Lake&Home Magazine Jul/Aug '20

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JULY / AUGUST 2020

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YEAR 21 • ISSUE 4 • JULY / AUGUST 2020 subscribe online at: www.lakeandhomemagazine.com

CONTENTS

10 OFFICE

Meet Our Team

14 OFFICE

From the Office

by Erin Hintz

16

INTERIOR DESIGN

Around the Table

38

LANDSCAPING

The Perfect Pergola

A Peaceful Getaway Right Out Your Backdoor

by Jen Miller

Finding the Right Style for Your Home

54

INTERIOR DESIGN

Design & Artistry of Epoxy Coatings

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

by Andrea Canning

28

INTERIOR DESIGN

A Rustic Way to Refresh and Revitalize New Ideas to Consider for Your Home

by Patrice Peterson

48

DO IT YOURSELF

3 Ways to Rethink Window Treatments

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

62

INTERIOR DESIGN

Magnificent Mudroom Must-Haves

by Danae Branson

6

Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

68

SHOPPING

Lake Gifts

106

Unique in Minnesota - Gifts for the Lake Lover

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

Marine Innovations

by Andrea Canning

110

82

FEATURED LAKE

Star Lake Otter Tail County

FEATURE HOME

Farmhouse Function Meets Classic Grace

112

The Fleming Home on Serpent Lake

by Alicia Underlee Nelson

SHOPPING

Service Directory

72

Cover photo by Tiffany Sass Story on page 82

FEATURE HOME

Home of Hospitality

by Angela Garvin

96

FEATURE HOME

Finding the Right Angle

by Patrice Peterson

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Year 21, Issue 4 • JULY / AUGUST 2020 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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FROM THE OFFICE

From the Office

Like many Minnesotans, I live for summer. I love the heat and the humidity. I love to see our yard alive with greenery and flowers. I love the long days. I can’t get enough. So it struck me as odd this spring when we were moving our patchworked outdoor furniture outside and I realized that with all of the improvements and remodeling we’ve done to our home, we really haven’t ever put much thought into our outdoor spaces.

These are the places that we spend every moment of our free time in spring, summer, and fall, and yet there’s a stark contrast between the comfort of the inside of our home, and the outside. So this spring, we set out to make some changes that would make our outdoors feel more like an extension of our home.

Part of our plans included new outdoor furniture. After the sticker shock that followed our search, we decided to build an outdoor sectional and couch. No big deal, right? Put a weekend into it and we’ll be relaxing in style for the rest of the summer. I am so naive.

bles. Either would make a beautiful conversation piece for any part of your home.

This may come as a shock, but there is very little about building furniture that is either fun or easy. After a few weekends spent covered in sawdust, stain and sealer, some choice words, and a couple lessons learned about measuring twice and cutting once, I do have to say I’m really happy with how it all turned out, but I certainly don’t see us having a future as furniture craftsmen. I’ll leave that one up to the experts. I’ve found a true respect for people who can do this well; it really is an art.

Also in this issue of Lake & Home, you’ll find articles on materials to create a rustic look, lifts

by Marine Innovations, three ways to rethink window treatments, and of course, a look inside three Minnesota lake homes.

If you’re interested in adding some custom pieces of your own, check out the articles in this issue on both custom tables and resin ta-

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For those of you also looking to spruce up your outdoor spaces, this issue features an article on pergolas that are sure to impress.

We hope you enjoy! ~L&H

Erin Hintz Advertising Sales

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INTERIOR DESIGN

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You need a new table.

You want it to make a statement.

And you’ve already decided that you want to highlight the durability and natural beauty of a wood table.

So you’re basically done, right?

Not so fast. Choosing a wood table gives your home decorating a focus, but there are many styles to choose from.

Whether you like a rustic look or something sleek and modern, there’s a wood table that’s perfect for you.

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The minimalist look takes contemporary style and pares it down even more. Anything elaborate, extravagant or unnecessary is struck from the table design, leaving only the simplest shapes.

Often, the forms themselves become smaller, sleeker, slimmer. An expansive dining room table retains its size but looks almost paper thin. A simple sideboard appears to hover in the air, supported by pinlike legs.

