Lake&Home Magazine May/Jun '20

Subscribe at w w w.lakeandhomemagazine.com YEAR 21 / ISSUE 3

MAY / JUNE 2020

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Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

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YEAR 21 • ISSUE 3 • MAY / JUNE 2020 subscribe online at: www.lakeandhomemagazine.com

CONTENTS

10 OFFICE

Meet Our Team

12 OFFICE

From the Office

by Erin Hintz

40

DO IT YOURSELF

3 Ways to Create a Home Fragrance

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

16

50

EXTERIORS

Loving the Look of Timber

Designing and Building a Timber Frame Home

EXTERIORS

by Patrice Peterson

Welcome to the Dark Side Siding, Roofing and Windows in Deep Saturated Color

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

44

DO IT YOURSELF

28

LANDSCAPING

Retaining Walls

Hold Purpose and Offer Curb Appeal

by Jen Miller

6

Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

How to Add a Pop of Color to Your Home

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

58

SHOPPING

Lake Gifts

108

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

60

FEATURE HOME

Modern Comfort and Natural Details The Wiese Home on Otter Tail Lake

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

4mations Landscape & Design Inc.

by Andrea Canning

112

84

SHOPPING

Service Directory

FEATURE HOME

A True Craftsman and a Defining Structure

114

by Patrice Peterson

FEATURED LAKE

72

FEATURE HOME

Life on Little Pine Lake

by Angela Garvin

Cover photo by Kip Johnson Story on page 60

Little Pine

96

FEATURE HOME

Cabin Creative

Family’s Dream Cabin Comes Together Like Assembling a Puzzle

by Craig Gustafson

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Year 21, Issue 3 • MAY / JUNE 2020

Lic. #BC520694

PUBLISHER Kip Johnson

EDITORS Brent and Jennifer Rogness

ADVERTISING CONSULTANT John Burns

LAKE & HOME MAGAZINE – ADVERTISING SALES Erin Hintz • 218.205.2120 erin@lakeandhomemagazine.com Jerry Shea • 218.205.7454 jerry@lakeandhomemagazine.com Terri Jo Peery • 320.491.5618 terrijo@lakeandhomemagazine.com Amber Olson • 218.731.3813 amber@signguysmn.com Becky Haarstad • 262.994.8744 rebecca@lakeandhomemagazine.com

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LAKE & HOME MAGAZINE Published bimonthly by Compass Media | 126 S Vine St | Fergus Falls, MN 56537 www.lakeandhomemagazine.com artwork@lakeandhomemagazine.com Unless previously agreed, all rights remain the sole property of Lake & Home Magazine. ©2020 Compass Media. Except for purposes of review, material contained herein may not be reproduced without prior written consent.

Printed by Hess Print Solutions, USA

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O

FROM THE OFFICE

From the Office

Shortly after we published the March/April issue of Lake & Home Magazine, our world as we knew it took an unprecedented turn. This last month has felt like a strange version of the Twilight Zone.

So much of my day-to-day life just a couple of months ago was completely taken for granted; a quick trip to visit grandma, a holiday spent with family, a meal at a restaurant, a day spent shopping, even the confidence that toilet paper will be available for purchase when we need it, but more than anything, our health, and the health of our friends and family.

While it can be a struggle to deal with the uncertainty of everything going on around us and to feel stripped of all of these luxuries and isolated from many of the people we care about, there are three things I’m regularly reminding myself of:

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1. This too shall pass.

2. We live in an incredible community of people who are kind, generous, and mindful of the people who live around them. There are paper hearts in the windows of nearly every house on our street, a reminder that we’re in this together, although separately for the time being.

Minnesota nice doesn’t stop when we’re all at home, made very clear when you see the way we’ve all stepped up for each other at a time when it would be easier to cower.

This issue is also packed with inspiration, featuring articles on designing with timber frames, exterior color choices, and how to create a home fragrance. We’ll also be taking you through four beautiful Minnesota lake homes.

3. Spring. It’s here, and summer will follow.

While the rest remains uncertain, spring still holds promise. Warm days, open water, sunshine, gardening, and patio fires; all of the things we love about Minnesota summers are on their way.

We’d like to offer a deep thank you to everyone who follows Lake & Home Magazine, our contributors who have continued to collaborate on the magazine remotely, and to our advertisers for their confidence in us to play a role in helping their business navigate these uncertain times.

With more time spent at home comes an increased awareness of the projects you’ve always hoped to complete, or the opportunity to notice things you’d like to change that you maybe didn’t before. With summer on our horizon, there’s no better time than now to check some of those projects off your list, and Lake & Home remains a great resource to find the experts who can help.

If your landscaping is on your list of projects this summer, check out the article on retaining walls, and the design portfolio featuring 4mations Landscape & Design.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Lake & Home Magazine! ~L&H

Erin Hintz Advertising Sales

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E EXTERIORS

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• Wide-open living spaces with few interior walls • High cathedral ceilings with wooden timbers exposed • Massive solid posts defining architectural design Building a timber frame home generates a distinct design statement. Although not necessarily recognizable on the outside, the structural wooden skeleton is visible throughout the interior of a home for the world to see and appreciate. Whether it is in a rural setting in the country, up north in the woods, or on a secluded lake, the look of timber becomes the focal point of the house that represents the homeowner’s lifestyle.

photo provided by Enercept

“It’s a very bold method of construction,” says Ben Miller, owner of Blue Ox Timber Frames in Alexandria. “For most people, it comes down to being an aesthetic decision. If you like the warmth, beauty, openness and mass of all that timber, then it’s the right house for you to build.”

photo provided by Enercept

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In its basic form, timber framing has been around for centuries, and the wooden structures – like some of the sturdy old barns that dot the countryside – were built to last for hundreds of years. Timber framing was still in use up until the 20th century, when the demand for cheap, fast housing changed the landscape. Over the years, an interest in fine

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ery, such as mortise and tenon, with wooden pegs. We get the rough timber delivered to our shop, and our craftsmen then carefully cut each piece individually. After the timbers are cut, we do a trial fit of each frame section, and then sand and prefinish each timber before we deliver the timber frame to the job site. We typically send a crew to either erect the frame or work with the builder to install the timbers.”

Blue Ox builds timber frame homes in Minnesota and the surrounding areas, but they also work on some homes as far away as Florida, Washington state or Canada.

Similar to choosing any wood item, selecting the type of timber is a personal choice. Each species has its own unique characteristics, and they come from different areas of the country.

“We get Douglas fir and cedar timbers from a sawmill in the Pacific Northwest,” says Miller.

“We also work with some locally grown pine, and we have suppliers in upstate New York as well.” photo provided by Enercept

craftsmanship has initiated a resurgence of the timber framing tradition back into the modern era.

Timber framing is a specific type of post and beam construction, with big timbers that are held together using joinery and wood pegs, as opposed to conventional modern connections.

“In traditional timber framing, no nails or hardware are used,” Miller explains. “The structure is held together by a complex system of joinphoto provided by Enercept

“The key to building with timber frame is planning.”

Steve Tracy - Big River Timberworks 20 Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

A Design for Success Creating a design for any home is central to a successful completion. With a timber frame home, the design elements need to consider both a floor plan and a frame plan prior to a final design.

“The key to building with timber frame is planning,” according to Steve Tracy, one of three owners of Big River Timberworks in Minneapolis. With a background in architecture, he partners with Eric Refsell and Erik Hedlund to design and build timber frame homes. The majority of their business is in the Upper Midwest, but they can go “wherever we need to go to make it happen.”

Instead of trying to force a floor plan around a timber frame plan, or force the “pattern” of the timber frame around a specific floor plan, Tracy claims the best approach is to design the plans together.

photo provided by Blue Ox Timber Frames

“In traditional timber framing, no nails or hardware are used.

The structure is held together by a complex system of joinery, such as mortise and tenon, with wooden pegs.”

Ben Miller - Blue Ox Timber Frames

photo provided by Enercept

“You need to have a ‘marriage’ between the design of the home and the design of the timber work,” he explains. “Because the structure is exposed and the spacing of the beams and posts have to be considered, it’s vital to take the time to coordinate all aspects of the design plan and put it down on paper before you begin the building process.”

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While the look of open beams and posts has an aesthetic appeal, it also allows for a much more open-concept design than conventional building. Fewer load-bearing walls are necessary because of the structural aspect of timber framing. A big, open floor plan can include a kitchen, a dining room and a living room all in one space.

“Since walls are only needed to divide a space, the placement of lighting, or even light switches, is a different kind of challenge,” Tracy adds. “Big River Timberworks works exclusively in timber framing, and our goal is to minimize any surprises and make it an overall positive experience for everyone. I’ve always liked the idea that the structure itself is be-

photo provided by Blue Ox Timber Frames

ing expressed as part of the architecture in timber framing, and that’s where I’ve always wanted to focus.”

A Niche Market Timber frame home building is a segment of the overall building market, but it is a specialized segment that the industry recognizes.

Many conventional builders don’t have experience in erecting a timberwork structure.

Miller says that all employees at Blue Ox Timber Frames take it quite seriously that these homeowners are coming to them with a specific vision, and the timber work being crafted will be the focal point of their home.

“They count on us for our expertise, and we also have crews that go to each site to not only install the frame, but also to install the structurally insulated panels (SIPs).”

photo provided by Blue Ox Timber Frames

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photo provided by Blue Ox Timber Frames

A number of elements contribute to the unique design of a timber frame home, and SIPs are one of the most commonly used methods for enclosing/framing the home.

“SIPs are structural insulated panels that are like an envelope that wraps around the entire structure, resulting in a seamless insulation and making for an incredibly efficient home,” says Neal Mack, senior regional sales manager for Enercept, located in Watertown, S.D., which is a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient SIPs since 1981. “The panels attach to the outside of the timbers, not only

protecting them, but allowing for full display of the wood and its natural beauty.”

The panels come in different sizes, which will vary with each design plan. Once produced at Enercept, the lightweight materials are shipped to the building site. A timber frame home can be enclosed with SIPs in days instead of weeks, depending on the size and scope of the project.

Read more about this Feature Home from Lands End Development on page 96 24 Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

“Once the timber frame structure is erected, the SIPs are fastened to the outside of the timber package,” he says. “Then the panels are sheetrocked or tongue-in-grooved on the inside, and then whatever type of siding will cover it up on the outside. In most cases, nothing of our product is shown once the home is completed.”

