DESIGN CENTER Q&A for New Build Home | What You Should Know, What We Upgraded, How to Stay on Budget

The design center for new build or new construction homes can be a big mystery! We're excited to share what you should know before your meeting, what we upgraded, how to stay on budget and overall things we wish we knew.
Blog Post with links to what we chose and what you need to know before your design center meeting: colorandchic.com/what-you-nee...
If you're mortgage shopping, this is the team we used for our refinance: bit.ly/MortgageRealtor
How to Install Cabinet Hardware: colorandchic.com/how-to-easil...
Our Home's Finishes: colorandchic.com/the-best-bri...
WHAT WE'RE WEARING:
HK's Shirt: bit.ly/2EXjfIy
HK's Earrings: bit.ly/2KwFqFk
HK's Lipstick: bit.ly/32hKS74
Johnny's Shirt: bit.ly/3jC5E8C
KITCHEN DETAILS:
Pendant Lights: bit.ly/2UQ089e
Barstools: bit.ly/2R5xOxP
Soap: bit.ly/2OdcQup
Candle: bit.ly/2EcovYM
Brass Faucet: bit.ly/31DACri
Faux Eucalyptus Stems: bit.ly/31OKDlf
Navy Vase: bit.ly/31P9Fkf
Matte Black Kitchenaid: bit.ly/2PLoaP7
Dutch Oven: bit.ly/2M6kkzq
Drawer Pulls: bit.ly/34xqzDH
Utensil Holder: bit.ly/348piBt
Casserole Pot: bit.ly/2BSlSXz
Cooks' Atelier Cookbook: bit.ly/2YVvywo
Fruit Cookbook: bit.ly/3bicjlo
Runner: bit.ly/3i566MX
FRONT PORCH:
Log Stand: bit.ly/31QZWdf
Black Metal Sofa: bit.ly/2z8QeHG
Plaid Pillows: bit.ly/3gRbhhE
White Chairs: bit.ly/2YEfS0O
Concrete Table: bit.ly/2BPqS2c
LIVING ROOM:
Coffee Table: bit.ly/2NahH06 (Similar: bit.ly/2QNI24J)
Coffee Table Book: bit.ly/3fhz3Dn
Beads: bit.ly/350QNkl
Faux Eucalyptus Stems: bit.ly/31OKDlf
Navy Vase: bit.ly/31P9Fkf
BATHROOM:
Towel: rstyle.me/+HqLoefoKBqvfiy48TX...
Motorized Shades: bit.ly/3gQesWO (Cora Light Filtering in White)
Cabinet Knobs: bit.ly/3b9dBi1
MORE ABOUT OUR HOUSE-BUILDING PROCESS HERE: colorandchic.com/category/lif...
__________________________________________________________________
STAY IN TOUCH WITH ME
Blog: www.colorandchic.com
Instagram: / hkcung (fashion, lifestyle and day-in-the-life on stories)
Pinterest: / hkcung
Facebook: / color. .
LIKEtoKNOW.it: www.liketoknow.it/hkcung
** LINKS CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS **

[@Dom-pi1gj]

A video on the financial aspect would be great on buying a new build. Not specific numbers but more the timeline of putting in down payment, closing costs, out of pocket costs etc

[@JudeusSamson]

Did anyone else notice the garbage can open up by itself at @23:29? Btw, this was a really helpful video. Thanks for putting it together.

[@HKCung]

Heheh it’s a voice / sensor trash can so anytime it hears something sounding remotely like “open can” it opens 🙈

[@GeneralDodo]

@@HKCung Quit it, we know it's a ghost!

[@drathen1556]

Yep and again around 28:30. We have four of the motion sensor trash cans in our kitchen and I was not aware that voice activated ones exist. I’ll have to look into that... Thanks for the info!

[@curtmcguire5431]

Uh oh. If its a ghost at least he's tidy putting things in the garbage can

[@mcanibsa3036]

Thank you for your recommendations we finally settled on one and are going through the pre-Q right now. You're truly awesome people.

[@HKCung]

You are so welcome! Glad to hear you're settled and making your way through the process!

[@einahpets]

This video has been SO helpful! My first design appointment is next week, and I was feeling so overwhelmed but watching this has calmed my nerves a bit and made me feel a bit more prepared. Thank you for sharing!

