Building Business: Bronze Dev.

For this installment of Building Business, we chatted with Jackie Martin of Bronze Developments, a Saskatoon home builder and developer. Bronze Developments is known for their thoughtful details in their builds, and stunning design features. their latest (and 130th!) build, the Muriel, was named after jackie’s grandmother, blending classic and modern style for a truly beautiful result.

1. How long has Bronze Developments been in the building industry and what services do you offer?

We started our company in 2010 and are currently building our 130th house! We love building new homes for families, but also develop basements, and legal basement suites and cabins. We deliver quality, cost-effective solutions that fully satisfy our customers’ needs. We love working with homeowners to build value into their houses without taking on unnecessary debt.

2. What is your home building process like?

We build houses on spec, as well as custom home packages. We also love developing basements and renovating client’s homes to suit their needs. When we start any new project, communication is key. There are so many decisions to be made, it can be stressful. We help every client make the design decisions and educate them on their choices. We walk them through all of the stages of construction and keep them updated on a daily basis. We love that part of the process.

3. What sets you apart from other builders?

It’s really the personal touch – feeling like you have an experienced partner to help you through the process and eliminate the stress. We have assembled a team of professional trades that we love working with. They are all very good at what they do, but they are also very nice people!  It is so important to enjoy working with every member of your team and we only want kind and compassionate people working on our projects. It makes such a big difference.

4. What is your inspiration for layouts and designs? 

We work with our draftsperson to design spaces that function well and also look great. Thinking about how each room will flow and the feeling you want to achieve is crucial to good design. All of the details need to be well thought out from the very beginning so they can be executed properly. All of the trades need to be on the same page to achieve the end goal. We take design inspiration from our favourite designers, including Sarah Richardson, Joanna Gaines, and Studio McGee.

5. What are your favourite design features or trends?

If you follow us on our social media accounts, you will see we gravitate towards modern farmhouse design. Old is new again! This is reflected in many design elements, but also the floor! Patterned floor tile is very popular and looks great in many different spaces. On our latest build, The Muriel, we incorporated a classic patterned tile in the powder room paired with gold accents. In the kids bath, we chose a more modern black and white tile to add a sense of whimsy and fun. We like using the floor tile as a jumping off point and to lay the foundation for the room’s design. 

Curved design elements are big in 2021. Moving away from the blocky, square design to softer, more subtle design. We like to incorporate this through a curved doorway, visible from the main living space, as well as in the furniture choices. In The Muriel, we have a curved open doorway that leads to the coffee pantry. I’m sure it is the favourite room in the house!

Other trends we are loving are the warmer palettes. We love bright and light spaces (chantilly lace OC-65 from Benjamin Moore is our favourite paint colour), but moving away from stark white cabinetry to warmer off white tones is trending. Introducing wood tones and texture to the space makes it feel warm and inviting. 

Designing multifunctional spaces has become even more important over this last year. With many of us working from home, we are finding the need to incorporate office nooks in creative ways. You don’t always need a spare room to be your office, you can create small spaces that are multifunctional and can help each person in the household feel like they have their own space to be creative or get some work done.

6. Do you have any advice for people thinking about building?

It is very important to find a builder that you align with. Your values, design aesthetic, and communication styles have to align for a successful project. Make sure to ask a lot of questions to make sure you will enjoy working together. A new build takes around 6 months, and longer for the upfront design stage, so choose someone you like! Building, or renovating, can be like a rollercoaster ride. Some days are very exciting, and other days you worry over small details, wondering if you made the right choice. Having someone you trust to advise you along the way will make it more enjoyable and help to ensure you have the space you were striving for. 

Know where to splurge and where to save. Everyone has a different budget and knowing where to spend and where to save can help you stay on target, but still get a beautiful, well designed space. Great places to invest (spend) are the fixed elements you won’t want to change for years to come. This includes quality flooring that is timeless and cabinetry you won’t tire of or that will go out of style quickly. Paint and accessories can be easily changed to achieve the mood you want in the space, but higher priced items need to be thought through so you can enjoy them for many years to come. 

7. What makes your partnership with Local Flooring Group successful?

We love working with Local Flooring Group because they combine high quality products that bring longevity to any space with on trend, designer products that are budget friendly. No matter what kind of project we are working on, whether it is a new build, or a small renovation project, we know we will find the right flooring that matches our budget and application. And for us, it is also just as important to support a local Saskatchewan company that offers exceptional service. Local Flooring Group delivers on all of this.

A big thank you to Jackie for sharing her building wisdom, design inspiration, and experience with us. We look forward to many more great years of working together and seeing her beautiful builds!

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