InterOffice Inspired Interiors Edition 04 by Tellwell

OUR FOURTH EDITION FEATURES:

EDITION 04

Prairie Engineering Pg. 03 Wimmer’s Diamonds Pg. 06 Ameriprise Financial Pg. 12

INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022 | 1

Meet our new Owner

Aubree Leiser Aubree Leiser is a familiar face for anyone who has worked with InterOffice over the past 16 years. She joined the team in April 2006, and in just a few short years, her creativity and dedication to InterOffice’s clients earned her a promotion to Manager.

the background giving me support and business advice. I have to credit a lot of my career growth to him.” Leiser’s experiences in every level at InterOffice, from sales to design to management, have prepared her to continue growing and cultivating the company. While the new ownership will bring a few changes to InterOffice, Leiser promises that the company’s dedication to authenticity, connection, and quality will stay the same. “My hope is to continue to create beautiful environments

Now, she is adding the title of Owner to her resume. Leiser

for our customers to live, work, learn, and heal in, all while

purchased the business from architect and InterOffice

enjoying the design process and meeting amazing people

founder Kevin Bartram in January 2022.

along the way,” Leiser said. “InterOffice has been around for 20 years already. I want to continue this dedication to

“I have learned a great deal from Kevin. He has put a lot of trust in me over the years,” Leiser said. “He was always in 22 || INSPIRED INSPIRED INTERIORS INTERIORS BY BY INTEROFFICE INTEROFFICE || EDITION EDITION 04 04 || WINTER WINTER 2022 2022

customers and be around for at least 20 more years!”

Photo Credit: Bradley Slaubaugh

PRAIRIE ENGINEERING Bismarck, North Dakota

Prairie Engineering, P.C. has transformed their outdated space into a stateof-the-art facility that is as functional and modern as the buildings they help bring to life. Since 1983, Prairie Engineering has been involved in the design of dozens of municipal

in the process, Prairie Engineering has often overlooked their own. As the team grew, the office began to feel cramped. The space was not being utilized to its full potential, and there was not a designated, comfortable space to bring clients for meetings. When clients did visit, Engineer and Corporate Secretary Jeremy Butman felt that the dated decor did not reflect the quality of work they were doing.

buildings, hospitals, schools, industrial facilities, and more. Their mechanical and electrical consulting services have helped clients across the Midwest utilize the latest technology, save energy and money, and satisfy code requirements. The firm has spent the better part of four decades helping clients design spaces that meet their needs; but

INSPIRED INTERIORS INTERIORS BY BY INTEROFFICE INTEROFFICE || EDITION EDITION 04 04 || WINTER WINTER 2022 2022 || 33 INSPIRED

“It looked like we were coming straight out of the ‘80s,”

determined where walls would need to move in order to

Butman said. “We wanted a more functional space with a

better utilize the space. They handed over the updated

modern look and feel.”

floor plan to Hellman, who began compiling paint, tile, and furniture samples–and the end result is a space that is

Before

Fortunately, Butman knew just who to call.

almost unrecognizable.

“We had worked with Kyle Hellman at InterOffice on

“The transformation that took place over the past few

many projects in the past,” Butman said. “He has always

months has turned this space from a 1980s office to

been very responsive when we’ve had questions, even

a modern workplace that everyone can now enjoy,”

before we were customers. I know that if there is an issue,

Hellman said.

they are going to take care of it. That’s why we contacted him first.”

When you walk in the door, the first thing you notice is contrast. White accent trim pops against gray geometric

After

With that trust already in place, Butman and Hellman got

carpet tile. Herman Miller Swoop Plywood Lounge

straight to work. Butman’s team at Prairie Engineering first

Chairs provide a comfortable place for clients to sit while

“

It was time for not only an aesthetic update, but an ergonomic one. - Jeremy Butman

Engineer and Corporate Secretary

”

Adjustable Desks and Aeron Chairs have quickly become a

unexpected touches, you can transform your existing space in just

favorite addition among Prairie Engineering employees.

a few months.

“It was time for not only an aesthetic update, but an ergonomic

“The one comment I’ve heard when people walk in is, ‘Wow it’s

“We painted some areas of the ceiling black,” Butman said. “I got

one,” Butman said. “We realized that the workspaces, though they

really modern in here,’” Butman said. “So I definitely believe we

a lot of weird looks when I said we were going to do that, but it

were functional, weren’t the greatest for employee use. We wanted

accomplished our goal.”

turned out really nice.”

to provide better workspaces for our folks.”

