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Russ bent over backwards to help us stay on our budget." |
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I've always wanted to live in an old house and there were certain features, typical of older homes, that were very important to me-high ceilings, heavy trim, and a solid, well-built feeling.
Russ Doucette, my husband Greg, and I designed this house on the kitchen table in a rental at Pine Point. It was a constant work-in-progress. Russ was incredibly patient and open to our ideas. I'm an interior design consultant and I was always tweaking the plans. But Russ never made me feel as if it was a bother.
We built a house in Albany before this and every time we asked for something, the builder made us feel like we were hassling him. Trim was considered "custom" work. It was the total opposite with Russ. Exceptional trim work is standard for him; it's included in his package and it's always distinctive.
Russ came through on all of my wish list items-and more. I have arched walls; a coffered ceiling in my family room; and an amazing trayed ceiling in my dining room, which was Russ's suggestion. He drew it on the wall for me and I said, 'sure.' I knew by that time that I could trust him to create something beautiful. He also bent over backwards to stay on our budget.
In the entire time that Russ was building our home we never had one argument; not one squabble; not one issue. As patient and unflappable as Russ is, he's picky where you want him to be. His subcontractors are flat-out the best, from the painter, Jim Long to S.P. Plumbing, they all share the same high standards. Not to mention his carpenters and crew. Everyone he involves in his projects is just very, very talented.
I wanted a house with character, but also where our friends would feel at home; where guests wouldn't be afraid to spill a drink; where my children's friends would feel comfortable. Russ built that for us. The quality is tangible. We've lived her for 4 1/2 years and in the whole time he's been back twice to do a little caulking. The house is solid as a rock.
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