Shownotes
Welcome to Groundwork: The Art and Craft of Utah Custom Homes, where we demystify the custom homebuilding journey along Utah’s Wasatch Front. In this episode, host Pete Codella sits down with James and Desiree Bastian, founders and designers at Beljar Home + Design. Operating from their shop and design studio in Midway, Utah, James and Desiree bring over 20 years of custom residential building experience alongside a cinematic set-design background to luxury estates across Northern Utah.
Pete, James, and Desiree explore why great custom home design prioritizes personal storytelling over fleeting fads, how Utah's mountain terrain shapes architectural orientation, and the artisan craftsmanship behind their latest collaboration with Gordon Milar Construction: Château de la Fossette in Sandy. They also unpack what's driving today's luxury market, from integrated cold plunges and airy daylight basements to why building smart, intentional square footage is far better than building oversized.
Chapter Timestamps
- 00:00 – Introduction to Groundwork
- 00:27 – Meet James & Desiree Bastian (Beljar Home + Design)
- 01:14 – From French Farmhouses to Film Sets: Discovering Interior Design
- 03:00 – Storytelling vs. Trends: Why Custom Homes Need Character
- 05:15 – Creative Space & Finding Inspiration Across European Genres
- 06:33 – Designing from the Land: Scandinavian Textures & Utah Views
- 08:48 – Inside Château de la Fossette: The Orchards at Dimple Dell
- 10:14 – Blending French Bastide Architecture with Scandinavian Colonial Details
- 12:20 – Sourcing Old-World Materials: Reclaimed Farm Timbers & Antique Lanterns
- 13:28 – The Artisanal Touch: Hand-Scraped Oak Floors & 60-Year Pewter Ironwork
- 18:18 – Utah Parade of Homes & The Shift in Luxury Design Trends
- 20:00 – Wellness Rooms, Daylight Basements & Avoiding "So 2026" Fads
- 22:20 – Anchoring to Historical Genres to Prevent Design Expiration Dates
- 25:22 – Essential Advice: Why Bigger Isn't Better & Planning Intentional Square Footage
- 30:30 – Where to Find Beljar Home & Closing Thoughts
Connect with Gordon Milar Construction
Connect with Beljar Home + Design
#GordonMilarConstruction #GroundworkPodcast #BeljarHome #UtahCustomHomes #WasatchFront #CustomHomeBuilder #InteriorDesign #Architecture #ChateauDeLaFossette #SandyUtah #TheOrchardsAtDimpleDell #ParkCityDesign #LuxuryHomesUtah #HomeBuilding