The use of structural insulated panels has also been growing in popularity for other types of conventional home construction, according to Mack.

“The panels attach to the outside of the timbers, not only protecting them, but allowing for full display of the wood and its natural beauty.”

Neal Mack - Enercept

photo provided by Lands End Development

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photo provided by Blue Ox Timber Frames

Read more about this Feature Home from Lyndon’s Custom Homes on page 84

“In the timber framing industry, we’ve worked hard to build long and lasting relationships photo provided by Lyndon’s Custom Homes

“We really have had an amazing partnership with timber frame builders, however, and we have become recognized in this niche market for our ability to produce customized panels for even the most complex designs,” he says. “There is really no better marriage in the industry than timber framing and SIPs.” He admits that he actually heard that quote from Tom Silva, a TV personality from “This Old House,” who was giving a seminar at the Fargo Home Show when Mack first started working for Enercept almost 25 years ago. Mack says it still holds true.

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Enercept’s business and marketing focus is on the 12 states that surround South Dakota, and they have also shipped to locations as far away as Antarctica and Greenland.

“In the timber framing industry, we’ve worked hard to build long and lasting relationships with a great group of people who do the most unbelievably gorgeous work,” he adds.

“But the work they do is not really carpentry.

It’s craftsmanship. A lot of these projects are expected to be handed down from family to family, and that’s a different kind of building.

They don’t simply build houses – they build legacy homes.” ~L&H

with a great group of people who do the most unbelievably gorgeous work. But the work they do is not really carpentry.

It’s craftsmanship.”

Neal Mack - Enercept

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L LANDSCAPING

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photo by Lakes Area Landscaping

A retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains earth materials to prevent those materials from sliding or eroding away.

“Retaining walls serve a practical purpose.

They’re needed to provide retention of soil or earth,” Neil Jenzen, owner of Alex Brick & Stone, stated.

adding an addition, to create an outdoor living space, and landscaping. “Another place you might consider a retaining wall is to change the height of a lake bank or to install stairs to the dock area for easier access to the lake,” Pat Morstad, owner of Precision Landscape & Irrigation, commented.

While retaining walls serve one practical purpose, there are a handful of reasons why a homeowner might consider building this significant stone structure. “Reasons for a retaining wall would be if you’re building a walkout from the house, allowing for a driveway or sidewalk, or even to alter the grade of the topsoil, for instance, flattening the grade of a hilly area to make it useable for a residential or commercial area,” Jenzen shared. It is also common to see retaining walls go up following new construction, while

Before putting up a retaining wall, you will likely need to acquire a permit from the city or county. “Anytime you’re moving dirt in a shore impact zone, it will trigger a permit. There are also restrictions on heights, generally anything taller than 3 feet, you’ll need a permit,” owner of 4Mations Landscaping & Design, Matt Hoen, explained.

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Once you get the permit, it might seem like you’re all set to build, but a retaining wall is much more than a Saturday afternoon

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project. Before you roll up your sleeves, do your research. There are a lot of steps to building a retaining wall, and if you, the DIYer, or the contractor you hire, overlook one of these steps, it is only a matter of time before the wall fails. “This is no joke.

Like building a foundation of a house, it is the same concept with retaining walls,” Morstad stated. He went on to say, “You’ll want an NCMA (National Concrete Masonry Association) certified contractor and companies with the proper knowledge versus the chuck in the truck type companies when it comes to building a retaining wall. If you invest in a good quality company trained with the proper skill set, you’re investing in something that will last a long time, and you won’t have to spend more, in the long run, having someone else come in and redo the wall.”

“Anything taller than a 4-foot wall, I would recommend hiring a professional for the job,” said Wes Pare, owner of Lakes Area Landscaping based out of Pelican Rapids.

Pare went on to say, “There are so many variables in building a retaining wall from drainage to geogrid (a flexible mesh that is used to create a reinforced coherent mass behind the retaining wall by stabilizing the soil).”

The amount of labor involved with the project is another reason a homeowner might consider hiring a contractor. In many cases, the amount of soil that needs to be removed requires more than a shovel and wheelbarrow.

“If you’re questioning whether you can do the job or not, it’s probably something you need to hire someone to do,” Jenzen mentioned.

He went on to say exactly what Morstad said.

“It’s going to cost twice as much to redo the wall if it fails.”

photo by Precision Landscape & Irrigation

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To build a retaining wall, you’ll need to gather tools such as a concrete saw, masonry circular saw blade, rubber mallet, chisel, drilling hammer, and a shovel. You’ll also need, “A strong back to excavate out the area,” Hoen added.

photo by Precision Landscape & Irrigation

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a drainage system. “You want to place the drain system at least one foot behind the wall to allow moisture to pass from the top and anywhere from the spans of the earth that creates hydrostatic pressure,” Jenzen said.

Laying down a drain tile that exits the end of the wall or placing a drainage tube behind the wall are both beneficial to deferring water.

When you shop for retaining walls, you will find the styles of material are endless. “It is really the customer’s choice when it comes to color and style,” Hoen, who has been in the landscaping business for 21 plus years, mentioned. 4mations Landscaping & Design based out of Battle Lake, tends to lay a lot of Belgard, Rockwood, and Techo-Bloc retaining wall products, featured in their gallery at www.4mations.net. photo by Lakes Area Landscaping

When excavating the area, take note of the soil type you’re working to retain and build upon. “What environment are you putting it in, is it a wet environment, a class five base or a granite base?” Morstad pointed out. He went on to say, “How much soil or material the wall is retaining will determine things like how thick and wide the base in relation to the soil type should be.”

Another essential step to building a retaining wall is backfilling the wall. Landscapers recommend crushed stone and gravel to complete this process because unlike soil, they don’t hold water. When laying the crushed stone behind the wall, consider placing it 6-to-8 feet deep and up to the second row from the top. You should also keep in mind how you pack the crushed stone.

“You don’t want to put too much pressure on it, but you need to pack it to create a stable environment for the wall,” Jenzen clarified.

You might also consider using landscaping fabric behind the wall to keep the rock and soil separate.

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photo by Lakes Area Landscaping

As you plan to build your retaining wall, ask yourself, when it rains or melts, is there a place for that water to go? What will happen if the water has nowhere to go? Do you want to take that risk? If a drainage system isn’t in place, “Ground pressure forms and moisture seeps in and expands, which will cause the wall to move and separate, getting worse over time,” Hoen explained. As the water collects behind the wall freezes and expands, it will cause the wall to fall over. To avoid this issue, you must use the right amount of base filler and install

Alex Brick & Stone provides several options for colors and styles for their customers. They have a variety of in-store displays, and the necessary supplies to complete the project.

To get more of a feel for what materials they offer, check out their website at www. alexbrick.com. While they provide variety, natural stones seem to be popular. “We work with quarries all over the country that provide that material. The cost varies, depending on

photo by Lakes Area Landscaping

where it comes from, a lot of the cost is just in transportation,” Jenzen said.

A retaining wall system option to consider is Tandem, a design by Belgard Hardscapes.

This system provides the appearance of natural stone in curved or straight retaining and freestanding walls. Another option is Anchor Highland Stone because of its rearlip locator feature it goes in quickly and accurately. Anchor Diamond is a great option if you’re building a retaining wall under 4 feet. It allows for easy design and

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installation of straight or curved walls and terraces. However, there are many retaining wall systems out there to choose from, so allow yourself time to shop around.

A retaining wall material you might want to avoid is timber. “People still talk about railroad ties or timbers. We need to get away from that mentality because wood, in a wet environment, is always wet. It might last a few years, but it won’t last as long as concrete blocks,” Morstad shared. Precision Landscaping & Irrigation offers retaining wall

options such as Anchor Brisa, Diamond, and Frisco. Precision’s offerings also include Belair Wall 2.0 and Tandem Column Kit as part of a vast selection you can find on their website, plandscapes.com. “Railroad ties were huge in the 80s and 90s, and now they’re all rotting, and we’re replacing them with stone and solid concrete steps,” Pare stated.

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Once the retaining wall is complete, contractors will top off the wall with what is called a top cap, which is half the thickness and provides a solid finish. “If we’re using pavers, we’ll use a different color for the border to give it a little appeal,” Pare mentioned. For more curb appeal ideas, check out www. lakesarealandscaping.com. Lights are also a nice addition to a retaining wall. “Low voltage LED lights provide a nice accent to the wall in the evening hours, and they last many years.

Adding lights to walls in conjunction with steps in a walkout area or down to the lake is also something to consider,” Jenzen added.

having to drag lawn furniture around and covers that overflow seating,” Jenzen shared.

Those living in Minnesota and on the lake tend to utilize the outdoors as much as possible during the summer months and go as far as building outdoor kitchens around their grills to accommodate outdoor dining. “We’ve done retaining walls to enclose patios and that area around the wood-burning ring,” Hoen mentioned.

Done right, and with style, your retaining wall will last for years and provide curb appeal that sets your property apart from the neighborhood. ~L&H

While retaining walls provide purpose, others offer additional seating around a fire pit and create a functioning outdoor living space.

“That seating around the fireplace eliminates

While there are a large variety of styles in retaining walls to choose from, the concept of how the wall locks together is still fairly the same. There are interlocking retaining wall systems like a Versa-Lok wall system that offers flexibility, is cost-effective, and has attractive facing options. “Pin and rear-lip lock systems that slide into place are still common. We use landscaping glue for natural blocks, whereas we stack heavier boulders on top of each other,” Pare commented.

The key to building a successful retaining wall starts at the foundation. “The base is crucial.

It has to be perfectly level. If it isn’t level, it will get progressively worse as you build,” Hoen said.

When you lay the first row, “That first block should be buried for the structure to be soundly engineered,” Jenzen commented.

He went on to say, “Those natural stones with more of a flat top and bottom stack efficiently with either heavy equipment or by hand. It can be a time consuming and laborintensive project.” After getting the base in and level, you’ll find a lot of your retaining wall products are easy to install.

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photo by Precision Landscape & Irrigation

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D

DO IT YOURSELF

Story & photos by Alicia Underlee Nelson

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Due to the coronavirus pandemic,

many of us are spending more time in our homes than ever before.

