When a professional home builder decides to build his own residence, the project takes on a different dimension entirely. Stephen Gillis, owner of Gillis Homes, had passed a piece of land in Georgetown, Massachusetts hundreds of times before a For Sale sign finally appeared. With 30 inches of snow on the ground and only photographs of the property in warmer seasons, he and his wife Diana trudged through 450 feet of woods to see the eight acre lot. That moment marked the beginning of a project that became both a showcase of custom home construction expertise and a deeply personal journey.
The 6,000-square-foot house went from drawing board to groundbreaking in less than 10 weeks. Gillis had been waiting for the right location and already had the design prepared. What followed was a year-long process that tested his patience, decision-making skills, and emotional resolve in ways he had not anticipated.
Why a Builder Decided to Build His Own Home
Waiting for the Right Opportunity
Finding the perfect property was the first challenge. Gillis had passed this particular lot countless times before the sign went up. His decision to call came on a whim, driven only by his familiarity with the broker. The eight acres offered seclusion and natural beauty while remaining accessible for construction equipment and daily living. The property included a barn with antiques dating back to the early 1900s, adding a layer of historical curiosity to the project.
Moving from Plans to Reality
The speed from purchase to construction was remarkable. Gillis had the design ready before he found the land, which allowed him to move quickly once the property became available. This advance preparation is a strategy that many builders adopt when they have a clear vision of what they want to build. Having the floor plan, elevations, and material specifications finalized before acquiring the site eliminated months of design work. The Gillis family left a nice but predictable colonial for a custom new home that reflected their lifestyle and aspirations.
Design Decisions That Defined the Home
The home’s design reflects Arts and Crafts influences with Prairie Style windows, cultured stone, and front columns that create an unassuming exterior. Despite being 6,000 square feet with five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, the house does not overwhelm visitors with its size. This deliberate subtlety was part of Gillis’ philosophy about how a home should feel from the curb. Past the garage door he designed a clutter room concealed by a pocket door, with coat hooks, newspaper slots, outlets, shredders, and recycling drawers to keep everyday items out of sight.
The Oval Foyer as a Central Design Element
The 19-foot-tall oval foyer serves as the critical piece that determined the entire layout. Gillis described it as the element that makes the strongest first impression. The oval shape repeats throughout the home, including a smaller scale version in the master suite entry highlighted by a mini oval rotunda with mahogany shelves. This architectural continuity ties the spaces together visually.
A 19-foot-long gallery passage lined with built-in bookcases connects the foyer to the great room. Built-ins appear throughout the first floor, designed to display art pieces and store books for Stephen and Diana, both avid readers. The great room itself features a 15-foot by 16-foot window overlooking the backyard, flooding the two-story space with natural light. A granite fireplace flanked by built-in bookcases anchors the room, while a Romeo and Juliet style balcony overlooks the space from above.
Balancing Personal Taste with Resale Value
Gillis made a conscious effort to design spaces that would appeal to future buyers. He thought carefully about how someone else might use the house. This forward thinking influenced the decision to place the master suite on the first floor, a departure from his previous home where the master was upstairs. The first-floor master suite with its mini oval rotunda creates a sense of arrival while offering practical accessibility for aging in place.
Every design element was evaluated through two lenses: personal enjoyment and marketability. This dual perspective is valuable for any builder’s personal home project where the owner must balance self-expression with the reality that homes eventually sell.
Material Selection and Hands-On Product Research
One of the most valuable aspects of building his own home was the opportunity to research products and materials at a depth that client projects rarely allow. Gillis visited manufacturing plants, consulted with suppliers, and tested products in his own home before recommending them to his customers.
| Product Category | Material Chosen | Key Benefit | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim and Molding | PVC (Kleer) | Weather and insect resistant | Exterior and interior trim |
| Roofing Edge | Copper drop edges | Durability and aesthetic appeal | Roof perimeter |
| Countertops | Granite | Durability and heat resistance | Kitchen island and perimeter |
| Cooktop | Six-burner Thermador | Professional grade performance | Kitchen |
| Window Treatments | Lutron remote-control shades | Convenience and light control | Sunroom and great room |
| Shower System | Custom high-output shower | 25 gallons per minute capacity | Master bathroom |
Trim and Exterior Materials
Gillis noticed that pine trim was rotting on homes he had built, including his previous residence. For his own home, he chose Kleer PVC trim and molding, a material that resists weather damage and insects. This decision eliminated a maintenance problem that had plagued earlier projects. The high performance windows and doors paired with durable trim materials create a home that requires less ongoing maintenance than traditional wood alternatives.
