Design & Living May 2019 by Spotlight Media

MAY 2019

COMPLIMENTARY

ON THE

e d i s flip Discover Area Homes That Have Undergone Big Makeovers

DESIGN & LIVING

TEAM

At Design & Living Magazine, our goal is to create a publication that is just as much fun to read as it is to view. Here are the writers, designers, photographers and contributors who so affably use their time and talents to tell a story and give our pages purpose.

HILLARY EHLEN PHOTOGRAPHER

Ehlen is an editorial photographer for Spotlight Media and owner of Hillary Ehlen Photography. She is a native of Fargo and attended North Dakota State University for visual arts with an emphasis in photography.

JESSE HOORELBEKE PHOTOGRAPHER

Hoorelbeke is a former professional baseball player turned photographer. He is the owner of J. Alan Paul Photography in Fargo and veteran, lead editorial photographer for Spotlight Media. Hoorelbeke specializes in editorial, commercial, architectural and landscape photography.

SARAH GEIGER ART DIRECTOR

Geiger is a MSUM graduate with a BFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design. She is the lead publication designer for Design & Living Magazine, Fargo Monthly and Fargo INC! magazines at Spotlight Media.

SARAH STAUNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Originally from central Wisconsin, Stauner relocated to the FargoMoorhead area in 2017. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth, where she recieved her BFA in Graphic Design and Marketing.

PAUL H. GLEYE CONTRIBUTOR

Opp is an associate writer at Sundog Interactive and a contributing writer for Design & Living Magazine. Opp loves supporting local art and calls Downtown Fargo home.

JOHN GUNKLEMAN CONTRIBUTOR

Gunkelman is current Home Builders Association of F-M president. He owns Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc., specializing in custom homes, commercial remodeling and residential remodeling.

CHRISTEN ANDERSON CONTRIBUTOR

Anderson is a Minnesota native with an eye for decor and design. She is the owner of Christen Joy Homes and is known for her exceptional remodels, expert home staging and accessorizing high-end living spaces. Anderson is also a passionate art collector, world traveler and home cook who frequently entertains friends.

TARA FERMOLYLE CONTRIBUTOR

Tara Fermoyle has made her home in Fargo, N.D., but loves to travel whenever she gets the chance. Since 2016, she has owned and operated Fermie Studios where she concentrates on interior design services and handmade ceramic art.

Getting TO W O R K

Dear Readers, The aisles of Lowes have become my new weekend getaway and the smell of sawdust, my new perfume. That's right, it's renovation season. After a winter of hibernation and, frankly just trying to survive, the spring welcomes a time to get our lives together. Cluttered living quarters are no longer forgiven and those projects you've been putting off have crept up on you. My fiance and I bought our first home in December, and in true starterhome fashion, we have a list of improvements we've been compiling. The first on our list was a new quartz countertop and tile backsplash to bring the kitchen to life. We took multiple trips to hardware stores, consulted YouTube videos to learn how to tile, and even executed a Craigslist transaction for a tile-cutter in a Family Fare parking lot. Thanks to a full weekend of work and a few orders of Bite Squad delivery, we have swept up the dust and are enjoying our new and improved kitchen.

WHAT YOU SEE ON THESE PAGES WILL INSPIRE YOU TO MAKE YOUR OWN UPDATES" Happy flipping!

ALEXANDRA MARTIN Editor

The home-improvement bug is in the air, whether that means adding hardware to your cabinets or knocking a wall down to create an openconcept layout. In this issue, we visited some drastic home flips and were in awe of the attention to detail that made these transformations so outstanding. No paint hue was left behind and no detail was overlooked. I know that just putting together this issue had me itching to make even more home improvements, myself (does Scheels Home & Hardware have frequent flyer perks?) Hopefully, what you see on these pages will inspire you to make your own updates, lend a hand to a friend embarking on their own renovations or even just follow along with one of the many area flippers we've highlighted in these pages.

2019

Design & Living Magazine

Becky Muller Social Media Coordinator North Dakota Interior Designers

Melissa Rademacher President & CEO Downtown Community Partnership

downtownfargo.com

We at Design & Living Magazine want to make sure that our content is accurate, unbiased and reflects the local home industry. That is why we meet with our Editorial Advisory Board, which is made up of representatives from local, statewide and national organizations. Each month, we listen to their feedback and discuss innovations in local art, architecture, home decor, interior design and landscaping.

Photos by Hillary Ehlen and J. Alan Paul Photography

ndid.org

Editorial Advisory Board

Rich Lahren Hardscape Committee Member, Past Board Member & Past President North Dakota Nursery, Greenhouse & Landscape Association

Chris Hawley Licensed Architect/Member American Institute of Architects

Krista Mund Executive Vice President Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead

Dayna Del Val President & CEO The Arts Partnership

theartspartnership.net aia.org hbafm.com ndnga.com 12

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

2019

contents

FEATURE STORY

MAY

28 On the Flip Side

It takes a certain eye to see the potential in certain properties. This month we are celebrating homes that have undergone successful flips. Move over Chip and Joanna, the Red River Valley just might be on its way to becoming the next Waco.

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

Dear Decorator with Christen Joy

Follow the Flip

Join Allison and Jesse Lunde as they turn a foreclosed Wahpeton house into their dream home. Learn about why they decided to embark on this task and follow along on their Instagram, @ MidwestRevivals to keep up with updates on this ambitious flip.

Find your Bostad

Spaces that Work: Wanzek

Locally Trending

Next Month's Issue Our community is full of professionals who work day in and day out to make our homes, offices and communal spaces beautiful. But what do their own homes look like? Join us in touring the homes of architects, interior designers, builders and other industry pros who know best.

In each issue of Design & Living Magazine, Christen Anderson of Christen Joy will answer a home design question posed by one of our readers. This month she discusses what areas to focus on for a flip home and how to bring a dated house back to life.

109

Scandinavian design meets urban enchantment at downtown Fargo's newest apartment units: Bostad. In the heart of downtown Fargo, these distinctive flats by Kilbourne Group deliver urban views and unparalleled access to the amenities of downtown.

Each month, we are excited to feature commercial spaces that work. Design & Living has always been a community resource to all things home and design. As more and more outstanding commercial spaces throughout town have caught our attention, we cannot overlook them any longer! This month we are looking at Wanzek and their new headquarters.

Join contributor, ceramist and interior designer, Tara Fermoyle, as she takes over "Locally Trending" this May. Within these pages, Tara shares a few local finds that you can incorporate into your home in the new year. This month, she features pieces from The Art of Seth, Emily Williams-Wheeler, Karman Rheault and herself.

Just Listed

Join us in welcoming a new feature in each issue: new listings! Keep an eye on real estate and design trends in our area with these delightful listings of homes on the market.

MAY 2019 Design & Living Magazine is a free publication distributed 12 times a year. Our mission is to showcase all that the Red River Valley has to offer in terms of interior design, architecture and landscaping, profiling the people that make these possible. We also strive to provide a quality and fun reading experience and improve the way of life in our community. The publication is mailed to homes across the US and has stand distribution throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

Publisher Mike Dragosavich

drago@spotlightmediafargo.com

Chief Operations Officer Steve Kruse CREATIVE Editorial Director Andrew Jason

andrew@spotlightmediafargo.com

Editor Alexandra Martin

alexandra@spotlightmediafargo.com

Art Director Sarah Geiger Designer Sarah Stauner Creative Director Simon Andrys Photographers Hillary Ehlen, J. Alan Paul Photography Videographer Patrick Thompson Contributors Christen Anderson, John Gunkelman, Paul H. Gleye, Tara Fermoyle ADVERTISING Associate Sales Director Neil Keltgen Senior Sales Executive Paul Hoefer

paul@spotlightmediafargo.com

Sales Executives Ross Uglem

Ross@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Zach Olson zach@spotlightmediafargo.com

Executive Sales Assistant Kellen Feeney Client Relations Administrators Jenny Johnson, Gigi McColm

clientrelations@spotlightmediafargo.com

Project Manager Alex Kizima Business Development Assistant Jennifer McColm VP of Human Resources Colleen Dreyer Business Development Manager Nick Schommer Digital Marketing Specialist Tommy Uhlir Office Manager Wendy Kalbrener DISTRIBUTION Delivery Bruce Crummy, John Stuber, Craig Sheets

Design & Living Magazine is published by Spotlight Media, LLC. Copyright 2019 Design & Living Magazine & designandlivingmagazine.com. All rights reserved. No parts of this magazine may be reproduced or distributed without written permission of Design & Living Magazine and Spotlight Media, LLC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. Spotlight Media, LLC accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by the advertisers.

