Minnesota Home Magazine 2020

2020

M AG A Z I N E

Build | Buy | Remodel

Re•imagine Re•surface Re•design

We realize your home is your most valuable asset and understand the stress associated with purchasing or refinancing a home.

Guiding you through the entire process, assuring you are protected.

13954 Cypress Drive, Suite 200 Baxter, MN 56425 218-829-4450 | www.elitetitle.co

MAG A Z I N E

PUBLISHER

Pete Mohs PROJECT MANAGER

Linda Hurst CONTENT COORDINATOR

Sarah Herron GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Lisa Henry Morales COPY EDITOR

Possibilities

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

I always wanted a home with a secret door that lead to a hidden room or passage. We’ve all seen the movies where you pull the fireplace poker handle and the curio case slides to the side. Or the third book on the fourth shelf is really the lever that opens the door into another room. But I don’t live in a gothic mansion and such things are just not reality, right? Not quite.

This might sound like fanciful wishes and fantasy, but you’d be surprised at what can be found in local houses. Yes, here in central Minnesota. There’s a home where you walk past an ordinary broom closet not realizing it’s really the ladder to the children’s “playhouse” which overlooks the living room. In another, if you know just which “knot” in the knotty pine paneling holds the latch, you’ll open the doorway leading to a guest suite. Pretty cool!

Let your imagination run wild as you plan your build or remodel. It doesn’t have to be as elaborate as secret rooms and passages. Maybe it’s as simple as a light switch camouflaged by a door latch so the light turns on when you enter the room.

Or hiding a door in the paneling under the staircase so it can be used for storage or kids’ playroom.

Our local builders can be quite ingenious when it comes to creative customized spaces within your home. Work with them to inspire you and your finished building project could be the stuff dreams are made of.

Project Manager Linda Hurst with her dog Ginger

DeLynn Howard Contact us: Advertising:

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Minnesota Home Magazine 506 James St., Brainerd, MN 56401 Minnesota Home is a trademarked magazine published by Brainerd Dispatch, a Division of Forum Communication Corp.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. ® 2017

2020

4 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 5

Contents 2020

FEATURES

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

8 Trends

24 PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Remodel Your Kitchen

Popular building, design and decor trends moving into 2020.

by Minnesota Home Staff

14 Water Features

Options to bring the beauty, fun and tranquility of water into your backyard.

by Kori Flowers

36 Specialized Storage

Reimagine, resurface, redesign your kitchen.

by Sheila Helmberger

Innovative ways to incorporate more storage and maximize space.

by Lisa Henry Morales

42 Good Bones

What to look for when considering a home for remodel. Sometimes you just need to imagine the possibilities.

by Linda Hurst

54 Home Security

49 PHOTO COURTESY OF BARATTO BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION

Windows That Wow Bringing in natural light never goes out of style.

by Nicole Stracek

58 Master Bed & Bath Remodel Must Haves

North Country Custom Builders is dedicated to crafting state-of-the-art homes with carefully selected materials able to withstand our famous Minnesota four seasons. No matter the size of the project, they are passionate about the many beautiful homes they have constructed throughout the Brainerd lakes area. With each custom home project they design and build, the homeowner’s dreams are kept at the forefront during each stage of the proccess.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS 6 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

From the process of the build to the materials and the way the home functions for years to come.

by Sarah Nelson Katzenberger

64 Must Have Marketplace

ON THE COVER

Peace of mind while you’re away can be at your fingertips.

by Sarah Nelson Katzenberger

Unique finds for your home or cabin.

by Linda Hurst

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 7

High Contrast The goal of brightening up a room isn’t anything new, however, using contrasting colors to get the job done is a little bit of a twist — and we’re loving it. Light neutral colors look even brighter next to deep browns and sharp blacks. Minimalism is key here. By selecting a few bold-colored items against stark white or muted tones can created interesting focal points in an otherwise bland room.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Trends

By Minnesota Home Staff

8 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 9 20120|

Upgraded Mudrooms

Mudrooms are very popular especially for families and pet owners.

There’s good reason for that. Mud. No one wants mud tracked through the house, but some have taken it a step further by combining it with the laundry room. So now when you come in off the trails whether bike, ATV or horse, the clothes can go straight into the wash.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Semi-industrial Create an stunning spaces with industrial elements like subway tile, flat blacks, exposed plumbing and heavyduty fixtures. Keep it down-to-earth by adding warm wood colors and some greenery.

Pet Wash Stations A pet washing station in the mudroom is a convenient alternative to trecking through the house — especially if Fido has been out in the spring mud. With many mudrooms already equipped for plumbing, a dog washing station is typically an easy add-on.

10 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

PHOTOS COURTESY OF J.A.G. INTERIOR SOLUTIONS PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Glass Showers You can create a bright airy feel to a small bathroom with a glass shower making the appearance of space larger. You can create an even larger-looking space by using frameless glass.

Unique Tile Patterns Interesting tile patterns continue to emerge throughout the home. From floor to ceiling, from kitchen to bathroom, tile is making a big statement and will continue to grow in the next few years.

FREE ESTIMATES FREE DELIVERY (218)963-7470 • NISSWA

“Quality Materials To Serve You Better” 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 11

Polished Natural Elements

Adding natural elements to home decor is more popular than ever with builders and designers finding new creative ways to incorporate them. They’re mixing high polished metals, stone and wood with accents of distressed rough-looking pieces creating spaces that are rugged, yet sophisticated.

PHOTO BY RICK HAMMER COURTESY OF LANDS END DEVELOPMENT

Rugged Chic The kitchen above demonstrates the rugged chic look with a unique blending of materials. From the scrap metal stools, to the deer antler pendant lights polished in a metallic finish.

