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Written By Lisa Johns
In the early 1900s, Conone Davis and Candice Danison’s great-great-grandparents eased a covered wagon onto the high-desert earth east of Bend, Oregon, staking a claim among sage and volcanic rock. A century later, their descendants still shape their future on that same soil—trading homestead shanties for precision-built sanctuaries. For the siblings behind CNC Homes, building isn’t just a profession; it’s a legacy they carry forward—one board, one build, one relationship at a time.
“We’re building for people we’ll still run into in 30 years. And building a custom home is an emotional process. We want the process, not just the end result, to be positive.”
–Conone Davis, CNC Homes
Roots That Run Deeper Than Rebar
Conone and Candice grew up hearing stories of potato harvests and sheep shearing on the very ranch lands where some of their bespoke homes now stand. Conone left for the Air Force, honing the logistical precision he would later apply to finish carpentry. Candice earned a culinary degree, then pivoted from orchestrating kitchens to managing custom builds. By 2009, Conone was leading operations at a prominent building firm, with Candice overseeing project delivery on his team—until they left, driven by a shared belief that luxury homes should come with a luxury experience. They named the new venture CNC Homes—a nod to the precision of computer-numerical control, and a reflection of the discipline and attention to detail they bring to every build.
Their founding values—integrity, accountability, transparency—hang on the office wall beneath photos of the firm’s first three custom builds, each named for one of those principles. “There was something very specific about each home that really embodied that value,” Candice says. Displaying them keeps the compass true: everyone—client, subcontractor, team member—understands the core vision. Limiting output to just four to six homes a year protects that intimacy.
“They have one of the most sophisticated backend systems I’ve ever seen. I’m picky—but they were often pickier than I was.”
–Linda Hoffman, Homeowner
Partnership Reimagined:
Tech That Feels Like a Handshake
Most CNC clients live hours—or states—away, so before pouring a single footing, the team builds a digital bridge. Their project-management platform tracks daily logs, schedules, selections, and warranties. But its most powerful feature arrives just before insulation: a high-resolution 3D scan that captures every wire, pipe, and duct behind the walls. It’s not just a technical marvel—it’s a permanent act of transparency.
“Whether you’re hanging shelves or remodeling in 20 years, you’ll know exactly what’s behind every wall,” Conone shares.
For homeowners Linda Hoffman and Vance Wonderlich, who built during COVID, that visibility was invaluable. “They have one of the most sophisticated backend systems I’ve ever seen,” Hoffman says. “I’m picky—but they were often pickier than I was.”
In an industry where trust is too often an afterthought, CNC builds it into the blueprint of each project.
“If I ever build again, CNC is my only call.”
–Linda Hoffman, Homeowner
Design Alchemy:
When ‘No-Way’ Becomes ‘Why-Not’
Linda and Vance’s vision read like a dare: a ten-foot, four-sided glass fireplace that siphons heat outside so it can burn year-round; shou-sugi-ban siding; custom-wrapped windows with no trim to hide millimeter errors.
They sourced the commercial-grade firebox from a Midwestern fabricator and coordinated with local craftsmen to frame a steel cradle. In the same spirit of collaboration, CNC and Linda reconsidered poured-in-place concrete—which could make the overall aesthetic lose some of its warmth—and instead chose eucalyptus, a sustainably farmed hardwood tough enough for razor-sharp corners.
Inside, cabinetry varies by zone: matte-black Fenix and walnut in the kitchen, rustic walnut in the bar, eucalyptus wall paneling that bend around corners with nickel-gap precision. Outside, tiered patios knit house to forest; LED-lit steps, a floating concrete barbecue, and a lava-rock fire pit invite casual gatherings under Central Oregon’s dark-sky mandate. The result is both striking and steady—built to belong here, and built to last.
The Homeowner’s Verdict
Linda, a retired PwC partner turned interior designer, says of the finished home: “I didn’t even want to put any art on the walls because it is just so beautiful as-is.” A north-facing kitchen window spans the entire counter, framing ponderosa pines like film stills. The homeowners have hosted impromptu latte mornings, a 30-guest wedding, and sit-down dinners for 25. “I think we entertain a lot more than we ever have before,” Linda shares. “And I think the house has helped us achieve that.”
Early on, when Linda asked for references, CNC handed over the names of every client they’d ever built for—not a curated list, just the full roster. “I was in the service business, and I had never seen that before” she says. “You can’t do that unless you stand by your work.” It set the tone for a relationship marked by quiet, steady follow-through.
Most telling is what happens after closing: when an outdoor heater had a hiccup, CNC sent an electrician without being asked. A minor patio drainage concern? They didn’t just adjust it—they rebuilt the entire tier to ensure it would never be a problem. It wasn’t about shortcuts or warranties; it was about standing by the work. Years later, Linda doesn’t hesitate: “If I ever build again, CNC is my only call.”
Rooted and Reaching
Growth, the siblings insist, will stay measured: a handful of custom builds each year, perhaps a spec home to showcase their playbook. But never at the expense of craft or transparency. “We’re building for people we’ll still run into in 30 years,” Conone says. “And building a custom home is an emotional process. We want the process—not just the end result—to be positive.” Candice adds, “That’s the memory we want riding shotgun every time they come home.”
The wagons may be gone, but the spirit of earlier generations persist in CNC’s work: honest craft, steady hands, and homes as rooted, resilient, and regal as the land they stand on.
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