Creating a comfortable and soothing environment has never felt more important.

Our sense of smell is closely tied to our feelings of safety, security and

well-being. Scents can energize us, calm us, and create a pleasant and

restful environment. Here are three simple ways to create your own custom home fragrance.

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smells crisply medicinal, while rosemary is thought to aid concentration. Lavender is said to help with relaxation and sleep and is often blended with the calming scent of mugwort.

To make your own incense, cut an 8 to 10inch stalk of your desired herbs and bind them together with string or twine made from natural fibers like cotton. (Anything synthetic will melt and smell bad instead of burning cleanly.) Wrap the herb bundle with string from top to bottom and back again, leaving a short tail of 3-5 inches at the end. Hang upside down to dry for at least two weeks.

Then place in a bowl half full of sand and burn. Extinguish completely when finished.

TRY A SIGNATURE CANDLE MAKE AN ESSENTIAL OIL ROOM SPRAY

“Diffusing essential oils is a great way to bring pleasurable smells into the home,” says aromatherapist Crystal Franco, of Moorhead Massage and Wellness Center. “They are still potent and largely used as medicine, so I recommend consulting aromatherapists versus product representatives to see which ones are safe versus unsafe for each individual and their family.”

When it comes to choosing a scent, Franco recommends going with your gut instinct.

Personal preferences count for a lot when it comes to choosing a fragrance for your home, whether it’s a one-note scent or a blend you create.

“Citrus oils are generally safer oils which have an uplifting effect,” Franco explains. “Lemon, lime, mandarin – they all bring the sunshine inside! Some top calming oils are lavender, chamomile, and bergamot.”

To make a room spray, put 24-30 drops of essential oils into a small spray bottle. Fill half full with witch hazel and half full with distilled water. Shake to combine.

Contact MoorheadMassage.com for more information and assistance.

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CREATE YOUR OWN HERBAL INCENSE

Burning aromatic herbs is an earthy, soothing, and economical way to perfume your home.

You can purchase dried herbs or dry favorites from your own planters, window boxes or garden. Pick a favorite scent or create your own blend.

Sage has been used in indigenous communities for ceremonies and cleansing for generations. Eucalyptus is refreshing and

Several Minnesota companies make 100 percent soy candles that burn cleaner than traditional paraffin candles. They release fragrance efficiently and often burn longer.

Maplewood’s Minnesota Candle Company offers evocative seasonal fragrances like Arctic Air, Apple Harvest, Silver Spruce and Lilac. Or try the fresh floral and ozone scent of Northern Lights. Scents are available in utilitarian 8-ounce tins and candle melts.

Woodfire Candle Company in Duluth features unique Fitger’s Brewhouse Blends for the craft beer fans who want their homes to smell apricot wheat or oatmeal stout. There are

also several lake cabin-friendly blends like spicy, smoky Campfire and dark chocolate Hot Cocoa & ‘Mallows.

Excelsior Candle Co. creates sophisticated scent blends in clean, minimalistic 8.5-ounce candles and 4-ounce tins. Lake Super Mist features wild berries, fresh fir and driftwood and moss, while Downtown Loft combines bergamot, cedarwood, amber and black pepper.

Shop online at MNCandleCo.com, WoodfireCandleCo.com, and ExcelsiorCandleCo.com. ~L&H

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D

DO IT YOURSELF

Neutrals are nice, but humans crave color. And you don’t have to add a lot to change the feeling of a space. Here are some simple ways to add a pop of color to your home.

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ART

WINDOW COVERINGS

RUGS

You don’t have to have special training to

For a dramatic look, choose curtains in a

Rugs can be bold and modern or boast

know what you like. Do you like bold pops of

rich, saturated shade or a graphic or bold

classic patterns that have stood the test of

color or muted pastels? Are you intrigued by

pattern. For something more subdued, try

time. A well-made rug will last a lifetime (or

landscapes or do you prefer something more

elegant paper shades that provide privacy

several), so make sure you have a winner

abstract? Do you enjoy the crisp contrast of

while allowing soft light into the room. There

before you invest.

black and white photography or gravitate

are hundreds of options in between.

toward dreamy pastels?

Rugs are traditionally used in living rooms Consider the privacy and sunlight each room

and dining rooms, but you can place one

You don’t have to spend a fortune to collect

needs. A cheerful breakfast nook or second

wherever you want to add warmth and

art. Shop local galleries, art fairs, college art

floor office that looks out over the lake might

comfort underfoot or to make a strong visual

departments, studio crawls or at online shops

only need filmy curtains or a colorful valance,

statement. There are many sizes available.

like Etsy.com. Home décor and furniture

while an east-facing bedroom requires

You’ll want to be able to center the longest

stores stock large items, which can be tricky

blackout curtains.

piece of furniture on the rug, leaving a few

to find. If you get stuck, a gallery owner or interior designer can help.

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feet of space on either side.

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TEXTILES Textiles are a great way to experiment with color in small doses and learn which combinations you respond to. Start with new accent pillows or pillow covers for the couch or the bed, or drape a colorful throw on an armchair. In the dining room, play with different placemats and cloth napkins to see what looks best in the space.

When you have a sense of what looks good in the room, invest in a new bedding set or a beautifully made tablecloth. You might slipcover a chair or couch for a new look. You can even drape an ottoman with an interesting textile.

FURNITURE Now that you’ve narrowed down the colors you enjoy and you’ve seen them in your home, you can confidently purchase larger items like furniture. Swap out basic barstools or kitchen chairs for brightly colored versions, or give your office a jolt with a colorful desk chair. A bar cart in vivid shades lets you play with colors you love without necessarily living with them every day.

Larger purchases deliver bigger results. That colorfully lacquered table will give your all white dining room a jolt of energy and become a major conversation piece. A couch in lipstick red sends a much different message than one in a moody sea green or restful blue.

HIGHLIGHT COLLECTIONS When arranged together, items like pottery, vases, and books pack a visual punch. These disparate pieces read as a single block of color, especially when arranged on a small space like a shelf or a mantel. An odd number of objects feels especially soothing.

Stack books in similar colors on a coffee table for a striking visual statement or an invitation to sit down and read. Or make a big statement and arrange the bookshelves in your office or library according to color.

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PAINT Once you know that you love a shade, you can bring it into your home more permanently. To start small, try painting an accent wall or refreshing a wooden chair or bookshelf with a fresh coat of colorful paint. Add a brightly painted front door or mailbox to greet visitors and add instant curb appeal.

Less public (and often smaller) spaces like closets, powder rooms, laundry rooms, home offices, and playrooms are popular rooms to paint entirely. Updating a bedroom in a restful color is another popular choice.

Color is a fun and easy way to add personality to a room. A little bit can go a long way and make your home feel inviting. ~L&H

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E EXTERIORS

photo provided by: Stenerson Lumber

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photo provided by: Stenerson Lumber

F

ans of deep, dark, saturated color no longer have to keep their preferences behind closed doors. New technology allows shades to be (and stay) darker than ever without the fading risks of yesteryear, and expanded color choices mean that customers are limited only by their imaginations.

Shadowy shades are trending not just in siding, but also in windows, roofing, and trim. We talked to local exterior experts to learn how to get the look that everybody is talking about.

What’s Trending While interior colors favor a range of versatile mix-and-match grays, taupes, and classic white, exterior colors are enjoying a dive off the deep end. It’s all about making a big statement, enveloping a home in an expanse of dramatic, saturated color.

These are complex shades – there’s nothing simple or one-note in the hottest color palettes. They are the diametric opposite of pastels.

Look for moody, complicated colors that, despite their power, feel grounding. The most popular exterior colors are found in nature – the blue-black of midnight, the dense green of the forest floor, the bottomless blue-green swirl of the sea’s depths. This makes them feel easy to live with, offering a sense of familiarity.

These shades are intense, but they’re hardly somber. They pulse with unexpected energy. Grays shift away from midrange toward charcoal, slate, and all the way to a deep, inky black. Brown suddenly looks vibrant in shades of mahogany and mink. A deep Etruscan red or rich burgundy brings a pop of unexpected color and curb appeal.

The trend for darker interiors spiked alongside the resurgence in the modern farmhouse style. But a bold exterior works with many architectural styles. It’s a logical choice for a sleek, contemporary home. An unexpected exterior color can also jolt midcentury modern ramblers out of their slumber and add a little excitement and European charm to cottages and cabins.

No matter which shade you choose, be prepared for a reaction. A dark exterior is a show of confidence.

“The suburbs are a little famous for being ‘the sea of same,’” says Quinn Kathner, marketing specialist for Sprenger Midwest, which handles wholesale distribution of LP® SmartSide® products throughout the Midwest. “So it’s a great way to kind of stand out from the crowd.”

Expanded Color Selection When it comes to choosing a color on which to base your new look, siding is the logical place to start. Customers have more options now than ever before.

“It used to be that darker siding was so much more expensive or non-existent,” explains Steve Gease, salesperson at Stenerson Lumber in Fergus Falls. “And you can get that in an array of colors.

I know a lot of suppliers are offering all the Sherwin Williams colors now.” photo provided by: Vector Windows

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photo provided by: Sprenger Midwest

All Stenerson Lumber locations (Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Moorhead) carry LP® SmartSide®, which has expanded to an 18 stock color program. But it’s that ability to create custom colors that has really been a game changer for homeowners and for builders.

“They get the benefits of pre-finished siding in general,” explains Kathner. “But really the benefit is having customizability, because somebody can bring in their design board from Pinterest to our retailers and say ‘I want to match that.’ It really instills a lot of confidence in the builder.”

As an added bonus, the cost of dark colored siding is now right on par with other colors, so customers don’t have to worry about paying a hefty premium for the color they want. The only thing limiting most homeowners is their imagination. Once you wrap your head around the possibility of darker siding, other options suddenly become a reality.

Go for Contrast with Windows, Trim or on the Roof “When they go darker with the siding, they want to go darker with the windows,” says Gease. “Right now, dark windows are really, really popular.

Black is probably the hottest color and the dark, dark brown has been kind of a mainstay for years.”