[@emilyher2329]

Thank you for doing this video! Very informative! Love everything about your house! 💕

[@keeganhayes1078]

Such a helpful video. Going to be starting the build process soon and I appreciate the advice here!

[@MmeO]

Thank you for sharing!! You two are adorable. Great dialog - being on the same page is key - enjoy your beautiful home and your life!!

[@MaiNguyen-si4ub]

Love your kitchen! Such a beautiful home, thanks for sharing with us. Saw y’all had roller shades, would love to see a post about window treatments in the future. 😍

[@HKCung]

Hi Mai! Thank you for your kind words! Yes! I’ll do a blog post once we get them through the whole house!

[@ashleysilber7867]

This was the single most helpful video I’ve seen around this topic! Thank you!

[@HKCung]

That's so glad to hear! We're glad it was helpful!

[@maikongvue7203]

This is so valuable!! I am so glad I reached out to you and asked questions on instagram! This is SO helpful! Thank you!

[@youssefhamidi8152]

You got a great sense of style. The floors, tiling, accent hardwares look great.

[@dacutestdimples]

Y'all this was super helpful!!! Thank you! ❤️

[@HKCung]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@Keet333]

What a beautiful couple! Thanks for such an informative video! Great idea to create a mood board before hand.

[@amandamlim]

This is extremely helpful as we go into buying a new construction home ourselves!! Thanks so much for the tips. Our design appointments are in a month so this helps so we go in more prepared :)

[@anyaangel1354]

This video is so necessary, very informative. Thank you so much , congratulations on your new home it’s very beautiful.

[@HKCung]

I’m so glad you found it useful, Anya! I appreciate your kind words.

[@mikeholper5992]

This was a great video, very informative. You both did a great job!

[@kayedeleon5717]

Thank you very much for your videos. Lots to learn for us as a starting couple in buying a new house. :) - from the Philippines!

[@HKCung]

You are so welcome!! Thanks for the love!

[@callalilly4743]

Oh my gosh that ceiling!!

[@wellsaid7192]

Thanks for making this video. This is truly helpful.

[@HKCung]

You are so welcome! That's what we like to hear!

[@SuperOperativac]

Hey... This video is so helpful. I needed to hear these advices. Thank you for making this video. Enjoy your home.

[@HKCung]

Glad you enjoyed it and found it useful!

[@floridacocoabrown643]

This was really good. Thanks for posting and I LOVE the look of the home!

[@HKCung]

Thank you so much!

[@cicilyly6027]

Can’t wait to see when you furnish the house. I know it will look sheek!

[@HKCung]

Thank you so much!! Mini kitchen tour coming next week!

[@Am-dc5nl]

Thank you for sharing this video with us! This is truly helpful! Beautiful home :)

[@HKCung]

You are so welcome!

[@ejmakesus6]

Loved this video . Love your channel. Your home is so beautiful. ❤️ with love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@HKCung]

Thank you, EJ! We so appreciate it!

[@Anthony-es7py]

Great home! Great taste! and most importantly you guys seem like such a Team!!

[@melissa_galaxy]

Thanks for sharing! I'm both excited for, and nervous about, our design center appointment. Also, you guys seem like a great couple. :)

[@leeanna8840]

THANK YOU for this video! New to the home building process and I am taking allllll of your advice 😁

[@HKCung]

You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful!!

[@mourninggirll]

Thank you for sharing HK + J! Super informative. I loved how you went into details of what was worth the money and what wasn't. Also loved Johnny's philosophy of the big stones, pebbles, and sand. My partner watched this with me and he completely agreed with that. Loving the videos, can't wait to see more!

[@HKCung]

Hi Angie! Thank you so much for watching! We're glad to hear this was helpful! :)

[@cyber5006]

Very informative. Thanks!!

[@Mah_fb]

THE most helpful video...I'm building a house and doing some researching. Thanks for sharing

[@HKCung]

You’re so welcome! Glad you found this helpful.

[@coreymerrell6673]

Really great information, presented in an easy to understand format. Thank you for sharing, very helpful!