A Herman Miller Headway Table and Exemplis Hexy Conference

With this renovation, Prairie Engineering has proven that you don’t

Room Chairs compose a conference room that reflects the

always need to start from scratch to create an environment that

professionalism and tech-forward attitude that Prairie Engineering

suits your needs. By intentionally utilizing your square footage,

is known for. Down the hallway, Herman Miller Motia Height

considering both clients’ and employees’ needs, and adding a few

also creating a welcome contrast to all of the sharp angles. But for the real surprise, you must look up.

INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022 | 5

WIMMER’S ENCLAVE DIAMONDS

Fargo, North Dakota

Photo Credit: Britta Trygstad

Photo Credit: Britta Trygstad

INTERIORS AT WORK

WIMMER’S DIAMONDS Fargo, North Dakota

For more than a century, Wimmer’s Diamonds has been helping the FargoMoorhead community celebrate some of life’s biggest moments. Now, with a new showroom that’s as glamorous as the gems themselves, this fourth-generation family business is celebrating the beginning of a new era. When Hungarian immigrant and craftsman Fred Wimmer opened the doors to Fargo Jewelry Manufacturing Co. in 1919, he never could have imagined the ways that his little shop, or the jewelry industry as a whole,

would evolve in the century to come.

the family business, he knew it was time for Wimmer’s Diamonds to change, too–starting

The business shifted its focus from

with location. To give the business a fresh

manufacturing to retail with the next

start, Wimmer decided to consolidate the two

generation, beginning an enduring legacy of

locations and relocate to a single showroom in

hand-selecting the highest quality fine jewelry

south Fargo.

and providing exceptional service and support. This is the business that Aaron Wimmer,

“I wanted to streamline things,” Wimmer said.

Fred’s great-grandson, learned as a young

“I wanted to have our team and inventory

child.

under one roof.”

Wimmer grew up watching his father and

But consolidating into one location was only

uncle, who operated Wimmer’s Diamonds’

the first step. In order to compete with the

flagship storefront in downtown Fargo and

ever-growing online market, Wimmer knew

second location in West Acres shopping mall.

that this showroom would have to be unlike

He watched as trends changed, as demand

anything Wimmer’s Diamonds had built

for diamonds ebbed and flowed, and as the

before.

downtown Fargo community evolved around them.

“Anything that you need in this day and age you can buy online, even jewelry,” he said.

When it came time for Wimmer to take over

“The experience is the one thing you cannot

INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022 | 7

ever get when you’re buying online. We need to create

the showroom to feel warm and inviting, like we are

a positive experience from the moment they walk in the

inviting clients into our own home.”

door.” Hidden from view of the main entry, the lounge feels To achieve this, Wimmer enlisted help from InterOffice.

more like a living room than a retail space. LaBay and

Workspace Experts Melissa LaBay and Jolynn Kaldor

Kaldor selected plush furnishings, including an OFS Heya

worked with Wimmer to select all furniture and finishes,

High-Back Loveseat and Bistro Stools, in rich colors and

from floor to ceiling.

fabrics.

The focal point of the space is a lounge area that his

“Incorporating a variety of materials, finishes, and textures

team uses for private client consultations. Wimmer

helps make the environment less commercialized and

wanted to create an environment that is as welcoming as

more homey,” LaBay said.

it is luxurious; a space that says diamonds can truly be anyone’s best friend. “The industry has made diamonds and jewelry seem stuffy and unapproachable,” Wimmer said. “We wanted 8 | INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022 8 | INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022

As an homage to the business’s early-20th century origins, LaBay proposed an unexpected Art Deco aesthetic for the entire showroom.

ART & ACCESSORIES

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Interofficend.com INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022 | 9

“Wimmer’s is a fourth-generation family business that

key element to achieve a cozy ambiance,” LaBay said.

first opened during the Art Deco era,” LaBay said. “Plus,

The overall effect is a 1920s-inspired showroom that even

Art Deco style is characterized by jewel tones, luxurious

Jay Gatsby himself would envy, and the finishing touch is

materials, metal finishes, and geometric forms, which to

a piece of Wimmer’s Diamonds’ history. An exterior door

me aligns well with jewelry.”

from one of the business’s original buildings is now inlaid in the wall and adorned with a lit picture of the old store.

