Jim & Patti Murray always wanted to build a little cabin in the woods. After their third son headed to college, they were ready to trade their Elm Grove address for a new home. A gorgeous lot on Lake Sinissippi in Hustisford, Wis., beckoned – the lake views were a bonus.
Initially, the couple worked with a small Hustisford builder. After a few months, it was clear they hadn’t found the right partner. “We didn’t want a typical suburban looking home. We wanted a lodge look, but the builder wasn’t listening to us,” Patti says.
The Murrays set out to find another builder with more specific criteria: a builder with expertise working with challenging lots, someone willing to help preserve as many trees as possible and positioning and designing the home to maximize their lot’s views from every room. “We decided to build with James Craig after touring a model and seeing the wonderful craftsmanship in their homes,” Patti notes. “We just had a good feeling. They listened and expanded on our ideas. Everyone was very professional but like friends, too.”
Throughout the Murray’s home, there are reminders of special times with family, as well as the journey building their dream home. The beautiful hardwood floors, for example, were made from oak trees harvested on their property.
“Our house is much more than the little cottage in the woods that I wanted,” admits Patti. “But we couldn’t be happier with the result!”