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YEAR 27 • ISSUE 6 • NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2026
CONTENTS
CON 28 TENTS 12
FROM THE OFFICE
28
by Dawn Duncan
DESIGN
16
THE MODERN HOLIDAY KITCHEN
Functional Yet Inviting
26
GINGERBREAD COOKIES
WARM AND LUXE
The Return of the Spa Bathroom by Kooper Shagena
38
by Kooper Shagena
RECIPE Festive
BATH
RECIPE An Easy No-Bake
PEPPERMINT CHEESECAKE
SHOWER
40
PRACTICALITY, ACCESSIBILITY, LUXURY
The Zero-Entry Shower by Patrice Peterson
16 6
Lake & Home Magazine March / April 2026
YEAR 27 • Issue 6 November/December 2026
40
50 52
LOCAL INSPIRATION
MABEL’S MERCANTILE FIREPLACE
LAKESIDE HEARTH The Heart of the Lake Home by Devin Joubert
62 64
LOCAL INSPIRATION
NATALIE’S SERENDIPITY
96
DESIGN
LOOKING UP The Beauty of a Finished Vaulted Ceiling
photo by Kip Johnson
by Devin Joubert
74
on the COVER
86
DESIGN
YOUR GUIDE TO HEATED FLOORS
82
AT HOME IN THE LAKES AREA
Strom Architecture Article provided by Strom Architecture
SCANDINAVIAN SIMPLICITY & SERENITY The LaVelle Home on Leech Lake
by Alicia Underlee Nelson
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
FEATURE HOME
by Kooper Shagena
64
96
FEATURE HOME
CULTIVATING COMMUNITY The Gusso Home on Lake Ida
by Alicia Underlee Nelson
SHOPPING
110 SERVICE DIRECTORY Local Shopping SHOPPING
112 LAKE GIFTS
Fun Finds for the Lake
86
52
subscribe online at: www.lakeandhomemagazine.com
Year 27, Issue 6 • November / December 2026 PUBLISHER & CREATIVE - Kip Johnson LAYOUT & DESIGN - Aaron Burgener LAKE & HOME MAGAZINE – ADVERTISING SALES Jerry Shea • 218.205.7454 • jerry@lakeandhomemagazine.com Becky Haarstad • 262.994.8744 • rebecca@lakeandhomemagazine.com Terri Jo Peery • 320.491.5618 • terrijo@lakeandhomemagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS In the U.S., one year $24.95; two years $43.50; three years $55.00. Elsewhere add $5.00 per issue. Back issues are available for $5.00 per issue, plus shipping and handling. Subscriptions can be purchased online at lakeandhomemagazine.com/products
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www.lakeandhomemagazine.com artwork@lakeandhomemagazine.com Unless previously agreed, all rights remain the sole property of Lake & Home Magazine. ©2026 Compass Media / Lake & Home Magazine. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without prior written consent. Printed by Midstates Group.
8
Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
FROM THE OFFICE
From the Office
It’s time to celebrate the holidays! They’re right around the corner, and our homes are about to take center stage as we decorate and entertain. Today’s homes are designed around lifestyle and convenience, often including an open concept floor plan devoid of walls that create small, compartmentalized spaces. Instead, the idea is all about openness and flow, with special focus on natural light and, if applicable, lake views . Minnesota lends itself to pristine natural settings and lake homes celebrate nature as the backdrop of their serene aesthetic. For the holidays, it’s all about creating warmth and an inviting home for others to enjoy as they revel in the festivities. When the party’s over, having room for guests to comfortably relax and settle in is often a focal point in the present design/build process.
In this issue, you’ll find articles on special home features such as zero-entry showers, vaulted ceilings, and creating what we call the lakeside hearth. Our feature homes are stunning, and there are design differences between them that allow us to see unique styles and options for our custom projects and remodels. Ready for easy entertaining? Check out the simple no-bake cheesecake that’s our featured recipe, shop the inspiration pages to get a glimpse of what a few local retailers have to offer, and spend time perusing the many ideas and inspirations represented. There’s something for everyone and perhaps something will spark that exciting desire to create something new in your home
through design or remodeling. The spark could even be small, such as updating your holiday décor or finding a few winter accents to bring your home to maximum coziness for the colder months. Enjoy this special time as we express gratitude for all that we have and what has brought us joy throughout the year. Our homes are the heart of our lives, and no matter if they are big or small, new or old, they provide the setting where memories are made. L&H Best,
Dawn Duncan
Managing Editor
See more from this feature home on page 86
KITCHEN
What would the holidays be without food? As I do, you probably shudder to think. The kitchen is such a special place, regardless if you’re a takeout-for-Thanksgiving family, a hotel-style buffet family, or anything in between—which is a rather new development, since the post-War era of the 1950s. Seventy years ago, kitchens were actively evolving from their purely utilitarian roots to embrace a new and integrated present. So, the kitchen as the heart of the home is a modern notion with continuous new developments; let’s talk about them.
Jackson Strom of Strom Architecture in West Fargo and Detroit Lakes and Christa Swedberg with Swedberg Wood Products in Alexandria offer their professional opinions on how to design modern kitchens as hubs that keep everyone involved and comfortable, especially for large holiday gatherings. Taking a critical eye to your specific family dynamic is, they agree, the foundational principle of any efficient and beautiful kitchen. How will you actually be using it? Are one or two people doing the cooking while everyone else gathers nearby, or is the whole family involved somewhere in the process?
Jackson says, “That helps us determine the layout and how the kitchen connects to the rest of the home.” An L-shaped layout with an island can make the kitchen feel more connected to the dining and living areas, blurring borders and encouraging movement between spaces, while a U-shaped layout (think peninsula) creates a more defined workspace and, sometimes, better technical efficiency. The islands themselves cannot be overlooked, either. Christa suggests thinking about how you would be using the island: “Will it be a buffet/serving area, a place for people to sit/ gather around, or a place you can clean up and still be a part of the action? With that thought in mind,” she says, “it can help you determine if you want a sink in your island or in your perimeter cabinets.”
Some people want to face family and guests while they’re working [while] others prefer to look out toward the lake. — Jackson Strom
In larger kitchens, Jackson says that incorporating two islands can keep socializing and food prepping separate but adjacent. He also emphasizes the sink question—island or perimeter? “Some people want to face family and guests while they’re working [while] others prefer to look out toward the lake,” he says. “Keeping the sink along the wall also keeps dishes off the island, leaving it open for serving and entertaining.” He also encourages homeowners to consider what feature they hope to highlight in their kitchen. If that is the island: is it for serving, eating small meals, drinking coffee, or food prepping? Questions like these help to determine an island’s ideal size and shape.
To which Jackson says, “Bigger isn’t always better. An oversized island can create unnecessary walking and make the kitchen less comfortable to use. I’d rather have the right amount of workspace, with storage and appliances where you need them, [rather] than add size that doesn’t improve how the room functions.” 18 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
Christa also makes mention of the twotiered island which, although not as popular, can sometimes help make the sink and dishes more discreet. Seating is another consideration; do you want small stools or larger chairs that tuck under an overhang? The stove and range are another possible area of emphasis in a kitchen, especially those with high or cathedral ceilings. “Visually, some homeowners might want to highlight the range wall with a thoughtfully detailed hood,” Jackson says, “while others are more interested in the island or the view beyond it. Those decisions should feel connected to the architecture of the home.” Moving beyond just the aesthetic and the static, how does movement need to happen in a kitchen? This will determine things like appliance placement, walkway dimensions, and distances from one feature to another. Jackson says to consider whether, “Someone [can] get a drink without walking between the cook and the range? Can the dishwasher open without blocking a main path? Is there room to pass behind someone seated at the island?”
According to Christa, walkway dimensions mitigate the problem of “too many cooks in the kitchen”. She suggests shooting for 4854 inches across for all walkways, so that they allow for two-way traffic and prevent open oven or dishwasher doors from blocking the way. “Keeping the walkway at 54” also avoids too many steps when carrying hot and heavy items from your cooking surface to your island,” she says. Speaking of multiple cooks in the kitchen, Jackson says the key to an efficient, multigenerational cooking culture is allowing separate places to contribute.
“That might mean a prep area with a second sink, an open stretch of counter for baking, or a cleanup area that stays out of the way of cooking,” he says. “Each area needs convenient access to the tools and storage that support it.”
The best layouts let someone sit and visit, or a grandchild help with a meal, without everyone competing for the same spot.
The number of culinary contributors have seemed to rise along with the open, central kitchen concept, sometimes working in teams at the dishes or the prep counter, making this kind of labor celebrated rather than hidden. Still, lest we forget those family members better suited to mixology or comedic relief than cooking—they need a place in the kitchen, too. As Jackson says, “The best layouts let someone sit and visit, or a grandchild help with a meal, without everyone competing for the same spot.”
