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Ext done… what to do about interior design?

3 years ago

We’ve just finished siding the exterior of our new construction. It’s an exciting but also intimidating feat. Note we’re moving inside to insulation and drywall and final design decisions.


I’ve got this radical interior design vision but it’s scary to commit to.














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Comments (42)

  • 3 years ago

    I think it’s more about what you like. If you love it, go for it. There are so many styles of design. The pictures are very striking though.

  • 3 years ago

    And the pictures don't enlarge. If you later post floorplans for comment, it's very helpful to make the images large enough to read the notations/dimensions when clicked on. Plus, you'll have to do some 'spaining' about each of the images. Details, at least, and something about your goals would add substance to allow an evaluation.

  • 3 years ago

    This direction would certainly require … commitment. As in, you must be satisfied with the look and feel for the duration since it would not be easily (nor inexpensively) changed. It is not to my taste, but this is not my house. I am wondering what drew you to the look, and if that could be replicated on a smaller and less permanent basis?

  • 3 years ago

    It's one thing to vacation at a resort with these sorts of design incorporated. It's entirely different to live with it day in and day out. Be really sure!! Money doesn't appear to be an issue, however so what the heck go for it. Change is always possible next year when you tire of it.

  • 3 years ago

    There seems to be a disconnect between the outside of the house which is a kind of standard 21st c. contemporary, and the inside. And that tends to not age very well. The house from the 1970s that looks ordinary on the outside and has a grotto on the inside is the sort of thing that ends up on Zillow Gone Wild especially when the boulders and things are clearly artificial because it's evident that the standard construction of the house would not support massive rocks inside. I don't think you want it to look like a stage set

    The most successful houses with things like this inside tend to have a strong inside/outside relationship and are very organic looking in their environment

    Pictures are the Elrod house by John Lautner.


    I can see you doing something striking and contemporary on the inside, but I am not sure the organic thing is going to work that well, given the shell you are working with.





  • 3 years ago

    Agree that it doesn’t seem like a fit with the exterior as @palimpsest pointed out - but if i loved the look i would definitely work with a seasoned design pro since much of it will be custom and will need an expert eye

  • 3 years ago

    It looks very hard to keep clean— imagine a few years in with cobwebs and dust.
    Also the sort of thing that may look better in mood lighting and not bright daylight.

  • 3 years ago

    I like the blue corner room. As much as I love rocks and wood, the rest I can't honestly say I like very much -- it pushes 'natural' too far, making it "un-natural". And think of this: your setting is so spectacular. If you tone down the interior, the views from your windows still put this house in the "Awesome!" category.

    Bring in wood, bring in rocks, but not quite so many!

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I am totally confused . I do not think exteriors and interiors need to match but what you are planning IMO will be one of those things where you get up one morning and say what the heck was I thinking. I love stone walls but they need to be tempered with lots of smooth surfaces . I think the extrior is over done mcmansion alreay so to me a n restful interior well designed would bea g reat way to handle that. If you have a good interior designer themn some of the features can be implelented but please do not do that whole interior you show .

  • 3 years ago

    I think a big disconnect, as I look is that there is no rustic material on the exterior, and lots of rustic/organic material on the inside. The outside is very clean contemporary-ish.


    With regard to rustic stone being used extensively in bathrooms, I have not had this but I belonged to a gym that switched from very spartan 1950s tile showers and such, to this "spa-like" environment with natural stone, and while the cleaning maintenance was continual, the old tiled environment always either didn't smell like anything or smelled clean, once they changed to the natural stone, it stunk. It either smelled like mold and mildew entirely or cleaning product smell overlaying the mold and mildew. It was really unpleasant.

  • 3 years ago

    palimpsestpix look like an old james bond lair.. sorry i dont know which movie.. ken

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    I find the house design pretentious and dishonest, inside and out. It creates a disconnected reality that will negatively effect the occupants that total neglects the experience of place. John Ruskin is rolling in his grave.

    The garage door would look good on different house of a different style.


