J. Banks Design Group is thrilled to announce that Evan Crist, newly promoted to Designer, is bringing her thoughtful, collected style to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. For Evan, this move is a homecoming. Her grandmother grew up in nearby Oakland and spent summers on the lake, a tradition passed down through the family that filled Evan’s own childhood with memories on the water. Returning to design in a place she has always loved feels like coming full circle.
Evan spent eight years in design support, the last two with J. Banks, before stepping into her new role as Designer. The promotion means more ownership over projects from concept to completion, deeper relationships with clients, and the freedom to bring her own creative point of view to every space she touches. She’s especially drawn to guiding the full arc of the design process, watching a project evolve from an early idea into a finished home.
Deep Creek Lake offers Evan a fresh design language, one that shares some DNA with the firm’s Cashiers and Toxaway projects but carries its own distinct, easygoing charm. She’s drawn to the architecture of the area, homes built to blend into the mountains with dark wood tones, natural stone, and an unmistakably grounded feel. Many of the original lake cottages are still standing, and Evan would love the chance to renovate one someday, honoring the character of lake life while layering in a design sensibility that feels current and considered.
That sensibility comes through clearly when Evan talks about what inspires her right now: soft neutrals, cozy plaids, delicate florals, and a palette that leans into the charm of the British countryside. She gravitates toward layered textures, warm woods, and natural linens, patterns and materials that feel collected over time rather than assembled all at once. Her favorite spaces to design are the ones a family actually lives in: kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms, the heart-of-home spaces that carry both daily life and lasting impressions.
For anyone in the Deep Creek Lake area considering a design partnership, Evan describes her process as deeply collaborative. She takes the time to understand how a client wants to live in their home before making a single decision, guiding them through the process so it feels manageable rather than overwhelming. Her goal is a home that feels elevated and intentional, yet still comfortable, functional, and personal, one where clients feel involved and heard from the very first conversation.
Outside of work, Evan spends her time on the lake, traveling, and enjoying quiet mornings at home with her husband and their dog. A perfect Saturday means coffee on the couch with no plans, followed by a trip to the farmers’ market. Her path to design started early. A lifelong pull toward creativity and beautiful spaces eventually led her to turn that passion into a career, and it’s a passion she now brings to every client relationship at J. Banks.
