen (painters, plumbers, electricians, etc.)
  • Carpenter
  • Interior Designer

You want to make sure your teammates have the experience and expertise needed to bring your dream home to life. With almost 20 years of experience in design, Alisha Taylor and her team have the passion and knowledge to make the remodel process straightforward and fun.

Reduce Stress By Hiring an Interior Designer

It’s no secret that working with an interior designer can reduce home renovation stress and make the journey easier. But how exactly do they fit into the puzzle?

You can think of an interior designer as the “facilitator” of your redesign project. Ideally, they will work hand-in-hand with your builder and all the other members of your team to keep the project moving forward.

They will also work closely with you to talk through any ideas you may have, introduce design concepts for your living spaces, and help with the selection and placement of furniture.

Whatever your luxury custom home renovation desires, a professional interior designer like Alisha Taylor can make the process smoother.

Learn more about Alisha Taylor’s personalized design services.

Ready To Renovate? Contact Alisha Taylor Interiors

Alisha Taylor believes it is an honor to design the space that you call home. That’s why our team approaches every project with the utmost care and professionalism. Our priority is to take away some of your home renovation stress so that you can enjoy the process of bringing your dream home to life.

Contact us today to get started!

A Homeowner’s Checklist To Building a New Luxury Home

home building checklist

Building a custom home is an exciting endeavor. The process of bringing your vision to life can feel magical; it’s your home space made by and for you.

While this is a thrilling adventure, a new home build is also a multi-layered process involving many steps and players. But, not to worry! We’ve broken down the process for you.

From years of experience working with clients building and designing new luxury homes, here is a building a house checklist for homeowners. Print this home-building checklist to mark off each step as you progress on this journey.

Home-Building Checklist: Starting Steps

You’ve made the decision to build your new luxury home. But where do you even begin? Here are the first steps to take to get started.

Step 1: Determine your budget

Your first task should be to identify a realistic budget for your project. This number will lay the foundation for everything else, including the location of the lot, the size of the house, and the design features that can be included.

Consult with your financial advisor or a trusted friend to determine how much you’d like to invest in your new luxury home.

Step 2: Set a time frame

Almost every construction project encounters road bumps and unexpected delays. That being said, it is important to have an end goal that you and your team can aim for. Having a clear schedule keeps everyone on the same page. When setbacks do arise, the schedule can be adjusted accordingly.

Step 3: Select and buy your land

If you don’t already own the land you want to build on, work with a real estate agent to identify a plot that would work for your home. Real estate agents can inform you about property prices in the areas you are interested in. They can also help you if you are planning on selling the home after it is completed.

It also can be helpful to consult with an architect during this step so that you can ensure the plot of land you buy fits the needs of your build.

Step 4: Assemble your team

Building a house requires a team of experienced professionals. Choosing the right players is an essential step in your home-building checklist. Here is a list of all the people you need to hire to create your dream team:

  • Home Builder or General Contractor: A professional who can oversee the execution of a home build from start to finish. This person will also be in charge of hiring out subcontractors to perform specialized parts of the construction job, such as electricians and plumbers.
  • Architect: The person in charge of designing the blueprints of the property for all other players to reference during construction.
  • Interior Designer: Once you have the blueprint for the house, an interior designer like Alisha Taylor will work with you to visualize the design for each room in the house — down to the pillows on the living room couch.
  • Landscape Architect: If you have a backyard or front yard, it is helpful to hire a landscape architect who can map out the design of your outdoor area and create a plan for your general contractor to execute.

Home-Building Checklist: Designing Your Luxury Home

Building a home from the ground up is a unique opportunity to design a living space to match your needs. Who knows what you would want in a house better than yourself?

The design portion of the process is especially thrilling. This is a great time to hire an interior designer like Alisha Taylor who can walk with you every step of the way.

Step 5: Collect examples of homes that you do and do not like

Search through Pinterest, social media, or home magazines to find examples of homes that you love. Identify the features that you like, and make a list to bring to your architect and interior designer. Then, as a team, you can decide which of these features are realistic to include in the floor plan of the house.

Knowing what you DON’T want in a home is just as important as knowing what you DO want — so feel free to bring examples that demonstrate what you would like to be left out of your home design.

Step 6: Determine the size and layout of your home

Then, it’s time to determine the master plan for your house. Determining how big you can go is dependent on a number of factors, including the size of your lot and zoning restrictions.

