April 2025
We work closely with the talented Interior Designers at Show Business Interiors to stay at the forefront of the latest design insights and trends, helping us to create spaces that maintain timeless appeal.
In the guide below, we take you through the journey of creating a Story Homes show home from initial concept to the final installation.
Want to know how it all comes together? Read on to discover the process behind the design.
There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to designing our show homes. From the initial briefing to final concept, each and every detail is carefully thought out and exceptionally delivered by the talented team at Show Business Interiors. Join us as we take a closer look into the process with SBI and the detail that we instil in all of our show homes, which set us apart and showcase the quality of our build.
Rebekah Earls, Creative Manager at SBI quotes: “The design process is both creative and collaborative – it’s about bringing a client’s vision to life while applying expert interior design knowledge to guide the way. A key first step is the briefing meeting where styles, colour palette, layout, and overall aesthetic are discussed, ensuring the client’s ideas are clearly communicated and aligned before moving forward.
Inspiration plays a huge role in this process – and it can come from anywhere. Nature, fashion, travel, or journalism, every spark of inspiration is worth exploring. Staying open to different influences not only helps keep your designs current but also ensures each project feels personal and original.
Once the style direction has been agreed with the client, we move into the design board stage – this is where the vision really starts to take shape. Here, we carefully curate all elements of the space, from wallpaper and furniture to styling items, thoughtfully bringing together everything needed to turn a house into a home.
At this stage, it’s important to think beyond just how a space looks – it’s about how it feels. The right combination of textures, fabrics, colours, and layout can completely transform the mood of a room, creating anything from a calm, cosy retreat to a vibrant, energetic space. This thoughtful approach applies to every room in the home – whether it’s layering soft materials in a living area or designing a playful, themed children’s room that reflects personality or ties into its surroundings.”
Upon the concept stage being approved, the team begin to move over to the detailed coordination stage. This consists of procurement timelines and lead times where logistics are key, considering elements such as: bespoke joinery, lighting, window treatments, wall finishes and flooring.
Whilst the design is taking shape behind the scenes, our on-site teams are working hard to ensure the show home build is ready for the installation process which includes ensuring all build elements are complete, all décor items and floors are ready for install, utilities and access such as ensuring power and water are live and the access is safe and scheduled.
Over several days, the interior design team delivers and installs all furniture, lighting, and accessories. The process is meticulous and involves:
It’s not unusual to have designers, site staff, marketing, and even photographers working in sync at this stage.
Once every stage is complete, from the initial design briefing to the final accessory being placed, the show home becomes more than just a showcase. It becomes a space where imagination meets reality.
This is the moment we’ve been working towards: when prospective buyers walk through the front door and can truly picture themselves living in a Story home. They see not just a house, but a home to call their own.
The show home acts as a tangible representation of the care, quality, and attention to detail that defines every home we build here at Story Homes. It reflects the lifestyle our customers aspire to and shows them the possibilities when design and practicality are perfectly balanced.
At its core, a show home is about connection. It invites buyers to emotionally invest not just in a property, but in a way of life. And for us, as a developer, there’s no greater success than helping someone say, “This feels like home.”
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