by Lexi Marshall
photographs by Katie Johnson
after more than two decades working for other people, a husband and wife building team create one final custom home—for themselves
Set amidst sweeping vistas with perfectly framed mountain views, Dee and Glenda Durano’s final custom build is more than just a home—it’s a reflection of their values, passions and decades of experience. After more than 25 years of building award-winning homes for others, Dee and Glenda poured their passion and expertise—a culmination of a life spent crafting intentional spaces—into one last project. Their forever home.
The couple’s New Mexico chapter began in 1993. Encouraged by a former boss who recommended Albuquerque for its lifestyle and proximity to ski country, the Duranos—who met through the Oklahoma City Ski Club—were drawn west by their shared love of the outdoors. So, Dee retired from the Air Force at 36 and moved his family from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
He was ready for a career that offered more autonomy. He’d come to the U.S. when he was just 18 years old with $3 in his pocket—a humble beginning that made him unafraid of taking risks. After shadowing a friend in homebuilding for six weeks, he realized: “I can do this.” His first home in Rio Rancho sold almost immediately, launching a successful career and eventually leading to the founding of his own company, CRAG Enterprises—named for his daughters’ initials (formerly Durano Construction).
The couple purchased their Mariposa lot in 2004 but waited nearly two decades before building on it. After 18 years in their previous home, which won a national green building award in 2007, they were ready for something smaller and more in line with their current lifestyle. “We scaled down by about twelve hundred square feet,” Dee says. “I don’t want a house that’s too big to clean,” Glenda adds.
Their goal was to build a space that felt luxurious yet lived in. “We wanted it to have a sense of peace and beauty but also be warm and simple enough where anyone would feel comfortable,” Glenda says.
The lot’s natural topography and stunning views informed the desert contemporary design. “The piece of property dictated the layout,” Glenda says. “You want to take in as much of the view as possible.” That intent is immediately felt upon entering the home. The sightlines lead straight through to a fire pit, fountain and unobstructed mountain vistas.
The exterior mixes modern and organic materials—stucco, steel, thermally modified wood and limestone—offering visual interest and durability. The thermally modified wood treatment, which renders wood insect-and water-resistant, adds a high-performance, eco-friendly touch. Inside, continuity reigns. Limestone and faux wood beams—crafted from high-density foam to prevent warping—bridge indoor and outdoor spaces, echoing the natural surroundings in a refined way.
One of the home’s standout features is its Emerald rating—the highest designation in green building. Only about one percent of homes achieve this elite certification, which measures performance in five categories: energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor air quality, sustainability and other sustainability practices.
The Duranos’ home is a zero-energy residence featuring a 6-kilowatt solar panel system that ultimately pays for itself. The house is all-electric, save for the gas range— which Glenda insisted on for precise control in the kitchen—and the fireplace.
Built with extraordinary airtightness— air leakage is equivalent to the size of a fist, compared to the typical home’s front-door-sized gap—the home features a mechanical ventilation system that constantly brings in fresh air, maintaining optimal indoor air quality.
Longtime collaborator Laura Myers of Laura Myers Interiors helped design a palette that reflects Glenda’s love of color without overwhelming the space. “Dee and Glenda have been building homes for other people for many years,” Myers says. “My inspiration was to design a home that totally focused on their style. Sometimes, when you’re in this business, determining your personal look isn’t easy.”
Everything began with a fabric—paisley, with hints of blue, tan, pink and black—which served as a springboard for the rest of the decor. “I used lighter natural roughhewn wood and textural fabrics to create a contrast with the light-toned marble and paint colors,” Myers says. “The burst of color came fr om bright pillows, art and accessories. The mix of natural materials and lots of texture softens an otherwise contemporary home.” She notes that eco-conscious interior finishes are readily available today without compromising great design.
Custom-designed rugs, flexible furnishings and a thoughtful balance of color make the space adaptable. “After decades of living with heavy, Mediterranean tones, I wanted something lighter,” Glenda says. “If I want to swap blue pillows for red and green, I can.”
Aging in place was top of mind for this forever home. “There are no steps anywhere,” Glenda says. Wide hallways allow for wheelchair access, and indirect lighting in the back bedrooms supports their visually impaired daughter. The kitchen layout reflects their everyday needs with future independence in mind. Plates are stored in a drawer beneath the range, the microwave is built into the island, and a French-door oven allows for one-handed opening—small details that make a big difference.
More than a showcase of sustainable construction and long-lasting design, the Duranos’ home is about connection. “We love to entertain,” Dee says. “We want to meet people we can share our lives with.” Built in less than nine months, the home represents Dee’s final and most personal project. Though it’s a professional capstone, it’s also a celebration of all the lessons learned along the way—about family, function and creating something that lasts.
As Dee contemplates a well-earned retirement (though Glenda playfully notes she’ll believe it when she sees it), their home stands as both a personal sanctuary and a final love letter to the craft. “This is our forever home, and this is my favorite ever,” Dee says. “Because I was able to do everything I wanted to do—things I couldn’t do when building for other people.”
It’s the perfect coda to a career spent shaping other people’s dreams: a home that brings the outdoors in, balances beauty with practicality, and reflects the thoughtful, intentional life the Duranos have built together.
resources
Home Builder
Crag Enterprises LLC
Interior Design
Laura Myers Interiors LLC
Appliances
Builders Source Appliance Gallery
builderssource.com
Audio/Central Vacuum/Smart Home
Albuquerque Sound and Vac LLC
abqsoundandvac.com
Bathroom/Kitchen Fixtures
Ferguson
Cabinetry/Kitchen Hood
Woodlife Custom Craft, Inc.
woodlifecabinets.com
Countertops
Arizona Tile/Quartz/Quartzite
United Stoneworks
Fireplaces
Mountain West Sales
mountainwestsales.net
Flooring
Floor & Decor (Tile)
Stonewood Flooring LLC (Wood)
Front Door/Storefront Windows
Western Commercial Glass, Inc.
Kitchen Backsplash
Floor & Decor
Metal Fabrication
ADE Wrought Iron LLC
Interior Doors
Sierra Pacific Windows
Landscaping/Water Features
Agua Dulce Earthscapes
Lighting
Turn On Lighting
Windows/Sliding Window Wall/Patio Doors
Pella Windows & Doors of the SW
pellaofalbuquerque.com
Windowcoverings
Window Fashions LLC
windowfashionsnm.com
