Listen to our Spotify podcast about this article:
By Cassidy Mantor
Ten miles north of Park City in the Upper East Canyon of the Wasatch, Jeremy Ranch is Utah’s only Arnold Palmer Signature Course. In this desirable community, a woman looking for a place to settle down and to host her grandchildren bought a dated home that was in desperate need of a remodel. When Amanda Evans, CEO and Principal Designer of Blackdog Builders, met the homeowner at the property, she observed a large stone fireplace that blocked prime golf course and mountain views. A carpeted great room and an enclosed formal dining room created a dark feel that needed a refresh. The primary bathtub did not have a tub fill faucet but what it did have was a canopy with drapes.
MODERNIZING A JEREMY RANCH HOME
The client wanted to modernize the property so it would be an uplifting and inviting place for her grandchildren, while also being a Zen retreat for herself. Like many Park City properties that are designed to give their owners an instant sense of the mountains, this homeowner wanted to amplify the indoor/outdoor connection and create an environment that felt like she was in the mountains of Park City.
With 20 years of experience in high-end remodels and a legacy of kindness and collaboration, Blackdog approached this project with a desire to breathe new life into a prime property. In doing so, they set the stage for the next generation of a family to thrive and also ushered in a new era for the company.
“Our bread and butter has always been remodeling and additions. We also offer in-house interior design services that are a big help to those looking for a streamlined process with a designer and project manager under one roof.”
–Amanda Evans, CEO, Principal Designer, Blackdog Builders
ROOTED IN PARK CITY
Established in 2005, Amanda’s father, Todd, founded Blackdog to focus on large-scale, high-end custom remodels and additions, as well as custom builds. The company was named after their family dog, a black Lab named Susie.
Blackdog developed a reputation for collaboration and reliability, winning multiple awards, including Park City’s best builder and best contractor over multiple years. Then, on May 9, 2025, Todd unexpectedly passed away.
For his daughter, Amanda, the Jeremy Ranch remodel reflects not only the evolving needs of a discerning client, but also a continuation of the family business that was built on honesty, craftsmanship, and relationships. She says, “This is earlier than we thought for second-generation leadership, but here we are.”
Having grown up in Park City, Amanda was exposed to Blackdog’s working relationships with subcontractors from a young age. She pursued a career in project management and design and gained experience working for HGTV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as working with a custom home builder in Orange County, California. Now, having worked with Blackdog for a total of 14 years, Amanda is uniquely poised to honor her dad’s legacy and carry on the business. By her side is her black Lab puppy, Obi, who is also carrying the torch.
“The client knew exactly what wasn’t working. She’d done remodels before, so she came in with a strong sense of her preferences: lots of natural light, greens, and organic materials for a clean but not overly modern mountain vibe.”
–Amanda Evans, CEO, Principal Designer, Blackdog Builders
But Blackdog’s foundation is built on much more than sentimentality. “Our bread and butter has always been remodeling and additions,” Amanda explains. “We also offer in-house interior design services that are a big help to those looking for a streamlined process with a designer and project manager under one roof.”
In addition to growing their in-house design services, Amanda is introducing new technologies. “How we communicate today compared to 20 years ago, whether it’s AI or new software programs, is different, but we remain focused on our community involvement and continuing my father’s legacy,” she says. “Blackdog has always worked with honesty, integrity, and a sense of being one team–the idea is ‘it takes a village.’ Dad always asked how we can collectively approach the project, and that team includes the client.”
The company’s values enable it to operate with genuine stability and integrity–there are multiple team members who have been there since it started 20 years ago. Amanda adds, “As I move forward, I keep my dad’s kindness in my heart and try to continue nurturing the connections he had with people.” That intentionality laid the foundation for open communication and success.
A HOME WITH A VIEW THAT WAS BLOCKED
The client came to Blackdog with a clearly defined list of objectives. She sought clean lines and a modern mountain aesthetic. She also lives in close proximity to her grandchildren and wanted a place that would work for them to come over and play.
When Evans and her team first walked through the home, it was clear the space no longer met the client’s needs or tastes. Built in the early ’90s, the property felt dated, dark, and spatially confined. In addition to the fireplace blocking views, a fully enclosed dining room cut off the flow of the living area. Materials and finishes leaned heavily into the once-popular “golden tones” of the era.
“Everyone wants modern but not too modern. It’s a tricky balance that we explore through subtle variations in material to bring a space to life.”
–Amanda Evans, CEO, Principal Designer, Blackdog Builders
“The client knew exactly what wasn’t working,” says Evans. “She’d done remodels before, so she came in with a strong sense of her preferences: lots of natural light, greens, and organic materials for a clean but not overly modern mountain vibe.”
With only one sink needed, the primary bath with heated floor tile is an example of how Blackdog tailored the space to the client’s needs. The homeowner gravitated toward neutrals, so to create interest they varied the texture with a wavy shower tile. Blackdog also incorporated some curvature and softness with plumbing and light fixtures and added an additional touch of warmth with wood.
“Everyone wants modern but not too modern,” Amanda observes. “It’s a tricky balance that we explore through subtle variations in material to bring a space to life.”
For the kitchen, Amanda sourced custom glazed brick tile from Clé, a company in California that creates tastefully intricate designs. Quartz countertops were selected for durability and longevity. They went with a green island that complemented the client’s desire for a woodsy feeling, adding refined interest and differentiating from many cookie-cutter Park City kitchens.
When it came to the most impactful elements of the remodel, the fireplace and dining room packed the largest punch. “The old fireplace was terribly placed right in the middle of her views, so we wanted to open up the great room,” Amanda shares. They removed walls, took out a soffit in the living area, and made the dining room part of the greater space. With those eliminations, Blackdog’s project management team had to address structural changes.
“She wanted a green stucco house and had a specific vision for that tonality.”
–Amanda Evans, CEO, Principal Designer, Blackdog Builders
“It always takes time when you remove drywall and see what’s going on behind the walls because plans don’t always reflect the reality of what’s been built,” she says. Without the fireplace, the team had to install a new shear wall so the load could be carried down to the lower level and support the entire reconfiguration. Blackdog also added full-height windows that achieved the same effect as bi-fold doors but were kinder to the budget. “Our goal was to bring in a fresh mountain vibe with natural light,” Amanda adds.
An Instagram reel shows the dramatic effect of Blackdog’s work. The old ‘90s gold was removed and the remodel gave life to a modern mountain home.
A DYNAMIC PROGRAM
The team was planning on tiling the kitchen ceiling and plastering the hood itself, but Blackdog always spot-checks the budget to give the team full visibility so they can make the best choices for the project. When the client saw how they were tracking with this budget, she was willing to spend more to tile the whole hood. The effect is impactful, as is the kitchen tile backsplash.
The client knew herself and how she lived, and was quite specific with her needs. For example, her overflow holiday decor would be stored in the laundry room, so Blackdog leveraged that knowledge to design a space that was fully customized to function well for her lifestyle and personal preferences.
With respect to working with HOAs, Amanda notes that the homeowner had done her research and had a good connection with her community so their plans for the remodel were easily approved. “She wanted a green stucco house and had a specific vision for that tonality,” Amanda says. The client was methodical about her wishes and Blackdog’s deep roots in Park City and reputation for being reliable partners made this remodel a success. Above all, the client is thrilled with working with Blackdog’s team and loves the result of this hard work and team effort. Amanda reveals, “She’s obsessed.” As one should be with their new home.
whj PROFILE
