Your Home Needs More Than a Builder
When you think about remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or entire home, chances are you’re imagining new layouts, fresh colors, textures, furniture, and finishes. But here’s something most SE Michigan homeowners don’t realize until it’s too late:
Your remodel doesn’t fail because of bad products — it fails because of poor communication between design and construction.
That’s exactly why the latest episode of Hire It Done felt like a breath of fresh air. Adam Helfman sat down with **Veronica Simmons of **Simmons + Co. Design, a women-owned design-build remodeling firm based in Commerce Township. They specialize in full-home renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, decorative finishes, and custom window treatments — but most importantly, they offer design, construction, and décor in one place.
And when you’re investing tens of thousands of dollars into your home, that “one place” matters more than you think.
Why Design-Build Works Better
Design-build isn’t just a trend. It solves real pain points that SE Michigan homeowners face every single year: miscommunication, mismatched finishes, uncoordinated schedules, and blown budgets caused by separate designers, architects, and contractors who don’t talk to one another.
As Veronica explained, her team handles everything:
“From concept to completion down to the last toilet paper holder… we’re thinking about all of this from jump.”
You don’t have to chase down a designer for colors, a builder for timelines, and a décor specialist for furniture placement. With design-build, you get one team, one vision, one point of accountability.
A Holistic Approach to Your Home
Design, Construction, and Furnishings Aligned
Simmons + Co. doesn’t just hand you drawings and walk away. They design your space and execute it — all the way to pillows, lighting, textiles, area rugs, and case goods. That holistic mindset leads to better results because the team is thinking of your finished space from day one.
Veronica explained it perfectly:
“We want to make sure the pillows match the wainscoting, and the paint color is coordinated with the area rug.”
That level of detail is why homeowners who want polished, finished spaces end up happier with design-build than with traditional contracting.
Turnkey From A to Z
Most contractors leave after painting. A design-build contractor finishes the job after the furniture arrives, when the artwork is hung, and when your space genuinely feels complete. That’s a huge value-add for homeowners who want a home that feels intentional and cohesive.
Why Communication Makes or Breaks Your Project
Your Contractor Should Lead the Process
Renovations get messy. Decisions snowball. Unexpected discoveries happen behind every wall. And the truth is, homeowners shouldn’t be expected to know how those decisions connect.
As Adam pointed out:
“The nucleus of the entire process is communication.”
When your designer, builder, and trades all operate separately, communication becomes the first casualty — and your project suffers for it.
Design-build fixes that because everyone is on the same plan, working toward the same design intent.
Small Mistakes Become Big Problems
Veronica illustrated this with a perfect example: electrical rough-ins that look correct but are placed off-center.
“Somebody has to be thinking about where we’re trying to get to… it’s not really the electrician’s job.”
A good design-build contractor catches these issues before drywall goes up — not after you’ve lived with a crooked layout for two years.
Trends SE Michigan Homeowners Should Know
Curves, Warm Tones & Organic Spaces
During her latest visit to High Point Market, Veronica noticed a big shift:
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Curved edges
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Softer lines
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Muted tones: clay, Sienna, sage
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Organic, nature-inspired materials
These trends pair perfectly with Michigan’s seasonal lifestyle — cozy in the winter, airy in the summer.
And if you’re a fan of green? Good news:
“Green is still hot… bright green or soft green, we’re seeing a lot of it.”
Dining Rooms Are Going Away
Dining rooms used to be the “special occasion” space.
Now? They collect mail, coats, and clutter.
Veronica sees SE Michigan homeowners doing one thing consistently:
“Nobody wants a dining room anymore… we’re expanding the kitchen into the dining room.”
More people want storage, functionality, dual islands, and open layouts — not formal eating areas they use three times a year.
Outdoor Spaces Will Surge in 2025–2026
Post-COVID lifestyles created a spike in home office, kitchen, and interior remodels. Now the trend is shifting outside.
Outdoor kitchens, seating areas, covered patios, heaters, fire features, and exterior screens are on the rise.
Veronica predicts:
“We’re going to see more outdoor spaces… people want the inside and outside to feel connected.”
With Michigan’s shorter warm seasons, maximizing outdoor living has become a priority.
What the “Right Homeowner” Looks Like
If You Want Design-Build to Work For You…
Not every homeowner is an ideal match for design-build. Veronica described her best clients as:
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Homeowners who want a complete vision
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People who trust the process
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Clients who want cohesive colors, textures, and finishes
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Homeowners who value expertise and want turnkey services
If you prefer to micromanage every single tiny detail, design-build might overwhelm you — not because it’s limiting, but because it’s meant to free you from decision fatigue.
Why Start Planning Now
Here’s something most SE Michigan homeowners don’t realize:
If you want a major renovation done in 2026, you need to start planning now.
Simmons + Co. is already booking into 2026, and that’s true for many high-end renovation firms.
Early planning gives you:
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Clear budget expectations
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Space planning options
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Time to select materials without rushing
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Proper scheduling with trades
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A smoother construction phase
That’s exactly why hiring early — and hiring design-build — saves you stress, time, and money.
When to Call Simmons + Co. Design
If you’re planning:
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A kitchen remodel
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A bathroom remodel
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A whole-home renovation
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An open-concept conversion
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An outdoor living upgrade
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A design-forward interior makeover
This is the kind of project where design-build shines. Simmons + Co. handles your drawings, plans, construction, finishes, and furniture — all with one team holding the entire vision together.
And as Veronica said:
“If you find us one way, we’ll find you back.”
You’re never navigating anything alone.
Final Thoughts
Design-build isn’t just a different approach — it’s a better one for SE Michigan homeowners who want a high-quality remodel without the stress of coordinating multiple professionals.
When the same team handles your layout, finishes, construction, and décor, your home simply turns out better. More cohesive. More functional. More beautiful. And far more “you.”
If you’re ready to upgrade how your home looks and feels, a design-build expert like Simmons + Co. is where you start.
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About Hire It Done:
Hire It Done is a trusted resource for navigating the home improvement process, led by industry expert Adam Helfman. Focused on educating homeowners, Hire It Done provides key questions to ask contractors, especially those they may avoid answering. Through its weekly national radio show, Hire It Done offers practical advice and connects homeowners with elite contractors for a hassle-free experience. The platform has become a go-to for homeowners seeking expert guidance and reliable contractors.
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About Adam Helfman:
Adam Helfman has been Metro Detroit's trusted home improvement expert for over 35 years. As the founder of Hire It Done, he’s connected homeowners with top-quality contractors for two decades. Adam's popular Saturday morning home improvement radio show has been a go-to resource for Metro Detroiters for 18 years.
With his extensive industry experience, he knows the critical questions homeowners need to ask. Including those contractors often avoid. Tune in to hear how you can hire the right pro and avoid costly mistakes.
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