BY DANIEL YOUMANS CBN FEATURE WRITER ON MAY 21, 2019
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​​Heading up sales and marketing for Norman Building & Design naturally fits Greg Garrick. A former client, Garrick’s highly personal approach to serving new clients even includes a tour of his own NBD-built home. This typifies the home construction philosophy of NBD, which builds between six to eight custom homes each year in Central Oregon, along with providing remodeling services.

When did you join Norman Building & Design, and what brought you to the company?

I joined Norman Building & Design in 2003. My history with the company, however, goes back to 1989, when our family first visited Central Oregon. We toured a home that Jim Norman had designed and built. That led to building a vacation home with NBD. We worked together later on an investment home. When we decided to make Bend our home, Jim and his team designed and built our first primary residence in Broken Top. We have since built our fourth NBD home.

After moving into our first Broken Top home, I was walking my dog and bumped into Jim. We had a breakfast and lunch and he suggested working for the company on marketing and sales. My experience as a client and the qualities that drew me to the company for our family needs are the things I have shared with our clients for the last 16 years.

Do you have a particular philosophy or approach to conducting business in the field of home design and construction?

For us, it’s about designing and building exceptional homes that we can stand behind both today and long into the future. We build a continuing relationship with our clients following completion of a home or remodel. Our clients become our biggest cheerleaders with multiple repeat clients.

Being clear up front as to the real cost of creating a client’s dream home allows us and the client to have a great experience. I know that whatever I share with a client will be something they will find to be true — because I’ve had all those experiences.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about entering the home construction industry?

NBD has been in the construction industry for 42 years. That’s a long time, particularly in residential construction. There are, no doubt, many lessons that would be valuable to others that are a part of our approach and our core values. I will say it can be a very challenging business. The recession years of 2007-12 is an example of what can happen that has nothing to do with your efforts but, instead, are forces outside of your control.

In Central Oregon, what are the latest trends in home design and construction, and are these trends different than elsewhere in the country?

The contemporary style is certainly hot at present here in Bend, and that’s true elsewhere. The concern with fire safety is a priority given the impact of wild-fires in California. (We are currently building for a couple who lost their home in the Santa Rosa fire.) One of our top priorities is being aware of what materials and approaches will make the most difference in a home being safe and energy efficient.

Are there particular fads in home remodeling or new construction that you try to steer clients away from?

First and foremost the client is the director of all the action at NBD. We tell our clients that we aren’t shy about sharing our opinions, but nonetheless theirs is the only vote that counts provided it doesn’t compromise structure or construction practices. We do encourage our clients to stay with the classics that will stand the test of time.

We also want to share our experience as to the brands of flooring, plumbing, appliances, etc. Too many times a name commands a premium price without additional value or improved functionality.

Above all a home should feel like a home with natural warmth and light-filled spaces. Working with our clients we can create a home that will live larger than its footprint.

When clients approach you for the first time, what questions should they have for you, and what questions do you have for them?

Clients will obviously want to know about the costs of construction, and an honest indication of how much time will be spent creating and building a custom home. Clients should also check references. It amazes me how few prospective clients will make such a large financial decision while doing little or no research.

Our questions start with land, including our clients’ selection of property, its location, and what they envision. Then, what are their goals for their home? Are there specific issues that they expect to be resolved in design? It all starts with shared expectations and diligent follow up.

Norman Building & Design was founded in 1977. What qualities have led the company to long-term success?

First, doing what you say you are going to do in an exceptional way without cutting corners. Also, seeing what is needed, then taking steps to find a solution. For example, how do we get cabinets of the quality we want? Jim Norman decided to explore designing and building cabinets in our own shops to ensure this important element of the home is available on time and of the highest quality.

One of the best decisions Jim made was bringing onto our team several talented interior designers who work directly with our clients. That ensures our communication is spot on.

What are the greatest challenges and opportunities for the home building industry, both locally and nationally?

For us the challenges remain to be aware of what is new and to keep ensuring that we are employing best practices in our efforts for both design and construction. We strive to employ all the various elements available that can make us more effective and in turn cost competitive.

I wear two hats in some ways — I “bleed” Norman colors in believing what we do is truly amazing. Our team is made up of creative, talented people, and I want continued success for them. As a client, I want the company to thrive so I can continue to receive exceptional follow up and the attention that each of our client’s deserve. That peace of mind means a lot.

​Published May 8, 2019 by Bend Magazine
Written by Bend Mag Staff
Photos Mike Albright

Take a tour inside this modern ranch retreat, a custom home built by Norman Building & Design in the new Bend neighborhood The Tree Farm.

