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DKNR Designs is a team comprised of international talent and artisans. Our design team alone comes from 5 different countries. We take a multi-faceted approach to design and creation. We set out to create a team of professionals for the sole purpose of putting a project on track from the initial design stages to the final completion and owner take over.
We start from the very beginning of a concept by visiting a site to determine the viability of the project at hand. The design is ALWAYS site-dependent (even if you have a perfectly flat site and are building a warehouse you still need to design around the flow of people and traffic!).
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"DKNR Designs offered invaluable service to me and my husband when we decided to build our new home. This was our second time building a home (and I had said never again) but this time we took a different approach. We were able to enjoy the process so much because we followed the suggestion of Plan the work and work the plan. We started with a full set of plans and picked out our finishes beforehand. We spent time planning the home so that when the building began we had very few changes that occurred.
DKNR Designs provided a lot of guidance and input that led to a home that flows easily and fits our busy lives perfectly. They suggested a door from our master closet to the laundry which I LOVE. With Dave Etter’s help, I was able to get the walk-in pantry for my kitchen that I really wanted as well as many other nuances I never thought of… but Dave and his team did.We saved money on the appliance package, plumbing and electrical finishes, and door hardware packages, and it all matches and looks amazing. I was able to utilize those savings to upgrade my flooring and cabinets.
I never thought that pre-planning / blueprints were a stress reliever and marriage saver but my husband and I have avoided a lot of arguments because we reduced it all to blueprints before we started. Finally, we saved money on the construction itself because we had only had a few minor change orders. I can’t say it enough “Plan the Work and then Work the Plan” you will be so glad you did."
Christina K.
We are not only professional designers, we also have relationships with nationwide and often worldwide suppliers with builder prices for our clients for finishes. We are one of the few if not the ONLY team out there who truly has our clients’ best interest at heart by providing designs, purchasing power, artisan and finish selections. Residential, commercial, craftsman style, traditional, modern… it does not matter our team has experience.
We quite often find our clients in a position of saving more than our white glove fees when we use our resources to provide finishes and artisan talents to a project. Mind you this is not our initial goal but it just happens this way. When Dave, our founder was building homes in western North Carolina he almost always built homes at less cost, with higher quality, and in a faster time than most other builders.
Dave Etter is a Construction Technical Engineer and former Unlimited Licensed Builder with over 40 years of hands-on experience in high-end construction and design.
He gained a love for building while working with his uncle as a young boy. His uncle was the type of craftsman who showed up with a bag of hand tools and a skill saw. That’s all he needed to build almost anything.
He graduated near the top in his class and was chosen by the faculty as the student of the year with a degree in construction engineering technology. The majority of the live home pictures on our site were designed by Dave himself.
He spent a large part of his career designing and personally building custom stairs, cabinetry, built-ins, and other custom finishes.
We had every detail chosen and thought out in a project BEFORE we broke ground. Ask yourself this… Why is it when they build planes, cars, skyscrapers, or spaceships they always have detailed plans including VDC (virtual design and construction) of the entire project built on a computer BEFORE the turn of the first bolt or buy of the first piece? Its because it works and we do the same thing on our very high end projects. You don’t ALWAYS have to chose every cabinet handle and door lock before you start your build but it helps. Often times our clients only want a set of prints showing elevations, a main building section, floor plans, a foundation, and window and door schedules. We oblige by providing these things in even our most basic set of prints. Invariably, an overwhelming percentage of the time, they come back for more.
We had every detail chosen and thought out in a project BEFORE we broke ground. Ask yourself this… Why is it when they build planes, cars, skyscrapers, or spaceships they always have detailed plans including VDC (virtual design and construction) of the entire project built on a computer BEFORE the turn of the first bolt or buy of the first piece? Its because it works and we do the same thing on our very high end projects. You don’t ALWAYS have to chose every cabinet handle and door lock before you start your build but it helps. Often times our clients only want a set of prints showing elevations, a main building section, floor plans, a foundation, and window and door schedules. We oblige by providing these things in even our most basic set of prints. Invariably, an overwhelming percentage of the time, they come back for more.
No one ever thinks to do their own surgery, pull their own teeth, or represent themselves in a major lawsuit… but all too often they think they are home builders or designers because they have seen a few TV shows and think, “I bet I can do that!” We are not here to harp on those people but they are definitely NOT the ideal clients! We still try to help them anyways and quite often after an initial consultation, they chose to involve us in their design process. The difference between us and “online plan” providers is simple. We have vast experience in construction and design both… NOT just in how to use the software to do the design. If you find yourself in a position of your “designer” asking what you want them to draw and they do whatever you say… RUN! Runaway as fast as you can because you have hired a cad drafter, not a designer.
No one ever thinks to do their own surgery, pull their own teeth, or represent themselves in a major lawsuit… but all too often they think they are home builders or designers because they have seen a few TV shows and think, “I bet I can do that!” We are not here to harp on those people but they are definitely NOT the ideal clients! We still try to help them anyways and quite often after an initial consultation, they chose to involve us in their design process. The difference between us and “online plan” providers is simple. We have vast experience in construction and design both… NOT just in how to use the software to do the design. If you find yourself in a position of your “designer” asking what you want them to draw and they do whatever you say… RUN! Runaway as fast as you can because you have hired a cad drafter, not a designer.
The reason we do things the way we do is to give the client everything they need short of a builder/contractor to have a successful project. We represent the client, period. Whether we are doing a set of basic plans, full custom plans with all finish selections done, or our white glove service where we are your eyes and ears, we work for the client. When you go to a builder with a professional set of plans and all your finishes already selected, you will find a builder very happy about your process and much more amicable to give direct pricing at a reasonable rate. We should know, we used to carry an unlimited license.
Dave has put together the best team imaginable to make your design process as smooth as possible. There are many places to get home plans, but there is no one that will hold your hand through the process as we will. We believe there is a perfect design for each client! In our initial consultation session, we examine every detail of your needs to determine what level of service is the best for you! It’s like the first stage of crafting a piece of art and WE LOVE IT!! Visit our application pages below for specific design requests in the following areas…
DKNR Designs: Where international talent comes together to bring your vision to life. With a diverse team of experts, we handle every step of the design process with precision and finesse. Trust us to turn your dreams into reality.
At DKNR Designs, diversity is at the core of everything we do. Our team comprises talented individuals from five different countries, each bringing their unique perspectives and skills to the table. Our international team, from designers to artisans, collaborates seamlessly to create stunning pieces that blend various cultural influences.
Our multi-faceted approach to design allows us to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in every project. By fusing different styles and techniques, we can create truly one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate with people from all walks of life.
As a team, we constantly challenge ourselves to think outside the box and experiment with unconventional materials and methods. Our goal is to create beautiful works of art and inspire others with our innovative designs.
When you choose DKNR Designs, you're not just getting a product – you're getting a piece of culture and creativity from around the world. Join us on this journey as we continue to redefine what it means to be a global design powerhouse.