 Service hooks couple on custom builder
Correspondent
February 28, 2007
NOBLESVILLE -- After two Realtors witnessed the way custom builder David B. Klain worked with one of their clients, they decided to go with the firm to build their own home. "We got to see, through that experience, how he handled them as customers," said Melanie Scheetz. She and husband Mike are with Century 21 Scheetz, owned by Mike's father. "Even after the sale he came back to make sure everything was working right. They had nothing but nice things to say about him, and that was a pretty good recommendation."
The Scheetzes went on to build their own custom home, and found out for themselves that DB Klain Builders specializes in customer service. "We felt he was available to us from the very beginning, with regard to the design of our home," Melanie said. "It took many meetings, to get the exterior elevation just right. He met with us and with the architect, he tweaked and tweaked until it was exactly what we wanted." They moved into their Village of WestClay home in June, and the compliments of many friends have followed. "Attention to detail is what makes it extraordinary," Melanie said. David Klain built his first home between his junior and senior years at Indiana University, having learned the building trade from his father, Indianapolis builder Bradley Klain. In 1993, he established DB Klain Builders LLC. "He's been exceeding customers' expectations since then," said Tammy Swart, builder's representative. "His specialty is the design and quality of his work." Most recently, DB Klain Builders has completed a custom model home in Slater Ridge, a section of Slater Farms in Noblesville. Klain said the hallmark of DB Klain Builders is willingness to meet one-on-one with customers, as often as they like. The firm also boasts longstanding relationships with vendors and prides itself on design flexibility. "That's one of the things you get with a custom builder -- flexibility in design and finishes," he said. "We will do anything, as long as code permits." He said his use of superior materials and craftsmanship means prices are based on quality rather than square footage. For example, Swart noted, Klain's 71/4 baseboards, engineered floor joists and creative lighting all add up to touches that exceed those of other builders in this price point. The 4,200-square-foot, $649,900 model home at Slater Ridge is at 16970 Timbers Edge Road. The home site lives up to its street name, backing up to a mature tree line fronting a tree preserve. That makes for panoramic views from a wall of windows in the two-story great room and a bay-window area in the master suite. Klain characterizes the home as "traditional with a slight contemporary feel." The higher-than-usual baseboards in the foyer and dining room, the great room's wood fireplace surround and mantle and the library's handsome wall of shelving are but a few traditional features. Custom ceiling work and a raised, glass dining bar off the kitchen's center island add the contemporary. The home's appeal is top-to-bottom. Wide Brazilian cherry planks, diagonally placed on the main floor, give angular flair while treatments such as the DB Klain signature ceiling in the dining room draw the eye upward. Four deep coffers make up the ceiling in the two-story great room. The home's lighting fixtures bring a surprise in each room: A large bowl chandelier in the guest suite, an airplane propeller in one of the children's rooms and a dainty princess chandelier in the other. There's even a chandelier in the powder room. The kitchen features under-cabinet lighting, as well as toe-kick lighting at floor height, beneath the lower cabinets. The kitchen features granite countertops and a grand centerpiece hood above the gas cooktop. Speaking of centerpieces, the microwave is cleverly hidden on the side of the center island. "A microwave is one of the ugliest appliances, so you don't want it to be the focal point," Klain said. An informal dining area is encased in a bay-window area, and next to that is a sunny gathering place framed in couch seating. The sitting area holds a built-in large-screen entertainment center, making the kitchen the hub of the home. With the raised bar at the center island, the breakfast nook and the sunroom, there's ample space for about 15 people. A surprise art nook in the butler's pantry hallway lends formality leading back to the dining room. Adjacent to the butler's pantry, arched doorway with rounded corners leads to the bead-boarded back hallway -- home to a small arrival center to stow keys and mail or check e-mail. The nearby mudroom houses a convenient built-in storage locker. Upstairs, wide hallways with plush carpeting and a wrought-iron balcony overlooking the foyer make for cheery corridors linking private-bath bedrooms, the master suite and a full laundry room. The guest suite's vaulted ceiling gives personality, with the bowl chandelier. Two more bedrooms with vaulted ceiling treatments are separated by a Jack-and Jill bath. "He follows the roof lines," Swart said. The master bedroom comfortably fits oversized furniture, with seating room to spare in the panoramic bay-window area. The master bath with water closet shows off Durango marble on the double-sink vanity. Another bowl chandelier mood-lights the garden whirlpool tub and glassed-in oversize shower. The walk-in closet features custom wood shelving and a large dresser that even houses his-and-her jewelry drawers. On the lower, walk-out level features 10-foot walls. The home-theater walls are decorated with faux columns and sconce lighting, giving a Hollywood appeal. The wet bar is charming, with slate tile countertops and floors, wine cubes, cabinetry, hung lighting and floor lighting. The game area opens to a large patio beneath the deck accessed from the breakfast nook upstairs. Rounding out the lower level are a spare room, which can be a fifth bedroom or exercise room, and a large bath. DB Klain Builders also has models in Carmel's
Village of West Clay and Lochaven of Noblesville. Klain was chosen
one of three local builders to construct $1.3-$2.7-million homes in
the Village of WestClay's new City Homes and Chelms Ford
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