Q&A With Interior Designer, Noelle Graves, on Designing Model Homes for Eastwood Homes

Designing Model Homes with Noelle Graves

When you step into one of our gorgeous model homes, you may want to take note of the furniture, the color of the walls, the decor, etc. for inspiration when it’s time to decorate your own Eastwood home. But have you ever wondered how our model homes became so cozy and inviting? At Eastwood Homes, we collaborate with local interior designers and home merchandisers to achieve this lived-in feel. For many, a model home could be our potential buyer’s first impression of Eastwood Homes, and we want to ensure that impression is positive. Our designers take our model homes to the next level – making sure the homes are stylish enough for you to feel inspired, but approachable enough to where you can picture your family on move-in day. We recently spoke with one of the interior designers we are lucky to work with. Noelle Graves is the President and Senior Designer at Builders Concierge and the mastermind behind our brand-new Watermark models. Below, you’ll find a Q&A from our conversation about her process in designing a model for Eastwood Homes.

Q: Can you walk me through your design process for creating the model? How do you get started / How do you brainstorm?

A: Once we receive a request for a new model and all pertinent documents from a builder we start our process with market research. Often the builder will offer varying degrees of the target market. But we take a deeper dive into the town, demographics, average income, schools in the area, possible employment opportunities, likely recreational activities available in the area, and any other details that make the area special. We believe all communities have special qualities and it’s our job to know exactly what they are. Once we have all the information available, we write the “story” of the family likely to live in the new homes being built.Q: What inspired the overall theme of the model?

A: The inspiration for the overall theme of the model is really two-fold. One, what does the “story” of the potential buyer dictate with regard to their lifestyle and how they will physically live in the home. Two, what’s the best decorating styles that align best with this buyer’s way of life and provides the potential buyer with attainable aspirations.

Q: How do you balance functionality with aesthetics when designing the space?

A: In the words of the famous American architect Louis Sullivan, “form follows function.” We believe the function of the space, or better said the way of life realized in the space, is the MOST important aspect of design and especially so in model merchandising. The perfect balance feels like a beautiful song where the lead singer is represented by use of space and the right moments of harmony are found in the aesthetics.Q: I noticed a lot of colorful accent walls and fun colorways. How do you decide what colors to incorporate into the home?

A: Color is driven by 3 things with any given home. Our first consideration is what is currently on trend but has history. The history is important because that lends to a confidence of timelessness and less likely to date itself quickly. This is very important to models that need to be relevant for 3 – 5 years. Second, we look to marketability of these colors for our builders. The photography of models is so much more important than it was 20 years ago when I started merchandising for builders. Heck, it’s changed even more since 2020. I think the current data says buyers only physically visit 3 or 4 communities, but “shop” online looking at as many communities as possible. How well will the color photograph? Is there an opportunity to cross market on social media with the paint vendor? These are some of the questions we ask to help drive the online exposure and visibility of our customers. Then lastly, we consider any cultural influences that could be in play with this market. Once these 3 key points have been answered… we have a color palette.Q: Are there any specific features or unique design elements that you love about this home?

A: Both of the floorplans for the Watermark Townhomes were very well planned. Kitchens are so important to families and both plans did great with that space. But the Burlington definitely had a showstopper of a kitchen. The Edenton really shined brightest on the second floor. The space laid out in such a way that it provided 2 very spacious secondary bedrooms as well as a great secondary living area in the loft that offered an additional opportunity for work from home / study space along the wall of the stairs. As far as our impact stylistically, I absolutely loved the accent wall trim and lighting in the loft of the Edenton. I firmly believe that will be something that buyers will DIY and do so really well. I love the way the furniture worked, spatially, in the family room of the Burlington. So. Much. Seating!  I am a lover of color. So much can be said with it. The palettes of these homes are on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Burlington expressed boldness, while the Edenton had a soft and subtle presentation. I firmly believe there is something in each of these models that will speak to every potential buyer and generate some real excitement.

Q: Do you come up with storylines for the hypothetical family this home has been designed for? How does this make the home feel more personable?

A: Oh yes! I have so much fun with this one and I can really get deep in the rabbit hole of the “who” of these families. I love developing these narratives. Taking all the market info we collect and then ending with a knowing of where they work, how they spend their free time, what they and their kids are each individually passionate about, what fur babies have they adopted, how often they entertain friends and family, etc. I fall in love every single time. Funny story… I was about 3 years and 150 homes into my model merchandising career. A friend asks me how I come up with all these unique designs all over the country. My answer… I guess all the voices in my head are getting their dream homes. LOL! We all have to have a little crazy or we’d be really boring, right!?Q: How do you tailor the design of a model home to appeal to potential buyers?

A: Really showing my love of history here; I’m going to quote another famous architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who said “God is in the details.” The tailoring comes in the small details that tell the story of the fictional life that’s being lived in the model. Since the story has originated and been further developed with so much detail about the community, culture and way of life, assuming we have done our job correctly, the story will be familiar to potential buyers. They will see and hear themselves in the home. It will wrap around them and say “Welcome Home! We’re so glad we found each other!” The home will inspire them, but feel within reach. That’s super important. Designing homes that make people say, “I could never afford this or make it look like this” is missing the mark.

Q: What challenges did you face during the design process, and how did you overcome them?

A: The challenge with any model is ensuring we’ve got the story right, we’re using the space to the best of its livability, and our budget is a comfortable place for the builder.

Q: How do you ensure that the design of the model home aligns with the overall vision of Eastwood Homes?

A: Funny you should ask. Eastwood’s tagline “Built With Care” was very much top of mind when developing these designs. By definition care is the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something. We focused on the specific intention of care while creating excitement, attainability, and livability. When someone truly cares about their product it is reflected in the details and Eastwood definitely gave us great spaces to express that notion of caring felt by both their company and ours.Q: What is your favorite feature in this model home?

A: The cool trim accent and lighting in the loft, for sure. Such a really simple idea with so much impact.

Q: What’s your best design tip or piece of advice for homeowners?

Be fearless! Don’t follow trends and stay nimble. Once you’ve closed on your new home, take your time. Try not to buy anything just because it’s there and it’s in your budget. Try to find pieces that speak to you and excite you. If you let your heart and gut guide your home decorating decisions you will realize the design that is perfect for you. In turn, everyone who visits your home will feel that, enjoy the space, and ultimately come to know and appreciate you for who you uniquely are. Pretty sure, whoever you are, you are really incredible and very special!Watermark Townhomes at Eastwood Homes

There you have it, folks! Interior designing tips and tricks directly from our friend and talented designer, Noelle Graves. We hope you have a better understanding of the design process and even feel more confident in your own interior decorating choices moving forward!

Come check out Noelle’s hard work in person at our Watermark Townhome models. With Watermark Townhomes, the possibilities are endless. Floor plan options include up to five bedrooms with versatile spaces including formal dining rooms, first-floor primary suites, lofts, plus more. Planned amenities consist of a 200,000-square-foot town center with shops and restaurants, a luxury clubhouse with a state-of-the-art fitness center, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and recreation fields. Schedule your visit today!

To see more photos of these beautiful model homes in Watermark Townhomes, view the Burlington model here, and the Edenton here.