I am an architect with a true love for designing beautiful residences. I moved to Annapolis from Chicago, where I ran my own boutique architecture firm for 21 years, producing high-end residential and multifamily designs throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. My wife Tracie is an interior designer, and we have two children in grade school. My other passions are oil painting landscapes and photography.
2. Tell us about your architectural design journey. How did you get started and how did you get here?
I started my design journey in Miami, right out of college, designing homes in the constraints of that unique climate and aesthetic. I then found myself in the Midwest, designing in the more traditional and historic character of Chicago. Over the years, my work has branched out nationally and in the Caribbean, with every coming year bringing a new path, more design knowledge, and deeper experience under my belt. My architectural design journey is always evolving, building on every design I’ve created before.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy?
I would describe my design philosophy as rooted in traditional precedent, with a focus on creating updated environments for today’s lifestyles, with open, well-lit spaces that enhance the way my clients live. I believe that experiencing a well-designed space can always make your day better.
4. How do you work with a client to understand their needs?
I truly feel it’s important to listen more than you speak. As a project takes shape, I want my client to grow in the journey as well, resulting in a home that truly meets their needs. It is also important for me to take into consideration my past designs, what I learned from seeing how they are lived in, and the learnings of my overall life experiences. A great example of this is raising children – this experience has been immeasurable in understanding how to develop design solutions that create successful family spaces.
5. What is the best advice you have ever received (either personally or professionally)?
The best advice I ever received was to always be yourself – both in your designs and in your life – and to be an advocate for both your client’s budget and their dreams throughout the journey.
6. What inspires you?
I am inspired by historic design details found in older homes that have stood the test of time and provide a glimpse into the craftsmanship of bygone eras, and the evolution of new takes on our built environment that reimagine the architecture that we live in.
7. What is your favorite architectural design book?
Coming out of Chicago, I have always been fascinated with the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, not only for his designs, but more importantly, for the awe of realizing just how ahead of his time he was. The Frank Lloyd Wright Monograph Series is a fantastic book series showcasing his work. Unfortunately, it is out of print, but I am always looking for copies that come up for sale!
8. Which architectural design rule or concept do you refer to over and over?
While there are plenty of tested guidelines that have stood the test of time, I feel proportion and scale are elements of design that if applied correctly, will carry through to the successful detailing of any style of architecture. When people look at structures they don’t like but can’t quite pinpoint why, it is often the misuse of these elements that are the underlying cause of the unease.
9. In your opinion, what is one thing that will never go out of style?
I feel that symmetry is the one thing that will never go out of style. There will always be an opportunity in architecture to bring order and balance to chaos.
10. What are five things you can’t live without right now?
The five things I currently can’t live without are my family, for whom I am making this journey, a good book I can get lost in at the end of a day, virtual meetings, which have brought us all a new way to more easily connect to a global market, my iPad, which has become an indispensable design tool, and steamed blue crabs, my favorite food!
Tell us about yourself. I am originally from the suburbs of Baltimore, splitting my summers between the Delaware beaches and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I grew up surrounded by family heirlooms and and my mother’s exuberant flair for maximalism, where “more is more” was never enough! I have a love of bright colors and patterns and strive to bring the same joy into each of my projects.
Tell us about your design journey. How did you get started and how did you get here? After earning a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from The Art Institute, I took an internship at a small boutique firm in Baltimore where I was inspired by the historic homes of Roland Park, the preservation of their unique qualities, and the endeavor to be true to their traditional origins.
From there, I held roles in the merchandising of showrooms and retail stores and ultimately transitioned to a corporate role, designing for a high-end furniture and fabric vendor. It was during this time that I fell in love with the design process and couldn’t get enough of it! Being surrounded by luxury textiles, avant-garde wallpaper, and more furniture frames to select from than I knew what to do with, I realized my passion was for residential design, where I could bring my knowledge of pattern layering, mixing of scale, and love of color to my clients’ homes.
