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story by Michelle Cannon Epting photography by Jason Hook

“The customer is always right” is one of the most popularly quoted phrases concerning giving exemplary customer service, a motto by which companies instill confidence in their patrons’ products, services, and treatment. Stanley Homes, founded in 2003 by Jason Stanley, is a company established and built upon the foundation of the customer always being right. A custom homebuilder serving Brevard and Volusia counties, Stanley homes strives to achieve “nothing less than 100 percent customer satisfaction.”

Multiple water views were emphasized in the  design of the custom home in Melbourne Beach.

Multiple water views were emphasized in the
design of the custom home in Melbourne Beach.

Dr. Kim Crawford and her husband Gilles Pesant chose Stanley Homes as their homebuilder and throughout their experience, they learned just how much Jason Stanley and his team believe in customer service. The quality of the model home construction and features, online research, recommendations from industry professionals, and Jason’s friendly and straightforward style helped them choose Stanley Homes.

“Nothing was hidden,” Dr. Crawford said. “He allowed us to do our own twist on the predesigned home and did what he said he would do. He did all the things we wanted, and we went through several sets of plans. He and his whole staff are very customer-oriented.”

Stanley Homes helped them create a home that they truly love. “Every day, we look at each other and say how much we love this home.”

Dr. Crawford details the unique and special features of her Melbourne Beach home, including his and her

A pass-through to the dining room from the kitchen grants access to stunning water views and is

A pass-through to the dining room from the kitchen grants access to stunning water views.

vanities on different sides of the master bathroom, granting more personal space. In the generously sized shower, shutters can be opened to see a pond on that side of the home, allowing for a view of the birds that visit the pond throughout the day.

The incorporation of elements to emphasize the beauty of the river and the wonder of the surrounding wildlife was of utmost importance while designing the home. Sliding glass doors with extra panes showcase the porch area, pool, and river from the great room. The kitchen, which includes not one, but two, pantries, overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. The kitchen also features an eat-in nook, which fits their “casual” entertaining style. A pass-through to the dining room is not only useful but grants panoramas from one side of the home to
the other.

The home includes picturesque visuals from every angle thanks to the water views. On the east side of the home sits the pond, and on the west side, the river. The master bedroom features stunning river views. A special modification for the master suite allowed the ability to step directly out of the bedroom and into the hot tub for extra privacy. The hot tub was especially appreciated after long workdays that ended with moving and decorating the home during the holiday season. “Every night for two weeks we would sit in the hot tub, and it was heaven,” Dr. Crawford said.

The home’s gym faces the river.

The home’s gym faces the river.

The home gym faces the river, allowing one to enjoy birds, dolphins, and manatees while burning calories. Off of the gym is an upstairs balcony, from which amazing sunsets can be witnessed. “We watch the sunset every night. Before sunset, we turn on the mood lighting all over the house. When we have friends over for the first time to the house, we’ll open a bottle of champagne and enjoy the reactions as we watch the sunset.” The home also offers the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy the stars and constellations in the clear night sky.

Two separate offices were included in the design since Dr. Crawford and Gilles both frequently work from home. His upstairs office offers gorgeous, yet different, views from her downstairs office. Dr. Crawford says that she enjoys seeing the wildlife from her office windows, including an osprey, which she and her husband have named “Oscar,” who frequently visits.

Additionally, the lap pool has no screen in order to focus on the view of the river. As animal lovers, Dr. Crawford and her husband have witnessed several duck families visit the ozone pool during a daily migration from the river to the pond and back again in the afternoon. Other pool visitors include wading herons and other swimming ducks. They also took advantage of the easy river access by building a garage with higher twelve-foot ceilings and a proximal door to accommodate their kayaks, paddleboards, and windsurfing gear and get it to the river easily.

Another feature that Dr. Crawford especially loves is the entrance into the house from the garage; one does not

The couple’s master bedroom includes custom ceiling designs to match the room’s decor.

The couple’s master bedroom includes custom ceiling designs to match the room’s decor.

have to walk through a laundry room. Instead there is a hallway with a pantry into the kitchen and the laundry room is separate.

During the entire process of building their dream home, Jason Stanley and his staff demonstrated patience and exceptional customer service, accommodating the desired changes with a “no problem” attitude. Dr. Crawford is overjoyed with the final result. “We wouldn’t take anything for this house. We often say this will be our last home.” Thanks to Stanley Homes’ ability to build relationships and dreams, they provided more than just a home for the couple.

Stanley Homes, Inc. is creating unique experiences for their customers. Call (321) 396-7778 or visit StanleyHomesInc.com to find out how.