While trends may look beautiful and fun, they may or may not be practical for a homeowner's lifestyle. When it comes to designing a house, building one that is trendy can get expensive later on when changes need to be made, since trends come and go.
“The key phrase is ‘come and go’,” says interior design manager Barbara Cross, who has been with Ron Clark Construction & Design for 25 years and has seen plenty of trends. “Our job is to find out what homeowners love - or don’t love - in their current homes and build on that.”
In business since 1975, Ron Clark Construction & Design has had to change with the times and educate its clients along the way. “Every day, year, and decade is different,” she says. “Products, technology, and people are constantly changing. Some of these changes are awesome, and some are challenging, but they’re never boring!”
Since it takes about a year to build a house, by the time it’s built, a trend may have already passed. And even if it is still in style, it may not fit the way a homeowner lives.
Take, for example, Calacatta marble. For someone who loves to cook and wants their countertops to stay pristine, marble, which stains easily and is susceptible to scratches and other damage, would not be a smart choice. But, if the homeowner eats out all the time and doesn’t have to worry about the practicality, only the beauty, then marble is lovely.
Especially with AI getting in the mix, educating clients is more important than ever, since many photos don't accurately reflect the true design. “For a long time, it was these bath vanities that were open underneath the countertop. But, these pictures don’t show the plumbing, so that’s not how it's going to look in reality.”
This is one of the reasons the Ron Clark team focuses on communication. “We try to find out what drew them to that photo or post,” she says. “Many times, it isn't exactly about what’s in the photo at all, but rather the ‘cozy feeling’ or maybe even just like the rug.”
Sometimes, clients will walk into a model home and decide they want their home to look exactly like it. “We then might find out they have a blonde Scandinavian table and that is not going to look good with dark raised panel cabinetry so we start asking questions. What do you like about it? Do you like the feel of it? We learn about their likes and dislikes, and then we help guide them in a way that's going to make their house theirs.”
Ron Clark Construction & Design prides itself on not producing cookie-cutter homes that look exactly like the next one. For some clients, though, thinking about building from the ground up and making every decision along the way can be daunting.
“Part of the beauty of Ron Clark is its process,” says Barb. “We have experts leading them through that process, because when they look at it all at once, it's overwhelming, but when they take it step by step, it makes it much more seamless and less stressful.”
A client’s first meeting is called “Meet the Team”, and it's everybody who's going to be involved in their house. “Sales, design, and construction are all part of the process, which means lots of ears and eyes to make sure the buyer is heard and given all the options.” They also hold weekly internal meetings to make sure buyers' questions and concerns don’t fall through the cracks.
All selections, she explains, are made by the buyer with subcontractors that have been working with the company for years, many for over 20 and quite a few over 30. “They are the true experts in their fields, and it shows.”
Homes will also cater to homeowners’ specific interests. Hobby, music, and wellness rooms are just a few examples. Do they have pets? Then, cabinetry with dedicated openings for crates can be done. The possibilities are endless.
The bottom line is they need to love it, and not just today, but for years down the line. “We have experience, honesty, tact, and lack of ego,” says Barb. “If they are headed in a direction that we don’t feel 100% about, we talk about it. And if, in the end, it’s still what they really want to do, that’s fine. It’s their home.”
She adds, “That's what we do best – we take all their ideas, treasures, wants, and needs and guide them into creating a gorgeous place that is all them.”
To find out more, meet with an expert team, and create your dream home, visit RonClark.com.