New Home Design Inspiration Photos (& The Phrase That Pays)

source: Pinterest

Last year, I perused real estate listings for months in anticipation of our move to North Carolina. After seeing hundreds of available homes online, I decided new construction was the way to go. Since we had renovated our entire home in Pennsylvania piece by piece, I wanted the chance to start from scratch– we wanted to choose the lot, layout, flooring, tile, granite, EVERYTHING ourselves. While there have certainly been some pitfalls along the way (and let me tell you, choosing everything for your home in just three sessions is daunting) overall the freedom of moving into a home where we tailored most of it to our family’s unique needs feels pretty good.

If you do ONE thing when choosing your design elements, let it be this: know your style! After spending what felt like years browsing magazines, books, Pinterest, blogs and Instagram I noticed several similarities that always drew me in– and that helped define the look for our new home.

That style turned into a single phrase. I need to trust you won’t think I’m nuts when I say it out loud. I promise I didn’t write a bunch of words on cards, throw them in a bucket, and pull a few out randomly and paste them together. I HAD A HIGHLY SCIENTIFIC PROCESS, PEOPLE. Okay, maybe not scientific but it involved drinking champagne and browsing Pinterest so at least it was fun.

The style in my head when walking into our builder’s design center was Modern Hamptons Farmhouse With a Side of Glam. Let that phrase sink in a bit.

Picture if Joanna Gaines lived in Montauk and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams moved in as roommates– THAT’S what makes my heart flutter, that’s what we decided for our design plan. (and by ‘we’ I mean ‘I’, for future reference. My husband did not enjoy one single second of this process.)

source: Studio McGee

Let’s break down each part of that phrase and check out the inspiration behind it:

Modern: When I say modern, I don’t mean sleek and cold but rather updated versions of classic pieces. Think less ‘shabby chic’ chipped paint and more of a clean and fresh look. Crisp paint, clean lines, but comfort and warmth too.

source: J. Barron Interiors

source: Studio McGee

source: Keep Calm and Carry On

source: Atlanta Homes

Hamptons: Truth Bomb– I have never been to the Hamptons. However, I want a coastal style that doesn’t look kitschy and the Hamptons style seems to do that very well. I’m avoiding mermaid signs and pastel colors and steering towards light wood furniture, white walls and beautiful blue accents.

source: Driven By Decor

Farmhouse: Our storage unit currently looks like a Joanna Gaines warehouse. I’ve been picking up pieces I love over the last few months and I now have a large black and white sign, huge wooden handled box, two large olive buckets, a massive wall mounted mug rack… the list goes on. I do think this style is a bit trendy, so I’m not investing major money in it but rather choosing decor that can be updated in a few years once everyone is over the farmhouse look. However for this time in my life, farmhouse feels comfortable, friendly, and very livable.

source: Ciao Newport Beach

source: HGTV/ Fixer Upper

source: Studio McGee

source: HGTV/ Fixer Upper

Side of Glam: One of my favorite designers is Kristin Jackson from The Hunted Interior, and she does this look so well. I also adore the furniture store Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, who manage to work in styles from every era and ‘touch of glam’ is a signature look. There’s a sophistication there that I want to embrace. Investing in art and timeless pieces like rugs will add a level that the other styles didn’t quite cover. A touch of gold, some statement lighting pieces… you get the idea.

source: J. Barron Interiors

source: Hunted Interior

Are you still reading? Does that plan sound nutty? My design center choices are much tamer and I am so looking forward to showing them to you. We went fairly basic but beautiful, and plan to add paint and decor to get the rest of this look across.

Later this week, I’m sharing the MODERN HAMPTONS FARMHOUSE DESIGN PLAN room-by-room! I’ll take you through the entire house and share where we saved money and where we splurged. I even have some exciting in-process photos to share since they’re currently installing the tile and cabinets! It’s getting real, friends!