Howell Custom Building Group’s Showroom Favorites — February 2024
A Note From Jason
The key combo for happy kids is activities and fresh air – no matter what the weather! Here is a moment I captured with my sons that shows them having a great time playing in the snow during one of our adventures up north.
Hello everyone and happy February!
For me, winter is a time to get outside. If I keep my boys inside too long, something is bound to get broken or someone is going to end up crying. To get their energy out, and mine as well, we take to the slopes when we can. This past weekend we did a day trip combo of skiing and tubing. I can tell you, we all slept well that night!
As we prep for the Super Bowl this weekend, I think about the things that got the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers to the big game. Neither team would have gotten there without teamwork.
When I think of teams and the power of working together as a singular unit, my attention turns to my colleagues at Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply. Our company is committed to excellence and supporting one another, and always keeping the needs of the client top-of-mind. This is how we get to the kitchen and bath Super Bowl!
Recently, a friend at a staffing agency told me that this is the most challenging time to find and retain talent that they have ever seen. When we are searching to fill a position, we don’t settle. We know that investing in the search and hiring the right people is a critical part of our business if we want to remain at the top of our game. These decisions are important, and with this in mind, I’ve spent a significant amount of my time lately on the hiring process. I’m happy to say we’ve had great success and have brought on several impressive additions to our team. By curating the right players, I’m confident we’ll continue to have our Super Bowl-caliber team.
This month’s guest blogger is Susan Howell from Howell Custom Building Group. She and her husband Steve have developed a reputation as one of the best builders on the Northshore, especially if you are interested in post and beam construction. We have been collaborating with Howell Custom Building Group for over a decade. We worked with them on a couple of Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz projects in Lawrence and that helped forge a friendship that has developed into a strong partnership. Susan came into our Beverly showroom and we were proud to show her the recent updates to the layout and displays.
Best,
Jason Sevinor
President
Susan and husband Steve Howell are the Owners/Founders of Howell Custom Building Group. A leader amongst the premier residential builders in the greater Boston area, the company was recently honored as “2023 Builder of the Year” by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB). For over 26 years they’ve provided a consistently great new home construction and home remodeling experience for homeowners north of Boston.
FURNITURE GUILD HAYDEN VANITY BASE
This Furniture Guild vanity appealed to me because it’s elegant, yet not overly formal. Lately, we are building and renovating homes with a transitional or modern farmhouse style and this would look great in a powder room of one of these projects. The heavy circular brushed brass pulls are so beautiful – their heft lends substance and “pop” to an otherwise delicate looking piece. I also like the functional aspect of the drawers, which feature mortise and tenon joinery, a testament to the craftsmanship of this vanity. In the showroom, this vanity was part of a display that included brass sconces that matched the aged brass finish on the pulls. I loved the entire vignette.
STONE FOREST AMBER ONYX VESSEL SINK
As I walked across the showroom floor, my eyes were immediately drawn to this visually stunning natural stone vessel sink by Stone Forest. It looks like a piece of artwork featuring organic patterns and colors — I love the stone’s unique nature. This would go well in one of the post and beam homes we build — I could see the stone complementing exposed woods, natural stone floors, and other earthy products.
LANDMADE OSTRA BATHTUB IN PURESTONE WHITE
The Landmade Ostra tub caught my eye because of its size, unusual shape, and the Purestone matte white finish. This finish softens the tub’s look and feel, so you just want to climb into it. While the piece is oversized (my 6’3” husband would be comfortable in it!), the sculptural shape and the chamfered edge add an airy lightness. I envision this tub becoming the centerpiece of an owner’s bathroom in a contemporary home, perhaps sitting in front of an oversized picture window overlooking a beautiful view.
ARTELINEA BLUE FLUTED MONLITE VANITY + SINK
This ocean blue glass floating vanity with a matching blue countertop, both by Artelinea, would be perfect in one of our coastal home projects! The color is just stunning. It reminds me of a piece of Chihuly glass. The fluted glass across the front of the vanity feels like a reference to waves, and the floating nature of this chic vanity gives it lightness.
FRANZ VIEGENER NEREA DIAMOND WIDESPREAD LAVATORY FAUCET IN SATIN GREYSTONE PVD
I love the understated sophistication of this faucet by Franz Viegener. The satin Greystone/gunmetal finish is unusual — it looks substantial, yet muted. The faucet’s handles are diamond cut with a cylinder shape, which is comfortable to hold and turn, while also offering discreet style.