Get to know our story

Welcome to Grace & Nell Homes

I founded this firm with a specific mission: to provide a refreshing departure from the traditional construction experience. If you are reading this, you are likely looking for more than just a builder—you are looking for a partner to help you create the backdrop for your life’s best moments.

We are proud to be one of Kansas City’s premier boutique custom home builders. Being woman-led and design-forward allows us to bring a unique perspective to every project. While others may focus exclusively on mechanics, we focus on livability. We understand that a home is the backdrop for your family’s life, and we prioritize the feel of the space—the light, the flow, and the finish—just as highly as the structural integrity.

To maintain this standard, we keep our volume intentionally low. This allows us to offer a "concierge" experience that high-end custom builds demand. We don't just hand you a set of keys; we guide you through the entire journey, bridging the gap between your architect’s vision and the final reality.

Whether we are breaking ground in Mission Hills or Leawood, Grace & Nell offers you the best of both worlds: the history of a legacy builder and the eye of a high-end designer.

I look forward to helping you curate the HOME where your family’s future memories will be made.

Warmly,

Lauren Browne Founder, Grace & Nell Homes

Grace

Grace is my daughter's middle name, as well as several of my nieces. The energy and focus that I draw upon in forming Grace & Nell Homes is to help teach and inspire my daughter and other young woman to dream big & go for it! 

Nell

Nell is a compilation of my maternal grandmothers. They bring a history of exceptional women, all courageous in their own ways and each had a significant impact on who I am today. 

Eleanor, my great grandmother, was spunky and full of life! She loved golf, and had there been a LPGA in her time, she would have been a fierce contender. My great grandmother, Vivian, was a welder on WWII Navy ships and went on to own her own diner and finishing school for young women. Jana, my “Nana”, (also an excellent golfer) loved real estate and specialized in new home sales for many builders and developers in Kansas City. It’s through her that I’m 4th generation in real estate. 

The Myrtle Branch

The use of Myrtle branch is in honor of my paternal grandmother, Myrtle McGovern. My passion specifically for residential development and new home construction comes from the McGovern family. She was the anchor and connector for our family. She loved to gather friends and family around her large dining table, and built community wherever she went. Without her, there would not have been the generations of home builders that helped to give me my start.