Lake&Home Magazine Sep/Oct '19

Subscribe at w w w.lakeandhomemagazine.com VOLUME 21 / ISSUE 5

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019

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Lake & Home Magazine SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019

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VOLUME 21 • ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019 subscribe online at: www.lakeandhomemagazine.com

CONTENTS

12 OFFICE

Meet Our Team

14

52

OFFICE

From the Office

by Erin Hintz

LANDSCAPING

38

Landscape Considerations

Consider the Landscape when Buying or Selling

by Pat Morstad Precision Landscape & Irrigation

EXTERIORS

The Beauty & Style of Steel Siding

by Andrea Canning

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INTERIOR DESIGN

58

Interior Design Styles

by Danae Branson

OUTDOOR LIVING

Outdoor Kitchens and Fire Pits

by Neil Jenzen

44

Owner, Alex Brick & Stone and Lake Country Fireplace & Exteriors

FIREPLACE

Fireplace Styles

30

How They Create a Different Look

EXTERIORS

Paradise Potential Three-Season Porches

by Jen Miller

by Danae Branson

62

LAKE GIFTS

Unique in Minnesota Gifts for the Lake Lover

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

Smart Home Automation

106

www.buildwithrise.com

80

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

The Legacy of Hirshfield’s

by Andrea Canning

110

FEATURE HOME

Building a Dream

by Angela Garvin

SHOPPING

Service Directory

112

FEATURED LAKE

70

FEATURE HOME

From Drawings to Dream Home

Hilltop Lumber Creates Beautiful Lake Home on Leaf Lake

by Jen Miller

94

FEATURE HOME

The House on Pike Lake Mediterranean Splendor in Northeastern Minnesota

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

Cover photo by Kristen Perala Story on page 80

East Leaf Lake

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Lic. #BC520694

Volume 21, Issue 5 • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2019 PUBLISHER Kip Johnson EDITORS Brent and Jennifer Rogness ADVERTISING/MARKETING CONSULTANT John Burns LAKE & HOME MAGAZINE – ADVERTISING SALES Erin Hintz • 218-205-2120 erin@lakeandhomemagazine.com Jerry Shea • 218-205-7454 jerry@lakeandhomemagazine.com

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LAKE & HOME MAGAZINE Published bimonthly by Compass Media 118 S Vine St | Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 205-2706 www.lakeandhomemagazine.com artwork@lakeandhomemagazine.com Unless previously agreed, all rights remain the sole property of Lake & Home Magazine. ©2019 Compass Media. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without prior written consent.

Printed by Hess Print Solutions, USA

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FROM THE OFFICE

From the Office

For as much time as I spend longing for sum-

This weekend we hardly left home and it was

This issue of Lake & Home Magazine is just

mer, it would be reasonable to conclude that

a wonderful change of pace. A rainy and

the right combination of indoor and outdoor

fall, signaling the end of my favorite season,

cool Saturday, which would be a major dis-

inspiration, perfect for the season. For the

or worse, the impending winter, would be

appointment in June or July, was now a hap-

many comfortable outdoor days we still have

something I would dread. Oddly enough, it’s

py excuse to savor a lazy Saturday at home

to look forward to, you’ll find articles on land-

entirely the opposite.

with my family. We made some progress on

scaping items to consider when buying or

a few projects, and as soon as the rain let up,

selling, three-season porches, and outdoor

While there’s no ignoring the sad fact that

we had a fire burning nearly all weekend. We

fire pits, fireplaces and grills perfect for cook-

winter is in fact drawing nearer everyday,

grilled, had dinners on the deck, and went for

ing and entertaining.

there’s so much about the start of fall that I

a nature walk through a pollinator conserva-

welcome. It’s the time of year when I literally

tion area near our home. It was the perfect

You’ll also find articles on fireplace styles,

get to see the fruits of my spring and summer

balance of time spent indoors and out, and

Hirshfield’s paint and finishings, and interior

labor as I come back from my garden each

a slow, relaxing weekend that had me ready

design styles. In this issue, we’ll also be tak-

evening with a bucket full of fresh produce.

for the start of a slower, more relaxing season.

ing you inside three gorgeous Minnesota lake

Temperatures dropping brings fewer bugs

homes, each with their own uniquely beauti-

and more comfortable conditions to com-

ful style. We hope you enjoy! ~L&H

plete all of the outdoor projects I’ve spent the summer dreaming about. But above all else, our lives slow down and we actually spend some time at home.

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Erin Hintz Advertising Sales

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I

INTERIOR DESIGN

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Beautiful interiors come in many different styles and those styles can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

As we all have our own personal style in terms of hair, clothing and ways of doing things, we also tend to gravitate towards certain design styles for our homes.

One of the most common questions an interior designer receives is, “How do I know what style to decorate my home?” It’s important to understand that a lot of people like more than one style and styles can be mixed.

Almost every style can be mixed with another style or even two. If you are curious as to what your favorite styles might be, please refer to ten of the most popular design styles below. I’ve also given examples of what is commonly mixed with these styles.

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farmhouse

farmhouse Joanna Gaines and Fixer Upper have made the farmhouse style one of the most popular design styles today. Farmhouse traditionally was used in rural or agricultural settings but as it’s grown in popularity, you’ll find this style everywhere from beachfront homes to city dwellings.

Common elements found in the farmhouse style are distressed wood floors, Shaker style cabinets, open shelving, shiplap, aged furniture, white walls, black accents, muted colors, exposed brick, antiques and lanterns. Choosing pieces with history or a story to tell is very reminiscent of the farmhouse style.

The farmhouse style is so popular with the masses that it is often mixed with another style such as rustic, modern or French country.

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MODERN Modern typically describes a very clean and almost minimalistic look. A modern style is almost opposite of the farmhouse style in the sense that it doesn’t highlight old pieces with a story to tell, in fact it is

Typical modern elements would include anything that is angular,

modern

more about form and function.

textured and straightforward with clean lines and high contrast.

Everything is very clean, new and simple. Think black Shaker style cabinets with white subway tile and gold hardware.

Metal, glass and steel are found in a modern home giving it a sleek and sophisticated feel. Since modern can feel almost too perfect and clean, it’s often softened with a mix from the farmhouse, coastal or traditional styles.

rustic

Rustic Rustic is best described as a style found in nature, so rustic is very much about bringing the outdoors inside. There is a large focus on texture and materials but not necessarily on color or adornments. In a rustic style you will find an abundance of raw wood, natural stone, hardwoods, terra cotta and patina.

You might see natural wood cabinets with lots of knots or blemishes, hand-forged iron, distressed wood floors and earth tones. A rustic style is commonly found in ranches, cabins, lake homes and mountain homes. Rustic can be mixed with coastal, traditional or farmhouse.

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Industrial Industrial takes its cues from materials in their raw, unfinished form such as exposed ductwork and concrete floors. Very commonly used in urban

industrial

environments, the industrial style is comprised primarily of black metal, exposed details, gray color palettes and almost a utilitarian feel. It’s very clean, simple and almost hard feeling. There’s not a lot of soft or warm textures in the industrial style.

Think of a warehouse or urban loft with a neutral color scheme and one or two pieces of abstract art to add

just a few pops of color. In an effort to soften up an industrial feel it’s often mixed with farmhouse, boho or rustic.

Contemporary Contemporary is a style that takes modern elements but puts a unique spin on them. For example, modern has clean, straight lines whereas contemporary will use curvy lines.

Contemporary is comprised of neutral elements and bold colors. Most popular colors are shades of white, taupe, browns or cream mixed with a pop of teal, cranberry or hunter green.

Contemporary is actually what is being produced right now, whereas modern describes 20th century style. Instead of Shaker style cabinets used in modern kitchens, contemporary

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kitchens often have flat panel cabinets. Most contemporary cabinets are made of man-made materials such as manufactured wood, metal, plastic or glass. Contemporary can be mixed with modern, traditional or industrial.

transitional

Transitional

As we talk about marrying styles, transitional

You’ll see the glass and steel of a modern home

is basically a marriage between traditional

mixed with the plush furniture of a traditional

and modern. It’s become a very popular style

home. The color palates are typically neutral,

among those who love the warm nostalgic

offering a calming vibe. In a nutshell, someone

feeling of a traditional home yet also yearn for

decided to soften modern up a bit with

the sleek, sophisticated modern feel.

traditional, so they call it transitional.

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traditional Historic and classic homes are typically considered to be in the traditional style. There is great attention to detail in this style with ornate trim work and excellent craftsmanship.

This style feels old yet clean and polished, a true antique feeling. Popular traditional cabinet styles are raised panel or beadboard style.

It’s timeless, sophisticated and stately with its brass accents,

traditional Glam Glam is described as luxurious, over-the-top and opulent.

It’s a dramatic design style that incorporates tufted, velvet furnishings with antiques and dramatic design elements.

This style has also been called Hollywood Glam and is popular with those who really want to make a statement.

Common color palettes are purples, reds, turquoises and blues, or black and white.

In glam décor you will often find sparkly and glittery accents. Metallic tones are found everywhere and add to the luxurious feel of the design as does marble, faux fur and satin. And you can’t have glam without a glorious chandelier. Everything that makes you think of luxury is truly used in this design. Believe it or not, rustic is commonly mixed with glam as is French country and modern.

figurative art and warm wood tones. This style is known for its architectural elements and it’s tried-and-true appeal.

Rustic, farmhouse and modern are popular styles to mix with traditional.

glam

BOHO This style is so laid back and relaxed it gives you a good, casual type of feel. Boho focuses on rich colors, bold textures and mismatched patterns. It really has a vibrant and quirky feel that is much more playful and unconventional than most other styles.

A house designed around the boho style is going to be full of vintage finds, textured fabrics and exotic plants. This type of design style is very popular among world travelers as they fill their homes with treasures from their adventures. Boho is often mixed with modern, farmhouse and industrial.

boho

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French country

French country Shopping in home décor stores I’ve found a lot of French country inspired décor. It’s a warm, neutral palette with lots of white, and pale colors. French country is full of worn ornamental finishes, exposed brick, gorgeous porcelain dishes, linen bed coverings and distressed wood. French country cabinets often have details such as raised panel of some sort or beadboard similar to traditional cabinets.

