And the hard work doesn’t stop until every room is impeccably styled and ready for your viewing appointment. So how do we design a show home?
Discovering new trends
While our show homes emphasise timeless classic and contemporary design, we also incorporate key industry trends from every show season into our interior schemes. Our in house interiors team, led by Alysha Alli, uncovers the latest looks at the design shows in London, Paris and Milan, firstly at the start of a new year and then again ahead of the autumn season.
After each visit, the major trends are collated that will influence the colours, materials, forms, textures and accessories of our show homes over the coming months.
Perfecting the brief
Alysha says: “Our aim is to make every property feel like a genuine, well-loved home, so you feel at home as soon as you walk through the door. To ensure each show home design is right for the location, we work with the regional sales directors to understand the target audience and local influences that can inform the design and later be brought to life."
“We then consider the type of property we’re designing, including the size and layout, and imagine the sort of real life residents who may want to live there. Our brief draws on one of several personas we’ve developed, based on research and experience, for the kind of family who may live in the property including their ages, jobs, incomes, passions and pastimes.
Once a complete picture of the fictional home owners is compiled, the brief is then finalised around 12 weeks prior to the installation date.
Every element considered
The first elements of the show home to consider are the specification choices, all chosen from Redrow’s superior bespoke range by top name suppliers, which are installed as the property build reaches completion.
Our range of choices are designed by Alysha every year to ensure we offer a design-led specification that stays ahead of the competition. These are then made available for you to choose online via My Redrow for your own home. Choices include kitchen options- such as cabinets, and laminate or silestone worktops; the bathroom design - including tiling, mirrored cabinets and vanity units; plus the carpets, fireplaces, fitted wardrobes and bedroom furniture. These are carefully chosen for each show home by our in house interiors team and then an order is placed.
Alysha says: “It’s a very delicately balanced timescale to ensure each element arrives on time and can be installed on schedule so that the team are ready to roll as soon as the build is complete. While the property itself is rapidly taking shape, my team is busy working on the design and mood boards, a collage of ideas and samples, which provide the inspiration for the finished show home. We’re also creating scale drawings to ensure all furniture selected, such as sofas, headboards and beds, fits beautifully in the space."
“This is where all of the research comes together - from the persona of the fictional family who will live there, to the latest trend reports – all while ensuring the final look perfectly reflects the quality of our Redrow brand.
Once the final design is approved by the regional sales team, we supply the site team with a decorating and lighting schedule so paint colours, feature wallpapers and light fittings can also be installed.
Just a week before the fit out team, including furniture fitters and stylists, begins their work, we go through a checklist with the site team to ensure everything in the home has been completed to perfection and is ready for some interior design magic.
The really fun part – bringing the designs to life
“This is when everything comes together – installation day,” says Alysha. “As a flurry of deliveries arrive, our expert teams of fitters and stylists descend to complete the final chapter of the show home story. Furniture is moved in and positioned first, followed by artwork and curtains/roman blinds being hung, bespoke headboards being fitted, freestanding lighting added and, finally, accessories are polished and soft furnishings are steamed and placed."
"We pay meticulous attention to detail; every piece has been selected for its textural qualities, form and style and each addition must complement the other pieces around it. Completing the look is the all-important natural greenery to bring the outside in and personal items like family photos to create the impression of a real home."
A final inspection is undertaken two weeks before opening and last tweaks are made by the designers. It’s a huge effort from start to finish to ensure every show home is perfect and ready for launch day. Alysha and her internal team manage every step and audit each show home to ensure consistency with the Redrow brand. Then, finally, after around seven months in the making, the show home is ready to open its doors and welcome you, our discerning customers, for your viewing appointment.
So, now you know, every show home has its story. Search for your nearest development today to start your very own story in a new Redrow home.
