Discover the 7 most common mistakes that can sabotage your new build—and find out exactly how to sidestep them for a home that’s timeless, functional, and beautiful.
Watch today’s video for expert tips and real-life solutions that could save you thousands, plus the peace of mind of getting it right from the start. Don’t start your project without these insider secrets!
How to avoid mistakes in your new build project
Who is building a home very soon? Or maybe you’re in the middle of a new build right now?
We are in the middle of a huge trend shift and when that happens, the old and the new often get mixed together in the same new kitchen or house and I’m here to help so that you don’t end up with a house that has to be renovated every 10 years.
⬇️ Find out which winners were chosen for the Styling School bundle at the end of this post!
This conversation is also happening inside my True Colour Insider Community!
One of my members posted this image the other day with this comment (below):

“This trend is for luxury homeowners who can hire an architect and designer to pull-off a dramatic, editorial kitchen and will be will renovated every 3-5 years. Applied in an average kitchen by a DIY designer or homebuilder looking to “elevate” a project will (95% of the time) end in a hideous disaster people can’t wait to rip out. Those that fancy viola marble should embrace the look through accessories. Their budget and future selves/future homeowners will thank them.”
You read it here first. And for once, not written by me either 🙂
But before you watch this week’s video… here’s a little reminder:
You don’t have to tackle your home projects alone!
If you are decorating, renovating or building, you don’t have to do it alone, join my community here.
And it’s not too late to jump into the FINAL Create Your Dream Home virtual training next week (that means you can join us from your sofa).
You’ll get step-by-step systems and personal feedback to make every colour, finish, and design decision with confidence and clarity—before your project even begins. We will not be doing this course again, this is the best price for the extreme value that you will get.
There’s something powerful about being in a course rather than reading countless articles and watching random videos. Attending this live training puts you months ahead: you’ll avoid all the classic pitfalls, have solutions tailored to your specific vision, and save a fortune by getting it right the first time.
Get direct guidance, and walk away with a plan you’ll feel great about—no more spinning your wheels or settling for “good enough.” Spots are limited and this is the last time it will be offered, so take the leap and set yourself up for a stunning, timeless result in 2026. Register here.
And because this training is delivered live, you get the results and transformation immediately. Most people would never consume 15 hours of content on their own (event if you could watch it whenever you wanted).
How to avoid the 7 most common new build mistakes
🎉🎁 WINNERS 🎉🎁
We have our winners!
I’m so thrilled to announce the five lucky readers who’ll be diving into my Styling School Bundle!
If this is you, please email [email protected] to claim your prize!
Jackie (j****[email protected])
Janet L. (j*****[email protected])
Lynne M. (l****_*******[email protected])
Patti E. (p*****[email protected])
Beckie G. (B****[email protected])
Thank you ALL for sharing what you’ve learned from me—it truly means so much. Your comments and stories inspire me every single day, and I am grateful for every one of you who took the time to join our giveaway.
As a designer of serene California homes, I have been shocked by the embrace of large bold slabs used on walls in small kitchens (even large ones.)
I love natural stone, but I am not happy with the misuse of it recently.
Congrats Winners!!!! SSOOOOO excited for you,
Whoop Whoop!! 😁😁
Long time follower here. I really do appreciate all of your content, but I am curious why you never cover door hardware – both finishes & styles (and I don’t mean kitchen cabinet doors, I mean exterior & interior doors in the home)? While I realize that some people need to be hit over the head to get through to them LOL, I feel like I am seeing the same content repackaged over and over – ex. grey floors, black kitchen hardware, black windows, white paint, etc. Could you please (pretty please) do one on door hardware (both interior & exterior and finishes & style)? Thank you Maria!
Thank you, thank you for all your free content! I have also purchased your classes and color boards, but so look forward to the continued blog posts and education. I appreciate that there is some repetition of concepts, as it is necessary for those of us that are not naturals. Seeing the same concept in different situations helps me to master it. You are doing a great good by helping to extinguish unstainable and wasteful trendy remodeling, and are making our lives more beautiful. 🙂