Our Building Journey
How it all started...
The Journey To Our Forever Home
When Nicky and I decided to plant our roots in Kansas City for the long haul, our house hunt began. We weighed every option whether to buy a new build, find the perfect fixer-upper, or build a custom home that truly felt like us. What I’d love to say is that was an easy decision, but the reality was far from smooth. the process was stressful, filled with tough choices, as we wanted to make the right investment that balanced risk and reward.
In the end, we decided to go the custom rote and quickly partnered with a builder in Kansas City to bring our dream home to life. However, things didn’t go as planned. We faced setbacks that left us disillusioned and frustrated. Feeling unheard and misled, we had to go back to the drawing board. though it felt like we were spiraling down a rabbit hole, we knew we had to stick to our vision.
That’s when we found Edward Franklin. Since teaming up with them, the journey has been nothing short of amazing. Their brilliant team has been incredibly helpful, and most importantly, they truly listen to what we want in our forever home. The experience so far has been a complete 180, and we can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes us.
With that in mind, my goal is to keep you all updated throughout this journey! Right now, our house is still in its early stages, there’s no drywall yet! But I’m excited to share our vision for the home, the next steps in the process, and even a video from our very first walk-through, which feels surreal to look back on. Sty tuned for more updates as we work toward finishing the build and getting closer to moving into our dream home October 2025!
From Vision To Reality
Building a custom home comes with an overwhelming number of decisions—some big, like shaping the overall vision, and some tiny, like deciding where each outlet should go. It’s both incredibly empowering and, at times, completely daunting. Thankfully, Nicky and I have always been fascinated by the idea of designing a home from the ground up. Nicky is the ultimate researcher, diving deep into every detail, while I’m great at making quick, confident decisions, something that has definitely helped us stay on track.
As we started shaping our design, we quickly realized our style blends modern Scandinavian, minimalism, and warm contemporary aesthetics, with just a touch of industrial influence. We’re drawn to natural wood tones that bring warmth and an organic feel, contrasted with black metal accents in windows, doors, and appliances. And me? I have an absolute obsession with arches, so incorporating them into our layout was a non-negotiable.
Shaping Our Vision
At the heart of it all, we wanted our home to feel simple, clean, and thoughtfully designed, embracing a modern, minimalist approach that still feels warm and inviting. While our vision will naturally evolve as we fine-tune the details, this has been our guiding North Star from the very beginning.
Floor Plan
When designing our floor plan, we knew we wanted an open-concept layout that felt spacious, inviting, and had a natural flow from one space to the next. Since our lot was best suited for a two-story home, we embraced that design from the start. Some must-haves quickly made their way to the list vaulted ceilings in the living and dining areas to create an airy, open feel, dedicated home offices for both of us (because working from home is our reality), and a butler’s pantry just off the kitchen for extra storage and functionality.
Early Design Choices
Before we even met with a builder, we had a clear vision of a few must-haves inspired by our favorite designs. At the top of the list? White oak floors and cabinets for that warm, natural feel. We also knew we wanted to incorporate black and white tile somewhere in the house, right now, we’re planning to feature it in the mudroom and laundry area for a fun, timeless touch.
One of the biggest (and possibly most debated) decisions we made was opting for no upper kitchen cabinets. At just 5 feet tall, I can’t stand not being able to reach the third shelf in my current apartment! Instead of constantly grabbing a ladder for everyday essentials, I opted for a butler’s pantry that leads into a walk-in pantry. This way, I still get plenty of storage, but everything is easily accessible and organized in a way that makes sense for me.
Refining the Details
One of the things I’ve truly loved about the selection process is how many small details come into play, things you might not think about at first but that make a huge difference in how your home functions. Nicky and I focused on creating a space that feels natural to live in, flows seamlessly for hosting gatherings, and is welcoming for our future children.
With that in mind, a double oven was a no-brainer. We love cooking at home, and when you have guests over, one oven just isn’t enough. And with all that food comes the need for plenty of prep and cleanup space, so we made a few strategic choices: extra countertop space in the butler’s pantry, a second hand-washing sink in the laundry room (which is conveniently right off the kitchen), and maybe our favorite decision two dishwashers to make post-meal cleanup effortless.
If you’re curious to see how it’s all coming together, check out our first walk-through video below! I still get emotional every time I watch it, it’s surreal to see our vision take shape.
Upcoming Decisions
Right now, we’re deep in the process of finalizing our lighting and electrical plans, and next up, doors, tile, and trim! It still amazes me how excited I get over these very adult decisions. It’s kind of like getting a new vacuum and suddenly wanting to clean the whole house… or is that just me? lol
Stay Tuned For More
I’ll be sharing updates, bringing you along for the big (and small) decisions, and documenting every step of this journey. There’s so much more to come, and I can’t wait to have you along for the ride, stay tuned!
Our First Walk-Through in our
Forever Home
What Makes A Moment
Our designers at Edward Franklin have been the creative force behind turning our vision into reality. Initially, I envisioned double arches on either side of the TV in the living room, but with a towering 20-foot wall, the proportions just didn’t feel right. Their solution? A single, grand arch and WOW, it might be the most epic design choice yet. It adds just the right amount of drama and instantly commands attention, making it a true showstopper. I can already see myself sitting on the couch, TV off, just admiring this masterpiece when we move in! Highly encourage you to check out their instagram too.