Function and utility are held in highest regard, so table shapes may borrow from very practical shapes, like a dining room table supported by sawhorse-style legs. The modern minimalist movement in the U.S. has roots in the Bauhaus movement in Germany, which emphasized economy, clean lines, and simple colors and stains.

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Contemporary

This is a bit of a catchall term that’s often used interchangeably with “modern.”

Both styles feature clean, often geometric lines and a streamlined sense of economy and grace.

But that doesn’t mean curves are forbidden. Saarinen’s classic tulip table began as a futuristic outlier but is now revered as both a timeless design and hallmark of contemporary style. The understated round table and simple pedestal base have a sense of fluidity that works well with many decorating styles.

Contemporary wood tables are designed to be sleek, streamlined and unadorned. Table legs are usually smooth and straight. They might be slim and delicate or quite substantial, but the emphasis is always on the form of the table rather than any embellishments.

Wood tables in this style are often painted black or white or stained a natural color to highlight the innate beauty of the wood. Contemporary table designs often include metal or Lucite elements as well.

photo by Viking Log Furniture

Minimalist

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photo by Viking Log Furniture

photo by Ron Holstrom

Farmhouse

There’s something solid and comforting about a farmhouse table. It’s traditional and weighty, a classic look that has enjoyed hundreds of incarnations over the years. It compliments (and is a fixture in) dozens of decorating styles, from French country to the modern farmhouse movement. The visual weight of the table’s shape and the warmth and naturalness of the wood add gravitas to a room while staying humble and approachable.

This style highlights the beauty of the wood, but it doesn’t put it on a pedestal. These are tables that are designed to be used and loved and passed down from generation to generation. (Or at least look like they were.)

A heritage farmhouse table would have been made by hand. Traditionally, antique oak, maple, hickory and other hardwoods were used. A modern homeowner might choose a table from reclaimed wood or barnwood for built-in character from day one.

But a farmhouse table isn’t just about the wood. It’s also about the table design itself.

“In a farmhouse-style table, generally, the legs end up being at the corners of the table,” explains Scott Legatt, co-owner of Viking Log Furniture in St. Joseph. “This does two things. It allows you to push chairs between the table legs and also gives you an extremely solid table.”

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Shaker

The Shakers were early minimalists. The style grew out of the Shaking Quakers religious movement. It was named for the pareddown aesthetic of a Quaker meeting house.

Everything is simple, focused and functional, with an absolute absence of ornament and decoration.

“Many times, people who are not familiar with the Shaker society are surprised why I would seek inspiration from a group that was founded in 1747,” says Ron Holstrom, who crafts period reproduction furniture in Fergus

Falls as Ron Holstrom Furniture Maker. “’Simple, clean, practical’ sums up their furniture and much of their life. Simple and clean lines for me says ‘contemporary.’”

Consumers agree. The restrained style feels of the moment and works well in a modern home.

Shaker design features tapered or turned table legs that eliminate excess material and make the piece look and feel lighter. Maple was a favorite material early in the movement, but modern Shaker tables might also be made of cherry or pine.

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Scandinavian

Scandinavian furniture is just the opposite. It’s sleek and restrained, all clean lines and slim shapes. The look is airy, weightless, subdued.

Most Scandinavian homes are modest in size, so furniture shapes tend toward the minimalistic to reduce visual clutter. Even statement pieces like a dining room table might be designed to expand to seat a party or partially fold in when not in use, which gives homeowners a lot of flexibility. Just be aware that some of the most affordable pieces are made from form-pressed wood for maximum lightness and stowability.

Since the north endures dark days much of the year, Scandinavian design focuses on optimizing natural light. A bright, light-reflecting white is the style’s dominant color, accented by soothing neutrals. Colors are muted and drawn from nature–think calm grays, icy blues, the softest greens. Everything is cool, calm, serene.

Wood finishes hover around the pale end of the spectrum as well. Words like “blond,” “ash” and “natural” pop up often.

Arts & Crafts

Arts and Crafts furniture also emphasizes substantial shapes and artisanal woodworking.

The movement began as a reaction against mass production in the Industrial Revolution in Europe and migrated to the United States. It stripped away the ornamentation popular at the time and focused on form, materials and exquisite craftsmanship. In fact, “craftsman” is essentially another word for this restrained and durable style.

