DESIGN DECISIONS

By ICONIC LIFE

It’s an enormously exciting time—designing and building or renovating your custom estate. But, oh, so many decisions! In the spirit of enjoying the process, we’ve put together some worksheets to support you and those you are working with to navigate the many choices and opportunities in front of you. Take some time to contemplate what you really want and keep this issue close to you throughout the journey of bringing your new home to reality. Then, build your team of professionals—architect, builder, interior designer, lighting designer and landscape architect. They’ll bring your vision to life using the notes you’re taking right here.

Design Decisions Worksheets

Interior

What sort of mood do you want to evoke in your home?

How would you describe how you live? Who will live here?

Think of your favorite place to be outside of your home. (This could be a restaurant, spa, resort, museum, you name it.) What is the vibe that draws you there?

What colors and textures appeal to you? Not sure? Head to your closet and see what shades and materials dominate your wardrobe.

Are there important pieces of furniture or artwork that will establish a motif in your home?

Windows

What types of windows draw you, from aesthetic to function?

Will you install overhangs for the shades? Also, consider whether you’ll invest in tinting or motorized shades.

Doors And Hardware

Reclaimed wood doors and custom-designed modern veneered doors are just two examples from a wide spectrum of options. Is there a door design that you admire?

What sheen in the hardware?

Moldings And Door Frames

As with many of your decisions, your home’s architectural style should guide you toward the right moldings and door frames. Do you want squared, rounded or full wood trim?

Wall And Ceiling Finishes

From one-of-a-kind paint colors to personalized wallpaper to detailed tile work, your walls and ceiling can help define each room’s function and style. Be sure to keep your home’s architecture in mind when choosing your finishes.

Flooring

Flooring has to be durable, comfortable and compatible with your home’s design and function. Various materials— hardwood, travertine, terrazzo, carpet, marble, limestone and stained concrete—evoke very different feelings in a room. Don’t forget about sustainable options.

Countertops

When selecting countertop finishes, consider all the places they will appear. Where will your favorite materials work best?

What kind of uses will these surfaces have?

Cabinetry

Cabinets appear in just about every room—kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, butler’s pantries, closets, bar areas and home theaters. They can be purely utilitarian, works of art with custom carvings or exotic woods—or a blend of both. Do you want solid wood, veneers or fully integrated cabinetry?

Will you mix and match colors and materials or utilize one style throughout the entire house?

What kinds of special items need storage?

Think about what you need versus what you want. Consider whether you’ll use some of the more luxurious options, like a wine storage unit, cooling drawers in rooms other than the kitchen or a built-in espresso machine. Some people even install a second “dirty” kitchen where prep work and dirty dishes remain out of sight during parties and get-togethers.

Closets

You can include every organizational built-in imaginable in a custom closet. Take an inventory of what you have to assist your designer. For a clean, formal look, your personal items can be hidden behind handcrafted millwork, or you may choose to display anything from shoes to sweaters behind glass-front cabinets and drawers. Do you need tie, belt and shoe racks, folded-shirt drawers, jewelry drawers, safes, mirrors, a stackable washer and dryer or sorted laundry baskets?

Plumbing Fixtures

Whether in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room or wet bar, fixtures can turn an ordinary sink into a work of art. This is a great place to pay attention to detail-from designer faucets to artisan carvings, pot-fillers to multiple shower heads. Also, consider how high or low you’d like your sinks and vanities to be, and whether you’re interested in pedestal, above-counter or vessel sinks.

AUDIO/VISUAL

Today’s whole-house automation options and smart offices can make your home’s operation controllable from a single console. Sound contributes to your home’s ambience. Before you reach the framing stage, decide where you’ll want speakers and what you would like automated. Also, plan ahead—wiring for the future will prevent drilling into the walls later, and be sure to hire a professional to do anything beyond the basics.

Lighting

Lighting design will add drama and set a mood. Talk to several lighting designers to get a feel for what’s available and what works best for your house. Do you have architectural features, artwork or drapery that you would like to highlight?

How does your lighting work with your lifestyle and circadian rhythms for a healthier home?

Backsplashes And Tub Surrounds

Tub surrounds come in anything from a handpicked slab of granite or limestone to stainless steel to hand-painted tiles. Backsplashes can also hide compartments that store small appliances.

Fireplace Materials

Fireplaces are great mediums for creating visual impact, and they can often serve as a focal point for a room or series of rooms. Materials range from masonry to ceramic brick, and patterns can be as simple or ornate as you see fit. Be sure to check out city regulations before building yours.

Exterior Paint And Exterior Finishes

Much like interior finishes, a house’s exterior appearance depends on the structure’s architectural makeup. Antique plaster finishes, mortar washes, reclaimed brick and staining done by artisans can give a building an aged appearance. Contemporary homes may use exposed concrete, and finishes like split-faced masonry, sandblasting, rammed-earth or plaster. What does the architecture dictate?

Roof

Cement and clay tiles have long life spans, so make sure you like what you select. Other roofing materials include slate, wood shingles, concrete or metal.

Front Door

A front door’s more than just an architectural detail, it’s a port of entry that welcomes your family and friends into your home. What have you seen that you love?

Garage

Today’s garages go from functional to fabulous—how many vehicles do you have and are you parking them or displaying them like artwork?

How much storage space is needed?

Landscape Design

Arizona is a celebration of indoor-outdoor living. There are so many opportunities in the outdoor spaces of your home, and a landscape architect will help you space plan and create the outdoor lifestyle you desire from cooking to entertaining to playing to relaxing spaces. Additionally, your landscape architect will imagine your pool design and amenities to make it a seamless outdoor expression of what you love and increase the curb appeal of your home.

Pool And Spa

What amenities do you want to see in your pool?

Beach vibes, swim-up bar or lap-swimming?

Backyard Amenities

Do you dine outside? Do you entertain? Do you grill?

If you have children, what kinds of outdoor amenities would they enjoy?

Do you play lawn games? Do you garden? How do you spend quiet time outdoors?

Will golf, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, basketball or bocce be a part of the experience?