— Jackson Strom
November / December 2026
www.lakeandhomemagazine.com 21
For holiday gatherings especially, he suggests a separate beverage station, a place to serve food outside the main cooking area, and storage that fits the large platters and roasting pans. “We also like lighting that works for cooking and can soften once everyone sits down,” he says. A dimmer switch that can go from bright, task lighting to low mood lights can help make the most of a single space if there is no formal dining room. Storage and pantries can also make a big difference in ease of movement in addition to walkway size. First and foremost, consider what will be visible from the main area and what you want tucked away versus centrally incorporated. Some people just need the pantry for non-perishables and liquor shelves, while others may want it as a prep area complete with appliances and work surfaces.
Having a pantry large enough for a sink, dishwasher, extra fridge and freezer, wall oven and storage really keeps your entertaining space clear of all the mess when cooking for a large crowd. — Christa Swedberg
If the pantry is open to the kitchen or visible through a doorway, Jackson says it’s more likely to carry the kitchen cabinetry and finishes through—and Christa takes it a step further, reporting that some homeowners are adding extra personality to their pantries with color drenching and fun, textured cabinet doors. “Most people lean towards closed versus open cabinetry even in a pantry,” she says. “The thought of keeping open shelving staged and organized can be daunting for some. An open shelf here or there to break things up is great, but we’re not seeing full open shelving in large pantries that are acting as a second kitchen.” For smaller, hidden pantries, Jackson says homeowners have more freedom to use simple, durable shelving and focus solely on organization and function. Countertops have, for the most part, been innovated beyond baseline function concerns and can now be a mostly stylistic choice. For example, soapstone and engineered quartz equal each other in stain and heat resistance, and neither requires sealing, but soapstone has a softer look and retains scratches and signs of wear more than quartz—which some homeowners appreciate.
“Appliances might include a coffee maker, mixer, or microwave, while a larger prep kitchen could accommodate a second refrigerator and dishwasher,” Jackson says. “We ask what needs to be stored versus left out and ready to use, then plan the workspace, outlets, and ventilation around that.” Christa reports, similarly, saying that pantry size can range from four feet by four feet to a full butler’s pantry. “Having a pantry large enough for a sink, dishwasher, extra fridge and freezer, wall oven and storage really keeps your entertaining space clear of all the mess when cooking for a large crowd,” she says.
“Years down the road,” Jackson says, “quartz will tend to look closer to the day it was installed, while soapstone develops a patina that helps tell the story of the home. Some clients love the idea that years of cooking, gathering, and family traditions will leave their mark.” Quartz, however, comes in a broader range of colors and patterns and is better suited for homeowners that want it to stay more consistent. Another aspect of the modern kitchen that is still developing is its ability to matter at every hour of the day, not just mealtimes, and every time of year, not just hosting season. For lake homes specifically, Jackson says, “We think about the views from where you’re actually standing or sitting, preparing dinner, having coffee, or just gathering around the table; the room should feel just as inviting after dark as it does looking out over the water.” The kitchen has been the heart of the holidays for centuries but has only recently become the star player— the heart of the home, where everyone enjoys the process together. L&H
Years down the road,” Jackson says, “quartz will tend to look closer to the day it was installed, while soapstone develops a patina that helps tell the story of the home. Some clients love the idea that years of cooking, gathering, and family traditions will leave their mark. — Jackson Strom
24 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
November / December 2026
www.lakeandhomemagazine.com 25
HOLIDAY RECIPE
festive
Ginger -bread Christmas Cookies
.....................................................
INGREDIENTS
.....................................................
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup molasses 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons milk 1 cup powdered sugar 1 to 2 tablespoons milk, for icing 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, for icing Holiday sprinkles, sanding sugar, or colored sugar for decoration
S
TIME
SERVES
..............
..............
..............
..............
4
75 MINUTES
S of t, warmly spice d gingerbread cookies with crisp e dges and a tender center, per fe ct for de corating with snow y royal icing and color ful hol iday accent s . ..........................................................................................................
THE METHOD
..........................................................................................................
1 ) Preheat the oven to 3 50° F and l ine t wo baking she et s with parchment paper. 2) In a me dium bowl , whisk together the f lour, baking soda, s alt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves , and nutme g. 3) In a l arge bowl , beat the but ter and brown sugar until l ight and f luf f y, about 2 minutes . 4) Beat in the mol asses , e gg, vanill a ex tract, and mil k until smooth . 5) Add the dr y ingre dient s to the wet ingre dient s in t wo additions , mixing just until a sof t dough forms . 6) D ivide the dough in half, shape into disks , wrap, and chill for 20 to 3 0 minutes for easier roll ing.
26 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
7) Roll one disk at a time on a l ightly f loure d sur face to about 1 /4-inch thickness . 8) Cut into hol iday shapes and transfer to the prepare d baking she et s , spacing them about 1 inch apar t . 9) B ake for 8 to 10 minutes , until e dges are set but the centers still look sl ightly sof t . 10) Cool on the baking she et for 5 minutes , then move to a wire rack to cool completely. 11 ) For the icing, whisk the powdere d sugar with 1 t ablespoon mil k and the vanill a until smooth, adding a l it tle more mil k if ne e de d for piping consistency. 12) D e corate the coole d cookies with icing, sprinkles , and colore d sugar; let the icing set before ser ving or storing. L&H
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BATH
Retro-influenced luxury bathrooms are coming around in full force—just in time for the winter long haul. Rainforest plants, steam rooms, floor to ceiling glass, and indoor Jacuzzis create the modernized 80’s spa-like heat sanctuary of your dreams! Shawna Christie with Executive Interiors in Park Rapids, MN contributes to the design process in these primary-bathroom projects, and she has some invaluable advice to share on what it takes to create these indoor oases.
The number one pragmatic concern is dealing with moisture; Whether you have a steam shower, a spa tub, or an entire steam-centric room, special attention is due to the tiling and ventilation to prevent mold and structural degradation over time. First and foremost, Shawna reports that, in a room intended to hold steam, every surface must be tiled.
“You need to tile the entire room, even the ceiling, when you’re doing these luxury bathrooms,” she says. Specifically, use tile that is non-porous and easy to clean. This means no marble or slate and, however cool it may sound, no pebble floors or walls. “They usually want natural elements in these rooms,” Shawna says, “but you have to be careful. Some people do like that rough exterior, but I always tell them that if that’s the case, then you’re not going to want steam and all of that in there, because you’re going to end up with mold.” An alternative to natural rock surfaces is something called stack stone, which is comprised of geometric stone bricks that can be staggered, angled or raised. “That’s sealed on all sides and it’s dimensional, so that’s a really good one to use because it’s shaved off and everything,” says Shawna. If someone is looking for a smoother feel but still wanting to diverge from traditional bathroom tiling, there are large tiles (2 feet by 4 feet) that can replicate natural stone slabs.
November / December 2026
www.lakeandhomemagazine.com 29
“It gives you the luxury feeling without having to pay for marble or these natural stones in huge slate form,” Shawna says, which are bad for moisture management anyway. Another necessity when looking at steam features is ventilation. Ideally, the steam room will have vents that lead directly outside, like a range hood in a kitchen. As far as the definition of a steam room, Shawna has been a part of projects that only have a steam shower, in which case the shower alone must have floor to ceiling glass and proper vents, but she has also seen entire rooms be intended to hold steam and heat, such as indoor spa/jet tubs. These, she says, are really coming around. “When people travel to resorts and experience spa-like features, it inspires them to have these luxuries at home, especially up in this area where we freeze in the winter.” She says that people are bringing all the spa features home, from the jet tubs to infrared light therapy, humidity-loving plants, and heat lights, even built-in mood lighting and speakers for music.
These spa tubs are large and jetted, but they also have heat functions like hot tubs and can be situated side by side for a couples spa experience right at home. For these, continuous water heaters and heated pipes are a must. “That’s the problem with jetted tubs,” Shawna explains about the necessity of the heating function as well as the jets; “it cools your water down because those pipes can’t stay warm all the time.” For more non-jetted bathtubs, porcelain and vinyl are the top materials currently on the market in this region.
“I have never seen a cast iron one yet,” says Shawna, “but I do know in New York that is popular—I just haven’t seen it in the area. There are some interior designers that Shawna keeps up with online, some of whom do cast iron bathtubs, but she says she’s found that they are prone to rust and are extremely high maintenance. Even without an indoor hot tub, there are some clients Shawna works with who need the entire bathroom to be able to heat up and hold steam. She says she’s currently working with a woman from Menahga, MN who is looking for a steamable bathroom. “She really hates going outside in the wintertime in the cold, but if she doesn’t go in the sauna daily,” Shawna says, “she has body aches because she has fibromyalgia.”
