Nicole Vivoda recently moved into her dream home. After going through some recent life changes, she was thrilled to embark on this journey, creating a home that was 100% her. She worked with our team to bring her vision to life and is now enjoying her carefully crafted new home set upon a wooded site in a popular Northern Kentucky suburb.
We invite you to read Nicole’s personal building story and her top takeaways when it comes to designing a new home.
What floor plan did you choose and what attracted you to this design?
I picked the Saxon as I wanted a plan that was affordable and allowed for a lot of upgrades while staying within my budget. I love modern farmhouse style as well as craftsman style and felt that I got those combined with the Saxon. Plus, it offered the board and batten as an exterior option, which was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted a plan that had a designated office space, guest bedrooms, an owner’s suite bathroom with a nice big tub, a reading area and an open design on the main level. I loved that it felt open but not too much. The Saxon gave me the breathable, cozy feeling that I was looking for.
As you have watched your new home’s design come to life, what have been your favorite spaces and features?
There are several features that I ended up loving that I was surprised by. I love how the fireplace turned out. I planned on keeping things very simple, but the tile I choose just spoke to me at the Design Center. I can’t wait to have a fire in it.
I am also surprised by how much I liked how the owner’s suite shower turned out. I actually started with a completely different floor and tile, and then, at my second Design Center appointment, went to a more grey/spa-like feel. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I feel like I am in a hotel every time I take a shower.
I opted for the loft instead of a fourth bedroom so I could have my reading space I really wanted. Then I went for the open railing instead of the half wall, so it created a nice space with lots of natural light. I can’t wait to make it the lovely reading space I’ve dreamt of having.
What did you enjoy most about the building process?
About two years ago, I divorced and moved into a rental. After sharing space and compromising my tastes for the last 20 years, I was beyond excited to have a place that was 100% mine.
Most of all, I really enjoyed all the people that I got to work with at Drees. Beverly at the Design Center was great. Michelle and Lauren at First Equity Mortgage were helpful and informative. I loved Jen, my Builder, and all the great, useful information she gave me. Most of all, I loved working with Holly, my Market Manager. She made the whole process so fun and exciting. I didn’t have any doubts about my decision. She made it a great experience.
What advice would you give others who are interested in building a home?
Don’t be afraid of what you may have heard. Building doesn’t have to be a bad experience. Don’t have unreal expectations that everything will turn out just perfect and ask lots of questions. If you don’t want a pedestal sink in your half bath, ask about other options. I think the best thing I did during the process was to add in everything I ever wanted in my dream house. If I needed to pull stuff off that didn’t fit into the budget, then I moved backwards. This allowed me to see what was really important to keep and what could be added at a later date. This helped me create a home that I was really excited about.
Why did you choose to build with Drees?
I looked at other builders, but ultimately picked Drees, because they felt like home. I connected with my Market Manager from day 1 and loved that Drees could give me everything on my must-have list – a yard that had trees and privacy, a nice gas fireplace and a bathtub that I could relax in. I am so glad I picked Drees!
Learn More
Interested in learning more about building with Drees Homes? For complete details, visit dreeshomes.com and select your location. Interested in reading other stories from the Homeowner Spotlight Series, click here.
