If I were building my own luxury home from scratch today, it wouldn’t be about creating the biggest house or the trendiest house. It would be about creating a home that feels deeply personal, quietly beautiful, and incredibly livable for real life. Truly, I dislike massive homes that don't reflect the people living in them. I have 4 people in my family - we don't need a big house, and I don't want to clean one. HAHA That’s a lie. The first thing I started paying for when I began making money was an accountant for the business and a housekeeper for my house.

After years in the interior design world, I’ve learned that true luxury is not perfection. It’s comfort. It’s thoughtful details. It’s a home that supports the way your family actually lives while still feeling elevated and timeless.

I Would Design for Daily Life First

One of the biggest mistakes people make when building a luxury home is designing for appearances instead of function. I would start every decision by asking: “How do we actually live?”

That means:

Storage everywhere
Easy flow between rooms
Durable finishes
Functional mudrooms
Comfortable gathering spaces
Kitchens that truly work

A luxury home should reduce stress, not create it.

I Would Prioritize Architectural Character

So many new homes feel flat because they rely on size instead of architectural detail.

I would invest heavily in:

Arches
Layered millwork
Paneled walls
Plaster finishes
Authentic brick and stone
Built-in cabinetry
Beautiful windows and doors

Character is what makes a home feel timeless from day one. I would rather have a smaller home with extraordinary details than a massive house without soul.

I Would Build Smaller — But Better

This may surprise people, but I would likely build less square footage than most luxury homes today. People are craving warmth and intimacy again instead of oversized rooms that never get used.

I would focus on:

Better craftsmanship
Better natural light
Better materials
Better proportions

Luxury today is thoughtful restraint.

I Would Invest in the Kitchen

The kitchen is still the emotional center of the home, and I cook and bake a LOT! I'm chubby for a reason. I love my sugar, and I need a kitchen to accommodate it, but I would avoid overly trendy kitchens that will feel dated quickly.

I would choose:

Natural stone with movement
Warm wood cabinetry
Unlacquered brass
Integrated appliances- panel everything
Large prep spaces
Layered lighting
A true pantry

I’d want the kitchen to feel connected to the rest of the home — not like a showroom.

I Would Use More Natural Materials

If I were building today, I would lean heavily into materials that age beautifully.

Things like:

Limewash
Marble- always marble
Brick
Warm woods
Handmade tile
Wool rugs
Linen drapery
Antique materials

Perfection is overrated. Patina is not. *If you look for items I always sneak into EVERY SINGLE DESIGN it's a piece of marble. It's just one of my quirks.

I Would Blur the Line Between Indoors and Outdoors

One thing I would absolutely prioritize is outdoor living. It's hot as hell in the summer but the other 9 months of the year is terrific for outside living! Not just a pretty backyard — but true outdoor rooms.

I would include:

Covered porches
Outdoor fireplaces
Garden views
Courtyard
Cozy seating areas
Gravel paths
Oversized doors opening to outdoor spaces

A home should feel connected to nature whenever possible and I personally love a Spanish-style layout with a courtyard in the center of the home.

I Would Design for Longevity

Most importantly, I would avoid building for trends. I would ask: “Will this still feel beautiful in 15 years?”

That doesn’t mean a home has to feel boring or traditional. It just means making choices rooted in longevity instead of social media trends. I’d rather create a home that slowly gets better with age than one that peaks the day construction finishes.

Final Thoughts

If I were building my own luxury home today, the goal wouldn’t be to impress people. That has never been my goal for myself or my clients.

It would be to create a home that feels grounded, warm, timeless, and deeply personal.

A home where people instantly exhale when they walk in.

Because ultimately, true luxury is not about excess.

It’s about feeling at home.

XOXO- Brit

P.S. One of my sayings is: “Does my house look like it would support a kid going door to door for their school fundraiser?” I want them to feel like that's the old ladies house that gives out the good candy bars at Halloween!

If I Were Building My Own Luxury Home Today