Personalized Cabinetry You’ve probably heard of taking dressers and turning them into vanities, but the sink (left) created from a sewing table is truly unique and takes repurposing to a new level.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID RIPPLINGER

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PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

YOUR TREES, OUR PASSION.

Preserving trees for generations to come.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARATTO BROTHERS

Insulated Outswing Garage Doors A true nod to rustic-style homes is the outswing garage door (think opening like a barn door). As homeowners become more energy-efficient, they’re also adding more insulated garage doors to the list. It can raise your temperature as much as 10 degrees.

Our team of Certified Arborists can take care of all your tree care needs.

Our services include:

•Tree Removal •Pruning/Trimming •Insect and Disease Control •Deep Root Fertilization and Soil Care •Brush Chipping •Lot Clearing •Stump Grinding •Proper Shrub Pruning

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Pergola Trim Pergola trim can add a wow factor to the look of an otherwise ordinary home. It comes in a variety of colors, finishes and styles like rustic (shown above).

WE ARE YOUR TREE CARE EXPERTS 2020 2020|| MINNESOTA MINNESOTA HOME HOME 13 13

Water Features

By Kori Flowers

As the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota has no limit of ways to enjoy the water. But for those who don’t live on a lake or river, there are still ways to enjoy the water and add unique features to the backyard and garden. Pools and spas bring the fun right into the backyard and natural water features like water gardens, fish ponds and waterfalls bring the tranquility close to home.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LANDSBURG LANDSCAPE NURSERY

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Pools While Brainerd lakes area residents live among some of the best lakes in the state, there is nothing like the convenience of having a pool right in your own backyard. “With a swimming pool, you can walk right out your back door to swim in a temperature controlled environment,” says Larry Berczyk of Valley Pools & Spas. “There is no packing up the car and traveling to a lake fighting crowds, etc. - it’s right there. You don’t have to plan, you just do it when the urge hits you to go swimming or just float and relax.”

Besides the convenience, adding a pool can bring the fun back to a backyard.

A poolside is perfect for entertaining in the summer months and is a great way to get the kids outside, as long as they’re properly supervised. For the older members of the family, working out in water is one of the best ways to exercise. Swimming is low-impact and can be beneficial to weight loss or for those whose joints can’t handle regular strain.

Beautifying the Lakes Area One Neighborhood at a Time

• Outdoor Living Spaces • Retaining Walls • Paver Driveways & Sidewalks • Irrigation • Seeding/Hydroseeding • Dirt and Mulch Work

Neighborhood Landscaping Development

NLDServices.com

218-831-7289

PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY POOLS AND SPA 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 15

Ponds and...

A more natural alternative to adding a water feature to your backyard would be to create a pond, for either fish or aquatic plants. Smaller than a pool and without some of the upkeep, a pond can add an air of tranquility to your garden. Daniel Dix of WoodSpirit Gardens emphasizes just how important it is to include a water feature in landscaping. “Water is life — it attracts and brings people in, relaxes you. With so much stress in the world, having a relaxing pond nearby can provide relief to the mind and body,” Dix said. A pond in a garden provides a chance to create an outdoor oasis in nature, without having to travel far to find it. Other features, like a waterfall or small beach can be added into the design of the pond.

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Water Gardens A water garden will attract more than just people. A healthy garden will naturally draw birds and other wildlife into the backyard, and adding a source of water will increase these kinds of visitors. Within the pond itself, fish such as koi and goldfish can bring relaxing movement and maintain the health of the water. Dix recommends making the pond deep enough for them to spend winter at the bottom, and keeping the water open and moving with a bubbler or pump, or bringing them inside.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LANDSBURG LANDSCAPE NURSERY

Landscapes For Your LiFestYLe

218-692-1860 ABRALANDSCAPING.COM 34186 COUNTRY ROAD 3 CROSSLAKE, MN

DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTAIN 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 17

Waterfalls For those with less room or who don’t want the maintenance of a large pond, Sarah King, landscape designer at Landsburg Nursery, recommends pondless water features such as a waterfall or moving water. “Pondless water features have the look, sound and feel of a ponded feature without all the maintenance and pest problems associated with standing water,” King said. Adding a waterfall adds the ambiance of falling water which people find enjoyable. King suggests a waterfall can be incorporated into an existing hillside, or in the case of flat yards, a berm can be created for multiple levels.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LANDSBURG LANDSCAPE NURSERY

ReTreat Yourself!

SIGN UP for our enewsletter — including upcoming events, tips and coupons!

Go to: LandsburgNursery.com Call us today! 218.829.5519 16460 Hwy 371 North, Brainerd LandsburgNursery.com

18 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

Fountains A fountain within a pond or water feature is not only eye catching, but practical as well. Keeping the water circulating will prevent algae or mosquito larva from growing and is essential if the water feature includes fish. For a more contemporary look, King recommends a basalt fountain or bubbling rock. “These fountains typically consist of a natural boulder or stone column that has been bored to allow water to flow up and over the top with a catch basin hidden directly underneath,” she said. These and other unique fountains are perfect for adding a feeling of refreshment to smaller spaces.

• Granite

Aggregates 888-450-3460 Concrete

800-450-4726

Equal Opportunity Employer

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 19

Hot Tubs When the temperature drops, there’s no better feeling than immersing yourself deliciously into a hot tub.

What could be better than having one conveniently located on your own deck? After a day full of winter activities — snowmobiling, snowshoeing or ice fishing — having a hot tub waiting at home can provide the warmth and relaxation needed to top off the perfect day.

Even without strenuous winter activities, a soak in the hot tub still has benefits. Berczyk said, “Hot tubs have all kinds of well documented therapeutic value from easing arthritis pain to lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels, promoting better sleep. Not to mention just soaking away the everyday stresses and body aches.”

