Building a custom home should be an exciting prospect, not overwhelming. Yet, many homeowners undertaking a new construction project face fragmented communication, budget surprises, and the fatigue of endless decisions.
At Speas Interior Design, our collaborative, client-based approach helps make the entire homebuilding process easier and more personal because we listen to our clients. We believe that meticulous planning and intentional design should be a part of every phase of the design and building process—ensuring your home reflects your story.
Envisioning Your Ideal Interior Design for New Builds
The first and most important part of embarking upon a new construction project is to make a list of all the needs and wishes that you have or will foresee for your home.
Keep in mind a wide range of questions.
Lifestyle Needs
- Where does your family spend the most time together? (e.g., kitchen, outdoor patio, media room)
- What daily tasks feel cumbersome in your current space? (e.g., lack of laundry access, poor storage)
- Do you work remotely? Will you need dedicated office space, hobby space, or a home gym?
- Do you host large gatherings, intimate dinners, or multi-generational holidays?
- Do you prefer spaces that flow openly or rooms that offer separation for privacy and noise control?
Adaptability
- Is this a “forever home” or a 5–10-year investment?
- Could your household grow (children, aging parents) or shrink (kids leaving the nest)?
- Will your accessibility need change for the home? This is important to think about at any age, because you or a loved one may become injured, or you may want to make design decisions so that you can enjoy your home as you age and your needs may shift.
Example: This allows you to consider solutions like step-free entries, wider doorways, and curbless showers earlier in the design.
- Which customizations are non-negotiable for you vs. which might limit future buyers?
Example: A main-floor primary suite adds universal value; a neon-lit theater room may not.
- Can rooms serve multiple purposes over time?
Example: nursery → home office → home gym → guest suite
- How much upkeep are you willing to manage?
Example: natural stone vs. quartzite counters, wood floors vs. LVP
Budget
- What elements are essential now vs. can be added in a later phase?
- Where should splurges or investment go?
Example: heated tile floors in primary bath, but value-selections in a guest bathroom that is not used often.
- Which upgrades typically add resale value in your market?
Example: energy-efficient windows, primary suite on ground floor, adding closets to spare rooms to create additional bedroom areas.
- What’s your comfort zone for unexpected costs?
Tip: Allocate 10–15% buffer
Designer Planning Where Your Vision Takes Shape
Creating a wishlist and list of questions will lead you toward a more productive consultation. Your next step will be to meet and discuss your needs with your design team.
At Speas Interior Design, we listen first and design second. Your journey begins with a deep-dive conversation about your lifestyle, non-negotiables, and dream-list aspirations. Do you host weekly gatherings? Crave a sunlit enclosed patio? Need a ground-floor primary suite? We dig through all the nuances, then translate your needs and wants into a cohesive design blueprint.
With your vision firmly considered, we begin the collection process: exploring and sourcing detailed materials lists, space planning potential layouts, and refining architectural details with 2D/3D drawings.
The Importance of Value Engineered Interior Design
Before diving into the endless options available in the wide world of design and manufacturing, as your design specialists, at Speas Interior Design, we will present a handpicked range of materials, fixtures, and finishes aligned with your design aesthetic, your functional needs, and, most importantly, your budget expectations.
This process could also be called “focusing on invisible saving” because it anchors your project and protects your budget with realistic choices from day one.
- Your dream marble countertop or travertine tile might cost 3x your allotted allowance for materials. Preselection reveals these cost differences early in the design process, so you can:
A. Stay the Course: Adjust other elements to fund your priorities.
B. Redirect: Explore equally beautiful, budget-friendly alternatives.
Why it’s inevitable:
- Every building project faces unforeseen costs and goes through materials and design evaluations.
- Construction bids often exceed initial estimates.
- Material costs fluctuate (supply chain issues, tariffs).
- Hidden structural/technical needs emerge.
- Sometimes, it may make more sense to phase a design into stages of importance.
At Speas Interior Design, we normalize value engineering (VE) upfront to present alternatives without compromising your core vision and make decisions that prioritize enduring design.
Starting New Home Construction with Designer Oversight
At Speas Interior Design, we become your partner onsite, so you don’t have to micromanage trades or miss out on key issues in your home. As the walls rise, our team conducts pivotal walkthroughs to align with your vision:
- Framing Rough: Verify room proportions and confirm space planning in real time 3D.
- Electrical Rough: Optimize switch and fixture placement. Confirm areas of home automation for intuitive living.
- Plumbing Rough: Perfect the layout to highlight the experience (shower head height placement, wall jets, discreet drain placements).
- Finish Layout: Confirm locations of shower niches, different flooring transitions, and solve tile and flooring patterns before installation.
Elevated Showroom Experiences and Finishing Touches
Over the years we have formed lasting relationships with many local businesses, each showroom offering different product lines and price points. Now that we know you better, we choose the best studio based on your style, personality, and budget. Here are just a few of the different showrooms we attend with you to make those important decisions:
- Fireplaces.
- Appliances.
- Tile & Flooring.
- Countertops.
- Cabinetry.
- Plumbing.
- Lighting.
While we install these finishes, then comes the fun part: we pull together samples and finalize furniture schemes that reflect your lifestyle and incorporate existing pieces to come to your new home. Every choice dovetails with your budget and design narrative—while keeping the value of the space and alignment of the design in mind.
Our white-glove concierge service includes selecting, procuring, and installing the following:
- Bespoke Furniture
- Window Coverings
- Rugs
- Art, Plants, and Curated Accessories
We install the finishing touches and style your home so that the move-in process is seamless. This way, you have a true turn-key experience that allows you to enjoy your life in a space that has been custom-built for you and your loved ones to enjoy for years to come.
We Believe that Bespoke Design Beats DIY
We often say that home building is a process of 10,000 decisions. Without an experienced hand to guide the process, many homeowners have a less-than-ideal experience and do not know how to deal with any of the inevitable issues that will emerges: budget considerations, a lack of design know-how, technical questions from contractors, or a space that functions but never feels like your home.
At Speas Interior Design, our mission is to create a curated experience personalized to your design needs—saving you time, money, and sanity—while delivering a space that’s uniquely yours, timelessly elegant, and effortlessly livable.
Ready to build your dream home without the drama? Let us listen, plan, and craft a space where your story unfolds in your bespoke home—from the first design sketch to the final accessory placement.
Located in Colorado Springs, we work with homeowners near and far. Contact Speas Interior Design to begin your concierge journey.