Arts and Crafts pieces were also marketed under trade names like “Mission” and “Stickley.” All four terms are similar and are often used interchangeably.

Furniture in this style keeps the natural colors and textures of the wood at the forefront of the design. It also features exposed joinery to celebrate the maker’s skill.

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photo by Ron Holstrom

“Men like Gustav Stickley celebrated robust exposed joinery and heavy solid quarter and rift sawn oak in their tables and chairs. They were built to last not one lifetime but several,” explains Holstrom. “Stickley furniture does not look right if it’s made from white pine. Think more along the lines of quarter sawed oak, heavy and solid.”

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Shabby Chic

The shabby chic style repurposes wood furniture by giving it a new look. A vintage or much-loved table is painted and then distressed to achieve a well-worn, almost antique texture.

The look plays well with beachy interiors and country décor, but it also has roots in bohemian and farmhouse interiors, where good furniture would be redone rather than discarded. Painting is the simplest way to transform a much-loved piece that doesn’t work with an existing color scheme. And making everything the same color is an easy way to visually unify many different shapes and styles.

White and cream are the backbones of the style’s color palette, but calming shades and complex pastels are often used as accents.

If you like the look, it’s an easy DIY project.

“If a person had a solid wood table, some chalk paint and a sander, they can take a table from plain to shabby chic in no time,” says Alicia Bowers, owner of Beautiful Junque in Detroit Lakes. “The great thing about chalk paint is that you don’t have to sand or do a lot of prep work to your table – just wash it clean, make sure it’s dry and then start painting away. After the paint is dry, that is when you get to have fun and take your sander and distress it to give it that perfect shabby chic look.”

Distressing just mimics and accentuates the patterns of natural wear and tear, so if your table is already a little rough around the edges, that’s just fine. Any flaws in the wood just add to this style’s charm.

Rustic

That rustic, natural log cabin look has deep roots in Minnesota. And for good reason–the knotty pine that shows up so often in rustic or Northwoods décor is rooted here as well.

A table in this style will seem weighty, hearty, unfussy and almost indestructible. Since the wood is minimally processed, it retains some of the power it had in its natural state. You can almost imagine it growing just outside a cabin door. The aforementioned pine shows up often in rustic table design, but cedar and hickory are also popular.

Rustic furniture can feel quite masculine and rugged. It can appear very traditional when used in a room that is done in the same style.

But the unfinished look of the wood also mixes well with other influences.

“When using raw materials that are inherently diverse (like reclaimed woods and natural logs), it adds a unique flavor to every piece, whether decorating in rustic or industrial-modern,” says Michael Trosvig of Fireside Lodge Furniture Company in Pequot Lakes.

Live Edge

A live edge table might be contemporary, industrial or rustic. The slab of wood that makes up the tabletop may be lacquered until it gleams, or it may seem raw and natural – and maybe even retain some of its bark. But the natural edge of the wood will always be featured in the design.

Since the wood is the focus and craftspeople aren’t limited to mass produced lumber, many live edge tables feature exotic wood from around the world. Monkey pod, acacia, parota and angelim pedra boast eye-catching grains and striking shades of red, orange and even purple.

Because the maker lets the wood determine the shape, these tables are rarely rectangular or symmetrical and can appear almost sculptural. We’re used to seeing manufactured lumber in uniform shapes and sizes, so this more organic form feels dramatic and unexpected.

A live edge table works well in interiors that showcase natural materials like plants, slate and stone and contrasts nicely with hardedged industrial styles. The organic shape of the table can serve as a focal point in a minimalistic or contemporary home or be a harmonious part of an art or sculpture collection.

photo by Ron Holstrom

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photo by Ron Holstrom

American Colonial

If you like the look of natural wood but prefer a more formal approach, a table in the American Colonial style might be a good fit. Eighteenth century artisans in the United States made furniture that was more functional and less ornate than their European counterparts and their vision is still relevant today. A colonial table looks familiar and traditional, but never feels fussy, so it can work with a variety of interiors.

Popular table styles include a tavern table with an unadorned top and a painted base for contrast. This is a sturdy table that is surprisingly light and easy to move, which makes it a good choice for an active family.

That’s a bonus, since furniture in this style is designed to last through many lifetimes.

