Rocky Mountain Mr. & Ms. Magazine[RM3]

So tell us about what you want in a home.

Scott: I prefer something new and modern.

Diane: I like older homes with lots of character.

What inspired the Man Cave? What was the inspiration for this project?

Scott: I have 5 wonderful children, but sometimes I need to get away. At one point I had considered buying a nice little Studio Apartment located just off the Strip in Vegas. So we decided to create that sanctuary above the garage! The Man Cave project is my compromise. I get something new and modern and Diane gets what she wants.

In concept, Scott wanted to take the floor plan from (“feel of”) the studio apartment in Vegas and put it on his garage.

Diane wanted the charm of an older home and Scott wanted modern. According to Scott and Diane, the old saying that “opposites attract” applies.

The charming cottage needed some remodeling in order to meet both of their wants. Together they had considered many options, even to the point of tearing down and starting over. But sometimes you need to simply take some action and decide where to go from there. So they decided to remodel the kitchen. Diane said, “The kitchen turned out so beautifully that we decided to keep on that path (as opposed to selling the home or tearing it down and starting over)”. We have all heard the saying, “Location, location, location” in relation to buying and selling homes. Well for Scott and Diane, location was everything. Scott grew up in the neighborhood and his office is just across the street. In fact, ophthalmologist Dr. Scott Morledge-Hampton worked with designer Jerry Lyon so his office in the Man Cave faces his new office building: the Morledge Family Eye Clinic and Surgery Center located at the corner of 17th Street West and Poly Drive.

The Man Cave sanctuary will also accommodate Scott and Diane’s older children when they visit from college. In addition, it doubles as a wonderful guest space complete with exercise room and basic conveniences of a standalone apartment.

What advice would you give others who may be considering a new project?

Diane: Focus on finding the best builder and designer possible. Matt, Jason, and Jerry are one of the best kept secrets in town.

Scott: I think most importantly, builders and designers need to be flexible and malleable. Diane is always changing and adding stuff; bringing in pictures from magazines and giving them new challenges.

Diane: And, they need to be adaptable in trying things they’ve never done before. Which is why Matt and Jason are so amazing. The other really important aspect is how Jerry (the designer), Matt and Jason (the builders) communicate.

Jerry: I have found in working with Jason and Matt (One Source Construction) that they are one of the first contractors that have done a great job of not only staying in communication with me, but also in working very hard to address and remedy problems while seeing the bigger picture: that the customer is #1 and making the entire process go smoothly and on budget.

Jason: Matt and I really appreciate how available Jerry makes himself to answer our phone calls and make onsite appearances. It’s very important in this industry that the designer is flexible, available, and can handle unforeseen circumstances. Not only does Jerry Lyon have great vision, but he is easy to work with and always has a creative input or solutions to problems and/or challenges.

So we asked the Contractor and Designer to offer an opinion for those who may be considering a new project and this is what they said:

Jason: First, try determining if the contractor will have a good relationship with the designer. Together, they are responsible for giving you what you want and/or need.

Changes often become necessary, whether to accommodate on site situations that arise during the remodel, or allow for people changing their minds. Contractors and designers are tasked to allow for this and still keep on schedule and on budget.

Secondly, open communication with the designer is essential to keep things rolling. Transparency and trust are also of utmost importance. If you don’t work with people that you can openly trust, it is difficult to feel comfortable and be efficient.

Thirdly, the homeowners should seek a contractor that is efficient and creative enough to work within set parameters and anticipate changes. Seek out people who like to do things right or not at all! Always check references. Most anyone worth hiring will readily provide them.

Jerry: I agree with Jason. Often times on projects there is a lack of communication or none at all. Such a breakdown results in poor workmanship and very angry customers.

Knowing that at the end of the process you can look back, know and see that you have done a great job, and the gratitude and smiles on your customers face really says it all.

It is not just about having another job or a pay check. It’s about doing the job right and doing it the way we would want it done for ourselves; always customer service!