Design Meets Function with BRS Construction
Article by Stephanie Hobby | Photos by Ember Marketing
When people think of interior design, they often picture pillows and furnishings, but that’s an almost comical misrepresentation. Good design distinguishes between a functional, productive space and one marked by disorganization and inefficiency. Most people spend over half their lives in their dwellings, so it makes sense to create spaces that are not only beautiful but also reduce stress and add value to their homes.
Scot Bonenberger, owner of BRS Construction, realizes the need for well-designed spaces in his custom-built homes. While he and his team have a good eye, working with a professional architectural drafter and interior designer elevates his projects to another level.
“It all starts with great design. Cory Hess, the owner of Peak Custom Home Design, and I work closely to come up with a plan that will best meet the customer’s needs; Christy Fettig pulls it all together to make everything look seamless,” says Bonenberger.
Bonenberger, Hess, and Fettig of Christy Fettig Designs started collaborating on her home, featured in the 2024 Parade of Homes. During that in-depth, two-year undertaking, it became apparent that their ability to collaborate led to spectacular creations, leading to a long-term partnership. Now, when a client signs with Bonenberger, Fettig’s design services are included in the package.
While looking at blueprints is a straightforward process, Bonenberger says many people can’t visualize how the finished product will look and what it would be like to actually walk through those spaces. Having an expert who knows how rooms will connect and flow together makes a tremendous difference in a project’s success, and whether something simple like a light switch will be placed behind an open door or in an easily accessible location so you can light the room as you walk in.
Fettig, who spent the first 25 years of her career in banking and investigating financial crimes, recently switched to pursue her lifelong passion for making things beautiful. “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make something look pretty,” she said, adding that matching colors and furniture placement can make a big difference when creating functional spaces for families’ needs. “Your home should reflect your family and how you like to live. To me, it’s problem-solving again; that seems to be the main thread of my career. I love solving problems and putting things together. This is just a more creative way of doing that and making it comfortable for people to live their best lives.”
Having learned those interview skills in fraud investigations has proven helpful in Fettig’s new line of work, where she quickly learns as much as she can about her clients, from how many people they like to entertain, whether they like to cook, and how many children or grandchildren they have. “It really does help me understand what they’re looking for, whether we’re redecorating or if we’re starting from scratch, and looking at blueprints for the very first time and haven’t broken ground yet. Knowing what they love and what they do, both in their home and outside really makes a difference,” Fettig said.
From there, they try to address the family’s needs and use their home to tell their story, incorporating collections or art that holds meaning. Most people have their preferences and the necessary tools to create a gorgeous space, but they need assistance putting it together. Fettig favors classic, timeless styles and says you can rely on nature’s palette to guide you when selecting colors. “Shades of blues, greens, taupes, and some browns very rarely go completely out of vogue,” she said. The trick - and this is where good interior designers shine - is mixing those colors. “That’s where having an interior designer who has a taste for those things and mixing those colors really helps because we can find ways to take those colors you really like and do it in a really tasteful, classic way.”
Fettig’s work ranges from projects as simple as new wallpaper and a furniture refresh to intensive remodels to starting from scratch with a new build. “I just want people to be happy in the space they have. I can’t stress enough how you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have something that you feel is absolutely gorgeous. Design isn’t for the elite. It’s for everyone. It’s a matter of finding things that are in your budget that speak to you, and there’s always something,” she said.
Bonenberger’s goal is for his clients to achieve their dreams most cost-effectively. Partnering with Fettig ensures they’ll get something beautiful, functional, and enjoyable for years to come. “I just think we’ve built a great team, and it works really, really well,” he said. “The biggest thing is being able to take people’s vision, nail it, and get it right.”