How would you describe your design ethos? More is more, is more!
Alex’s Maximalism mood board illustrates the design aesthetic she enjoys in her own home.
How do you work with a client to define their needs? What questions do you ask to determine the final look and feel of a space? I first want to understand how my clients plan to use each space – do they love to entertain? Or do they enjoy spending time with family conversing or gathering around a large screen to watch the game? How do they live their daily life, are they the type of family that wants to snuggle with their pet on the sofa, or are they lovers of red wine? These are all aspects that will inform how furniture should be laid out, the size and scale of each piece, and the fabric selections.
I am a firm believer that it is so important to balance comfort with design details. Although I enjoy encouraging my clients to go above and beyond in their design decisions, I want to make sure that they are not afraid to actually use the space either.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, either personally or professionally? Life if not a dress rehearsal. You have to work hard for what you want, go after your dreams, and learn from your mistakes.
What inspires you? Everything inspires me… it could be an outfit of someone walking down the street, the décor of a beautiful restaurant, the way the light hits the side of a building, or a piece of artwork from a local artist.
Which design “rule” or idea do you refer to over and over? There are no rules. Design a space that makes you happy and that you want to live in everyday! I make an effort to design each space specifically to the needs of the client, balancing design and function. Each space should feel curated, lived in, and welcoming – just like your favorite pair of denim. To achieve this feeling, I like to balance the new with the old.
Any tried-and-true design advice? You can never have too many pieces of “legged” furniture in a space, and always watch the size and scale of your furniture!
Alex’s Hunt Country vision board showcases the rustic sophistication many of our clients seek in their mountain or horse farm properties.
In your opinion, what’s the one thing that will never go out of style? I truly think that blue and white décor will never go out of style. Think blue and white ginger jars, a classic navy blue sofa, and the crispness of fresh white linens. Blue and white have been a staple in the design industry for years and will continue to be for years to come. This aesthetic does not fit a “trend” that will stamp in time when a space was designed, but rather will always be classic and timeless.
What are five things you can’t live without right now? Dirty martinis, my poodle puppy Jonathan, my monthly subscription to Elle Décor and Veranda, my iPad, and the smell of the air just before it snows.
I am an architect with a passion for the study and practice of traditional, classical, and modern residential architecture. I grew up in the New York City area, met and married my high school sweetheart and have three amazing children. Although architecture touches almost every aspect of my life, my second passion is cooking – I love to share meals with my family and friends!
2. Tell us about your architectural design journey. How did you get started and how did you get here?
My architectural journey started way back in the first grade! I saw a picture of the Taj Mahal in a book about India – I remember being captivated by it; I began to draw it and study its shapes and interesting forms. I have continued that process of drawing and studying architecture to this day. I was introduced to the work of Purple Cherry Architects through social and print media. The beauty and elegance of the projects and the visions that Cathy and her team have created inspired me instantly.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy?
My design philosophy is rooted in the study of architectural history. I love learning from the masterworks of the past; often solutions for design problems can come from this inspiration. I love the axial arrangements of Beaux-Arts architecture, and because of this I try to incorporate longer and thinner compositions into my design work. It creates connections through rooms and infuses natural light to all aspects of the plans.
4. How do you work with a client to understand their needs?
To truly connect with a client, you have to be a dedicated listener. Listening carefully to their thoughts, ideas, vision, and dreams creates a magical relationship where beautiful designs can be brought to life! I also hand sketch while we are meeting to quickly test ideas and design concepts.
5. What is the best advice you have ever received (either personally or professionally)?
Treat every person you meet as if they are the most important person in the world.
6. What inspires you?
Architecturally, history and older homes of the past inspire me. They have so many interesting and quiet lessons to teach if you slow down, pay attention, and listen. Personally, I am inspired by my family and my faith.
