Blog Post

Let the fun begin! A new home with all the comforts and features you want is on the horizon. Now is the time to create your home and add all your personal touches. Lori Melton, Cornerstone’s Design Consultant, is here to make this journey fun and to ensure you have all the information you need to make the right choices so your home is all about you!

When you purchase a new home with Cornerstone, choosing the “details” of your home is fun and exciting, especially when you have Lori, our Design Consultant, guiding you along the way with her expert professional opinion of today’s trends and making sure you get what you want within your budget.

Your new home buying experience, from start to finish, is very important to us. Creating your home that is “just right” for you, fits your lifestyle, and reflects your personal style is just what Lori Melton does best. Lori’s role as Cornerstone’s Design Consultant has enhanced our buyer’s experiences.   

 “I love working with buyers to choose their dream home and this position is the perfect fit for me” said Lori. Lori has over 15 years of Interior Design experience and owned her own design company. She has won numerous awards and been highlighted in multiple articles in Style, Richmond Times Dispatch and more.

The best part of buying new is the opportunity to choose all those essential and decorative items in your new home such as colors, lighting, and flooring all the way to the smallest details.  Not only will Lori assist you, but will be a valuable resource of information about design trends, materials, products, prices and best products for your personal needs and budget.  “Cornerstone offers so many choices to fit every lifestyle,” said Lori. She will make sure your spaces are functional, safe, and beautiful! And more important, she will make sure this process is enjoyable and fun. So bring all your HGTV ideas with you and enjoy creating your home!   

Cornerstone Homes Design Process

To prepare for your Design appointment, Lori will send you an email with tips to prepare and a packet of important information for you to review. The packet will include info such as diagrams of included electrical options, cabinet layouts, and other standard features in our homes. Take this time to review and think about how you live and features that may make your life more comfortable.  For example, need an electrical outlet in your big walk-in closet so you can iron? What about additional outlets in the garage for your woodworking hobby? Or special lighting needs. This is the time to put on your thinking caps! And don’t forget, Lori is available with any questions or suggestions prior to your appointment!

During your Design Selections appointment, Lori will review the available selections in detail with you, assist you in this decision-making process, and complete all your selections and upgrade choices at this time. This appointment may take between 2-4 hours. Help prepare for your Selections Appointment by watching Lori's Design Corner Show Room Tour here!

Your completed Selections/Upgrades for your home must be submitted to the Corporate Office within 21 days of signing your Sales Agreement.  However, if you purchase a home that has already been started or will begin soon, you may be required to have your completed selections to Corporate Office as soon as possible to avoid delays in construction.  Your Community Sales Manager will review this time frame with you in detail.  

Danish & Design/Wine & Design Preview Events

Lori offers all our buyers the opportunity to attend a Danish and Design or Wine and Design Preview Event at your community! These fun events offer a relaxing and fun time to orient yourself with the selections process.  Lori recommends these important tips:  

• Keep a running list of your questions

• Tour our model homes and note any products that might interest you

• Do your homework! Look over your electrical/mechanical diagrams prior to the selections appointment

• Dress Comfortably. This appointment may take 2-4 hours. You will be working with many different samples and moving throughout the Design Center

• Consider bringing samples or photos of fabrics or other materials you will be using in your home, which might assist you in selecting the right colors and products

• Don’t forget your checkbook!

• Come prepared for FUN! This is the best part, designing your dream home

This one is for sure, change is always going to happen. And how we live in our homes is constantly changing. Today’s active adults are seeking new homes that will change with them for years to come. Not only do they want and, may need universal design features such as wider hallways and doors, comfort height countertops and toilets, single level living, and a host of other comfort features, they are seeking a more opening living concept, brighter spaces, and of course, energy efficiency that not only saves money but lives more comfortable in hot and cold weather.   

Cornerstone is the expert in 55+ Living and Lori can’t wait to make your dream home come true.  We can say with confidence your new home will be comfortable, safe, and beautiful and provide easy living now and in the future. This is it! Your time to create your new home, your time to enjoy the low maintenance lifestyle, and your time to meet new friends. We are ready to set the wheels in motion for your magical home!