ADVERTISING: 701-478-SPOT (7768) spotlightmediafargo.com Send change of address information and other correspondence to: Spotlight Media, LLC 15 Broadway N. Suite 500, Fargo, ND 58102 or info@spotlightmediafargo.com

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Fargo INC! is so excited to join forces with Emerging Prairie to highlight the Grand Farm, a push to create the first fully automated farm. We will be talking with industry leaders to look at how North Dakota is positioning itself as a worldwide leader when it comes to automation in agriculture. From talks with individuals like Howard Dahl and NDSU President Dean Bresciani to conversations with farmers, we'll covering it all as our state gets ready for the future of farming.

Summer welcomes the opportunity to get away from Fargo-Moorhead for a few days. We worked with city chambers to come up with the best ways to spend 48 hours in various lakes country cities. Follow along as we plan out perfect weekend getaways, and don't forget to pack your sunscreen!

Two of the nation's best throwers, seniors Payton Otterdahl and Maddy Nilles share a special relationship away from the throwing cages. Otterdahl is NDSU's first Division I track & field national champion and Nilles was an All-American in the weight throw this indoor season. We go behind the scenes with this Bison power couple and learn how they make each other great inside and outside of the throwing cage.

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Speci Agric al ulture Issue

MEET THE TEAM

STEVE

ANDREW

NOLAN

SARAH

JENNY

JESSE

COLLEEN

BRUCE

JOHN

ALEX

JENNY

SIMON

NEIL

MIKE

ALEXANDRA

SARAH

HILLARY

NICK

CRAIG

PATRICK

ROSS

JENNIFER

TOMMY

PAUL

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KELLEN

WENDY

HBA'S REMODELERS COUNCIL shines LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY by John Gunkelman

Left: Remodelers Council member Trevor Odden, Stone Ridge Builders, Inc., accepts the CADRE from the National Association of Home Builders in Las Vegas for remodeling the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Youth Home. The CADRE is the highest national award presented each year to local remodelers councils whose work exemplifies the best practices of the remodeling industry. RIght: HBA's Remodelers Council regularly performs local community service work like building handicapaccessible ramps for homeowners in need.

Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc. Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead

May is National Home Remodeling Month and I’d like to introduce you to the Home Builders Association of FargoMoorhead’s Remodelers Council. I have been a proud member for years! We are a small but mighty group of businesses who choose to come together for community service projects, to network and to better our industry.

5. The council organizes the Remodeled Home Tour, an event paired with the Fall Parade of Homes Oct. 5-6. It features area remodeling projects, offering a way for remodelers to showcase their work and for homeowners to get ideas for updating kitchens, bathrooms, basements and more. If you have recently remodeled and are interested in showing off your project, talk to your Remodeler, or contact the HBA at (701) 232-5846.

John Gunkelman is current Home Builders Association of F-M president. He owns Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc., specializing in custom homes, commercial remodeling and residential remodeling.

Here are five fun facts 1. The Remodelers Council was formed in 1990. 2. With over 40 members, it represents the HBA’s remodeling industry and is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders by paying yearly dues. 3. Remodelers join the Council to discuss industry issues, to get to know their peers, to perform community service and to work for the betterment of the industry. 4. Speaking of community service, we are award-winning on the national level! Our local group received the Council Award for Demonstrating Remodeling Excellence (CADRE) at the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers awards presentation in Las Vegas in late February. This award was for a community service project remodeling the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch.

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

"WE ARE A SMALL BUT MIGHTY GROUP OF BUSINESSES WHO CHOOSE TO COME TOGETHER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, TO NETWORK AND TO BETTER OUR INDUSTRY." Visit hbafm.com/remodelers to see the list of current members. Visit hbafm.com/ findamember to search the entire HBA membership by service. The HBA of FM offers many resources to homeowners looking to update their existing homes! Our members can assist with all your home renovation needs. Most professional contractors understand that homeowners may want to work on their own homes, but those pros have also been called to fix many do-it-yourself mishaps along the way!

Home Builders Association of Fargo Moorhead Nurture a thriving, innovative and diverse housing industry in our community

For more information, contact: hbafm.com info@hbafm.com facebook.com/ HBAFargoMoorhead twitter.com/hbafm

DEAR decorator WITH CHRISTEN JOY

T H E N O RT H FA R G O F L I P BY Christen Anderson | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

QUESTION: I’M CONSIDERING FLIPPING A HOME – WHAT ROOMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR ME? Thanks to the fabulous duo, Chip and Joanna Gaines, they’ve made flipping homes a task that anyone watching has said, ‘Hey, I should do that!’ My latest client thought the exact same, so let me walk you through a recent flip I’ve been working on in North Fargo to tell you a bit more about the important changes that not only brought this house back to life but also increased this home's value.

BACKGROUND ON THE HOME This North Fargo Flip was the home of the owner’s, Mike and Zac Wanzek— father

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

and grandfather. After considering selling it, they decided they wanted to create a house that would become a home for a new family to enjoy for years to come — so, they decided to flip it. This four-level split built in 1968 had great bones, however, the layout and finishes were in need of some major TLC. The Wanzeks enlisted me to assist with the selections and provide direction on recommended changes to ensure the house would gain value, be functional and appeal to the masses while still having some personal touches that Dad and Grandpa would be proud of.

FLOOR PLAN After a walk-through of the entire space, the demo quickly started with the removal of anything that wasn’t still intact. Once completed, we were able to gain a more idealist vision of what was needed and wanted; the real fun started by creating a fresh and open concept floor plan. Originally, as you walked through the front door, the main floor was divided into four rooms - kitchen, living room, a pantry and entryway. We immediately knew that ripping out the walls would create an open concept floor plan that would not

only create a loveable open space but would also accommodate future buyers who envisioned a large gourmet kitchen with endless natural light pouring in. Extra bonus: off the kitchen, we left the fourseason porch but planned a complete makeover for it. Upstairs is home to the master, two additional bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Considering most growing families enjoy having everyone on the same floor, we kept the layout while updating the closets to provide additional space for personal items. The large bathroom would be home to a new layout that provided better flow, function and key

BEFORE

for a shared bathroom, more storage. The lower level, home to another bedroom or office was near the spacious family room and second bathroom. Focusing on function and finding ways to include more nooks for storage, a new layout was constructed in the second bathroom by a strategic move of a door that allowed for both better flow and storage any homeowner would love! The basement was quickly determined to be an opportunity for an additional bedroom. We decided to add an extra wide egress window and walls to create a private

oasis. The old craft room next door would be updated with plumbing to create the perfect space for a laundry room.

touches that would be unique to the home while keeping an overall cohesive look and feel.

OUT WITH THE OLD

The long list of items that would be netnew included flooring throughout, custom cabinetry, tile work, lighting, siding, roof, windows, countertops, appliances and paint.

The Wanzeks and I started by creating a list of priorities that would bring this home from updated to move-in ready. We agreed that quality would not be sacrificed. The end goal would be for a homeowner to move in and not want to rip out a countertop because of the lack of quality, durability or feel that a selection was more ‘flip friendly’ than visually appealing. The Wanzek’s encouraged me to add special

Considering the length of this list, I’m going to focus on three rooms of this home that are overflowing with new selections and details – the kitchen, main bathroom and second bathroom. If you’ve watched your fair share of flips, you know these are key

areas for both return on investment and also where potential homeowners will spend the most time hmming and huhing on whether to buy or walk.

THE HEART OF THE HOME With the main floor now being an open floor plan, you are greeted immediately into the heart of the home - the kitchen. We wanted to ensure that this space would be a place that any cook in the kitchen or kiddo snacking at the island would love, so keeping this in mind, we were able to focus on a proper design and curated selections.

