E5 · Build
New Construction Finishes
Interior finish specifications and installation for new homes, alongside your builder or with M.B. Designs as the General.
Chapter 01
Where a new build loses its design
A new home starts with drawings and a lot of decisions that look small on paper: which floor runs through the main level, how deep the counter overhang goes, where the window treatments will hang. When those choices wait until the framing is finished, they get made fast, and fast choices read as default ones.
M.B. Designs lists construction planning, budget and space planning and material selection and installation together as what it specializes in. For new homes that means the finish decisions have a designer attached from the start instead of being left to whatever the schedule allows.
White farmhouse-style new home with lantern-topped stone pillars from the 2023 Tour of Homes
Working with your builder, or with M.B. Designs as the General
The studio's new client questionnaire asks one direct question: are you working with a contractor, or will M.B. Designs be the General? Either answer is fine. In the studio's words, they work with many contractors, each builder runs their business differently, and they are excited to work with clients whether they already have a builder or need to hire one.
The studio's under-construction page names some of the builders it has worked beside: Mark Helms Construction on homes in Chinook Pass and Yakima, Dale Turner Construction in Yakima, and WoodRidge Custom Homes in Suncadia.
The questionnaire also asks for every decision-maker in the household and the budget, with the line "DO NOT hold back! This relationship is based on trust." A designer then helps modify the wish-list to hit the right number.
Chapter 03
The Perry Tech partnership
For the 2019 Tour of Homes with Perry Technical Institute, the studio's account is specific: M.B. Designs provided and installed the interior finishes, and provided specifications for the exterior finishes, which others supplied.
The connection did not stop at the Tour. The gallery includes a Perry Tech House #7, and the studio's under-construction page lists a second Perry Tech Institute Tour of Homes in 2020. Melissa Brewer has also served on Perry Technical Institute's Construction & Carpentry Technology Program Advisory Committee.
Founded in 2011 by Melissa Brewer. Tour of Homes projects in 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2026. CWHBA 2023 Remodeler of the Year
E5Tour of Homes, in order
Four Tours, as the studio records them
2017
E5.1Tour
CWHBA Tour of Homes
The 2017 Central Washington Home Builders Association Tour of Homes appears on the studio's Featured page, the earliest Tour entry on the site.
2019
E5.2Tour
Tour of Homes with Perry Technical Institute
M.B. Designs provided and installed the interior finishes. The Tour of Homes with Perry Tech Institute made the cover of the CWHBA Homebuyer's Guide.
2023
E5.3Tour
660 Selah Creek
The gallery lists 660 Selah Creek as a 2023 Tour of Homes project. That December, Melissa Brewer received the CWHBA 2023 Remodeler of the Year award.
2026
E5.4Tour
Lust Tour of Homes
The studio's most recent Tour album is captioned "From Umph... To WOW!!!" and includes the Country Ln kitchen shown below.
E5+Also on the board
A1
Interior Design & 3D Renderings
Space and budget planning and 3D renderings, before the framing is up.
C3
Flooring, Countertops & Window Treatments
The finishes a new home is judged on, chosen in the showroom.
P
Project gallery
Tour of Homes projects and finished rooms from the studio's own albums.
Bring the plans, or the builder
Call to set up a studio appointment with a designer, Monday to Thursday.