Bring Your Ideas To Life
Custom Home Design
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Shaped By Land & Lifestyle
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Custom Home Design · Shaped By Land & Lifestyle ·
Our Design Process
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Step 1. Initial Design Consultation
The process begins with an in-depth design consultation, typically lasting 1–2 hours. This meeting allows us to get to know you and understand what you want from your home.
We’ll talk through your wish list and priorities — from kitchen features and ceiling heights to bathroom layouts and which rooms should capture the best views. Just as important, we discuss how you live day to day. Do you enjoy entertaining? Do you spend more time outdoors or indoors? Do you prefer shared family spaces or more private rooms for work and relaxation?
We also review the geography of your lot, considering its location, views, sun exposure, and prevailing winds. If you’ve already chosen a builder, we’re happy to involve them early to discuss construction methods and gather preliminary budget input. This early collaboration often helps keep the project aligned with your goals from the start.
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Step 2. Preliminary Floor Plans
Following the initial consultation, we begin the preliminary drawings. The first focus is the basic floor plans, which establish the overall layout of the home.
These plans outline room locations, sizes, window and door placements, and overall square footage. At this stage, structural details are kept minimal. The goal is to clearly show how the home will function and flow, allowing you to visualize the layout before moving into finer details.
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Step 3. Preliminary Review
We then review the floor plans together. It’s very normal at this stage for adjustments to be made as the design takes shape.
This phase often involves some back-and-forth as we refine room sizes, window locations, kitchen and bathroom layouts, and the overall flow between spaces. The aim is to ensure the plan truly supports how you want to live in the home.
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Step 4. Exterior Elevations & Perspectives
Once the floor plans are finalized, we develop the exterior design. Using the approved layout and the aesthetic direction discussed earlier, we create drawings that show what the house will look like from the outside.
These elevations illustrate rooflines, windows, doors, and exterior finishes. Depending on your chosen design package, this stage may also include perspective views or renderings. Revisions at this stage are common as the exterior character is refined.
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Step 5. Final Review
Before moving into construction drawings, we complete a final review of both the interior and exterior design. This is an opportunity to confirm that all details are exactly as you want them.
This stage represents the last opportunity for design changes before we move to the final stage.
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Step 6. Permit/Construction Drawings
Description goes herOnce the design is approved, we prepare the final permit drawings. These documents are used for building permit applications and by your builder to construct the home.
Permit drawings typically include floor plans, foundation plan, roof plan, building sections, typical wall sections, any applicable construction details, four exterior elevations, and perspective views. All drawings meet the requirements for building permits.
Greg Williamson is registered and qualified under Subsection 3.2.4 of the Ontario Building Code, ensuring your drawings are prepared to the appropriate professional and regulatory standards.
How To Prepare For Your Design Consultation
1) Interior Layout of Your Home
Your home is one of the most important tools you use daily. It should be efficient, comfortable, and aligned with your dream home wish list while staying within budget. When thinking about your interior layout, consider:
Desired overall square footage (key to establishing your budget)
Which rooms you want to prioritize for space allocation
Rooms that should be near each other for convenience
Rooms that should capture the best views
Desired outdoor spaces (porches, decks) and which rooms connect to them
Kitchen features: pantry, wall oven, coffee bar, island, etc.
Entertainment needs: formal or casual hosting spaces
Bedroom use: just for sleeping or multi-use spaces like reading or TV
Bathroom configuration: bathtub vs shower, double vs single vanity, ensuite or shared, Jack-and-Jill bathrooms for children
Laundry and utility placement: upstairs or downstairs based on lifestyle
Storage needs: sports equipment or other bulky items
Basement use: current and future plans (granny suite, rental, rec room, bathrooms)
2) Exterior Aesthetic
The exterior is often one of the most challenging design decisions, as it requires combining your taste with the geometry of the floor plan. Consider:
Exterior style: traditional, modern, coastal cottage, mountain chalet, farmhouse, Scandinavian, etc.
Goals for the look: grand and impressive or cozy and quaint, clean and simple or more detailed, new and unique or classic design
Symmetry preferences: symmetrical or asymmetrical design
Relationship to the natural environment: blend in or stand out
Exterior materials: timeless and local or new and up to date
Energy efficiency: meet building code or exceed for passive solar, insulation, and other considerations
By thinking through these points before your consultation, you’ll provide valuable insights that help us create a home that fits your lifestyle, preferences, and the unique character of your lot on the Bruce Peninsula.