Remembering what the original kitchen lacked, we opted for custom cabinetry, which isn’t your typical choice that many would make when flipping a home, however, it is a decision I highly recommended. Not only do custom cabinets turn out beautifully, but the top reason I highly recommend them is due to the fact that they are unique to every home since they are designed to fit the space to a T while allowing them to serve at their highest function. We designed our cabinets to fill out the room by not only doubling the amount of cabinetry the original kitchen had started with but by also installing them to the top of the ceiling. Doing this not only makes the space feel larger by bringing your eye up, but it also allows for maximum storage, which was one of the aspects the original kitchen had lacked. Being able to add in details like soft closed drawers and a wine nook made choosing custom cabinetry a no-brainer for us, as we wanted to provide the future homeowners function and high-quality design selections.

showcases the white complements that continue to make this kitchen feel light and bright, yet airy.

Choosing a warmer white versus a brighter white for the cabinetry color was the direction I also recommended. We wanted our polished nickel hardware to sparkle off of the cabinetry, so the color we chose was Sherwin William’s Snowbound, which is a lovely compliment to the warm toned floors while still allowing that classic light and bright kitchen look and feel.

JOIN ME UPSTAIRS - THE MAIN BATHROOM

Speaking of floors, we ended up taking out the original flooring, due to excessive wear and tear that could not be replaced and invested in new, platinum coated laminate floors that run throughout the entire main level. Choosing this option gave the look and feel that anyone would mistake as real hardwood floors while allowing for the durability of a laminate. BOOM – functionality, highest quality and beauty at its finest! Due to this investment, we chose to keep all the original trim work and chose to match our new floors, in the shade of Aged Chestnut, to said existing trim work. The jewel of the kitchen is the beautifully oversized (83” x 48” to be exact), quartz countertop island. Whether building new or buying existing, we know homeowners today are drooling over large islands that are big enough for prep work, hosting, eating at or just admiring an oversized bouquet of flowers. So now that we had the space to create a beautiful island, we knew that the investment was a total must. This quartz countertop

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

Pairing this quartz countertop with the ceramic tile we used for the backsplash instantly brought this home from looking updated to feeling personally designed. From the very start, I was urged to design something timeless yet unique, and in my design opinion, adding this Carbon (a beautiful mix of bluegray) color backsplash was the final design element to help complete our overall look and feel. In a flip, most of the time you want to keep colors and accents neutral, however, The Wanzeks and I felt like this pop of color was done tastefully and complemented the gray veining in the countertop. Officially seeing the heart of the home now completed, we know the homeowner that was meant to live in this home will instantly love and appreciate all the details selected.

Improving the overall look and feel of the main bathroom was a definite must when working on this flip. Everything was demoed in order to optimize the space for future buyers, especially if they had a growing family. Ample storage, a new layout for better function and designer details are on the top of buyers wish lists and, lucky for them, we waved the magic wand! We started by refreshing the built-in cabinets located in the hallway outside of the bathroom with new cabinet doors and a fresh new coat of paint in Sherwin William’s Snowbound, which is the perfect soft shade of white to help tie in the upstairs and main living areas. We were ecstatic to find out we were able to keep and use these built-ins as we needed. This made sure there was ample storage as this serves as the main bathroom on the upstairs level. Speaking of enough storage, once we were able to determine a better flow for the main bathroom, a tweak in the layout allowed us to include yet another additional custom, built-in linen cabinet inside the actual bathroom as well. Going from the previous single vanity to a grand double vanity also made such a difference in this space, while still capitalizing

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on the need for ample storage. Rectangular undermount sinks, quartz countertops and a custom vanity mirror are just a few of the small details that allow this space to be move-in ready. With neutral paint selections selected throughout this bathroom, we knew we had to select a pop of color to incorporate somewhere. With wanting to keep the spa look and contemporary feel, we knew offering a soft, subtle light blue subway tiled shower would be just the perfect fit! We opted for a light blue-gray tile to help add color and interest while still keeping it neutral enough for anyone to love. And speaking of love, this linen floor tile is the perfect amount of texture and beauty to help tie this entire bathroom together.

DOWN THE STAIRS - THE SECOND BATHROOM Keeping with a cohesive look, the contemporary feel transitioned from the main bathroom also into this second bathroom. We started from the very beginning in this space and created a new layout that would allow for better use of space as well as, you guessed it, adding more storage. A strategic move of a door allowed us to utilize prior dead space that we could now use for a custom built-in linen cabinet for additional storage anyone would love. Moving the location of the original bathroom door not only gained us room for additional storage, but it also allowed us to incorporate a spacious, walk-in shower. Keeping with a

Meet Christen Anderson of Christen Joy: Inspired Interiors & Events. Each month, she will answer a home design question posed by one of our readers. Anderson is a Minnesota native with an eye for decor and design. Christen Joy is known for new-construction commercial projects, exceptional remodels, expert staging and accessorizing high-end living spaces. Anderson is also a passionate art collector, world traveler and home cook who frequently entertains for friends.

subtle and neutral color palette, we chose to tile the shower in a white subway tile and incorporated a pebble stone floor and matching nook for extra detail. We completed the overall light and bright look and feel of the bathroom with a fresh coat of paint, Sherwin William’s Silver Strand, that helped tie this entire room together and made our already featured linen floor tile pop against the subtle use of color. Added designer details like the spacious single vanity, quartz countertop, custom mirror and subway tiled shower quickly gives this second bathroom that instant "wow" factor by taking things to the next level versus going in a standard direction. Those of you who have turned off the television and taken a "go" at being Chip or Joanna know that flipping isn’t for everyone. A flip has the end goal of bringing a home back to its glory, yet most importantly it must also be neutral enough to sell to the masses and, of course, be profitable for those willing to roll up their sleeves and do all the heavy lifting. Good luck to anyone taking on any future flips — the reward can be very satisfying! Interested in the North Fargo Flip? Get on the list to be contacted first once this home becomes available in the coming weeks! Send an email to northfargoflip@gmail.com Cabinetry, Countertops and Mirrors Wendt Cabinets + Countertops Flooring, Shower Tile & Backsplash Carpet World Lighting Valley Lights

Join me on my Instagram & Facebook to see my latest projects and email me your design questions at christen@livechristenjoy.com to have the opportunity to have your question answered next month.

ON THE

e d i s flip Area Homes That Have Undergone Big Makeovers

With shows like Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper and Flipping Out, the industry for taking beat-down houses and turning them into stylish homes is trending. When a house has good bones or a great location, it's hard to resist giving it a makeover and re-introducing it to a new market of homeowners.

This month we explored the approaches and processes of various home flippers. How do you know which houses are worth it? How do you make and stick to a budget? How long does the process take? How do you land on design changes? In these pages, experienced flippers will provide answers to all these questions and more, plus you'll get a look at some pretty drastic "before" and "afters."

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

A Midcentury CHARMER BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY J. Alan Paul Photography

In the spring and summer, Mike and Sarah Liljestrand own and operate Holland's Landscaping and Garden. But in the off-season, they flip dated Fargo-Moorhead properties into beautiful homes. This April, they completed their fourth flip, a midcentury charmer in south Moorhead. Thanks to the Liljestrands, this three bed, two bath rambler is now ready to be someone's new home.

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BEFORE: A HOME FOR THE BOYS Built in 1955, this 6th St residence was home to only one owner up until now. The previous owner was a religion professor at Concordia College and he and his wife had five boys. Aspects of this house were reminiscent of the 1950s and hadn't been updated much since it was originally built. In the 1970s, there was an addition of a dining room space and then a sunroom in the 1980s, but beyond those extensions, the house was mostly stuck in a time capsule. Wood-paneled walls paired with tan old carpeting and wooden trim almost everywhere made the space closedoff, dark and dated. That, plus in floral

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

wallpaper and multicolored carpeting in the bedrooms, this space was prime for a refresh. ENTER THE LILJESTRANDS Sarah Liljestrand came across this house by chance at an estate sale. Charmed by the house's layout, she asked if the home would be on the market. Things fell into place and she and her husband Mike closed on the house at the end of January. Following the discovery and the closing, the full renovation process took eight weeks.

