Every detail was considered in designing Rea Custom Homes’ award-winning Southridge plan, which was recognized for Best Craftsmanship and Best Family Room at the 2023 Stark County Parade of Homes in Hartville’s The Woodlands development.
Jeff Rea is one of seven builders who constructed residences for the single-site parade. In doing so, the president of the second-generation family-owned business focuses intently on quality, detail and artisan features that personalize a home.
“Overall, the appeal of the floorplan is the design and flow, combined with materials and finishes, leading to a feeling of elegance and openness while still maintaining separate rooms,” Jeff says.
Rea Custom Homes was founded in 1969, and Jeff began working at the company in 1991 after graduating with a bachelor's degree in business administration. “It’s a family affair,” he says. Jeff brings creativity, practicality and deep industry knowledge to an organized homebuilding process that is centered on delivering a truly custom experience.
“Building a new home is the coordination of thousands of parts and pieces, as well as constant client communication to understand their vision and bring it to life as we build the home,” Jeff says. “I feel we excel on the execution of bringing together all of the details. It’s about the experience, expertise and pride of workmanship.”
Rea Custom Homes partners with Melanie Wanchick of Textures Design, who walks clients through the selections process. “We always start with the kitchen, the heart of the home,” Jeff says. “Then, she works with clients to choose floor coverings, paint colors, light fixtures, exterior materials — every detail.”
Ready to tour the Rea Custom Homes project in The Woodlands? Here’s a look inside.
Living is easy. This home’s functional floor plan considers “the who,” and how a potential buyer would live in the home. “I always start with the buyer in mind and think of how folks will use the house,” Jeff says, noting that this flexible layout could suit a family or empty nesters with adult children, which was the main target.
The 2,748 square-foot, two-story house features a main floor primary suite and spa bath, two sizeable upstairs bedrooms with an ample, full bath, a 3.5 car garage with a rear entry for easy access to the backyard and a first-floor office and powder room. An unfinished basement is remodel-ready. Outdoors, a covered patio is situated off of the bright dinette with windows on three sides.
“The windows are in all the right places,” Jeff says of positioning them so natural light floods into the home. For instance, transom windows in the family room welcome sunlight into the space.
An eye for craftsmanship detail. Every surface and material in The Southridge plan was selected to deliver a sophisticated, luxurious feel. The family room includes rich, wood ceiling beam detail. An elegant fireplace extends 13 feet up to the cathedral ceiling. It is conveniently gas-powered, and finished with limestone plaster and a substantial wood mantel. Situated against a feature wall painted in Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore, the limestone hearth against slate walls adds a crisp contrast and is a focal point, visible from the adjacent kitchen-dining space.
Premium cabinets from Bolon’s Custom Kitchens in the Shiloh style are a select, warm poplar with a gray undertone and concealed hinges for a clean look. Champagne bronze hardware complement faucets by Delta in the same metal. “The icing on the cake in the kitchen are white stainless-steel appliances with a copper metal finish on the handles,” says Jeff of the GE Cafe line.
Another upscale feature that factors in easy living: A double-drawer dishwasher that gives homeowners the flexibility of running just the top or bottom. “That way, you can do smaller loads if there are just two people living in the house most of the time, but there is capacity for entertaining or guests,” Jeff explains.
A walk-in pantry loaded with cabinet storage includes a countertop and floating shelves above, along with electrical for a coffee maker or mixer. Again, Jeff was considering the potential owner’s lifestyle. “Our thinking was that a buyer can walk in with groceries and set their bags on the counter, put food away and have a dedicated space without cluttering the kitchen,” he says.
Look up. Several ceilings throughout the home are painted in Iron Ore, creating a sense of continuity and flow. This same paint color is repeated on the base of the kitchen island, and the front door, both inside and out. Oak-toned luxury vinyl plank in the main living areas creates a sense of warmth. Combining these color schemes results in a “classy high-end feel,” Jeff says, reiterating a few remarks overhead during the Parade of Homes.
A master retreat. The first-floor primary suite is a true getaway with a resort-style bathroom featuring a zero-entry shower. It features a 6-foot-tall recessed niche with shelving for ample storage and a roomy bench seat. White tile with gold veining offers a clean finish against the pewter-colored vanity. Shiplap detail adds interest to the wall. “We chose a tankless hot water heater to decrease operating costs, and it offers in-demand hot water,” Jeff explains.
Opportunities on the lower level. Nine-foot ceilings provide a lot of head room in the basement. Steel support beams are situated to open up a generous space, roughly 22 square feet in size, which could be finished into a recreation room. “We engineered the beams so they are extra heavy duty, and there are no posts,” Jeff says, relating that fewer obstructions open up more remodeling options.
The lower level includes a three-quarter bath with a fiberglass shower, sink, toilet and linen closet. “The buyer is planning to finish off the area with floor coverings, and we will build an exercise room,” Jeff says.
Overall, he says, “The house appeals to a high-end buyer, and it showcases some new, different products.”
To learn more about Rea Custom Homes and its unique capabilities, call 330.806.6122 or visit ReaCustomHomes.com.
"Building a new home is the coordination of thousands of parts and pieces, as well as constant client communication to understand their vision and bring it to life as we build the home. I feel we excel on the execution of bringing together all of the details. It’s about the experience, expertise and pride of workmanship."
