Professional Women in Building (PWB) Meeting : INTrend 2026: Interior & Exterior Design Trends Shaping the Future of Housing

Description

INTrend 2026: Interior & Exterior Design Trends Shaping the Future of Housing Join experienced builders and design professionals for an inside look at the residential design trends expected to shape homes in 2026. This meeting will explore how interior and exterior design are increasingly working together to create a more cohesive,functional and lifestyle-driven livingexperience.Presenters will share on-the-ground insights into what today’s clients are prioritizing—from style andcurb appeal to livability, comfort, flexibility and everyday functionality. Attendees will gain practicalperspective on how to design homes that are visually appealing, highly livable and responsive to theevolving needs of homeowners. Thanks to our sponsor Best Buy Metals.

Presenters:
Brandon Bryant, Alair Asheville
Lesley McCarthy Nunez, Senior Vice President, Builders Design


Speaker Bios

Brandon Bryant
Brandon Bryant is the visionary behind Alair Asheville | Red Tree, a boutique custom homebuilding firm in Asheville, North Carolina, known for redefining eco-luxury mountain living. With a career built on challenging the status quo, Brandon integrates site-specific design, advanced building science, and sustainability into every project. His “rebel luxury” philosophy prioritizes performance, well-being, and intentional living - pushing beyond checklist construction to deliver homes that are both emotionally and physically transformative.
Under Brandon’s leadership, Alair Homes–Red Tree has received wide industry acclaim, including 4 U.S. Dept. of Energy Housing Innovation Awards, Green Builder Media’s Green Home of the Year (2025), and a few Best in American Living Awards (BALA).
Brandon has personally been recognized with some of the industry’s highest honors,

• NAHB Green Professional Designee of the Year
• Excellence in Mental Health Advocacy Award, NAHB (2024)
• Builder Magazine Top 40 Under 40
• Asheville Builder of the Year (2015)
• NCHBA Beam Award
• Fixr.com Top 100 Homebuilding Experts in 2024 & 2025
• His leadership extends beyond building. He has served as:
• 2023 President, North Carolina Home Builders Association
• Board Member, NAHB (2023–2025)

A seven-time speaker at the International Builders’ Show, Brandon is a sought-after voice on sustainable resilient construction, Wellness Architecture, and next-generation homebuilding practices. His dedication to mental health awareness within the building community reflects his belief that thriving businesses and thriving people go hand in hand.
For Brandon, building is about more than structure - it’s about creating enduring, meaningful spaces that elevate everyday life.


Lesley McCarthy Nunez
For the past decade, Lesley McCarthy Nunez has served as Senior Vice President at Builders Design, an industry leader for 50 years known for pioneering trend- and research-driven interior design across multifamily, model homes, and senior living. In her role, she partners with many of the nation’s largest homebuilders and developers, aligning design strategy with business objectives to drive measurable success.
Lesley is a sought-after speaker at the nation's leading building conferences, where she shares insights on buyer behavior, consumer and design trends, and generational influences shaping the future of housing. Her expertise lies in understanding what motivates purchasing decisions and translating those insights into impactful design solutions.
Prior to joining Builders Design, she served for 16 years as Corporate Vice President of Design at John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, a Southeast regional homebuilder recognized for its buyer-focused approach to architecture, design and experience.
Outside of her professional work, Lesley enjoys life with her husband and their blended family of seven children, spending time outdoors playing tennis, gardening, and making memories with family and friends.