Artisan Home Tour redefines the luxury home market

What makes a home an Artisan Home? Custom home builders know the answer does not lie with a minimum price, square footage, or architectural style. Rather it lies in the elevated standards of design, superior craftsmanship and exquisite products.

Kansas City’s finest custom home builders know when they are creating a structure that is transcendent for the builder and for the client. When that mark is met, the home is an Artisan Home.

Starting Sept. 12 and through Sept. 20, the general public has been enjoying a unique opportunity to experience what a premier home builder has to offer on the new Artisan Home Tour. Presented by The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (HBA) and sponsored by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, the tour features 10 one-of-a-kind, artisan homes scattered throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan area.

The Artisan Custom Home Builders and Artisan Home cities are:

▪  Craig and Keith Eymann, Ambassador Construction, Leawood.

▪  Russ Groshans, Casa Bella Construction, Parkville.

▪  Don Julian, Don Julian Builders, Parkville.

▪  Jim and Steve Lambie, Lambie Custom Homes, Leawood.

▪  Michael and John Menghini, Covenant Homes, Overland Park.

▪  Chris and Roy Ragland, Homes by Chris, Kansas City, North.

▪  Jeff Robinson, J.S. Robinson Fine Homes, Overland Park.

▪  Brian Rodrock and Jeff Gifford, Rodrock Homes, Overland Park.

▪  Gerry and Kit Starr of Starr Homes, Lee’s Summit.

▪  Patrick and Bob Willis of Willis Construction, Village of Loch Lloyd.

Given that this is an inaugural event here in Kansas City, the number of people who have come out to tour these 10 spectacular homes, coupled with the scores of positive feedback, has far exceeded the HBA’s expectations.

For the Tour, an architect review process helped ensure the homes met the quality levels. Each builder’s architecture plan were judged individually on its merits by one of Kansas City’s most acclaimed architects, Scott Bickford, R.S. Bickford and Company.

Bickford took into consideration the goals for these unique custom home entries while holding the plans to the highest quality standards in nearly 20 categories ranging from exteriors, millwork, windows and doors to roofing, flooring, furnishings and landscaping.

“As an architect I’ve been involved in homes of every imaginable and maybe even unimaginable size and price,” said Bickford. “The homes on this tour aren’t the biggest in town, nor the fanciest or most unusual. To me, what this tour is all about is context and improving the norm. Each builder involved is stepping up their game and building something above and beyond what they normally do. The public should expect to see something special at each and every home.”

Outside, tour participants will find dramatic, eye-catching features such as combination stucco and stone facades, lush and vibrant landscaping, elevated planters, spacious patios, inviting outdoor living areas, alfresco kitchens, meandering flower and plant beds, hot tubs, fire pits, fountains, fish ponds, LED lighting fixtures and other elements.

Interior elements and detailing include new and creative floor plan designs with vaulted ceilings, beautiful accent beams, natural wood floors, distinctive fireplaces, specialty lighting and fixtures, custom cabinetry, the latest appliances and energy-saving features, main-level master bedrooms with roomy, spa-like bathrooms, intricate trim details in the bathrooms, hallways, ceilings and closets, state-of-the-art audio and video components, and lower-level media and recreation rooms, just to name a few.

Together, these elements create a tailored environment that seamlessly melds the exterior with the interior, creating a residence of high quality, value and lasting beauty.

“People want to feel the comfort of a home that was designed and personalized just for them to fit their lifestyles,” said Sara Corless, executive vice president of the HBA. “Our goal is to connect the buyers with the builder who will be their partner every step of the way.”

This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Artisan Home Tour redefines the luxury home market."