Published by The National Association of Home Builders on April 30, 2025.

Wellness-focused home design is becoming increasingly common as home builders and owners focus on comfort and livability. But most wellness concepts in the residential space are offered at the very high end of the market in custom homes.

ERTH360, a home design and architecture firm based in Ontario, has spent years focused on bringing wellness concepts to production home design. Its collaboration with Empire Communities, a home builder based in Toronto, won the Gold award for GIA Global Innovation Home of Year at NAHB’s The Nationals for 2024.

Welcome to Camellia Gardens, where the charm of Harrisburg, NC, meets the epitome of modern living. Nestled in this serene neighborhood are two exceptional model homes — the Redwood and the Madison. Discover the inspiration, design process, and distinctive features that make each home stand out.

Inspiration Behind the Design:

The driving force behind the design of these model homes was to create a distinct look for each. The Madison exudes a masculine and modern vibe, while the Redwood embraces a more feminine and transitional design. From the start of the design process through to the end, the goal of Unscripted Interior Design’s team has been clear — to create distinct identities for each home, ensuring that homeowners find a space that resonates with their unique tastes and preferences.

Design Process:

Crafting two distinct homes requires careful consideration. Instead of adhering to a single design, the Unscripted Interior Design team took a bold approach, opting for a modern and industrial concept for the Madison and a fresh, light, and bright aesthetic for the Redwood.

Unique Features of Each Room:

The Redwood:

• Kitchen & Breakfast Area: A built-in breakfast banquette provides additional sitting space and a casual dining area.
• Dining Room: A grand statement is made with ceiling details and slipcovered dining chairs which add softness.
• Family Room: The mix of materials creates a dynamic space, offering plenty of room for the whole family.
• Rec Room: A multi-use space with a modular sofa for various activities, from watching TV to hosting game nights.
• Premier Suite: Tonal trim details on the headboard wall bring a sense of calm.
• Covered Porch: Extra dining and seating areas for outdoor enjoyment.

To recreate the Redwood’s look, focus on natural materials, stained furniture, and soft upholstered items.

The Madison:

• Kitchen: Show-stopping countertops with natural movement in quartzite.
• Dining Room: Defined dining space with an area rug anchoring the table and chairs.
• Family Room: Modern and masculine aesthetic with dynamic lighting and clean lines.
• Loft: Playful paint details perfect for a kids’ space.
• Premier Suite: Sophisticated trim details incorporating art into the headboard wall.
• Flex Room: Ample storage and natural light create a space ideal for those who work from home.
• Covered Porch: Perfectly sized for a family lounge set.

To recreate the look, opt for clean lines, a mix of light and dark materials, and black-and-white photos or artwork.

What Stands Out:

The standout feature of both floorplans is their size and open-concept design. The Redwood’s soaring ceilings add a sense of grandeur upon entering, while the second floor in both models allows for versatile usage tailored to homeowners’ needs.

Materials, Textures, and Colors:

In the Redwood, a transitional coastal Americana style prevails with subtle red, white, and blue tones, complemented by natural materials like stained woods and natural fibers. The Madison embraces a modern design with a high-contrast palette, incorporating hints of yellow and abstract artwork.

Interested in seeing how we’ve designed some of our other model homes? Check out this modern farmhouse look in Gastonia and discover how we put a moody twist on contemporary.

Dive into Sherwin-Williams’ 2024 color trends. These four distinctive palettes are poised to redefine our living spaces, capturing the changing tastes of a society increasingly attuned to wellness and sustainability. As we explore these palettes, discover how we’ve seamlessly integrated these color trends into our model homes, offering a glimpse into the future of thoughtful and stylish living. From calming blues and greens to warm reds and purples, comforting deeps and darks, and subtle tints, these palettes showcase a harmonious blend of aesthetics and mindful living that you can experience firsthand in our thoughtfully-designed homes.

Pictured: The Bradbury model at Empire Camber Woods in Gastonia, NC. 

Pictured: The Hamilton model at Empire Kennington in Charlotte, NC.

Pictured: The Alpine model at Empire River Reserve in Greer, SC and the Redwood model at Empire Camellia Gardens in Harrisburg, NC.

Pictured: The Alpine model at Empire River Reserve in Greer, SC

Interested in replicating some of these design styles? We’ve made it easier than ever. Check out our guide to traditional contemporary design, fresh and contemporary, and modern farmhouse.