Any kind of water feature can add interest to a landscape and encourage time spent outdoors.

Whatever the choice, from grand to minimal, homeowners have many options to put their own spin on the design.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VALLEY POOLS AND SPA

Sales • Installation • Service Serving the Lakes Area

6482 Hwy 371 Walker • (218) 547-4328 • www.LakesideFireplace.com

20 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 21

Wilderness Land Clearing & Mulching

“Attention to Detail is Our Trade!”

Locally Owned & Operated • Fully Insured • Licensed

Tree Services

Commercial & Residential Land Clearing

• Tree Trimming • 60 Foot Bucket Truck • Removal • Stump Grinding • Expert Climbing • Woods Technicians Cleaning • Brush Chipping • And Lot Clearing!

• Storm Cleanup No Job is Too Big or Too Small!

• Buckthorn Control • Brush Removal • Horse & ATV Trails • Site Clean Up • Property Line Clearing • Wildlife Food Plots • Invasive Willow Removal • Recreational Clearing

• Timberland Mulching • Row & Utility Work • Abandoned Pastures • Hunting Land Management • Shooting Lanes For Hunters

Locally Owned & Operated • Fully Insured • Licensed

“Educated, Experienced & Excited About What We Do!”

218.232.7328

1.800.630.2960

www.jntreeservice-landscaping.com

22 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

www.wildnernesslandimprovement.com

DETAILS MATTER That’s why we are “Custom Builders”. We make sure your perfect dream home is designed and constructed to your specifications. There will never be another home identical to yours.

North Country Custom Builders 4349 72nd St SW • Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 Barry Frieler • Cell: 218.820.7795 E-mail: barry@nccbinc.com

Dennis Blosberg • Cell: 218.232.1681 E-mail: dennis@nccbinc.com www.nccbinc.com

Countertop: Quartz Cabinets: Wood Products Unlimited Appliances: Schroeder’s Appliance Flooring: MCI/Carpet One

RE•MODEL YOUR

KITCHEN

By Sheila Helmberger

Today’s kitchen is the hardest working room in our home but now it’s more than just the space where we prepare our

food. The popularity of open floor plans means the kitchen is an extension of the living and dining rooms and has

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS 24 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

become a space where friends and family spend more of their time with one another.

“Lasting Beauty through Quality Craftsmanship”

Custom Mouldings & Doors Radius Millwork Stair & Railing Systems Paneling & Flooring FSC Certified Material 218-828-4824 • 13844 White Pine Drive Brainerd, MN 56401 sales@brainerdhardwoods.com • www.brainerdhardwoods.com

Handcrafted custom concrete and epoxy designs to fit your ideas, space and lifestyle!

Kitchen & Bath Seamless Countertops • Shower and Tub Walls Fireplace Surrounds, Hearths & Mantels • Tables • Fire Tables & Fire Bars Built in 7-10 Days! • NSF-51 Certified Food-Safe Sealers

www.sculpturebydesign.com | 218-232-0372 | SHOWROOM: PINE RIVER, MN 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 25

RE•IMAGINE

Remodeling the kitchen in a home can mean replacing the flooring, counters, backsplash and appliances to create an entire new look for your home or just changing a few key areas in need of an update.

Some surprising materials have made their way into our kitchens that offer functionality and durability that is welcome. Appliances no longer stick out but blend seamlessly into the background of your room’s decor.

AFTER

BEFORE

Countertop: Granite, (perimeter top is Steel Grey Honed, island top is Fusion— Polished.

Cabinets: “Premium Alder,” Crystal Cabinetry Appliances: SubZero refrigerator/freezer and undercounter beverage; Wolf range, hood and microwave.

Flooring: Hand Scraped Wood flooring, Hutchinson Westbrook

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

RE•ORGANIZE

Renovating a kitchen is a perfect time to incorporate some storage areas that work with the flow of the kitchen such as spaces for trash cans, silverware trays, spices, knife storage and butcher block sections.

26 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

Passion Driven Design Equals Detailed Results

Floor Coverings • Window Treatments Wallpaper • Fabrics • Cabinetry Countertops

Julie Gowen

Phone: (218) 692-4521 Crosslake, MN Email: jgowen19@hotmail.com www.jaginteriorsolutions.com www.jaginteriorsolutions.net

Owner/Designer

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 27

RE•SURFACE

After the flooring and cupboards, countertops are the most important piece to replace. They can take a beating and with so much use over time can begin to show wear. One of the first things the eye sees in a kitchen is the countertop. A designer can help you incorporate small bits of color found throughout the rest of the room to create an original design that can blend your room together.

Cambria Luxury Series Brittanicca Gold, J.A.G. Interior Solutions.

Monte Cristo Marble, Capital Granite.

Concrete epoxy and Wave Sink, Sculpture by Design.

Verde Butterfly, Custom Stone Interiors.

“It all comes down to personal preference.”

- Allan Wiener, Custom Stone Interiors

Brenda and Tony Thibodo own Sculpture by Design in Pine River. For a long time, Formica was the standard in kitchen counters, but now countertop materials include epoxy, granite and even concrete. “It was hard to sell concrete at first,” says Brenda Thibodo.

The company has been doing concrete for more than 20 years, but lately it has become a favorite. “In the last four or five years we’ve seen a higher acceptance of it. More people have been coming in and asking for it now,” she says. Granicrete, a cement overlay, is another popular material that

28 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

combines the attraction of both materials. It creates an elegant look for new construction and can also be applied right over the existing countertop in a renovation.

The downside to Formica is that the material begins to pull up and peel away over time. The new materials can be custom colored from bold and bright to dark and rich to complement the color scheme of the room and it will stand up well to use and wear.

