Behind the Details: A Conversation with the Mother-and-Son Team Who Crafted the Custom Trim at Kate’s House 30A
The Trimco Carpentry team on site at Kate’s House 30A during installation, bringing hands-on craftsmanship and care to every detail.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
At Kate’s House 30A, the details matter. From the moment you step inside, the home feels warm, intentional, and quietly refined—thanks in large part to the custom interior trim work that runs throughout the space.
That craftsmanship comes from Trimco Carpentry, a North Alabama–based custom trim company run by Donna and Austin, a mother-and-son duo whose hands-on approach shaped many of the home’s most distinctive interior moments. We sat down with Donna and Austin to talk about their process, their collaboration, and what made working on Kate’s House a unique experience.
Custom trim being carefully installed along a curved detail in the double-height space at Kate’s House 30A.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
Q: Can you tell us a little about Trimco Carpentry and how you work together?
Donna:
Trimco Carpentry is very much a family operation. I handle a lot of the planning, coordination, and fine-detail work, while Austin brings incredible technical skill and precision to the build. We’ve been working together for years, and that trust really shows on projects like this.
Austin:
Because we’re family, communication is easy. We understand each other’s standards, and we’re both very hands-on. Every piece is measured, cut, and installed with care—we don’t rush through details.
Donna and Austin of Trimco Carpentry working side by side to build the custom bunk beds at Kate’s House 30A.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
Q: What stood out to you about Kate’s House as a project?
Austin:
The design intent was clear from the start. This wasn’t a typical beach rental where trim is an afterthought. The architecture set the tone, and the trim had to match that level of intention.
Donna:
Exactly. Every detail mattered from clean transitions to subtle reveals. The home needed to feel elevated but still comfortable, which is a balance we really enjoy working toward.
Custom trim being installed at the gable peak within the home’s dramatic double-height living space.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
Q: How did you approach the trim work for a house that will host families and groups?
Donna:
Durability was key. This is a home meant to be lived in, so everything had to be sturdy, functional, and timeless. We focused on trim profiles and installations that would age well and stand up to real use.
Austin:
There’s a difference between trim that just looks good on day one and trim that still looks good years later. That’s what we aim for.
Custom trim work in progress on the porch, extending the home’s craftsmanship to the outdoor living space.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
Q: What was it like collaborating with architect Jennifer Bonner and the rest of the design team?
Austin:
Working with an architect who truly understands materials makes a big difference. The trim wasn’t just decorative, it was integrated into the architecture.
Donna:
And with Carol Mockbee’s interior design, everything felt cohesive. Color, material, and detail were all working together, which made our job both challenging and rewarding.
Working side by side, Donna and Austin install the custom trim railing that defines the mezzanine overlooking the living room.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
Q: Do you have a favorite detail in the house?
Donna:
It’s hard to choose, but the consistency throughout the home stands out. Nothing feels overdone, yet nothing feels generic.
Austin:
I agree. When you walk through the house and everything feels intentional, that’s when you know the work paid off.
Custom wood trim highlights the scale of the double-height living area while framing expansive views through the interior windows.
Photograph courtesy of Jack Gardner
Kate’s House 30A is the result of many thoughtful collaborations, but the custom trim work by Donna and Austin of Trimco Carpentry is what quietly ties the entire interior together. Their hands-on craftsmanship adds warmth, precision, and longevity, details that guests may not always notice individually, but will feel throughout their stay.
For us, it’s these behind-the-scenes stories that make Kate’s House more than just a place to stay. It’s a home built with care, collaboration, and intention.