The “bathroom within a bathroom” concept is also happening, where either the toilet stall, the shower, or both are enclosed entirely within the larger bathroom proper. Shawna has worked on projects where a “steam area” is situated around a corner and on the other side is the “dry area”, where there are full-body dryers mounted on the walls to bypass the chilly part of stepping out of the shower. Heated floors are also huge in this regard. “Nobody wants to walk on cold tile,” Shawna says. “If it’s a new build, you can already have it where you install heat in the floor. But if they don’t have that—let’s say this is a remodel—then I put the Detra heat on the floor and we tile it over.” Detra is an insulated membrane around which flexible and heat conductive wire is wrapped and staggered underneath bathroom tiles.
November / December 2026
www.lakeandhomemagazine.com 33
For maximum heat retention, she also recommends avoiding rainfall shower heads in non-steam showers. The lack of water pressure can take away from the heat, especially if the bathroom ceilings are high, because the water droplets cool off significantly as they fall through the air. Thick hair can also be a challenge to get thoroughly rinsed with rainfall showers. If a person is determined, however, the shower heads can be dropped down on extender poles to be closer and stay hotter. Another retro return, in addition to the heat lamps and indoor hot tubs, is the bidet! Shawna reports that more clients are opting for bidets; either full, built in ones or specialty toilet seats with bidet features. Similarly, in this vein: aging-in-home. “More and more people are starting to try to set up so that they can have some of these different options,” Shawna says, specifically regarding handicap accessible bathing features such as seating in the shower and in-ground tubs. She says that the step-side tubs with doors that open and close, taking away the step-over into the bathtub, are not as perfect as they may seem due to leakage problems. Non-slip surfaces are also a part of agingin-home infrastructure, and in-home dry saunas with infrared and Red Light therapy functions for pain management are also available. These are usually bought separately and then installed after a home is complete.
34 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
Interconnected bedrooms, walk-in closets, and outdoor winter gazebos are also gaining popularity for ease of movement and heat retention. “I’ve seen where they’re doing the actual hot tubs up on their deck,” Shawna says, “and then putting a winterized gazebo around them. They can just run from inside the house out to that. Then, not too far from that, would be the bathroom; primary suites get this a lot.” Luxury bathrooms like these make all the difference in enduring versus enjoying the cold months up north, and the retro revival is bringing the extra warmth of nostalgia. L&H
November / December 2026
www.lakeandhomemagazine.com 37
HOLIDAY RECIPE
an easy no-bake
Pepper -mint
photo/recipe by Dawn Duncan
T
.....................................................
INGREDIENTS
.....................................................
1.75 c finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies 4-5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 pint heavy cream (or Cool Whip or other store bought prepared whipped topping) 1 pound (16 oz.) cream cheese (Note: It’s important that the cream cheese is at room temperature; let cream cheese sit out of fridge for a few hours before using. cold cream cheese will not incorporate well and will have significant lumps in it when you try to blend it with the mixer.) 1 - 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup peppermint candy, finely crushed .....................................................
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
..................................................... • 9 inch springform pan • Plastic wrap • Mixer • Spatula • Two medium to large bowls • Food processor, rolling pin, or meat mallet for crushing cookies and candy
Cheesecake
his is a re cipe that is easy and quick , yet festive and per fe ct for ser ving guest s . It re quires 20 minutes of preparation then 8 hours of fre ezer time and is a no bake option . When so much of our hol iday food re quires ample oven time, it is ideal to have a few re cipes on hand that re quire no baking, just time to chill before ser ving. This is a hol iday favorite of anyone who loves the creaminess of traditional che ese c ake mixe d with a swe et kick of peppermint .
..........................................................................................................
THE METHOD
..........................................................................................................
1 ) Crust : Pl ace cookies in a food processor to f inely crush them, or they c an be crushe d in a durable bag by using a roll ing pin or a meat mallet . Add melte d but ter and mix until completely incorporate d then press into a 9 -inch springform pan . O nce mix ture is presse d into pan evenly, set it aside. 2) Fill ing: Whip the cream for approx . 3 minutes using a mixer until it is f irm; set aside. Skip this step if using prepare d whippe d topping. 3) In the s ame bowl of the ele ctric mixer, beat the room temperature cream che ese until smooth, 2-3 minutes . 4) Add the swe etene d condense d mil k and mix well until fully incorporate d . There should be no lumps of cream che ese.
38 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
5) Fold the whippe d cream into the cream che ese and mil k . Add half of the whippe d cream and fold to l ighten, then add the remaining whippe d cream and fold until fully incorporate d . 6) A ssemble: Stir in the crushe d c andy and pour the mix ture into the prepare d springform pan . Cover with pl astic wrap and pl ace in the fre ezer for at least 8 hours . O ption to garnish the top with dusting of colore d sugar and/or peppermint bit s . A few fresh mint leaves on top will add the hol iday gre en! 7) Before ser ving: Take the che ese c ake out of the fre ezer and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes . Then, sl ice and ser ve! L&H
SHOWER
40 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
Instead of stepping over a threshold of metal or tile when getting in or out of the shower, there is now a bathroom design where the floor of the shower sits completely flush with the main bathroom floor. An increase in the popularity of these curbless – or zero-entry – showers in the past several years is due in large part to homeowners considering long-term safety concerns. Without that barrier or curb between the bathroom floor and the shower area, it provides an easy entry and exit for all ages, while also creating a contemporary, open concept style to any home.
“Whether building a new home or remodeling an existing structure, a common goal for many people is to stay in their homes as long as possible, and it’s often considered spending for the future,” says Nichole Albright, Interior Designer at Fergus Falls Home & Hardware. “Having no curb and the usability are so important for that future, and we can design these showers with tile or stone to look stylish and on trend.”
design & drainage Curbless showers are not geared solely toward the aging-in-place community, according to Riley Wanzek, Territory Manager for Schluter Systems. “These showers can be used for an aesthetic appeal to create an open concept with a walk-in look.” Riley, who interfaces with builders, contractors, designers, tile installers, and everyone else involved in the process, works to find solutions and achieve the desired outcome. The Schluter Shower System provides a waterproof assembly specifically designed for these tile and natural stone zero-entry showers to help keep them waterproof and properly drained.
“Our shower pans, made of Styrofoam, are very slim, with a shower base that has the waterproofing membrane on it,” Riley adds. “We can adapt to the space or the user, making curbless application simple, safe, and dry.” Chad Sonnenberg, Store Manager and Head Estimator for Interiors by Winkel’s in Perham, says there are a couple different ways to install the shower floor to ensure the water drains correctly. “In some situations, we need to dry pack the floor and create a shower pan to fit the floor’s slope for flow to the drain,” he explains. “In most cases, however, we use prefabricated Schluter pans, and we’ve never had a leak. They’re already pre-sloped for drainage, and they can speed up the installation process.” Traditional showers rely on a liner hidden beneath a thick mortar bed, but the Schluter system pan waterproofs the assembly directly at the surface level, right under the tile. All components are bound together to create a sealed, watertight envelope.
construction considerations Preplanning is imperative when considering a curbless shower, whether for a new home or a remodel. Joe Foltz, of Interiors by Winkels, in Perham, says that installing them can be a bit more difficult to plan around. “When you do a regular curb shower, you put your shower bed on top of the plywood, so you have that three to four inches to create the slope for draining,” says Foltz, whose business includes building custom lake homes and doing kitchen/bath remodels. “When you install a zero entry shower, that three inches has to go down into the floor below it to create the slope.”
With a new build, Joe says the materials can be ordered specifically for that purpose. The trusses are designed ahead of time around the shower design – by going down three inches, then sloping the shower beds to where they need to be for drainage. “For a remodel, it may take a bit more consideration, but it can be done. You would have to cut down into the floor joist, which means sometimes opening the floor up underneath. If it’s a 2 x 10 joist, you would have to cut out the 3 inches, which could reduce the strength of the floor system. Then you’d have to find a way to support that.”
44 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
Whether using a pre-built Schluter shower pan or creating one with a dry pack, it’s imperative to plan and design the slope accurately. “Some people like a center drain, so the dry pack is thicker on the outer edge, reducing that thickness toward the drain. A linear drain is another option that has a more unique look, with a single, longer slope running all the way across to the end.”
November / December 2026
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design development Whether a center drain or a linear drain is used, the continual slope is a factor when choosing materials for a curbless shower. The tile or stone used on the floor of the shower has to be able to follow the contour. With the round, center drain, Chad Sonnenberg says he tends to suggest smaller, mosaic tiles on the floor to adapt to the slope. “If we install a linear drain along the wall,” he says, “the customer can generally use larger format tiles such as a 12 x 24 size if the drain location allows for it. For the sloping to be correct, it mainly depends on which wall the shower entry is located.” He adds that with the Schluter System pans, they are sloped in sections, so larger profile tiles can be cut to fit the sections and still maintain the proper angle for water drainage.