Allan Wiener is a representative for Custom Stone Interiors in Pine River and owns Down to Earth Wood. Like

Thibodo, he says his customers now favor granite and quartz over Formica.

Wiener designs and builds cabinets and says white is still very popular with his customers, but he is also seeing a turn to white-grays and a bluish gray.

Wiener says that floors and cabinets from materials like walnut, hickory and rustic oak ‘with a little character’ are popular for him with undermount sinks that eliminate the unsightly dirty edge found around traditional models. “It all comes down to personal preference,” he says.

MAG A ZINE

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MAG A ZINE

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 29

RE•DESIGN

A kitchen remodel is a good time to update appliances as well.

Energy saving models with a variety of features and exteriors can add to the room’s appeal. “Refrigerators are really nice now,” says Karin Anderson from Schroeder’s Appliance in Brainerd.

Models with the freezer on the bottom are still favored by customers. Double drawers and temperature control are also popular. Stainless steel remains a strong seller, favored for its ability to match any design scheme. The smudge resistant stainless steel and a black stainless steel save work when it comes to keeping the exterior doors clean and free of fingerprints. Maytag has a new color called Cast Iron Black. It has a matte black finish with some stainless accents. “It’s sharp looking,” says Anderson.

STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRATO BROTHERS

Countertop: Quartz, Lakes Granite Cabinets: Wood Products Unlimited Appliances: KitchenAid, Schroeder’s Flooring: Laminate, MCI/Carpet One

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

DOUBLE STACKED OVENS. PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

30 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

KitchenAid now offers attachments for some wall oven models that include a tray that plugs into the oven to be used like a grill, a steam tray and a baking stone. One new microwave model has a crisping feature. No more soggy, reheated leftovers.

A kitchen renovation project can be as small or as extensive as your needs and budget allow. Whether you’re looking to take on one specific project or change the entire space, new products and materials can help to make your kitchen functional as well as stylish.

BEST EXPERIENCE

BEST OUTCOME

© 2020 Nor-Son Custom Builders. All rights reserved. MN Lic.#BC001969

BEST PEOPLE

NO ONE BUILDS LIKE NOR-SON

Voted BEST HOME BUILDER in the Brainerd Lakes Area!

See more award-winning homes at Nor-SonResidential.com 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 31

Softscaping:

4 Outdoor projects that add value!

32 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

Hardscaping refers to structures like outdoor kitchens or decks. Softscaping involves the living elements of the landscape. Hiring a landscape designer to install trees, shrubs, natural edging, and rock elements can do wonders toward improving the look and value of a home.

Low-maintenance lifestyle: When choosing materials for projects, those that offer low-maintenance benefits can be preferential. These include low-maintenance patio materials, composite decking, vinyl fencing, and inorganic mulched beds.

Lawn care program: Fertilizer and weed control application that can be transferred over to a subsequent home owner is an attractive feature.

The National Association of Realtors says such a care program can recover $1,000 in value of the $330 average cost, or a 303 percent ROI.

Fire pit: A fire pit can be used for much of the year. A fire pit that has a gas burner is low-maintenance, and the National Association of Landscape Professionals says that most can recoup about $4,000 of their $6,000 average price tag.

CURB APPEAL

We guarantee a high degree of quality in every project we do.

Whether your dream is a remodeled kitchen or a new custom home we strive for excellence.

North Country Custom Builders Pequot Lakes, MN www.nccbinc.com Barry Frieler • Cell: 218.820.7795 E-mail: barry@nccbinc.com

Dennis Blosberg • Cell: 218.232.1681 E-mail: dennis@nccbinc.com

34 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 35

Specialized

Storage

By Lisa Henry Morales

Before you build or remodel consider your specialized storage needs. “Modern aesthetic and clean lines are all the rage,” says Renee Johnson, Marketing Manager for Nor-Son Custom Builders. As builders and remodelers continue to add innovative ways to maximize space while hiding the junk, specialized storage is quickly moving to the top of the must-have list.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

Kitchen •Disguised storage

- appliances, garbage containers •Specialized stations - coffee, charging drawers - beer, wine, spirits •Slide-out drawers with organization •Pantries with food-prep capabilities

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

Mudroom |Laundry

Hidden storage is a popular request. “For example what might look like a tall cabinet door is actually a door to a hidden pantry,” says Eric Carder, Partner and Director of Project Development for Baratto Brothers Construction.

•Concealed storage for appliances •Fold-out drying racks •Storage cubbies •Pet crates, sleeping areas

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS 36 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

Smart products to keep you in touch with your home.

Honeywell Water Leak and Freeze Detector

Honeywell Smart Home Security

Our team is dedicated to meeting all your HVAC needs!

218-828-0330 • jibechvac.com

HOME-MAKERS Construction & Home Improvement Loans

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We also do new purchase loans!

Contact Ben today!

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BENJAMIN.BERGHUIS@MEMBERSCCU.ORG (NMLS ID #1686250)

MORTGAGE

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2020| MINNESOTA HOME 37

Bedrooms | Bathrooms •Whimsical elements •Closet organization units •Murphy Beds •Custom-built bunk beds •Built-in shelving •In-drawer plug-ins - phones, curling irons, hair dryers •Functional nook spaces •Fold-up seating with storage drawers

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS PHOTO COURTESY OF BARATTO BROTHERS

“Window seat storage with flip-up tops in kids’ rooms are great ways to provide a fun niche space while providing storage for toys, blankets, and bedding. Make the seat a little wider and you have a great extra sleeping area for sleepovers.”