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“A colonial table will showcase cherry, tiger maple, walnut or even the more plebeian white pine,” explains Holstrom. “The awesome craftsmanship is the standard of the time.”

From bold, almost sculptural pieces to artfully rendered classic designs that have endured for centuries, there’s a wood table to suit every taste. No matter which option you choose, a wood table is designed to stand the test of time and be a conversation piece for generations to come. ~L&H

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INTERIOR DESIGN

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photo by Valley Hardwoods

Something may be driving you to make a change.

You love your home, but you want to do something different. You love your location, but you’re bored with the look. You might be noticing how home styles have changed over the past 10 years, but not yours. You’re probably seeing gorgeous photos of new homes with the kind of rustic style you would like to have in your home.

Take a breath, and think about it in a different way.

“Not everyone gets to tear down a place, start from scratch, and build a beautiful new home that is decorated exactly the way they want it,” says Zach Felt, owner of LumBros. Building Solutions in Detroit Lakes. “There may not be anything wrong with your house or your lake cabin, but you can get bored or just want a change.”

Although new to business ownership, he’s been involved in the local building industry since 2003.

While he usually suggests homeowners hire a draftperson or an architect for bigger jobs, he says he can work with anyone who comes into his building 30 Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

materials store for do-it-yourself improvements.

“I encourage people to look at some of the simple things they may often overlook, the kinds of finishing touches they may not have thought about,” he explains.

Some of his suggestions for the exterior include swapping out the standard 6-inch fascia to an 8-inch fascia to update the design. Choosing windows that are bronze or black clad instead of the more commonly used white can also totally change the home’s outward appearance. And to achieve a more rustic modern farmhouse look, there are shakes or siding with a board and batten charm built right in.

“Sometimes we look at the top and bottom of a structure first,” he adds. “I call it ‘adding hats and shoes’ when you add stone accents to the bottom of the house and shakes – or vertical siding accents up in the gables to dress it up a bit. There are plenty of upgrades you can make without going crazy.”

“I encourage people to look at some of the simple things they may often overlook, the kinds of finishing touches they may not have thought about.”

Zach Felt - Lumbros.

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Bring the Outside to the Inside

Attaining a rustic look in the interior of a home isn’t the same as it was 25 years ago, according to Josh Strand, who has been drawing house designs for 12 years, and is currently the owner of Eye for Design in Frazee. He feels a common theme with a rustic style is bringing the earth or outdoor elements inside by using different types of woods and planking.

“I like to call it a refresh, where you can do things like painting the sheetrocked walls a warm gray, or other neutral colors, then adding exposed beams to the ceiling or walls,” he says. “Or you can look at it as a facelift, where you build a rustic stone fireplace, then add a rough-hewn mantel.”

Overall, Strand thinks of a rustic design as being light, bright, but cozy, whether it’s from earth tone colors on the walls, or using stones, wood and beams on the inside.

“To me, it’s actually a blend of rustic and contemporary molded together, kind of what I would call mountain rustic or mountain modern design,” he says. “I like to steer people to internet design sites like Pinterest or Houzz to get some clarification, because they might know what they like, but don’t know what it’s called until they see it and identify it. If you say mountain modern, some people think it means log siding, and other people think it’s a futuristic ski lodge.”

“The first step is to find out exactly what your own personal rustic style entails.”

Brandi Youngmark Brandi Youngmark Interior Design

photo by Valley Hardwoods

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Our 65th year

What does rustic style Mean to You?

It becomes increasingly clear that “rustic” is a broad design term, but most would agree that you no longer have to live in a log cabin to embrace a rustic design.

The rugged, natural beauty and the casual and inviting atmosphere can be created in a number of different ways. Whether a rustic style is called mountain or farmhouse or modern or coastal or lodge or even “boho,” the key is finding the elements of style that inspire you “outside” that would lend you to bring it “inside.”

“You don’t have to really look too deep into it,” says Brandi Youngmark, owner of Brandi Youngmark Interior Design in Fargo. “If you don’t know what modern rustic is, you’re not alone. Just think about what you are really trying to embrace with materials or furniture.

What are ways to incorporate that style within your existing home?”

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Much of what she has seen in the Midwest, in both rural and non-rural areas, is a mixture of modern rustic, mountain modern, and rustic lodge.