7. What is your favorite architectural design book?
To an architectural book collector, this is an impossible question to answer. But if I had to choose, there would be two: A Monograph of the Work of Mellor, Meigs & Howe from the 1920’s and Robert A.M.Stern Buildings and Projects 1987-1992. A Monograph of the Work of Mellor, Meigs & Howe is so amazing and it teaches me something every time I open it! They brilliantly combined elements of English country houses and French farmhouses into picturesque and uniquely American compositions. RobertA.M. Stern Buildings and Projects 1987-1992 was my first and most important book in my architectural collection. The work depicted had such a profound impact on me and taught me about so many architects that were inspirational to Mr. Stern — I will be forever grateful for his inspiration and in admiration for his talent and knowledge of history.
8. Which architectural design rule or concept do you refer to over and over?
While each project is unique, I think I try to create plans and elevations that are more linear or axial in their compositions. Thinner buildings have more picturesque rooflines and allow natural light to touch more of the plan. I also try to incorporate distinctive vertical elements that define important plan changes (such as stair towers and turrets). Porches tend to add layers of indoor/outdoor “rooms” which help anchor a house to the landscape and gardens.
9. In your opinion, what is one thing that will never go out of style?
Honest materials like real stone, real heavy wood timber, and slate roofs will never go out of style as they tend to look a little better as they age — the patina that makes you want to hand down a home to a future generation.
10. What are five things you can’t live without right now?
1. I love to read English literature, so any work from Dickens or the Bronte sisters. I am currently reading Bleak House by Charles Dickens.
2. Derwent Graphitint Pencils – I love sketching with them.
3. Moleskine soft cover plain journals travel with me everywhere.
4. National Hockey League playoff games. I am a huge fan of the New York Rangers!
Selecting interior paint colors is one of the most exciting moments in designing a custom home, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. While many homeowners want to begin with paint, our interior designers often save those final color selections until much later in the design process. The reason is simple: the most successful interiors are built around a cohesive palette of architectural materials, furnishings, lighting, and finishes—not the other way around.
Whether you’re building a luxury custom home, renovating an existing residence, or refreshing a single room, these seven principles will help you make paint selections that feel timeless, intentional, and beautifully integrated with your home’s overall design.
1. Exercise Your Patience. Believe it or not, paint is one of the last interior design decisions we make—and it is usually one of our clients’ first questions at the beginning of the design process.
Just like you can box yourself into a corner, you can also box yourself into a design by choosing a paint color too early. Selecting an exact paint color before cabinetry, flooring, countertops, tile, lighting, furnishings, and fabrics have been finalized limits the possibilities for creating a cohesive interior.
Instead, we prefer to establish the overall feeling and color palette first. Do our clients gravitate toward warm neutrals, soft whites, earthy tones, or richer, moodier interiors? Once the major interior design selections have been made, we have thousands of beautiful paint colors available to perfectly complement the home’s architecture and finishes rather than forcing every other decision to work around one early choice.
2. Do Your Research – It’s Worth It. The more inspiration you gather, the more confident you’ll be in your final selections.
Pinterest, Houzz, architecture websites, interior design publications, and luxury home photography are wonderful resources for discovering the types of spaces you’re naturally drawn to. As you collect inspiration, pay attention not only to what looks beautiful, but also to how each space makes you feel.
Do you gravitate toward warm whites and creamy neutrals? Are cooler gray palettes more appealing? Maybe you’re drawn to bold, saturated colors or dramatic accent walls.
The next question is just as important: Can you imagine living in that space every day?
Color has an incredible impact on how a home feels. Many homeowners are initially attracted to cool gray interiors because they photograph beautifully, yet ultimately discover they prefer warmer tones once they imagine living in those spaces. Understanding your emotional response to color is every bit as important as understanding the color itself.
3. Understand How Paint Colors Transition Throughout Your Home One of the most overlooked aspects of interior paint selection is understanding how colors transition from room to room.
The architectural layout of your home, ceiling heights, natural light, window placement, and overall floor plan all influence how a paint color will appear. A color that looks beautiful in one room may feel completely different in another simply because of changing light conditions.
