One builder that fulfills that role is Fayette County-based Country Classic Builders, Inc. In almost 20 years of crafting custom homes, the husband and wife team George and Vicki Kritko, has never built the same house twice. When people ask us what we do, the short answer is that we build houses, Vicki says. But what we really do is help people express themselves through their homes.

George's creativity is seemingly boundless. While building a carriage house on Lake Lanier, for example, he wanted to do something unexpected in the cozy kitchen. The solution: purchasing wine barrels from Chateau Elan, taking them to a custom cabinet maker and having them fitted with the convenience features common in fine cabinetry. He then topped them with a granite countertop and sunken sink, and used wrought iron brackets in a grape leaf design in lieu of corbels.

The couples inspirations come from many sources. They have three sons that range in age from 5 to 22 as well as a grandchild. We see different needs for family members of various ages, which has led us to do things like create bonus rooms that incorporate child-sized play areas, Vicki says. And after the kids outgrow the space? Don't worry, the grandchildren will soon follow. We also travel a great deal to get the flavor of how things are being done around the country, George says. But most of their drive to create comes from hands-on dedication to their craft.

We have a passion for what we do, George says. We get excited about what homeowners get excited about.

Classic home in Fayetteville was easy. They had searched for 2 years before walking into the Kritko's 4000+-square-foot spec home nestled on a cul-de-sac. It's a beautiful home, as soon as we saw the kitchen that was it," he says of the open space that features a gourmet island, artfully faux finished cabinets and unique granite tile countertops. It's a well-built house that includes features typically found in million dollar homes.

Rough-hewn oak beams frame the ceiling and are repeated in the bookshelf of the intimate study, while the formal dining room reflects the couple's diverse lifestyle.

The Hills commissioned Interior Designer Joseph Wright who opted against typical furnishings, instead adding a round table and two upholstered chairs. The result is a multipurpose room the couple can use for everything from reading the Sunday paper to enjoying a quiet dinner for two. It creates a casual, relaxed yet elegant environment, Wright says.

Country Classic, which is licensed in Atlanta and is a member of the Greater Atlanta HBA, is currently building in Victoria Plantation in Fayetteville. The Southside community with a small town feel is increasing in popularity. It's a great location that's convenient to the airport and Atlanta Central Business District. making it an easy commute. The schools are excellent. We have great restaurants and shopping at The Pavilion, George says. But we'll also build in Columbus and Lake Lanier. We'll go anywhere our clients want us to.

Making clients happy is the bottom line. The key to easing the process of building a home is getting a good builder. Vicki says. We encourage clients and help them through the decisions, and we back off when we sense that they're getting overwhelmed. We reassure them that this is what we do everyday. The result of that much communication is a home that fits the buyer's lifestyle. I get so much satisfaction out of seeing people living in a house we've built and being so pleased with it.

Builder: Country Classic Builders, Inc., 404-871-1957