“The first step is to find out exactly what your own personal rustic style entails,” she says.

“Who would ever have thought you would even put two words together like modern and rustic, and it would become a style? I agree with Josh that searching Houzz and Pinterest can give you a good idea of what you like.

Going on these sites will give you a label for the type of style you would like to bring into your home.”

The next step, according to Youngmark, is determining which elements within that design, from furniture to walls to a bedroom headboard, are within your interest and your budget.

“Find what strikes you in your style. It can be overwhelming, but once you dissect it piece by piece and focus on small bits of it, you can guide yourself to getting things accomplished.”

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Little Things Can Make a Big Impact

Youngmark suggests just a few items that can help get you started:

Lighting – It’s an easy thing to switch out that many people overlook. Old 1990s fixtures can outdate a home quickly, and there are a number of inexpensive options, like a lamp hanging by a rope instead of a chain, or a globe with a realistic candle inside of it.

Mantels

– An old-fashioned mantel is another look that can outdate a home. Taking down a shiny oak mantel and replacing it with rustic timber will create immediate warmth and coziness.

Furniture pieces

– Small items like end tables, coffee tables or bookcases are easy to pick up and easy to find in many different rustic styles, whether it’s repurposed wood, new wood that has been “aged,” or wood with a live edge to give it a rustic look.

Throw pillows – Pillows add warmth and col-

photo by Eye for Design

or to a room for a minimal investment, and there are pillows for every kind of rustic style, from soft earthtone colors to sheepskin to faux fur.

Wall treatments – Adding just a couple floor-to-ceiling beams on a wall can change the entire look of a room. In a bedroom, a dynamic wood headboard or a rustic wall paneling is another idea, or you could add a feature wall with an outdoors design in a bathroom.

Wood Choices Abound To some degree, anything that has natural wood could be defined as rustic.

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photo by Valley Hardwoods

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If a homeowner can’t find that perfect knotty or spalted wood, or just wants to accent an item or a room, she says that plywood with a rustic finish is often a good choice, and can be somewhat easier to install for a do-it-yourself project.

“One thing that can really emphasize the rustic look is a live-edge–where you cut the log, turning it into boards, and you’re not squaring it, so you still have the live edge on the side of it,” she explains. “For example, a live edge can be used with floating shelves, which are big right now. Using that natural or live edge gives those floating shelves a truly rustic feel.”

Brandon Thompson adds that the one thing about rustic design is that you don’t have to be a master woodworker to build something yourself.

“That’s the charm of rustic,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be perfect–with perfectly square corners–and your project doesn’t have to be perfect.” ~L&H

“Certain woods are definitely perceived to be more rustic, like pine, hickory and cedar, but it can also include almost any wood with natural characteristics, or reclaimed wood or barnwood or any wood that has spalting.”

Janet Thompson - Valley hardwoods

Janet and Brandon Thompson, who own Valley Hardwood Supply in Dilworth, Minn., realize that different people have different ideas about what rustic means. Part of their role in this retail business includes helping customers choose the materials they need to achieve whatever rustic look they desire.

“It seems that the core rustic look is often defined by knotty wood or reclaimed wood,” says Janet Thompson. “Certain woods are definitely perceived to be more rustic, like pine, hickory and cedar, but it can also include almost any wood with natural characteristics, or reclaimed wood or barnwood or any wood that has spalting.”

Spalting is a form of natural wood coloration caused by mold, which darkens the grain in unique patterns.

“Spalted maples are fairly common in this area,” she says. “Each piece is different, and most would be perceived to be rustic.”

photo by Eye for Design

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L LANDSCAPING

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photo by Deckmasters

“If you don’t have a lot of trees in your yard, pergolas are a functioning space that provides shade. They look pretty cool and add curb appeal.”

Matt Hoen - 4mations Landscaping

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photo by Deckmasters

hen one thinks of a peaceful getaway, they tend to picture tropical locations, sandy beaches, and fruity drinks served poolside in coconuts. But not all peaceful getaways require a plane ticket. After all, those only come around once or twice a year and last only a week.

What if one could slip away to a sliver of paradise, for an hour here and there, throughout the week, all summer long? This peaceful getaway, this sliver of paradise, is a possibility just waiting to be built right in your backyard.