Our architecture and interior design teams spend a great deal of time studying these transitions. In today’s increasingly popular open-concept floor plans, long sightlines make continuity especially important. Rather than introducing unnecessary visual interruptions with numerous wall colors, we often specify fewer paint colors throughout the main living areas.
This allows your eye to move naturally through the home while appreciating the architecture, millwork, furnishings, and carefully selected materials without feeling visually interrupted. A cohesive whole-home color palette creates a calmer, more timeless environment.
4. Don’t Forget the Trim and Ceilings. Walls aren’t the only surfaces that deserve thoughtful consideration.
In many of our luxury residential projects, we recommend painting the trim and ceiling the same color using different paint sheens. This subtle approach creates continuity while still allowing each surface to perform differently.
Understanding how trim travels throughout the home is especially important. It is not uncommon for us to specify one trim color—and often one ceiling color—for the entire residence. This consistency creates visual harmony from room to room and simplifies future maintenance.
The kitchen is a perfect example. Many homeowners are drawn to timeless white cabinetry, and when that cabinetry closely coordinates with the trim color, the result feels elegant, intentional, and enduring rather than trendy.
5. Let Your Existing Material Palette Guide You By the time paint colors are selected, the design has already begun telling you where to go.
Cabinet finishes, natural stone, hardwood flooring, tile, fabrics, rugs, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and furnishings all contribute to the home’s established palette. Paint should support those materials—not compete with them.
When we design a home, every finish is selected to work together harmoniously. That means the ideal paint color is usually already hiding within the palette we’ve created.
If you’d still like to introduce a touch of personality, consider adding color in thoughtful ways. A pale blue ceiling, richly textured wallpaper, or an accent space can add visual interest while maintaining the home’s overall balance.
One of our favorite starting points continues to be Benjamin Moore’s OC Collection, which offers a beautiful range of timeless whites and soft neutral paint colors that work exceptionally well in luxury residential interiors.
6. Brush Up on Paint Sheens. Choosing the correct paint sheen is just as important as selecting the right color.
A simple rule of thumb is:
Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss = Everything in between
Flat = No shine
High Gloss = Maximum shine
Generally speaking, the higher the sheen, the more durable and washable the finish becomes. However, increased gloss also highlights imperfections in drywall and surface preparation.
It’s also important to remember that sheen levels vary slightly between paint manufacturers, so always review the manufacturer’s specifications before making a final decision.
Our General Sheen Recommendations:
Ceilings: Flat paint provides a soft finish that minimizes imperfections and reduces glare.
Trim: Satin or semi-gloss remain our preferred choices. While semi-gloss has traditionally been the industry standard, we’re increasingly specifying satin because it beautifully highlights millwork while offering a softer, more contemporary appearance.
Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms: These spaces benefit from increased durability and moisture resistance. Eggshell or satin wall finishes provide added protection while avoiding the highly reflective appearance of glossier paints.
7. Sample, Sample, Sample (Then Sample Again). When it comes to paint, larger samples always produce better results.
Rather than relying on a small paint chip, we recommend painting at least a 5′ x 5′ section of wall. Even better, sample multiple walls within the same room. Paint colors change dramatically depending on the direction of natural light, the time of day, surrounding finishes, and even the weather outside.
Whenever possible, live with your samples for several days. View them in the morning, afternoon, evening, and under artificial lighting. Observe them when you’re actually using the room.
Don’t be discouraged if your first sample isn’t perfect. It is completely normal—and often expected—to go through multiple rounds before finding the ideal color.
After all, paint is one of the final details that brings an entire home together. Taking the time to choose thoughtfully ensures your interior feels cohesive, timeless, and uniquely your own for years to come.
Designing a custom home is about so much more than creating floor plans. It is a collaborative journey that transforms ideas into thoughtfully designed spaces where families will gather, celebrate milestones, and create memories for generations.
