Where to Begin with a Home Renovation or New Build

Whether you’ve fallen for an existing home in need of updating or are building something new from the ground up, the question almost always comes up: Where do I even begin?

While it’s tempting to want to dive right into the exciting stuff–choosing paint colors, looking at fabrics, finding pieces you love for kitchens, bedrooms, and powder baths–that’s not an approach that will get you a beautifully designed home that’s cohesive, personal, and sophisticated.

Design by Robin Heard. Photography by David Duncan Livingston.

At Robin Heard Design, helping clients navigate their renovation and new construction projects from the first glimmer of a vision to the final, move-in ready sanctuary is what we do best.

And our advice is to always, always, always start with the big picture.

Before you break it down room by room, before you get attached to that perfect paint color or gorgeous tile, take a step back and look at the house as a whole.

Embrace the Whole Home Vision

One of the first questions I ask clients is: Do you love the existing architecture?

If the answer is yes, we explore ways to preserve and enhance it. If not, we explore ways to update it with fresh colors or possibly reworking certain aspects such as trim, stair railings, fireplaces, etc.

Image and Design by Robin Heard.

What we never want to do is to try to fight against the home’s intended style. For example, using ultra modern furnishings in a Mediterranean style home isn’t going to fool anyone.

In fact, that approach only calls more attention to the style of the home you dislike. Creativity and carefully thought-out design choices and selections are needed to achieve a look and feel that’s true to the home’s style while also being true to your tastes and preferences.

It all starts with thinking through the home as a whole first.

Gather What Inspires You

I encourage clients to begin by collecting imagery that speaks to them—even if they’re not sure how it all fits together yet. Photographs of interiors that resonate with them can help shape the direction of their design.

That said, inspiration images aren’t templates to be copied. We want to use them more as a communication tool to help you explain what you like and why, as well as to show me as your designer exactly what you mean when you say you love green (lime or olive?) or that you want a modern style kitchen (minimalistic or modern rustic?).

Words can mean more than one thing but pictures don’t leave room for error.

Think About Feelings

As we begin to talk about the possibilities for your home, I’m not just trying to uncover how you want it to look. I’m also trying to determine how you want it to feel. What are the emotions you want your home to inspire in you every time you walk through the door?

This is your chance to really dream about what you want life in your new spaces to feel like. Don’t worry just yet about what items and choices will make you feel that way. That all comes later (and I’ll be doing all of the heavy-lifting to figure out just how to bring that feeling to life for you in your home).

Design by Robin Heard. Photography by David Duncan Livingston.

Layout and Flow Come Next

Once we’ve established the overall vision for the style and feel of your home, we dive into layout.How your spaces flow will greatly affect how your day flows, so we want to think about things like…

• How do you get ready in the morning?

• How do you wind down at night?

• Where do you naturally want to gather?

• How do you use your kitchen?

• How do you entertain and how do you want to entertain?

• What kind of flow supports your version of sanctuary?

We also consider views, light, privacy, and function. Every space must support your daily rhythm and bring ease and joy to your life. And we take our time here because this stage is foundational to everything that follows.

Materials, Color, and Finishes

Once we’ve considered the general layout and structure, we turn to the overall colors, textures, and material types we’ll want to use throughout the home. We aren’t only considering what looks beautiful, but what feels like you and reflects your tastes and personality. Whether you’re drawn to soft neutrals or earthy hues inspired by the surrounding environment, we want the materials, colors, and textures you’re surrounded by to add to the overall vision and the feeling you want for your home.

Image and Design by Robin Heard.

We’re not talking about specific selections here. We’re just looking at broad strokes that will point us in the direction of what’s going to resonate with you. This is a time when I’m looking to understand what you’re dreaming about so I can best support your hopes and goals for your home while also making sure you are well aware of the impact of those choices on everything else in the design, not to mention on how you’ll experience living with it day to day and in the future.

Why We Don’t Rush This Process

I’ve worked with enough design clients to know this truth: Exceptional design unfolds over time.

This isn’t about making fast decisions or checking items off a to do list. It’s about curating a home that will stand the test of time, where every space supports you and brings you back to center.

That’s why I guide you step by step, offering not just expertise but also big picture vision and leadership into the best ways to bring that vision to life. The result is a home with a soul. One that reflects your individuality, supports your daily rhythm, and celebrates the feeling of living in a home that’s tailored to who you are and how you want to feel.

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Ready to Begin? Let’s Build Your Dream from the Ground Up

Whether you’re new to Sonoma or a longtime resident ready to create your ideal home, we’re here to help you start the right way: with vision, clarity, and a thoughtful, communicative process.

Let’s create a home that’s not just beautiful but that’s truly yours. Connect with us here