It is a pergola, pillars climbing with plants, decorative rafters, harbored by rolling blue skies.

A pergola is a simple structure commonly placed in gardens, parks, and if you like, right in your backyard. It consists of a framework of vertical posts or pillars that support decorative cross beams and an open lattice ceiling. The perfect pergola creates additional space for a family to relax and entertain right in their yard. Though a pergola, which stands the test of time, has a rather universal design, the materials, accents, and personal touches are endless, making no one pergola the same. “Pergolas have that architectural design that a lot of people want,” Josh Smook,

manager at Deckmasters, located in Fargo, ND, stated. Smook went on to say, “We build and sell at least a hundred pergolas a year.”

There are several reasons to consider building a pergola, such as creating a definite space that offers privacy. If done correctly, that space can add value to your home. “If you don’t have a lot of trees in your yard, pergolas are a functioning space that provides shade. They look pretty cool and add curb appeal,” says Matt Hoen, owner of 4mations Landscaping, who has incorporated several pergolas in his landscaping designs.

There are several pergola kits out on the shelves in just about any home building supply store and garden center in your area.

While there are many options, “We weren’t satisfied with anyone’s kit, so we made our own,” Smook said. This inspired Great Plains Pergolas (www.greatplainsperoglas.com), an aluminum kit system with a lifetime transferable warranty. “Each piece is made from rollformed aluminum for exceptional strength and durability.”

For the DIYers, pergolas are easy to install.

“I always tell customers that if they can assemble products like Ikea furniture, they can put together a pergola. Our pergola kits come ready to assemble with precut rafters, beams, and lattice tubes and predrilled holes. All you have to do is fill the hole with a screw and add on the end caps. It’s a pretty easy system to put together,” Smook explained. You will likely find the tools for the job in your toolbox.

While putting up a pergola might be a piece of cake, deciding on color, style, materials, and finishing touches might take some consideration. Great Plains Pergolas offers customers a bit of variety, from colors to cuts.

“Our vinyl pergolas come in four colors to choose from: pewter, chocolate, adobe, and white. Our rafters come precut in corbel, scallop, bevel, and miter and are two times the size as other kits, which look nicer, and it gives more shade because of its larger profile,” Smook explained.

A timeless style, especially in the rural Midwest and lakeside, is that natural look. Two commonly used timbers to incorporate that natural look are Western Red Cedar and Redwood. You’ll find a variety of precut, predrilled, prestained cedar pergolas on the shelves as well that will tie in nicely with the trees in your backyard, and the rich chocolate color will pop against the green grass.

Metal pergolas are another option on the market. You may notice when you step into boutiques, coffee shops, and breweries, designers are incorporating an industrial look in their designs. This look is also finding its way into homes, cabins, and backyards, providing that “less is more” and “strength in simplicity” look. Besides style, metal pergolas require less maintenance, they don’t fade with the sun, and they’re durable against weathering and water. Another reason, a homeowner might look into metal pergolas is if weight is a concern when building on an already existing deck.

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Pergolas are a nice addition to a deck and can tie in with other structures on the property, such as verandas and gazebos. It is vital that if you don’t want the wind to take your little sliver of paradise, you anchor the posts with 90-degree strap brackets to the deck’s beam.

“I always tell customers that if they can assemble products like Ikea furniture, they can put together a pergola. Our pergola kits come ready to assemble with precut rafters, beams, and lattice tubes and predrilled holes.”

Josh Smook - Deckmasters

“Pergolas are kind of simple, but you need proper footing for the posts. Ideally, it would be best if you sank them in the ground about a foot or a little more.”

Matt Hoen - 4mations Landscaping

If you’re planning to build a free-standing pergola, Hoen recommends, “Building on a flat surface or leveling the surface,” before sinking the posts or pillars. “Pergolas are kind of simple, but you need proper footing for the posts. Ideally, it would be best if you sank them in the ground about a foot or a little more,” Hoen commented. If you’re aiming for an 8-foot tall pergola, plan to sink the footing about two-feet in depth. “The depth of your hole should be about ¼ of the height of your post, and the width should be no less than 10 inches. The base around the footing is a great place to add unique details that set your pergola apart from others out there on the market. “We’ve used decorative pavers, and we’ve incorporated steel to create that

rustic look,” Hoen mentioned. Another option would be building flower boxes around the posts.

