“This is not defining me.
I will rebuild,” she declared. “It was a rude wake-up call as I called countless builders. Everyone wanted me to already have a plan in place. I tried to clearly tell them, ‘My house just burnt down!’ I called Roger (Roger Widing at Widing Custom Homes). He was the only one who showed up, and with an architect in tow.” As Lori sat with her new dream team, they created plans together. They made the process simple by asking her likes and dislikes of her previous homes. Finally, she made a wish list with inspiration from Google and Pinterest. “I needed to see something positive in my life,” says Lori. “I told them, ‘You helped a damsel in distress,’” she laughs. When custom building a house from scratch, the options are mind-boggling. “Every time I felt overwhelmed, I called Joni, Roger’s office manager. She was my go-to-gal. She helped me pick out so many things, even the granite.” Lori also had a long list of ideas that she wanted to incorporate into her new home. This was where hiring a master custom builder paid off. “Roger never said no. He always made things work.” You’ll notice this before you even step inside. You are mesmerized by the ornate front door, a towering veil of a magnificent tree adorned with bold, animated branches like the tree of life, ready to welcome every guest. It is a stunning piece of art that is truly breathtaking. Lori had seen an example of the same kind of door in a national magazine and called the builder of the home. “The lady was pretty snotty and asked if I was a customer. I wasn’t. She was telling me they only make them for clients whose homes they have built.” Roger to the rescue! “Good old Roger, the problem solver,” laughs Lori.
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MAR/APRIL 2022 | BAYLIFE MAGAZINE