David Larson, territory manager of Vector Windows, in Fergus Falls, agrees. He says his company started noticing that bronze was going to be hot about three years ago. It’s been a consistent seller in Minnesota and he expects that its prominence is here to stay. But he thinks black will be an even bigger trend. Exposure to good art and design principles and color theory has made customers savvy about how to maximize black’s visual impact.

“People like these contrasting colors, so what we’re seeing is people ordering the black window, and then they’re applying a white extension jam so that the contrast with the white jam just makes the window pop,” explains Larson. “The significant contrasts draws your eyes to that.” photo provided by: Sprenger Midwest

54 Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

As an added bonus, Vector offers customers the ability to customize the color on both sides, to maximize the contrast on the exterior and blend in indoors. Larson says black or bronze on the exterior and white on the interior is a popular option. “It’s the best of both worlds,” he says.

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The opportunity for great visual contrast isn’t limited to trim and windows. After siding, the next largest expanse for creativity is the roof. Mike Frank, territory sales manager of Metal Sales Manufacturing (Detroit Lakes branch), says that builders and homeowners are definitely getting creative with roof design as well.

“I see a lot of two-toned or unique roofs. People are doing shingle and metal both, or highlights with metal,” he explains. “We’ve seen a lot of blacks, dark charcoals, burgundies, burnished slates. That just seems to be the trend, that contrast, with the white trims and the white accessories, but dark on the roof and the siding.”

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photo provided by: Sprenger Midwest

New Technology Roofing materials, siding, and windows have all enjoyed major technological developments that remove many of the risks (mainly expense and fading) that used to dissuade buyers from choosing darker finishes. And that means that dark colors are suddenly more available to more buyers at a wider range of price points.

All LP® SmartSide® colors (from dark to light) are covered by the same warranty, which gives customers peace of mind. Many might remember seeing neighbors purchase an inferior product in the early days of dark siding, only to watch it fade.

Gease says that many of his customers at Stenerson Lumber don’t need to worry about that. “With today’s technology, they know that they have the ability to keep the color.” photo provided by: Vector Windows

“The finishes that are being used now are definitely top of the line,” says Frank. “All of ours are Energy Star rated, so it dissipates heat. That’s the killer for fading.”

The materials all enjoy the same warranty, which can put customers at ease. (Even though the salesperson explains the new technology, sometimes the memory of a neighbor or family member’s buying mistake can be hard to shake.) And in the case of roofing materials, the cost difference between metal and shingles has narrowed significantly.

“Nowadays the cost between shingles and different metals is very close,” says Frank.

“Depending on the panel you pick, there’s not a lot of difference in price. I just priced one out the other day, and it was probably within 10 percent of shingles.”

Vector Windows provides both painted vinyl windows and laminate windows. Larson says it’s been interesting to watch the technology evolve to the point where a reliable laminate window in a very dark color was a reality.

“The new products are more stable, more heat tolerant,” Larson explains. “Having a laminate product allows us to get our product to our customers in a timeline that their customers are expecting – two weeks.”

The developments in roofing materials are evolving at a similar pace, says Frank.

Sustainability and aesthetic appeal have developed hand-in-hand.

56 Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

When it comes to exterior design choices, now is a great time to go deep. Homeowners have a broader range of dark colored windows, roofs, and siding than ever before.

Whether you like a moody, natural shade like thundercloud blue or favor stark, highcontrast black and white, this is the perfect time to come over to the dark side. ~L&H

Custom Glass Solutions

Serving Detroit Lakes, Pelican Rapids, Perham, Ottertail, Battle Lake, Elbow Lake, Alexandria, Fergus Falls, New York Mills, Barnesville, Fargo/Moorhead and Surrounding Areas

210 S. Vine St. • Fergus Falls, MN • 218-736 - 6791

147 E Main St. • Perham, MN • 218-346 -7310

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L LAKE GIFTS

Creative Touch Boutique 320-762-8786 | 516 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN We are a boutique store in downtown Alexandria, which carries home décor, gifts, and clothing. We specialize in women’s clothing with an emphasis on being cute, comfortable, and affordable.

One whole section of the store is devoted to Minnesota clothing. Here you’ll find T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats for both men and women. Also included in this section are gift items and home décor with a lake theme, which includes personalized lake signs, lake map jar candles, cribbage boards, beer glasses, and coffee mugs. You will also find hundreds of signs with many featuring lake sayings.

Follow us on both Facebook and Instagram. The store is open year-round, seven days a week, right in the middle of the bustling downtown Alexandria shopping district!

Mainstream Boutique 833 Washington Ave | Detroit Lakes, MN | 218-844-4990 Hours: M-F 10-6 | Sat 10-4 | Sun Closed Established in 2014 as a women’s boutique, we strive to empower and encourage women to embrace their inner beauty. We believe and educate on the power of self-esteem and help women find styles that flatter their shape and fit their lifestyle. With new fashion arriving daily we know that women want to see fresh styles both online and in the store. Mainstream works with vendors who are exclusive to our stores. We pride ourselves on finding apparel markets that are as unique as the women we serve. We cover sizes xsm-xlg in an affordable price range. Mainstream Boutique carries fashion from casual lake wear to a fun evening out. Customers also love to shop our shoes, scarves, purses, greeting cards, gifts and jewelry including the popular Brighton line of jewelry. We sell online through our Facebook page of Mainstream Boutique-Detroit Lakes and on Instagram mainstreamdetroitlakes.

Dot & Minnie’s and Level iii dotandminnies.com | leveliiiboutique.com 148 1st Ave S | Perham, MN 56573 | 218-346-4180 Dot & Minnie’s is a true boutique – a collection of unique clothing lines you’d be hard-pressed to find together anywhere else, but will find in downtown Perham! What you will find is a wide range of classic styles, from reserved to edgy... and the funky jewelry to go with them!

Otter Coffee and Ice Cream 117 E Main St, Vergas, MN 56587 218-342-4702 | www.ottercoffeevergas Otter Coffee Vergas is more than a coffee shop - it is an Otter Tail County experience! Enjoy several products from throughout Otter Tail County. Fresh Stumbeano’s coffee, scones and muffins and Fresh Bread Fridays-from Falls Baking Company, honey, raspberry

Not quite your style? Try our sister store across the street, Level iii.

There we stock trendy styles in an industrial setting. Whatever your style, we have something for you!

Most of our styles are available for purchase from our extensive websites, dotandminnies.com and leveliiiboutique.com. Shop by type of item or by brand; have it shipped, or held for pick up! Need additional information on an item? Email or call and you’ll have your answer within 24 hours – we try on more for customers than for ourselves!

Periwinkle 218-367-3900 | 328 MN Hwy 78, Ottertail, MN Welcome to Periwinkle!

Periwinkle Marketplace is an Ottertail city shopping favorite.

Find women’s clothing, jewelry, a kids section, home décor, and all things lake! Check out our vendors section! You’ll find clothing, furniture and all sorts of rustic, vintage and re-purposed finds. See more on our Facebook page.

syrup, maple syrup, local jelly, and wild rice. You can treat yourself to ice cream, milk shakes, and smoothies.

When it’s time to relax, join us on our private patio for a glass of wine and charcuterie tray. Browse the local art and jewelry. Need a hostess gift? Everyone loves a taste of Otter Tail! Gift baskets and coffee are all available online and can be shipped. Dogs are welcome and “puppachinos” are our specialty! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date activities and specials.

Take out/curbside delivery available, call ahead 218-342-4702

Open 7 Days a Week | Monday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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F

FEATURE HOME

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W

hen it was time to build their retirement home on Otter Tail Lake, Connie and John Wiese were decisive. They knew the look and the materials they wanted in this new home and they embraced these goals with confidence.

“Our vision was to have an open concept and a simple color scheme that would bring nature inside,” explains Connie. “The clean lines with the modern rustic look of shiplap, pine, and stone make our home feel lake-y, airy and warm with added reclaimed wood pieces throughout. Personal accents add to our years of life on the lake. It is the best place to be.”

The couple worked closely with a carefully chosen team of professionals who could make their dream a reality. Arnzen Construction Inc. in Freeport, Minn., listened to their goals and came up with a design that checked all their boxes.

The end result was a 2,400-square-foot home with three bedrooms and twoand-a-half baths. The home would usher them into the next phase of their lives and provide them with a gracious and flexible living space to enjoy both now and for many years to come.

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. “A lot of planning and changes made along the way are always necessary to get there,” says Connie, with the knowing air of a woman who has built before.

The two-level design provides an open concept feeling on the main floor with an upper loft area. This combination of several more private areas for rest, relaxation, and conversation and free-flowing gathering places for guests and parties provides the best of both worlds. The couple also added mini gathering places for guests upstairs.

“The upper loft consists of two bedrooms with a centered Jack-and-Jill full bath towards the back,” explains Connie.

“Each bedroom has its own sitting area.”

“Our vision was to have an open concept and a simple color scheme that would bring nature inside. The clean lines with the modern rustic look of shiplap, pine, and stone make our home feel lake-y, airy and warm with added reclaimed wood pieces throughout.”

Connie Wiese - homeowner 62 Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

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The lower area is dominated by a great room living space that includes the kitchen, dining room, and living room spaces as well as the master living area. A muted color scheme of grays and taupes glows in the lights. Because the palette is subdued, every color choice pops with unexpected emphasis. White subway tile in the kitchen gleams, rendering the cheerful yellow bar stools and home décor accent pieces even more electric. In an upstairs sitting area, armchairs in a classic black and white buffalo check and a rich red rug really pop against a restful background.

Much of the home’s color and texture come from the natural materials the Wieses chose to accent the interior. The stones in the fireplace appear weighty and genteel, giving a new build a sense of history. Leaves

and flowers are echoed in rugs and artwork.

The floors and vaulted ceilings are covered in rich wood tones to bring the outdoors in and promote a feeling of ease and naturalness in the décor.

The main and upper floors are covered in Adura vinyl plank by Mannington, which was sourced from Hennen Floorcovering Inc. in Freeport, Minn. It provides the look of wood without the upkeep. (Hennen Floorcovering Inc. also supplied the porcelain tile for the bathrooms.) The ceilings are prefinished pine, with shiplap added in the kitchen, pantry and bathrooms. The Wieses made their selections and delegated installation to their design partners.

“I worked closely with my carpenters with Hanson Custom Builders to ensure our cabinetry was installed to the superior quality Wiese had come to expect from us collaboratively on an earlier project.”