So what brings owners of a garden center to get into flipping homes? "Mike's dad is a builder and my dad is a builder. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in our families. My other side of the family are interior designers, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all in our blood," said Sarah. When Sarah and Mike were newly married, they added an addition to their house and enlisted the help of their fathers. "It was a full family affair and it got us interested in doing this kind of thing," shared Sarah.

Since getting a taste for remodels, Sarah and Mike have their eyes open for potential houses to revive. "Sarah has a great eye for design. [In this case] she saw that there was good potential here," said Mike. In this by-chance discovery, Sarah's eye and the appeal of 2,800 square footage had the duo ready to take on this flip. KITCHEN Before the remodel, the kitchen had honey-toned wood cabinets and cream laminate counters. In the flip, the counters were switched out for a natural-feeling butcher block. The bottom cabinets were refreshed with

white paint and accented by brushed gold hardware. The upper cabinets were removed and replaced with open shelves and a geometric grey and white backsplash helped fill the space the cabinets once hung above. New stainless steel appliances tie the space together and a custom wood hood over the stove adds a modern and unique touch. Sarah added, "I don't like upper cabinets much and we did the hood higher because I don't like bumping my head on itâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that drives me crazy!" LIVING ROOM The first plan of action in the living space was tearing up the carpet and revealing the hardwood floors hiding beneath. The other challenging aspect of this area were the two stone half-walls at

the entrance to the living room. Sarah shared, "Knocking down those two walls was incredibly hard. They were so well built!" In an effort to give up tearing them down and letting them remain, they attempted painting them over. Not satisfied with that result either, they went back to work on removing the stone structures. Once the half-walls were successfully removed, the space felt open and welcomingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;much worth the labor. The Liljestrands stayed loyal to their plan of keeping original aspects of the home in-tact. Built-in shelving on the wall were made new with a floral wallpaper from Hygge & West, creating a focal point and a piece of art, rather than just inset shelving.

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SUN ROOM ADD-ON The 1970s-built add-on of the sunroom was definitely reflective of the era it was built. When the Liljestrands first bought the house, the room's walls were wood paneled, making the room feel dark and heavy. To remedy this, they painted the wood-paneling a fresh white, reminiscent of the ever-popular shiplap method.

made from window film of a little boy playing the flute. "We left that little boy there because the previous ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s son made that. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special," said Sarah. Another kept detail was the parquet flooring, but with a cosmetic makeover. The couple noted that the original parquet was a dark color, so they refinished the flooring to a much lighter and more welcoming hue.

On the wall, they added a storage shelf topped with a live-edge slab from Dakota Timber. About this usage of the wood slab, Sarah said, "We try to use a lot of local things and local products in our homes."

IN THE DETAILS Beyond the sweat and manpower of refinishing floors and knocking down dated details, the Liljestrands carefully staged this home. The project isn't complete after the manual labor is done. With any home, how it is decorated effects how people view the space and how someone can envision themselves

In the sunroom, they kept details like a leaded glass window and a piece of art

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in it. "It's always a good day when the furniture is coming in. It's a good project, but there was a lot of sweat equity put in over those eight weeks. To finally see it together is really gratifying," said Mike. TIPS FOR FUTURE FLIPPERS As flipping homes becomes a trend across the nation, the task is not as easy as some of the popular home flipping television shows make it out to be. "It is a lot of work and some people don't think that," said Sarah. Mike added, "The physical aspects of doing demolition can be pretty taxing physically. Make sure to have extra help with that." The couple both agreed that refinishing the flooring was one of the most difficult and laborintensive parts of the whole process.

Another aspect that the Liljestrands emphasized was to keep a mindset of being open to anything. Sarah noted, "Always plan extra in your budget. There are always things that come up that you do not see. So we always have a cushion with the budget." Before starting on a project, Mike and Sarah plan out a budget and include some wiggle-room for surprises. To accurately create a budget, they walk through the house and itemize costs. "I always say we need to see things on paper and start itemizing, adding up and seeing that you fall into your guidelines," added Mike.

A Match Made IN HARWOOD BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen and Courtesy of Maggie Aslakson

DESIGN & LIVING | M AY 2 01 9

hen Maggie Aslakson embarked on renovating the Shure Lake residence in Harwood, she had its future homeowners in mind...she just didn't know them yet.

Fast forward to 2011, and Aslakson and her husband Derek had just purchased their first investment property in Gilbert, Arizona. They saw a great return on their investment there and were bit by the property bug.

Aslakson, or "Maggie Flips" on social media, grew up in Minneapolis and always had a love for real estate. "Growing up in Minneapolis, they would have a huge parade of homes, twice a year. They’d have a magazine full of the houses that were going to be on the parade. I would circle all the houses that I wanted to go to and my dad would drive me around to all the houses. And I just loved the design aspect, I loved everything about it," shared Aslakson.

With this excitement about renovations, Aslakson reached out to Valley Property Partners's Josh Koth, whom she had worked with before. She said, "I contacted him and I said, 'Hey I‘m really interested in this, it’s always been a passion of mine. How can I help you? How can I get involved?'" Koth and Jack Hoss from Valley Property Partners had a knack for discovering great properties and with Aslakson's eye for design, they made for a natural and strategic team. In

November of 2017, the VPP guys reached out to Aslakson and told her they had a home she could take on as her very own flip. "I hadn’t seen [the house], so I was just trusting them that it was a good investment. I had calculated the numbers on it, but you never know what you’re going to find when you go into it." Sure enough, the calculated planning paid off. With help from general contractor, Karl Kreutz from Kreutz Construction, this dream team made a dated house a home. Kayla and Lucas Cahoon purchased this renovated home Spring of 2018. The Cahoons are happily settled into this home nestled on the water in Hardwood

and ready to welcome their first child there. ALL ABOUT THE ADDRESS Finding that perfect home can be hard. This search to find a space that checks all the boxes is another reason why flip homes and renovations are so popular across the country. When Kayla and Lucas Cahoon were looking for their home, its location was a huge factor. "We wanted to be out of town and we wanted a couple of acres, at least," said Kayla. There are fewer homes out in the country than in Fargo-proper, making a perfect find in the desired area a bit of a longer process. In the Cahoon's house search, they came

across their future home when their realtor had them looking at a different property in a cul-de-sac just across the pond. With a mention that a home just along the way was being flipped at the moment, Kayla and her husband were immediately interested and patiently waited until the home was finished enough for a viewing. Before the dust of renovations had completely settled, the Cahoons made it through the door and knew it was home. "As soon as we walked in, I was like, 'Where do I sign?' I knew this was the place we had been wanting," Kayla shared. The Cahoon's three-year-old dog Remi can roam freely on the two acres of land around the house and enjoy watching the ducks on the pond alongside their own coop of pet ducks. Out in 50

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this secluded neighborhood, they don't have to worry about Remi running into the street or getting too lost. While living more remotely, the couple enjoys the camaraderie they have with the few neighbors that surround them. "We love our neighbors. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so cool that we are secluded out here but we still have those one or two people that always keep an eye on your house and each other," said Kayla. BEFORE THE CAHOONS Before Aslakson and her team graced this property, it was adorned with jeweltoned wallpaper, dated appliances, laminate everywhere and plenty of wood paneling. An opera window with dark wood banisters was a clunky separation between the upper level's living room and the dining space and kitchen area

a half-level down. In the remodel, this closure was opened up to allow the two spaces to interact more organically. Rust-colored tile flooring was replaced with rich, dark plank flooring and the entire kitchen was revamped with stainless steel appliances, creamy cabinets and metal pendant light fixtures. In her professional life, Kayla works at Floor To Ceiling Carpet One as an interior designer in the design studio. She said, "I work on remodels every day for a living. So to come to a house that had been done already was great." The Cahoons remodeled cosmetic aspects their first home themselves, so coming into a home that was already completed and completely updated was a selling point. HOME PAGE Throughout the process of flipping this Harwood home, Aslakson shared updates all along the way on her Facebook page, "Maggie Flips." Not

planning on using a realtor to sell the final product, she used Facebook as a marketing tool to get people to follow along with the flipping process and to spark interest in hopes of selling the home. While the Cahoon's did not find the home through social media, Aslakson enjoyed documenting the whole process and letting followers chime in with commentary and opinions. Working with Valley Property Partners and her husband, Aslakson also consulted the online audience for second opinions on style choices. From paint colors to countertop surfaces to cabinet hardware, she used her account to get opinions from followers. On this medium, she also shared numerous tips and tricks for other like-minded homeowners looking to spruce up their spaces. THAT FARMHOUSE FEELING Both the flip team and the current homeowners have stayed true to the

country, farmhouse style that this home is ideal for. The shared love of farmhouse details like the shiplap around the fireplace and the creamy white cabinets made for perfect touches to the designer and the homeowners. Aslakson noted that she wanted to build off all the natural light in the property and wanted that to play off the rustic details like the mantel from Dakota Timber and the natural butcher block island.

