“When I grow up I want to be an architect”. There has never been any doubt in Stephanie’s mind what she wanted to do when she grew up. The influence of her grandparents (artists, realtor, cabinet maker, and engineer) during her formative years certainly fueled her desire to design and build homes. High school and college mission trips to rural Appalachia, Jamaica, and Mexico provided her hands on experience with a variety of building techniques and styles. Her formal education came from the “North Avenue Trade School”, graduating with a degree in Architecture and minor in Building Construction from Georgia Tech after too many late nights in the studio.
Even before graduation, Stephanie started working for a major In-town Atlanta design/build firm as an architectural intern. Working in Ansley Park, Stephanie’s passion for Residential design and love of old homes blossomed under a talented team of Architects as she designed projects for discerning clients in Druid Hills, Virginia Highland, Inman Park, Buckhead, and beyond. After just shy of ten years of award winning design, Stephanie decided to take a break to spend more time with her young and growing family. She continued to do freelance design when she desired and ultimately gave into her husband’s nagging to officially join Custom Dwellings as Vice-President and Lead Designer in 2009. Russell promised “flexibility” of work hours and schedule (but conveniently failed to mention the reality of 10pm-2am studio time, a perk of self-employment!) From time to time, Stephanie engages in collaborative design efforts with several independent Atlanta area Architects and remodellers and partners with a nearby cabinet showroom providing her design services and expertise as certified Kitchen & Bath designer (AKBD) on a per client basis.
If she had any free time, you would find Stephanie scrapbooking to preserve her three kids childhood memories or perhaps hiking through the mountains of North Georgia. Instead however, you’ll find her leading cub scout and girl scout meetings, baking her infamous birthday cakes, shuttling kids to ballet, soccer, gymnastics, and drum lessons, all the while coordinating the gardening program at their elementary school.
