Building Better Together: How David Reid Homes Collaborates with Trusted Local Experts

When you build with David Reid Homes, it’s about more than bricks and timber. It’s about creating a home that feels like you. Across the country, David Reid Homes partners with trusted experts to help bring that vision to life. In the Waikato, that means collaborating with respected local interior designer Julia Empson, offering clients a truly personalised and collaborative design experience.

A Shared Philosophy

This partnership reflects the wider David Reid Homes approach – working with experts who share their client-first values.

“We’re very much black, white, grey kind of people – very practical,” says Felicity, who leads the Waikato franchise alongside her husband, Tau. “Julia brings a different perspective. She makes our clients think more deeply about what they really want in their home.”

Julia’s design process begins with a conversation. “Not a consultation – a real chat,” she says. “It’s how I understand who someone is, what they love, and how they live.”

Rather than directing her clients, Julia helps them discover their own style. It’s a process that builds confidence and creates homes that are both functional and deeply personal.

Making a New Build Feel Like Home

One of the biggest fears people have with new builds is that they can feel impersonal, more like a showroom than a sanctuary. Julia is passionate about changing that.

“Fill your home with the things you love and you can’t go wrong,” she says.

Her approach is grounded in empathy and curiosity. She gets to know how her clients live – whether they have young children, regular visitors, or a beloved piece of furniture they just can’t part with. From there, she helps them make design decisions that are not only beautiful but deeply meaningful.

“Julia helped us finish off our own home,” says Felicity. “She pulled together elements we never would’ve thought of, and the result feels so much more like us.”

Why Interior Design Should Start Early

Bringing a designer into the project early helps avoid costly changes and ensures every design decision supports both form and function.

“It’s like baking a cake,” says Julia. “Sometimes I help from the start. Other times, I come in for the icing and sprinkles. But either way, the result is more cohesive and thoughtful when design is part of the whole journey.”

From lighting plans to furniture placement and colour palettes, Julia considers the big picture early, helping clients avoid overwhelm and make confident choices.

Partnering with Trusted Local Experts

Across New Zealand, David Reid Homes works closely with respected local experts to ensure every detail of your build is carefully considered. Whether it’s interior design, landscaping, lighting, or other specialised trades, these partnerships are all about delivering homes that reflect the people who live in them.

The collaboration with Julia in the Waikato is just one example.

“You’re not dealing with layers of people,” says Felicity. “You’re dealing with us – and with Julia directly. It’s a really honest and connected process.”

Her ability to guide clients, help them uncover their style, and ensure their home feels like them perfectly complements David Reid Homes’ nationwide focus on exceptional service and craftsmanship.

It’s Not Just a Build – It’s a Journey

At David Reid Homes, building a home isn’t a transaction, it’s a relationship. It’s about listening, collaborating, and creating something that feels just right.

If you’re ready to design a home that reflects who you are, reach out to your local David Reid Homes team. Across the country, their trusted teams and expert partners are here to guide you every step of the way.