Jennifer Hutton, design manager, Grau Building Co., in Durham, NC, is an innovator in the design, building and construction field in her area. By incorporating her knowledge of kitchen and bath design with additional aspects of new-home building and remodeling luxury spaces, she reimagines the process for homeowners.
Upon relocation from Buffalo, NY, Hutton identified Grau, a firm without internal design services, and introduced a new facet to the service-based building experience. Fortunately, her long-term goals of redefining the client experience worked in tandem with Grau’s vision to bolster its one-of-a-kind approach to construction. Previously, homeowners outsourced a designer when necessary. Hutton has redefined the role to work directly with clients on a design and project management level by streamlining the process and acting as a liaison between trades and owners.
Hutton works on boutique, custom homes, large-scale remodels and assists in various aspects of design, most notably kitchen and bath. Her passion lies in color coordination, material selection and creating innovative design solutions that inspire a client’s own sense of style.
By spearheading what is hopefully the new normal in boutique home building firms, she emphasizes a more collaborative effort between all partners in the construction industry, including tradesmen, designers, engineers, architects and homeowners.