City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

Building A New Chapter

Chastity White & Laurie Coton are working on new "story's" for Conroe

Article by Travis Hager

Photography by Melonhead Photo & Provided

Originally published in Conroe City Lifestyle

In the metaphorical heart of Conroe, a collaboration is reshaping the landscape of custom homebuilding. Story Built Homes, under the visionary leadership of Chastity White, and Coton House, guided by Laurie Coton's expertise, combine their talents to craft residences that blend structural integrity with personalized elegance. This partnership is not merely about constructing houses; it's about co-authoring the stories of those who will call these spaces home.​

Chastity White: Orchestrating Excellence 

At the helm of Story Built Homes stands Chastity White, the Chief Experience Officer whose name is synonymous with quality in the Houston area's real estate sector. With decades of leadership experience, Chastity has driven multimillion-dollar revenue growth and market expansion, consistently exceeding industry benchmarks. A harmonious blend of creativity and strategic acumen characterizes her approach.

Chastity's philosophy centers on the belief that a home is the canvas for life's most meaningful moments. This ethos is evident in every project undertaken by Story Built Homes, where emphasis is placed on understanding the unique narratives of homeowners and translating them into tangible living spaces. Her commitment to excellence ensures that each home is not just a structure but a sanctuary tailored to the individual stories of its inhabitants.​

Laurie Coton: Dream Weaver

Enter Laurie Coton, the CEO, Broker, and Principal Interior Designer of Coton House, a Houston-based firm renowned for its holistic integration of design and real estate services. A third-generation Houstonian, Laurie's academic credentials—a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin and an interior design degree from the Houston Art Institute—lay the foundation for her distinctive approach to design.​

Laurie's journey began with purchasing and renovating homes throughout Houston, where she unearthed the profound synergy between real estate and design. Her tenure as president of the American Society of Interior Design's Texas Gulf Coast Chapter further solidified her reputation as a leader in the field. At Coton House, Laurie champions a comprehensive approach, ensuring that each project reflects a deep understanding of the client's lifestyle, values, and aspirations.​

This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each design truly reflects the individual's personality and way of life.​

Crafting Personalized Sanctuaries: The Collaborative Process

The partnership between Story Built Homes and Coton House is a testament to the power of collaboration in achieving unparalleled results. Chastity and Laurie have embarked on a mission to enhance the custom home experience, merging Story Built Homes' dedication to quality construction with Coton House's flair for interior design. 

"The Coton House design philosophy is the same for new build, renovation, or furniture freshening," she explains. "We get to know the client. It's a very personal relationship, so we need to be able to share ideas and fully communicate." This understanding allows the team to suggest the best products and applications to fit the client's needs, wants, and budget.​

Laurie and her team engage in continuous training with fabricators, manufacturers, and distributors, ensuring they are well-versed in the latest products and trends. This ongoing education enables them to recommend materials and designs that are both practical and luxurious, ensuring client satisfaction not just upon move-in but for years to come.​

A Shared Vision

One standout project exemplifies the success of their collaboration. Laurie shares, "They have multiple projects going on, but the current custom home we are focusing on is going to be incredibly beautiful.” A home known as “The Collins,” in honor of Chastity’s granddaughter, is located in the Chapel Bend development. “All selections fit the client perfectly, and no doubt it will be another beautiful home we will all be proud of for a very long time."​

Redefining Homebuilding

As this dynamic duo continues to craft personalized sanctuaries, they are redefining the standards of custom homebuilding in the Conroe area and setting a precedent for excellence in the industry. Their combined expertise ensures that each home is a harmonious blend of form and function, a true reflection of the homeowner's story.​

For those embarking on the journey of building or redesigning their dream home, Chastity and Laurie offer sage advice: "Get a great experienced builder and get a great experienced designer," Laurie advises. "Many clients are amazed at the number of decisions that need to be made for a project. For such a huge investment, get professional assistance. It will make the project go more smoothly and will help you save time, frustration, and help the budget."​

In the ever-evolving narrative of homebuilding, the collaboration between Story Built Homes and Coton House is indeed writing a new chapter—one where homes are not just built but thoughtfully authored to encapsulate the stories of those who dwell within.

"It's a very personal relationship, so we need to be able to share ideas and fully communicate," says Laurie Coton

Businesses featured in this article