WHO IS JAMES GREY?

JUSTIN PORTREY

MANAGING PARTNER,
JAMES GREY RENTALS

BRIT PORTREY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR,
JAMES GREY RENTALS

OUR STORY:

When co-founders Brit and Justin Portrey were pregnant with what would have been their second child, they envisioned giving the child a name referencing people from both of their families. When that child was never born, and when Brit and Justin founded their enterprise — one that focuses on creating homes, experiences, and memories for families of all shapes and sizes — it was christened James Grey in tribute, and to remind us all remember that home is where so much life happens — the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the  what-could-have-been.

WE’RE A BOWERBIRD.

Bowerbirds are resourceful Australian birds known for their obsessive collecting of supplies. Once they've gathered everything they need, they sort the materials by color or type, and use these tools to create elaborate archways — bowers — to attract a mate with whom to build a family. The bower then becomes part of the home the birds build together.

A pen and ink illustration over an egg-shaped sage green background. The illustration is of a bower bird in its nest standing on top of a bed of forget-me-nots. This is the primary symbol of James Grey.

A pen and ink illustration of Brit Portrey, CEO of James Grey Homes, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a sledge hammer in the other.

A NOTE FROM BRIT PORTREY

— CO-FOUNDER, JAMES GREY —

I AM A HOMEMAKER.

After 10 years in home-building, renovations, and operations, one can learn a lot about how to do things wrong, learning the good old ways from good old boys who have made a good living doing things the same way for generations. But look where that's gotten us — homes that, while “good enough,” lack personality and charm, that were built by machines and software, not people, templates made for expediency and profitability rather than personalization and humanity. I worked in that world long enough to know better, then I started James Grey.

Our experience as builders and renovators is valuable for you, absolutely: We know what to do and what not to do, best practices, codes and permitting, estimating and managing budgets and timelines. But when you hire James Grey Homes, you're hiring us to build your vision of home, not ours, complete with all the nice-to-haves, special touches, and quirks that make a home special. And when you hire James Grey Rentals, you're trusting us to take the home you've created and make it safe, desirable, and welcoming for guests.

In both cases, we're here to be your stand-in, to give you the comfort and peace of mind that your vision of home comes to fruition, and that this big responsibility is going to be handled with real care. We’re here so you can be there — continuing your adventures while we see this one through.

I AM A HOME-MAKER.

I never understood how a "traditional woman" was considered the "homemaker" while all the homes were actually made by men — around 96% of them, in fact. I love my husband, Justin, and there's nothing at all wrong with being a good man, but as a wife and a mother, I can't help but think a woman knows how to make a home, too. I know what my family needs, but I also know that it would be wrong to dictate that to anyone else. Instead, as a builder, it's my privilege to listen to and learn from you, and to help make the home you envision for your family.

A former employer once asked me, "Can you really do this work while taking care of your family?" Well, I can, and I do, and here's why: Taking care of your family is how I choose to take care of mine.  I understand the importance of creating a joyful and special place to house a lifetime of memories.  I've done it for myself, I've done it for so many others, and I'm eager to do it for you, too.