Meet Ben and Cristi Dozier, Stars of New HGTV Series 'Building Roots'
Upcoming Colorado-based renovation series, Building Roots, stars husband-and-wife duo Ben and Cristi Dozier. Here's what you need to know about the Doziers.
The scenic landscapes and wide-open spaces of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, provide limitless inspiration for Root Design Company founders Ben and Cristi Dozier. The husband-and-wife duo specializes in creating dream homes for clients. In their new HGTV series Building Roots, we get to watch as they bring to fruition beautiful and innovative home renovations. Ben and Cristi share more about their outdoorsy Colorado lifestyle, their passion for home design and what viewers can expect from the series.
Brandon Soder
The Texans Made Colorado Their Home
In 2004, with a 9-month-old baby in tow, the couple launched Root Design Company — which they operated out of the living room of their home in Austin, Texas, the city in which they were both born and raised. Recently, the Doziers moved their family of six to the charming mountain town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where they live in a 100-year-old Victorian riverfront home. The Root studio is now headquartered in a historic barn on the property.
Their Design Business Started as a Landscape Company
"I can remember when we thought of the name Root Design," Cristi says. "We had the name before we started the business. And we loved the word 'root' because it meant the source from which things grow. Yes, it started as a landscape company, but we felt like it lended itself to be whatever we wanted it to grow into."
Colorado Inspires More Than Just Their Work
Ben and Cristi are parents to four children: Adelyn, Gunnison, Creede and South.
"Cristi named Adelyn, which is a beautiful name," Ben shares. "And I named a couple of our kids after towns in Colorado that I'd lived in or had significant value to us."
They Love the 'Small Town Mountain Lifestyle'
"We can take ski trips on a random day and skip school," Ben says. "If the water's good, we go fishing. If it's a beautiful sunset, we take a walk. There's just more space to get out and take that time."
"One of my favorite things to do as a family is sit around the campfire," Cristi says. "And the beautiful thing is, we get to do that in our backyard."
They Own a Local Coffee Shop
And it doubles as a cocktail bar! In 2019, Ben and Cristi took ownership of a coffee shop in Pagosa Springs, and Root House Coffee + Shop was born. The "back alley, riverfront espresso & cocktail bar" serves up small-batch, Colorado-roasted beans and homemade baked goods.
Their Home Renos Are Highly Personalized
Something you won't find in the Doziers work? A signature style. Ben and Cristi are intentional and passionate about creating completely customized homes that reflect their clients' individual lifestyles and backgrounds.
"I really believe that one of our greatest compliments is that no two of our projects look alike. We don't want the project to be about us and what our style is. It's about what the client's style is and where they see their story going," Ben says. "Once we figure out what that story is … it gives us direction. It gives us purpose. It gives us a mission and a vision and that translates into sketches and design."
For Them, The Show is Bigger Than Design
"I hope it's less about what we build and more about who we build up," Ben says. "These families are taking risks with these projects and find it rewarding. I hope other people get inspired by that to get outside and take that risk or make that move or whatever it is."
"It's the idea that people are building so much more than a home. They are putting their roots down. They're wanting this to grow to be more than just a house project," Cristi adds.
Building Roots premieres on Sunday, April 10, at 9/8c. Tune in to HGTV or stream episodes same day on HGTV GO. Learn more about Building Roots on HGTV.com and interact via social media with #BuildingRoots and @HGTV on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. Follow the Doziers on Instagram at @rootdesignco, @bendozier and @cristidozier.