Designers create ideas for living

Homebuilders across the Las Vegas Valley are amplifying the designs in their model homes to keep up with buyers’ expectations.

In the Henderson master-planned community of Inspirada, Pardee has enlisted the help of Bobby Berk, founder and creative director at Los Angeles-based Bobby Berk Home, to show the potential of its homes to prospective buyers.

“Design is an important aspect that gets people excited about the home and helps them see what they can do with it,” Berk said. “It’s important to show them how to customize a home and make it their own so it doesn’t look like everyone else’s on the block.”

Berk said designing a model home is similar to shopping in a retail store.

“You always put the coolest, most creative outfits in the window to show people ideas that they wouldn’t have had on their own,” he said. “We do the same when we design the models to the max to show them what’s possible.” Pardee Southern Nevada Division President Klif Andrews said buyers expect custom looks, features and products.

“They already have a rich picture in their head about what homes can look like partly because what’s available out there in the retail world and on Pinterest,” he said. “They’re disappointed if they don’t receive that.”

Las Vegas-specific design trends include a large amount of outdoor space, Berk said. “In Vegas, you can take advantage of the outdoors throughout the year. Pardee is making indoor and outdoor spaces that make the home feel larger so you get a feeling of massive space.”

Berk said he commends Pardee on offering customers a unique product.

“They’re not just developments that have one cohesive look but they’re integrating different styles and looks into each of their homes,” he said. “They all look different and that’s a really important part of the new suburbia; making neighborhoods feel more nostalgic and unique.”

Angela Nuessle, national director of interior design at PulteGroup, said the homebuilder also has seen customers have high expectations when it comes to design.

“With HGTV and other design channels growing in popularity, buyers come in with a higher level of knowledge and understanding,” she said. “We like to show them all that we have to offer so they can determine what’s worth spending extra money on.” Nuessle said because there’s been a large shift into housing multigenerational families under one roof, having a guest suite space is important.

“Model homes were overly merchandised and accessorized 10 years ago and now model-home designers have taken the approach of less is more,” she said.

At Toll Brothers Design Studio, manager Tammi Black said many homebuyers look to the model homes for ideas.

“They put a lot of upgrades and thought into their homes so the model homes are where buyers create vision and ideas,” she said. “It gives them the feel and potential of what they can do with their own home.”

Like Pulte and Pardee, Black said Toll Brothers is also focused on providing multigenerational spaces and impressive indoor/outdoor options.

“We offer large sliding doors that just keep getting bigger and bigger,” she said. “Our buyers want their backyard to flow into the rest of the home.”

Black added that gray is the primary color of choice among Toll Brothers homebuyers.

“Everyone is going gray – from the paint colors to flooring, cabinets and countertops,” she said. “We offer a lot of transitional finishes so homebuyers can just change up their accessories in order to change the look of their home.”

Contact reporter Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @AnnFriedmanRJ on Twitter.