When it comes to flooring a pergola, it can be as simple as using natural elements such as grass or sand. They both feel good to the bare feet and the work is done. But if you’re looking to give the space a more distinct feeling, Hoen suggests, “Patio pavers are pretty popular.” Concrete, natural flagstone, and brick are all options that come in an endless variety of styles.

Depending on your needs, a pergola can be set up like an outdoor living room, providing a place to lounge with a book or visit with friends while enjoying the outdoor elements.

They are a great place to hang a swing or

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a hammock. You can also transform a pergola into an outdoor dining area. Picture a reclaimed wood table top under a chandelier at sunset while listening to the sound of the waves or the wind whistling through the leaves. Just like that, you’ve brought that sliver of paradise, floating 2,000 miles away, right to your backyard.

If you’re looking for a bit more privacy or shade as the sun slides off to the west, rollup mesh shades, canopies, curtains, and trellises work well. Smook adds that motorized drop screens and retractable screens are also effective. These are practical options that can be complementary to the unique architectural design of a pergola. They create a more inviting space and set your pergola apart from other popular pergola kits on the shelves.

Pergolas are a beautiful focal point in any backyard, especially in or beside gardens, and they can support a wide range of plants and vines. “There are several things that will

grow well on a pergola like honeysuckle, Boston ivy, and if you’re looking for something more old school, grapevines,” Hoen mentioned. Potato vines, clematis, and climbing and rambling roses are a few more options to research. The bright-colored flowers climbing or planted around the pergola can set the color palette when it comes time to pick out lawn furniture.

Pergolas are a great place to spend the morning drinking coffee or the afternoon with a glass of lemonade. “We’ve also incorporated kitchens in pergolas, such as pizza ovens, making them a place to cook,” mentioned Hoen.

Once the meal is over, they can be just as enjoyable into the evening hours with some mood lighting or an outdoor fireplace.

“We’ve wired in low voltage lighting, bistro lighting, and have installed outlets and fans to make the space more functional,” Smook commented.

Once your pergola is planted, there is little to zero upkeep. “With Great Plains Pergolas there is no painting or staining, it is a oneand-done thing,” Smook said.

“We’ve wired in low voltage lighting, bistro lighting, and have installed outlets and fans to make the space more functional.”

Josh Smook - Deckmasters

photos on this page by 4mations Landscaping

44 Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

When it comes to price, pergolas are pretty affordable, but like all things, you get what you pay for. “You might spend a little more on our product, but when you compare it to replacing it down the road, that’s where you’ll save. Plus, our kits are ready to rock and roll, stocked in town and American made,” Smook concluded.

A pergola might be just what your backyard or garden is missing. This simple structure that provides shade, privacy, and creative definite space can transform your backyard into a peaceful getaway that you can easily slip away to at the end of a long day at the office. ~L&H

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Picturesque views abound from this 5,742 sq ft beauty. Vaulted ceilings paired with trapezoid windows exploit the light and transcend the indoor living to the perfectly manicured/ landscaped 1.88 acres. Appointed with the finest touches, this five bedroom, four bath home also offers an office, workout area, swim spa, family room, sun room that spills out onto a concrete stamped pool deck with an in-ground geo-thermal heated luxury pool, three fireplaces, four stall attached heated garage, bonus room, incredible amounts of storage, geothermal

46 Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

heat/ac, induction cooktop, granite counters & islands, invisible fence, gazebo, shed and 377.75 front feet of lake shore on the clean waters of Little Toad Lake.

Experience lake life with a home built for entertaining but crafted with comfort and ease to enjoy the unwind that being home brings.

$949,000

YOUR LOCAL LAKES EXPERTS

JULY / AUGUST 2020 www.lakeandhomemagazine.com 47

D

DO IT YOURSELF

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If you haven’t found the perfect curtains or blinds yet, it’s time to expand your mind and your decorating options. The perfect window treatment for you might not be a traditional window treatment at all.

A huge range of colorful textiles and repurposed items can find new life as window treatments. It’s a great way to showcase fabrics you love, reuse everyday objects, or actually use those souvenirs and heirlooms that are just sitting in a closet. With a little imagination and some DIY skills, your room will be as unique as you are.

