Building inspired design

At Ellenwood Homes couple Marc Brillon and Lara Ellenwood bring together their experience in construction and interior design

Lara Ellenwood and Marc Brillon are the owners of Ellenwood Homes in Nelson, B.C. — Photo by Melissa Welsh Photography

For Marc Brillon and his wife, Lara Ellenwood, starting a business together was an easy decision. The couple already had long-time careers with complementary skills. Brillon is a builder and architectural and building engineering technologist who had been working as a site supervisor for a custom home builder. Ellenwood is a registered interior designer who was taking maternity leave from a position with interior designer Robert Ledingham. In 2008 the couple knew they were moving from Vancouver to Nelson, B.C., and Ellenwood Homes was born.

Having construction, building design and interior design managed by one company helps with effective communication and cohesive planning. The goal for Ellenwood Homes is to make the building process accessible while helping make it less stressful for clients. Ellenwood and Brillon find that working together helps make the process seamless. They believe that a successful project begins with strong design and solid budgeting.

Building together

“I’ve learned so much about construction from Marc,” said Ellenwood. “We’re helping each other to grow as we go along and we just get better and better at what we’re producing.”

Brillon’s role in Ellenwood Homes involves building design and onsite project management along with the estimating and research. Crews from Ellenwood Homes work primarily in the West Kootenay, although they consider projects throughout the Kootenays and beyond. Brillon and Ellenwood both strive to keep abreast of what’s happening in their respective industries. They utilize trade shows, certifications and workshops to make sure they can offer current techniques and consulting. Also helpful have been industry publications and association memberships. Sustainability and green building have been important to Ellenwood Homes as the company offers this expertise to its projects.

“I’m always excited to move the company forward in terms of innovation,” said Brillon. “We try different building systems and to constantly be more efficient and new and just better. That motivates me.”

Inspired creativity

With her role, Ellenwood believes that inspired design means creating something unique for each person and giving them a space that they can feel comfortable in. Since moving from the coast to the Kootenays, she’s noticed a tendency towards more approachable and modest design. There is also more use of timber or wooden accents, touches that can easily be created with local products.

“There are some designers who have a signature style—I wouldn’t say that I do,” said Ellenwood. “Every client is different so I tailor what I present to people to best suit who they are . . . I don’t want to limit myself to a certain look. There are great things about each style and I would never say to someone, ‘No, I don’t do that.’ What does (the client) want? It’s their dream.”

Dreams to reality

Brillon and Ellenwood have savoured putting roots down in the Kootenays and finding local clients who are looking for their combination of design and construction services. Their jobs are hands-on, creative and people oriented. It’s a career and location combination that they look forward to taking into the future.

“I really enjoy the synergy you get with clients when you can help them visualize their dream,” said Brillon. “You can show them a model of what it’s going to look like and see when they start to get excited.”

“And then, of course, as they start to see it transformed from a drawing through to a finished product it becomes real,” added Ellenwood. “It’s pretty great.”