Touches of gold can be found at every turn, from the

For Wimmer, it’s like literally peering into the past.

cabinet and drawer hardware to the glittering quartz countertops. LaBay and Kaldor selected a black wall

“I don’t think that I’ve really stopped to look at this

covering emblazoned with an angular gold print that is

beautiful new store to take it all in until now,” Wimmer

reflected in the carpet. The wood-grain luxury vinyl tile is

said. “It’s certainly an honor to be able to carry on my

veined with gold, while candelabras glisten from the ceiling

family’s legacy.”

in key areas throughout the showroom. “Appropriate furniture and finishes helps, but lighting is the

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INTERIORS AT WORK

AMERIPRISE FINANCIALN Fargo, North Dakota

Building, decorating, and furnishing a new office from scratch is a daunting process in the best of times. So when a global pandemic threatened to render one client’s move impossible, InterOffice was there to get the job done. Angie McCarthy, a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial, was scheduled to move into her new Fargo office in March 2020. McCarthy had worked with InterOffice Workspace Experts Jolynn Kaldor and Sheila Hanson to identify a color palette, draw up floor plans, and select furniture for the new space. The project had gone off without a hitch; all that was left to do was deliver the furniture and install a few finishing touches. Then, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Having just returned from an international vacation when the first travel precautions were imposed, McCarthy was forced to quarantine for the entire week of the move. As a business owner, it was difficult to relinquish control during such a pivotal time; fortunately, McCarthy knew she could trust the process to Kaldor, Hanson, and the entire InterOffice team. “I felt confident that everything was scheduled and would get done in my absence,” McCarthy said. “All

my staff had to move were their own paper files. InterOffice did everything else. They allowed me to focus on supporting my team during that difficult time.” Even before the pandemic turned the entire process upside down, this project had already proven to be a unique one for InterOffice. “We normally give the client a couple of different color options

Photo Credit: Britta Trygstad

AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL Fargo, North Dakota

INSPIRED INTERIORS INTERIORS BY BY INTEROFFICE INTEROFFICE || EDITION EDITION 04 04 || WINTER WINTER 2022 2022 || 13 13 INSPIRED

to choose from and they select from one of those options,” Hanson said. “With Angie, once she selected a color palette that she liked, we ran with it. She had a lot of input as to what she wanted including a few upgrades to help warm up the space such as lighting, wallcovering, art, and area rugs.”

“

McCarthy came to InterOffice with a very particular vision in mind, and it was up to Kaldor and Hanson to bring her vision to life. She wanted clean, classic lines and a neutral palette, with pops of color and modern touches. Warm grays and rich brown wood 14 || INSPIRED INSPIRED INTERIORS INTERIORS BY BY INTEROFFICE INTEROFFICE || EDITION EDITION 04 04 || WINTER WINTER 2022 2022 14

form the basis of the office, while Ellary chairs from Paul

The space itself is light and neutral, but the accent wallcovering, light fixtures, and furniture provide a modern flair. - Angie McCarthy

Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial

”

Brayton and artwork from Leftbank Art tie in the Ameriprise blue. As an avid traveler, McCarthy would bring photographs of elements she admired in hotels and businesses around the world to serve as inspiration. One particular photograph led Kaldor and Hanson to the navy and gold-patterned Calabria Silhouette wallcovering from Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, which would later become the focal point of McCarthy’s reception area. McCarthy’s wish list also included decorative fireplace tile and hanging pendant lights, to give the office a cozy, intimate feel.

“The reception area is very welcoming with the

gathering space for team lunches. But McCarthy has

double-sided fireplace and porcelain tile in a carrara

a bigger vision for the space; when it is safe to do

marble pattern,” Kaldor said. “The space itself is

so, she hopes to host a variety of public events, like

light and neutral, but the accent wallcovering, light

monthly trivia nights for charity.

fixtures, and furniture provide a modern flair.” While the ongoing pandemic has prevented the On the other side of the fireplace is McCarthy’s

Ameriprise team from taking full advantage of The

favorite part of the office: an entertainment and

Commons, it did not stop McCarthy from creating

collaborative space dubbed The Commons. A full

the office of her dreams.

kitchen is built around a solid quartz counter, while Lumin barstools from Sit On It and swivel chairs

“We spend so much of our lives at work, it’s

from Paul Brayton provide a variety of seating

important to have a place where you can feel

options.

comfortable,” McCarthy said. “No matter how many hours a week I spend here, I can take pride in this

For now, The Commons primarily serves as a

Fargo

1630 1st Ave N Suite A, Fargo, ND 58102 M-TH: 8:00AM - 5:00PM F: 8:00AM - 1:00PM Phone: (701) 232-3013

Bismarck

920 E Front Ave, Bismarck, ND 58504 M-TH: 8:00AM - 5:00PM F: 8:00AM - 1:00PM Phone: (701) 751-2998

NEWS INTEROFFICE

Meet some of the Team

#GetToKnowIO Sarah

Workspace Expert

Hannah

Interior Design Intern 16 | INSPIRED INTERIORS BY INTEROFFICE | EDITION 04 | WINTER 2022

Barb

Project Manager

Sheila

Residential Expert

Levi

Workplace Expert

Jordan

Project Manager

InterOffice Inspired Interiors Edition 04

Articles inside

Prairie Engineering