Redefining Home Design: The McCall Homes Difference
Article by Maria Weidich | Photos by Nathan Satran
“We listen. We want to know your story and what matters most to you in your new home. Then we use our design expertise to do just that.”
Erin McCall, Owner & Design Specialist
For most homeowners, designing a new house is equal parts exhilarating and overwhelming. Pinterest boards quickly collide with real-world decisions about flooring, cabinets, paint colors, and budget.
Erin McCall, Owner and Certified Interior Designer at McCall Homes, sees it every day.
When McCall Homes created its original design studio nearly 20 years ago, the goal was clear: rethink an industry norm that sent clients scrambling across town from vendor to vendor to piece together materials and finishes, and hoping they’d all work in the end. Erin and her team envisioned something more convenient and truly client-centered.
“We wanted a different, more personal experience for our clients,” Erin says. “Designing and building a new home can be overwhelming, and we want to make the process simple and enjoyable.”
Today, every McCall homebuyer, from townhome dwellers to growing families to empty nesters, works directly with a trained interior designer. Budgets, lifestyle needs, function, and personal style all shape the selection process. Most importantly, everything a homeowner needs to see or touch is available under one brand-new roof. “We had been designing homes in the same space for almost 20 years with only minor updates,” she explains. “Our design studio needed a facelift.”
Now located near the Annafeld neighborhood, the new design studio serves future neighbors in McCall communities across Billings and Helena, including Annafeld, 44 West, and Mountain View Meadows.
A STUDIO THAT ENGAGES ALL THE SENSES
The new design studio was crafted to feel less like a showroom and more like stepping inside a beautifully curated home. Erin describes how visitors are greeted with relaxing music and a subtle, welcoming scent that immediately sets a tone of ease. Of course, the space is visually stunning, too. “We have arched openings, color-drenched rooms, timeless quartz, and a gorgeous stone fluted fireplace,” Erin describes.
Everywhere you turn, there’s an opportunity to touch, feel, or visualize something new: cabinetry, tile, flooring, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and countertops. A new interactive touchscreen brings the design experience to life. Homebuyers can explore selections digitally, toggle between finishes, and see how each choice affects their price, including real-time changes to their monthly payment.
“Budget is a big deal,” Erin added. And regardless of budget, they have options for every homebuilder. “We are here to make sure every client has all the information to make informed decisions on where to invest their money in creating their new home.”
HELPING BUYERS FIND THEIR STYLE
First-time homebuyers often show up at the design studio with two things: excitement and uncertainty. “Think about how you want your home to function,” Erin advises. “What makes it easier to get your kids out the door in the morning? Where do you need a quiet space for conference calls?”
From there, she encourages buyers to notice what styles, colors, or spaces make them feel energized, relaxed, or at peace. “Many buyers bring style inspiration, but that’s not necessary,” she says. “As we get to know each other, we will be able to create a beautiful home you’ll love, even if you don’t know what you love at first.”
EXPERTISE THAT BRINGS CONFIDENCE
If there’s one phrase Erin and her team hear most often, it’s this: I just don’t know if this is going to look good. And, they get it.
“Seeing a tiny paint chip and imagining it across your entire bedroom can be overwhelming,” she says. That’s where McCall’s trained designers make the biggest impact.
“Hands down, the biggest benefit for our homebuyers, besides having a design studio that houses all the product samples in one place, is access to trained, experienced designers and an incredible production team.”
After designing hundreds of homes across Montana, McCall Homes knows how to make a space feel timeless, beautiful, and functional, Erin says. “It’s a privilege to walk beside clients as we begin dreaming up spaces where they’ll raise their children, host Christmas dinners, or sit on the porch with new friends.”