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Much like the unique, extraordinary upscale homes she builds throughout Haywood County, Mary Stewart has that indefinable, but much sought-after quality known as "presence." After 10 years in the mountains, she has earned the respect of her peers and built a reputation that attracts the upper end of the client spectrum. As founder and president of Stewart Builders, Inc. she has built a solid reputation as a high-quality, high-end custom home builder and as a community leader. Her drive, commitment and philosophy focus the energies of those around her. Her "presence"means beautiful homes and satisfied clients.

"Home building is not just about building houses:' Stewart said. "It's about building relationships. It starts with a deep desire to bring the homeowner's vision to fruition. Both vision and desire enter into all communication with the architect, subcontractors and vendors. So beyond the end result of a beautiful home, we have created a place where people can do their best, where superior workmanship is rewarded, and integrity is honored. It has more to do with people than with two-by-fours."

That philosophy - and the results it yields - is one of the reasons Stewart gets all of her jobs by referrals. Most of her projects are second or "dream" homes built for out of town clients. "Most of my clients have had their careers and are now ready to build the home they have always wanted," she said.

Stewart focuses her attention on two to four custom home projects during the course of a year, peppered with the occasional remodeling job. And since she works closely with some of the area's finest architects, there is less of a Stewart Builders Style as there is a Stewart Builders Standard of Quality."There is no 'average' home," she said. With her Unlimited Residential License, most of her homes are above the $500,000 range, and average 3,000 to 3,500 square feet. It takes her around nine months to complete a project, though this figure varies according to the challenges present in the job. Most of her homes are built in select developments around Haywood County: Balsam Mountain Preserve, Laurel Ridge, Utah Mountain and Villages of Plott Creek. Building on steep terrain presents challenges for even the most experienced builder, but for Stewart, the greater the challenge, the greater the sense of satisfaction. She is currently building a home in Balsam Mountain Preserve, which will sit on top of 46 columns, or concrete piers spiked with 10xlO timbers, some of which soar up to 20 feet. "It has taken months of planning and designing," she said. "From the front of the house when you drive up, you don't know that the timbers are there. But from the side, you can see that it looks like a tree house."

Because the homes she constructs are built with longevity, high-quality materials and craftsmanship in mind, they have many features in common. Many Stewart Builders homes are wrapped with Hardiboard siding. "It is impervious to insects and water," she said, "and it's very low maintenance." The Hardiboard folks now make a wide variety of engineered trim products as well. To take advantage of the superior climate in the Western North Carolina mountains, some of Stewart's clients have specified Ironwood decking, a Brazilian wood that has a deep mahogany glow and is so hard that the boards must be predrilled. Ironwood comes with a 50-year warranty and is a great alternative to pressure treated wood.

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