A past Thirty Under 30 honoree shares thoughts about her journey and women in construction. By Dianne M. Pogoda
Jennifer Hutton, design manager for Grau Building Co. and a member of the Thirty Under 30 Class of 2020, embodies what NKBA’s prestigious “30s” program is about: Setting and achieving goals, forging a bold path and being a leader.
In 2021, Hutton and her husband moved from Buffalo, N.Y., to Durham, N.C., where they live with their two Australian Shepherds and spend a lot of time renovating their own home. The move would be a turning point in her career.
“After we decided to relocate for my husband’s job, I soon realized I would have to redirect my own path forward,” she recalled. “I had little luck the first few weeks in finding job prospects, but I began looking at building firms as an extension of the design world. I cold-called Grau, a boutique building firm, knowing they did not have any internal design department or any employees working on design. I marketed myself and in conjunction with the owner, essentially developed a new role that had not previously existed.”
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She is currently spearheading Grau’s new interior design department, coordinates aesthetic and functional aspects of projects, develops purchasing and selection strategies and acts as a project manager for more complex endeavors.
“Creating my own job in a new environment and having the flexibility to serve clients in new ways that our company had not done before has been an incredible honor,” she said. “Although I’m happy with my career, if there’s anything I could change it would be the societal norms around females in construction. Even in 2022, you’d be surprised at how much pushback women run into when we attempt to provide direction to a seasoned plumber installing that very special tub filler, or when the cabinetry or tile just isn’t sitting how it should. Reversing these antiquated thoughts will be an ongoing challenge, but it’s one I’m willing to combat indefinitely.
Hutton shared some of her journey with NKBA.
Tell me how you got into interior design and what drives/inspires you.
Jennifer Hutton: My interests in interior design started at a young age when I would repaint and rearrange my bedroom annually. In school, I began experimenting with different art classes, honing my eye for color and different materials. Those same passions inspire me daily: experimentation, variety in colors, textures and new materials, particularly construction materials. I love seeing the juxtaposition of unconventional combinations that work together to create a striking aesthetic.
What do you like most about your job?
JH: As design manager, I combine my design skills with project management on a larger scale, diving into the construction side and relating more closely to the built environment. I manage the projects I personally design, as well as head the design department for the company and juggle many projects at once. I will always love the creative aspects of my job the most, but managing, coordinating, organizing and planning projects from concept to completion has been a rewarding surprise.
What have you learned from your fellow 30s, and how have you benefited from interactions with them?
JH: [This experience] has been nothing short of life changing. I have met so many talented colleagues and made lifelong friends. Networking with my classmates has educated me on parts of the industry I had not been privy to, and has helped me navigate uncharted waters as my career scope expands. Some have even helped me in my personal life with connections after relocating, and even working on remodeling my own house.
What is something in your career that you didn’t expect?
JH: Now that my time is split between design and management, I have come to love the construction side of projects even more. Previously, I was limited to kitchens and bathrooms, focusing on cabinets, countertops and tile. Now, I’m immersed in a wider scope, including lighting, closet design, exterior spaces, windows, doors and more. Elements that I had not previously given much attention now excite me and allow me to be creative in ways I had not known! Being able to pull permits, speak trade lingo and be involved in behind-the-scenes work has given me a better understanding of a project and a new appreciation for all parties involved.
What’s your next career goal?
JH: My next career goal is simply to grow. I want to grow my knowledge base, grow my brand, grow my scope and grow my portfolio. Growth looks different at any given time, and isn’t anything I can “check off” and move to the next task, but rather an evolution of skills, mindset and projects. To become better than I was yesterday is all I can ask for!
About Jennifer Hutton
Hutton earned an Interior Design degree from Villa Maria College in Buffalo, N.Y. — an NKBA Affiliated School — and an Environmental Design degree from SUNY Buffalo. She taught in the K&B design program at Villa Maria, and joined Artisan Kitchens and Baths in Buffalo, working as a designer from 2013 to 2021. There, she immersed herself in trends, materials and finishes, and excelled in sales, consistently shattering records. Her work and expertise have been showcased in design and general interest magazines, TV shows and blogs. Besides her 30s honor, Hutton earned a 2021 Innovator award from Kitchen & Bath Design News. Most recently, she was selected for the Design Council for Signature Kitchen Suite, and became a member of the Modenus Media DesignHounds program. She’s a member of NKBA’s Eastern Carolinas chapter.
There’s still time to nominate an outstanding young professional for the Thirty Under 30 Class of 2023. Nominations close Monday, Aug. 1 —self-nominations are welcome. The incoming class will be honored at KBIS 2023 in Las Vegas, Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, and receive airfare, lodging, passes to the show, the VFTI Conference and NKBA events. For more information and to nominate a future rock star, go here.