— Renee Johnson

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARATTO BROTHERS

Great Room/Living Room •Built-in shelving - wet bars, firewood - board games, books •Electronic Cabinetry - hide televisions, cords

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARATTO BROTHERS

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARATTO BROTHERS

38 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

7953 College Road | Baxter, Minnesota 56425 | (218) 454-0458 | www.visionelectricalservices.com

If you can dream it, we can light it. We have a team of highly skilled electricians who specialize in custom electrical design and installation. We work closely with custom builders in our area and offer a wide range of electrical services such as: electrical work, home control/smartphone monitoring, solar panels, backup generators and so much more.

• Home Theater • Smart Lighting Control • Automated Window Shades • Customized Surround Sound and Audio/Video design • Home Security/Surveillance • Home Automation

7953 College Road - Suite 100 | Baxter MN 56425 | 218-833-2232 | www.visiontechmn.com 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 39

Sports and Hobby • Wire baskets • Organizational hooks • Shelving and cabinetry • Dedicated closet space

“Lake homes or cabins are now used year around which means owners have clothes and toys for all four seasons.”

- Carder PHOTOS BY RICK HAMMER, COURTESY OF LANDS END DEVELOPMENT

Also Offering... cabinets for your outdoor living space!

(218) 828-0620 •17753 State Hwy 371 Brainerd www.CrowWingCabinets.com 40 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

Life Well Strictly Organized Custom IMAGINE YOUR CLOSETS DESIGNED WITH A PLAN.

Specializing in Walk in & Reach In Closets, Linen Closets, Pantries, Garages, Mud Rooms & Specialty Rooms.

11 FINISHES TO CHOOSE FROM 23 YEARS IN THE LAKES AREA

IDEAL CLOSET, INC Custom Storage and Closet Systems

218-543-4646 idealcloset@tds.negt

Let’s Just Stay Home This Weekend!

Brainerd / Baxter (218) 829 -4759 • www.holdenelectric

(877) 825 - 4955 greatriverdoor.com Brainerd, Minnesota 2020| MINNESOTA HOME 41

House Hunting You may be looking for a remodel and not know it.

Good Bones With a few modifications you can create the home you always dreamed of

By Linda Hurst

Does the house have “good bones”? What does that even mean? In an ideal situation you provide your Realtor with a list of “must have’’ criteria for house hunting — number of bedrooms, baths, big backyard, maybe a certain school district. You begin your search for the perfect home and write the offer. Sometimes, though, the wish list can be extensive and, like the mythical unicorn, impossible to find. Now what?

42 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

YOU’RE WRITING YOUR STORY... WE’D LOVE TO HELP WITH THE NEXT CHAPTER. Proudly serving the Brainerd Lakes Area since 1979 218.829.1777

positiverealty.com

Timber Beams

Take out this wall to open up the floorplan

New Range Stove

Plank Wood Flooring

Determine which walls are loadbearing.

Local Realtors deal with this all the time. It’s more common than you’d think. The consensus is there are two types of buyers picking up houses that need a little love — professional house flippers who want the ugliest house on the block and regular folks looking to maximize their purchasing power by finding a home with good basic structure that can be altered.

Colton Maher from Woods to Water Real Estate says,

“Some buyers are in a tough market where they can’t find exactly what they want. Then it comes back to their budget versus what they’re looking for. Sometimes they have to settle for something close with an eye toward a small renovation.”

Kari Crimmins of North Pointe Realty thinks similarly.

“A lot of people don’t know they’re looking for a remodel.

They have a certain budget for their home purchase, but

“I like to try to determine which walls are load bearing so we know if they can be moved or not.”

- Kari Crimmins, North Pointe Realty

44 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

New Long Faucets

The value of homeowner improvements topped $354 billion dollars in 2019.

- Statista.com

they may not find exactly what they are looking for.”

Both bring up a great point.

As your agent shows you homes, what are your “must haves” and if you can’t find a home that has them all, where are you willing to compromise?

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followed by replacing plumbing fixtures and replacing appliances. Cosmetic updates like these are normal, even expected. It’s easy to paint a wall, but what if you want to move it? Or remove it? Things just got a bit more complicated. This is when it’s necessary to dig into the structure of your home to see what can be done.

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Look for unique or historic features in older homes: • Crown moldings • Wainscoting • Vintage hardware • Built-in nooks • Built-in cabinets

- Trent Baumann, Century 21 Brainerd Realty

I asked Trent Baumann, Century 21 Brainerd Realty about this. “Don’t be afraid to look at older homes.

There are some very good homes built pre-1990s. Older homes can also have unique or historic features such as crown moldings, wainscoting, vintage hardware and builtin nooks and cabinets,” Baumann said. “Ornamental features aside, as you consider a potential remodel,

you want the final product to have a coherent floor plan.”

As Crimmins points out, “I like to try to determine which walls are load bearing so we know if they can be moved or not. It’s also important to find the location of plumbing and pipes if you’re planning to add a bath or reconfigure the kitchen.”

Baumann brings up other key elements to inspect closely. “Does the house

you’re considering have steeper roof lines and fewer valleys?

Does it have three pane windows and newer gutters?

Inspect the basement walls and floors for fewer cracks.

All are good indicators of a home with good bones.”

Maher offers one last point to consider. “When it comes to resale value, one of the best things you can do is to open up the floorplan. If you

can buy it for less and put a little sweat equity into your home, you might be able to cash out for more when it’s time to sell.”

And that’s what it really comes down to. With a few modifications you can create the home you always dreamed of.