Jamie Wallace - Calla Lily Designs

“Hennen’s installed flooring and Arnzen’s fabulous craftsmen installed the ceiling and shiplap throughout the home,” Connie explains.

The home’s most eye-catching design element is a gracious spiral staircase that ascends from the main floor to the loft and commands focus from almost any vantage point in the main living area. Connie fell in love with the idea and approached James Virnala from Virnala Blacksmith Shop in New York Mills to create a similar staircase for their new home. The Wiese family reached out directly to many of their subcontractors, an experience that was unusual, but productive for many of them.

“This collaboration was slightly atypical in that I had little contact with their builder,” explains Jamie Wallace, owner of Calla Lily Designs in Fergus Falls. “John was the liaison between us on questions on either side. And Connie and I collaborated on finishes for cabinetry and countertops to fit the overall style. Connie has an amazing eye for design, so she was taking on much of the selections herself among the subs she and John trusted.”

The kitchen and bathrooms were two key areas where function and beauty needed to combine seamlessly. Installing cabinets from Woodland Cabinetry of Sisseton, S.D., was a key first step.

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“I worked closely with my carpenters with Hanson Custom Builders to ensure our cabinetry was installed to the superior quality Wiese had come to expect from us collaboratively on an earlier project,” explains Wallace. “All of our counters are Neutral Concrete from Corian, except for our island in the kitchen, which is a slab of Warm Brittanicca from Cambria.”

Connie chose a color scheme of neutrals, layered for maximum effect. It’s a quiet look that doesn’t shout, but adds much more visual interest than just a flat white or onenote beige interior. It also complements the warmth and variety of the range of natural woods found throughout the home.

“The uniqueness of this home is the gorgeous blend of finishes, from shiplap and wrought iron to painted and textured woods,” says Wallace. “There are so many beautiful finishes used collectively throughout the home in a stunning fashion. By keeping many of the background colors neutral, these features become highlights and offer so much warmth throughout, it is easy to picture yourself at home within the space.”

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Once the project was complete, the couple easily made themselves at home. The new space made it simple and convenient to enjoy all their favorite activities.

“Our goals were retirement home access to the lake says Connie. “We property has it.”

to have a comfortable to our liking with easy activities we are used to,” love the beach and this

A rough-hewn stone path leads down to that sandy beach, where two gracious white Adirondack lounge chairs create the perfect spot to enjoy a cool drink, a moment of rest or a conversation by the water. A long dock stretches out onto the lake, which makes it easy to take the pontoon out for a spin with family and friends. (On dry land, they love looking at summer flowers in bloom.)

“Our goals were to have a comfortable retirement home to our liking with easy access to the lake activities we are used to. We love the beach and this property has it.”

Connie Wiese - homeowner

“The loft swing bed has been a favorable must from the beginning of our building project,” says Connie. “The children love it.”

The Wiese home is full of little touches like this, design choices that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

The upstairs bathroom is accessible from both bedrooms through neat pocket doors. In place of large-scale art, Connie opted to apply vinyl wall decals in the shape of striking silhouettes of trees. A huge second floor storage closet is accented by 8-foot ink-stained doors that echo the home’s color scheme.

While feeling that keeping the second-floor storage closet might be a challenge, the Wieses came up with a clever solution. They installed a lift system to take the muscle out of the task.

“There is an office/storage room above the double garage accessible from the east upper bedroom with a Versa Lift that can be used to lift and lower items for storage from the garage up to the store room,” explains Connie.

From the outside, the home looks like something that has sprung up out of the surrounding landscape. Mature trees send their branches high into the sky, creating shade and shadow. The exterior walls and roof blend in with the tree trunks. Weatherproof, wood-look garage doors by Overhead Door Co. weave the same warm wood from the interior space into the exterior.

The front porch feels welcoming and organic. It’s dotted with more Adirondack chairs and a porch swing so

the homeowners and their guests can catch a cool breeze or enjoy a few quiet moments in conversation or relaxing with their thoughts or a good book. The floor is stone, installed by Cassidy Thiel, who also formed the fireplace stone.

As an unexpected touch of whimsy, guests can rock, lounge, read and nap in porch swing indoors too. The couple installed a swing from The Porch Swing Co. in one of the second level sitting rooms. It was an instant hit.

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Its design is specific to the Wiese family’s needs. But anyone can adapt the home’s smart design choices to add modern comfort and natural details to their own living space.

“The beauty of today’s design is that each home can have its own unique flair based on a family’s preferences,” says designer Jamie Wallace. “But by incorporating soothing paints and finishes as a backdrop to highlight warm wood textures, metal accents, and stone details you can create a stunning compliment, such as the look of this home, in your own spaces.” ~L&H

But nowhere is this combination of pretty and practical details so prevalent as in the pantry.

The oversized pantry is 10-feet long and an absolute love letter to form and function. It’s sure to be the envy of many a houseguest and home cook.

“I love everything about the pantry and it’s my favorite room in the house,” says Connie.

“I’m a baker and my dream has always been to have a walk-in to free up a clean kitchen and to be able to spread out and have everything at my fingertips for working, serving and storing. It also makes for a great buffet line during family gatherings!”

The Wiese home on Otter Tail Lake has already accomplished its owners’ objectives.

It’s served as a gathering place for the people they love and a testament to the good memories of lake life they all share.

And it promises many more to come.

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CouLDn’t have done it without: Arnzen Construction

| BUILDER, DRYWALL, LP SMART SIDE SIDING

• View our ad on page 63

Connie Wiese

| INTERIOR DESIGN

All State Well Drilling

| WELL

Tri County Foam Insulation | INSULATION

• View our ad on page 71

Jeff Kostreba

| MASONRY

Calla Lily Design

| COUNTERTOPS, CABINETS

• View our ad on page 63

All Season’s Heating & Cooling | HVAC, SECURITY

• View our ad on page 69

Periwinkel

| PAINTING

Hennen’s

| FLOORING

Lakeside Plumbing Beam Electric Don Schmidt

| ELECTRICIAN

| EXCAVATING

St. Rosa Lumber

| PLUMBING

| BUILDING MATERIALS

• View our ad on page 63

Swedberg Nursery

| LANDSCAPING

Norson Window and Glass Alex Brick & Stone

| GUTTERS

| FIREPLACE

• View our ad on page 14, 69

Cassidy Thiel

| STONEWORK

James Virnala

| STAIRCASE

Overhead Garage Door

| GARAGE DOORS

“The beauty of today’s design is that each home can have its own unique flair based on a family’s preferences. But by incorporating soothing paints and finishes as a backdrop to highlight warm wood textures, metal accents, and stone details you can create a stunning compliment, such as the look of this home, in your own spaces.”

Jamie Wallace - Calla Lily Designs

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FEATURE HOME

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B

uilding a home takes a lot of time, effort, and thought, not to mention having the right people on the project. It is even more true when you are completing such a large project from out of state. Steven and Julie Becker knew this would be the case when they decided it was time to build on Little Pine Lake, north of Perham, Minn.

The Becker family lives in Des Moines, Iowa, but have roots in the area and have spent a lot of time at the lake with their families.

“The property came into Julie’s family about 30 years,” Steve said. “Her parents maintained it and finished off a 600 square-foot building that served as our cabin for many years.”

“We used that for several years before deciding that we wanted something larger and more permanent.”

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When it was time to begin the process of building their home on Little Pine Lake, they became attentive to what houses were being built around Otter Tail County.

“We had to find people up there that we could trust and rely on, to be excellent communicators with us, and that we felt comfortable carrying out our ideas while we weren’t there.”

“One day we stopped by one that was being built on the east side of Otter Tail Lake, and it turned out to be a house designed by Kelli Wegscheid of Harmonious Architecture, and built by Eric Haataja of Haataja Contracting.”

It was clear to Steve and Julie after visiting the home on Otter Tail Lake that they needed to reach out to Eric Haataja of Haataja Contracting in the hopes of having him work on the project as well.

They loved what they saw and decided to go ahead and contact the architect.

“Kelli did a nice job of weaving together the home from the different ideas that we had collected over the course of many years.”

Giving the architect access to their vision boards on Houzz allowed them to share the ideas with her from a distance easily.

Julie said, “It worked out well! We did all of this living in Iowa.”

76 Lake & Home Magazine MAY / JUNE 2020

“You could just see the quality of the craftsmanship that went into the work they were doing, so when it came time to take Kelli’s designs to the next level and visit with contractors, we wanted to make sure Eric was on that list.”

The 2,300-square foot modern country farmhouse sits on a very rare flat lot on the east side of the lake.

White board and batten SP Smart Side covers the outside of the home and is paired with black frame windows from Andersen Windows & Doors. The roofing is a combination of asphalt shingles and steel, and the dark wood accents add warmth to the sleek look.

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The floors are heated, and covered throughout most of the home in a beautiful dark COREtec luxury plank. The homeowners are pleased with the look and how easy it is to maintain. White-painted custom kitchen cupboards from Jerry Eischens Cabinetry in Park Rapids, Minn., hang on the walls.

The beautiful granite countertops on both the island and perimeter are from B&D Granite Tops in Detroit Lakes, Minn. The sink is made of black granite.

The mixture of colors between the taupe colored subway tile backsplash and the kitchen island in its Cyber Space Gray is subtle but striking. The homeowners worked with Carol Ebling from Karvonen’s to purchase their stainless steel appliances.

Off the kitchen is a pantry, complete with a sliding barn door in an accent color to match the kitchen island, granite countertops, extra storage, and under-cabinet lighting. It is a great place to prep food, and the homeowners like having the microwave in this room rather than taking up extra wall space in the kitchen.

The Beckers wanted a contemporary profile for their windows - more glass and less frame. Brent Olson from Lumber Depot assisted them in finding their perfect match from Andersen Windows: the 400 Series with black exterior and prefinished white wood interior. They opted to install SmartSun™ Glass, which provides thermal control similar to tinted glass while letting in more natural light. The specialized glass also cuts down on harmful UV rays that cause fading to flooring and furniture.

Opposite the kitchen is the great room, and it has a built-in gas fireplace. The high ceilings overhead include clerestory windows on two sides, allowing in extra natural light. The windows on the lakeside of the home are tinted, providing some UV protection, and the windows overhead also open electronically, allowing for some extra airflow if needed.