You’ll find corbels, rusted metal, stone fireplace, copper pots and floors made of either stone, clay, brick or old wooden planks. French country also has roosters, olives, grapes and flowers used in the décor.

COASTAL Coastal style is a super popular style right now, again, thanks to HGTV. This style is light and airy with a neutral color palette most commonly with whites and pale blues, greens and yellows. Hardwood floors, white kitchens, open shelving, linen fabrics and rattan are popular in the coastal style. You’ll find sea glass, jute rugs and plants.

Coastal is versatile. Depending on what you like, your home could look beachy coastal, nautical coastal or island coastal. The beachy look is best described above. If you are going for more of a nautical look then you may also incorporate white and blue stripes, lighthouses, red anchors and fishing nets. If the island style is more your game, think pale pinks, bright greens and lots of palm leaves. No matter which coastal style you love, it is easy to have fun with all of them! Rustic, modern and traditional are fun styles to mix with coastal.

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French country is almost a much more ornate and old-world version of the farmhouse style. It’s common to see French country mixed with farmhouse, rustic and traditional.

coastal

As you can see there are many different styles and several different ways to mix them up. This article certainly doesn’t cover every design style out there and as we all evolve our design styles change. The most important thing about decorating your home is to decorate it with things you love. I try not to get too caught up in trends as they come and go.

However, your classic, timeless design lasts a lifetime!

At the end of the day, it’s your home and you should love living there. What things do you love the most about interior design?

Once you figure it out, fill your home with it! ~L&H

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E EXTERIORS

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There is something about a three-season porch that speaks to the soul, whether it is the lure of the wind chimes, the birds chirping and chattering in the branches, or the sound of the screen door slapping shut as friends and family come and go. It calls to us early in the morning like the rising sun and that first cup of coffee, and is waiting for us after a long, hard day at the office.

The three-season porch has the potential to be a little resort in the midst of the weekly 9-to5 grind; a little corner in the world carved out just for you and the family. It is the ideal place to kick off your shoes, put up your feet, and watch the world pass you by while enjoying the outdoors in comfort.

America was founded on front porches.

It is the welcome mat of hospitality, a place where neighbors served neighbors lemonade. It is where we spent time with grandma peeling potatoes and shelling peas, but it by no means needs to be a thing of the past. “The screened-in grandma’s porch has the potential of becoming the modern porch,” Paul Williamson from Custom Upholstery and Awning Center stated and went on to say, “Grandma’s porch is nice, but no one wants to deal with mosquitoes. With power screens and stackable vinyl windows, the three-season porch has the capability of becoming another room in the house.”

But unlike the other four walls with artificial lighting, the three-season porch has paradise potential.

Some prefer to lounge in a hammock and others prefer a porch swing. But everyone seeking the shelter of a three-season porch is looking for the shade of a giant oak tree minus the bugs, bad weather, and lack of privacy. Therefore, when building the perfect three-season porch, the most important thing to consider is the window treatments.

“The screens become the sifter of everything

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percent screen offers the privacy that customer is looking for, but do keep in mind that folks strolling by after dark will be able to see in the porch if it’s lit up.

Other things to keep in mind when determining the percentage of blockage you’ll value in a screen are pets, insects, and beating the heat of the sunlight. “The 90 percent blockage really cuts down on the heat, which saves on air conditioning,” Williamson commented. Williamson works closely with Glen Raven materials such as Sunbrella, which was founded on the belief that, “Solar protection is the art and science of controlling the harmful effects of the sun.”

in the air,” Terry Jerylo, president of Amazing EZ Screen, stated and went on to say, “If you’ve got a yard full of cottonwood trees, it will catch that cotton, and it will stick to the screens.” The same goes for ash, grain dust, and pollen.

“It always depends on what the customer is looking for,” Williamson started off as he opened the window to screen options. First off, the window screen is fashioned from a mesh made with aluminum wire, fiberglass or synthetic fibers such as plastic or polyester. “With solar screens, we usually start with 80 percent screen blockage. One customer might want to see out, but doesn’t want anyone to see in, so in this case, I’d suggest a 90 percent screen,” Williamson said. The 90

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“People want to be outdoors as much as possible during the summer months, especially in the upper-Midwest where seasons are so short,” Jerylo stated and went on to say, “And since people want to experience more of the outdoors, we offer a product that comes in what we call the three-and-a-half season porch.” At best, Grandma’s chicken-wire three-and-ahalf season porch offers a hundred days.

However, with the quality of today’s screens and the percentage of blockage, folks can look forward to whittling 300-plus days away on the porch.

An abundance of screen options are retractable and can easily be hidden in the frames. “You see more and more where the screens are being hidden with the press of a button, you will see the screens go up and down because people want that clean look,” Williamson shared.

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“Porches have changed drastically in the last 10 years, especially in the Midwest. Our product has blossomed and has allowed the porch to become the extension of the home. For example, you see a lot of porches with fireplaces or a heating source and they’re putting in nice flooring. If you add our product, you can enjoy the porch not just in the summer but as it moves into the cooler days of fall,” Jerylo stated.

However, before you close the porch up for winter, the three-and-a-half season porch takes it even a step further. “The porch can also be enjoyed on warmer winter days, especially if you have a south-facing window that allows for that southern sun exposure.”

With the three-and-a-half season window treatment from Amazing EZ Screen, folks can also store their nice patio furniture out on the porch year round.

What is this amazing window treatment, you ask?

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“Stackable vinyl windows,” Jerylo went on to say, “They offer great protection, but you’re still able to look out and enjoy the outdoors.

With stackable vinyl windows, you have the advantage to close the front facing windows while keeping the two side panels open, so that you can catch that cross breeze or you can close the side windows for additional shading yet open the lake facing windows to enjoy the view. Honestly, it’s kind of an amazing product.”

The reason people are going with stackable versus rollup vinyl in the North Star State is that rollup vinyl doesn’t fare well in cold weather.

“Anything below 20 degrees, we start seeing more stable vinyl windows with four panels,” Jerylo mentioned.

“Stackable vinyl windows are definitely becoming popular,” Williamson started off and went on to list the advantages of stackable windows. “Our stackable windows combine the open feeling of a screen room and the comfort and convenience of an enclosed porch.” Stackable windows also block out whatever Mother Nature

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is throwing at you that day, as well as pollen, which is huge for anyone in the family that suffers from allergies. Stackable windows also block out sound, which is a big deal if you live on a busy street or you’re just looking to take a nap out on the porch.

The stackable vinyl panels allow the homeowner a better view because the panels stack on each other. This feature allows you to stack all four panels towards the bottom so you can enjoy the breeze coming in off the lake. The vinyl windows are just like looking through glass, so you won’t miss the sun sinking into the lake, but unlike glass, a fly ball won’t break the panel. Not to mention, the vinyl windows don’t fog up nor will they fade over time. Plus, they’re easy to clean, and with Styleline’s Powder Coating Division, you have the capability of blending your new porch conversion into the home’s exterior décor.

If you think back to Grandma’s three-season porch, you may recall the screen door that slapped shut right on your heels, but like the quality of screens, the threshold has seen

some major improvements over the years, as well. “People can order doors that match the window system, so it all flows together. French doors are another option that is becoming more common in achieving that modern look. We also offer a four-track door system that features 2-inch heavy aluminum framing and is complemented by our vinyl glazed vertical four-track insert,” Jerylo explained.

The four-track feature arrives pre-hung on heavy-duty hinges minus the exposure of installation screws and weather strip.

For the DIYers out there, “If you have a caulking gun, a screwdriver, a level, and depending on your level of skills and ability, the homeowner can do the installation themselves. A threesided porch that extends 12 feet out from the house and 16 feet across the front will generally have nine windows and one door and will run about $4,500 and take a half day to a day to install,” Jerylo concluded.

As far as the hardware goes, “The colors remain pretty traditional. We still see black, white, and dark brown when it comes to the framework,” Williamson mentioned.

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If a front porch isn’t an option for you and your family, American Door Works has just the solution for their customers to enjoy the outdoors—the fresh air minus the bugs. “We provide two different screen products that are used exclusively in garages and boat houses,” Nate Brown of American Door Works commented.

The first product is a manual Lifestyle screen.

This screen sits on a railing system that works in conjunction with regular garage doors.

“When the garage door is down, the screen would be up and when the garage door is up the screen closes off the open space.

This allows existing space to become a bugfree zone and a space to enjoy the breeze,” Brown explained.

There are of course different color and screen options. You can upgrade the percentage of screen blockage for privacy or purchase a sturdier screen that will handle the wear and tear of little kids and pets. “We’ve been putting these screens in for the last eight to ten years, and they’ve been a really good product. We get very few calls back regarding warranty issues and people enjoy utilizing the space,” Brown commented.

American Door Works also offers a motorized screen through Mystics Screens. This motorized screen with remote offers a cleaner look because it doesn’t operate on a rail system but is built into the door jam. “We install this product mostly in garage door openings, but we also install them in other applications such as gazebos, porches and restaurants,” Brown stated.

Grandma’s porch is a bit outdated, but with the right window treatments, your threeseason porch has the potential of paradise 300 plus days out of the year. ~L&H

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E EXTERIORS

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Creating the all-important curb appeal for your home or cabin begins with the exterior products you choose to protect your most valuable asset. When you consider that this decision is wrapping your home in a protective layer to prevent damage and decay, it becomes the most important investment you’ll make in the history of your home ownership.

While wood, brick and stucco have been used for generations as home exterior options, they require continued maintenance and are subject to attack and failure from natural elements. The most secure option today for protecting your home and creating a maintenance-free exterior is steel siding.

Investment in your Life Steel siding has expanded in popularity as homeowners realize that an investment in their home is also an investment in their peace of mind.

