SUFFOLK

As Homearama strives to honor lifestyle trends within the custom-home market, the teaming up of builder Sam Cohen and organization expert Jeff Bruzzesi might have the crowd in awe.

Hand-scraped hardwood floors, elegant trim, over-sized windows and mixed-element fixtures surround the roomy spaces throughout the 4,200-square-foot “The Treasure Chest: The Organizational House.”

The dwelling features four bedrooms, a first-floor master suite, three full baths and two half-baths, a library, home theater, children’s landing with computer station, and nickel and granite throughout. Craftsmanship by Cohen, president of Joey Corp. in Chesapeake, can be seen in elements like lighting, layout and even ceiling decor – notably, a stained and coffered ceiling in the media room – as well as in special features like the master bathroom’s rainfall shower.

But busy moms may be the biggest fans of custom touches by Bruzzesi, owner/president of the Closet Factory Hampton Roads, who worked with Cohen from the start to incorporate cabinetry in every room for optimal organization and visual impact.

Trimmed built-ins flank window seats in several rooms. The library’s wall of cherry units speaks volumes; cabinetry in the dining room, kitchen and butler’s pantry features accent lighting, dove-tail drawer construction with soft-close slides and glass display sections.

Closets boast adjustable rods and shelves, shoe shelves, ribbon holders, mirrors, hampers, jewelry drawers and more. A utility room houses cubbies, coat hooks and a laundry center with tuck-away ironing station; the garage sports a workbench, planting station and locker-style cabinets.

“The whole idea was that instead of trying to design organization around the (plan) of the house, we designed the house for organization,” Bruzzesi said. “Most people don’t know that we can do all of this work,” he added. “We’re known for closets,” but filling a house gives homeowners a new perspective.

For those wanting to build organization into their own homes, Bruzzesi recommends knowing what you want to store and building in room for inventory growth, deciding what to keep visible and what to hide and considering the look of each unit.

“Whatever it is,” he said, “it can be perfectly built to suit your needs.”

The monetary value of cabinetry throughout varies room by room, from about $400 to more than $10,000.

“Time saved is always my first thought about the benefits of being organized,” Bruzzesi said. “Beyond that is the alleviation of undue stress… I believe the more we can do to improve the way our home works for us, the more peaceful the environment will be.”

The following criteria can help you through the process of selecting the right custom home builder:

Reputation

The best way to learn about a builder is to visit homes they have built and talk with the owners. Questions you should ask include: Are you happy with your home? Did the builder do what was promised in a timely manner? Did the builder listen to your requests? Was the builder responsive to your needs? Would you by another home from this builder?

Quality of Work

When examining a home, inspect the quality of the finishes such as cabinetry, trim work, and paint. Ask the builder to review the list of custom features that are standard in each house as well as the safety features and product lines that are used. Always keep in mind that just because a home is less expensive that another does not mean it is a better value. Building a home requires incredible attention to detail and you should be confident that your builder values this philosophy.

Service

Review the warranty and find out what type of service you can expect after you move into your home. Some builders provide homeowners with comprehensive closing books. These helpful books provide valuable information including how to care for the new home, as well as warranty and maintenance information on each product or appliance within the home.
Doing your homework and understanding how custom builders work will give you the confidence you need to correctly select a custom builder that’s right for your own specific needs.

For further information, please contact us at joeycorp@cox.net.