Choosing the right paint colour is thrilling, but can also feel daunting at times. It sets the tone for an entire living space, influencing both mood and ambiance. One brand that has been a trusted companion during this decision-making process is Dulux, with select colours available at Empire’s Design Centre. Read on to explore the art of selecting the perfect paint colour and discover some popular Dulux shades that elevate all interior spaces.

Next, discover the best design apps to help you furnish your home and 6 reasons why laminate flooring is making a comeback.

Have you always harboured a desire to live by the water? Now, you can manifest that dream by crafting a home aesthetic infused with nautical touches, turning your living space into a serene coastal haven. Uncertain about where to begin? Draw inspiration from the Camrose model home at our Empire Canals community in Welland, ON. From a classic blue and white colour palette to water-inspired murals, shiplap wall details, light-toned wooden decor, and accent wallpaper with prints of leaves, here are five ways to transform your home into a coastal retreat.

Here are a few pieces to get your coastal retreat started.

Interested in replicating this coastal aesthetic? A new release of homes is coming to Canals in February 2024, providing you with the perfect opportunity to bring this design style to life.

Feeling inspired? Check out these tips to maximize every space in your home and learn how to style your fireplace and mantel like a designer.

Images courtesy of: Amazon (HB Velvet Pillow Covers — Blue); Structube (Rodney Lamp); Etsy (Humpback Whale Print); Wayfair (Louella Coffee Table, Hancock Upholstered Pouf); Houzz (Tropical Blue Palm Leaf Wallpaper Roll); Hovia (Whale Tale Mural Wallpaper); Anthropologie (Selena Rattan Shelving Unit).

When it comes to choosing a place to call home, it’s important to be strategic. You can find older homes on the market that have character and historical features, and ones that are brand new. However, when considering the wiser long-term choice, a compelling argument can be made in favor of purchasing a new home rather than an older, pre-owned one. And while several factors support this decision, one of the most apparent is being the home’s first occupant. However, there are times when personal schedules and construction timelines for new homes just don’t align. That’s when the need for Empire Express Homes was discovered.

Empire Express Homes provide all the advantages of new-build homes, just delivered within shorter time frames. Here are six reasons why Empire Express Homes are the premier choice for those looking for a fresh start:

Next, discover what to buy before or after you move into your new home, and learn how to read your home’s floor plan.

Natural stone, warm woods and neutral textured fabrics define this model home at Adelton in Bastrop, TX. Fit for an avid entertainer or those with small children, the Pecos floor plan boasts unique features that’ll impress. Learn more about how TRIO Design brought this transitional look to life and how their design team incorporated Texas limestone in the most unique ways.

The kitchen is one of the most well-loved spaces in the home — the movement of the Fantasy Brown granite on the island is the stand-out feature, pairing well with the neutral, ceramic-tile backsplash and warm-wood shaker cabinets. Black hardware and finishes were added for contrast, while under-cabinet lighting creates a high-end look and keeps the room bright.

The living room is a unique space for several reasons. For one, “putting Texas limestone on the walls next to the fireplace instead of on the fireplace is quite different than what is done in most homes,” says Liz Dulacki Eberhard of TRIO’s design team. Exposed brick beams on the ceiling is another coveted design choice to admire. Patterned pillows, window coverings and artwork are incorporated for additional interest, while two neutral couches and a sizable rug ground the room.

The game room is made up of crisp whites and soft grays, exuding a feeling of rest and relaxation. “The traditional box trim that carries through the stairs and loft is the highlight of this multi-purpose space,” says Liz. A bohemian-looking tee-pee and round-wooden table keep kids occupied and entertained, a TV makes it possible to watch the morning news or evening movies, and two comfortable chairs are used for reading. A black fan, window, and patio keep the space cool on summer nights.

Wall trim, streamlined pendant lights and more traditional furnishings make this bedroom a true transitional space. Black accents complement the room’s warm-toned pieces, while white bedding and neutral details keep the room from feeling overwhelming. A mix of metals is incorporated through the finishing touches, adding a subtle hint of shimmer to an otherwise neutral color scheme. Various patterns and textures create movement in the space, drawing attention to something new each time someone enters the room.

