Designing a new construction home is an opportunity to choose the finishes and features that will make your home feel like your own. But if you've never been through a new home Design Studio before, you may also have questions about appointments, selections, budgets, upgrades, and when decisions become final.
At Allen Edwin Homes, buyers typically have two Design Studio appointments: an initial consultation and a final appointment, with additional appointments available when needed. You'll work with the same Design Consultant throughout the selection process, helping create a consistent and organized experience from your first decision through final approval.
The Design Studio is one part of the larger journey from purchase agreement to closing. You can also explore the Allen Edwin Homes new home building process to see how design selections fit into the complete construction timeline.
Here's what to expect, how to prepare, and a few tips to help you make the most of your Design Studio experience.
How Does the Allen Edwin Homes Design Studio Process Work?
After the sales portion of your homebuying process is complete, an Allen Edwin Homes Design Coordinator will contact you to schedule your Design Studio appointments.
Buyers typically have:
- Appointment 1: Design Consultation
- Appointment 2: Final Design Appointment
- Additional appointments when needed
Design Studio appointments are generally available Tuesday through Friday, with appointment times of 9:00–11:30 a.m. or 1:00–3:30 p.m.
The consultation and final appointment are typically scheduled one to two weeks apart. This time is intentional - it gives you an opportunity to review your selections after the first appointment, think through your choices, and identify any changes or questions before everything is finalized.
Watch the Allen Edwin Homes Design Studio Process
Want to see what the Design Studio experience looks like before your appointment? Our Design Studio Process walkthrough gives you a closer look at the space, selection process, and what you can expect when it's time to personalize your new home.
How Should I Prepare for My Design Studio Appointment?
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want. Before your appointment, Allen Edwin Homes will send you resources to help you explore your options and prepare.
You'll receive an Included Features Book along with access to the Envision online showroom, where you can begin looking through selections before meeting with your Design Consultant.
Explore the Allen Edwin Homes EDC3 Design Checklist to start familiarizing yourself with selections before your appointment.
You can also visit the Allen Edwin Homes Design Studio page to learn more about the experience.
Design Studio Tips Before Your Appointment
You don't need to have every detail figured out, but having a general sense of your style and priorities can make the selection process easier.
Drive through Allen Edwin Homes neighborhoods. Looking at completed homes in person can be especially helpful when considering exterior selections. Pay attention to siding colors, exterior combinations, doors, and other details you're drawn to.
Look for inspiration online. Browse home photos and save examples of kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, colors, and overall home styles you consistently like. Bringing inspiration photos can help communicate your preferences to your Design Consultant.
Think about your personal priorities. Consider what features are most important to you and how you plan to use your home. Your priorities may be different from someone else's, so focus on selections that make sense for your needs.
Review your Included Features Book and Envision before your appointment. Familiarizing yourself with the selections ahead of time can help you arrive with questions and a better idea of what you'd like to explore.
Tour homes virtually for more inspiration. Explore Allen Edwin Homes virtual home tours to see different layouts, finishes, and home features.
If you're still deciding which home design is right for you, you can also browse Allen Edwin Homes floorplans to compare available layouts and home designs.
What Selections Will I Make at the Design Studio?
You'll work with one Design Consultant throughout your selection process. Having the same consultant throughout your appointments provides consistency and gives you one person who understands the selections you've already made, the questions you've asked, and the overall direction you're taking with your home.
Your Design Consultant will guide you through the available selection categories in an organized order, which may include:
Exterior
You'll review applicable exterior selections such as colors, finishes, doors, and other exterior design elements available for your home.
Kitchen
Depending on your home and available selections, you'll review items such as cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, hardware, and other kitchen finishes.
Bathrooms
Your consultant will guide you through applicable bathroom finishes and available selections.
Flooring
You'll review available flooring selections for the different areas of your home.
Interior Finishes
Interior selections may include:
- Paint
- Trim
- Interior doors
- Stair finishes
- Fireplace finishes, when applicable
- Benches or other applicable interior details
Lighting
You'll review the lighting selections available for your home and chosen plan.
Utilities
Your Design Consultant will also guide you through applicable utility-related selections.
Available selections vary based on the home, floorplan, community, and included features. Your Design Consultant will explain what's included and what options are available for your specific home.
When Do I Choose Structural Options and My Home's Elevation?
Structural options and your home's elevation are selected during the sales process, not during the Design Studio process. These decisions should already be completed before you begin your Design Studio appointments.
That means you won't arrive at the Design Studio needing to select the basic structure or elevation of your home. Instead, your Design Studio appointments focus on the applicable exterior and interior selections that come afterward.
If you're earlier in the homebuying process, you can learn more about building a new home from the ground up with Allen Edwin Homes and how the different decisions fit into the overall process.
What Happens at the First Design Consultation?
Your first appointment is your primary selection consultation. You'll work through the applicable categories with your Design Consultant, who will guide you through available choices, answer questions, and help keep the process organized.
You don't have to remember every decision you make during the appointment.
Within approximately 24 hours after your first consultation, you'll be emailed an Options Addendum containing an itemized list of your selections.
This gives you an opportunity to look everything over outside of the Design Studio. Review the list carefully and make note of anything you'd like to reconsider or ask about.
At this point, you are still able to make changes to your Design Studio selections.
Can I Change My Design Selections After My First Appointment?
Yes. Your selections can still be changed after your initial consultation and before they are finalized at your final Design Studio appointment.
This is one of the reasons Allen Edwin Homes generally schedules the two appointments one to two weeks apart. Rather than feeling like you have to finalize every choice immediately, you'll have time to review your Options Addendum and think through your selections.
