The entire process was extraordinary.  At our earliest meetings, he had invited his sub-contractors and vendors to meet with us.  Nobody does that!  It was clear that this group were not only business partners, but also friends. The implication of this true “team” approach clearly manifests itself in the superior quality of the craftsmanship. It reveals itself in the creativity and attention to every detail by every team member demonstrated throughout the project.

On many occasions, the Hooper team would brainstorm ideas and their suggestions were almost always embraced by us.

Here are a few examples...

Starting with the clearing of the land.  The shape and location of the driveway added so much charm.  It has a few gentle curves and undulations, with heavy tree growth on either side.  Between those natural undulations of the land, and the curvy shape of the driveway, our home remains a mystery until you make that final left-hand turn and the full expanse of the home comes into view. 

Another…The amount of land cleared around the house.

Perfect. Just enough to have grass, grow gardens, enjoy all that a cleared yard offers, while maintaining the coziness of being in the woods.

And another…The positioning of the house.  We discussed with Steve how we wanted to maximize the water views.  We wanted each bedroom to have a clear view of our tidal river and westerly cove. 

Steve suggested we back the house up from the river just a little bit farther from the setback line, as this would position our home on the high point of the land…broadening our water views.  Angled perfectly, with our great room facing southwest, to capture the afternoon sun and offer sunsets over the water on a nightly basis.  Doing so, we were rewarded with an additional bonus.  Each clear morning, as the sun rises above the tree line, the front of our house basks in the sun’s warm rays.  The effect of the morning sun on our custom-made mahogany garage doors is magical.

Yet another…the basement or, as Steve insists we NOW call it, “the lower level”.  The original plan called for crawl space for nearly half the basement.   We never really gave it much thought during the design process.  But when Steve suggested we put a full basement under the entire house, we quickly saw the value.

Wow! It truly completed the home.  We now had the room to create a spacious, customized gym and sauna, install a comfortably sized half-bathroom, build a beautiful mahogany wet bar adjacent to our movie room and wine cellar, and provide storage.  Our guests have all been amazed.

One last example:  The Great Room is a result of creatively combined with great skill.  The upper walls of this expansive room, and of those of the loft, were originally planned to be sheet-rocked and painted.  One day, Steve approached us and shared an idea that originated from a Hooper Team discussion.  Instead of sheet rock and paint, what would we think of cedar tongue and groove planks?  Not simply laid horizontally or vertically, but installed on an angle, giving the room additional viewing points.  A great suggestion, which lead to a much improved final product.  We can not imagine the room any other way now.

The craftsmanship is exquisite.  On a few occasions, we’ve had visitors to our home that come from a construction background.  To hear their admiration, and to see the “awe” in their eyes, significantly reaffirms to ourselves the great decision we made, when we hired Hooper Construction.  Look at the great room wall.  The joining of these enormous 25+ feet Douglas Fir beams, with a set of massive Douglas Fir trusses.  Each Douglas Fir log is at least 16 inches in diameter; a few even bigger.  Assembled in such a fashion as to convey their impressive size, yet simultaneously welcoming each and every visitor. 

There are HUNDREDS of examples to share like these… such as the kitchen layout, custom cabinetry, hand carved front doors, hand crafted iron balusters, masonry, and so many intricate details which can only be truly appreciated by seeing it with your own eyes.  We welcome any potential customer of Hooper Construction to come over and experience “Anam Cara”.   When the project was finished we decided it needed a name – it is so much more to us than a “house”.  We decided on Anam Cara which is Gaelic for “Soul Friend” (see description below).

Our building experience was so unique and FUN, it’s very difficult to capture it in writing.  Suffice it to say that we signed a contract with Hooper Construction over 3 years ago to become they’re customers. Now that our contractual relationship has ended, our journey has not.  Steve and Jill have a special place in our life forever.  They are now wonderful friends.

“ANAM CARA”

According to Celtic spiritual tradition, the soul shines all around the body like a luminous cloud.   When you are very open, appreciative and trusting with another person, your two souls flow together.   This deeply felt bond with another person means you have found your anam cara, or “soul friend”.  Your anam cara always beholds your light and beauty, and accepts you for who you truly are.   The anam cara friendship awakens the fullness and mystery of your life.  You are joined in an ancient and eternal union with humanity that cuts across all barriers of time, convention, philosophy and definition.  When you are blessed with an anam cara, you have arrived at that most sacred place:  Home