The Heart of Home: Building for Us, Not Just for Profit

In the whirlwind of today's real estate market, it's easy to forget what makes a house a home. The narrative has been so heavily dominated by investment returns and property values that we've lost sight of the fundamental purpose of housing: to provide a sanctuary where memories are made, where families grow, and personalities shine. It's high time we shift our perspective from seeing houses merely as assets on a balance sheet to recognizing them as the stages upon which the stories of our lives unfold.

A Return to Roots: Housing as a Home

Our homes are not just financial investments for future gains; they are the backdrop to our daily lives, the space where we relax, celebrate, and find comfort at the end of each day. The essence of building a home should revolve around creating a space that reflects who we are and what we love, not what might sell best in a future market. This philosophy encourages a deeper connection to our living spaces, ensuring they serve our needs and preferences first and foremost.

Personalization: The Soul of Your Space

Injecting personality into our homes is about more than just choosing paint colors or furniture. It's about embedding our very essence into the walls that shelter us and the rooms that host our lives. Whether it's through bespoke architectural features, personalized decor, or layouts that mirror our lifestyles, these choices transform a building into a reflection of our identity. It's a celebration of individuality, a testament to the uniqueness of the families that dwell within.

Choosing the Right Artisans: A Match of Sensibilities

The journey to creating a home that resonates with our personality begins with selecting the right team. In a sea of contractors and builders, finding craftspeople who not only understand our vision but share our sensibilities is paramount. These are the individuals and small teams who will pour not just their skills but also their hearts into the project, ensuring every nail, brushstroke, and design choice echoes our personal narrative.

The Advantage of Smaller Contractors: A Personal Touch

Smaller contractors and craftspeople offer something invaluable that often gets lost in the scale of larger operations: a personal touch. This fifth element of building—a human touch—ensures that every aspect of the home-building process is tailored to the homeowner's vision and needs. Unlike bigger builders, who may prioritize efficiency and standardization, smaller teams thrive on the unique challenges and requests that personalize a project. They have the flexibility, interest, and time to make each decision, from material selection to architectural nuances, a reflection of the homeowner's personality and lifestyle.

Building a Legacy, Not Just a House

As we consider the path to creating our living spaces, let's champion the notion of building homes that are extensions of ourselves, not just assets for our portfolios. By prioritizing personalization, choosing the right craftspeople, and focusing on the joy and satisfaction of living in a space that truly feels like ours, we can redefine what it means to build a home. Let's construct not just houses, but legacies of love, personality, and individuality that stand the test of time.

Working in Prescott Arizona

In the realm of residential construction, a striking contrast emerges between the craftsmanship found in the Northeast building trades and the mass-produced homes prevalent in the Southwest. This difference is not just in the aesthetic appeal or architectural uniqueness, but in the very essence of quality and durability that comes with a hands-on approach. The Northeast prides itself on a rich tradition of craftsmanship, where skilled tradespeople, from carpenters to masons, imbue each project with a level of attention and expertise that's becoming increasingly rare. These homes are often characterized by their robust construction, use of high-quality materials, and unique architectural details that reflect the local culture and history. The emphasis is on building homes that stand the test of time, embodying the craftsmanship that has been honed over generations.

Juniper slab transformed to floating shelves and more

Conversely, in the Southwest, the housing market has seen a surge in mass-produced homes, where the primary focus is on maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs. While this approach allows for rapid expansion and accessibility to housing, it often comes at the expense of individuality, quality, and long-term value. The same budget that affords a mass-produced home in the Southwest could secure a residence in the Northeast that benefits from the meticulous craftsmanship of skilled tradespeople. This discrepancy highlights a fundamental trade-off: in the Southwest, homeowners may sacrifice quality and character for the sake of affordability and convenience. Yet, despite the apparent cost parity in construction, the true value of what buyers receive in the Southwest—when measured in terms of architectural integrity, material quality, and the potential for a lasting legacy—is markedly lower. This juxtaposition serves as a reminder of the enduring value of craftsmanship and the profound impact it has on the quality of our living spaces.

Recognizing the disparity between the craftsmanship of the Northeast and the mass-produced approach of the Southwest, there exists a unique opportunity to bridge this divide. I plan to bring the rich heritage of skilled craftsmanship learned in the Northeast to the Southwest, catering to discerning customers who prioritize quality over quantity. This initiative aims to introduce a new paradigm in residential construction in the Southwest, one where the emphasis is on creating homes with character, durability, and a personal touch. By leveraging the skills and traditions of the Northeast, the goal is to offer homeowners in the Southwest an option that stands in stark contrast to the prevailing trends of mass production. This approach is not merely about constructing houses; it's about crafting homes that reflect the individuality of their owners and endure through generations. For those who appreciate the inherent value of craftsmanship, this represents a return to a more thoughtful, intentional approach to building, where every detail is a testament to the quality and care invested in the creation of their living spaces.

Working in Maine

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More Golden Years Ahead

At 30 years of age, I’ve been around long enough to remember the high watermark for home construction, the ‘90s. Sure, more homes have been built in years since, but the homes of the ‘90s were different, richer and warmer in many ways. Think back to those days, and all across America you can imagine contractors and carpenters of all walks of life, returning home in gratitude and confidence, for the monuments they took part in building, for home and business.

If you’ve done the math you know I was only 10 on New Years Eve 2000, but that shouldn’t worry you. I was raised in a house of craftsmen. My father, a skilled wood worker, and my two older brothers, Joe and Jack Eley, still practice the trade to this day. In 2019, I had the distinct pleasure of working with all three, on projects ranging from design, exterior restoration, commercial renovation, and even smaller jobs, like framing-in and enclosing my father’s workspace in Deltaville, VA, where we were raised.

But it is the time spent in Maine working with my brother Joe, owner of J. Eley Woodworks, which brought back the similarly rich and warm feelings of the ‘90s. Construction in Maine has been on the rise for several years now with new commercial/residential construction getting the lion’s share of attention, and yet, it’s been in bringing back the opulence, history and permanence of the family homes built at the turn of the century here, the early 1900s, that have fueled my belief that a craftsman/woman can stand with that same gratitude and confidence in their work here, along the coast of Maine.

small cities like Portland, Brunswick, and Bath are in an excellent position of leadership in this economy, and my work with J. Eley Woodworks has only strengthened my resolve to continue being a part of the journey. I’m Jeremy, Joe’s youngest brother. From here, myself and the rest of the crew will be chiming in so you can stay up to date on our latest projects and observations, focused on Maine and our trade! I’ll start us off in the next few days with a couple of stories from this past summer. Thanks, and stay tuned! - Jeremy