[@HKCung]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@stephenhines2795]

This was the best video that I’ve seen yet

[@ynjtrng]

Currently building a house as well and I’ve been following along with your guys’ journey on KZbin and IG and it’s been so fun and inspiring!! So excited for my hubs and and I to learn new skills and experiment too. Yalls house turned out sooo beautiful! 😍

[@HKCung]

Hi Jenny! Thanks for watching and following along on our journey! I'm so excited for y'all! We're getting ready to share our first DIY project soon!

[@tiamariadiaz9834]

Thank you for sharing this video with us guys!So much to learn from this video for any future custom build homeowners out there. My family and I recently moved into our first home build and I can relate to so many of the things you said 🤦🏽‍♀️ I took some notes though for the next time 😉☺️☺️

[@HKCung]

You are so welcome, Tiamaria! Oh gosh! That’s so exciting though! I think we’ll always have some type of 🤦🏻‍♀️ moment lol!

[@tiamariadiaz9834]

Hoang-Kim Cung Yes indeed 🤦🏽‍♀️ lol!

[@anikajohnson4898]

Beautiful home! Beautiful couple! Love your channel :)

[@HKCung]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@veronicab.2951]

Great video guys!!!!💕💕

[@HKCung]

Thank you!!

[@jeanp1688]

Love the video. Such a lovely home. ❤️

[@HKCung]

Thank you so much, Jean!

[@ivyc7336]

You are very blessed to be able to buy & customize a new build. It's a beautiful home! We moved to the DFW area a little over 3 1/2 yrs. ago, but aren't there yet. Hope & pray to finally be a home buyer/owner within the next 5 years (bcuz student loans really suck), but appreciate all the tips & advice. An yes I agree with choosing a higher grade stone countertop due to stains, heat from pots, pans, etc, and just overall wear & tear! Look forward to seeing your house completely decorated! 😊🏡 P.S. Not sure if I'm seeing things, but around 23:30 & 28:31 your trash bin opened and closed on it's own! 😮

[@HKCung]

Hi Ivy, thank you! We absolutely are blessed. We've been saving for this home for years, even right out of college. I made very little money as a reporter, but always focused on living below my means, saving where I could and making smart money choices. Same with Johnny :) Also, you're not seeing things! Our trash can opens on voice command and sometimes mistakes words that sound similar to "open can" and opens haha!

[@thelazysushi]

Aww you guys are such a sweet couple!

[@HKCung]

Thank you!

[@KatelynDawn]

Thank you so much! this was very helpful. Just put an offer in on a 2 acre vacant lot t build our dream home on. Fingers crossed they accept!!

[@yogameditationinsight]

I love your kitchen & the fireplace looks great. Good decision.

[@HKCung]

Thank you so much!

[@avellouswash6260]

yes its so stressful and they keep you in the dark for a reason...lol I'm going through this now building a new home in Surprise,AZ..lots of work and a nightmare lol... and they try to rush you through,,,but i will have it figured out soon,, love your home and thanks for the tips

[@MrMattytee1892]

So helpful. We have our design meeting this Friday!

[@HKCung]

Yay!!! I hope it went well!

[@tsharpe3555]

Thanks! Great job. We are in the process of going to the design center on 7 Nov 2023.

[@ChrisChaChing]

Insightful! We are about to hit design center process too

[@victoriagroves6597]

Thanks for the helpful video! Your house is amazing!! What are the dimensions of your island?

[@tewehaile3416]

So helpful we have our structural meeting next Thursday.I love your kitchen. What's the measurement for your kitchen island? What type of kitchen vent hood did you use ?

[@ckbumu]

Beautiful home, we wish you many happy years in your nest. Question I have is whether builders also offer options to exterior building materials. For instance siding, roofing, windows, doors etc.

[@HKCung]

Every builder is going to be different! Most builders have different "elevations" so it's the same floor plan but some will have all brick, some a mix of brick & stone, etc. and once you get to the design center, again there may be options for different companies.

[@verachu1306]

Love this video and all of your tips! Any specific material/finish recommendations for a kitchen in an Asian household to withstanding all of the extra grease, spice, etc.? Your home is beautiful! Love your aesthetic.

[@HKCung]

I would say quartz would be your best bet and if you can afford it (we couldn't) get a slab for your backsplash instead of tile. That way it's so much easier to clean since there are no grout lines!

