5 Unique Home Design Features: The Clifford

The Clifford was designed with the belief that a well-built home should feel just as good as it looks. With five bedrooms and five bathrooms, every space was carefully considered to support daily life while still offering moments that feel special. Each area includes at least one unique design feature, from architectural details that anchor the family room to quieter, more personal spaces tucked upstairs. Together, these elements balance beauty, comfort, and function throughout the home.

Below, we’re walking through five design moments that define The Clifford. The spaces where craftsmanship, warmth, and thoughtful planning come together to create a home that truly lives well.

1. Two Natural Focal Points in a Family Room

In this family room, the design centers on two natural focal points and the careful balance between them. Rather than letting one feature dominate, each element was intentionally designed to complement the other and create visual harmony.

The two-story stone fireplace anchors the space, bringing texture, scale, and a sense of permanence. Opposite it, custom walnut built-ins with arched detailing and a rolling ladder introduce warmth and true character, offering a refined counterbalance to the stone. Together, these elements establish a rhythm that feels grounded yet inviting.

Custom walnut benches with stone tops flank the fireplace, quietly tying the two focal points together through shared materials and thoughtful proportions. The result is a great room that feels sophisticated but comfortable, designed for everyday living and meaningful gatherings. There will be a lot of beautiful moments naturally unfolding around these spaces that are undeniably beautiful.

2. Custom Cabinetry in the Kitchen

In a kitchen like this, cabinetry does far more than hold dishes. It sets the tone for how the space functions and ages over time. Custom cabinetry allows every decision to be intentional, from proportions and storage to how finishes interact with natural light and materials.

Prefab cabinetry has a lot more limits. It works within fixed sizes, standardized depths, and preset configurations. Custom cabinetry, on the other hand, responds to the room itself. It fills walls in a clean way, aligns perfectly with architectural details, and maximizes storage without awkward fillers or compromises. When you are investing in high-quality countertops, lighting, and appliances, cabinetry should meet that same level of craftsmanship. Cutting corners is where a kitchen falls short.

At The Clifford, the kitchen showcases what custom cabinetry can achieve when design and execution are aligned. The space features a two-tone approach done with restraint and precision. Walnut-stained arched hutches anchor the room, bringing warmth and a sense of furniture-like presence. Surrounding cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter (HC-172), a warm greige that shifts beautifully throughout the day. Depending on the light, it reads soft gray, subtle beige, or hints of green, creating a finish that feels layered rather than flat.

This pairing works because it was designed together. The walnut elements are not accents added later. They were planned as part of the overall composition, allowing grain, color, and scale to feel balanced across the room.

Storage is designed around how the kitchen is actually used, not around preset cabinet boxes. Drawers are sized with purpose. Shelving heights are intentional. Every cabinet contributes to a kitchen that supports daily life.

This is why we never recommend compromising on cabinetry. Custom cabinets are a long-term investment that enhance how a home lives and how it holds value.

3. Laundry Room with Character

Another unique home design feature of The Clifford is a laundry room that was created to work hard and still feeling intentional. This space brings together custom cabinetry, fun flooring, and plenty of storage, proving that even the most utilitarian rooms deserve thoughtful design.

The flooring immediately sets the tone. Large-format tile was chosen to minimize grout lines, making cleanup easier in a high-traffic, often messy space. The bold black-and-white pattern adds a sense of playfulness and personality, giving the room character. It creates a crisp, durable foundation that handles spills, wet shoes, and daily wear.

Custom cabinetry, crafted by Premier Woodworking, is what truly elevates the room. Rather than relying on standard storage, the cabinetry was designed specifically for this space. The result is plenty of storage that feels clean and organized, from concealed cabinetry to well-proportioned drawers that keep everyday essentials out of sight.

Anchoring the entire wall is a ceramic apron-front sink, a substantial and practical feature in a laundry room like this. Its generous size makes it ideal for rinsing muddy rain boots, washing paint brushes, soaking stained clothing, or hosing off sandy Crocs after kids come back inside.

Together, the custom cabinetry, fun flooring, and generous storage create a laundry room with real character. It is practical, durable, and thoughtfully designed, reinforcing the idea that no space in The Clifford was treated as an afterthought.

4. Cozy Lounge Spaces Upstairs

In many homes, upstairs spaces are almost exclusively reserved for bedrooms. Sometimes there is an office or a larger owner’s suite with an upgraded bathroom, but the upper level often feels quiet and underused. The Clifford takes a different approach.

This home offers beautiful, intentionally designed lounge spaces upstairs that invite people to gather and stay awhile. These areas create opportunities for connection that extend beyond the main floor. They are the kind of spaces where kids can spread out while opening presents, where conversations naturally linger, or where the house feels full without feeling crowded.

Soft, neutral finishes and warm wood tones give these lounges a calm, welcoming presence. At the same time, the layout encourages conversation while still allowing the space to breathe, making it feel comfortable rather than overdesigned. Additionally, natural light adds to the sense of openness, helping these rooms feel just as considered as the main living areas below.

These upstairs lounges are also incredibly versatile. They can function as a quiet workspace when privacy is needed, a place to play games, or a relaxed setting for a glass of wine and conversation in the evening. Because they are slightly removed from the main living spaces, they offer a sense of retreat while still feeling connected to the rest of the home.

By carving out dedicated gathering spaces upstairs, The Clifford proves that a second level can be about more than sleep. It can be a place for living, sharing, and creating everyday moments that make a home feel truly complete.

5. Spa-Like Bathroom Filled With Natural Light

The primary bathroom at The Clifford was designed as a true retreat. It is a space meant to slow you down and offer a sense of calm at the beginning and end of each day.

Soft green herringbone tile lines the shower walls, adding subtle color and texture. The pattern introduces movement while still feeling smooth. The generous shower footprint reinforces the spa-like experience, offering comfort and ease.

Custom cabinetry plays a key role in keeping the space feeling just right. Storage is built in rather than added on, allowing daily essentials to stay tucked away.

Inset mirrors framed with detailed trim reflect natural light throughout the space, enhancing the open and airy feel. These thoughtful details elevate the room while maintaining a sense of softness.

At the center of it all sits a freestanding tub that anchors the bathroom both visually and emotionally. It is an invitation to pause. Whether it is a quiet soak at the end of the day or a moment of stillness in the morning, the tub reinforces the idea that this bathroom is meant for restoration.

Every element works together to create balance. The materials, layout, and storage all support a daily experience that feels elevated yet livable. This bathroom was designed to feel calm, beautiful, and deeply functional, a space that truly earns its spa-like designation.

Elevate Your Home with Meg & Co

Elevating a home doesn’t happen by chance. It comes from making thoughtful decisions at every stage of the process. At The Clifford, each design choice was made with purpose, guided by how the home would be lived in day to day. From light-filled, spa-like bathrooms and custom cabinetry throughout, to inviting upstairs lounge spaces and a great room designed for gathering, every detail works together to enhance comfort and function.

At Meg & Co, we believe great design begins with a clear vision and careful planning. If you’re considering building a custom home or looking to incorporate elevated, intentional design into your next project, we would love to be part of that journey. Our team is committed to quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and creating homes that feel personal, welcoming, and built to last. Together, we can bring your vision to life.