Taking the Spec Out of a Spec Build…

Spec builders probably cringe when they see me coming, knowing that I am going to totally make their lives harder by actually making them do some custom changes to their sold home plans. A lot of spec home developers will promise you the moon about making changes and adding in custom features to a home, but then when the times comes to do it (and you’ve brought on a designer to assist) they can walk back those approvals pretty quickly. I talk about this process in my new book, but this home was a great example of really customizing a spec build. Was it an easy process? NOPE. Were there issues? YUP. But did we get it done and across the finish line? You bet.

Because of some added costs and issues during the build, this house is not completely decorated yet but we wanted to shoot it anyways because there are some really great things about this house we wanted to share! And also, it shows that designing a home, one you plan to be in for a long time, can take YEARS and lots of phases and that’s ok! Not many people have the budgets to do everything all at once – and some have decision fatigue (and spending fatigue) – especially after building a home. So while there are still a few more rooms to complete, it still looks fantastic in its current state – let’s dive in…

This home was basically a foundation with plans when we started, so we did help tweak the plans a bit, but one thing that we left was the open family/kitchen/breakfast nook layout. These clients have two young boys and having a big open space for everyone to congregate and hang out was super important. They wanted casual but polished, comfy but not sloppy. A mix of retail and trade sources were used to make this space feel rich and layered but not busy – and certainly not precious.

These chairs are Maiden Home in a mohair and I love them… those ottomans are mine from my house that we brought over for the photoshoot, and they do look SO good here. We eventually want to add simple drapes and woven woods in this space to soften the high ceilings and large windows.

The kitchen – we did tweak the millwork here quite a bit, but stuck to the layout pretty closely. We did a pale neutral cabinet with a walnut island featuring a simple tapered leg, a custom hood, marble counter and splash behind the range, and then an affordable subway all over.

A vintage runner adds a little softness and the pendants are from Visual Comfort – a great vintage-inspired option. The counter stools are custom and trade only.

A great breakfast nook with a durable table, comfy chairs done in a faux leather and a built in that serves as a coffee bar and optimal extra storage for serveware and china.

Easily my most favorite bar we’ve done to date- this moody plum cabinetry paired with this botanical wallpaper and Calacatta Viola marble is EVERYTHING. Add in the mesh grilles and gold leaf ceiling and we’ve got the coolest little bar in town. You get a peek into the dining room which is ALMOST done- just need the window treatments and rug!

You can see a peek into the formal living room in the below right shot, which we did to compliment the bar with the same plum color on all trim and millwork and a grasscloth on the walls and ceiling between the coffers. We have yet to do the furniture and windows in here but we have plans!

Around the corner is the formal powder room rendered in the same palette, just a different funky wallpaper! Believe it or not we bought the sink on Etsy from Turkey and had the legs custom made!

The foyer in which we ended up designing the staircase after the original plan was not up to snuff, and then we chose some readily available retail items to dress it up.

The primary bedroom is 90% there- we have a few more pieces we are swapping/adding but the stars here are the ceilings and the window treatments!

A MASSIVE primary bathroom where we elected to do an expansive greige vanity that needed a third mirror, but we wanted it to look more unique rather than three of the same in a row, so we added in a more decorative one and I love how it came out.

A huge shower in a gorgeous Calacatta Gold tile.

The younger sons bedroom with one of our favorite wallpapers and a piece from Libby Silvia Artstyle. And my cute Kassatex bedding, of course.

The orange roman shade paired with this paper is just darling. Off the bedroom, this bathroom with a striped penny tile floor leads into a playroom, as well.

The older son’s room is a little more mature and modern but still fun.

His en suite bath has a favorite plaid marble floor and dolomite shower – a timeless choice.

In the basement is where the fun is – the movie theater! We did not get our framed vintage movie posters in time for the shoot, but try to visualize them on the empty walls :) I love a row of chaises in a movie theater- it is the MOST comfy way to watch a film or big game. An indoor outdoor animal print carpet is super plush and great for sound.

A peek into the mudroom, which is actually quite large – with little vertical pie hole cut outs and a cubby for everyone and then some. The floor is a porcelain checkerboard for durability.

In between the mudroom and the office (partly done!) we have the CUTEST bathroom featuring the wallpaper I’m doing in my entire stairwell in January (!!!!). I love it paired with this gold and white marble hex floor and simple white subway and vanity.

We are currently booking new clients into late spring 2026. If you are interested in working with us, please email [email protected] for more information or fill out our questionnaire HERE.

Photography by Jessica Delaney.