Behind the Scenes: Kicking Off Farmhouse Nouveau
The Creative Journey Begins
Every great design starts with a spark of inspiration. At Anne Mason Design, we love taking our clients on a journey—from the first glimmer of an idea to a fully realized space that feels like home. Our latest project, Farmhouse Nouveau, is no exception!
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Jessie Alfieri Design on this stunning residential renovation, blending timeless farmhouse elements with fresh, modern touches. But before we can bring this vision to life, we have to lay the groundwork—literally and creatively. Want to see how we do it? Let’s take you behind the scenes!
Step 1: Gathering Inspiration
Every project begins with a deep dive into inspiration mode. We turn to Pinterest, saving images that capture the essence of what we want to achieve. Mood, color, texture, light—every detail matters. For Farmhouse Nouveau, we’re looking at:
Warm, neutral color palettes
Classic yet modern millwork
Natural textures like wood and stone
Cozy yet open-concept layouts
By curating a collection of images, we start to see patterns emerge, guiding us toward a cohesive design direction.
Step 2: Selecting Paint Colors & Finishes
Once we have a sense of the overall style, it’s time to pull together paint colors and finishes. This is where the magic starts to happen!
For this project, we’re playing with:
Soft, earthy tones to create warmth
Natural wood finishes for timeless charm
Metal accents for a modern farmhouse edge
Textured materials to add depth and character
These choices set the stage for a home that feels both fresh and inviting, perfectly balancing modern design with classic farmhouse coziness.
Step 3: Creating the Look & Feel Presentation
Now that we have our materials in place, it’s time to pull them all together into a Look & Feel presentation in InDesign.
This step is all about storytelling. We present the vision to our clients in a way that helps them see the bigger picture—how colors, textures, and architectural elements work together to create a harmonious design. It’s also a great way to ensure that we’re all aligned before moving into the technical phase of the process.
Step 4: Building in Revit
Designing a beautiful space is one thing, but making sure it’s feasible and functional is just as important. That’s why we take our floorplans into Revit, a powerful 3D modeling software that allows us to build out the structure virtually before any construction begins.
With Revit, we can:
Test different layout options
Ensure accurate spatial planning
Visualize flow and functionality
Make adjustments before construction starts
By working in 3D, we help our clients see beyond the paper plans and truly understand how their new space will come to life.
Step 5: Rendering in Lumion
Once the 3D model is built, we bring it into Lumion to create initial renderings. This is where our vision really starts to take shape!
At this stage, we keep the renderings in black and white to help our clients focus on the layout, lighting, and overall structure, rather than getting caught up in finishing details too soon. It’s an essential step that allows us to refine the space before layering in the final design elements.
Watch the Process Unfold
Part 1:
Part 2:
What’s Next?
Now that our initial design concept is complete, we’re eagerly awaiting client feedback! We love this collaborative process and can’t wait to refine the design based on their thoughts.
Want to see more behind-the-scenes moments from our design process? Follow us on social media for exclusive updates!