When you listen to everything about investments, they always advise to not let your emotions get involved, but you can’t help but when you’re picking out every part of the home and envisioning a family there." Going against advice to not get emotionally invested paid off for Aslakson, with each detail chosen aligning with who ended up in the home. "It’s so funny, I was hoping someone like them would end up there," she said.

"When I was designing everything I kept thinking, 'Who is going to live out here?' It’s a different person that wants to live out in the country," said Aslakson. She noted that most people who want to live a bit out of town tend to lean towards a more farmhouse and shabbychic aesthetic. She added, "I get so emotionally involved in these projects.

"That’s the 'why.' Knowing that your blood, sweat and energy went into something and now people are just loving it," shared Aslakson. Through the updates, this picture perfect location now has a fitting home to match and a very happy family enjoying each day there.

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A Country COMFORT BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen and Courtesy of Valley Property Partners STAGING BY Gathered. Boutique Rentals & Events

n a quiet Harwood neighborhood is a steel grey house with window boxes of marigold flowers. Behind its sunshine yellow door is an open-concept living space, decorated with a shiplap accent wall, a butcher block kitchen island and industrial lighting accents. But this cozy modern farmhouse isn't the new build on the block, it's Valley Property Partners' latest flip venture. This house was once a heavily-lived in time capsule that required multiple dumpster loads to clear out. To provide a much-needed refresh, Jack Hoss and Josh Koth of Valley Property Partners teamed up with Chad and Esther

Gunderson of New River Properties in this joint venue. In just six months, this team transformed this dated property into "home sweet home" for a lucky new homeowner. GOOD BONES With many flip homes, the property and location helped determine the success of the project. Koth said that the lot and the location were a big part of the appeal and that the home's good bones sealed the deal. He said, "Everyone likes an open concept. This space was already pretty big. We knew that with a couple of minor alterations structurally, we could really take advantage of that and

have a really great first impression when walking in and seeing everything laid out. We knew that wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be that hard to achieve, so that was our vision." The team also loved the privacy, yet proximity to town. Koth commented, "Harwood isn't seen as being 'out of town' or a barrier like it used to be." Just under 20 minutes from downtown Fargo, Harwood has easy access to Hwy 81 and is a straight shot into the city. A home in Harwood is ideal for a family looking for a quiet neighborhood without sacrificing the nearness to the amenities that cityliving provides.

Realtor for the project and frequent partner to the Hoss and Koth, Amber Nefzger added, "There are a lot of people who want to have something with a little more privacy and a good yard. This house is an ideal location for many people." THE RIGHT PRICE In any flip home, and especially to investment property gurus Hoss and Koth, staying on budget and balancing costs and benefits was carefully watched on this project. To keep this project successful, the team relied on the expertise of realtor Nefzger. Nefzger helped determine what they could sell

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the property for, thus determining how much they could spend on the rehab. After calculations, they work backward from there and map out what expenses are most beneficial to the end result. In coming out with a beautiful endproduct while also honoring the budget, Chad Gunderson said, "There was a balance. Picking out styles to trying to match what our vision was, but getting them at a price point that was reasonable." When your business is investment properties, figuring out this balance between making the stylish and structural updates you want and still

making a profit is essential.

washer and dryer just around the corner.

USEFUL ADDITION To be successful, a flip goes beyond new paint and appliances. In this project, the team made sure updates improved the livability of the house.

Nefzger reflected on whom they envisioned living in this country home, adding, "I like this addition of the added bathroom. Anyone who lives in this house is probably going to be an outdoorsy person that's going to be utilizing the extra garage and they are going to want easy access to that. I think that the laundry being on the main floor as well is a huge positive." The team put their heads together to make sure changes would allow the future homeowner to live with no qualms about the home.

One big decision the team made was removing a staircase and adding a bathroom by the side entrance across from the detached garage. About this, Gunderson noted that they toyed with a few different designs, but landed on turning the side entry space into a bathroom and storage area, with a

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CURB APPEAL All members of the team agree that the exterior of the house was one of the highlights of the flip. In a market where curb appeal is so crucial, painting the exterior, landscaping and adding a window flowerbox made all the difference. "The curb appeal of the exterior is really what draws people in. If someone is just driving by and sees the exterior of the house and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appealing, they are going to want to come in," said Nefzger. In the market of selling homes, it's what's on the inside that counts...but also what's on the outside. For refreshment of your own place, Koth noted, "Painting the door is one of the easiest transformations you can do to improve your house. It takes minimal time, but it transforms the look."

FOLLOW VALLEY PROPERTY PARTNERS To keep up with Hoss and Koth on their future projects, follow them at "Valley Property Partners LLC" and "FargoFlips. com" on Facebook. To learn more about investment properties and the financial details behind the work they do, tune into their weekly podcast, "REI Rookies Podcast," where they share their experiences with acquiring rental properties, building net worth and working towards financial freedom. Additionally, you can find Hoss and Koth the first Monday of each month at The REI Rookies Real Estate Investing Meetup at Keller Williams Inspire Realty in Fargo, and every first Wednesday of the month at Greenberg Realty in Grand Forks.

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Follow THE FLIP BY Alexandra Martin | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

Join Allison and Jesse Lunde as they turn a foreclosed Wahpeton house into their dream home.

fter being dissatisfied with the Fargo home they were living in for two years, Allison and Jesse Lunde were ready to take a leap and settle into the perfect dwelling. After looking all over, they finally found a beautiful eggshell blue home to purchase. The only problem? The interior was less than desirable...to put it very generously. The original listing of the home included no photos of the interior, a foreboding warning of what might lay inside the charming exterior. Ever curious, Allison did her research on the home and found

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out as much history on the property as was available online. To the excitement of her inner true-crime podcast enthusiast and the unrest of her homeflipper, she knew there would be some interesting tidbits to uncover.

would be on the interior. Other existing parts of the home that the Lundes appreciated were the enclosed porch, maple flooring throughout, the trim on the windows and door frames and the symmetrical, picturesque exterior.

Despite the 1980's pink bathroom with a shower that didn't drain, dog urine stained flooring and debris-caked walls, the bones of the home drew the Lundes in. Built in 1939, this home features sturdy poured foundation and a new roof and siding. These structural components allowed the couple to feel safe that most of the work to be done

By day, Allison owns and operates a full-service floral provider, Floret and Foliage, and Jesse is the Assistant Superintendent of the grounds crew at Oxbow Country Club. With no formal background in home improvement, these two make for an unlikely team for this project. However, they noted, "We had bought a home in Fargo two

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years ago and we were accidentally flipping that. We didn't want to, but cabinets were falling apart and the floor was ripping and we had to replace everything." They ended up sinking a lot of money into this house they weren't even keen on. "We had no experience other than working on our Fargo house. But I grew up with my father and if there was a project, he did it. It didn't matter how long it took or what it was. So I figured if my dad could do it â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all self-taught â&#x20AC;&#x201D; we could do it, too," shared Allison. As a way to keep their intrigued friends and family up-to-date on the progress of this huge undertaking, Allison created an Instagram account for the project: @MidwestRevivals. By keeping this account updated with discoveries, progress and even polls asking for opinions on finishing, the Lundes are

able to focus on doing the hard work, rather than spending time explaining each detail to the many interested people in their progress. Allison shared, "I figured posting on Instagram would be a great way to get it out there so that people asking me about it could follow along. I just wanted to keep people updated." Allison keeps this @MidwestRevivals account authentic. She swears, she shares sarcastic anecdotes on Instagram Stories, she keeps it real about the exciting parts and the struggles that come with flipping a house. Head to Instagram to follow along with Allison and Jesse as they celebrate triumphs and problem-solve difficulties. Whether you're in the midst of a home flip yourself or have always dreamed of being a part of one, following along with their process is educational, inspiring and entertaining for all.