Next, discover four inspiring ways to design rooms to suit your needs and this Texas-Hill Country home with an entirely different look.

Step inside the Alpine model at River Reserve in Greer, SC and be transported to an open and inviting space that feels like a breath of fresh air. Clean lines, crisp whites and tasteful pops of color bring this timeless look to life.

“Traditional patterns, furniture and artwork were incorporated in a contemporary way to make the house feel homey and collected, yet fresh for a new buyer,” says designer Risa Burke of Unscripted Interior Design. Read on to learn more about the design process and the must-have pieces needed to replicate this traditional contemporary design style.

The Alpine was inspired by the revitalized homey aesthetic that’s trending — one which we often see in the work of Amber Interiors or Studio McGee. Luxe finishes such as white shaker cabinets, quartzite countertops, and gold hardware were used to make this room look and feel sophisticated. A black faucet and stainless steel appliances contrast the other design choices, while arched hallways and vintage-looking oil paintings give off a European feel.

The dining room is a showstopper — its teal blue accent wall on the ceiling, wainscoting panels and curated collage of artwork makes for a unique dining experience with something new to admire each time. Gold accents are continued in this space for cohesion, while a rustic wooden table is the center of attention. Two patterned chairs are set on each end of the table to tie all of the colors together, while a neutral, muted rug grounds the room.

High ceilings make the living room feel spacious while multiple windows with white sheer drapes allow for an abundance of natural light. With two white couches, a textured rug, a cool-wood coffee table, and multi-colored pillows, the space feels polished, but well lived-in. A fireplace and wooden mantel warms up the neutral color scheme and adds a sense of ambience, with another located in the morning room.

What’s not to love about this oversized bedroom? A mix of woods is used throughout, with gold-colored metals and light-green accents, creating an eclectic feel. “While the large, emerald-green chaise at the foot of the bed adds a luxe feel and makes the room stand out, the wallpaper is the focal point of the suite and a favorited part of the house,” says Burke. For the final touches, plush neutral bedding was added to complement the woven headboard while plants were set on each side of the bed for some additional visual interest.

What’s great about the Alpine floor plan is that it can be customized to you. Utilize the home’s flexible spaces to create the home of your dreams — whether you use one of the room’s for home workouts, arts and crafts, or an additional bedroom. “For this model, we were able to create individual areas for hobbies, working from home, kids’ activities, exercise, and formal and casual dining spaces,” says Burke. “This home is perfect for that new normal of everyday living where people have outlets from their work life to spend time with family and take time for themselves, all under one roof.”

Now that you’ve learned how to get this traditional contemporary design style, check out this contemporary modern farmhouse in Gastonia and designer-approved tips to maximize every space in your home.

We’re all reliant on tech, now more than ever. Think about it — we depend on it to tell us the weather forecast, to help us keep track of how long our food has been in the oven, to make phone calls from the car, or blast our favorite song from our soundbar. With smart technologies at the forefront of many parts of our day, we connected with the experts at HomePro to give us the latest on which tech upgrades are worth incorporating into your new home with Empire.

With more people turning to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu for entertainment, as well as many of us working from home, our priorities concerning tech have changed. As Vanessa Smith of the HomePro team explains, “while home protection has been and still is among the top considerations when it comes to smart home features, the stability, coverage and speed of people’s networks are just as important.” With HomePro, you can upgrade your home with a structured wiring system that streams and distributes various data signals throughout your home with ease, creating optimal network strength in frequently-used spaces like Empire’s zoom rooms. Some of the most-popular services we’re seeing homeowners opt for include:

• Smart home systems that interact with alarms, lights, locks, temperature controls, etc.
• Wireless access points
• Surveillance and doorbell cameras
• Central vacuum systems
• Surround-sound theater systems
• Whole-home audio systems and media streamers

Tech has shaped how we live and what we expect of our homes. From automatic lighting and video doorbells that alert you when a package is delivered to outdoor cameras, we’ve all grown accustomed to having these technologies in our homes. When you purchase a new home with Empire, you get access to all these tech upgrades and more provided by HomePro. The benefit? A seamless living experience.