In addition to proper installation and drainage, the success of these projects also depends heavily on the coordination between the designer, the builder, and the homeowner. While the tile or stones on the floor of the shower may be limited, the options for the walls of the shower are limitless. That’s where the luxury aspect comes in. Porcelain tile is a popular choice, along with stone or glass. Since the surfaces are flat, there can be fancier designs. Those designs can go from traditional to modern to anything in between. Since it’s an open concept space that is on display, the choice of tile or stone patterns can become a bold statement. “With the larger tile sizes, up to 24 x 24, there is less grout, making it easier to clean, which is another consideration” says Chad. “We have installed a waterfall look up the back wall, and we’ve even done a row of rock that looks like a river coming down. The customer can create almost any kind of design they want.”
Nichole Albright points out that there is also another option for the shower walls. “Onyx is a little bit of a different system that is luxurious but more affordable. It’s a stonebased material, with large panels that have a number of different design options. They actually glue the panels to the drywall, and it’s waterproofed by silicone.” Due to the open design of these curbless showers, more heat can escape, making them feel colder overall than a smaller, enclosed shower. Joe Foltz says that for many of the custom lake homes he builds, the homeowners often request the addition of in-floor heating.
blending form & function One description of a trend is something that is hip or popular at a certain point in time. Riley Wanzek claims that curbless showers are more of “a new standard” rather than a trend, with a high-end, luxury appeal for any home. “With a sophisticated design, this open layout provides a subtle, engineered slope instead of a raised curb. Besides looking stylish, it can enhance accessibility and alleviate safety concerns, while also providing a contemporary look to make the most out of available space.” L&H
“It’s usually built into the shower pan,” he says. “Typically, we use hydronic based heat, and we build our dry pack shower pan over the top of the heated tubing.”
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FIREPLACE
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When you think of a lakeside retreat, perhaps one of the first features that comes to mind is the fireplace crackling in the background providing that lovely warmth. But choosing the right fireplace involves a lot more than deciding how you want it to look. From the type of fireplace and fuel source to the hearth, materials and even how it fits into the structure of your home, here are things to consider when planning the perfect fireplace for your lake home.
The fuel debate
For some homeowners, there’s no substitute for a wood fire. You get the full aesthetic experience with the crackling logs as they burn along with the beloved aroma of smoke. Plus, what’s more calming than taking a trip back in time to build the fire? It becomes an almost nightly relaxation ritual of sorts. With all those details, having a wood-burning fireplace can definitely contribute to the sense of a retreat. A perfect place where one can recharge.
That full experience, comes with responsibilities though. Wood needs to be purchased or cut, and stored. Fires have to be built and tended. Ash needs to be removed. Chimneys require appropriate inspection and maintenance as well. A traditional open fireplace can also send a significant amount of heated indoor air up the chimney. Homeowners who want the experience of burning real wood along with more effective heating may instead consider a high-efficiency wood-burning fireplace or stove-style system designed to capture and distribute more of the fire’s heat.
Gas offers a very different experience. With a modern gas fireplace, homeowners can enjoy flames and supplemental heat with the flick of a button. There is no woodpile, no ash to remove and no need to wait for a fire to burn down before heading to bed. So there’s definitely a convenience factor when it comes to gas fireplace options. Direct-vent gas fireplaces can also provide effective zone heating, allowing homeowners to warm the room they’re using without relying on the fireplace to heat the entire house. The tradeoff is atmosphere. Today’s gas fireplaces can create remarkably convincing flames and log sets, but they do not fully reproduce the smell, sound and hands-on experience of burning real wood. For many homeowners, then, the decision isn’t really about which fuel is universally better. It’s about what they want from the hearth. If tending a fire is part of the pleasure of spending a snowy weekend at the lake, wood may be worth the additional work. If the priority is reliable warmth on demand with minimal cleanup, gas has an obvious advantage.
Building a fireplace from the ground up
There’s nothing quite as dramatic as a big stone fireplace stretching from the floor all the way up into a vaulted ceiling. But all that beautiful stone can also mean a lot of weight, which is why your fireplace is something you’ll want to start thinking about pretty early in the building process. The type of stone you choose makes a difference, too. A traditional full-stone fireplace can be incredibly heavy and may need additional support all the way down to the foundation. A thin stone veneer gives you much of the same look without nearly as much weight. Either way, this is something to talk through with your builder before the house is framed rather than deciding at the last minute that you’d really love 20 feet of stone in your great room. There are considerations early on, especially with a large fireplace. Do you want a television above the mantel? Will there be built-ins on either side? Are you carrying the stone all the way to the ceiling? Thinking through those details while you’re designing the house will make everything easier.
Different styles
And don’t feel like your fireplace has to be the traditional one-sided style, either. A see-through fireplace can sit between two rooms, letting you enjoy the same fire from both spaces. Or you could go with a three-sided fireplace, where the glass wraps around the firebox so you can see the flames from several different angles. These can be especially beautiful in an open-concept lake home, where you might want to enjoy the fireplace from the kitchen, dining room and living area. Just like you think about where you’ll be able to see the lake from inside your home, think about where you want to be able to see the fire, too. And then, of course, there’s the overall look. Maybe you’re dreaming of a cute, cozy stone fireplace that looks like it belongs in an English cottage. Maybe you want a huge stone fireplace with a chunky reclaimed wood mantel. Or maybe your home is more contemporary and you want something simple and clean. You don’t have to have every little detail figured out right away, but knowing the general direction you want to go gives your builder a much better idea of what needs to happen behind the scenes to make it work.
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Designing beyond the fire
When it comes to the fireplace surround, there are plenty of materials to choose from: stone, brick, or tile, whether you want a rustic look of irregular natural stone or something cleaner and more contemporary. Even the size of the stone, tile and mortar joints can completely change the look. Make sure you keep the scale of the room in mind though, since something that looks substantial on a sample might look really small on a fireplace stretching 15 or 20 feet high. Maybe you want natural stone that feels like it could’ve come straight from the landscape outside. Another idea is a big, chunky reclaimed-wood mantel that gives a brandnew lake home a little bit of age and character. Or perhaps your style is cleaner and more modern, with a simple fireplace that lets those huge lake views do most of the talking. It’s also a chance to pull in some of the materials you’re already using throughout the house. The wood from the mantel might tie into the beams overhead or the cabinetry across the room. The stone could pick up some of the colors outside the window. Instead of designing the fireplace all by itself, think about how it fits into the room and the home as a whole.
Choosing the right hearth
So, which is better: wood or gas? There really isn’t one correct answer. Instead, picture how you actually want to use your fireplace. Do you love the idea of carrying in an armful of firewood on a cold Saturday morning, stacking a few logs in the fireplace and hearing that first crackle as the fire catches? It brings you back to simpler times and sets up a great aesthetic for relaxation. Maybe tending the fire is part of the experience for you. If you’re dreaming about a traditional cabin at the lake, a real wood fire can be pretty hard to beat. Or maybe you know yourself well enough to admit that you want to walk into the great room, push a button and have a fire. A gas fireplace gives you the warmth and coziness without needing to find dry firewood, build the fire, clean out ashes or remember to have the chimney maintained. On a chilly fall evening when you only want a fire for an hour or two, that convenience can be pretty appealing.
A place to gather
At the end of the day, the perfect fireplace is going to look a little different in every lake home. That’s why it’s worth thinking about more than what looks pretty in an inspiration photo. Think about how you’ll actually use your fireplace, how much maintenance you’re willing to do, and, most importantly, how you want the room to feel when you walk into it. Because years from now, you probably won’t be thinking about all the structural decisions, venting requirements, and measurements that went into building it. You’ll be thinking about Christmas stockings hanging from the mantel, cold mornings spent warming up beside the fire with cocoa, and evenings when everyone somehow ends up gathered around it. L&H
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DESIGN
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There’s something about walking into a great room with soaring vaulted ceilings that immediately makes you feel like you’re in an airy cathedral. It makes you look up. It can make even a cozy lake home feel expansive. Having the right finish on your vaulted ceiling will also help draw your eye toward a wall of windows and the water beyond. With more lake homeowners looking for big windows and open gathering spaces, vaulted ceilings have become a natural fit. “More and more clients today, particularly those living on the lake, want those full walls of glass facing the lake in their great rooms so they can see the lake,” said Mark Dobbelmann, owner of Up Nort’ Home and Cabin Care, Inc. in Battle Lake, MN.
Bringing in the warmth of wood
There are many kinds of wood to choose from for use in your cabin. And while it can be tempting to simply choose the wood you like best on a sample, remember that a vaulted ceiling is a large canvas. The species, grain, knots, and finish you choose will have a major impact on the overall feel of the room. A heavily knotted wood can instantly give you that cozy, rustic cabin feel, while clearer wood with fewer knots can create a much cleaner, more contemporary look.