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Windows That

Wow

By Nicole Stracek

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SON CUSTOM BUILDERS

Windows that offer an abundance of natural light can beautifully enhance a home’s interiors while providing the exterior with unique architectural focal points. Using nontraditional window styles can bring the outdoors inside creating warmth, style and comfort. More than just a design element, the benefits of natural light are known to increase productivity, elevate mood and even

improve health. Nontraditional window styles can take a home to the next level. Embracing the unique design features that statement windows offer, it’s easy to transform a room or add depth with light. Whether it’s building a new home or remodeling an existing structure, homeowners can transform a space with the right window style.

2020| 2020| MINNESOTA MINNESOTA HOME HOME 49 49

The Art of Window Design Window manufacturing companies offer an extensive array of design options and make it easy to customize windows to reflect a home’s character, style and design. Sales Lead Willy Enz from Synergy Products located in Minnetonka works closely with clients, architects and builders to help create window designs for his customers that meet both their needs and price point. “Clients virtually have endless options for window styles and designs. One of the biggest aspects behind nontraditional window styles is finding a designer that can help bring dream goals to fruition,” said Enz. He also notes collaboration between the client, architects and builders is also important. Because window companies offer a wide variety of window styles, materials, colors and designs, the importance of working with a professional is a vital step in the process.

Professionals can provide homeowners with advice on what works and what doesn’t, and how to make the project happen ensuring the final result is both stunning and installed properly.

Light Diffusion Transform a space that was once dark and drab into an ethereal indoor space.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Freedom to Create & Design Homeowners with scenic landscapes or have a lakeside view can transform a living room by adding full wall statement windows. Light diffusion can also transform a space that was once dark and drab into an ethereal

indoor space. With the right windows, a kitchen can become a space that captures the natural light all year long. The sunlight brings scale and proportion along with it.

Building a new home can benefit from including nontraditional

Full Wall Statement Windows Homeowners with scenic landscapes or lakeside views.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF SYNERGY PRODUCTS

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window styles, whereas remodeling boasts a chance for homeowners to turn their existing spaces into a completely new style. Regional Sales Manager for Windsor Windows & Doors, Jeff Hoag notes one of the biggest trends is just that: BIG. “The bigger the better. The latest trends in the industry are the more contemporary designs that include nontraditional window styles,” Hoag said. Choosing a window style should also match the style of a home.

Julie Kletscher, owner of Better Living Concepts in Brainerd, stresses to clients the importance of keeping the window design in harmony with both nature and style of a home. “A full wall of windows in a living room can be a beautiful design aspect but if the living room isn’t facing a natural element that you want to highlight, there are many other window options that bring natural light into a space,” said Kletcscher. She also notes one of the biggest trends in the industry is black on black. “The most sought-after window styles right now is Wow factor If done right, you can add value and set your home apart from the neighbors.

“BRINGING THE NATURAL LIGHT INSIDE... NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE.” - Julie Kletscher, owner of Better Living Concepts

PHOTO BY RICK HAMMER, COURTESY OF LANDS END DEVELOPMENT

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focus on elegance with the black on black style window trims and casements. Bringing the natural light inside while providing a beautiful focal point from inside out never goes out of style,” Kletscher said.

Adding Value and New Spaces “Windows can provide homeowners with the ‘wow factor’ and if done right, you can set your home apart from the neighbors,” says Travis Kelley, Marvin Windows territory manager for Northern Minnesota. However, he also notes that homeowners should

educate themselves before making a purchase. “The internet can be a valuable tool, but nothing beats speaking with a professional who can answer all of your questions on the spot,” said Kelley.

Adding new windows to a home can also greatly increase the value. New windows are energy efficient and many are treated to block the sun’s harmful UV rays. Whether it’s modern, nontraditional or contemporary style, windows create a space that brings the outdoors inside.

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By Sarah Nelson Katzenberger

SECURITY HOME

54 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

The peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is safe while you are away is invaluable.

That’s why many homeowners are turning to home security systems so they can spend time away without worrying about what mayhem may or may not be going on back home.

Today’s home security options extend way beyond the oldschool screaming alarm and the warning sign in the yard. Modern technology makes home security more accessible, more versatile and more reliable than ever.

Homes are smart — at least that’s the goal of the rapidly evolving world of home security technology.

Tim Davis of People’s Security in Brainerd has spent more than three decades in the home security industry and said the industry was pretty stagnant for the first 25 years.

“Everything changed about five years ago,” Davis said. “With technology constantly improving there’s really no limit — you name it, we can do it.”

While home security systems were once hardwired into a home or business’s telephone line, new systems aren’t even compatible with landlines.

New systems tap into a home’s existing internet. Davis said virtually all home security can be set up fairly quickly simply and quickly and doesn’t require much as far as hardwiring.

Davis noted the biggest add-on to nearly all home security is cameras.

“Everyone wants cameras,” Davis said. Obviously, home protection is a huge priority, but homeowners use cameras for other reasons as well.

“A lot of it just has to do with wanting to see their cabin by the lake,” Davis said. “That’s not just their home — it’s their own little oasis.”

Davis said with the changing technology in home security has also come a shift in industry. While home security used to be part of the building trades, training has moved away from general construction to technology training.

“And the technology is impressive,” Davis said.

The constantly changing technology gives homeowners the ability to gain access to virtually every system in the home with a few swipes on their smart home. A home’s security system can be armed or disarmed from a smartphone; security camera video footage can be viewed from a smartphone. “It just keeps getting better,” Davis said.

Home security is not only about keeping a home safe from a potential break-in, but also from the mayhem that may

“Everything changed about five years ago... with technology constantly improving there’s really no limit...”

- Tim Davis of People’s Security

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 55

• Thermostat • Door locks • Interior/exterior lighting • Plumbing valves • Private wells

Homeowners Can Remotely Control

take place inside a home while homeowners are away — like frozen pipes, fire or carbon monoxide.

