What this project taught me about what custom home design is actually for Most new build clients come to me with a Pinterest board and a floor plan. She came to me with a floor plan, a Pinterest board, and a baby wallaby. The home was nestled inside a private zoo her family owned and operated. The animals weren't a backdrop to her life — they were woven into the daily rhythm of it. Baby kangaroos in the mudroom. Exotic birds in the courtyard. A household that ran on a schedule that had...

Why this region is one of the best places in the country to build a custom home right now — and what it takes to do it right. You don't hear the Midwest talked about much in design media. The editorial world tends to orbit the coasts—California organics, New York minimalism, and the occasional Nashville farmhouse. The assumption is that the interesting work happens somewhere else. That assumption is wrong. And in 2026, the data is starting to say so out loud. PIN ME What's Actually Happening...

Discover the hidden challenges of building a custom home. Learn how crucial decisions impact your dream home when building a custom home.