FIND YOUR

Bostad Scandinavian design meets urban enchantment a t d o w n t o w n Fa r g o 's n e w e s t a p a r t m e n t u n i t s

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Across the street from the historic Black Building is a new delightful downtown remodel, Bostad Apartments. Within Bostad are 22 unique apartment units, located on the second and third floors of 117 Broadway. Inspired by Scandinavian design while also paying tribute to the building's heritage, Bostad blends our region's Nordic ties with a rich history of downtown itself. In the heart of downtown Fargo, these distinctive flats by Kilbourne Group deliver urban views and unparalleled access to the amenities of downtown.

From its construction in 1907, 117 Broadway was once home to Bristol and Sweet Harness Co., a harness shop founded by Frederick and Ida M. (Sweet) Bristol. When Bristol and Sweet moved to a location on 5th Street, this building designed by Hancock Brothers architectural firm was purchased in 1922 by Charles Reineke. Reineke was the founder of WDAY radio and he used this space to house his station there, which was the first radio station in the northwest and one of the first 100 in the nation.

New construction has become a part of Fargo's DNA as of late. As the downtown area expands and updates, we see new businesses and residences sprouting at every corner. While fresh and new is welcomed, there's something special about respecting what is already present and revamping a once-forgotten space into something new and dazzling.

This three-story building is a classical revival design with two recessed bays, separated by center and end brick pilasters, sitting on rough sandstone piers at the first story. These design aspects remain today and are preserved by Bostad's design choices. 73

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Kilbourne Group's Communications Manager Adrienne Olson said, "In a project like this — with a building that is over 100 years old—you have a lot of discovery to find out what is even possible in it. It was a fun design challenge for our team, once we decided to make this residential." It was important to Kilbourne's team to uphold the history of the space and let its original features shine. Olson added, "A beauty of these old buildings is they were built like bunkers and can withstand hundreds of years of serving the community. They just learn and adapt with you." Features that were added over 100 years ago remain and showcase the resilience of their fabric, also exhibiting timeless design choices. When walking into a unit, the eye is bounced from clean white kitchen cabinets in one direction to large black-framed windows skirting exposed brick walls in the other direction. While new constructions

often follow a trend of looking clean and almost sterile, Bostad marries the clean white lines of Scandinavian design with elements of texture brick and rustic wood to create an inspiring space unlike any other on Broadway. The textured exposed brick walls and the wood trusses of the ceilings emanate character into each living space. In living quarters, natural lighting can make or break a space. In creating the Bostad units, designers were aware that these downtown residences needed fresh air and plenty of sunlight. Since the building is long and skinny with windows mainly on the north and south ends, the team had to get creative with the ample natural light from the building's original large skylights. Olson added, "These skylights are pretty unique, you don’t see a lot of large scale skylights, especially in new constructions. Natural light can

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change everything." One unit even has a skylight in the shower, beaming in rays above its luxurious rainfall showerhead. With each unit being completely unique, thanks to the unconventional shape of the existing building space, one-of-a-kind details such as this are found in every one of the 22 units. Many of the aforementioned windows face views of the renovation efforts on the Black Building or scenes of the overhead power lines that strike power to all of downtown. These views celebrate Downtown Fargo, which boasts proximity to delicious food and phenomenal events combined with an ease of transportation and walkability. Surrounded by lively people, events and businesses, downtown Fargo is an ideal place to live for those wanting to experience all the culture this city has to offer. It's been quite some time since an apartment building with views of the city like this came on the market. Beyond what is already prospering downtown, these units will be next to the plaza of Block 9, providing even more things to experience. Kilbourne Group's 82

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marketing coordinator Hayley Johnson added, "It’s so close to so many restaurants and bars. Many people are choosing to live downtown and work downtown so their whole world becomes this few-block radius. The walkability piece is really attractive to a lot of folks." If you find yourself ready to adopt some Swedish into your vocabulary and call Bostad home, schedule a tour with Brian Carmona at Leasing@ChooseCentric. com to find which unique unit suits you. Options available include one studio, 17 one bedrooms, three two bedrooms and one three bedroom unit. Rent of these units includes electricity, WiFi, cable and utilities, all in one package. Since no two units are alike, viewing multiple units is imperative—and fun—for finding which layout works best for you. For more information, contact: Bostad Apartments 117 Broadway N, Fargo 701-289-7802 liveatbostad.com

S PA C E S T H AT

Each month, we are excited to feature spaces that work. Design & Living has always been a community resource to all things home and design. As more and more outstanding commercial spaces throughout town have caught our attention, we cannot overlook them any longer!

In July 2018, Executive Vice President of Wanzek, Rob Lee and Principal Interior Designer of BlueStone Interiors, Kim Manuel walked through a 55,000 square foot building recently vacated by TMI Hospitality to see if it could work as a space to relocate Wanzekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expanding office staff. TMI Hospitality had left the building's interior full of bright colors and bold patterns, reflecting its many hotel properties across the country. Together, Lee and Manuel came up with a plan to remodel the space in a way to create collaborative planning project rooms and means to have transparent communication throughout the offices. Lee stated that the vision of the remodel and relocation was to make the space reflect who they are and what they do. As a company that builds construction projects, the space includes rustic and industrial details throughout. About Wanzek Wanzek is a leading general construction contractor and industrial services company. Their mission is to provide the highest quality general construction, including industries of power, renewable energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and agriculture.

Utilized Resources A theme carried throughout all of Wanzek is repurposed scrap materials. In this new office, Lee wanted to consider incorporating materials from the West Fargo Wanzek salvage yard. According to Manuel, here they found the various textures and patterns in rusted metals and plates of steel presented themselves ideal for designing custom signage. Throughout the office, you can find rusted metal rings turned into abstract wall art, bouquets of rods in metal vases, oversized chains formed into decorative piles and massive wire spools made into tables. Due to the nature of the size and condition of some other favorite salvage yard finds, the team got creative in ways to incorporate them. One of the most successful concepts are the multiple 48" high by 96" wide metal sheets hanging throughout the building. Printed on these sheets are artistic photographs of textures and patterns from items found in the salvage yard. The end result is abstract and reflective of the company's work.

Words of Inspiration Lee wanted Wanzek's tagline, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Be the Bestâ&#x20AC;Ś Deliver Excellenceâ&#x20AC;? to be incorporated in the new interiors of the Fargo corporate headquarters. In the front entrance of the building is a substantial reclaimed wood sign reading this motto, partially in die-cut salvage yard scrap metals and partially etched into the wood. Words of influence continue throughout the building, with each conference room being named after one of Wanzek's values. For every conference room, BlueStone designed custom signs made of reclaimed materials that read out different values. Communal Spaces As a workplace that prides themselves on their company culture, the communal spaces needed to be thoughtful and practical. Once again, salvage yard materials were used to tie the space together. In the break room are many tables to relax and enjoy lunch or snacks. Some of these tables are made from the 36" diameter wire spools and were reconstructed to accommodate chairs and all be the same height. Also in the room are standing height tables with metal stools. Manuel shared that Lee was passionate about using a gridded sheet from a huge pallet of metal that they came across at the salvage yard. The BlueStone team joined with the shop team at Wanzek and fabricated these high top tables that were practical and incorporated the gridded sheets.

Working Smart While the aesthetics of the space are undeniably good-looking, it's also functional and conducive for the work. On the third floor, there are four rooms divided by garagedoors. Manuel shared, "The new planning rooms are adjustable for teams of nine and expand with opening industrial garage doors for up to four rooms to accommodate larger project teams. Workstations in these areas have dual monitors with height adjustable desks and mobile cushioned pedestal files to allow for ideal ergonomics." As teams for projects shift and grow, these adjustable rooms, desks and storage pedestals adapt to the needs of the team with ease. National Connection As a national, public company, Wanzek is much larger than just their Fargo headquarters. To honor that, there are touches throughout the building that showcase this. One of these elements is a wall of over 100 matted black and white photographs. Sarah Miller, Training and Development Manager at Wanzek, shared, "These are all photos of different sites all across the country and across the timeline for Wanzek â&#x20AC;&#x201D; some of them are quite old and some are newer. When people come in, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun to watch them try to find themselves [on the wall]." She added that many of the people who are in the pictures are construction managers or superintendents or others who are out in the field, so when they come to the corporate office they enjoy looking for themselves in these photos.