“You can do pretty much everything from your smartphone,” Davis said, noting that homeowners can control the thermostat, door locks, interior and exterior lighting, plumbing valves, private wells. They can even allow someone to access the inside of their home without giving a key or access code — they just have to unlock the front door.

“The focus is always about making things easier to connect from anywhere,” Davis said.

One of the more impressive features of new home security is the GPS fence feature that comes from systems like Alarm.com and Total Connect.

A homeowner can set an area fence at a distance from their home and once they enter

the fence, the home’s technology knows to follow whatever commands it has been given.

“So if you’re headed up north you can set your system to know that once you hit St. Cloud, the heat turns up, the lights go on and the plumbing starts working like normal,” Davis said.

Another GPS feature from Total Connect that didn’t quite take off was a vehicle tracking options that parents could use to make sure their teenage drivers were going where they said they were. “There wasn’t too much interest there,” Davis laughed. “People felt like it was too big brother-ish.”

Updating an existing home’s system is fairly simple and Davis said even with new builds, security tends to go in after the fact. “People are making so many decisions while building, security isn’t typically a huge priority until later,” he

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said. “New technology makes the new install or the upgrade pretty straight forward in any scenario.”

The most important thing is making sure the home’s network infrastructure can support the desired security system.

“Most systems are made to run with Wi-Fi networks,” Davis said, “But it’s important to make sure your network has enough bandwidth to support things like video while also leaving enough bandwidth to stream other devices in the home.”

Want home security without the sticker shock? There are options for multi-camera security systems that allow for remote viewing and are prices around $1,000.

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Peace of Mind Home security systems like Ring, SimpliSafe and Adobe are easy to install for just a few hundred dollars.

They don’t include all the bells and whistles of the pro-install, but they do provide remote with the help of your smartphone, and peace of mind — which truly is priceless.

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Master Bed & Bath

Remodel Must-haves

BY SARAH NELSON KATZENBERGER

Remodeling the master bedroom can leave you, well, losing sleep.

So many decisions. So many options. Making changes that are on trend but not easily outdated.

Luckily, current master bedroom trends are leaning toward timeless and that means more time to just enjoy the changes.

58 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Size (doesn’t) matter.

Master bedrooms have gone from half-sized to oversized to sized-just-right. A master suite remodel is a good time to rethink the room geometry. A bigger bathroom. An open concept. Built in wall and under-the-bed storage. You can rethink your space without having to add square footage or give up comfort.

Color me simple.

When it comes to choosing colors, the experts say keep your walls and flooring simple and get your color kicks in your accessories.

Julie Gowen of J.A.G. Interior Solutions in Crosslake said a good rule of thumb is to keep things “light and bright.”

In wall colors, grays are wellestablished the tried and true standard, but Gowen said taupe is making a comeback as well as gray-brown mixes. Gowen said her go-to gray is Anew Gray, a Sherwin Williams color. “It’s not a fight to make it compliment,” she said.

Gowen pointed out the up-north cabin feel provides a unique canvas when it comes to updating the logs and tongue and groove Northwoods feel to a more contemporary look. “You are creating the ambience of the up-north feel, but giving it a modern rustic look,” Gowen said.

Taupe is making a comeback

PHOTO BY RICK HAMMER, COURTESY OF LANDS END DEVELOPMENT

Anew Gray Sherwin Williams Threshhold Taupe Sherwin Williams

Take on the Texture.

Simple walls don’t have to be boring. Adding a shiplap accent wall is a great way to make subtle fresh changes without breaking the bank — or the walls down. Gowen said wainscoting is more popular than ever and giving a nod to mid-century designs by going higher up the wall.

“We are seeing a lot of wainscoting go as high as 5 or 6 feet up,” Gowen said.

PHOTO BY RICK HAMMER, COURTESY OF LANDS END DEVELOPMENT

With wainscoting that high, Gowen said the return of wallpaper is a great way to give master bedroom walls some texture without going too dark or busy. “Wallpaper is in style again and there are tons of trending options that give simple but elegant texture to your walls,” Gowen said.

Wallpaper is in style.

2020| MINNESOTA HOME 59

Bathrooms that stand out.

Bathrooms are more than just the loo and the bathtub — modern bathrooms are beautiful. A sanctuary from the realities of life. “People are building their bathrooms to rival the Taj Mahal,” joked Joey Steiger of Gerhard’s Kitchen and Bath Store in Brainerd. Steiger said the world of bathroom plumbing has long left behind utilitarian design and moved toward aesthetic appeal.

Free standing bathtubs are quickly becoming the most popular option in new and remodeled master bathrooms.

As far as replacing the faucetry, Steiger said trends are moving fast. That rubbed bronze everyone was raving about a few years ago has given way to black-matte, brass, polished nickel and even chrome.

“They just keep raising the bar on faucets,” Steiger said.

Trending countertops have long departed from the days of the formica and starting to throw back to beautiful stone and concrete.

Soaking Tubs PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

Wood vs. Tile vs. Carpet.

They say, “you can’t have your cake and eat it too,” but that does not apply to flooring.

Gowen said there is no reason not to mix wood flooring and tile in a master suite. “You just want to make sure everything flows,” she said.

Gowen said there are no rules on carpet but area rugs are a good alternative to keep flooring warm and add dimension to a room. Wool area rugs top the trends for area coverage and for good reason. “You get the look without the cost,” Gowen said.

When it comes to bathroom textiles, Gowen said coordinating colors is key, but that doesn’t

60 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

mean everything has to match.

“You can totally mix floor and shower tiles,” Gowen said.

“Again, it’s all about the flow you create.”

Free standing.

Bathroom cabinetry can be tricky, depending on space.

Build-ins are always a good solution for space conservation but Ben Beyer of Crow Wing Cabinets in Brained said open concepts are king right now.

