Their most recent neighbors at their home in Reynolds Plantation, Georgia were native Knoxvillians. Over the years, they listened to them wax poetic about the joys of East Tennessee. Joni and Doug were getting restless in Georgia and looking to make a move to a new area. Upon their advice, the two of them visited Knoxville and immediately fell in love. “We had a blast and absolutely loved it,” Joni says. “We are free spirits and rolling stones, and we found a property we knew we wanted to build on within two weeks.”

Realtor Jon Brock introduced them to the Bridgemore Community as a “jewel box of Knoxville,” and the couple couldn’t agree more. “It is a really lovely area. There’s a little creek when you enter the neighborhood and it’s beautifully landscaped. You ascend through up to the highest point in Knox County where there are spectacular views, and our house is at the top of the community,” Joni says. 

The couple were intimately involved in the planning and building of their new home. “This is probably the 10th house I’ve had a hand in the creation of. I took inspiration out of all the homes I’ve lived in and implemented everything I’ve ever loved about those homes and put it into this house.” She leaned in heavily to the talented staff of Mike Stevens Homes where she was able to give her input into every step of the process from design, architecture, interior decoration and the actual building of the home. Joni appreciated the one stop concierge experience she had with Mike Stevens. 

The couple is looking forward to switching their allegiance from Atlanta to Knoxville as a go-to for all their fun and shopping experiences. “One of the appealing points about living in this area is that Knoxville has a small town, cozy feel to it, but with all the amenities of a big city,” Joni says. “You don’t have to drive an hour or two for experiences; they’re in your backyard.”

Doug is especially keen to get into the house, as he hasn’t had the in-person contact with the property the way Joni has. “He basically knows his way around the house through spreadsheets!” she laughs. The house was on the Home Builders Association of Greater Knoxville Parade of Homes in October, and then they can fully move into their house.

Both Joni and Doug are fully invested in becoming Knoxvillians themselves. Everyone from livelong natives to new transplants in the area have offered their advice, encouragement and support to moving into their new home and East Tennessee. “Everyone I have met has said to me ‘if you need anything, I’m here,’” she says. “Everyone has extended their welcome.”