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Meet the Team Wanzek came to BlueStone for guidance on determining the perfect space and design for their new headquarters. Together, they worked closely to create a space that is both functional and representative of the company and its values. Representing BlueStone, an interior design-focused company under the RLE Group, was Kim Manuel and Megan Hanson. Wanzek's Executive Vice President, Rob Lee, represented the company and communicated to the designers his vision and ideas for the space. Also involved in this transformation was Chad Bartholomay of Bartholomay Construction, who was brought in as the remodeling general contractor for the project.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) KIM MANUEL, Principal Interior Designer of BlueStone Interiors MEGAN HANSON, Assistant Project Manager at BlueStone Interiors ROB LEE, Executive Vice President of Wanzek

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APRIL (SNOW) SHOWERS, BRING MAY FLOWERS BY Tara Fermoyle | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

We made it! Spring is finally here! Another winter is behind us and we can look forward to more sunny days ahead. If you're anything like me, around this time of year, you are itching for some bright sunny weather, tailored curb appeal for the exterior of your home, beautiful fresh cut flowers displayed in unique ways in your interior spaces and all the delightful spring colors and patterns you can find for inspiration.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE ART OF SETH Unglued $25 - $35

While you're working your way through your spring-cleaning list, opening all the windows, dusting off the pillows, getting rid of the old and adding new things for the season, consider the objects you surround yourself with and what they mean to you. The book "Fewer, Better Things" by Glenn Adamson is a thought-provoking read about the items we have in our lives, our connection to them, what they mean or don’t mean and how we might make better, more sustainable decisions on what we choose to acquire and what the life of those objects looks like. Consider upcycling old items in new ways, search out items that are inspiring to you, shop local artists and find a story behind each object they make or get out and connect with people in the community at one of the many locally owned businesses and create stories of your own!

This character-packed pair was the initial inspiration for this month’s title “April (Snow) Showers, Bring May Flowers,” the sweet red heart rainfall followed by the patient gardener planting and growing his crop are great images to have in mind when we long for our winters to end and are reminded of how beautiful the spring renewal season can be. Unglued carries many different illustrated scenes by this West Virginia artist, who by serendipitous events has found himself on the shelves of a shop in Fargo. Every time I stop in Unglued, I find myself flipping through the assortment of illustrations Seth creates. I love them all and there are so many options, I have a hard time deciding which ones to choose! Swing by Unglued, located at 408 Broadway in downtown Fargo, and see if you have better luck deciding than me! TARA'S TIP: When you find an assortment that you love, consider the different sizes of illustrations available to create a unique display on your wall at home. For a neat and classic look, frame your collection in simple contemporary black frames. If you’re feeling bold, look for different color frames in similar styles and frame each illustration in a different color.

MIXED MEDIA BY EMILY WILLIAMS-WHEELER Studio e “Seams Like Good Things Are Happening” 24” x 24” x 1.5” $450 “I’m Not Talking To You, Alexa!” 8” x 6” x 1.5” $300 (sold as a pair, not shown)

When I think about spring, or just need to be inspired by color and texture, I think about artist Emily Williams-Wheeler. Her work is so beautifully vibrant and tells a story with each layer of material she adds or takes away. Williams-Wheeler describes her work as, “Finding an intimacy in the pull of broad paint strokes and the delicate, thoughtful line-work. I am playful in my use of color, lines and drips. Light translucent veils intermixed with mark-making leave a trail of my thought process as each piece develops. Acrylics are paired with graphite. Encaustics (pigmented beeswax/natural resin) are sculptural. I sketch. I paint. I carve. I scrape. I build. I reveal.” You can visit Williams-Wheeler in her studio this month during her open house on Saturday, May 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., located at 215 N 10th St, Moorhead, Minn. Studio e shares a building with Theatre B and Old School Music, which will also be open for the event. TARA'S TIP: If you have spring remodeling projects or room updates in the works and feel a little stuck or unsure of where to start, try finding a single object for inspiration to get you started. This could be anything from a throw pillow, accent chair or multi-colored mixed media artwork. Use this inspiration piece to help guide you through decisions on finish options, textile additions or other furniture and accessory options for the space.

CERAMIC TULIPIERE BY TARA FERMOYLE Fermie Studios $180

Vases are one of my favorite things to make, maybe because I love having flowers around all the time and it’s a great excuse to have them readily available! This vase design is my interpretation of a modern-day tulipiere, or tulip holder. Ceramic tulipieres are historic vessels that were handcrafted to grow tulips, each spout or opening was created to hold one single bulb. Popular among 17th-century European elite as status symbols of wealth, tulipieres were very ornate in design, large in scale and would adorn the interiors of homes. While historically they were used to grow tulips, most tulipieres today are designed as vases to hold cut tulips for display. The tulipiere design that I’ve created has some local history of its own, this piece was stamped with an original ceiling tile from the Historic Dakota Business College. Located in downtown Fargo, the DBC was a small private college established in 1890 by F. Leland Watkins. The building is still owned by the Watkins family today and is home to local businesses. I utilize the pattern and texture of the ceiling tile to create a base layer of surface marks on the clay at a very soft stage, I then use those marks as inspiration to create additional patterns of my own. The form is created from a custom plaster mold, then assembled together by hand. I add detail and surface design throughout the many different stages of dryness the clay goes through. Small detailed marks are saved for when the clay is leather hard. The last steps are glazing and firing to create the finished piece you see here – just add tulips! Fermie Studios is located inside of 'Apt, a creative incubator' in downtown Fargo. You can see this tulipiere and

many more pieces by myself and other artists during our Final Art Market on May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 225 4th Ave N. TARA'S TIP: As much as I love real fresh flowers, these silk flowers are so perfect for long term display purposes. A person has to get pretty close and have a good eye (or nose) to tell that these are not real tulips. Give silk flowers a try if you have areas in your home that you don’t frequent as often, but would still like a fresh flower feel you can keep in place all spring and summer without the fuss.

METAL FLOWERS BY KARMAN RHEAULT Gallery 4 Metal Tulips $32 Metal Roses $28

How awesome are these metal flowers? I love the patina and the texture on the metal roses and the polished metal tulip pedals that are made from old spoons â&#x20AC;&#x201D; what a unique addition to any home collection. Artist Karmen Rheault creates these and other metal artworks at Snowfire Studio, located on her rural Moorhead homestead. Rheault pulls inspiration from many things including nature and creates work that reflects the rareness of naturally created things. You can find these and other work by Rheault at Gallery 4 in downtown Fargo. Gallery 4 has recently moved locations, visit them during regular business hours at 115 Roberts St. N., Fargo. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now a perfect time to get out and walk around downtown! TARA'S TIP: Display these upright in a vase for a big statement or lay them horizontally on a focal surface, working them into your centerpiece display. Mix and match your favorite metal flowers to create an arrangement special to you. Try adding one or two metal flowers to an existing fresh flower bouquet.

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For nearly 20 years, Catalyst Clinical Spa in Fargo has been this agent of change for many.

training and patient care here. Dr. Mathison is joined in the clinic by Taylor Fontaine, PA-C and Jen Blais, DCNP, APRN, as well as five aesthetic nurses and three medical aestheticians.

Catalyst is a multi-specialty clinic renowned for the compassionate care provided by experts whose life passions are to help their patients lead happier, healthier, more beautiful lives. The blend of cosmetic procedures and health services enable them to treat each patient in a unique manner and atmosphere â&#x20AC;&#x201D; inside and out. An oasis for wellness, Catalyst provides services from allergy and sinus, facial plastic surgery and functional medicine to laser treatments, cosmetic injections and dermatology.

A true artist in providing subtle enhancements to natural beauty, Mathison shared, "I love working with my hands. I inherited an artistic eye from my mom, who was a painter in the rare moments she wasn't working as a mom or a nurse. My dad was a surgeon too and he instilled in me a sense of responsibility and creative problem-solving."