The power and beauty of steel lies in its strength to be maintenance free while also protecting from hail, sleet and heavy snow.

Maintaining the exterior of your home can become an added worry and expense. From repainting and staining dated wood siding, to repairing vinyl siding after high winds or a hailstorm, these efforts can become taxing. Steel siding’s maintenance-free properties provide freedom from these concerns.

Steel is inherently a substance of strength, it is durable when under pressure and is dent resistant. The natural elements will not impact this metal, and will not warp, bend or be destroyed by pests.

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When summer weather becomes unpredictable, your concerns for hail damage to your home are heightened, and the thought of your home’s exterior being damaged is enough to cause anyone’s blood pressure to rise.

According to Western Products general manager, Ray Blaha, “Steel siding is desirable for its resistance to large hailstones, windblown debris and bitter cold. Our siding also does not become brittle with age, making it a long-lasting solution for inclement weather. Even in severe hail, our siding will do its job at protecting the home and won’t shatter like vinyl siding.”

The peace that can come from knowing your exterior is safe with steel siding, and that it can withstand all that nature can throw at it, is worth the investment in your home.

Increased Home Value Whether you are building a new cabin or updating your home, choosing the right exterior will make a deep and lasting impact on your home’s value for years to come.

Steel siding is an environmentally-friendly choice, as it requires no yearly maintenance or harmful chemicals to retain its beauty. It is made from recycled materials, and it’s fully recyclable at the end of its decades-long life cycle. When you choose Energy Star rated steel siding, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of increased energy efficiency for your home, as well as earning points for green certification.

Blaha explained, “The paint coatings used in steel siding can make your home more energy efficient by reflecting solar and thermal radiation.”

Your home is the largest asset you own, and caring for the structure that provides security and holds your memories can become worrisome. By wrapping your home in steel siding, it will increase your freedom from the exterior maintenance and costly concerns that can impact your home and personal life.

Monetarily, the rate of return on steel siding in resale value is unmatched by other exterior options. According to a national survey that is repeated every year, steel siding has a return on investment (ROI) that is higher than average, more in the range of 80 to 85 percent, versus 77 percent ROI for siding, in general.

Blaha further explained, saying, “Having an ROI of 80 to 85 percent means that if you invest $10,000 in steel siding, the potential sale price will rise by up to $8,500.”

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The impact of steel siding on your home value is a unique return on your investment, as it will be one that you will appreciate immediately in energy efficiency and peace of mind, but has the added benefit of increased home value.

Beauty from Strength

Steel siding has evolved from being the flat finished metal sheeting void of character, to being an eye-catching design element that will capture your attention.

“Each home is unique. Seamless steel siding from Western Products is able to provide special care to every home and satisfy the owner’s wants and needs.

Nowadays, steel siding is offered in a diverse array of color and profile options – from

"Nowadays, steel siding is offered in a diverse array of color and profile options – from traditional horizontal to alternating and even vertical profiles – to suit the taste of any homeowner.”

Ray Blaha - Western Products traditional horizontal to alternating and even vertical profiles – to suit the taste of any homeowner,” said Blaha.

Western Products, which works throughout our region, carries a wide variety of design options to fit the exact style you are seeking.

With 25 siding profiles to choose from, you have a wide range of choices from the classic Dutch style to the artistic board and batten. The seasoned experts at Western Products can help you find the perfect siding to match your home exterior dreams.

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The 17 color options that are carried by Western Products can add a stunning visual impact to your home’s curb appeal. The color wheel of steel siding options runs the gamut from neutral colors like Canvas and Northwood, to the deep tones of Brick, Carbon and Storm. Western Products carries a color choice that can bring your exterior design dream to life.

The beauty and durability of steel siding extends to home exterior accessories. From soffit to trim, and shutters to gutters, the variety of design options are endless. Beginning with the entryway of your home, steel can be used as door wraps and house number kits. Unique accents can be added by implementing steel gables with herringbone or shake and shingle patterns.

The beauty of installing maintenance-free steel siding to your home’s exterior provides a long-term investment in not only your home’s future, but is a valuable decision that will be appreciated and enjoyed for years to come. ~L&H

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F

FIREPLACE STYLES

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A fireplace has always been a desirable feature in a home, especially for those of us that live where the winters are cold. With an abundance of unique and amazing styles, any fireplace can serve as an anchoring architectural feature, whether it functions or not.

Antique Natural Stone

Antique, natural stone fireplaces are rustic and require minimal styling. They look perfect whether your style is farmhouse, lake house, French country or rustic. Natural stone comes in a variety of shapes and sizes so it’s easy to custom create the fireplace of your dreams.

Traditional Wood

A mantel ledge, header and pilasters painted in any color or natural wood look amazing in any traditional home. Depending on what kind of hearth you create–whether marble, brick, or stone–it can significantly change the look of the fireplace.

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German Smear Stone

German smear stone gives me vibes of Spanish, Italian and French décor. It can be so sophisticated yet comfortable at the same time. These fireplaces paired with a rustic wood mantel and some greenery really soften the coldness of the stone.

Tile

Tile fireplaces can create a variety of styles depending on the tile – small Italian tile, large Spanish tile, granite tile or even bits of tile.

The tile you choose determines the vibe of the fireplace which could be anything from modern to rustic or coastal to traditional.

Marble

Stucco

Bright white stucco with a simple wood mantel can look great in a mid-century mod, Scandinavian or even a Southwestern looking home.

Concrete

Concrete can feel very modern or very industrial depending on the décor surrounding it. It’s a unique look that can easily be softened by the addition of some greenery.

Hearth

A brick, tile or marble hearth is a beautiful addition to any fireplace.

Use the hearth to dress up or down your existing fireplace.

Marble is so versatile it can be dressed up or down. A simple white marble fireplace with a black mantel can be very sophisticated while a black marble fireplace with natural wood mantel can be rustic.

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Brick

Years ago, the majority of fireplaces featured classic red brick. Over the years, homeowners have been redoing them to update the look of their home. It’s so cozy and comforting to look at and can be dressed up or down depending on your choice of mantel.

Updating the look of your existing fireplace can be as simple as updating the styling or as complex as redoing the entire thing.

If you are looking for some simple and less expensive changes you could consider one or more of the following.

Mantel

Do you have a mantel? If not, could you add one? Or perhaps you just need to update the existing one. Antique mantel ledges are very popular, or you could find an old mantel at a second-hand store that you could restore.

Painted Fireplace

Some people will paint their old brick or stone fireplaces white or another color for an inexpensive update. Choose a look you love and complete the look with a show piece mantel.

Styling

This is probably the easiest and most inexpensive way to change the look of your existing fireplace. Decorate your mantel with framed art, plants, candle sticks or old books.

Consider hanging art, a mirror or architectural piece above your mantel. Surround your fireplace with a small pile of birch logs, plants or an old fireplace toolset.

As desirable as fireplaces are, they should be a focal point in your home. Decorate the fireplace to fit the style of your room but if you are lucky enough to have a dropdead gorgeous fireplace ‌ decorate your room to fit the fireplace! ~L&H

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L LANDSCAPING

When buying or selling a home, exterior landscape

A home buyer may require a home inspection as

is not always the first thing on a prospective buyer’s/

part of the home buying process, to look for red flags.

seller’s mind. It may seem trivial to focus your attention

These inspections may focus more on the interior and/

on the outside of the house and the landscaping, but

or structure of the home itself rather than the exterior

certain issues can cause homes to seem like a money

landscape.

pit and even hamper a potential sale.

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Whether you are a potential buyer or thinking about selling, you can ask yourself these questions about the landscape of the property: • Is the landscaping maintained, is it neglected or overgrown?

• Does it compliment the architecture of the home?

• Does it feel inviting when entering the house?

• Do the plants and turf look healthy?

• Are the hard surfaces (walkways, driveways, patios) in good condition?

These are some landscape items to think about so you may avoid potential problems in the future:

Driveways, Walkways, Steps and Paver Patios

Concrete driveways, walkways and patios could be cracked, uneven, have chips or may be broken beyond any repair. If you must repair something prior to a sale or just after a purchase, consider pavers.

Pavers add a colorful, durable, easy and elegant way to improve your home’s curb appeal when the time comes to sell.

Why choose concrete pavers? Here are five primary considerations.

Attractiveness

Many homeowners consider pavers a more attractive option than asphalt and poured concrete. Concrete pavers come in a vast array of colors, shapes, sizes and textures.

Concrete paver colors include beautiful beige, coral, variegated, as well as blends with flashed tones to harmonize with a home’s exterior cladding. They can easily be put into patterns that compliment the architectural style of your home because there is such a wide variety of styles available.

Durability

Concrete pavers should maintain their beauty and strength for several years when installed correctly. Pavers have higher quality control standard/specifications that must be adhered to prior to selling to the client/ contractor. Therefore, other surfaces, such as asphalt or poured concrete, typically experience shorter lives. Some pavers even carry a lifetime warranty.

Maintenance

Concrete pavers are easier to maintain and last longer without needing to be repaired. In fact, factory-made pavers last for decades and need practically no maintenance when installed to ICPI guidelines. If a concrete paver becomes stained or broken, it can be easily replaced individually, leaving no evidence there was ever an issue. Poured concrete and asphalt would show the patched area forever.

Cost

The cost of concrete pavers is substantially less than natural stone, and concrete pavers provide an equally attractive appearance.

When factoring in maintenance costs and project durability, concrete pavers are also extremely affordable compared to other outdoor surface choices, such as poured concrete. Consider the dollar cost averages for the life span of pavers, which last a lifetime, and other surfaces that may need replacement in several years or constant maintenance.

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Safety

Pavers provide a safe, slip-resistant surface for pedestrian and vehicular traffic and are well suited for pool projects.

Paver patios will add an attractive and welcoming look to your front entrance or backyard, but do require some occasional maintenance. If you are selling, keep things clean and neat-looking to aid in your home’s curb appeal.

