There’s something unmistakably romantic about a home that feels storied before anyone’s even moved in. That was Erica’s challenge—and opportunity—when designing her latest Parade Home: a European-inspired modern residence with French leanings, crafted entirely without a client. No preferences to cater to, no Pinterest boards to follow—just the freedom (and responsibility) to create a space that felt personal, grounded, and instantly livable.
“It’s a balance,” Erica explains. “You want it to feel elevated, but never empty. So much of that comes down to how it’s finished.”
Designing for a Fictional Family
When there's no client, how do you make a house feel like a home? Erica's answer: details. “We fully furnish and stage every space with real life in mind. Soap pumps at the sinks. Hand towels hung. Full, cozy bedding sets. Art on the walls—not just mirrors. These are the pieces that make a house feel lived in, even if it’s brand new.”
The result is a home that doesn’t just photograph beautifully—it feels complete. Like someone just stepped out for coffee.
A Love Letter to French Modern
While this home shares the European-inspired foundation of Erica’s previous Parade project, its point of view is distinctly more French. “We blended modern fixtures and clean slab details with soft French elements—tilework, vintage-inspired landscapes, a more romantic color palette,” she says.
It’s a delicate mix: sculptural lighting paired with aged finishes, sharp edges softened by arched doorways and subtly layered textures. The effect is both fresh and familiar.
Letting the Home Breathe
Erica's signature warmth is found throughout—never overdone, always intentional. “We added life through plants, layered textiles, and wood accents. Even in a brand-new home, those materials ground everything.”
The house unfolds softly, room by room, each space a study in contrast: structured yet inviting, minimal but textured, elegant without an ounce of coldness.
The Pivot That Paid Off
No project is without its challenges. Midway through the design process, Erica was forced to rethink her stone slab selections for the kitchen island and great room. What could have been a disappointment turned out to be a defining moment.
“We ended up choosing a different slab—a Taj Mahal quartzite—and it changed everything,” she says. “It brought this warmth and richness that the space didn’t even know it needed.”
The Detail She’d Steal
When asked what she’d bring home if she could, Erica doesn’t hesitate. “The ceiling detail in the kitchen and dining area—I wish I could copy and paste that into my own home. And that quartzite? I’d take it in a heartbeat.”
It’s a testament to how deeply personal even a client-less home can become when every choice is made with care.
If This Home Could Speak…
Three words Erica would use to describe the finished project?
Livable. Warm. Detailed.
And for a home without a family, it’s already full of heart.