Here are a few options to consider: • •
• •
Knotty pine/knotty cedar can be used to create a more rustic cabin feel. Clear pine/cedar gives you a cleaner or more contemporary look. It is particularly good for a home’s exterior. It holds up better in weather, but over time it’ll become greyer. Poplar is a go-to wood choice for painted trim or shiplap. White oak isn’t very popular for ceilings because it is expensive, and for something far away from the viewer, it might not be worth the cost. However, if in budget, it’s a beautiful choice that is a classic. November / December 2026
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Remember: Real wood changes!
Part of the beauty of choosing real wood is that it doesn’t necessarily stay the same as the day it was installed. Depending on the species and finish, your ceiling may naturally change color as the years go by. “If you do a clear poly on the pine, it will age and yellow and orange over time,” said Dobbelmann. “Sometimes that’s the desired effect.” And for a lake home, that may be exactly what you want. A pine ceiling that slowly develops a deeper, warmer color can add to that lived-in cabin feeling over the years. But if you’re picturing a light, bright ceiling that stays closer to its original color, it’s worth talking with your builder about that before choosing your wood and finish.
The vibe:
How do you want the room to look and feel? Sometimes people think just about how they want it to look but sometimes the best thing to think about is how it’ll feel. After all, when you’re covering an entire vaulted ceiling with wood, you’re choosing a lot more than material. You’re choosing one of the largest finishes in the room and one thing you’ll see every day. And then on the other side of the spectrum, you have paint.
If the goal is a painted shiplap or tongue and groove ceiling, there may be little reason to pay a premium for a wood species chosen for its beautiful grain. “If it’s a painted material, typically we’ll use a primed poplar or something that is a little bit more budget-friendly,” said Dobbelmann. Composite products that mimic wood can be another option. And with the products available today, “There isn’t necessarily one material that’s universally better than another.” Instead, the decision comes back to what you want the room to feel like.
When a beautiful room gets loud
There is another part of vaulted ceiling design that you may not have thought about: sound. A large great room already has plenty of hard surfaces. And then when you add tall walls, expansive windows, and a smooth ceiling high overhead, sound will have a lot of room to travel. Suddenly that gorgeous, cathedral-like space can sound a little too much like an actual cathedral. And there’s an echo that can make a room feel empty even if filled with furniture. Instead of the hollow and echoing effect, think about choosing material that offsets sound and create a warmer, more relaxing environment. “Wood can help absorb some of that sound,” Dobbelmann said. “And even incorporating beams into a drywall ceiling can make more of a difference.” 68 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
For especially tall spaces, acoustic products can also be incorporated into the design. That can help control the echo without forcing anyone to give up the clean ceiling finish they wanted in the first place. Other aspects of the room matter as well when it comes to reducing sound. Rugs, upholstered furniture, window treatments, and other softer finishes will help balance out your great room and absorb sound.
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Think about light
When you have extra-large windows, light is going to be something you’re dealing with every day, so it’s good to think about how it’ll play with your finish. The ceiling finish will also change the way light moves through the room. Something many people don’t think about right away is the direction of the boards. It can have a visual impact as well. Long runs of tongue and groove or shiplap naturally pull the eye in a particular direction, making their orientation part of the overall design rather than simply an installation detail. Then there are the beams. Against a light ceiling, darker wood beams can emphasize the height and shape of the vault, essentially outlining the architecture overhead. These details work together to determine how the finished room will feel. A lighter ceiling can help keep a soaring space feeling bright and airy, while natural wood and darker beams can add some warmth back into a room with a lot of glass. Even something as simple as changing the direction of the boards can draw your eye toward the lake view or emphasize the height of the vault. So when you’re choosing a ceiling finish, think about the entire room and what you want your eye to notice when you first walk into the room.
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The cost of going up
There is one final consideration that isn’t nearly as fun as choosing how it’ll look or feel: height costs money. “A standard flat ceiling in many new homes today is around nine feet,” said Dobbelmann. “Once builders start going higher, simply reaching the work becomes part of the project. While they’re beautiful and they’re gorgeous, depending on the vault pitch and the roof pitch and elevations, then we have to think about, okay, how are we going to get up there to install the materials? Does that involve scaffolding? Does it involve a lift?” More surface area means more material, and working 15 or 20 feet above the floor takes more time and equipment than working at nine feet. That doesn’t mean a vaulted ceiling isn’t worth the investment. It simply means it should be part of the budget and design conversation from the beginning.
Looking UP!
Once the house is finished, that ceiling becomes the backdrop to the family living underneath it. It’s above the family dinners, the lazy Saturday morning brunches, the evenings spent watching the sun go down over the lake, and all of those ordinary moments that make a house feel like home. And every once in a while, you’ll probably stop and look up. You might as well love what you see. L&H
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FLOORING
Radiant subfloor heating makes Minnesota lake homes and walkout basements cozy and comfortable all year long. It can also be surprisingly cost effective. That’s because, unlike forced air or radiator heat, both of which warm the entire room from a series of specific heat sources located throughout the space, subfloor heating warms each room evenly from the ground up.
A comfortable and efficient option “It’s super efficient,” explains Stuart Fleischauer, who owns and operates All Seasons Heating and Air Conditioning in Ottertail with his wife Christie. “All your heat is where you want it. It’s at the feet, and it usually radiates six to eight feet; human height. It works really well with high ceilings because you’re not pushing all that air up into those big vaults and wasting energy. You’re not heating a space that you don’t necessarily need to heat.” 74 Lake & Home Magazine November / December 2026
Heating from the bottom up eliminates cold spots and keeps temperatures consistent. “I typically tell customers that with floor heat, you can generally keep your home at a cooler temperature than you would with forced air type heating,” Fleischauer adds. Homeowners also appreciate that the heating method isn’t visible. That means they don’t have to camouflage or distract from bulky radiators or vents, which can take away from a room’s interior design strategy. “You’re saving space and saving the look,” Fleischauer says. “You’re not looking at a floor or a ceiling register, or a floor vent, or taking up space on the walls with cold air returns. So you get more usable wall space and floor space.”
You’re saving space and saving the look. Stuart Fleischauer All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning
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Types of subfloor heating systems There are two different types of subfloor heating systems, hydronic and electric. There are pros and cons to each system. Finding which option is best or right for you depends on your budget, your building or remodeling project, and the space you’re looking to heat.
Hydronic heating systems “Hydro” means water, so it’s no surprise that a hydronic subfloor heating system sends heated water through a network of pipes installed underneath the floor. The typical heat source is a boiler, although heat pumps or water heaters may also be an option. As the warm water moves through the pipes, the heat radiates through the surface of the floor and heats the room. Hudronic subfloor heating systems can carry a higher cost to install and maintain. But because the system is so efficient, homeowners often save money over time, especially if the home is all one level. Although hydronic systems installed in floors with greater thermal mass (like concrete) may take a few hours to heat up or cool down, they retain heat very well. Installing these pipes is a labor-intensive process and requires significant planning and installation time. This type of heating system is ideal for new construction or major renovations. Because the installation process can be involved, most homeowners choose to heat the entire home.
“A lot of new homes we’re seeing are one level living, slab on grade homes,” says Fleischauer. “Hydronic heat works amazingly well in that type of build because you’ve always got a warm floor in the winter. It stores a lot of heat, so it isn’t something you’d want to have running year-round.” This gentle, even, surprisingly affordable heat retention makes hydronic heating a good choice for larger houses and spaces that need consistent heating. And the heat isn’t one-size-fits all; the system can service several independently controlled heating zones. That means homeowners can adjust the heat according to their needs and reduce unnecessary heating costs. “If they have guest rooms or their kids that are coming to stay twice a year, they can zone those rooms in a manner where they don’t have to heat them all the time, or keep them at a lower temperature,” Fleischauer explains. “You can essentially shut the heat off to those rooms or turn it down, so you’re saving energy that way. My wife and I like to sleep in a room that’s a little cooler than the rest of our house. This way, we have that room zoned to keep it cooler and we’re not opening windows.”
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Electric underfloor heating Electric subfloor heating is another option. This method involves installing heating cables, wires, or heating mats beneath the floor covering. As the electricity moves through the heating elements, the warmth transfers up and outward into the room. Installing electric subfloor heating almost always requires less time and money, since you don’t need to add manifolds, a boiler or pump, nor the network of underfloor pipes. Once it’s installed, routine maintenance is minimal. The electric cables or mat work well under a variety of floor coverings (including tile, laminate, and stone) and can be installed in places where a full hydronic system simply won’t fit. Because the system is installed closer to the floor surface, electric underfloor heat warms and cools a space more quickly than hydronic heat. Programmable thermostats and individual room settings let homeowners warm a bathroom before a shower and leave it; they can heat or cool a space according to their daily routines and not have to turn the thermostat on and off manually each time they want warmth or cooling in the room.