Stairs

If paver steps are not built correctly, they may shift and move apart. A homeowner may have tried a simple patch, but never resolved the underlying issue. Make sure you get a professional to aid in this portion of the process as safety is always key in that sale or new purchase.

Limbs Over the Roof and Exposed Tree Roots

Pay attention to exposed tree roots. While they may not be an unusual sight, depending on how close they are to the foundation of the house, they could ultimately cause structural damage.

Limbs hanging over the house can cause damage to the shingles and can also serve as an easy way for pests such as squirrels and other critters to make their way into the house.

We suggest removing problem trees or limbs to help put home buyers’ minds at ease.

Irrigation Systems

There are many benefits to having an irrigation system in place in a yard, but there can also be a few disadvantages to note. If the system has not been installed properly or has not been maintained, it could end up costing thousands of dollars to replace or repair.

Water leaks could result in money lost through wasted water as well.

Ask the seller before you purchase, has the system been properly winterized and maintained? I encourage people to get the system inspected by an irrigation professional before the sale of the home is complete.

We offer inspection services, as well as maintenance services to homeowners in the area.

Topography and Landscaping Against the House

Sometimes problems on a house can be hidden or disguised by adding some landscaping over them. Be sure to look closely at anything that may be planted or sitting next to the house. Some prospective buyers love discovering bushes, shrubs and flowerbeds in the backyard, but be aware that any foliage that comes in direct contact with the house can pose a risk to your siding.

I also suggest looking at the soil grade around the house for possible pooling issues.

You want the water to drain away from the house, NOT towards it. I recently came across an issue with a client who just purchased a home with no history of water in the basement. However, recent heavy rains in a short time span, caused a literal river flooding event where everything was running towards their house from the surrounding neighbors’ homes.

Look at the topography around your new home and consider if there could be any drainage problems. We helped resolve our client’s issues by using surface drainage, sub-surface drainage and retaining walls to direct water flow to other areas. This was an unexpected hit for the client’s budget, but a necessary repair for future big rains.

Be aware of the areas surrounding the house.

If the ground slopes downwards towards the home, water probably pools against the foundation when it rains or when the lawn is watered.

If you’re not sure about potential drainage problems, connect with professionals who deal with these issues regularly. Our team can easily aid the purchaser or homeowner in highlighting and fixing some exterior issues. You may sell your house faster or gain peace of mind when moving into your newly purchased home. ~L&H

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O

OUTDOOR LIVING

Fire pits and fire holes have been around since fire was first discovered. They initially were critical to human survival by keeping fire contained. Warmth, light, ceremonies and cooking were the main uses for fire pits for many, many cultures throughout the world. Over time, in our modern world, fireplaces, pits and grills have played a key role in family gatherings and celebrations and are associated with summer, cool evenings and relaxation.

Through the years, product lines have expanded, and have introduced some fun and inventive new items that, we believe, play a big part of home life, family and building memories. In addition to brick, stone, landscaping supplies and fireplaces, we also carry traditional fire pit kits, smokeless fire pits, ceramic grills, outdoor kitchen and fireplace kits.

Traditional fire pit kits are available with many options. These products are meant to last for years as your friends and family sit around telling stories and making memories.

Sizes and shapes vary. You can choose from push-button gas or wood burning options with styles that come in everything from classic brick to a modern barn plank look.

Some even come with optional features like cooking grates and spark screens to make the most out of your time together. The best part about these kits is that they are not difficult to build.

Smokeless fire pits are a newer technology.

Breeo explains their smokeless technology like this: “The Breeo Smokeless Fire Pits work through a double-wall, secondary combustion design.

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When the fire is burning, the walls heat up and the hot air rises through the gap between the two walls, where it exits through the line of holes around the rim. This pressurized, heated oxygen mixes with the smoke and causes it to reburn. This secondary combustion is what causes your fire to be smokeless.� - Quoted from the Breeo Website www.breeo.co These amazing fire pits are extremely versatile with options ranging from portable fire pits to cast iron kettles and winches, allowing you to make entire meals over an open (smokeless) flame.

Ceramic grills are all the rage these days and we certainly know why. I use mine all the time! You can grill, bake, roast and smoke any food you can think off. This is the type of grill for anyone who likes good food made outside. They are great all alone or a perfect addition to any outdoor kitchen. Imagine being able to cook 15 steaks evenly on one grill. And on that same grill, bake up a homemade apple pie to share with your friends and family. Check out our line of Primo Ceramic Grills - made in the USA!Â

Of course, we cannot forget about the avid outdoor chef. Just imagine, a full kitchen at your fingertips right out your back door. Outdoor kitchen kits are the way to go. Build a compact bar or an entire kitchen - creating a space to cook while entertaining. Your every need is covered from refrigerator cabinets to brick pizza ovens.

After all the amazing food is done, it will be time to relax in front of your outdoor fireplace. Classic to ornate, outdoor fireplaces become the highlight of any backyard. The outdoor fireplace kits come with everything you need, including step-by-step instructions.

Any way you look at it, you can find the perfect outdoor companion to your specifications. You can stay at home with your built in fire pits and outdoor kitchens or hit the road with your portable smokeless fire pits or portable ceramic grills. Most importantly, please enjoy with family and friends. ~L&H

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L LAKE GIFTS

Creative Touch Boutique 320-762-8786 | 516 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN We are a boutique store in downtown Alexandria, which carries home décor, gifts, and clothing. We specialize in women’s clothing with an emphasis on being cute, comfortable, and affordable. One whole section of the store is devoted to Minnesota clothing. Here you’ll find T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats for both men and women.

Also included in this section are gift items and home décor with a lake theme, which includes personalized lake signs, lake map jar candles, cribbage boards, beer glasses, and coffee mugs. You will also find hundreds of signs with many featuring lake sayings. Follow us on both Facebook and Instagram. The store is open year-round, seven days a week, right in the middle of the bustling downtown Alexandria shopping district!

Periwinkle 218-367-3900 328 MN Hwy 78, Ottertail, MN Welcome to Periwinkle!

Periwinkle Marketplace is an Ottertail city shopping favorite. Find women’s clothing, jewelry, a kids section, home décor, and all things lake! Check out our vendors section!

You’ll find clothing, furniture and all sorts of rustic, vintage and re-purposed finds. See more on our Facebook page.

Open 7 Days a Week Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Smart Home

H

HOME IMPROVEMENT

AU TO M AT I O N

Learn more at buildwithrise.com

AutomatedDoor what is it?

Locks

Automated, wireless connected locks for your entry doors, that you can lock and unlock with passcodes and remotely with an app.

sustainable features AVERAGE COST

$200 - $300

LIFESPAN

15+ Years

AutomationHubs what is it?

Central data gathering devices that accept input from various sensors and can be programmed to control devices in your home. Temperature and energy monitoring, motion sensors, light switches and plug loads, can communicate with an automation hub, and you can use the hub to control aspects of your home as you like. Hubs typically come with apps for remote monitoring and control, and some are also voice-activated.

Automated door locks don’t particularly enhance your sustainability, but they can sure make it easier to let your family members in if they forgot their keys!

what to look for Hubs can be compatible with various kinds of devices and communication protocols.

Look for one that will work with the devices you want, or as wide a range of devices as possible, for flexibility. Check out the app that comes with the hub, to see if you’ll enjoy using it. Note that an automation hub usually requires a live Wi-Fi internet connection at all times in the house, and communicates and stores data in a cloud server online.

Energy Management Systems what is it?

AVERAGE COST

$500 - $1,500

LIFESPAN

15+ Years

what to look for

Look for compatibility with a variety of home automation hubs that you may be considering. Note that wi-fi needs to be functional (and the battery in the lock) for the automated features to work. You might want to ensure that your smart lock can also be opened with a simple key, just in case (and many smart locks do have this feature).

Energy management systems monitor and manage energy consumption throughout your whole home. Usually these monitor electricity, and can monitor the whole house and/or selected circuits or appliances. Energy management systems go the extra step and allow you to program circuits and appliances to turn off and on as needed, to decrease power consumption during peak hours and save money on energy bills. These systems

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AVERAGE COST

$100 - $200

LIFESPAN

15+ Years

can be available as stand-alone systems from your utility electric meter, or a smart meter may be available through your utility.

sustainable features By showing you how much energy you use, energy management systems can help you reduce your energy consumption. They can show you which circuits and appliances are using the most energy, which are on during peak electricity prices, and which can be rescheduled or turned off to reduce your energy consumption and save you money.

AVERAGE COST

$100 - $2,000

LIFESPAN

Varies

Energy Monitoring Systems what is it?

Energy monitoring systems can monitor a variety of things, like electricity consumption, water consumption, solar electricity production, room temperatures and thermostat setpoints. Many new apps are now entering the market that can analyze the monitored data to show you how and when you use energy.

Electricity monitoring devices are the most common. Simple monitors are available that track the electricity used from one plug, while others include a clamp that is attached to

your electricity meter to monitor electricity consumed in an entire house.

what to look for Because there are so many different types of energy monitoring systems available, look for a system that will work for your needs. Some things to think about are: • What do you want to monitor (electricity, water, solar energy, etc...)?

• How often do you want to take a measurement (frequency)? For example,

if you are curious about how much electricity your toaster uses, but it only runs for 1 minute at a time, then you will want your system to take a measurement at least a few times per minute!

• How accurate do you need the system to be? (Highly accurate devices can come at a higher cost.)

• What kind of app comes with the system?

Some systems will automatically process and analyze the data to provide you with useful information.

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Home EnvironmentSensors what is it?

AVERAGE COST

$20 - $200

LIFESPAN

15+ Years

Sensors of a variety of environmental conditions in your home, that can be connected to your home automation hub to give you feedback and help control your heating, cooling, ventilation, and energy systems. The most basic sensors measure temperature and humidity, two important variables for home comfort. Beyond that, you can look for sensors of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gases, as well as particulate matter in air.

sustainable features

By knowing more about the environmental conditions in your home, you can adjust systems accordingly to provide healthy conditions without spending more energy and money than you need to. A great example is ventilation. If you know how much humidity and carbon dioxide is in your indoor air, your ventilation system can moderate its fan rate according to how much air exchange is actually needed to maintain desired conditions.