From home protection items like cameras, monitored alarm systems and video doorbells to the fun stuff like surround sound, distributed audio and HD projectors that make for a movie theater experience, HomePro offers it all. Here’s Vanessa’s opinion on what you should allocate dollars to:

• For the budget-conscious: Prewire to support a strong WiFi network. “There are a lot of wireless options for home protection, audio and video, but if you don’t have a strong network, these devices won’t perform well,” she says. According to Vanessa, surveillance cameras are also a great place to start if you’re looking to focus on one area.
• For those with a bigger budget: Prewire for cameras or surround sound. “We have media and theater packages available to bring your at-home entertainment dreams to life,” says Vanessa. “You can also have a central vacuum system installed to make cleaning more convenient.”

HomePro is a Texas-based company which provides home security, entertainment and automation services. Working in collaboration with Empire Communities, their team is responsible for the installation and setup of smart technologies in your new home.

“We always start with the design of the tech infrastructure to make sure it complements how you live. Then, we start dreaming about the fun stuff,” says Vanessa. “Our team will customize your settings and programming just how you like, and make sure you have all the required applications to ensure you and your home are set up for success.”

Just bought a new home in Houston with Empire? Visit HomePro’s showroom at 10110 W Sam Houston Pkwy N to see what smart technology upgrades are available to you or get in touch with a member of their team.

Next, learn more about Empire’s stages of construction in Texas and what you need to know about our homebuying process.

Empire’s Belfountain model at Calderwood in Thorold is the modern farmhouse you’ve been dreaming of. Taking inspiration from where this special community resides, Helena Da Costa of interior design firm Twelveo5 created a look that zeros in on comfort — a place that makes you feel at home from the minute you walk through its front doors.

So, how did Helena achieve this modern farmhouse look? Using warm brown finishes from Empire’s Design Center, she took this new-build home and gave it a sense of warmth and coziness right from the start of her design process. Bold black accents were implemented afterwards through furnishings, artwork and accessories to add contrast against the home’s warm tones. Read on to learn how warm wood textures, brown leathers, black metals and crisp white paint all work together to create this modern farmhouse design.

The Kitchen

When designing, Helena’s goal was to ensure that the aesthetic was consistent so the entire home felt like one cohesive space. To achieve that, she incorporated the same tones throughout all areas of the home, opting for warm woods in the kitchen, and darker hardware, countertops, and appliances. Two pendant lights are suspended from the ceiling, featuring a mix of wood and metal, with a square-tile backsplash adding subtle texture and dimension. 

Just off the kitchen, a wall-mounted desk and craft space makes use of a smaller space where traditional furniture might not fit. The result? A more organized and efficient area for kids’ creative endeavours, whether it be painting, drawing, or playing games.

The Dining Area

Designed for the modern entertainer, the dining room provides ample space for gathering and hosting dinners. Banquette seating complements the room’s black dining table, maximizing space and function. “Adding built-in bench seating along the exterior wall frees up floor space,” says Da Costa. “This creates a more spacious feel in the room which allows you to accommodate more guests than with traditional dining chairs.” Neutral woven chairs and patterned pillows add texture to the space, while a grey runner and candlesticks are incorporated for visual interest.

The Living Room

The living room’s fireplace is the focal point of the room and is a great addition to this open floor plan. Providing an immediate sense of warmth, it anchors the space and creates a natural gathering area for residents. A black feature wall adds interest to an otherwise neutral room, while an L-shaped leather couch adds another element of warmth and comfort. Sheer white curtains allow an abundance of light into the room, with pot lights and a standing lamp illuminating the space in the evening.

The Primary Bedroom

A true retreat, the primary bedroom provides a comfortable and relaxing space to unwind. Featuring soft curtains, plush bedding and soothing colours, this room exudes a feeling of calm. A patterned rug grounds the space, bringing together the room’s dark and light hues. The room’s rustic light fixtures and furniture pieces complement each other well.

The Secondary Bedroom

Designed with kids in mind, the Belfountain’s secondary bedroom is both playful and functional. Elements like patterned wallpaper, textured artwork and patterned rugs were incorporated into the space, while leaving ample room for kids to grow into. Storage solutions like shelving and baskets help keep the space clutter-free, housing items like books, toys, and other belongings.

Interested in exploring some of the other homes Helena has designed? Check out this modern chic home at Calderwood in Thorold or this timeless contemporary suite at Empire Maven in Toronto. Ready to begin your new home journey? Explore our new homes for sale in Southwestern Ontario.