[@mxx6901]

Wow I wished I saw this video before I went to the design center!!! I'm trying to get another appt to change my grout on my backsplash! It's so overwhelming when you don't know what is offered and then you only have x amount of time to make all the decisions. We were given only one appt then we had to go back because some of the choices we made required more decisions but our second appt was only 1 hr. Now I'm regretting the white on white backsplash and praying they allow me to change the white grout to grey for contrast. Sounds so dumb but when it's your money, everything matters.

[@sothatonetime]

I noticed that too in their shower. Looked nice!

[@bkinouye]

I'm also contemplating a kitchen design with white cabinets and champagne bronze fixtures, but haven't really seen any examples to look at. Thanks for posting. Your kitchen looks great.

[@HKCung]

You’re so welcome! We appreciate the kind words.

[@wellsaid7192]

I love your house. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #WellDone

[@HKCung]

Thank you so much!

[@FarhanKhan-zw3tq]

Very helpful video! What was the name of your countertop?

[@carloscorrea2313]

Great video! You guys have a beautiful home! Please can you tell me how tall are the ceilings in your kitchen? Thanks so much! Keep up the good work!

[@HKCung]

Hi there! They are 10’ tall!

[@EXEON727]

You guys should do a new update on your house, I'm curious what it looks like now. Very good taste

[@SouthCountyDreaming]

10:04 what did y'all do with the extra piece of quartz? I'm thinking it'd make a mean table/coffee bar

[@HKCung]

Hahah currently sitting in our coat closet! We definitely want to use it to make a side table or incorporate it somewhere! Just not on the priority list at the moment in the scheme of projects we want to do!

[@Norma00ful]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas. Your video is so so crispy and light what camera did you use and what type of lighting??

[@HKCung]

hi there! sorry for the delay! We used a Canon 5D Mark IV and used natural lighting!

[@unbezo398]

​@@HKCungOh wow! 3yrs ago lol 😆 Thank you for responding nnonetheless! You're Awesome!

[@harleengrewal7045]

Can you please share what colour are your kitchen cabinets and walls?

[@lorrecebashir]

Thank you for doing this video!!! Good tips.. My husband and I are looking to build in couple of months. Did you work with a realtor or just the builder?

[@HKCung]

So glad you enjoyed it! We also had a realtor, but that’s up to you!

[@j1nMatt]

Which builders did you guys used?

[@cg41006]

Who’s your builder? Beautiful home!!

[@vpst00]

28:28 I think your house is haunted, I can see your trash lid open and close while you were talking. Great video, I am just in the process of looking at new builds and I wanted to get a rough idea on what upgrades were worth it and which upgrades I should do on my own. I love your home, but your refrigerator, front door and tub really stood out to me, those are really nice.

[@lorip5677]

Beautiful! How did you get the waterfall sides of your island to match the pattern on the top of the island? Is it one slab or did you have to match up patterns from two slabs?

[@HKCung]

Great question! It's all one slab and we told them several times, we really really wanted the waterfall to be seamless. They can never truly guarantee it since sometimes the entire slab isn't big enough, but we got very lucky!

[@lorip5677]

Hoang-Kim Cung oh wow! Was it a jumbo size slab?

[@JomoClips]

Beautiful home. What builder did you use?

[@HKCung]

Thank you! We aren’t sharing our builder for privacy. Thanks for understanding.

[@pures1n]

Did you guys upgrade your Air conditioner and insulation? :) Awesome video. Going to the design center in January ^_^

[@HKCung]

Hey! We did not. Felt everything was up to our standard!

[@kaimo6098]

Hi how much does your waterfall island cost to upgrade?

[@shannontate8483]

Just curious what you did with the piece of quartz they cut out for the sink?

[@HKCung]

LOL we have wild plans for it, but it is currently a dead weight in our coat closet. Thinking a side table... great project for down the line!

[@jennychan83]

Hoang oi who is your builder?? I couldn’t find anything with high ceiling in Tennessee, house is so ugly here even though almost 500k here ! Thanks a lot I will comment on your IG post later!

[@MsStudyroom]

check your video at minute 28:27 to 28:29 and look at the garbage can to the side of the island table.

[@humayrarahman4696]

when are you gonna do a furnished full house tour!?😍😍😍

[@HKCung]

You're too kind! To be honest, it'll be a while. We are taking our time decorating. Plus, we're trying to spread out paying for everything!