Even the screens are doing more work than a traditional screen. The TruScene® Insect Screens provide more clarity and fresh air, while keeping pesky insects out.

This space is warm and welcoming, perfect for hosting a small intimate party or a large family gathering, which is precisely what the homeowners envisioned during the design process.

“We wanted a big space,” Steve said. “I come from a big family, and Julie’s got a number of relatives that live in the area as well, and we’re excited about those times when we will be able to host a summer event.”

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Wegscheid of Harmonious Architecture explained particular design details, such as creating separate-room feelings within the openconcept design.

“One of the unique features of the home is that even though it’s an open concept floor plan, each of the rooms have different ceilings defining each space.

The kitchen ceiling is flat, the dining room ceiling is vaulted, and the great room ceiling is vaulted with clerestory windows.”

Kelli Wegscheid - Harmonious Architecture

A door off the great room leads to the master suite. As you walk through the door, to the right is the master closet, and to the left is the bedroom. All of the doorways in the home are handicapped width.

The master closet doubles as a storm shelter. Built with 4x4 posts anchored in the concrete, and 3/4 inch plywood on either side, the shelter space is a separate structure, and it is not connected to the rafters or the roof. The storm shelter is cleverly designed within the master suite closet and hidden from normal view.

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One important design decision was placing the suite on the opposite side of the home from the other bedrooms, allowing for more privacy for both the homeowners and their guests.

And naturally, the Beckers made certain to have a fantastic view of sunsets on the lake from their master suite, something that never goes unappreciated.

A sliding barn door in the bedroom leads into the luxury master bath. A glass shower stands to your left with blue-tinted glass tile. Next to it is a bathtub surrounded by gray painted shiplap to match the sliding barn door.

The opposite side of the room features beautifully stained knotty alder custom cabinetry, a side-by-side sink, and white subway tile.

“We worked with a local tile shop here in Des Moines, Iowa, to find all the materials,” Steve said.

Julie added, “We had to haul a lot of stuff in from the outside and ordered quite a few things to be delivered up there.”

Steven continued,

“The contractor and subcontractors were all great about working with us on that.”

Walking back out of the master suite and through the great room to the dining area, you find a hallway that leads to the garage on your left.

The garage is an oversized 700-square -foot space allowing for extra storage and workspace. A utility door on the backside of the garage allows for easy access to the ATV and leisure equipment for use on the lake.

A drop-down stairway allows access to the storage space above the garage. The Becker’s considered using the space for bedrooms or a recreational area but decided to keep all of the living space on one level, a decision they are happy they made.

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Heading back into the home from the garage, you find a laundry room to your left behind a pocket door.

The laundry room is complete with custom built-in cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a utility sink. Continuing down the hallway from the garage, you’ll pass a nook for shoes and jackets on the left and a half bathroom on the right.

Heading back into the main part of the home and through the kitchen, you will find a threeseason porch to your right.

EZ-Screen porch windows and screens allow the homeowners to enjoy each spring, summer, and fall to the fullest. Stained pine wood covers the ceiling and two of the walls.

The other two walls are covered in house siding, making it feel like it truly is an outside room.

There is a door on the lakeside of the porch that leads out to the lakeside patio. Julie said, “We thought a lot about how we wanted to live in the house. Kelli was good at helping us with that.”

“She understands the flow of traffic.

We debated for a while if we wanted to put in sliding glass doors [in the great room], but it was Kelli’s recommendation to direct traffic with patio access to the dining room instead of the great room.”

Steven - Homeowner

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There is also a door right off the kitchen to the lakeside patio. The screen porch is off the guest wing, where you will find the two guest rooms and a full bathroom. Each of the bedrooms are oversized, allowing extra space for visitors to spread out.

When you enter the guest bathroom, you will find one sink on your left and the other on your right. There is also a separate space that includes the toilet and shower behind another door allowing for privacy.

The Beckers made use of the flat lot and built the house further back from the beach to have space for lawn games and social gatherings.

At the Window from Perham worked with the homeowners on the window treatments for the lake home.

The Beckers also worked with Chris Fudge of Signature Home Technologies on installing security and thermostats they could control remotely. Chris also installed the Wi-Fi controlled in-home audio system, which they thoroughly enjoy.

Both Steve and Julie are grateful for the businesses and individuals that helped them with this project. Designing and building from out of state was challenging, but finding the right experts made all the difference.

They spent their first summer at the lake last year, as well as Christmas with their daughters. The Becker family is sure to make many more memories in the coming years at their modern country farmhouse on the lake. ~L&H

CouLDn’t have done it without: Haataja Contracting

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FEATURE HOME

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This particular project, however, on a picturesque, 350-acre lake near Danbury, was very personal. He and his wife were building a vacation home for their family.

“I knew right away I wanted to build a timber frame home as a defining structure that would remain in our family for years to come.” homeowner / builder Lyndon Jerome

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B

uilding a quality home on lake property wouldn’t usually be an exceptional or unusual experience for Lyndon Jerome.

As owner of Lyndon’s Custom Homes in Elk Mound, Wis., he has been building residential homes since 2002 in the neighboring Eau Claire area and surrounding Chippewa Valley.

“I build homes from start to finish, and if there’s anything involved in wood, I do a lot of it myself,” says Lyndon, who has a strong value for quality and craftsmanship. “I only have a few employees, and I like to keep it that way.

Sometimes I’m the general contractor, and sometimes I subcontract for other builders.”

“This piece of property was our family cabin when I was growing up,” he explains. “After we bought it from my parents, we wanted to build a place that we could enjoy as a family now, with the thought in mind that it could eventually become our retirement home. I knew right away I wanted to build a timber frame home as a defining structure that would remain in our family for years to come.”

Timber Frame Home Timber framing is an older, more traditional method of building with exposed, loadbearing timbers, and Lyndon was familiar with the style since his childhood growing up on a dairy farm in Barron, Wis. “I was always far more interested in the wooden structures on the farm than I was on farming,” he says with a laugh. “I wanted to know how everything was built, and I was especially fascinated with one large barn that was timber framed.”

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“I wanted to work with a timber frame company with the expertise to help me design the right plan and follow through all the way to erecting the timber frame in our home. It was the first time I’ve worked with Blue Ox, but it went exceptionally well.” homeowner / builder Lyndon Jerome

He left the farm after high school and completed a two-year degree in carpentry at Red Wing Technical College. Although he never really warmed to the idea of working seven days a week on the farm, his interest in timber framing ties back to his childhood on that farm.

The timber framing construction method has been around for centuries, and those structures were meant to last for hundreds of years. Although not as commonplace as it was through the 19th century, timber framing is sometimes used in homes built today to make a bold design statement with the dramatic look of exposed timbers.

“My first job in construction was working for a large home construction company, and sometimes a homeowner would use timber framing in an entryway for visual effect,” he says. “It was very appealing to me, and my

vision for our lake home was to frame the entire main floor area that includes the living room, dining room and kitchen.”

Extensive research into specific design plans and experienced timber framing businesses led him to Ben Miller at Blue Ox Timber Frames in Alexandria, Minn.

“As a builder myself, I wanted to work with a timber frame company with the expertise to help me design the right plan and follow through all the way to erecting the timber frame in our home,” he says. “It was the first time I’ve worked with Blue Ox, but it went exceptionally well, and now we’re already moving forward together with another timber frame project for one of the homes I’m building.”

Ben Miller, the owner of Blue Ox Timber Frames, met with the Jeromes on their

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building site to determine their ideas, wants and needs. Then back in Alexandria, he and Blue Ox’s designer, Kim Green, developed a plan.

Timber framing is considered specialty work, and most builders don’t have enough experience in that area to tackle the entire project, according to Ben Miller.

“We’re set up here in our shop for all aspects of timber framing,” he says. “Once we complete the design, we measure, cut, sand and prefinish the pieces, put it all on a truck, and then send a crew to the building site. That crew ‘directs’ the frame and installs the SIPs (structurally inflated panels), the insulation used with timber framing.”

From the Outside The interior structure of a timber frame home isn’t always recognizable from the exterior design. For this passionate and detail-oriented builder, however, the clues to what you’ll find inside the home are reflected in the wood beam accents on the front of the house and above the entryway, topped off with a dramatic 7-foot high wood-paneled front door with a glass insert at the top.

A large, glassed-in three-season porch along the lake side of the home provides protection from the weather (and mosquitoes) without disrupting the wonderful view from the home’s interior.

The tall picture windows each have a lower awning window to provide air flow.

An outdoor patio is just outside the porch door, and with 100 feet of sandy lakeshore, it’s a fantastic swimming spot that keeps the entire family – including children ages 12, 10 and 8 – active on the water.

“We’re set up here in our shop for all aspects of timber framing. Once we complete the design, we measure, cut, sand and prefinish the pieces, put it all on a truck, and then send a crew to the building site.”

Ben Miller / Blue Ox Timber Frames

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To the Inside

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Besides the style and beauty of a timber frame building, one practical advantage is the structural aspect of this type of architecture.

Without the need for so many load-bearing walls, it provides the opportunity to create a large living space with an entirely open concept.

“Since it’s essentially one large room, we tried to define each space somewhat by the furniture and lighting,” Lyndon explains. “We also worked hard to blend different types and tones of wood – like staining the hickory floor to a darker color for some contrast with the lighter knotty alder doors and trim.”

Although the timber frame barn from Lyndon’s childhood was built with oak, he chose a Douglas fir that came from the Pacific Northwest because of the overall look and consistency of the color and the grain. It distinguishes the area where they spend most of their time without overwhelming the room.

The fireplace is another defining feature that reaches to the very top of the high ceiling.

It’s made of a stone from Montana that has colors and shapes quite different from the field stone normally used in the homes he builds in Wisconsin.

“We also worked hard to blend different types and tones of wood – like staining the hickory floor to a darker color for some contrast with the lighter knotty alder doors and trim.” homeowner / builder Lyndon Jerome

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At the other end of the room, the kitchen cupboards don’t reach quite as high as the fireplace, but their style and design are also defining features. Built by Thor Craft Cabinetry, the amount of detail in the entire project is reflected in the walnut plugs that replicate the functional use in old-fashioned cupboards.