    (that is the art critic in me)

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    The Elrod house was used in a Bond movie, Diamonds are Forever.

  • 3 years ago

    Do you have an art or design background?

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Some of the choices look like they'd be very uncomfortable, either physically (like the giant wood / rock? bench thing by the island) or psychologically (like cooking under the looming... whatever it is... on the wall beyond the island.) Imagining how you realistically live your life and what you want your home to be (sanctuary? comfort? art gallery / showplace?) might help. So would a talented designer.

    If you want to get really creative, maybe pick one spot for it with just one star item; e.g., a powder room with a fantastical light or an onyx sink or something. (But make it something that is actually usable and cleanable.)

  • 3 years ago

    The comment that is resonating the most with me is that you have beautiful views and I would think hard before creating an interior that would attempt to compete with that. However, I bet you won't be happy if you don't do something unique. A house this large really deserves a thoughtful approach, so start looking for an interior designer with some imagination. I think there is a happy medium between what you're picturing and a standard tract home. Don't forget to make it liveable as other commenters have pointed out. Look for inspiration pictures that are more achievable and comfortable but still appeal to you.

  • 3 years ago

    This can't be real.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    There's something oddly flat and un-shadowed about the first picture.

    However, an amusing post by the OP.

  • 3 years ago

    Yes, it’s pretty pranky.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    There is the possibility that Little Caesar's is not the only one to get a jump on 1 April.


  • 3 years ago



  • 3 years ago

    The images are ai renders. It’s not supposed to be realistic but more of a theme or tone. We are doing this! Each image is roughly 70% accurate

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    LOL here. I called it first!

  • 3 years ago







  • 3 years ago

    Led channel map

  • 3 years ago



  • 3 years ago

    I really think you would want to do a minimal interior to capitalize on the views and not distract from them. Minimal can still be dramatic.

  • 3 years ago

    I'm a bit torn.  There are some elements that I really like and others that are a bit too much for me.  However,  this is your house and if I were in your shoes,  I would think about how important resale value is.  If it's not a major driver, I would commit to the vision and go for it.  I think it's ok to be different and have a radical style that people would either love or hate.

  • 3 years ago

    Getting nearly there on the ext. couple more soffit pieces and of course the rock work will be a bit. Can’t wait to get inside.


  • 3 years ago

    This is a large and I'm assuming an expensive build. You have some interesting ideas that would work, but you need to edit. I would HIGHLY recommend you work with a talented interior designer who could help you with your choices.

  • 3 years ago

    Doing the whole house in the same material will look much better than gluing some rock slices to the middle section, if that's what you're planning.

  • 3 years ago

    @partim has to be done per association design requirments. It’ll look good.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    at this stage most finish items should be in transit, cabinets being fabricated, etc.

  • 3 years ago

    @partim here it’s done you can see if you like it



  • 3 years ago

    Who designed the exterior of this house? I cannot believe that a licensed architect was involved.

    Also, where is this house located? Trends for interior design vary from one region to another.

    The site looks very odd, since there is no landscaping that I can see, and so it looks like Alaska or some remote place, where little time is spent outdoors. This also has an influence on the interior design.

    I would want a lot of large trees around the house, to hide the exterior or at least distract from it. The views from the windows from the interior photos (showing trees) do not match what would be seen from the site photo.

  • 3 years ago

    @Lars the house, interior and exterior were designed by my wife, our GC and I. This is in NW Montana.

  • 3 years ago

    As long as you like it!

  • 3 years ago

    Most of that doesn't look very comfortable. Is that a stone sitting area? Ouch....not for laying back and watching TV.

  • 2 years ago

    Update: drywall mudding in progress.




  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Update: drywall mudding in progress. I put in the led channels for the lighting effect. kitchen cabinets are going to make the kitchen more traditional than the AI renders but atill on course for lots of the design.











  • 2 years ago

    It's not to my taste but it's not my house. I do find it fascinating, however, so I really appreciate your keeping us up to date on your progress. Best of luck!