Luxury builders are a rare breed. Unlike mass-market home builders, luxury builders only take on a handful of projects each year. They engage deeply with every aspect of the home-building process, ensuring every detail is perfect. To give you a better understanding of what it’s like working with an upscale design firm, we sat down with Beth Bokelman, a key figure as the Interior Designer and Selections Coordinator at JFK Design Build, an award-winning, custom home builder & remodeler throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Here’s a peek inside the mind of a luxury builder.
The Expert Designer
Beth has a degree in interior design but has been passionate about construction and remodeling since childhood. “I started when I was 11,” she recalls. “My mom and dad bought an old Victorian house and gutted it to the studs. That process was very interesting to me.” Her design career spans high-end senior living homes, hotels, and commercial spaces, but luxury design remains her favorite niche.
After being raised in Wisconsin and moving around the country for 20 years, Beth came back to raise her kids in Wisconsin and be with family and friends again. “I love the arts and culture of a big city, but having lived in Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, I also know the importance of a small town community.”
“[Prior to JFK] I was with a bigger company that did about 40 houses a year, which was a lot to keep track of.” A friend recommended Jeff and JFK Design Build to Beth, so she made the switch earlier this year. Now, Beth enjoys having more time flexibility and freedom with her clients.
The Luxury Builder Experience
A luxury builder typically specializes in projects that exceed $1.2 million. Jeff, owner of JFK Design Build, and Beth work directly with the home owner to make every decision in the design and building process. While JFK does offer home renovation services, they prefer to focus on the whole home by creating a custom build – crafting the design from start to finish.
The first piece of advice Beth offers in choosing a luxury builder is to consider the personality of the builder. “You need to interview us as much as we need to interview you,” she recommends. “Make sure your personalities match because you’re in this relationship for a while.”
A Day in the Life
Life as a luxury builder is varied and dynamic. “Jeff starts the process with the architects. He will go to the project and draw out the cabinets on the floor so the plumbers know where to put the plumbing for the appliances and faucets. Jeff and Bruce will go to the job sites daily to check in on the quality of our subcontractors work and the progress of the structure. They will keep our clients updated via BuilderTrend, an online platform that we use for communication with clients and subcontractors.
Beth’s role is more direct with the clients. Her daily activities include setting up meetings with vendors, designing cabinet layouts, and conducting site visits. “There are so many details that happen ‘behind the scenes’ that make a house special. We have to do construction site visits quite a bit to ensure everything looks right. There could be a heating duct that is in the way of a special light fixture that we have to work around. We do an electrical walk-through, a plumbing walk-through, and check on the site whenever the client has questions. We also want to check with the client to see if they are going to be hanging any drapery or large art and we will have to let the carpenters know where to put extra blocking in the walls.” These are all little details that most people wouldn’t think of or consider, but Beth’s experience helps her to ask the right questions.
Beth also really enjoys educating the clients and taking them to showrooms. “The vendors have products on hand and they’re able to share with the client how to best use the spaces and designs. That’s how we can really hone in on what the client wants to order.”
Overcoming Challenges
When asked what one of the biggest challenges is as a luxury builder, Beth answered with “Budget. Budget is a big challenge. You can have a luxury look that isn’t as costly, but you have to educate the clients on cost, budget, and lifestyle.” Understanding what is important to the client is key. “Maybe tile isn’t as important to the client, but the cabinets are.” Those preferences can help guide the designers in making the best financial decisions for the client.
Another important factor for clients to understand is the timeline. “It can take 12-14 months to build a custom home, but sometimes clients think they’ll get it done in 9 months.” She urges clients to think ahead about how their families live—considering details like which door they use the most, whether they need a landing space, or which products and features would make life easier. Starting the process with a plan in mind can help save time in the long run.
Design Favorites and Inspirations
Beth’s personal favorites as a luxury build designer include modern farmhouse and European Tudor styles, with kitchens being her favorite spaces to design. She also enjoys incorporating ceiling details like beams or shiplap and believes that lighting is the “jewelry” of a home. When it comes to her own home, she would love to add a whole-house sound system for added luxury.
Her favorite project so far has been a small 2,500 sq. ft. house. She describes the house as being “adorable” on the outside, but the peak of luxury on the inside. The client wasn’t focused on the outward appearance of the home, but instead, the quality of the products inside. Beth was able to use high-end products throughout, showcasing that size doesn’t determine value.
Choose JFK Design Build
If you’re considering building a luxury home, working with a builder like JFK Design Build can make all the difference. “JFK truly listens to your wants and needs,” Beth states, “and we work with you to build that out as a dream come true. Trust the process.” Their attention to detail, commitment to quality, and personalized approach ensures your dream home becomes a reality. Ready to start your luxury build? Contact JFK Design Build today and take the first step toward your dream home.