It works well for certain points like bathrooms or kitchens. Stuart Fleischauer All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning
Electric underfloor heating is popular in renovations. Homeowners often add it to their houses one room at time. “It works well for certain points like bathrooms or kitchens,” says Fleischauer. “If you wanted to have an electric mat underneath the kitchen sink or in your bathroom, you can use that year-round. My wife and I have that under ceramic tile in our bathroom, so we can use it all year long.” As with any heating system, there are drawbacks to electric subfloor heat as well. This system is tied to the cost of electricity, which can vary widely by location. Homeowners may be able to choose renewable electricity or solar power to reduce their carbon footprint or offset long-term operating costs, but the system itself doesn’t boast the range of heat sources that hydronic heating provides. Additionally, the electric heat mechanism doesn’t allow this system to retain and multiply heat like a hydronic system can. This means it might not be the most affordable choice for whole-home heating in cold climates like Minnesota. Also, repairing damaged heating cables, mats, or wires can be disruptive, requiring the assistance of specialists to diagnose and rectify problems.
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Floor coverings matter Choosing the best subfloor heating method for your home is important. But to work properly, you’ll also need to select a floor covering that conducts heat well, maximizing the system.
Carpet and area rugs are an insulator that keeps that heat down in the slab, and it’s really hard to push that heat through. Stuart Fleischauer All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning
For hydronic subfloor heating, porcelain and ceramic tile, natural stone, and polished concrete are excellent options. They all feature high thermal conductivity and retain heat well. This makes them a good choice for a system that warms at a gradual, steady rate and heats large expanses efficiently. These floor covering options also work well for electric subfloor systems. Engineered wood or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is an optimal choice for both systems as well. Hardwood can be a challenge, at least regarding this application. It’s vulnerable to moisture and temperature changes, while carpet has its own cons. “Carpet and area rugs are an insulator that keeps that heat down in the slab, and it’s really hard to push that heat through,” Fleischauer explains. “They do make special pads that allow more heat through for carpeted areas, but with luxury vinyl plank, that allows that floor heat to come through well. They’re comparable, although I think the LVP allows the heat to radiate a little bit more.”
Rebates available Fleischauer says that homeowners interested in subfloor heating should be encouraged while making flooring covering choices or pricing out installation and maintenance. The benefits usually outweigh the cost. “The quality of living is higher,” he says. “You have high resale value and efficiency. And there are rebates available to help offset the cost if that’s what’s making people nervous.” Radiant subfloor heating systems offer so many benefits to homeowners, including coziness, beauty, and efficiency. Whether you choose a hydronic or an electric subfloor heating system, this upgrade can keep your home comfortable all year long. L&H
All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning: allseasonsottertail.com
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LOCAL BUSINESS
For many families, a lake home is a place they hope to return to for decades. Summer weekends become holiday gatherings, children grow up and bring families of their own, and a seasonal retreat may eventually become a full-time residence. Designing for that continuity means understanding how people live today and what they imagine for the years ahead. For Strom Architecture, those conversations are taking place throughout the Detroit Lakes area, where the firm is designing a growing number of lake homes. Each reflects a different family and property, but together they represent an important part of the practice and the relationships that led to its Detroit Lakes office.
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When the team shared plans for a local presence, the enthusiastic response from clients and builders reinforced the decision. With many projects already connecting the firm to the area, establishing an office felt like a natural next step. It brought the team closer to the homeowners, construction partners, and properties central to its work, while creating a local point of connection for new clients. Founded by Jackson Strom in 2019, the practice began in a spare bedroom in his Fargo home. Today, Strom Architecture has a team of more than 15 across its Fargo and Detroit Lakes offices, with experience at respected residential architecture firms in the lakes area and the Twin Cities. Together, they bring a deep understanding of custom homes, thoughtful detailing, and the collaboration high-end residential work requires. The Minnesota team has been instrumental in developing the firm’s lakes-area presence, supported by colleagues across architecture and interior design who bring complementary strengths to each project.
At the lake, that means considering views, sunlight, topography, and the character of the property alongside the details of daily life. How will the home feel when just two people are there? Where will everyone gather on a holiday weekend? How might the family’s needs change over time? “Timeless design is about balance, proportion, and connection to the site,” says Strom. Giving clients the best possible experience is equally important. Building a home involves a significant investment of money, time, and trust, and the team works to make each step understandable. Early conversations address goals, budget, fees, and expectations. Ideas are sketched together, then developed through plans, three-dimensional models, and renderings that help homeowners make informed decisions. Coordination with the builder brings cost discussions into the design process, while in-house interior design connects the architecture with cabinetry, materials, and finishes.
Behind that process is a team listening carefully, exploring options, and working through details on the client’s behalf. The aim is for homeowners to feel heard, supported, and excited about the home taking shape. The firm’s gratitude for those relationships runs deep. Its work is possible because clients invite the team into their lives, share their hopes, and entrust them with a place that matters. Their ideas and involvement give each project its direction, while the care of builders and craftspeople helps bring it to life. The Detroit Lakes office builds on that shared effort. As more homes take shape throughout the area, Strom Architecture looks forward to strengthening the relationships that brought the company here and helping more families create places they will enjoy for years to come. L&H
For information: Stromarch.com
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FEATURE HOME
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D
esolate Minnesota winters are feared by some. Snow muffles the sounds of nature and civilization alike, burying the world in a layer of indifferent blankness that spares no one. Many find comfort in bringing their lives indoors and taking shelter in the warmth of chaos—orange firelight, wood walls, patterns, and decor that bring the world inside while life outside the windows fades to white. On Leech Lake, there is a home that takes a different approach. There, the simplicity and starkness are embraced in shades of white, charcoal and natural lumber; the ceilings are high and angled over minimalist furniture, and the windows seem to act as conduits to nature rather than barriers. “I wanted it to be simple and nothing too hard to decorate, just very few things. You walk in and it’s not stressful; it’s visually calming,” says homeowner Jen LaVelle. For Jen and her husband Mick, it has been the home of their dreams. Jen is from Walker, Minnesota and Mick hails from Iowa City, but he spent summers on Leech Lake all
through his childhood. Together, they’ve lived in either the Twin Cities or Atlanta for the past 30 years, but they’ve always known they wanted a cabin where their roots held firm in the north country. The build was originally intended to be solely a summer/weekend home, which had some influence on Jen’s stylistic choices. “I think that was kind of the reason we designed it the way we did,” she says, “just light and airy and simple and peaceful—just a very simple place to be to wind down from a busy city life.” At first, building at all was uncertain due to the steep nature of the lot near the shoreline—they have excess space behind the current home, which is where they would have built if the surveyor declared shoreline development impossible. “We were never really quite sure because everybody kept saying, ‘Oh, you can’t build on that,’ and we thought, well, we have 40 acres behind it, so we’ll just build up in the woods,” Jen recalls.
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I think that was kind of the reason we designed it the way we did. Just light and airy and simple and peaceful—just a very simple place to be to wind down from a busy city life. JEN LAVELLE | HOMEOWNER
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But the builders at Nicklason Construction (Nevis, MN) were able to take the small, narrow footprint allowed by the surveyor and come up with a plan. Trevor Nicklason, the head builder for this project, says he ended up shrinking the building by one foot in order to fit the space and honor LaVelle’s desire for a modern, unique design. The steep and narrow lot presented a challenge. “They squeezed out just enough for us to build,” Jen says. Her opinions on the yard also aligned perfectly with the parameters they were given. “I told them I didn’t want a big yard,” she says. “I didn’t want any trees, or anything taken down, I just wanted to kind of plop a house in the woods on the lake.” The build was wrapped up and the LaVelles closed on the home two weeks before that fateful March day in 2020 when the Covid pandemic officially hit. Up until this point, Jen and Mick fully intended to continue living in Victoria and leave the Leech Lake home for summer and weekend getaways.
“We thought we might as well spend Covid at the new house,” Jen remembers. “So, we were up here and the world changed—-my husband was able to work from here and I retired.” With the transformed work-life dynamic brought about by the pandemic, they eventually thought, “Why don’t we just sell the house in the city and move here?” So, they did, and the Leech Lake home has been their permanent residence ever since. Jen and Mick have three grown children and four grandchildren, who, Jen says, all report that they are always excited to come visit—to be somewhere so fresh and different. “They’re like, ‘It’s so different from anything we thought we’d ever [have] because everybody up here has log homes or really rustic cottages,’” says Jen. “I knew that after living up here and growing up here I just needed something different.” Less is more is her foundational principle.
