CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING: MRCxEMD
Ellie Mroz Design offers construction consulting for homeowners renovating, remodeling, building an addition, or constructing a new custom home in New Jersey. Through the MRC x EMD collaboration with builder Michael Robert Construction, clients receive design guidance during the planning and building phases so selections, finishes, layouts, built-ins, cabinetry, lighting, tile, stone, hardware, and architectural details feel intentional, unique and cohesive from the start.
This service is ideal for MRC clients who want an expert designer’s eye on the many decisions that shape a renovation or new build before furnishings are even installed. From reviewing plans and developing concepts to guiding material selections and coordinating with the construction team, EMD helps create homes that are timeless, personal, functional, and thoughtfully built.
MRC x EMD brings together the design/build expertise of Michael Robert Construction with Ellie Mroz Design’s refined interior design perspective. MRC manages large-scale residential renovations, additions, remodels, and new home construction, while EMD helps guide the design decisions that affect how the home will look, feel, and function once complete.
Together, the teams create a more connected renovation experience, where architecture, construction details, finishes, and interiors are considered as part of one cohesive vision.
With EMD’s services, clients can understand concepts before the MRC team even starts construction. Detailed renderings and elevations ensure home concepts are exactly in line with the client’s home design goals.
SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING INVOLVE?
Our goal is to work with homeowners throughout planning and building phases to reduce the inevitable stress of home remodeling or new home building and ensure an optimal end result… a unique and cohesive home, built with our team’s attention to every design detail.
Planning + Concept Development
Conceptual design direction
Blueprint and floor plan review
Space planning and layout input
Exterior design guidance
Interior color palette development
Budget-conscious selection guidance
Architectural + Built-In Details
Built-in and cabinetry design
Millwork details
Fireplace surrounds
Ceiling details
Trim and paneling concepts
Hardware selection
The breadth of our construction design services is customizable for our client’s goals. Selection of materials including but not limited to the below; construction coordination with MRC is seamless.
Construction Coordination
Design communication with MRC
Review of design-related details during construction
Studio or vendor meetings for selections
On-site meetings as construction progresses
Coordination between construction decisions and future furnishings
Finish + Material Selections
Tile selections
Stone and countertop selections
Plumbing fixtures
Decorative and architectural lighting
Paint colors
Wall and floor coverings
Cabinetry and millwork finishes
Hardware selections
We can also incorporate the services of EMD’s furnishings and accessories team to create a cohesively designed home.
This process aims to make the home renovation or new custom construction experience as fun and stress-free for clients as possible while building a unique and timeless home.
STEP 1 → Reserve Your Place in the EMD Lineup: After signing on with Michael Robert Construction, client indicates interest in working with this EMD service and reserves a spot in the EMD line-up with a retainer.
STEP 2 → Gather Inspiration: Client conducts guided inspiration gathering.
STEP 3 → Discovery Meeting: Team Initial Discovery Meeting at client’s home to review goals, scope and client inspiration.
STEP 4 → Scope + Design Agreement: Client receives a detailed contract outlining the scope of work with a range of expected design hours and an estimated cost of selections.
STEP 5 → Concept + Selections: EMD team develops an overall concept as a jumping off point for selections and the interior envelope. We guide our clients through strategically-timed selections for plumbing fixtures, tile, stone, and hardware, either presenting in our studio, or shopping with you at our local and trusted vendors. We will meet to review and approve final selections and detailed elevations of millwork and built-ins all while keeping the MRC team in the loop.
STEP 6 → Communication and Execution: EMD oversees installation and liasons with MRC to ensure execution of design details. Client will have scheduled meetings with the designer and the MRC team on site to stay in the loop as construction progresses.
STEP 7 → Furnishings + final layers option: Client is offered furnishing and/or accessorizing services. If opts in, the EMD furnishings team is briefed on the project, and their kickoff begins. See our furnishing services here.
STEP 8 → Happy ever after in dream home!: Happy clients enjoy meticulously selected stone, tile, hardware, lighting, etc. in their one of a kind MRCxEMD home!
FAQs
Construction Consulting with Michael Robert Construction and Ellie Mroz Design is a premium service for homeowners who want expert guidance during their renovation or new build. We provide strategic support on architectural planning, material selection, coordination, and all design details to ensure your vision is executed at the highest level. It’s like having an experienced builder and designer in your corner, protecting your investment and elevating every decision. Here are common questions about our construction consulting services.
-
Construction consulting focuses on the design decisions made during building or renovation, including layouts, finishes, fixtures, cabinetry, lighting, and architectural details. Full-service interior design and furnishings focuses on the completed interior, including furniture, rugs, window treatments, art, accessories, and final installation. We like to use this analogy to describe what is typically included in the Construction Consulting process… If you were to take a home, turn it upside down and shake it, all the design details that stick would fall under our jurisdiction: the built-ins, tile, stone, hardware… all falls under the Construction Consulting category. The service begins once measurements are taken and basic plans are drawn.
-
EMD construction consulting is best for homeowners who are planning a large renovation, addition, remodel, or new custom home and want design guidance before and during construction. It is especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions involved in a home project, from tile and stone to lighting, plumbing, cabinetry, paint, flooring, hardware, and built-ins.
This service is also ideal for homeowners who want their renovation to feel cohesive once complete. Rather than making each selection in isolation, EMD helps connect the larger vision so the home feels intentional from exterior details and architectural elements through bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, living spaces, and future furnishings.
-
Construction consulting is design guidance during a renovation, addition, remodel, or new custom home build. It helps homeowners make decisions about layouts, finishes, cabinetry, built-ins, tile, stone, lighting, plumbing fixtures, paint colors, hardware, and other details before and during construction. Our team reviews plans and guides selections to align with your vision. We coordinate closely with the MRC construction team throughout the process.
-
Clients usually begin consulting after Michael Robert Construction completes existing measurements (for renovations) or in initial phases of concept development (for new custom construction). Early involvement helps align design choices with construction plans. This optimizes progress and decreases the likelihood of design changes during the build.
-
We start with a “Discovery Meeting” to understand your style and the scope of your project. Then, we present overall design concepts. Next comes the selection presentation(s) complete with samples at our studio or trusted vendors. Clients approve final selections and we work with MRC to execute seamlessly.
-
Absolutely! We oversee design-related details and communicate regularly with the construction team (which is right in the same 1-room open studio!). This makes sure that design choices translate accurately on-site.
-
Again, absolutely! Most of our clients may choose to work with EMD’s furnishing and styling services towards the end of their selections process, to ensure their home will be furnished upon move-in with a cohesive vision. This step makes your meticulously curated house YOUR home.
“The MRC X EMD team is extraordinarily creative...they did a fantastic job in guiding the process adding their creative touches to the layout, the finer details of the build, the use of natural lighting and space, the selection of all the fixture, appliances, amenities, furnishings, etc....this was all done in a very collaborative and easy way.”
GET TO KNOW MRCxEMD
WHAT IS MRC X EMD?
LEARN MORE ABOUT ELLIE & MIKE