Home SecuritySystems what is it?

An integrated network of sensors and monitors that detects and warns you about events that could damage your home, such as fire, water leak, or unauthorized entry. These include standard home security systems with a monitoring service, and also more mix-and-match wireless security sensors that communicate with a home automation hub and send you alarms to your mobile device.

what to look for There are many options available now, in terms of how many and what types of sensors to monitor (cameras, entry detectors, motion

detectors, temperature, heat, fire, smoke, and water leakage detectors). With wireless devices on a compatible network, you can choose which things to monitor. Alarms and warnings can go to your mobile devices directly, or if you pay a monthly subscription they can go to a professional monitoring service.

sustainable features Improves resilience of your home to minimize damage to the structure, or injury to people and pets, by warning you as early as possible if something hazardous is happening.

AVERAGE COST

$150 - $500

LIFESPAN

15+ years

Water ControlSystems what is it?

A system that monitors the pressure, temperature, and flow rate of water in your home. It can detect leaks, show you how much water you are using, and allow you to shut off the water remotely.

what to look for Look for systems that have an easy-to-use interface, and that can send you an alert to your mobile device if there is a water leak. Note that almost all home automation systems require a live Wi-Fi internet connection

in your home to function properly. If you want to store the data from the device, find out how it is stored when the internet is down (cloud, USB device, etc.), and how to retrieve the data.

sustainable features Knowing how much water you use is a great step towards being able to reduce your water consumption. And if you have a leak,

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you’ll know right away and can turn off the water from wherever you are, avoiding water damage and possibly saving you significant money and time on repairs.

AVERAGE COST

$700 - $2,000

LIFESPAN

20+ Years

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Web Cams what is it?

AVERAGE COST

$60 - $200

LIFESPAN

15+ Years

Wi-Fi EnabledLights what is it?

Lights, typically LED light bulbs, that have a wireless communication device in the base, so they can be turned on and off, dimmed, or glow different colors based on remote commands and schedules through an app.

what to look for Look for lights of the brightness (lumens) and color temperature (warm or cool) that you like and that suits the place where you will use them. For colorful lighting displays, you can look for multi-colored LED lights that can

Cameras you can install to record video inside and outside your house, to monitor activities when you are not there. Typically wireless and Wi-Fi enabled, these devices can send their video footage to online storage, to an app that you can view on your mobile devices, and to security monitoring services. They can be set to send you a notice or alarm if unusual movements are detected on video.

You can review the recordings later in case something has happened. Some webcams also have night vision (infrared sensors).

what to look for Webcams come in many optional types wired or wireless, outdoor or indoor, batterypowered or plugged in. Look for devices that are compatible with a variety of home automation hubs, or with the particular system you have. Consider the optical and video quality of the webcam, the amount of data storage required, and whether it has a backup data storage system in case the internet and/or the power is out.

sustainable features Helps ensure the security of your home, even when you are not there, letting you know what’s going on at the house.

change color based on a program. For a creative project, you can get programmable, multi-colored LED light strips and program a dynamic light show.

sustainable features If you use the automated features of programmable lights to ensure they are turned off when not needed, you can save on your energy bill. You can also control several lights in different rooms to make it look like you are home when you are not, to increase your home security.

AVERAGE COST

$50 - $75

LIFESPAN

15+ Years

Wi-Fi EnabledSwitches

what is it?

One of the simplest ways to get into home automation, these are switches and plugs that have a communication device built into them, so that you can use a computer or phone app to program them to turn on and off anything that is plugged into them lamps, toaster, television, whatever. It’s kind of like the old-school timer plug, but you can control it from your mobile device.

what to look for AVERAGE COST

$60

LIFESPAN

20+ Years

These come as either wall switches or as plug-in outlets, depending on what you want to control with them (wired or plug-in loads). Look for switches that are easy to use,

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combined with an app with which you would enjoy working. And if you think you are going to go farther into home automation, start with switches that are compatible with automation hubs available on the market, and support a variety of communication protocols (ZigBee, Bluetooth, etc.). Bonus - see if you can find one that will also measure energy consumption.

sustainable features Mainly these are for convenience, but you can use them to save energy and money by turning certain devices that use energy off at certain times, like when they are not needed or when the peak electricity prices happen.

ABOUT RISE

Rise was started on a simple premise - how can the average homeowner have a home that is more sustainable in every way?

Today, Rise is the leading online authority in sustainable home improvement - we provide homeowners with know-how and connections to build this way, and by giving professionals a new way to connect with educated customers. So really, what is Sustainable Home Improvement? Some may refer to it as ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ home improvement, but we got tired of the greenwashing, and stuck to something more meaningful.

And what does Sustainable Home Improvement actually mean? It might mean a resilient, long-lasting home, an energy efficient home, a healthy home, perhaps one with a small environmental footprint. Turns out, sustainability has a varied meaning depending on who you talk to - and it’s our goal at Rise to arm homeowners with decision power that reflects the different values of sustainability, so they can have and live in a better home. And why is this important now? Because this type of building isn’t a pipe dream anymore, it’s the future of the home improvement industry. Our goal is to help expedite that adoption, by being the go-to resource for homeowners, so that we may all have a better tomorrow.

Learn more at buildwithrise.com

F

FEATURE HOME

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W

Welcome to East Leaf Lake, well-known for crappies, in the heart of Otter Tail County.

Hidden in the seclusion of the pines is the home of Andy and Michelle Bode and their two children. When the couple set out in search of the perfect place to plant roots, the two knew they wanted to remain close to the Henning area and plant those roots lakeside.

“We love the Leaf Lake area. It is so quiet back here under the seclusion of the pine trees, and of course the view is amazing,” Michelle explained.

After purchasing the rustic lot, the Bodes teamed up with Hilltop Lumber and started working closely with designer, Nathan Bradford. “The Bodes were a fun couple to work with. They had strong ideas such as wanting an open main-level floorplan but were open to suggestions, and the two ended up with a beautiful home,” Bradford commented.

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“Three years later, and we still love it. We can’t think of one thing we’d change,” Michelle stated and went on to say, “Hilltop Lumber was fantastic to work with, and we have been recommending them to friends.”

Hilltop Lumber is a family-owned and operated company that opened their doors in Glenwood, Minn. Since its inception in 1988, Hilltop Lumber has grown from one location to five Minnesota locations: Alexandria, Glenwood, Parkers Prairie, Brandon, and Ottertail. Hilltop Lumber offers several services, all of which the Bodes utilized, from design and layout to working with Josh Eckhoff, who had a hand in raising the house from the foundation to the roof. Hilltop Lumber opened the door to material possibilities and finishes, many of which can be seen throughout the home.

Harbored under the pines on the shores of East Leaf Lake is a 4,800 square-foot home, with a finished basement and bonus room, that went up in 2016. This beautiful home, “Is very family functional,” Bradford mentioned and went on to say, “With some interesting details like the vault ceilings and the ceiling detail in the living room and bonus room, and the decorative columns.” All of which we’ll see as the Bodes welcome us into their home.

When you first pull up to this contemporary home, the first things to grab your attention are the natural accents in the triangle peeks of the roof and the wood posts that keep the welcome mat at the front door dry. The natural accents pop in the grayish-blue siding and

the metal shingled roof. What is interesting about some of these natural accents is how much they have in common with the trees on the property. “All the posts around our house, including the mantel over the fireplace are from the trees on our property. This was kind of a cool option that adds a little character and ties together the property and house,” Michelle shared.

“The wood in the peaks is a real cedar shake that has been clear coated. These shakes come on a plywood backer, 12 inches by 48 inches, and get nailed up and locked together,” Eckhoff explained.

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The main level is an open floor plan at the Bodes’ request, equipped with both a mudroom and a laundry room to accommodate those daily chores amongst busy schedules. The open floor plan ties the kitchen, dining and living room space into one spacious environment that meets the needs of this family of four. “We wanted the kitchen to open to the living room for a few reasons. I spend the majority of Sunday in the kitchen cooking for the week while my husband and son like to watch football. With an open floor plan, this allows us all to be together in the same room.

Entertaining family and friends was another reason we went with an open floor plan,� Michelle said.

The kitchen is like Grand Central Station in most homes and that is no different for the Bodes. “I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It is the central area in the house. My husband does the grilling, and I do the cooking, and I love to cook. Often my son will help with the cooking, and my daughter will help with the baking,” Michelle shared.

For a family that spends a lot of time in the kitchen, it should be both accommodating and welcoming. The design of this kitchen has a sleek yet simple look to it that compliments the cutlery, fine china, and slate appliances.

The amount of countertop space is ideal for rolling out a baker’s dozen, prepping

meals for the week, and entertaining guests.

The granite countertops, purchased from C&D Granite, top off the sharp knotty alder cabinets and absolutely shine under the lighting; inspiring to a gourmet chef.

The knotty alder kitchen cabinets and the cabinets in both the mudroom and laundry room were custom-built by Bryan Moen of Moen Woodworking based out of Henning.

While the flow of the open floor plan moves from hardwood to tile, which was purchased through Hanson’s Floor Gallery, the knotty alder ties the natural elements together, allowing an eloquent combination of modern and rustic in one space. The small stacked

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stone backsplash on the kitchen island, as well as the backsplash throughout the house, was purchased through Hilltop Lumber. “Our family spends a lot of time around the island,” Michelle mentioned.

Tucked off to the side of the kitchen is an octagon-shaped breakfast nook that faces the lake. The unique shape offers the house character and intimate seating for two or brings a family of four together with a board game. Marvin Integrity windows were installed on all four-sides that extend out from the house like a dock into the water. This feature offers a panoramic view of the yard and lake that an onlooker can all but get lost in.