​When Mac and Patti Douglas moved from Seattle to Bend four years ago, they bought a house in Broken Top. While they loved the large, refined-style home in the high-end development, and especially its very livable layout, the location wasn’t quite right. “We wanted more privacy, and a view,” recalled Patti.

They searched for some time for a new home, but the right place didn’t materialize. What they found was either too dated, too large, or on too much land. Explained Patti, “We wanted more elbow room, but not too much property.” Patti was interested in custom building a home, but Mac was hesitant. “We’d been through that process before,” he said, referring to two homes the couple had designed and built in the past. “I wasn’t ready for that level of involvement and intensity again.”

Despite Mac’s hesitation, the Douglases reached out to Bend company Norman Building & Design—the team that had built the Broken Top house that they liked so much. The match was instantly positive. The company’s long history in Central Oregon made them knowledgeable and reliable, and the team was easy to work with. “It was convenient and stress-free to work with Norman,” said Mac. “Everything was done in-house—they really hold your hand through the process.” Patti added, “The relationship was so much fun.”

CENTRAL OREGON TIES

Patti was born in Bend, and the couple and their family had been vacationing during summers at Black Butte since the 1970s. The Douglases were familiar with the region. Once their thoughts shifted to building a home, the task turned to finding land.

After a thorough search, Mac and Patti bought a lot in The Tree Farm, one of Bend’s newest neighborhoods. Located west of town off of Skyliner Road, on what was for many decades actually a tree farm owned by the Miller Lumber family, the development consists of 50 two-acre home sites on a ridge and in the forest. The Douglases secured a spacious lot with views of the Cascade Range, and began plans for their new home.

While contemporary design is trending now, the Douglases wanted a warmer style. “We knew we wanted many of the same elements as our previous home, but with a more rustic lodge-style.” said Patti. The completed nearly-4000-square-foot house is in the style of a modern ranch home, or rustic lodge, with plenty of wood and stone accents. Their Tree Farm residence is a grand home that is also extremely comfortable, welcoming and warm.

A HOME BY DESIGN

As one approaches the home, a circular drive parallels a fence and gate which protect a spacious front courtyard. The home’s exterior is cement shingles accented with rusted metal, for a rustic appearance that blends nicely with the forested landscape. The exterior of the home is entirely fire-safe, per the Tree Farm’s strict requirements, as a Firewise community from the ground up.

The timber-framed front entry shelters a large alder door surrounded by two massive rock walls. Guests enter into the great room, facing huge windows framing a northwest view, taking in sights of a sloping hill, a Ponderosa forest, and Mount Bachelor, Mount Jefferson and Black Butte in the distance.

The great room, purposely, has no electronics or screens installed. “There are no distractions,” said Mac. “We can just read here, or watch the views.” The couple owns a large collection of Western art, from sculpture to paintings, which is subtly placed throughout the home, including a piece prominently displayed over the great room’s massive rock fireplace.

To the southwest of the great room, the master bedroom opens into a den, enlarging that space when desired. “We wanted the home to be designed smart, with no wasted space,”said Patti. “Each room works for us.” Patti’s spacious, coveted sewing room is on that end of the home as well.

On the other end of the home is a family and media room, with two guest rooms, one with a bunk as well as a queen bed. “Every room has a reason for being,” said Patti.

In the kitchen, a huge dish pantry contains everything cleanly, with easy access. “I have so much storage in this house,” said Patti. Polished concrete countertops cover a large center island in the open kitchen space.

The theme of wood—purposefully compatible with a tree farm—appears throughout the home. One hallway wall is rugged reclaimed barn wood. Even some of the tiles in the bathrooms are designed to look like wood, in different grain appearance. The woods contribute to a rich and warm texture. Patti is a quilter, and several quilts and other fabric panels are hung around the home, also adding texture.

An outdoor patio off of the back is tucked into the shape of the house, designed for shelter from the elements, with an overhang inset with heat lamps. A full-size outdoor fireplace sits near several seating options. Off the patio is a round fire pit, perfect for roasting marshmallows on a summer night. “The fire draws people in and brings conversation,” said Patti. “The patio brings us together.”

AT HOME IN COMFORT

Patti and Mac have three grown children as well as many grandchildren, and one desire for their home was that it would be welcoming for their family to visit. “We had fifteen people here at Christmas, and it worked out very well,” said Patti. The guest wing closes off entirely, giving both guests and homeowners privacy.

The Douglases moved into their new home in April 2018. “We just love our home,” said Patti. “It lives so well.” Mac added, “And we have good memories of the process. The Norman team did a great job of listening to us.”

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