“Home is the starting place of love, hope and dreams.” – Unknown
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, we’re reminded that home is more than a place – it’s the heart of everything we do. Welcome to our Fall 2025 newsletter, where we’re excited to share the latest in our projects, team highlights, and the wonderful ways we’re staying connected with our community.
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In This Issue
- A Home Built to Heal
- Featured Home: The Stresa
- Architecture Spotlight: Staircase Design
- Bringing Your Vision Home: Our Interior Design Process
- Top 10 Challenges of Building a Home on a Difficult Lot
- Development Information
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A Home Build to Heal
The 2025 Miller Marriott Charitable Home Story
In December 2024, the Miller Marriott Charitable Foundation’s Charity Home was completed and used for several events to raise awareness of mental health. The Charity Home inspired conversations and community action surrounding mental health needs in southeastern Wisconsin and hosted a variety of events to raise funds and awareness for mental health.
We kicked off with a friends and family event to show our appreciation to everyone who contributed to building the home and included an inspiring presentation on the purpose of this endeavor by Chris and Kirsten, highlighting how our mission could benefit those served by NAMI. Additional events included a Mental Health & Book Talk event to bring awareness to teens’ mental health. Local mother and author Deb Mueller shared about her book, “Love Hard,” and held a Q&A about her personal experience of raising a child with mental health challenges
In August of 2025, the Charity Home was sold. Proceeds from the events and donations totaled over $37,000, along with the $300,000 from the sale of the MMCF Charity Home will be directly allocated to NAMI Southeast Wisconsin to support free classes, support groups, suicide prevention training, crisis intervention training, outreach for the unhoused, youth mental health education, and more.
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Featured Home: The Stresa
A Beautiful New Chapter for the Flatt Family
The Flatt family never imagined themselves living off the lake. “People are trying to get on the lake, not off it,” Steve joked when Laurie first suggested moving to Beacon Hill in downtown Delafield.
After 36 years with Miller, Steve recently retired, while Laurie – of Flatt & Keck Real Estate and formerly the owner of Casa la Bella – has long had an eye for design and home styling. Together, they raised their three children, Nick, Claudia, and Ella, on beautiful Moose Lake, where they cherished every aspect of lake life and the wonderful friendships they built there.
But as their lives evolved, so did their needs. It was time for a new chapter – one that offered comfort, connection, and a space to gather with family and friends while embracing a more walkable, community-centered lifestyle.
Enter Beacon Hill
Their new home at Beacon Hill is a true reflection of how they live today. Surrounded by the beauty and vibrancy of the St. John’s campus and within easy walking distance of downtown Delafield, the neighborhood offered exactly what they were looking for: charm, convenience, and great neighbors.
Their home’s inviting nature inspired a passerby, who was so moved by its beauty that he stopped by with a bottle of wine to thank them for sparking his own renovation project.
Laurie, no stranger to home design, envisioned a space that felt both timeless and welcoming. “I wanted people to feel like they were being invited in – and then hugged by the home,” she said.
Her vision came to life beautifully. The classic architecture and thoughtful attention to detail are undeniable – from the double front doors and arched entryways to the stunning newel post, Dutch door, and floor-to-ceiling glass cabinetry. Every corner tells a story of warmth and hospitality.
The Flatt home is filled with laughter, love, and weekends when kids are home, or soon, visits from their first grandbaby – this home was designed to welcome everyone.
Their beautiful kitchen hosts Sunday night family dinners with Steve’s parents, and if you’re especially lucky, you might catch the aroma of Laurie’s homemade sauce simmering on the stove – perhaps even being invited to dip a piece of bread for a taste.
On most days, you’ll find them relaxing in the sunroom, though Steve might be downstairs catching a sporting event.
Laughter often spills from the patio, where friends gather around the outdoor fireplace and Soake pool.
Here’s to many happy years ahead for the Flatt family in a home that truly feels like a hug.
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Architecture Spotlight: Staircase Design
Staircases can be customized to fit almost any aesthetic, from modern and minimalist to vintage. A thoughtfully designed staircase can easily become the focal point of a home, serving as a grand, eye-catching feature that leaves a lasting impression. Wood stairs offer a classic elegance that never goes out of style and can enhance a home's overall appearance. Wood has an inherent, authentic beauty that adds warmth and a natural feel to a space.
It's hard not to fall in love with a timeless millmade stair. We are often asked about millmade stairs and what makes them so special (and more costly).
A millmade stair is a high-quality, custom-designed staircase crafted in a factory or millwork shop using precision machinery. Components like stringers, treads, and risers are often held together with sturdy joinery, making them less prone to squeaking and loosening over time.
Millmade stairs are higher in cost due to the fabrication methods and the use of high-quality kiln-dried hardwoods and other premium materials. They are strong, durable, and can last for decades. They are easier to maintain than carpeted stairs, are refinishedable, and can also increase the value of a home.