For us, architecture has never been simply a profession—it is a creative process rooted in listening, problem-solving, and bringing each client’s vision to life. Every project begins with a conversation and evolves through a series of thoughtful decisions that balance lifestyle, architecture, interior design, site conditions, craftsmanship, and construction.
Whether you’re building a luxury waterfront home, a mountain retreat, a countryside estate, or renovating an existing residence, a successful architectural process is built on collaboration from the very beginning.
From the initial inquiry through construction completion, our role is to guide clients through each stage of the custom home design process while providing clarity, creativity, and confidence along the way.
Every Great Home Begins with a Conversation
The exciting design journey begins long before the first floor plan is drawn.
An architect can help with nearly every aspect of designing and building a home—from evaluating potential properties and determining the ideal home orientation to developing floor plans, creating 3D visualizations, coordinating consultants, assisting during construction, and selecting the finishing details that ultimately make a house feel like home.
Along the way, architects become trusted advisors, creative partners, and problem-solvers. We help clients imagine possibilities they may never have considered while identifying opportunities and challenges before construction even begins.
Initial Introduction & Consultation
Every project begins with listening.
During the initial consultation, the client and a member of our team discuss the project’s overall goals, budget, timeline, and vision. We learn about the client’s lifestyle, architectural preferences, functional needs, and inspiration while introducing our collaborative approach to custom residential architecture.
Following this conversation, one of our principals works closely with the client to further define project goals, answer questions, and identify the most appropriate next steps.
Site Visit
Every exceptional home begins with understanding the land.
The site visit allows our architects to study the property’s unique characteristics—including topography, natural light, mature trees, surrounding views, existing structures, and opportunities for outdoor living.
Just as importantly, it gives clients the opportunity to get to know our team. Designing a custom home is an incredibly collaborative process, and establishing a strong architect-client relationship from the beginning is one of the foundations of a successful project.
Following the site visit, we prepare a detailed Letter of Proposal outlining our understanding of the project, anticipated scope of work, architectural services, and associated professional fees, along with the AIA Owner-Architect Agreement.
Kick-Off Meeting & Programming
Once the project officially begins, we dive deeper into understanding how our clients want to live.
Programming is one of the most important phases of residential architecture because it establishes the functional roadmap for the home. During this collaborative working session, we discuss room relationships, ideal room sizes, entertaining preferences, family routines, storage needs, future flexibility, and long-term lifestyle goals.
Clients often share inspiration through Pinterest boards, Houzz collections, photographs, travel experiences, and favorite architectural styles. These conversations help us understand not only what clients like aesthetically, but why they are drawn to particular spaces.
Through sketches, diagrams, and collaborative discussion, the home’s vision begins to take shape.
Schematic Design
This is where ideas become architecture.
During Schematic Design, our team develops the initial freehand floor plans, site concepts, and exterior elevations that establish the home’s overall organization, scale, and architectural character.
Because this phase is highly collaborative, ongoing client feedback is essential. A clearly defined wish list and open communication allow the design to evolve efficiently while ensuring the home reflects the client’s lifestyle and priorities.
The result is a strong architectural concept that serves as the foundation for every subsequent phase.
Design Development & Construction Documents
Once the schematic design has been approved, the project moves into Design Development.
Here, the conceptual sketches evolve into a comprehensive architectural design. Our team develops detailed construction drawings while simultaneously building a three-dimensional Revit model that allows clients to better visualize their future home.
The construction document set includes floor plans, exterior elevations, building sections, framing plans, architectural details, specifications, and all of the information necessary for permitting and construction.
As the design develops, many clients also choose to expand our involvement into interior architecture and interior design.
Depending on each project’s scope, we can assist with:
Interior finish selections
Kitchen and cabinetry design
Tile layouts and pattern design
Countertop material selection
Flooring selection
Lighting design and decorative fixtures
Plumbing fixture selections
Furniture layouts and furnishings
Upholstery, rugs, and accessories
Window treatments
Custom built-ins and millwork
Artwork selection and placement
Our goal is to create a cohesive home where the architecture and interiors feel thoughtfully connected from the very beginning.
