I still recall the experience of building our first house. Being a bit of a control freak, the whole project got me anxious. On one side, we envisioned something unique to us. On the other side, we lacked experience dealing with a project this large, the financial aspects, and hearing others' not-so-pleasant building stories.

What brought me some comfort was my belief that based on my professional experience, proper planning and efficient management could lead to successful project outcomes. So, we tackled our new construction with the same approach I've always used in managing projects, simply because I didn’t know better.

My relationships with excellent design resources proved to be invaluable, complementing our collaboration with the architect and general contractor by providing a visual concept for the entire house. I couldn't fathom how the contractors would navigate the project without a visual guide, ensuring they understood our plans for each room, including important details and our preferences.

I collaborated with my talented 3D designer to craft the design for each room, turning my vision into detailed, photorealistic renderings that showcased different angles. For customized features like interior railing, fireplace, and vanities, we supplemented our designs with technical drawings and added details to ensure project success. For the exterior, we went from rough planning to a detailed landscaping concept that resulted in a 3D video that allowed us to walk through the yard before it was even there.

I carefully set up a budget using Google Sheets; and every invoice was scanned and stored in Dropbox, allowing us to track expenses and monitor progress and efficiency.

Also, sharing files across various platforms and programs helped in keeping everyone aligned. The combination of 3D visuals and continuous project tracking significantly minimized misunderstandings, contributing to a smooth process.

Triumphs and Challenges with Construction

But of course, just when you think everything's on track, unexpected twists happen. For us, that unexpected turn was the global pandemic. The human toll during this tragic time was the top priority, but as time passed, it also affected costs and resources.

Material costs skyrocketed, lead times for subcontractors went from weeks to months, and some items we had chosen simply became unavailable. We had to think on our feet, making decisions based on the best options available. During the framing stage, lumber prices hit their highest point. Pausing construction would have led to more costs and delays in other areas, with uncertainty about whether prices would decrease or rise even more.

As for the kitchen and bathrooms, my preference was for a German kitchen and other European elements. After a lot of research and comparisons, I concluded that it might be more cost-effective to directly source everything from Germany myself rather than outsourcing the task.

Following visits to various German kitchen companies, I collaborated with one manufacturer and some bath suppliers, hoping to consolidate everything in one container for shipment here. Being a European citizen and familiar with export/import, coupled with having a customs broker in NY, I believed I could handle the shipping process and preparation myself.

During the pandemic, shipping costs tripled, and obtaining a container became a significant challenge due to heightened global demand and port disruptions caused by a shortage of truck drivers.

The Birth of Junique
Eventually, we managed to get everything shipped, but it unavoidably led to project delays. For instance, our custom front and side glass doors arrived almost a year after being ordered. However, despite these challenges and considering it was our first build, everything worked out quite well.

I must commend my builder for his infinite patience with my detailed inquiries and extensive involvement in every aspect of the project! But at the end of the day, everybody really appreciated the process and encouraged me to possibly start my own business after the pandemic had completely slowed my marketing job.

When I also coincidentally worked with a luxury interior designer in NYC on high-end installs, I really fell in love with construction and home design and felt it was my new calling. I am still at the beginning of this journey with my company Junique but my overall mission to to do things better, find better solutions, and improve processes is still my ongoing goal!

Stay tuned, best Julia

A Personal Journey through Construction & Home Design

Smart Kitchen

Meet Julia