The most memorable homes don’t start with a floorplan, they start with a feeling. At Smyth House, we believe the foundation of every custom home lies in the design details you choose from the very beginning. Before walls go up or finishes are picked, we’re thinking about story, scale, and soul. Because luxury isn’t just how a space looks. It’s how it lives and breaths.
Whether you’re building from the ground up or planning a major renovation, these early-stage design decisions will shape everything that follows.
The Design Lens: Our Role From Day One
When you bring a designer in early, we act as both creative director and project translator — connecting builder, architect, and client with a unified vision. We ask the deeper questions that elevate your home beyond cookie-cutter plans and save from confusion and costs down the road.
Whether it’s a signature wall detail, ceiling design, or layout shift that creates symmetry — these early ideas are often the most transformative.
Take a look at the early details about Spanish Sunrise — where every design detail was imagined before the foundation was poured.
Builder: Fitch Builders
Architect: Cory Black Design
Interior Design: Smyth House Interior Design
Renderings: Reborn Renderings
Layout That Reflects How You Live
Good interior design isn’t about filling space — it’s about understanding flow. We work closely with your architect or builder to ensure the floor plan isn’t just functional, but aligned with how you want to live: morning rituals, entertaining, quiet zones, creative corners. Every detail has a purpose.
Planning a new build? Let’s start with your vision.
Portfolio Feature: Sonata Allegro Project — A full custom home designed with flow and feeling in mind.
Texture and Materiality Set the Emotional Tone
The materials you choose, even in framing conversations, shape the energy of your home. We bring in texture that makes sense for the way you want to live, early: natural stone, warm woods, hand-troweled plaster, and signature finishes that make a space feel personal and high-end.
These tactile elements become the thread that ties your home’s story together, long before furniture arrives.
Want to shop our favorite foundational pieces? Explore the Atelier.
Lighting Isn’t Just an Afterthought, It’s Architecture
Lighting is one of the most impactful (and most overlooked) elements in a new build. We treat it as a sculptural layer that adds both function and emotion to your space. From natural light planning to statement fixtures, light should feel intentional from the first sketch.
Want help sourcing your own sculptural lighting? Request a design consult.
Related: Fixtures That Don’t Just Work — They Wow
We’re getting ready to launch a new lighting collaboration with Palo Santo. If you want to be the first to know when this goes live, sign up here.
Start Strong — Build Beautifully
The earlier you bring Smyth House into your custom build, the more seamless (and stunning) the outcome. Start with the details. Build a home that feels as good as it looks.
Ready to design from the ground up?
Images by:
Talisa Ordaz, MUSE HAUS Creative
Eric Kruk Photography
Tami Page
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January 14, 2026
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