Design-Build Contractors & Firms Near Brookhaven

“Searching for the right carpenter to build my first new home, my cabin in the woods, was my biggest concern. Making a long story short, Choosing Sunrise Builders for the job ended that concern. My cabin living area is 1150sf including an open bedroom loft and 800sf of porches. He completed 100% of the exterior without a flaw that I could find and probably 80% of that work by himself. I cannot be more satisfied and impressed with this man’s work. He is a first class craftsman, no doubt. I would recommend sunrise Builders to anyone looking to build a home or any building project. Joe”

“Set in Brookhaven, Mississippi ’s tasteful Moreton Estates, the home of LeDon and Cherie Langston suits its owners well, from the wooded lot that surrounds it to the traditional furnishings that fill its rooms. This is due largely in part to the skills of their decorator and longtime friend, Billie Nance of Edgewood Interiors in McComb. True, the designer had a head start in understanding her clients’ desires for the 2009 construction task, having already shared three previous home-building adventures with the family. But for this move, the Langstons’ requirements were different. There were grandchildren on the scene. Cherie had a hobby that required room to flourish. And more than anything, the couple knew there were two particular qualities– warmth and welcome – that they wanted their home to project. Nance’s efforts to make good on those goals did not disappoint. “The most important step in building a house is getting the plans just the way the homeowner wants them,” she explains. “I have a software program that lets me draw plans to a certain point, then my clients sit with me and see which of their ideas work and which don’t. Most people know what they want in a floorplan, but they may not know how to convey it. I like being able to help them get what they want.” Cherie had actually been employed as a part of the Edgewood team before, so pooling her ideas together with those of Nance was easy. As the two carefully considered the proposed home’s gathering areas, they eventually went with a layout that would accommodate a large number of extended family and friends. “LeDon and Cherie wanted a house that would entertain easily,” recalls Nance. “They both like kids, company and food. That’s why we went with an open floor plan. The challenging part was making sure the overall look was cohesive and put-together.” One strategy they used to accomplish this objective was a central color theme. “Cherie loves the color blue, so blues tie the whole house together, whether it’s wall paint or a ceramic accent piece,” the designer says. Recurring architectural features provide continuity as well, like the brick-and-beam soffits defining the foyer. Cherie obtained the antique brick and aged wooden beams in Bogalusa, Louisiana, when she happened upon an old grocery story that was being razed. Builder Patrick Campbell used her find to provide unique visual breaks not only in the entry, but between the living area and central hallway as well. Because she was already familiar with the Langstons’ furniture inventory, Nance was able to determine which pieces would transfer well to the new residence and what new pieces would be needed. For example, a walnut burl serpentine front chest that was purchased for a previous residence now greets visitors at the couple’s current front door, while a new hunt board/sideboard Nance found at market is perfect for a narrow space just off the foyer. Showcasing both scenarios is the central seating area anchoring the great room. Here, a new pair of high-back leather recliners was chosen to hold up to spills, and a former armoire/television cabinet was repurposed to store toys after visits from the couple’s grandchildren. Since Cherie once owned a cooking store in McComb, it’s only natural that her kitchen feature upscale elements like a built-in, counter-depth refrigerator and Carrara marble surfaces. “Billie warned me about the staining possibility with marble, but I wanted the look of kitchens and restaurants I admired in New Orleans,” Cherie explains, smiling as she adds a smart caveat: “We have a ‘no red juice’ rule to prevent problems.” The centerpiece of the kitchen and dining area is a 10-by 5-foot island, which includes an apron-front sink, dishwasher, storage compartments and plenty of seating for visitors to keep the cook company. Jamey Hewitt of Clear Creek Cabinetry in Summit crafted the piece, using a photo Cherie provided as inspiration. “The main challenge was insuring the durability of the island’s solid maple top,” Hewitt recalls. “Because the area had to withstand water, we used a rubbed, two-part epoxy finish to seal the wood.” Nance maintains that getting floorplan details like that right is what really matters in the long run. “LeDon and Cherie are happy here because we were able to match their personalities to their house. It’s such a heartwarming thing to see a home come to life after months of hard work.””

“Joe Graves is a Master Craftsman. He is experienced, extremely knowledgable and innovative. I have never seen him confronted by a problem he could not solve. His knowledge and experience give him cross-trade insights that ordinary carpenters are lacking. His skills include all aspects of carpentry, from framing and outdoor work like deck building, to fine interior cabinetry and trim work. He is equally at home with new construction, as well as remodeling. As a young man, I worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker, since my Dad was a contractor. But, my limited skills pale in comparison with those of Joe Graves. I give him my highest recommendation!”