[@humayrarahman4696]

It's going to be great!!😍😍

[@arodude2591]

Can you provide more details on the flooring you chose ? Was that engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank ? Thanks

[@HKCung]

Hi there! All info is on my blog! There’s a link on the description bar 🤍

[@arodude2591]

@@HKCung thank you! Great video btw!

[@momentzsalvi401]

Please recommend a builder , looking to build am a first time buyer ! Beautiful home guys , Congratulations 🎈

[@HKCung]

Hi Sara! Send me an email: [e-mail] with your price range, criteria and I can send a few builders your way.

[@ariyaelle]

With the tall ceilings, do you find the home is harder to heat or cool?

[@HKCung]

Every home will be different depending on insulation & materials used. Our home is very “tight” so we actually very rarely adjust our thermostat. The temperature is whatever we set it at and stays that way. Our bill isn’t very high.

[@theinvisibletiara]

The bin behind just opened up randomly at 23:26. Creepy 😅

[@maikongvue7203]

Oh my gosh. I thought I was crazy to want a sink in my laundry. Totally out of my budget but definitely in the future.

[@carolsegal7000]

Prices please! Doesn’t help just to know what you bought, prices for each upgrade would be so helpful. Thanks

[@TalytaB]

Our 10% is 40 grand without the structural changes we made. With structural changes included in the base, our 10% is looking more like 47 grand 😳 now if we include the structural changes as part of the upgrades then we're definitely at the 40 grand mark, actually well over

[@HKCung]

Everyone and every home is different. 10% is the average of what people spend. You can spend more or less, that's up to you!

[@bookswriting3822]

Ok my question is Do you pay the design center up front or is it with the mortgage Because I’ve heard both and Im not sure what to believe. ?

[@HKCung]

Hello! You’ve heard both because every builder is different. Most builders will have a percentage due when you finalize the design upgrades (anywhere between 20-50 percent) and the rest is added to your mortgage.

[@brendamendoza4904]

❤️🏡

[@MarahJane]

23:29 on the right 👀

[@prosfromdover8860]

With all respect you are stunningly beautiful....great video also

[@BestofMadagascarLLCSterling]

Could you please share contact of the designer you worked with. Thanks. Love your house ❤️❤️❤️

[@HKCung]

Her name is Toni! instagram.com/thehomestylefiles/

[@USA-qm2bk]

Beautiful but are you mic’d? Lots of echo

[@HKCung]

We are! When we recorded this video, we were sitting in an empty dining room without any furniture or textiles so echo was inevitable 🙈

[@goaway546]

What colors are your walls

[@HKCung]

Hello! All our home finishes are listed here: colorandchic.com/the-best-bright-finishes-for-a-traditional-home/

[@tpleasant5370]

Beautiful video! Who’s the builder?

[@HKCung]

Hello! We are keeping our builder private. If you're looking to build, I'm happy to give you recommendations! Just send me an email: [e-mail]

[@chipperscientist]

Hoang-Kim Love the video, can't get over how beautiful you are. You look like a movie star!

[@gabrieltello3905]

I see a lot of these videos, wondering why many of the people sharing their experiences didn’t hire a realtor to cut down the learning curve immensely, ask all the questions the rep won’t bring to mind initially, etc

[@HKCung]

We had a realtor but they weren’t able to come with us and they aren’t designers. This is more of an interior designer’s forte. A majority of the design centers do not release their pricing structure and don’t share any information until you’re there. So unless you get lucky and your realtor has built with your builder and has the same taste and remembers exactly what the level 4 hardwood costs, you’re out of luck. And during realtors weren’t allowed to go either.

[@bobjohnson1737]

Marble is the most overrated pile of crap ever - the fact that you have people asking you about it is surprising and ridiculous - Marble/granite has terrible maintenance and color pallete limitations and they are expensive for no real reason especially in modern/contemporary houses - i compare it to a rolex; true watch lovers all despise rolex; only dumb rich money buys it. Best alternatives are quartz and silestone(my favorite) Great video!

[@sridharyakkanti4147]

audio is so bad... bouncing off the walls

[@et1780]

this got to be the whitest kitchen I've ever seen, even the fridge is white 🤣. might as well make the cabinet hardware white too