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Bringing Your Vision Home: Our Interior Design Process
Every great home begins with a conversation—and at Miller Marriott, that conversation starts with our Interior Design Survey. This first step invites clients to share inspiration photos and insights about their design preferences, past building experiences, and collaboration style. It’s how we learn what inspires them, how they define “home,” and how we can turn that vision into reality. This foundation gives us far more than a set of aesthetic preferences; it helps us understand the design language our clients respond to. Sometimes, we’ll uncover a blend of styles—and our job is to bring these influences together with intention. The result is a cohesive, custom design that feels personal, timeless, and true to the people who will live there. Our Interior Design Process unfolds through thoughtful sessions that guide clients from big-picture ideas to every final detail.
Session 1: Kickoff and Planning
The process begins with an in-depth kickoff and planning session. Together, we establish the direction and style of the home, guided by a personalized Design Concept Presentation that reflects both the client’s aesthetic and their budget. Clients are also introduced to our trusted vendors and suppliers to start exploring selections firsthand.
Session 2: The Spec Book Meeting
In this technical session, we dive into the details. The Spec Book becomes our design roadmap, capturing everything from materials to finishes specified for the home. This stage ensures every choice pairs beautifully with the design intent and meets the quality standards we set for every Miller Marriott home.
Sessions 3 and 4: Refining the Look
These are our collaborative working sessions. Together, we review external vendor selections, refine the look for the entire home, and ensure every element ties back to the original design concept. It’s where ideas become tangible and the whole-home vision takes shape—balanced, cohesive, and within budget.
Session 5: Final Selection Presentation
The final session is where the full design comes together. Clients see their curated selections displayed side by side, with a walkthrough that ties them back to the floor plan, Spec Book, and overall Design Concept. This meeting serves as the official signoff on their selections and allows our team to generate detailed pricing with no surprises.
Lead Interior Designer Meghan Jorandby
A Design Experience with Lasting Value
The Miller Marriott Interior Design Process offers more than style; it delivers confidence, clarity, and craftsmanship. By combining our collaborative design approach with Miller Marriott Build and Quality Standards, every client receives a truly custom home that reflects their individuality and stands the test of time.
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Top 10 Challenges of Building a Home on a Difficult Lot
Building on a difficult lot brings elevated complexity but can deliver stunning aesthetic rewards – such as panoramic views, natural lighting, or unique architecture. With Miller Marriott's extensive expertise – from our skilled architects to careful site planning and seasoned construction managers – these challenges can become opportunities for innovative design and durable construction.
1. Complex Foundation Engineering
Homes built on steep or uneven lots often need custom foundation systems such as retaining walls, pilings, or deep footings to ensure stability. These solutions tend to raise both the cost and construction time, particularly on slopes with gradients over 20%.
2. Limited Accessibility
Steep or irregularly shaped lots often do not have direct access for vehicles and construction equipment. Narrow, steep, or short driveways and staging restrictions can slow down construction and raise material transport costs.
3. Design and Aesthetic Limitations
Fitting a standard home design onto a challenging lot is often impossible. Custom architectural plans – considering slope, sunlight, or street alignment – are necessary to balance function and visual appeal.
4. Excavation and Access Issues
Getting heavy machinery onto a steep or narrow lot can be extremely difficult. Many projects need special excavation equipment which adds to logistical difficulties and costs.
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Development Information
Delafield Park Way
LIMITED LOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE
Delafield Park Way is located off Main St. and N. Lapham Peak Rd. It has 29 beautifully wooded single-family home sites. This land, rich in history, is transitioning to a classically charming neighborhood. It is neatly tucked privately among mature trees and yet walkable to downtown Delafield, minutes away from 1-94, schools, and shopping.
- Custom design/build with Miller Marriott
- Development construction began Spring of 2024
- Lot owners must begin construction prior to 2028
- Lots are 10,332 sq. feet to 18,230 sq. feet
Caroline Heights (School Sisters of Notre Dame) – Elm Grove
Caroline Heights, (previously School Sisters of Notre Dame), is a rare opportunity to build a new home in the heart of the timeless and charming community of Elm Grove. This community of 21 single-family homes is walkable to the heart of Elm Grove’s downtown. These new homes are being designed and built with the timeless character synonymous with the community.
Hillside - New Potential Development in Brookfield
We are excited for our proposal for the redevelopment of the former Hillside Elementary School property, located in a vibrant and established residential area. Our vision is to create an inviting neighborhood that welcomes new homes and families while respecting the surrounding community. This project is designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing area while providing easy access to Canterbury Park, enhancing the overall neighborhood experience. The proposed development will transform the former school site into a residential neighborhood featuring 14 single-family homes with various lot sizes and home styles. The project’s design will emphasize the high-quality construction and architectural excellence for which Miller Marriott is known, ensuring a timeless and aesthetically pleasing community.
Credits:
Miller Marriott Construction Co.