Another example of small details is the customization of the metal railings on the second-floor hallway leading to the bedrooms. Pyramid head screws are used as the hardware to attach the metal plates on these distinctive ballusters that were hand forged by Collin Price at Ventana, a metal shop in Colorado.

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The master bedroom is also on the main floor – another nod to the future for this family – and there are two other bedrooms upstairs.

In addition, there is a bonus area over the garage with more bedroom space, which has a separate entrance and stairway.

“I like the proportion and the scale of the house,” says Lyndon. “I didn’t want it to feel so big that you get lost or uncomfortable, but wanted it small enough and quaint enough that it feels cozy. I thought that Ben Miller accomplished that with the scale of the design.”

CouLDn’t have done it without:

Miller considers Lyndon a meticulous builder.

“I’ve had a high level of comfort working with him,” he says, “and I would give his name to any homeowners in that area.”

A carpenter at heart, Lyndon relates that the whole idea for him was to have a craftsman-style house that didn’t simply try to achieve the look of the real thing – but really was the real thing.

Lyndon’s Custom Homes Blue Ox Timber Frames

“I think that’s what I accomplished,” he adds, “all the way throughout the house.” ~L&H

Ben Miller / Blue Ox Timber Frames

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F

rom the majestic two-story, doublesided fireplace that warms both the great room and the dining room, to the smallest detail in the metalwork railings, Paul and Suzanne Larkin’s home on Ten Mile Lake near Hackensack, Minn., shows what creative homeowners can accomplish with the help of receptive builders.

At every turn, elements comprising the design and construction of the Larkin’s cabin (now their primary residence) came together like pieces of a puzzle — some collected years in advance, some unfolding as construction progressed. The resulting structure became one of the most unique pieces of architecture

Lands End Development of Crosslake, Minn., (landsenddev.com), has ever produced.

Loving the Lake The Larkins had maintained a cabin on Ten Mile lake since 1998, purchasing their first property to escape the bustle of the city. Paul ran a local company and the couple raised their kids in the Excelsior area. After only a few years, the couple left their first cabin behind, finding another that suited them better on the same lake.

“Most of the people on the lake have been there multi-generationally,” says Suzanne.

“Because they’ve been there so long, the properties are fairly large which makes it just seem very private even though there are a lot of homes on it.” Although Ten Mile is a large lake of about 5,000 acres, it completely lacked the crowds and heavy boat traffic familiar to their bay on Lake Minnetonka.

This lake did, however, have its own features that drew people together. “There was a property with a very long history on the lake,” she says. “It was always known as ‘Sandy Beach’ and it’s this amazing stretch of pure sand that goes out about 100 yards. It used to be the place on the lake where everybody congregated and partied.” Settled into the new location, they enjoyed a dozen years of idyllic lake country lifestyle.

Change came again in 2012 when Paul sold the company and they began to dream of a major remodel for their cabin. As the couple began their research for the project, they were surprised to hear that the Sandy Beach property had come up for sale.

Despite being one of the most beautiful beaches on the lake, which faced west toward the setting sun, the parcel had never been developed because its lakefront is a narrow strip of land pressed up against a large wetland area. Most of the people who used Sandy Beach for recreation assumed that it was unsuitable for building. As a result, the property was populated with mature, oldgrowth red and white pines. They loved this property and decided — almost impulsively — to make an offer.

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“FROM THE FIRST TIME WE SAW IT, WE KNEW IT WAS A SPECIAL PIECE OF PROPERTY.” Jeff Balmer | Lands End Development

Making Choices Early during their time on the Ten Mile lake, the Larkins needed a bunk bed to outfit their kids’ bedroom at the cabin. That’s when they crossed paths with Matt and Jeff Balmer, the proprietors of a furniture-building business, whose family included three generations of home builders. The couple bought that bed from the brothers and were so impressed with the workmanship that they continued to shop there for years.

The Balmer brothers eventually made a change themselves, however, deciding that their successful business had grown to the point where they no longer felt connected to the creative work they loved. So they sold the business, founded Lands End Development and became the fourth generation of Balmers to build homes.

After years of interaction with Matt and Jeff, the Larkins knew instinctively that they wanted Lands End to handle their next chapter on the lake, so when Sandy Beach entered the picture, the first call was to the brothers.

A meeting was scheduled to make a decision. The group would meet first at the current cabin and discuss a remodel, then they would walk the Sandy Beach lot and determine if building there was feasible.

One look at Sandy Beach and Jeff was sold.

“From the first time we saw it, we knew it was a special piece of property,” he says. “There’s not really a neighbor close by, and that’s really a hard thing to find on a lake like Ten Mile. I was just trying to figure out if we could work with the allowable building envelope to get them what they wanted in there.”

With the choice made, Paul and Suzanne put their cabin up for sale and it was gone in mere days. Then the real work began.

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Laying the Groundwork From the outset, Suzanne and Paul knew a few things they wanted to include in the new location, starting with a mountain lodge feel to the design. “We always enjoy our ski trips out West and that style, like you see at Beaver Creek and Telluride,” says Suzanne. “Plus, it was a little bit different than what everybody tended to build in Minnesota.”

Their concept called for plenty of stone, exposed heavy timbers and extensive use of reclaimed materials to give the structure a weathered, aged feel, inside and out. A survey confirmed the potential of the site for what the couple had in mind, while carefully identifying the location of every one of the majestic pine trees that characterized the property.

“Because the property is so beautiful, we needed to build a home that is suitable for the location and fully takes advantage of the lake lifestyle,” says Suzanne. “The challenge

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came back down to building a home that’s going to fit our needs and what we’re working for, design-wise, and try to do it around a lot of these trees,” adds Paul. “We didn’t want to take them down.”

A Functional Starting Point Construction started with an outbuilding that the Larkins playfully call “The Shed.” The structure served as a storage location for all of the lake-related toys and gear they had accumulated over 15 years on the lake.

They worked in a single-bedroom dwelling they could use while the main house was designed and built and eventually offer to guests. The Shed also had room for all the antiques Suzanne had collected, many of which would find their way into the design of the home.

The interior of the living space became a trial run for their design concepts, with rustic, exposed beams and heavy metalwork

details, such as the fittings that punctuate a pergola-inspired ceiling in the kitchen and reclaimed corrugated-steel roofing panels incorporated into the cabinets and range hood. They also had the shower enclosure lined with the steel roofing to create a very rustic feel in The Shed’s living quarters.

Piecing Together the House When it came time to establish a floor plan for the main house, each of the aspects of the property that made it so beautiful presented challenges as well as opportunities for the Lands End design team. The elevation of the lot stayed relatively close to the lake’s surface level, precluding both basement and crawlspace. The desire to sacrifice the absolute minimum number of trees forced some elements to become detached from the main structure, as the couple insisted that all the primary living spaces remain on one level.

“The trees were important and definitely a large part of the design,” says Jeff. “Red and white pines tend to be hardy trees; they withstand some construction and can flourish afterwards. If these were oaks or birch, they would certainly all be dead at this point.”

Saving the maximum number of trees forced the planned screen porch out, away from the main part of the house on one end, and the same with the garage on the other. Both remain connected to the home, however; the garage by a narrow mudroom/laundry space and the screen porch by a breezeway that winds its way around several of the prized trees.

“It’s become a terrific design element,” says Suzanne. “And people just love it because you’re walking through this glassed-in area that’s bug-free, and yet you feel like you’re right outside. It’s really cool.”

“BECAUSE THE PROPERTY IS SO BEAUTIFUL, WE NEEDED TO BUILD A HOME THAT IS SUITABLE FOR THE LOCATION AND FULLY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE LAKE LIFESTYLE.” Suzanne Larkin | Homeowner

Reclamation Project Where wood surfaces were desired, the home used reclaimed lumber as much as possible. Authentic timbers sourced from a warehouse in Manhattan and a barn in Wisconsin, with their various notches and blemishes, add visual weight to the design and interest. Flooring planks include seven species of reclaimed wood. The timber contractor also hand-built all of the home’s many barn doors from reclaimed lumber (Big Wood Timber Frame Inc. of Brainerd and St. Paul, Minn. Bigwoodtimberframes.com).

“You’re creating this new building, but you’re immediately giving it some soul by putting all this history into it,” says Suzanne. “Even the mantels are all reclaimed timbers with marriage marks on them.” The Larkins even have a picture of the barn where all the corrugated metal roofing came from that shows up on the screen porch and breezeway roofs and in The Shed’s interior.

Evolution of Design Situated between the lake and wetland, the property offered dramatic lake vistas but also views of nature and wildlife toward the wetland. “You see the sunrise or the moonrise

every day over those wetlands, which is spectacularly beautiful,” says Suzanne. “It’s probably one of our favorite views on the property because of the wildlife and just the natural beauty.”

The design team found ways to include both views in the design. “We wanted these big beams in the main living room with a tall fireplace,” she says. “It worked out really well

to keep that wide open.” The two bedrooms on the upper level of the home bookend a landing area open to the expansive gableside windows that face the lake. “You can see right out those main windows directly to the lake,” she continues. “When you look down into the living space, you not only see the beams almost at eye level, but you look down on this beautiful space. You can look right over into the moose’s eyes, hanging

on the fireplace, and it’s just really pretty, no matter where you look. We were able to take advantage of creating something interesting everywhere.”

Even the railings in the home benefited from their approach. In the landing, a hand-woven metal pattern replaced balusters that were crafted by Jerry Baratto of Crosslake, a retired teacher. He also fashioned turnbuckles and cable into a railing for the stairs leading into the bonus room above the garage.

Staying true to their ideal of creating spaces with a truly unique and personal twist, the Larkins spent as much time as possible on site to help shape construction as it happened. “This was Suzanne’s labor of love and, pretty much, she was there throughout the entire process every day,” says Paul. They would take all of our crazy ideas and say, ‘Yeah, I think we can do that,’” adds Suzanne.

“That was great, and it turned out wonderfully.”

“YOU’RE CREATING THIS NEW BUILDING, BUT YOU’RE IMMEDIATELY GIVING IT SOME SOUL BY PUTTING ALL THIS HISTORY INTO IT.” Suzanne Larkin | Homeowner

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This influence turned up in various areas, such as the guest bedroom upstairs, where dead space that would have been sealed inside a wall became a loft with a custom-made metal ladder. It also resulted in a treatment over the dining room, where the ceiling above the timberwork, that hints at a coffered styling, was left open and treated with lighting to create a customized-recessed effect.