Coordination with Consultants
Designing a custom home is a team effort.
Throughout the design process, we coordinate closely with trusted consultants, including structural and civil engineers, landscape architects, interior designers, lighting designers, audio-visual specialists, and other project professionals.
By bringing these disciplines together early, we create a more coordinated design process while minimizing surprises during construction.
Permit Coordination
Once construction documents have been completed, our team can coordinate the building permit submission process on the client’s behalf.
We work closely with local jurisdictions to help navigate permitting requirements, respond to plan review comments, and move the project toward construction as efficiently as possible.
Bidding Assistance
Selecting the right builder is one of the most important decisions in any custom home project.
When requested, we assist clients throughout the bidding process by preparing bid packages, distributing drawings to qualified contractors, reviewing proposals, evaluating references and portfolios, and helping identify the builder that is the best fit for both the project and the client.
Construction Administration
Our involvement doesn’t end when construction begins.
Throughout the construction phase, we continue working alongside both the client and contractor to help ensure the design is executed as intended.
Construction Administration services may include site visits, responding to contractor questions, reviewing shop drawings, evaluating change orders, reviewing applications for payment, refining architectural details, coordinating interior design decisions, preparing punch lists, and issuing the Certificate of Substantial Completion.
Remaining engaged throughout construction helps protect the integrity of the design while supporting a smoother building experience for everyone involved.
Creating Homes That Reflect the People Who Live There
Every architectural firm approaches the design process a little differently.
For us, success is measured by far more than completed drawings or finished homes. It is measured by the relationships we build, the trust we earn, and the homes we create together.
Architecture has the unique ability to shape how we experience daily life. Thoughtfully designed spaces encourage connection, inspire creativity, support well-being, and create lasting memories for generations.
At Purple Cherry Architecture & Interiors, we are passionate about creating homes that are as functional as they are beautiful. We believe the best projects emerge through collaboration—with our clients, our consultants, and the talented builders and craftspeople who transform ideas on paper into extraordinary places to live.
Because the design process isn’t simply about building a house.
It’s about creating a home that feels uniquely yours.
By Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED AP | Founding Principal, Purple Cherry Architecture & Interiors
Should you hire an architect?
It’s one of the first—and most important—questions homeowners ask when planning a custom home, major renovation, or home addition.
The answer is almost always yes.
Few people realize just how complex the design and construction process can be until they’re immersed in it. Building a home involves far more than selecting finishes or creating a floor plan. Every project requires balancing zoning regulations, building codes, site conditions, budgets, construction methods, engineering, permitting, and countless design decisions.
Like a snowflake, no two projects are exactly alike. Every property presents unique opportunities and challenges, and there is rarely a single, straightforward path from concept to completion.
An experienced residential architect is uniquely qualified to help guide that journey. From helping you evaluate a property before you purchase it to collaborating with builders throughout construction, an architect serves as your trusted advisor, creative partner, and advocate from beginning to end.
Architects See the Big Picture
Architects don’t simply design four walls and a roof.
They design homes that support the way people truly live.
Every decision—from the orientation of the home on the site to the placement of windows, the relationship between rooms, natural light, outdoor living spaces, and interior finishes—works together to create an experience that feels functional, timeless, and uniquely personal.
Whether you’re building a luxury custom home, renovating an existing residence, adding onto your home, or reimagining a vacation property, an architect helps transform ideas into spaces that are beautiful, efficient, and tailored to your lifestyle.
Working closely with contractors, engineers, interior designers, and specialty consultants, architects coordinate the many moving parts of a project so that each decision supports the larger vision.
Architects Are Professional Problem Solvers
Nearly every project begins with a simple need.
“We need a larger kitchen for entertaining.”
