I know, I know.. Trust me, if I could provide everyone reading this with a piece of this beautimous cake, I would, because it looks incredibly tasty. BUT, lets talk about how building a home can simply relate to baking a cake.

I’ll let you in on a little secret.. a great new home build design has many layers. But just like everything else, it starts with the foundation (literally!). I’m going to assume everyone has made a cake at SOME point in their life. Well, designing a home can be very similar in retrospect. I truly promise to make this “short and sweet”. No pun intended 🙂

PHASE 1: FOUNDATION / lAYOUT

C A K E:

When you start to think about a cake, you’re first to decide what shape, size, if there will be layers (2, 3, none?). How many people does it need to serve? Do you build this tasty treat from what you’re used to? Round? Square? Rectangle in shape? OR do something different with a uniquely shaped cake?! This is building the FOUNDATION of a cake.

H o m e design:

Similar (but can be slightly more sophisticated) thinking goes into the start of building a home. Homes start with the same planning process. What shape, size, would you like 2 stories? Single level? A basement? Usable attic? How many rooms? How will they be used? How many people will this need to serve? A great design has to start from the ground up; the FOUNDATION.

* How can hiring an Interior Designer help with this phase? *

Designers can picture the end before it begins. When designers work with builders and architects they’re keeping the traffic patterns and end uses of each room in mind. If the beginning isn’t done right, the end won’t be done right. A common mistake new home builders can make is only bringing the designer in on phase 2, 3 or 4. Just think, furniture is dependent on the room size, traffic patterns and how the room will be used. The placement of outlets, switches, overhead lighting can have a huge effect on furniture placement. Builders and Architects are generally done with their portion of the building process and leave the 4 walls to the Interior Designers, they aren’t the ones that see what could be avoided at the beginning. Will it be functional in the end? Designers aren’t wizards, but we have the experience to be fantastic magicians and problem solvers, but if that problem can be avoided from the beginning.. why not stop it then?

PHASE 2: FLAVOR / STYLE

C A K E:

When you’re asked “What flavor of cake do you want?” You’re thinking about what you’ll see when you cut the cake. Red velvet? Lemon? Chocolate? Cookies & Cream? Marble? Carrot? Once this selection is made, it becomes a permanent part of the cake eating experience.

H O M E design:

The “Flavor”= the “Style”. This is when you start to decide on permanent fixtures (items that stay with the home when you move). This adds the initial character of the home. Flooring, cabinets, countertops, windows, paint, hardware, light fixtures and window treatments (yes, window treatments are supposed to stay).

PHASE 3: ICING / fURNISHINGS

C A K E:

Icing! This is when you can start to really get fun and creative. This really captures thre overall design/shape of the cake. Is the cake for a kids birthday party? Themed? For a wedding? Sophisticated or fun? The icing compliments the flavor of the cake. “I want a Lemon Cake with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING” Without frosting, you’re left without elevation to the tasty experience.

H o m e design:

Furniture is the “icing” of a home. This is the phase that really captures the overall look and feel of the home. Making a home feel like YOURS when you open the front door, can come from the warmth of furnishings and personal touches. This is the phase that ties in everything previously done in phases 1 & 2.

PHASE 4: TOPPINGS / ACCESSORIES

C A K E:

The extra little pizzaz to take it to the next level. The cherry on top, if you will. Sprinkles? Drizzles? Fondant? Ruffles? Add that little extra somethin’ somethin’. The toppings are what captures the eye, gets you excited about the entire cake experience 🙂

H o m e design:

Accessories, artwork, pillows and throws, and all of the final final touches elevate the whole home experience. The feeling of a warm blanket, and complete satisfaction is what you want your home to capture as soon as you open the front door and take your first steps inside, every time.

Building a home can be very intimidating, but when you have the right professionals involved from the start, the entire process can be seamless!

* * *

A SPECIAL shout out to the amazing Pastry Chef, Bakery Extraordinaire, the Homemade Treat Queen that helped immensely with this post! Be sure to check out her IG page.. Yes, they taste as good as they look.

• Mellissa Batdorff @SugarDough_Treats: Provided all cake imagery and knowledge behind baking a cake.

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