Other interesting design features included a peer-through opening behind the stove in the kitchen that overlooks the steps to the wine cellar; the nook for Paul’s desk that was framed in with timbers and looks out over the marsh; the bathroom vanities, custom-built to

fit antique sinks; the arched timber, beautifully framing the nook for the tub; the bathroom mirror mounted on a barn door that slides back and forth allowing a use at an adjacent dressing table or the choice to look out the window; and the glass-front cavity in the wall outside the wine cellar for collecting corks from empty bottles.

Timber Roots Woodworking of Nisswa, Minn., built the cabinetry throughout the home, but two aspects of the kitchen stand out.

First, the custom-crafted range hood was fashioned from a reclaimed fireback panel.

When wood or coal stoves were common

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in kitchens, pressed-metal panels called firebacks reflected the stove’s heat back into the room, warming the air and protecting the wall from igniting.

Second, they chose leathered granite countertops for the kitchen, but for the island, they wanted something different.

Traveling in the United Kingdom, the Larkins fell in love with the look of the pewter bar tops common to the area. The soft metal wears well, but collects evidence of the passing years. “Again, that just shows a history,” says Suzanne. “As we use it, it’s showing signs of love.”

Details, Details, Details When construction progressed to the finishing stages, that’s when Suzanne could really play her hand. As mentioned previously, The Shed housed a repository of antiques and functional items that could be repurposed.

Many of these items made their way into the home’s décor, such as the antique furnace doors used in the screen porch for bringing in firewood and as an accent in cabinetry.

However, the most obvious theme from this collection is her love of vintage wood boats. By the time this home was built, she had collected more than a few, sourcing

them from yards, garage sales and Craigslist. One leans against the wall in the mudroom on the way to the garage.

Outside the mudroom, one sits askew in the landscaping. A wooden canoe hangs in the gable end of the screen porch ceiling. And notably, one outfitted with an antique motor hangs upsidedown from the ceiling of the bonus room above the garage.

Of all these examples, the one that may stand out the most belongs to an outbuilding the Larkins call “The Sandbar.” This structure serves the dual purpose of a boathouse, storing all the beach and boating equipment available for enjoying the lake, but also as an outdoor bar. Suzanne found the boat in a Craigslist ad from Prior Lake, which just asked for someone to come and take it away for free. “It was a complete disaster,” says Suzanne. “We took that boat up and dropped it off in the Lands End parking lot. They were like, ‘What are we gonna do with this?’ I said they needed to cut it in half and make a bar out of it for our shed.”

It ended up with Scott Nickelson of Timber Roots, who refinished the front end and added a drink rail. As part of the detail, he rewired the controls, so the navigation lights and horn operate from the control board behind the bar. Taking her idea to the next level, he cut off the transom and mounted that on the back of the shed. “It works great,” says Paul.

“But this is nothing off the rack; they had to just figure it all out.”

CouLDn’t have done it without: Lands End Development

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After a few years in the place, the Larkins find the rhythm of living in the home as refreshing as its creation. “It was a really fun project because whenever you can create: Let’s just make it really beautiful, you know?” says Suzanne. “It’s just really pretty and fun. It makes people smile, and it just makes you feel good to be there. You really feel like you are at the lake and it’s the epitome of what Northern Minnesota is all about.” ~L&H

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“IT’S JUST REALLY PRETTY AND FUN. IT MAKES PEOPLE SMILE, AND IT JUST MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD TO BE THERE. YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AT THE LAKE AND IT’S THE EPITOME OF WHAT NORTHERN MINNESOTA IS ALL ABOUT.”

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Suzanne Larkin | Homeowner

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D

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

written by Andrea Canning

WHAT IS YOUR LANDSCAPING PHILOSOPHY? My goal is to always design a landscape that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, not only to me but I want my client to be pleased every time they walk onto their patio or drive up their driveway. I want their home to reflect their ideas, their personal desires, and to bring them joy.

Apart from a beautiful design, I want to create something that is sustainable for the environment that it is created in. The design plan also needs to be maintainable to the level which my client desires. I try to over impress my clients, by exceeding their

The love of the outdoors propelled Matt Hoen to seek a career in creating beautiful landscapes that reflected his passion as well as his respect for the natural world. The creation of 4Mations Landscaping was the direct result of his desire to extend his creativity into a business that would help clients create the outdoor living spaces of their dreams.

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WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE CREATION OF 4MATIONS LANDSCAPING? I have worked outdoors for my entire life, and being outside during the best months of the year and working with my hands to build something from scratch cemented my dreams of working landscaping as a career.

This love for being outside led me to the University of Minnesota where I graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 2000. I later moved to Underwood, Minn., and worked in the landscaping industry for about 18 years. During this time my desire to create outstanding landscaping grew, and in 2018 I created 4Mations Landscaping.

expectations and giving them something that surpasses their imaginations. I do this by taking their ideas, their wish lists and working hard to create something that is beyond beautiful.

I want to exceed expectations and excel purposefully to create a landscape that gives my clients more than they could ever have hoped for.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE FEATURE YOU HAVE CREATED FOR A CLIENT? While each and every job is a creative opportunity to meet clients’ needs, and they are each special in their own way, I have to say outdoor kitchens have become a new feature of inspiration. Some projects are high end with an unlimited budget and feature the latest technology, while others are simple extensions of interior kitchens. Clients are currently asking for cooking features that include the simplicity of wood burning ovens, outdoor fireplaces that clients can cook with, and of course pizza ovens that are just a cool feature to include in any design plan!

HOW DOES 4MATIONS LANDSCAPING SET THEMSELVES APART? Communication, honesty, value, and a unique hands-on approach by me is the top expectation my clients should have of 4Mations Landscaping.

I am always available to my clients, no matter the time of day I can be reached to meet their needs. When there is a project underway, I am on site daily or several times a day working and keeping the project on track.

Before a project even begins, we work with the client to set a budget that guides the designing process as well as the implementation of the landscape design.

Our company offers unique design and build plans that are one of a kind to cater to your needs. We use different types of materials and methods and we have ideas that are unique that ultimately give clients a one

stop shop for all of their needs. We are not a company that hires out our work, we have an entire team of dedicated employees to take care of every project. From grading of yards to seeding front lawns, to hardscape design to plantings and lighting implementation we take care of everything from start to finish.

WHAT DOES THE PROCESS TO CREATE A NEW LANDSCAPE WITH 4MATIONS LOOK LIKE? The very first step is when a client reaches out to me, then we set up an initial meeting where we talk about their needs and wants for the project, as well as the budget that they may have in mind. We then meet to move onto the design phase and cost analysis of the entire landscape design plan.

Depending on the scope of the project, we may need to meet and make revisions and further changes are then made to the plan prior to implementation. The last stage includes a final approval by the client, then the construction phase begins.

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Depending on the design plan, some projects may start with planning over the winter months, then we hit the ground running in May working onsite and are completed within a few days. Other jobs require a multiphase project that is stretched out over several months, while others may install a new feature each year adding onto their backyard dreamscape. One year an outdoor kitchen is added, the next a waterfall feature is implemented, then finally a new side patio is extended. We work with every budget and meet the needs that our clients may have to create a design plan that works for them.

HOW CAN UPDATING LANDSCAPING AT A LAKE HOME BE BENEFICIAL? A lake home’s value can be increased when the exterior landscaping reflects the beauty of the environment that surrounds it. Creating a lake home that has landscaping that is not only aesthetically beautiful but is sustainable only adds to the natural beauty that is lake life. A lake home is not just curb appeal, but rather lake appeal with the abundance of life being lived outdoors and on the front yard facing the water. Family gatherings happen lakeside, birthdays are celebrated around a bonfire, and memories are cemented outside all summer long. Having a beautifully landscaped lake home creates spaces for those small moments of life that are invaluable.

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY FROM YOUR PROFESSION WITH 4MATIONS LANDSCAPING? People. It really comes down to the people that I meet and get to know while working on new projects. I get to work with strangers who become friends, while I take a blank slate of someone’s backyard or lakeside retreat and by using their dreams and ideas, I am able to create a plan to bring those dreams to fruition.

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We maintain our client relationships and will stop by if you have continued needs or just need a quick adjustment. We want to make sure your outdoor dream yard continues to flourish.

The greatest joy is actually getting phone calls from clients letting me know that they are sitting on their new patio enjoying it on a summer evening, or a text message with a

photo of a family party in the outdoor kitchen we created for them, that is what brings me joy.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS TO SHARE? Our company has a new office in Battle Lake, and our eight-member team is ready to meet with you and begin to plan the landscaping of your dreams. ~L&H

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INSULATION

LUMBER

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

MASONRY

WINDOW TREATMENTS

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

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LANDSCAPING

CONSTRUCTION

QUARTZ & GRANITE

GARAGE DOORS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

FLOORING

CABINETS

FLOORING

CABINETS

MARINE / WATERCRAFT REPAIR

SHOWERS

L

FEATURED LAKE

Size: 2,079 Acres Max Depth: 63 ft.

Clarity: 8.4 ft.

Shore Length: 7.28 mi Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Little Pine Lake is a mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northeastern Otter Tail County approximately two miles north of Perham, Minn.

Little Pine Lake is a part of the Otter Tail River Watershed and is connected to Big Pine Lake via the Otter Tail River. The Otter Tail River inlet is located along the west shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the southeast shoreline. The Otter Tail River is navigable by boat upstream of Little Pine Lake. A Minnesota DNR controlled dam at the outlet impedes navigability downstream to Big Pine Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots; however, there has recently been an increase in residential development. The maximum depth of Little Pine Lake is 63 feet; however, 35 percent of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth.

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A DNR owned concrete public access is located off of County Road 8 along the southeast shoreline of the lake. A city owned (Perham) concrete public access is located off of County Road 51 along the west shoreline of the lake. Remnant stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located in the area near the Otter Tail River inlet. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. To maintain the

excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat.

Little Pine Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. The lake has a reputation as one of the premier walleye fishing lakes in Otter Tail County. Northern pike are also abundant and have a good size distribution as well. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. ~L&H

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