The devil’s in the detail, so they say, but it’s heavenly when you finally sit down with one of Metricon’s passionate and professional design whizzes to pick the fixtures, finishes and colours schemes that will help bring your dream home to life, says Studio M Manager Andrea Barnett.
“When you think about the build journey as a whole, there’s a lot of paperwork that customers have to get their head around, but Studio M is the exciting part,” Andrea says. “It’s time for them to let their hair down, jump into the visual side of things and be creative.”
Metricon’s stylish design hubs, our Studio M centres, are packed with treasures, including a head-spinning array of tiles, taps, stone, timber, staircases, cabinetry, and more. Andrea says that while it could be overwhelming, our friendly Studio M Interior Design Consultants will guide you through the process. “They’ll hold your hand and assist you in bringing your vision to life.”
Metricon's Studio M locations across the country host regular Open House Events you can book into, or you can arrange a time that best suits you. But it pays to do a little homework first before you visit.
How should I prepare for my Studio M visit?
“Know your budget,” first and foremost, Andrea says. “Whether you’re coming in with one of our top-of-the-range designs, like the Palisades or the Lumiere, or a more affordable entry from the fantastic Freedom by Metricon range, the Studio M team will help you navigate your options. We usually present a good, better and best pick, so you can maximise your budget.”
"Ask yourself, what do I have in my home right now that I love?" Andrea says. “And what is there that you just can’t stand and think, ‘I’m never going to have this in my new home'?”
The more you know about what you want, the smoother the Studio M experience will be. Andrea recommends creating a bit of a mood board. “Research what styles appeal to you, jump on our Lookbook and explore, have a look on Pinterest and get an idea of what speaks to you,” she says. “Magazines like Home Beautiful or watching The Block are really great too. Those TV shows help make the design process more accessible, and people are willing to take more risks.
It’s well worth visiting our display homes in your state to get some love where you live inspo. “They’re a stress-free environment to walk around, and touch and feel fixtures and fittings," Andrea says. “Determine whether you like tiles or floorboards, shutters or curtains, cool greys or warm neutrals? You don’t have to have all the answers, but this will give you a great start.”
What will happen when I pop into Studio M?
Once you do make it to your official Studio M appointments, that’s when the magic begins. “You’ll get paired up with one of our incredible Studio M consultants who will welcome you in,” Andrea says. “They’ll go through your home's standard inclusions, applicable promotions, and make your choices really clear once they have a strong sense of what you’re after.”
Because the Studio M crew have an encyclopedic knowledge of all our fixtures, finishes and colour ranges, they’ll be able to narrow down what could be an overwhelming decision-making process to the likeliest options to achieve your dreams, from facades
and front doors, to staircases, kitchens
and paint finishes. “They’ll lay down the samples for you, so you can see it all come together, and you get to take some home as well.”
How do I set my Studio M budget?
Just like writing a grocery list, budgeting for your dream home is a delicate balance between indulging your heart’s desires and acknowledging what your bank balance can afford. The great news is our Studio M consultants are supremos at achieving the biggest bang for your buck.
“If you’re a bit more budget conscious, our Studio M experts will help you put the money where it counts, focusing on things that aren’t so easy to change later,” Andrea says. “So you want to make sure you get your flooring, brick finishes, roof tiles and your staircase right.”
The rest is just gravy. “Things like paint colours are still important, and they’ll help you get that right, but that’s also an easy fix down the road.”
Consider the areas of the home that will get the heaviest footfall and are most on show. “It makes sense to ensure the street appeal has wow factor, with little touches like a jazzier front door that elevates the style,” Andrea says.
What if I change my mind after visiting Studio M?
That’s ok, too, Andrea says. “Sometimes you’ve got to let a decision breathe. Our consultants are very conscious of when customers are unsure and will recommend you take a break, go have a chat about it, and even come back later. There's no pressure.”
While it’s important to know you’re signing on the dotted line for these selections, a cooling-off period is built in. “You do have some time to make changes, so if you go home and think, ‘Actually, I don’t want that and I do want this,’ just let us know as soon as possible so we can make that happen.”
Why is the Studio M experience invaluable?
Andrea can’t encourage people to engage with Studio M enough. “Our metro and regional Studio M centres are state-of-the-art, and our qualified interior design consultants live and breathe this every day, so you don’t have to take it all on yourself,” she says. “It’s exciting, so just allow it to be fun and jump in with two feet. We’re here to support you.”
We really mean it. “Our Studio M team love seeing homes come to life and helping people achieve their dreams,” Andrea says. “Many of them will go and see the finished product, so they have a genuine interest in what they do. It’s a very special relationship you have with that consultant, because you put a lot of trust in them, and they don’t take that for granted.”
You can watch a video guide to making the most of the Studio M experience here.