Discuss these factors with your architect, along with how many floors and rooms you want in your custom home.

Step 7: Line out the structure and function of each room

This step will depend not only on space but also on lifestyle. For example, if you have children, you might want an open kitchen concept so that you can chat with family from the living room while you prepare dinner. If you’re a fitness guru, you might want to include a room for a home gym. Work from home? Carve out space for a home office.

Whatever you need your house to do for you, Alisha Taylor can help.

Step 8: Determine your style and design

When working with Alisha Taylor Interiors, we will walk through each room with you and talk about interior design concepts that you are imagining. With this information, we create storyboards and renderings for each room to bring your vision to life

In this step, we will also work with you to pick out materials, such as flooring and countertops, and order products to fill out your home, such as furniture and furnishings.

Home-Building Checklist: Building the Home of Your Dreams

Once you have worked with your architect to create a blueprint of your house, your interior designer has completed 3D renderings of each room, and your general contractor has assembled a building team, it’s time to get to construction.

Step 9: Work with your team through the building process

During this step, it is essential to make sure correct permits are in place and that periodic inspections are scheduled as required by your city and state. These are tasks usually taken care of by your general contractor, but it does not hurt to stay informed of the entire process.

Remember your timeline and check in periodically with your crew to make sure you are on schedule. If something unexpected comes up, the timeline should be adjusted so that all teammates are on the same page.

Lastly, maintain close and open communication with your team. Everyone wants to get this project finished efficiently and on time, and checking in frequently helps this process.

Step 10: Move in!

Finally, the project that you have put so much time and energy into has come to life. Your floors are laid, the electricity is set, and your new dream home is ready to move into. This is your time to have a housewarming party to celebrate and meet your new neighbors.

Complete Your Home-Building Checklist With the Help of Alisha Taylor Interiors

When you’re building a new luxury home, you have the chance to design a space that is uniquely yours. At Alisha Taylor Interiors, we are honored to walk you through the steps of a home-building checklist to bring your dream home to life.

Ready to design your new home? Contact us today.

What Makes a Custom Home a Luxury Home?

There’s a difference between custom & luxury custom homes.  If you are building a new home, it’s important to know the differences and be honest with your budget and expectations.  If you are ready to build your dream home, are looking forward to enjoying the process and the focus isn’t on the budget but on quality, then you are ready to build a custom luxury home.

Here is what to expect when building a Custom Luxury Home:

PROFESSIONAL TEAM

A luxury custom home build includes a team of professionals; an Architect, a Luxury Builder, an Interior Designer, and a great Landscape Architect.  Each professional brings their expertise to the table working together to accomplish the most amazing house possible for the client.   For luxury custom home projects, we advise our clients to hire the entire team upfront, before a floor plan is even drafted. This will ensure the best design from the beginning to end.

REDUCED STRESS AND TIME

The professionals and processes of a luxury home build are designed to alleviant stress and time required from the client.  A professional interior designer will guide the client through all the aesthetic decisions before the build even starts. A luxury builder will educate and ensure the right quality products in construction are ordered ahead of time to ensure a smooth build schedule.  The experience is to be enjoyed by the client as they lean and rely on the team of professionals they’ve hired.

PREMIUM DESIGN

Luxury custom homes are constructed & designed with high-end/premium materials, finishes, fixtures, and appliances. They are designed with true stylistic architectural details & quality craftsmanship. Luxury custom homes often include indulgent amenities such as well-equipped kitchens, gorgeous back kitchens, resort-style bathrooms, a designated movie theater, or a lavish home office.  The design decisions are focused on the client’s lifestyle and desires.

COST

Due to their unique features and quality construction, luxury homes are listed above the median, in both cost and value.   The use of high-end materials finishes quality craftsmanship, and customization throughout result in a higher budget per square foot.  A luxury custom home builder and the client will work together to make sure construction details are done right versus putting the focus on cutting corners.  A luxury custom home budget is not about the sky being the limit, it’s about a really smart budget that is centered around quality.

If you’re considering building a new home, it’s important, to be honest about your expectations around quality, stress, and budget.  Are you expecting a luxury custom home build experience or does building a custom home without the tag of ‘luxury’ attached fit you better?  We work with both types of clients and part of our job as designers is to help navigate our client’s expectations and goals.  What fits one client doesn’t fit another so no matter what type of home you are building the best advice we can give you is to communicate expectations upfront to all professionals hired and then listen and be willing to learn along the way.

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