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“Our favorite room is probably the living room because of the custom picture window that is almost floor to ceiling and facing the lake and the vaulted birch ceiling,” Michelle shared, and went on to say, “We were looking for something a little different and Eric from Hilltop Lumber suggested birch. We love the way it turned out.”

“Instead of knotty alder, Eric recommended going with birch because it isn’t quite as dark and would lighten the room a bit,” Eckhoff further explained.

The windows and French doors throughout the house are all Marvin Integrity windows, and have greatly enhanced the Bodes’ view. “It’s a beautiful view! We have a steep bluff with a beautiful sunset,” Michelle stated.

While the family gathers under the vaulted birch ceilings watching football or simply enjoying each other’s company, the earth-toned stacked brick fireplace from Gull Lake Fireplace keeps the family warm. And that custom-made mantel from the pines that seeded themselves along the property was clearly meant for family pictures and Christmas stockings.

The master suite is just one of four bedrooms, but it is the only bedroom that has his and her closets. “This was a necessity on my part,” Michelle chuckled. The master suite sits on the main

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level, and the first thing Andy and Michelle see when they open their eyes is the lake.

“We have a sliding door with its own deck that looks right out to the lake,” Michelle said.

Just imagine waking up to the sound of the waves hitting the shore and the loons calling out to each other; I doubt there’s a coffee commercial out there that can top that.

The sliding door off the dining room also steps out onto a lake facing patio that can be used for another space to dine or lounge on patio furniture while the day slips away. “The patio sits low enough that it doesn’t require railings, so nothing is obscuring the view,” Michelle stated.

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The staircase that leads both downstairs and up to the bonus room above the garage are fashioned from custom made oak stair treads made by Jerry Eckhoff, complete with wrought iron spindles from Hilltop Lumber.

When Andy and Hilltop Lumber’s designer, Nathan designed the house, they decided to put a bonus room above the garage. “In order to do this, we lowered the ceiling in the garage to maximize the space in the bonus room,” Nathan commented.

In the Bodes’ case, you might consider calling the bonus room, a family room, as the family likes to watch movies up there as the room is equipped with built-in surround sound speakers. Andy and Michelle went with Eric’s suggestion about the birch ceilings in the bonus room as well.

Like much of the lot which is full of pine and birch, there are touches of natural grains throughout Andy and Michelle’s home. This natural look mixes nicely with the slate, stone, and granite, adding character throughout the house.

In just four months, Nathan, Josh and the crew from Hilltop Lumber were able to take Andy and Michelle’s designs and dreams and turn them into a beautiful home that meets all of the family’s needs. ~L&H

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FEATURE HOME

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During the building process, the homeowners moved into the home next door, also called the guest cottage, that they had purchased and remodeled about five years earlier.

The homeowners decided to work with bhh Partners for the home design, a full-service architectural firm out of Perham, Minn.

he Nelson family has lived in the

Ottertail, Minn., area for over 25

years and loved their location.

However, they were struggling with how to make their house into their dream home.

“We had a home on this [lot] that we remodeled a couple of times,” said Kim. “We were going to do our final remodel, but we couldn’t get it how we wanted. So we decided to tear it down and donate everything.”

“As part of the design process, we focused on room locations and relationships,” said Tony Stoll of bhh Partners. “We wanted to maximize views to the lake and yet maintain orderly flow and function to the overall floor plan.”

“When working on residential projects, our focus is on designing a custom home that meets our client’s needs and desires for creating a unique home specifically designed for their family.”

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“”

“We wanted to maximize views to the lake and yet maintain orderly flow and function to the overall floor plan.”

Tony Stoll - bhh Partners

“Working with Kim and Kenny Nelson, along with Dave Vetsch [of Vetsch Construction], their general contractor, was a very enjoyable process and created a great team to complete their house project.”

The peaks on the outside of this 7,800 squarefoot, three-bedroom, and four-and-a-half bath home include beautiful beams. A bell from the Rose Lake schoolhouse hangs high above their front door; a detail inspired by a trip to Norway.

The roof of the home is covered in slate shingles from Western Products of Fargo. The stonework from Hedberg Stone on the outside of the home was placed by Matt Muer, owner

of Pioneer Brick & Stone. Kim’s son, who is learning to be a mason, helped with this project, which makes it much more special for the homeowners.

The landscaping design was created by Kelly Vinz, and completed by Lakes Country Landscaping.

The tall olive-green front door is adorned with iron details created by a local artist, Jamie Virnala of New York Mills, Minn. The door itself is, in fact, a design of five doors to make one door, making it especially unique to this home.

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When you walk into the home, it is hard not to be struck by the fantastic light coming through the large windows.

The grand entrance includes a gorgeous chandelier overhead, which is a common theme throughout the home. The attention to detail in each room is incredible, from the light fixtures to the hardware on each cabinet.

White shiplap walls are beautifully contrasted with the dark beams overhead, creating a soft and calming feel to the space. Whitewashed white oak floors from Renneberg Hardwoods throughout much of the main level of the home add to the soft feel of the house.

When you walk into the home, it is hard not to be struck by the fantastic light coming through the large windows.

Large windows let in a great deal of light, and a gas fireplace completes the living space on the main floor.

The open kitchen includes stainless steel appliances, a wine fridge, warming racks above the gas burners, and a Miele coffee maker. The sink sits in front of wide windows with a clear view of the water. A second smaller prep sink is built into the kitchen island, as well as two refrigerated drawers making it a great place to cut vegetables and prepare food.

The white cabinets stand out against the beamed ceiling and black, white and gray Cambria countertops.

Directly off the kitchen is the first of two three-season porches in this home. Featuring a gas fireplace, and

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“”

“The feel of the home is calm and relaxing.

We achieved this by using a soft color palette and mixing in textures in neutral tones. The design is elegant without feeling too formal.”

Abby Tallman - Happy Interiors Group

retractable shades, this space is perfect for year-round use — the beams and lighting overhead complete the openness and comfort of this space.

Heading back into the home and through the kitchen, you find yourself in a pantry, complete with handmade subway tile, gray Cambria countertops, and an upright freezer.

After walking through the pantry, you find yourself at the bottom of a staircase that leads to a space above the garage. This Dr. Seuss inspired room features a hanging bed and a specially made architect desk, both built by Phil Olson of Olson Wood Working.

Back down to the main level, you walk through a mudroom with tall storage cabinets to get to the garage.

The two-car garage has built-in storage cabinets, as well as a sink and an extra refrigerator. There is a separate entrance for service workers when it is needed, and

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a stairway down to the utility room in the basement so there is no need to enter the home.

Heading back through the home, you pass a half bathroom and then come to the laundry room. This space features gray cabinets, wire sorting baskets, sparkly Cambria countertops, and a sink. The whimsical wallpaper of birds and clouds on both the walls and ceiling and a rug on the floor that looks like a nest makes this a laundry room where anyone would want to spend time.

“We worked with a great designer out of Minneapolis,” Kim said of Abby Tallman from Happy Interiors Group, who was involved with both the interior and exterior design of the home. “She was wonderful.”

“The feel of the home is calm and relaxing,” Tallman said of the Nelson’s home. “We achieved this by using a soft color palette and mixing in textures in neutral tones. The design is elegant without feeling too formal.”

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“Our number one goal was to keep everything as local as possible.

For instance, the millwork came from Bayer Built out of Belgrade, Minn.”

Eric Doll - Hilltop Lumber

“My goal when working with clients is to create a place they really enjoy being in every day, spaces they are excited to come home to.”

Olson Wood Working was in charge of all of the cabinets throughout the entire home. They also helped in lining up the Cambria countertops and surfaces that were used throughout the home.

A door on the other side of the laundry room leads to a doorway connecting to Kim’s office. A built-in desk that can be raised and lowered is in front of the window. Above the window is a stained glass window that came from the house that Kim grew up in as a child. The space includes built-in drawers that lock and a corkboard and chalkboard to feature the grandkids’ artwork.

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Walking out the other doorway of her office and past the living room brings you to Kenny’s office.

“My husband’s father was Tuffy Nelson from Tuffy’s Dog Food,” Kim said. Pointing at the fantastic wood feature wall behind her, she said, “this is the wood from the feed mills that they tore down.”

Looking at the walls, you can see the original nails and worn spots from the corn wearing away at the wood, creating a unique texture and shape.

“They had semi loads of this stuff, and Danielson Design Company of Ottertail did it all for us,” Kim said.

wall and his and her’s sinks on the opposite side of the room. The flooring is gorgeous allwhite New Ravenna “Simone” Thasos stone.

Next to the office is the master suite. The master bedroom is truly a calming space in the home. Wide windows provide a great view of the lake and allow lots of light in the room.

The high ceilings covered in shiplap and the gas fireplace makes this space even cozier.

The master closet includes a washer and dryer, hanging wire sorting baskets, window seating, and a center island with a gray Cambria countertop.

Next to a water closet with a heated toilet is an extra-large, one of a kind steam shower with Cambria walls and ceiling.

Walking out of the closet and to the left brings you to the master bathroom. A free-standing tub sits below a round, glitzy chandelier.

Around the corner from it is a vanity on one

The Cambria materials used throughout the home are Minnesota made. “Our number one goal was to keep everything as local as possible,” said Eric Doll of Hilltop Lumber, who was involved from day one with the project.

“For instance, the millwork came from Bayer Built out of Belgrade, Minn.”

JC Electric of Perham completed all the electrical work for the home. Esser Plumbing and Heating of Ottertail was responsible for the HVAC, and the cement work was done by Hammers Construction of Perham.

“We sourced the radius custom staircase to be built onsite,” Doll continued. “The installer on the stair system was Jamie Aho of Aspen Building and Design out of Wadena, Minn.”

The one-of-a-kind winding staircase leading to the basement wraps around a space specifically built for the grand piano.

When you reach the bottom of the stairs, you see a tribute to Kim’s son who passed away too soon. His jersey sporting his number “8” hangs on the wall, and the surrounding shelves hold other special memories.

Off this space is a door that opens to a cold storage, wine cellar room that is controlled by an air conditioning unit.