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They’re like, ‘It’s so different from anything we thought we’d ever [have] because everybody up here has log homes or really rustic cottages.’ JEN LAVELLE | HOMEOWNER
“I used to have a very traditional house with a dining room and china and everything was fancy, everything was decorated. I’m done with that,” she says. “I want to have fun in life and go do things; I don’t want to be a prisoner to decorating and cleaning.” All those things that a person–especially a family–accumulates over the years builds up beyond belief, and Jen was ready to jettison the extra weight. “A lot of my other collectibles are at the studio, or I’ve given them to the kids or gotten rid of them,” she says. Also, housekeeping is not a talent or an interest that Jen boasts: “I thought the less I have, the easier it’ll be to keep the house clean.” This is where the idea for the extra building arose from. The studio, as the LaVelles have dubbed it, is an auxiliary building, added during the pandemic, positioned farther back up into the lot. This serves as an art space, office, deer processing shack, and guest house. “I come over here to do all my holiday prep,” Jen says. “I do my canning, I have a garden, and I wanted [to have a] sewing and painting space without messing up the clean and simple house.”
The studio has its own washer and dryer and intentionally chosen grey cabinets, black and granite countertops and a black sink, all of which make it the perfect place for deer camp, meal prepping, and any other messy but meaningful endeavors. A wood burning stove also stands humbly in one corner of the studio. It’s as simple as can be, just the naked cast iron stove and chimney pipe against white walls—that somber yet welcoming Scandinavian simplicity that carries through both structures. For holidays, Jen and her kids (all of whom she says are great cooks) prepare everything at the studio and take the food back and forth from the main house in the Ranger, which helps keep things clean while still prioritizing the beauty of cooking together as a family. Back in the main house, the kitchen proper is simple: custom-made and planned with a local cabinet maker. Drawers and cabinets are smooth and minimalist, and of richer colored wood than the ceiling beams and dining room table. The countertops and backsplash are the perfect blend of white, grey and very pale, translucent blue.
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“I wanted it to be the color of the water in the wake behind a boat,” Jen says. The cool charcoal of the bathroom floors and walls, and around the fireplace were chosen to match the ash inside a wood stove. “I just wanted the place to look like nature,” she says, which is why she matched the walls with the color of Minnesota snow, saying that they blend in with the scenery outside the windows in the winter. “This is a super snowy, Nordic environment. The town is 900 people; it’s very desolate in the wintertime, but it’s absolutely wonderful.” This quiet solitude is embraced in the architecture and interior design of the LaVelle home. For example, the living room is oriented towards the windows rather than a television— the windows themselves are rectangular instead of the more traditional steepled shape of a great room, which creates the feeling that the windows are the entertainment to be watching.
“In our first winter in the house,” Jen says, “we were sitting in the living room and the fireplace was burning—I think our son and his wife were there—with a big blizzard outside. We are kind of up in the canopy of the trees because of the way the house is sitting and my husband had put these beautiful spotlights in the trees. “It’s a blizzard and the snow is coming down and we see these beautiful flying squirrels flying from tree to tree; it was just [so] incredible.” This area facing the windows remains Jen’s favorite spot in the house, where she drinks her coffee each morning and watches the never-ending show of the woods and the water. Another unique feature of the LaVelle home is the type of roof and the beam construction added. Jen didn’t expect to love them, as the beams are entirely structural. The house was not constructed in the traditional stick frame manner; it’s made of SIPs, or Structurally Insulated Panels, which are large and heavy slabs of insulated foam sandwiched between interior and exterior
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wood sheathing. Trevor comments, “They are energy efficient and allowed for the Mono Pitch roof with exposed beam ceiling.” “Because they’re so big and heavy and sturdy, we needed these huge beams,” Jen says. Although she loved the idea of custom, ornamental beams, she figured something like that to be above their budget and so shied away from the idea. But the builders informed her that the ceiling, being made of the heavy SIPs, needed structural support regardless, so beams went in. “When we got them in there, I thought they were so beautiful,” Jen says. “I [didn’t] want to touch them. So, they’re just natural and I just love them.” She also believes in the timelessness of the Mono Pitch roof. “They’ve always been appealing and I thought if I had a Mono Pitch roof, it’s always going to be cool.”
The home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms over its 2,400 square feet, which is the perfect size for the LaVelle family. Jen says she hosts 25 people for holiday meals and the high ceilings let everyone breathe a little better, appreciating each other’s company as well as the surrounding nature. Much of her family live nearby in Walker, so mostly everyone goes home at the end of the day instead of sleeping over; the home didn’t need a bunch of extra bedrooms—just a big kitchen. “I really like the open and airy feeling,” she says. “We’ve got some really tall people and tall kids in our family, and I needed some space; a space for everyone to come, have a meal, do a holiday, and then go home, and we fit in there perfectly.” It has been a sort of Scandinavian oasis out there in the Minnesota woods for Jen, her family and their friends—calm, quiet and simple. “We have like six couples from the Twin Cities come up every summer and I’ve had girlfriend weekends where we just sit during a
blizzard and play cards, go for a cross country ski, and it fits everybody perfectly.” Down in the basement, Jen decided to carpet the entire floor, which is a somewhat unorthodox decision, especially for a walk-out right on the water. But, like all the other unique features of her home, it’s perfect for her and her family. Trevor remarks that the basement has nine foot ceilings, which made for a great area for gathering that wasn’t confining. “People can say whatever about carpet,” she says, “but we have grandbabies and we have a heated floor in the basement. The floor is really cozy and warm in the winter to watch TV and to play with the kids.” Their water is heated via an on-demand boiler, which is what heats the floors, too. Upstairs, the deck is also perfect for entertaining the younger family members because there is no access down to the water— an errant child would have to go through the house to get out of sight, so the deck is essentially a huge play pen for kids, dogs and
It’s better than we could have imagined when we planned it.” JEN LAVELLE | HOMEOWNER
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adults alike. This is where most of the activity happens in the warm months. And, instead of flying squirrels, the summertime puts them amid all the hummingbirds up in the tree canopy. One request that was very important to the homeowners was to have a deck rail that wouldn’t impede the view and Nicklason was able to ensure this. Jen even had the privilege of hosting her son’s wedding there at home. The reception was held in a pole barn on the property, but all the ladies got ready in the house because of the bright white lighting and open space. “The pictures were stunning and it was so fun,” Jen says. “We were able to have all these people—we had like over a hundred people in our yard. That was pretty special.” Modern homes can get a bad rap for being stark and cold, but there’s a peace in the simplicity and excitement in the smoothness that can’t be discounted, especially with the memories that come with them.
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FEATURE HOME
J
ason and Bethany Gusso feel a deep sense of peace and purpose when they’re at their home on Lake Ida. Even though their primary home is in Brandon, South Dakota, the couple know that they’re meant to be a part of this Alexandria-area community. “This did not happen without lots of prayer,” says Bethany. “I feel God led us to this location. We were staying at an Airbnb on Lake Ida one summer. We were on a walk, and we saw the lot was for sale.” Bethany and Jason exhibit an easy camaraderie, a mutual respect that frequently bubbles over into audible affection. They finish other’s sentences, telling stories in tandem like the team that they are. “We were in the market for a lake property. So we were thinking about it, but not necessarily looking to build,” Jason chimes in. “And so when we ran into that land …”
“It had been kind of a dream of ours,” Bethany adds, explaining that after camping along the Missouri River in South Dakota when their three sons were little, a trip to Arrowood Resort and Conference Center shifted the family’s internal compass northeast to the heart of Minnesota lakes country. “And then some friends of ours had a lake home that they let us enjoy for a few summers, and that's really where we got hooked on lake living, kind of dreaming and hoping that maybe we could do that someday.” Booking the Airbnb felt like a step in the right direction. The land for sale felt like a sign. The couple took a closer look at the lot and the lake.
Choosing a Community
“We had a mental list of priorities, what's important to us in our lake home,” Jason explains. “I like to fish, but fishing was really down the list versus lake quality, community quality. We have a very nice beach, but we also wanted activities to do, proximity to shopping and supplies, so all those things factored into it. Different people have different priorities. This spot checks all of our boxes.”
“Some friends of ours had a lake home that they let us enjoy for a few summers, and that's really where we got hooked on lake living.”
BETHANY GUSSO | HOMEOWNER
The property aligned with their priorities. So the Gussos started talking to the neighbors to see if the greater Alexandria community was the right fit for them. In one of those classic Midwest moments, they soon found a few familiar faces from back home.
“We like the bike trail, the park, and just the community,” Jason adds. “Our experience with contractors and suppliers was wonderful, without exception. Wonderful people — “ “—very friendly, a pleasure to do business with, just up and down the line,” Bethany finishes.
“It turns out that our next-door neighbors are also from Brandon!” Jason exclaims. “We knew they lived on the lake, but not that one of the only vacant lots on the lake is next door to them — as luck would have it. So we got to connect with them while we were there that week. And they kind of actively promoted Lake Ida.”
Turning a Vision into a Home
That vote of confidence helped. So did the fact that more of the couple’s friends lived just 10 minutes away on Lake Vermont — and the fact that Bethany and Jason enjoyed and appreciated all the activities the region had to offer. “We just really like the Alexandria area,” Bethany explains. “We like how they really invest in their outdoor recreation. Carlos State Park is nearby and the winery, of course.”