At the helm of Catalyst's team is the aesthetic pioneer of the region, Dr. Susan Mathison. Educated at Stanford and The University of Texas Southwestern, she calls North Dakota home and brings a hands-on approach to

In choosing where to go, what makes Catalyst different? Patients choose Catalyst because they don't want to feel like a number. With a team that is led by strong ethics, the personalized touches that Catalyst provide make patients feel safe and confident in their services. In anything medical-related, patients want to feel comfortable and educated on what is being performed. Catalyst's providers

"Catalyst is second to none when it comes to spa services! Every time I go, I can trust that they will give me a natural look and not look like, 'I've had work done.' They truly care about their patients and will take extra time to answer any questions and educate. I've learned so much from my provider about my skin, health and more! Thank you, Catalyst!" - S.B.

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take the time to educate each patient on whatever problem it is they are experiencing and what routes are available for treatment. Mathison shared that their goal is to provide a great education to help the patient meet their health and beauty goals.

"Dr. Mathison and her staff are always so friendly and accommodating! She takes her time with you and gives you honest answers and options. She is the kindest doctor I've ever visited. I'm constantly referring friends, family and my own clients to see Sue and the other service providers at Catalyst!!" - S.M.

When you arrive at Catalyst, parking is easy, the walk-in is short, and the clinic is beautiful and filled with natural light and local art. A warm smile greets you at the door and comfortable seating makes your lobby-time enjoyable. Another thing Catalyst takes pride in is their speed of availability. Director of Marketing, Karisa Shuck, said, "We do whatever we can to get patients in within two weeks, even if that means providers and nurses working through lunches or staying late. Our team takes a patient-centric approach to absolutely everything." At Catalyst, beauty and wellness aren't just skin deep. Beyond just the services they provide in-house, the staff at Catalyst aim to be active members of the community. In January, they offered one of their twice-a-year free cancer screenings. To educate the community, Dr. Mathison wrote a column for The Forum for seven years, sharing stories and health tips. They are also proud supporters of area charity and nonprofit initiatives like Giving Hearts Day, Lend A Hand, United Way, TEDxFargo, Plains Art Museum, Impact

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Foundation and Dakota Medical Foundation. When they're not scrubbed up, they even get their hands dirty with the one-acre lots on either side of their building that they share with Growing Together and previously Farm in the Dell. With this partnership, they've helped produce thousands of pounds of healthy, organic produce from this land. Catalyst is the region's pacemaker, providing many exclusive services, expertly. They were the first to bring Botox to North Dakota, introducing its many medical uses beyond wrinkle removal, like treatment of migraines, excessive sweating and jaw clenching. Other unique services include miraDry, a non-invasive, permanent and FDA approved procedure that can take care of underarm issues like excessive sweat and unwanted hair; Emsculpt, a treatment that builds muscle and burns fat, all with minimal effort from the patient; and their state-of-the-art laser treatments address multiple, unique skin issues.

"Catalyst is a great place to go and find out if your allergies can be diminished. The gals that work there are number one, you feel so special by them, they listen to you and make sure you understand what they are doing at all times." -N.S

What's the one thing that sets Catalyst apart? To answer that would be a disservice to their whole enterprise. To assess Catalyst, you must weigh-in the exclusivity of high-end treatments like Emsculpt and MiraDry. Or reflect on the personal relationships between patient and provider. Or measure their dedication to giving back to the community. Catalyst doesn't stand out in one field, but in all, they touch...and that is the Catalyst difference.

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AN AMERICAN REVISITED BY Paul H. Gleye | PHOTOS BY Hillary Ehlen

Built in 1916 in Fargo’s Hawthorne neighborhood, this home is an excellent example of the American Foursquare style that came to define many neighborhoods, especially in the Midwest, during the early 20th century. By that time the ornate Victorian style had run its course, giving way to houses designed with symmetry, clarity and simplicity of plan. A foursquare home meant exactly that – a two-story home organized around four large, square rooms on each floor – on the first floor, an entry hall, kitchen, living room and dining room; and three bedrooms and a bathroom on the second floor. The decorated Victorian gable disappeared, replaced by a hip roof with the slope coming down to all four sides of the house. Large dormers could protrude from the roof slope. Victorian “gingerbread”

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also gave way to reserved Classical details such as the Ionic columns on the front porch, which hearkened back to Greek temples of three thousand years earlier. American Foursquare homes usually faced the street with a large front porch, and this home is no exception. The generous porch was a true American contribution to architecture, since European homes seldom had sitting porches, and homes in tropical climates often had verandahs extending all the way around the house. Many front porches in Fargo were enclosed at some point after construction due to the winter climate, but open porches such as this still enhance summer livability in Fargo’s historic neighborhoods. The square plan of American Foursquare homes easily fit onto narrow lots – typically fifty feet wide at that time. Large doublehung windows allowed interior spaces to be bathed in natural light, an important consideration since light bulbs were not yet very bright. In the years prior to air conditioning, the double-hung windows could be opened at the top and bottom for ventilation. Leaded-glass windows could soften the sunlight filling the rooms. Interior woodwork of fine hardwoods, plus maple hardwood floors, give this home an aura of permanence and solidity. Here the geometric patterns of Craftsman woodwork design, also in vogue at the time, can readily be seen. Originally, woodwork such as this was not painted but was brushed with shellac to bring out the beauty of the wood. In the 1920s, after the American Foursquare style itself gave way to newer fashions in home design, most old woodwork was painted, usually white, and floors carpeted. This large home, as with many others, was later carved up into apartments, and its restoration to single-family use a few years ago required removing many of these later “improvements,” including restoring the original woodwork and refinishing the hardwood floors. Historic homes in neighborhoods such as Hawthorne exhibit a pride of craftsmanship through fine materials and careful details that enhance the livability of the city. Many homes in the city’s core neighborhoods still await restoration, and this home shows what is possible through historic preservation.

Paul H. Gleye is a professor of architecture at North Dakota State University. His fields of expertise include historic preservation and urban design, and he leads the architecture school’s term abroad program in Europe each spring semester.

on the market

4225 Timberline Drive S Centennial Neighborhood | Fargo, ND | $899,000 Nestled in south Fargo's Centennial neighborhood, just minutes away from Microsoft and right around the corner from Timberland Park, is this modern-meets-farmhouse home. At 5,058 square feet, this spacious home and is ready for someone new to call it "home."

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This completely updated home includes Thermador appliances, new flooring and paint throughout, new AC & dual gas furnace. Thoughtful touches like white crown molding and dark statement lighting fixtures throughout tie the home together and make no detail overlooked. From first entrance, high ceilings and a wide, banistered staircase magnificently greet you as you cross the threshhold. Enjoy details of light and dark in the custom kitchen, with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances that contrast beautifully with the dark wood finish of the oversized island. Just steps away is a breakfast nook, accentuated with a black modern chandelier and a view through glass doors to the lush yard and patio area. To one direction, the kitchen opens to a majestic high-ceiling living room with a prominent mantle and gas fireplace, echoing the height and prestige of the three-pane high windows overlooking the backyard. In the other direction, the kitchen winds into a sitting area and a formal dining space ideal for a long farmhouse table. The first floor also invites you through black French doors into a private office with built-in library shelves, natural lighting and board and batten wainscoting. Upstairs, you'll find the master suite. The bedroom's contemporary wood-paneled ceiling adds depth and warmth to the room. Its huge walk-in closet with ample shelving is luxurious and the private bathroom features a soaking tub, walk-in tile shower and double vanities. Also upstairs are three additional bedrooms and a supplementary full bath. This home's basement is the ultimate getaway. Its huge family room features a gorgeous wet bar and is wired for a projector. Two additional spacious bedrooms and a full bath in the basement make for a total of six bedrooms and four baths in the whole home.

To learn more about this home or schedule a viewing, contact EXP Realty Realtor Tina Kraft at 701-239-8093 or visit her at tinakrafthomes.com Kraft works hard to stay on the cutting edge with the latest real estate technology. Kraft is customer driven and dedicated to achieving results and providing exceptional customer service. Kraft maintains a successful track record of closing sales through her ability to overcome objections and problem solving abilities.

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