DESIGN&LIVING HOME
When we found out these two nominees were married, we knew we had to visit their home and see how two creative minds have merged. Married for 11 years, the Knutsons are Minot, N.D. natives and moved to Fargo in 2005. Rebecca Knutson has been an interior designer and cabinet department manager at Floor to Ceiling for the past 11 years, while Steve Knutson is a working artist and has also been an art teacher at Discovery Middle School for the past nine years. Together they live with their three-year-old daughter Ruby, their four-month-old son Henley and their Jack Russell Terrier named Indie. ALL IN THE FAMILY When we sat down with their family at their home, we asked them what it feels like to have them both be nominated by their community. "We thought it was funny to have us both nominated, so we've been kind of jabbing each other, joking about who's going to win," laughed Rebecca Knutson. "It doesn't really matter, though, it's just cool to be nominated. I was really proud of Steve for getting the nomination and was really surprised for my nomination. It's been really fun to watch him grow. It's been pretty much hardcore for him over the last three to four years. Since Ruby was born, we joked that she was kind of his lucky penny. For whatever reason, everything took off for him career-wise that summer. Me being at Floor to Ceiling for 11 years, I've built up 11 years worth of clients, so Fargo has been really good to us."
"I was happy, it's been my second year in a row being nominated," said Steve Knutson. "Just the thought that I was actually on people's thoughts. You're stuck in your studio and you don't really think about anything other than getting the work that you have to do done. It's a pleasant surprise when people appreciate what you do and want to show that appreciation by nominating you. It's an honor." AT HOME With both Rebecca and Steve Knutson growing up in older homes, they knew they wanted an older home for their own growing family. "When we found the house, what I loved is that all of the original trim was still here," said Rebecca Knutson. "Obviously being super young, we had to be able to afford any upkeep, so the house was in really good shape structural-wise. But, it just needed a lot of finishes, which is easier to do. So it's been kind of fun to remodel it. Just the character of the house, the moldings, the details, we lucked out with the layout. The layout is a lot better than what you'd find in most older homes and we get a whole master suite." Located in North Fargo's quaint Horace Mann neighborhood, the Knutsons cannot imagine living anywhere else. "We're in love with the neighborhood," said Steve Knutson. "In the summer, you hear the games at Jack Williams stadium and RedHawks games and you just feel that there's so much happening around
BEFORE Exterior Having recently remodeled the front of the home, the Knutsons are slowly working on the interior slowly, taking on one room at a time. "We're patiently waiting to do the kitchen, then the next step is to tear down the garage and do a third stall with the second story and then Steve's studio will go out there," said Rebecca Knutson.
here. You know you're in Fargo, but it feels like you're in a smaller version of Fargo. There's that small town feel. Also growing up in our old neighborhoods that we did, with these huge trees, we knew we had to live down here. We love the big tree in the backyard." For Rebecca Knutson, the best part is the friendly neighborhood. "It helps that our neighbors are awesome with young families," said Rebecca Knutson. "Ruby can just run next door and play with them. There's one thing that we could never get over if we moved. Since we're right next to the river, there's a running path right along the river. We're also right by downtown."
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