Obviously, the Gussos bought the land. They broke ground on a new home in May of 2025. They worked with as many local businesses as possible. “We're three and a half hours away from our lake home, and so it was important that we had a team that we could trust,” said Bethany. Clint Bachmann created the home’s plans. Clint owns CB Designs LLC in Alexandria and also serves as the company’s lead designer and drafter. Next, the couple looked for a builder. “We interviewed a couple builders and all of our references were very positive towards Northwoods Construction in Alexandria, so that's who we went with,” says Bethany. “Sara Godfrey Design was very helpful — and they worked well together. They helped us create a vision and helped us hone it.”
The builders called with updates and sent photos at key points during the project. The interior designer checked in with questions and clarified preferences. “It was remarkably smooth throughout,” Jason adds. “When you’re three and a half hours away, you can’t come every weekend to check on it. We never felt the least bit concerned or uncomfortable. I just felt like (the house) was in good hands.” “The homeowners were fantastic to work with,” said Clint Bachmann “They were willing to listen to ideas, easy to work with, and they had great expectations. it's always fun when you get somebody that's fun to work with.” The result of this fruitful collaboration is a four-bedroom, five-bath home that boasts 3,461-square-feet of flexible living space. “It's not a mansion,” says Jason. “But there is elbow room.”
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All the Comforts of Home
From the very beginning, Clint wanted the home to embrace the contours of the lot and enhance the water views. The couple wanted a house that felt like a home (in some ways, this property is similar to their house in Brandon). But they also gravitated toward those cottage-y accents that work so well in lake homes.
“I would say the house has a coziness to it, with the neutral palette throughout the home,” says Bethany. “We didn't want to go do anything too trendy. It’s relaxing and cozy. And it lends itself to the natural environment, too. It’s like the house feeds off the lake and the lake feeds off of the house. They work in tandem.”
“The question was, how can we make this a home, but still have a cabin feel? “ Clint says. “We wanted to maximize everyday home living for the main floor, but then also have a great space upstairs for when all the kids and family come home.”
This home doesn’t shout. It whispers, inviting you to look closer, grab a cold drink, sink down into a comfortable chair and stay awhile. Tiles gleam in a walk-in shower. The master suite’s nearly 12-foot ceilings boast handsome wood beams. Walk-in closets by Easy Closets (installed by Northwoods) whisks the couple’s wardrobes out of sight.
The entire house is open and airy. The rich, warm wood on the great room floors and ceilings enhance with the room’s cognac colored leather chairs and the neutral walls that unify the home. Expansive lakeside windows and a wide front door nestled within a huge transom window flood the space with light from both directions.
“It's very relaxing,” Jason says. “You walk in and a lot of the tension fades away. You just feel like you’re in another world.” The main level emphasizes that primary home energy. The kitchen is the centerpiece. “That nice large kitchen, that’s the homey part of it,” Clint says. “That island’s got to be 10 by 5 feet.”
“It's very relaxing. You walk in and a lot of the tension fades away. You just feel like you’re in another world.” JASON GUSSO | HOMEOWNER
Cottage-y, Cabin-Friendly Details
The interior is neutral and calming. It emphasizes the relaxed coziness that the Gussos and their guests gravitate toward. The exterior embraces more rustic elements. “What stands out are the cottage-like accents,” Bachmann says. “The shakes, the stone, and the exterior features that gave it a cabin kind of feel.” This distinctive exterior look evolved naturally. The Gussos initially weren’t sure what they wanted the outside of their home to look like. But the stonework soon became the home’s signature. “We were working with Sara, looking at exterior options, but nothing was really firing us up,” Jason says. “Then she showed us one that had stone. And the minute I saw that, I'm like, ‘That's what I want.’ I'm really happy we did it. It’s a little bit of an extra investment, but totally worth it.” All the exterior stone and the interior fireplace were installed by Thoennes Masonry of Alexandria. Bethany and Jason rave about their work.
“They're craftsmen,” Jason says. “They had to hand pick stone one piece at a time. It was painstaking.” The couple invested similar care in choosing their furnishings. They gravitated toward pared-down pieces with a sense of Scandinavian restraint made by Jill Arnquist of Bord. The fact that Arnquist’s business is based in Alexandria was an added bonus for this community-minded couple. “She welds, refinishes wood and makes some beautiful pieces, like the table in the entryway and our nightstands in one of the bedrooms upstairs,” says Bethany. “She also made the game table for puzzles or games in the bonus room.”
A Place to Gather
That bonus room is just one of the many places where family and friends gather when they visit. (The deck and the screen porch are also favorite spots.) This mix of public and private spaces is very much by design. The couple wanted to balance social spaces for conversation and more solitary places to retreat and unwind.
“We’re not big party people,” Bethany explains. “I mean, we like to entertain family and close friends, but getting away and having quiet time is important to us. So we tried to build several different places within the home for that.” And of course, there are plenty of outdoor spaces perfect for decompressing and taking in the views that drew them all the way from South Dakota. Bethany and Jason love to sit and watch the boats go by. They’re usually by (or on) the water. “We have a pontoon and a jet ski, and just love being on the water. But we don't need to be skiing or fishing, necessarily,” Jason says. “Drifting with the wind and listening to some nice music is a perfectly good way to spend the afternoon for us.”
Their black lab, Koda, joins the couple by the water. She has her own favorite activities. But luckily, they work well with her owners’ active lifestyles. “She loves pontoon rides,” Bethany says. “We enjoy walking the dog. We enjoy biking. We foresee using this as a year-round getaway place, not just during the summer. And so we do like to cross-country ski. The cold weather doesn't scare us away.”
Designed for the Next Generation
Jason and Bethany’s sons are 20, 23 and 26 and they’re all fans of the new cabin. The oldest two are married. So while there are no grandkids yet, the couple built the house on Lake Ida with their future family in mind. “We have that bonus room above the garage,” says Jason. “We were encouraged to make use of that space, and we're really glad we did. It's got three nice big windows, a lot of light. It's a cozy little spot.”
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Most days, it’s the game room. But it can also sleep a crowd or be transformed into a play area for little ones. Clint Bachmann tucked this flexible, 763-square-foot space inside a shed dormer along the roofline to give the family options. He partnered with Trussworthy Components in Pine River to maximize the space. “There was some real work we had to do with the truss company to get everything to work structurally, so we could get this cute, cozy upper level, fitting it within the roof lines while still maintaining lake views,” Clint says. “In the end, we kind of tucked it in, with a stairway going up and introduced an angled garage that would fit on the property the best.“
A Place that Feels Like You’re Away
The finished space allows Jason, Bethany and their guests to enjoy gorgeous views from all over the property. They don’t take this beauty for granted. “If you're not from South Dakota or somewhere else, you cannot fully appreciate the quality of the lakes in Minnesota,” Jason says. “They’re deep, clean. It’s pretty, with the woods and the trees. That isn't really what you get in South Dakota.”
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The water and the woods first drew Jason and Bethany Gusso across state lines to dive deeper into Minnesota lake life. But it’s the community that keeps them invested. Their home is their respite. They are grounded here, deeply rooted along Lake Ida’s sunny shores. “People who find out we go three and a half hours to our lake home are kind of shocked,” Jason says. “But for us, it's totally worth it. You feel like you're really away when you get there. It creates a sense of escape. As Bethany says, ‘The distance is part of the magic.” L&H
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LAKE GIFTS | SHOPPING | LAKE GIFTS
FOREST EDGE GALLERY 46461 295th Ave | Vergas, MN 56587 (218) 342-2681 | www.forestedgeartgallery.com
November 21-22nd Annual 5 Friends’ Christmas Stroll Five area businesswomen invite you for appetizers, desserts, beverages and holiday shopping.
Gallery Holiday Open House
CAROL J. SCHWANDT ALBRIGHT STUDIO Vergas, MN | Across from J&K Marine
Open by appointment 218-329-3648
Fridays & Saturdays in December December 4 & 5, 11 & 12, and 18 & 19 ~ always 11-5. Discover gifts in all price ranges while you enjoy refreshments, complimentary gift wrapping and customer appreciation prize drawings.
We are open Fridays and Saturdays through December 19, 2026 Forest Edge Gallery is a fine art and fine crafts gallery just 4 1/2 miles northwest of Vergas, Minnesota. The gallery features the artwork by the late Patrick Shannon, Helena Johnson, and Luke Fugere, as well as artists from the area and across the US. You will find metalwork, pottery, paintings, jewelry, fused and blown glass, laser art, and much more from many talented artists. We have art and gift items in all price ranges
www.forestedgeartgallery.com Hours posted on our website and Facebook
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Small handmade clay sculptures are just the right size to gift. Each one is unique.
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