Kitchen and Bath Product Choices
The kitchen is equipped for both everyday cooking and entertaining large extended family. Rows of hand-painted maple cabinets line the walls, and granite countertops top the island. The appliance layout includes two sinks, two dishwashers, a double convection oven, a warming drawer, and a six-burner Thermador cooktop. A Sharp microwave with a pullout drawer sits at waist level for easy access. A nook with built-in seating overlooks a wetlands preserve on the property, where the family does a lot of bird watching.
The master bathroom features a custom shower that Gillis likened to a car wash, capable of delivering 25 gallons per minute when all features are activated. Heated toilet seats and Lutron lighting controls add comfort and convenience. The master suite bathroom design served as a testing ground for products he could later offer to his clients in the subdivision.
Learning by Installing
Gillis researched materials and design decisions as he went along, often referring to Sarah Susanka’s books on creating practical living spaces rather than simply maximizing square footage. He went to company plants to see products first-hand before making selections. This hands-on approach meant every product in his home came with personal experience behind it. The sunroom with nearly floor-to-ceiling glass and Lutron remote-control shades demonstrates how automation can enhance daily living.
Lessons Learned from a Year-Long Build
What should have been an eight-month construction timeline stretched to just over a year. Gillis described the process as painful and emotionally taxing, calling it the toughest year of his career in home building. The delays came primarily from decision fatigue rather than construction challenges.
The Challenge of Decision Making
Gillis admitted he was his own worst customer. He spent six months deciding on the garage door alone. Every product choice required research, comparison, and deliberation. Running a $30 million company while trying to make personal design decisions added pressure. At certain points he had to stop entirely due to mental block.
His friend advised him to pick out all materials and plan everything before starting construction. Gillis did not follow this advice. He built everything on the fly, choosing products as the framing progressed. This approach caused delays and stress but also allowed him to discover options he might not have considered with a fully pre-planned approach.
Using the Home as a Living Showroom
Gillis moves approximately every five years to build a new home and stay current with industry innovations. His plan was always to bring clients through the house, treating it as a living catalogue of what his company can build. He believes strongly that he cannot confidently sell products to customers unless he has experienced them firsthand.
The wine storage room is a perfect example. At 6 feet by 6 feet with a 400-bottle capacity and Prairie style glass door, this space was built specifically to show clients what is possible. Gillis admitted he is no wine connoisseur, but he wanted to demonstrate the option to potential buyers. Other amenity spaces include a library and a 20-foot by 28-foot loft and game room over the garage.
What Made It Worthwhile
Despite the stress and delays, Gillis considers the project worthwhile. He now knows the products inside and out, even those he did not choose for his own home. This knowledge makes him better prepared to talk with buyers in his 24-lot subdivision. The home serves as proof of what his company can deliver.
Key lessons from the project include:
- Start material selection early to avoid last-minute decisions that cause delays
- Allow extra time for personal projects where emotions are invested in every choice
- Use the opportunity to test products before offering them to clients at scale
- Design with resale value in mind even when building for yourself
- Build what you love because you will live with each decision every day
The family moved into the home in August, with several projects still planned. A pool and deck are under consideration. The barn on the property, with its antiques and papers dating back to the early 1900s, awaits stabilization and exploration. Gillis knows this home will be a longer-term stay compared to his previous houses. With the amount of work invested and his love for the result, he plans on staying for a decade.
I love this house more than any I have ever had, he said. That sentiment, earned through a year of difficult decisions and hands-on building, is the ultimate reward for any builder willing to become his own customer. The experience taught him that building for yourself is fundamentally different from building for a client, and the lessons learned on a personal project carry forward into every home you build afterward.