Big life changes plus a flexible, experienced builder came together for one Upper Arlington couple as they looked to rework their lifestyle. But what Crista and her husband didn’t realize was that downsizing doesn’t always have to mean getting smaller.
When the couple moved from the Bedford home they raised their children in, it was a chance to rediscover a new kind of independence. J.S. Brown & Co. had helped with several projects in that home, so as the couple moved, it was only natural for them to call on the builders once again.
“Working with Crista is pure joy.” Says Meridith, a designer at J.S.B. “She has a very good sense of design.” And the sentiment is echoed: “I love to work with them over and over again,” says Crista, “they can do it all, no matter what life experiences we’re facing.”
In fact, over the past 25 years, whether newly married with kids, having an elderly mother move in, downsizing at 60, or now upsizing to a forever home, “J.S. Brown has always come through.” Says Crista. Just like they did when they moved the laundry to the first floor, or opened up the kitchen to accommodate entertaining.
"We also created a family room where there had not been one, so even in the small home we were able to entertain." Along with the soaring ceilings, gorgeous built-ins, and first-floor laundry, the couple learned they could push the limits with this builder.
This 'can-do' attitude that allowed the couple to downsize is backed up by years of experience, and, as Crista says, “An amazing diversity of skill sets.” But for the two, downsizing was only a step in the right direction—not the destination they’d thought it was going to be.
“Through downsizing, we gained insight into what our real priorities were,” says Crista, “we thought it was a wise choice at the time—no regrets—but it was too soon!” In fact, relocating and renovating the smaller location only afforded the couple four years.
After paring down to less than half of what they previously had, the couple quickly realized that, in this stage of life, they needed more space, not less. "Having a smaller primary bedroom was a good idea when the kids were little," Crista laughs, "but now it’s nice to have a big bedroom again."
Moving again, after such a short time, was not planned. “We really missed our yard.” Crista remembered. “When you get to this stage, your budget shifts a little. We started traveling more and being safe within a gated community meant we didn’t worry about leaving the house for days. But even that was not a fair trade off for the larger yard and natural light...”
So, when the couple saw the yard of this new location, it was clear they needed to contact their favorite builders once again. “After working with them for so long, we knew almost anything in the house was able to be changed.” Said Crista. And J.S.B. was taking measurements almost before the ink on the deed was dry.
The magic J.S. Brown & Co. creates comes through their multi-step process. “The design phase,” says J.S.B. president Monica Lewis, “includes selecting materials, generating 3D visualizations, and creating the estimate.” Their design staff works closely with the homeowner—in this case, Crista—to come up with solutions amenable to the style of the house and the lifestyle of the owners.
Material choice and lighting variation are critical to making a renovation feel right-sized for anyone changing their lifestyle. "Having a cohesive design that flows throughout the home is something J.S. Brown taught me over these past 25 years." says Crista. "Balance, proportion, color, lighting—all those things that help you enjoy the space."
As the couple eases into their new forever home, they know they can call on J.S. Brown to make it work. “They are excellent teachers, leading us through the process and asking, ‘how can we make this better for you?’ all along the way.”
"You may say ‘Let’s downsize to first-floor living’ with kitchen, family, living, easy exterior entrances, smooth walking surfaces all right there. But sometimes you can achieve that in a larger home, too. I would encourage people to really think about that." -Crista D.