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Heading back past the stairs, you enter the family room. A step down leads you to a cozy space with a sectional couch, gas fireplace, and two large televisions on the wall, perfect for watching two games at once. Signature Home Tech installed the home control, entertainment and security systems throughout the home.

Beyond the living space is a kitchen area complete with a stainless steel refrigerator, dishwasher, sink, and microwave. More wood from Tuffy’s Dog Food covers the wall in this room, and it is also included in the bar table in the space.

The three-season porch on the lower level features another tribute to Kim’s son with beautiful stonework done by Pioneer Brick & Stone that includes his number “8” over the gas fireplace.

Another highlight of the basement is the exercise room with its fabulous light, and doors that lead out to the backyard.

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A large mirror and TV hangs on the wall, and the homeowners have the choice to use various workout machines or sit in the massage chair. The exercise room also includes a massage table.

Also part of the exercise room is the sauna which can be used as both a traditional and infrared.

Another bedroom and bathroom plus a bedroom suite complete the lower level of the home. Across the street from the home is a 2,400 square foot storage building that matches the design details of the house. Merickel Lumber was a major contributor to this component of the building project.

The Nelsons are excited to continue soaking up the view and living life on the water in their brand new home. ~L&H

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F

FEATURE HOME

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T

The homes along the shores of Pike Lake, an idyllic spot 10 miles northwest of Duluth, are soothing in their consistency.

All except one.

The stately dwelling created by Keppers Design Architecture in Duluth is a dignified beacon of elegance. Soothingly symmetrical formal gardens designed by Miller Creek Landscaping grace the rolling lawn and arched porticos, welcoming the refreshing lake breeze. The gracious stucco façade, rust red roof and curved windows look more like a postcard from old Hollywood or the south of France than a summer scene from northeastern Minnesota. This commanding and attractive home sprang directly from the imagination of one of the homeowners.

“Everybody that sees it pretty much says, ‘Wow,’” says Jody Keppers, the home’s architect. “What he wanted was kind of a classic Mediterranean style look with stucco exteriors,

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arches on the windows and the tile-looking roof. It is a style that really has not been done in the Duluth area in a long time. It was somewhat popular in the 1920s, but there have been few or none of that style recently.

It was nice to be able to do something that was really different like this, kind of a fresh look for our area.”

The homeowners, a couple that grew up in the area, were eager to share the unusual and eye-catching home that skilled local artisans created based on the husband’s vision, the wife’s design tastes and the couple’s extensive collection of books, art and unique treasures from their travels around the world.

“It is a style that really has not been done in the Duluth area in a long time... It was nice to be able to do something that was really different like this, kind of a fresh look for our area.”

Jody Keppers

architect | Keppers Design Architecture

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The original home on the lot was a Dutch Colonial, a style that blended in nicely with the neighbors but not with the homeowners’ goals. That’s something that Keppers realized the moment that the husband presented the couple’s vision.

“He described what it was that he wanted, and I told him right off, ‘If that’s what you want, this house is not the starting point,’” Keppers explains. “I like to work with the raw materials that they have as much as possible, but in this case, it just did not fit.”

Keppers says that, despite this initial hurdle, the design collaboration process was incredibly smooth. That’s largely because the husband was able to clearly articulate exactly what the couple wanted.

“His vision of it was very clear,” says Keppers.

“He said, ‘I want a house where I come right up to the front door and you can see all the way through to the lake. You have the living room up front. Off to the right you have the dining room and kitchen. Further to the right you have a sunroom and a garage kind of flanking everything. To the left I want my office, the bathroom and the master suite.’

He kind of laid it out. It was very clear, very logical. He had a very good design genesis.”

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The floor plan and presentation were logical. But the stylistic flourishes set this home apart. A dramatic spiral staircase ushers you into the space, imbuing the home with an old-world elegance. A luxurious library was created to showcase the leather bound books the husband had collected for decades. Columns hearken back to classical design motifs, informing visitors that this is no ordinary lake home at a glance. Carefully considered rooms allow art and sculpture collections to shine.

Because the home’s style is more formal and because the homeowners were in possession of many collections that they wished to display to their best advantage, designer Maureen Plaunt, of Maureen’s LLC in Duluth became involved in the interior design process early on. The regal cherry wood cabinets were created to showcase the couple’s collections and lend a sense of dignity, history and permanence to the space.

“A lot of the cabinets – the cabinets in their library, the offices, the dining room, the mudroom – we made them look more like furniture,” Plaunt explains. “We also added a lot of glass to the cabinets so they could show off a lot of their treasures on the upper shelves. We pride ourselves on the fact that everything is not only beautiful, but also functional.”

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That combination of beauty and functionality perfectly describes this striking Pike Lake home. Because the homeowner’s original vision needed very few major alterations, Keppers adjusted the design to best fit the site. Then he and the homeowners worked together to explore the best way for the rooms to flow into each other, in order to use the space to its full advantage. The dining room and kitchen positions were swapped to increase natural light and maximize lake views. And although the interiors are grand, the home is designed to suit the evolving needs of its residents.

“The general layout of the house is just about ideal for people moving into the empty nesters phase,” Keppers explains. “It’s basically one story with a walkout. On the ground floor, you have a master suite, living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry — all of the things that a house needs to function, which is great for people when the kids are off and you’re maybe getting a little bit older and you’re thinking of the future when you might not be as mobile as you are now.”

Guest suites are tucked away on the lower level, which efficiently uses the available space, but also makes these rooms feel as if they’re quietly tucked away when not in use. It’s a design choice that Keppers recommends for anyone considering living in their lake home in their later years.

“We also added a lot of glass to the cabinets so they could show off a lot of their treasures on the upper shelves. We pride ourselves on the fact that everything is not only beautiful, but also functional.”

Maureen Plaunt designer | Maureen’s LLC

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“The downstairs has lots of bedrooms and a rec room, which is great for visiting kids and their families,” he says. “You can have your kids and their kids come and they can have their own space downstairs, so everybody isn’t necessarily piled in a jumble. And it provides an opportunity to segregate adults from kids, so if it’s a big family gathering, the adults can spread out upstairs and the kids can go downstairs and play their computer games or watch a movie on TV. You can have

two completely separate things going on at one time.”

But just because these rooms are practical doesn’t mean they weren’t as carefully planned and decorated as every other corner of this home. The wife provided many photos and ideas for Plaunt to draw from, influencing the overall look and style of the space, while the husband’s collections added a sense of history and timelessness to a new build.

“He had done a lot of traveling and had brought back memorabilia, so we were able to do Asian and African themed guest suites downstairs,” says Plaunt. “He also had purchased a chandelier from the old Bellows restaurant down on London Road (in Duluth) when they closed, so he had some nice collections to work with and use. It wasn’t all new. There were some fun things we could pull.”

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“This was my first project with architect Jody Keppers.

I would gladly work with him again. Every detail was on his drawings. He was always stopping by to answer any questions we might have.�

Mark Bergstedt Bergstedt Builders

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Many items in the Pike Lake home were gathered over the years. But some of the most unusual design elements were new creations.

And they required just as much attention to detail as everything else in the home, as well as almost constant collaboration between a large team of subcontractors.

It was a complex build, with a large team of skilled artisans from Minnesota and around the country working together. Some of them were recruited because they specialized in creating particular elements required of this home style, while others were a fit because of their precise and detail-oriented nature. Plaunt worked closely with several subcontractors she’d collaborated with in the past.

“Artistic Tile installed all the ceramic tile.

Rymel Construction installed all the cabinets and the molding,” she says. (Both companies are located in Duluth). “Terry Starkey (of Starkey Flooring in Mounds View) installed all the wood floors.”

Bigelow Construction Moose Lake handled the exterior stucco. Appliances from Ferguson added function to the home, while fireplaces from Energy Plus gave the home a warm glow.

Contractor Mark Bergstedt of Bergstedt Builders in Esko was tasked with coordinating the subcontractors and overseeing the projects that made this home unique. Every project required precision and attention to detail. And there were a lot of them.

“All of the curves, arches, curved walls — they are everywhere,” says Bergstedt. “The balcony off the upper level had to be built exactly as drawn. The simulated stone balustrade was custom built by a supplier in Florida, then installed on site by Pete and Paul Bigelow.

Every piece fit.”

Construction of the curved staircase required a whole new level of cooperation. Not only was the staircase critical to the design, it required precise work from a team of subcontractors. It was created in a series of steps.

Jim Taylor of Stairbuilders, Inc constructed the carriage, or structure of the staircase offsite. As the name suggests, the Minnetonka company specializes in this type of project.

Taylor built the carriage first. Then it made its way north to Pike Lake for installation, where Bergstedt and his team were ready to meet it.

“We built the round walls from the lower level floor to the ceiling on the upper level,” explains Bergstedt. “The carriage was brought up in one complete piece and lowered into place.

Then it was finished in cherry treads, risers and handrails. Black iron balusters finished it off.

Angie Cook stained and varnished in place.

It is a stunner!”

There was no room for error. Thankfully, having skilled craftspeople working on every level of the project made everything run smoothly.

“They were very impressed at how accurate Mark’s construction was,” says Keppers. “It about exactly matched the drawing. The people that he had involved were all top notch. They were always able to produce the quality of work required. Everyone was very good to work with.”

The admiration was mutual. Bergstedt explained that this was a new working partnership, but a fruitful one.

“This was my first project with architect Jody Keppers,” Bergstedt says. “I would gladly work with him again. Every detail was on his drawings. He was always stopping by to answer any questions we might have.”

about what things were on the drawing, and if he thought he had a better way of doing it he would discuss it with me ahead of time and we’d discuss the pros and cons. We’d go back and forth.”

This collaboration was important, since many of the design elements required a little outside-the-box thinking. The pair found that dialogue helped clarify things – and sometimes led to new solutions.

Despite the plans’ complexity, the strong team of subcontractors made implementing them easy. Years of professional collaboration made the project run smoothly from start to finish. In fact, it went so smoothly, the homeowners are still raving about it two years later.