“Our family has outgrown the house.”
“We love our neighborhood, but our home no longer works for us.”
Those needs sound simple—but translating them into thoughtful architecture requires experience.
Architects are trained to solve problems creatively.
Rather than jumping directly to square footage, we ask deeper questions.
How does your family gather?
How do you entertain?
How do you want your home to feel?
How do you imagine living here five, ten, or twenty years from now?
The answers often lead to solutions homeowners never considered.
Perhaps the home can be expanded without sacrificing the backyard.
Perhaps the kitchen belongs somewhere entirely different.
Perhaps designing for aging in place today means avoiding costly renovations decades from now.
Perhaps simply reorienting the home captures extraordinary views and natural light that completely change how the house feels.
Great architecture isn’t about adding more.
It’s about creating better.
Good Design Can Save Money
One of the biggest misconceptions about hiring an architect is that architectural services are simply another project expense.
In reality, thoughtful design is often one of the smartest investments homeowners can make.
A well-planned home is typically more efficient to build because important decisions are made before construction begins, when changes are significantly less expensive.
Throughout the design process, ideas are explored, refined, and tested using detailed architectural drawings and three-dimensional Revit models. These tools allow clients to visualize their future home, evaluate design options, and make informed decisions long before materials are ordered or construction crews arrive on site.
Comprehensive construction documents also help contractors develop more accurate pricing, reduce uncertainty during bidding, and minimize costly surprises during construction.
Architects Design for Long-Term Value
A thoughtfully designed home continues delivering value long after construction has been completed.
Architects consider how a home will perform for years to come—not simply how it will look on move-in day.
Natural daylight, passive solar orientation, energy efficiency, durable materials, low-maintenance finishes, and timeless architectural design all contribute to a home that is more comfortable, less expensive to maintain, and more enjoyable to live in.
Architects also stay current with new building materials, construction technologies, lighting, flooring, cabinetry, paint systems, and sustainable design strategies. That knowledge allows homeowners to make informed decisions that balance beauty, durability, performance, and long-term cost.
An Architect Helps Protect Your Investment
The architect’s role doesn’t end once construction documents have been completed.
Many homeowners choose to retain their architect throughout construction to help ensure the design is executed as intended.
Construction Administration services may include reviewing shop drawings, answering contractor questions, visiting the site during construction, evaluating applications for payment, reviewing change orders, refining millwork details, assisting with interior finish selections, coordinating consultants, preparing punch lists, and issuing the Certificate of Substantial Completion.
Having an architect involved throughout construction provides an additional level of oversight and helps protect both the design and the homeowner’s investment.
Great Design Adds Lasting Value
Beautiful homes don’t simply feel better—they often perform better in the marketplace as well.
Thoughtful architecture, functional floor plans, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design contribute to stronger long-term resale value while creating spaces that remain relevant for decades rather than following short-lived trends.
A well-designed custom home is an investment that continues paying dividends every day it is lived in.
Peace of Mind Throughout the Journey
Designing and building a home is one of life’s most significant investments.
It can also feel overwhelming.
There are countless decisions to make, unexpected challenges to navigate, and moments when having an experienced professional in your corner makes all the difference.
An architect helps bring clarity to what can otherwise feel like a complicated process.
They listen.
They ask thoughtful questions.
They solve problems before they become expensive.
They coordinate with consultants and builders.
They advocate for your interests.
Most importantly, they help transform uncertainty into confidence.
More Than a Designer
At Purple Cherry Architecture & Interiors, we believe an architect is much more than someone who creates beautiful drawings.
We are collaborators, problem-solvers, planners, listeners, and trusted partners throughout the entire design journey.
Our goal isn’t simply to design exceptional homes.
It’s to create homes that reflect the people who live in them, support the lives they want to build, and become places they look forward to returning to every single day.
Because hiring an architect isn’t just about building a house.
It’s about creating a home that is thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted, and uniquely yours.