Use this time to ask yourself:
- Am I comfortable with the overall look and selections?
- Are there any items I want to reconsider?
- Are my highest-priority features included?
- Do I have questions I want to bring to my final appointment?
Make note of anything you'd like to discuss so your Design Consultant can review it with you at your final appointment.
What Happens at the Final Design Studio Appointment?
The final appointment is your opportunity to go through everything one more time with your Design Consultant.
You'll be able to:
- Review your selections
- Ask remaining questions
- Review your Options Addendum
- Make applicable final changes
- Confirm and finalize your Design Studio selections
Once your selections are finalized through the Design Studio, no additional design selection changes can be made.
That's why it's important to use the time between appointments to carefully review your selections and bring any remaining questions or changes to your final meeting.
How Does My Lender Approval Affect Design Studio Selections?
Your Design Studio selections must remain within the maximum approval amount established by your lender.
If your selections cause you to exceed that approved amount, Allen Edwin Homes cannot accept a check, credit card, cash, or other separate payment to cover the overage.
Instead, you would need to:
- Remove or adjust selections to bring the total within your approved amount, or
- Contact your lender to determine whether your maximum approval amount can be increased.
Knowing your priorities before you begin making selections can help you determine where you want to allocate your available budget.
For additional information about financing a new construction home, explore Allen Edwin Homes financing options.
Tips for Making Confident Design Studio Decisions
The goal isn't to select the most options or follow every current design trend. It's to make choices that fit your style, priorities, budget, and everyday needs.
Think About How You'll Live in the Home
Consider what matters most for your personal needs. Storage, flooring durability, kitchen functionality, lighting, and other everyday features may ultimately matter more to you than a particular trend.
Use Real Homes for Inspiration
Exterior colors can look different in person than they do on a screen or sample. Driving through existing Allen Edwin Homes neighborhoods can give you a better idea of which combinations you're drawn to.
Save Examples of Styles You Like
You don't necessarily need to know the names of particular design styles. Saving photos of homes, kitchens, bathrooms, or finishes you like can help your Design Consultant understand the look you're trying to achieve.
Prioritize What's Most Important
Not every available option needs to be selected. Think about which features will make the biggest difference in how you use and enjoy your home.
Ask Questions
Your Design Consultant is there to guide you through the process. Ask about available selections, durability, maintenance, or anything else that will help you feel confident in your choices.
Review Your Options Addendum Carefully
Don't skip this step. Use the time between your first and final appointments to go through your itemized selections and make sure you're comfortable with them before they're finalized.
What Happens After the Design Studio?
Once your Design Studio selections are finalized, your home continues through the Allen Edwin Homes building process. Depending on where your home is in production, you'll begin seeing progress through construction milestones such as framing, exterior completion, interior installation, and final finishing.
Your Allen Edwin Homes team will continue guiding you through the defined steps leading toward closing and move-in.
If you're interested in a new home but don't necessarily want to start from the beginning of the construction process, you can also explore available Move In Ready homes from Allen Edwin Homes to see homes at later stages of construction.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Allen Edwin Homes Design Studio
How many Design Studio appointments will I have?
Buyers typically have two Design Studio appointments: an initial consultation and a final appointment. Additional appointments may be scheduled when needed.
When are Design Studio appointments available?
Design Studio appointments are generally scheduled Tuesday through Friday from 9:00–11:30 a.m. or 1:00–3:30 p.m.
How far apart are the two appointments?
The consultation and final appointment are typically scheduled approximately one to two weeks apart, giving buyers time to review their selections and Options Addendum.
Will I have the same Design Consultant?
Yes. You'll work with one Design Consultant throughout your selection process to provide consistency from your initial consultation through final selections.
What should I do before my Design Studio appointment?
Review your Included Features Book and Envision online showroom, save inspiration photos, consider the features that matter most to you, and drive through existing Allen Edwin Homes neighborhoods to see exterior selections in person.
You can also explore the EDC3 Design Checklist before your appointment.
When will I receive my Options Addendum?
Buyers are generally emailed an Options Addendum within approximately 24 hours after the first consultation. It provides an itemized list of selections to review before the final appointment.
Can I change my selections after the first appointment?
Yes. You can review your Options Addendum and make changes before your selections are finalized at your final Design Studio appointment.
Can I change selections after my final Design Studio appointment?
No. Once your Design Studio selections have been reviewed and finalized, additional design selection changes cannot be made.
Do I choose structural options and my elevation at the Design Studio?
No. Your home's structural selections and elevation are handled as part of the sales process and should be completed before the Design Studio selection process begins.
What happens if my selections exceed my lender's maximum approval?
You'll need to adjust your selections or contact your lender to determine whether your maximum approval amount can be increased. Allen Edwin Homes cannot accept a separate check, card, or cash payment to cover the overage.
Do I need design experience?
No. Your Design Consultant will guide you through the available selections and answer questions throughout the process.
Prepare for Your Allen Edwin Homes Design Studio Appointments
A little preparation can go a long way toward making your Design Studio appointments easier and more enjoyable. Before your consultation, explore your available selections, save inspiration, think about what matters most for your home, and write down any questions you'd like to ask.
From your first consultation through final approval, your Allen Edwin Homes Design Consultant will guide you through the process and help you understand the choices available for your home.
Ready to start preparing? Explore the EDC3 Design Checklist, learn more about the Allen Edwin Homes Design Studio, watch the Design Studio process on YouTube, or browse Allen Edwin Homes floorplans to continue planning your new home.
