People ask about the relationship between Grau Design Studio (GDS) and Grau Building Company (GBC) all the time. I get it. The names are similar. We’re both based in Durham. And yes, there’s a story there.
But here’s what matters most: these are two separate companies. We collaborate when it makes sense. We don’t when it doesn’t. And if you work with me, you are never obligated to work with Grau Building Company.
Let me explain how it actually works.
How I Ended Up in Durham
When my husband and I relocated to Durham in early 2021, the pandemic was still reshaping the job market. I sent my resume and portfolio to just about everyone in the Triangle. Thankfully, not long after, I connected with Jeff Grau, owner of Grau Building Company. We had a great conversation, though, candidly, it started a little differently than I expected.
When we first spoke, Jeff told me he wasn’t looking for a designer. He needed a project manager. While I had some PM experience from years in kitchen and bath design in Buffalo, I wasn’t a formal project manager. So I asked a simple question: Who is helping your clients make selections?
That question changed everything. We realized there was an opportunity for a hybrid role: designer meets project manager. I spent the next three years in that role at Grau Building Company before fully transitioning into my current position as principal designer and creative director of Grau Design Studio.
Jennifer’s three years as a project manager for Grau Building Company gave her unparalleled insight into construction sequencing and trade coordination—knowledge she brings to every project, regardless of the general contractor.
What Those Years Taught Me
Working inside a luxury residential building company gave me an education most designers never get. I learned construction sequencing in real time: when decisions need to be made, why timing matters, and what happens when it doesn’t. I learned how trades move through a job site, how schedules are coordinated across multiple subcontractors, and how problems are solved before they become expensive mistakes.
That experience shapes how I work today. I can walk onto any job site and speak the language. I know which questions to ask and when to ask them. And I understand how design decisions ripple through a project, regardless of who the general contractor is.
How Grau Design Studio Came to Be
Grau Design Studio didn’t appear overnight. We started intentionally and quietly, establishing vendor accounts, building systems, and gaining traction. The original “studio” was a 10-by-10 room inside GBC’s office.
From the start, Jeff believed there was a need for a full-service design studio grounded in real construction knowledge. He saw how my involvement improved efficiency, clarity, and the overall client experience. I had years of successful projects behind me, and creating GDS felt like a natural evolution.
Grau Design Studio delivers full-service interior design across the Triangle from functional layout planning to final finishes. Whether working with Grau Building Company or independent contractors, the design expertise remains consistent.
The Actual Relationship
Here’s the straightforward version: Grau Design Studio and Grau Building Company are independent legal entities with separate addresses, teams, and operations. We share a name, mutual respect, and similar values, but not obligation.
We refer clients to one another when it makes sense. Many of our projects are entirely independent. As GDS grows, the goal is to continue expanding our network of trusted general contractors. There are even projects in progress where GDS is working with builders who compete directly with GBC.
Transparency matters. GBC has built its reputation on honesty, and that ethos carries into GDS.
When the Partnership Makes Sense
When a client comes to me, my job is to help them determine what kind of general contractor their project actually requires. With GBC’s structure, staffing, and capacity, they’re best suited for large-scale remodels and new construction.
For smaller or more specialized projects, I match clients with the right contractor from my vetted network. Either way, my role as a designer remains the same.
For clients who choose to work with both GDS and GBC, there are real advantages. I know GBC’s processes, timelines, and trade partners intimately. That knowledge becomes especially valuable when decisions need to be made quickly or technical coordination matters like laying out cabinetry during framing or managing installations with tight tolerances.
The result is clearer communication, more accurate timelines, and fewer surprises.
Project showcasing what’s possible when clients opt to work with both GDS and GBC—but this partnership approach is just one option available to homeowners across the Triangle.
For Contractors Considering a Referral
If you’re a contractor wondering whether referring a client to Grau Design Studio means losing them to Grau Building Company, the answer is simple: no.
I work with many builders. GDS does not compete for your scope or your client relationships. GBC is only involved if the client specifically chooses them. My role is to support your work by ensuring selections are made on time, specifications are clear, and the design intent is executed smoothly.
If there’s ever a concern, I’d rather talk about it directly. Transparency keeps partnerships strong.
There’s a lot to see, but we built this environment to spark curiosity and generate questions. The goal is to help you reconsider what’s possible in your home.
Clients use this resource throughout the process from initial consultations to material selections and decision-making. With cabinet doors, sample chips, and countertop samples all in one place, everything you need is accessible during appointments.
Jennifer Hutton and Jeff Grau holding keys to the new Grau Design Studio showroom in Durham.
What We Share (and What We Don’t)
GBC and GDS share similar systems, preferred subcontractors, and administrative practices, but maintain separate operations. What we truly share are values: transparency, honesty, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
That philosophy extends beyond construction practices. It’s about how we communicate, collaborate, and respect the people involved in the process.
Even when GBC isn’t part of a project, their experience remains a resource. One I’m fortunate to have access to, and one that benefits my clients.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a homeowner wondering whether working with Grau Design Studio requires working with Grau Building Company, it doesn’t. I collaborate with many builders and am happy to work with yours.
If you’re a contractor wondering whether referring a client to me puts your relationship at risk, it doesn’t. I’m here to make your work easier, not complicate it.
And if you’re someone who wants the advantages of working with both firms on a large-scale remodel or new build, that option exists.
The relationship between GDS and GBC is unique in the Triangle, but it’s just one option. What matters most is that your project gets the attention, expertise, and execution it deserves, no matter who’s holding the tools.
Ready to talk about your project? Reach out, and let’s figure out the best path forward together.