“We see a lot of open shelving, floating vanities and furniture replacing the typical base cabinet,” Beyer said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH COUNTRY CUSTOM BUILDERS

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Call for back-up.

If a master-suite remodel still makes you want to just crawl back into your outdated bedsheets, don’t worry.

The good news is there’s tons of help available to make the process easier and provide some inspiration for the perfect refresh. Websites like Houzz. com and Pinterest provide all kinds of inspiration and borrowed ideas from those who have already tackled the big re-mod.

And of course, talk to local contractors and designers. Designers like Gowen make it their life work to make sure the process goes smoothly and leave customers with the dream master. “My goal is to do the legwork so the options are straight-forward,” Gowen said. “I just help people find what they’re already looking for.”

You just want to make sure the style flows.

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PHOTOS BY RICK HAMMER, COURTESY OF LANDS END DEVELOPMENT

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2020| MINNESOTA HOME 63

MUST HAVE MARKETPLACE

COMPILED BY LINDA HURST

This year’s Must Have Marketplace is all about statement and conversation pieces, unique finds you don’t see every day and each one of them has their own story of how they came about. Cheers!

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Yard

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ShelfGenie custom designed Glide-Out shelves for the kitchen, pantry and bath. By providing better access, improved storage and more organizational options, the Glide-Out shelves have allowed homeowners to fall in love with their cabinets and pantries all over again.

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Junctions Hwys 18 & 2 218-828-4728 OR Toll Junctions Hwys 18 & 25, SE Brainerd, MNHwys 18 & 25, SE Junctions Brainerd, MN WWW.BRAINERD 218-828-4728 OR Toll Free: 800-450-7669 218-828-4728 OR Toll Free: 800-450-7669 WWW.BRAINERDSPORTS.NET WWW.BRAINERDSPORTS.NET

Junctions Hwys 18 & 25 Where You Get The Best Deal Ev Southeast Brainerd — TRADES WELCOME — Junctions Hwys 18You & 25, SE Brainerd, MN You Where Get The Best Deal Everytime Where Get The Best Deal Everytime 218-828-4728 Toll Free: 800-450-7669 218-828-4728OR OR Toll Free: 800-450-7669 — TRADES WELCOME —— TRADES WELCOME — WWW.BRAINERDSPORTS.NET WWW.BRAINERDSPORTS.NET 64 MINNESOTA HOME | 2020

Where You Get The Best Deal Everytime — TRADES WELCOME —

Lift’s e-Foil Bringing surfing to the Midwest.

Lift was the first to manufacture an eFoil, or hydroelectric foil, in the United States and they have the best one in the market. Lift is at the forefront of the new and exciting eFoil watersport that combines wakeboarding and surfing. Schedule a “Fly Before you Buy” appointment. progressive-sportz.com

For the

Lake

Weagleworks Lights Steven Weagle is the artist behind The Weagleworks — a company that creates uncommon light fixtures and metalwork in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. A simple piece might only take 8 hours, while a more complex piece can take upwards of 30. Each piece is guaranteed to be stunning.

You can view his work at Serendipity Gallery in Pequot Lakes or The Crossing Arts Alliance in Brainerd.

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Barnwood Flag This cabinet maker doesn’t just make cabinets. They’re also known for their custom wood/ iron shelves and other unique pieces. New to their line up are these barnwood American fags.

Perfect for adding a touch of Americana to your decor.

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2020| MINNESOTA HOME 65

ADVERTISERS

CONTRIBUTERS

Kori Flowers

Sarah Nelson Katzenberger

Sheila Helmberger

Lisa Henry Morales

Linda Hurst

Nicole Stracek

MAG A Z I N E

THANK YOU! The staff at Minnesota Home Magazine would like to thank our advertisers. We appreciate the time and skill dedicated to each of your projects and your willingness to share them with us and the readers. Please let us know throughout the year of any suggestions for our next issue.

218-855-5898 advertising@MinnesotaHomeMagazine.com

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ABRA LANDSCAPING................................................................................................... 17 AITKIN HARDWOODS ............................................................................................... 46 AMERICAN DOOR WORKS ..................................................................................... 57 ARLEAN’S DRAPERY....................................................................................................... 29 BARATTO BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION........................................................ 34, 35 BETTER LIVING CONCEPTS........................................................................................ 51 BIG WOOD TIMBER FRAMES.................................................................................. 44 BRAINERD GLASS ..........................................................................................................62 BRAINERD HARDWOODS..........................................................................................25 BRAINERD SPORTS & MARINE................................................................................. 64 CAPITAL GRANITE.......................................................................................................... 29 CROSSLAKE COMMUNICATIONS....................................................................... 55 CROSSLAKE SHEET METAL........................................................................................ 57 CROW WING CABINETS.......................................................................................... 40 CYGNETURE TITLE SOLUTIONS, LLC...................................................................... 47 DOTTY BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION....................................................................... 9 ELITE TITLE & ESCROW CORP....................................................................................... 2 EXTERIOR PRO................................................................................................................. 47 FIKS-CON INC................................................................................................................32 FIRST NATIONAL BANK NORTH............................................................................... 51 FRANDSEN BANK & TRUST....................................................................................... 47 GERHARD’S FIRST SUPPLY BRAINERD .................................................................... 63 GREAT RIVER DOOR COMPANY ............................................................................. 41 GULL LAKE GLASS.......................................................................................................... 61 HIRSHFIELD’S....................................................................................................................27 HOLDEN ELECTRIC CO., INC.................................................................................... 41 HY-TEC CONSTRUCTION..........................................................................................53 IDEAL CLOSET.................................................................................................................. 41 J.A.G. 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