“Mark Bergstedt was a really good fit,” says Keppers. “Throughout the process, he would think things through before he started building and he would often come up with questions

“That was one of the things that made that project so pleasurable. It really was a teamwork project. This was one of the smoothest design projects that I have seen in my 20 plus years.”

Jody Keppers

architect | Keppers Design Architecture

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“Most of the contractors I work with have been with me more than 20 years — Rod Barber Electric, Art Kangas Plumbing, Mike Randall HVAC, Angie Cook Painting, Dave Martin Drywall, Ken Kiminski Concrete, Butch Seeley Excavating,” says Bergstedt. “These are all highly skilled, professional individuals.

Because we have done this so many times, we work very well together.”

The stately Mediterranean house on Pike Lake has a multifaceted legacy. It’s a stunning spot for the family to gather, a showplace for its owners’ refined taste and carefully curated collections, and the perfect expression of their vision of a regal home. But it’s also a testament to the skills of artisans in the region, a visual legacy that will live on for generations to come. ~L&H

“That was one of the things that made that project so pleasurable,” agrees Keppers. “It really was a teamwork project. This was one of the smoothest design projects that I have seen in my 20 plus years.”

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D

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

Choosing the right stain or finish for a deck or log cabin can be a difficult decision, how can Hirshfield’s help with this renovation experience?

Contractor: Chileen Painting Logs: Proluxe Cetol 1 & Cetol 23 Dark Oak

and Natural Oak

T

he Hirshfield name has a long-standing reputation in Minnesota as being a leader and innovator in the paint and home decorating and finishing industry.

The tradition of taking care of customers with good service and the best quality products available has carried forward for 125 years and four generations of Hirshfield’s.

CEO Hans Hirshfield’s great-grandfather, Frank Hirshfield, was a German immigrant and a paperhanger by trade. In 1894, with a loan of 100 dollars, Frank and Elizabeth opened the first Hirshfield’s store in Minneapolis on the corner of Washington and Broadway. Elizabeth managed the day-to-day operations while Frank was out hanging wallpaper.

The little business prospered. Hirshfield’s grew to be a major supplier of painting and decorating supplies throughout the Midwest and beyond. Through the next four generations of Hirshfield’s, the company has maintained this same dedication while seeking new innovations to better serve the 33 Hirshfield’s locations throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Whether one is painting or staining, the exterior of your home or cabin will benefit by using the highest-quality products available.

Protecting and maintaining the beauty of wood preserves its natural beauty. Hirshfield’s carries a full range of high-performance wood finishes including ProLuxe Sikkens, Cabot Stains, and Storm System that will protect and enhance the woodwork at your home or cabin. There are so many different wood surfaces that require specialized products, as a supplier of wood finishes we really like to get involved in our customer’s projects from start to finish. If we ask too many questions, please understand we want your project to be a success.

Contractor: All-ways Painting Walls: Hirshfield’s Contractor Select Eggshell, Benjamin

Moore Classic Gray OC-23.

Steps: Custom Axalta Gray Stain Floor: Old Masters Pickling White Stain Windows: Axalta Black Lacquer Ceiling: Clear Axalta Satin Lacquer

Much of our business is conducted directly with painting contractors who are performing the work for the owner of the lake home.

Contractors have the expertise and capabilities for proper preparation and application, especially log homes.

Refinishing a deck is a project a homeowner can tackle. Our recommendations depend on how you use your deck and the condition it’s in. Bring in pictures when you come to the store. That really helps.

Felicia Moddes Assistant Store Manager Hirshfield’s Baxter Contractor: All-ways Painting Ceiling: Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 Eggshell,

Simply white OC-117 Walls: Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec 500 Eggshell,

Titanium 2141-60 Bathtub: Rust-Oleum Flat DTM Black Windows: Black Axalta Lacquer with Satin Lacquer

Can Hirshfield’s help a customer who has difficult walls (crackling paint/multiple layers of paint/vintage paneling) find a design solution?

We’ve seen just about everything over the years, and you might be surprised that oftentimes there are easy fixes we can recommend. We’re seeing more paneled walls from the sixties painted in white or light colors. And we will always accept a challenge! If you have an unusual situation, just give us a little time and we will do our research and talk to our vendors to see what we can do for a happy solution.

Aaron Grossinger Store Manager Hirshfield’s Alexandria

What options does Hirshfield’s have for window coverings?

At Hirshfield’s, you’ll find more than great window coverings. Whether you are shopping for a single window treatment or redecorating your entire house, you’ll find great people who have the knowledge and expertise to help you put it all together. Our staff takes pride in what they do and enjoys helping you create your home as you’ve always dreamed.

There are so many options for privacy and light control. Hirshfield’s offers the full selection of Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, so we can help you find exactly what you want for your home. We also carry other brands and even have a line of cellular shades that is coordinated with our most popular Hirshfield’s Paints colors. Our highly-trained staff will be happy to assist you from your very first visit to one of our showrooms within Hirshfield’s stores, to final installation.

sleep, child safety or better insulation and energy-efficiency, our professionally-trained consultants can help you discover new options. Motorized window treatments are the latest trend where you can program their operation using Alexa, Nest or other home technology systems.

We are committed to helping you select the right window treatments for your home or lake cabin, and can assist with every step from measurements to installation.

Diane Hanson Window Treatment Designer Hirshfield’s Alexandria

Contractor: Chileen Painting Siding: Proluxe Rubbol Solid Stain Color is

Hirshfield’s Vermont Slate Deck: Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Translucent

Mahogany Stain

Hirshfield’s offers a free in-home consultation to begin the process of selecting a design plan. By discussing with you what your window covering needs are, whether it is more

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How can Hirshfield’s help a customer start and complete a painting project?

We pride ourselves on having a knowledgeable sales staff that can help customers discover our wide variety of exceptional products that can complete their design dreams. We carry paints from our own line of Hirshfield’s Paints along with Benjamin Moore, Magnolia Home, PPG, and Farrow & Ball. Color is so important to our customers and Hirshfield’s has the most comprehensive collection of colors anywhere.

Once you have chosen the right paint and the perfect color, we’ve got rest of your painting needs covered from brushes to rollers. We have everything you need to begin and finish a painting project.

What advantages can a customer expect when choosing Hirshfield’s for their decorating needs?

Hirshfield’s likes to work alongside our customers by digging deep and asking questions to make sure the right product is recommended and the correct prep work is done.

Each of our stores offers knowledgeable staff, professional color advising, window treatment consultation, professional stain matching, a contractor service center, and industrial coating services along with concrete and epoxy flooring. With 33 store locations in the Midwest we are available to meet with you and help you begin your decorating journey.

If a customer would like additional help in painting, we can assist them and recommend professional painters to help them reach completion. Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve your design plans that exceed your satisfaction.

As a company, we strive to live out our mission statement. “We are dedicated to consistently solving our customers’ problems and meeting their needs.” This statement represents who we are and the experience we want for everyone who walks into a Hirshfield’s store.

Aaron Grossinger Store Manager Hirshfield’s Alexandria

Felicia Moddes Assistant Store Manager Hirshfield’s Baxter

Contractor: Chileen Painting Pine Paneling: Axalta 60% Antique Mahogany

Timbers: Storm Cat 3 Dark Oak

Wall coverings have evolved since the early days of Hirshfield’s, how can installing wallpaper make a dramatic difference in a home or cabin?

Our company was founded on wallpaper and the installation of this design element 125 years ago, and it is having a resurgence in popularity today. Wallpaper is a wonderful option to use to create an accent wall, and can add calm and peace to an otherwise busy space. In the Lakes Area, only Hirshfield’s Baxter store has a wallpaper book library. But our customers can view and order wallpaper online at shop.hirshfields.com.

Felicia Moddes Assistant Store Manager Hirshfield’s Baxter

www.hirshfields.com Stores in the Lakes Area Hirshfield’s Alexandria 1010 North Nokomis NE Alexandria, MN 56308 Hirshfield’s Baxter 7447 Clearwater Road Baxter, MN 56425

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Hirshfield’s Fargo 100 36th Street So. Fargo, ND 58103

What sets Hirshfield’s apart as a family owned company?

We really do care about our customers, their projects and our communities. Our company culture is focused on customer satisfaction, honesty and integrity. We offer a diverse product selection from multiple vendors, which allows us to give the best options to help our customers find superior products.

Aaron Grossinger Store Manager Hirshfield’s Alexandria The influence of Frank and Elizabeth Hirshfield’s original dream of operating a wallpaper store has expanded into a multi-generational Minnesota-based company. The Hirshfield’s experience of providing quality paint, wall coverings and window fashions that exceed customer satisfaction is one that is carried out in their 33 stores each and everyday. ~L&H

INSULATION

LUMBER

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

MASONRY

RADON TESTING & MITIGATION

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

LANDSCAPING

CONSTRUCTION

QUARTZ & GRANITE

GARAGE DOORS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

FLOORING

CABINETS

FLOORING

CABINETS

MARINE / WATERCRAFT REPAIR

SHOWERS

L

East Leaf Lake Otter Tail County

FEATURED LAKE Size: 423 Acres Max Depth: 47 ft.

County: Otter Tail Clarity: 5.3 ft.

Shore Length: 4.26 mi

East Leaf Lake is a 404-acre lake located in eastern Otter Tail County approximately five miles north of Henning, Minn. East Leaf Lake is connected to Middle Leaf Lake by an unnavigable culvert. The Leaf River outlet is located along the north shoreline. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. East Leaf Lake has a maximum depth of 47 feet; however, 28 percent of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

A DNR owned concrete public water access is located along the east shoreline off of County Road 67. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals.

Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent

plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.

East Leaf Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant game fish species in the fish community.

The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.

East Leaf Lake is not listed as an infested water.

Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws. Anglers are required to remove all visible plants, mud, and other prohibited invasive species and drain all water from their boat prior to leaving the water access. ~L&H

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