Household Textiles When pondering window coverings, an interesting length of fabric is a logical place to start. Sewing a simple curtain rod pocket or matching curtain tabs are simple afternoon projects. But don’t think bolts of fabric from the store are your only option. As long as the size and shape work with your window, any fabric can double as a curtain or a shade.

An embroidered tablecloth or summer-weight quilt transforms a window into a work of art and gives new life to a precious object. (Just be aware that the sun will fade the window side of the fabric if there’s no backing.)

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A woven tapestry can block as much light as a traditional sunshade, while a printed cotton tapestry will billow in the breeze and pool gracefully on the floor. A lightweight beach blanket or vintage top sheet can create a similar effect.

And don’t forget about perennial bohemian favorites like ikat linens from southeast Asia and the stylized flowers and undulating

That gorgeous fringed scarf can find new

patterns of suzani tapestries from Tajikistan,

life as a gauzy window treatment. A luscious

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. They’re classics

velvet opera cape from last year’s gala will

for a reason.

bring a touch of drama to the boudoir.

Clothing & Accessories

Once you’ve exhausted your closet, consider

For home décor inspiration, look to your

repurposing your souvenirs. When we travel,

closet. Colors and patterns that you already

we gravitate toward textiles we love. But

enjoy will be easy to live with in a room, so use

once at home, we might have a hard time

them to inform your home décor choices.

integrating them into our existing wardrobes.

You might even find a new use for items you

Using them as window coverings gives them

love.

a purpose and personalizes a room.

The flowing sari from your backpacking trip to India is begging to bring a splash of color to the living room. That beautifully woven serape will always remind you of Mexico, but to be honest, you haven’t tossed it over your shoulders since you posed for that final photo on the beach. Your clan tartan looks great as a cozy winter wrap but might actually get used if repurposed into curtains.

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Kitchen & Pantry Materials Some of the most soothing, traditional and

charm. The more modern interpretation

neutral window treatments are made from

tends to use plain white flour sacks or mimics

items you can find in the pantry. The classic

the look with simple white dish towels.

look of a farmhouse kitchen is back in style, and that includes vintage-inspired flour sack

The looser weave and neutral brown tone

and burlap cafĂŠ curtains, just like grandma

of burlap potato or coffee sacks can look

used to make.

surprisingly chic. You can even make no-sew burlap curtains using glue or fusible webbing.

So many thrifty housewives used to make flour sacks into curtains and clothing that

You can also purchase burlap by the roll and

companies printed colorful patterns on them

make curtains long enough to flow all the

to make them even prettier. If you can find

way to the floor. The material is humble, but

vintage examples, they’ll add lots of cheerful

the effect is quite elegant. ~L&H

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I

INTERIOR DESIGN

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Distinct and creative personalization of home decór and design that directly reflects the homeowner, has launched a new product category with the rise of epoxy surfacing techniques. This artistic and unique option has quickly risen within the category of home design choices to become a standout among the usual options.

Set Apart by Design The traditional choices for hard surface design for countertops, flooring or bathrooms have been limited to tile, Formica, granite or marble. While each of these has had its place within the world of design, the innovation of epoxy as a fresh design element has led to a separate category in which to place this once-relegated industrial coating to a place deserving of its artistry.

The actual essence of epoxy as a floor surface material is composed of a two-part system of resin and hardener, that when combined, create a reliable and durable surfacing option.

“Epoxy can be utilized in all areas of the home from kitchen counters, tubs, shower surrounds, bathroom counters, and flooring. It is a unique coating that is set apart from other options because of its versatility as a design element both in residential and commercial applications,” shared Brenda Thibodo of Sculpture by Design of Pine River, Minn.

The strength of the epoxy coating makes it a standout feature in home and industrial kitchens due to its nature of being a nonporous surface, it is a sterile and sanitary option for culinary chefs and homes that center around the dinner table. The integrity of epoxy coated surfaces will be able to sustain constant use, while retaining the same luster and shine as the day it was first installed.

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While natural stone requires continued maintenance and protection of delicate stone surfaces, epoxy coated countertops have a distinct and lasting durability.

“Epoxy is so stain resistant it can easily be cleaned with a simple glass cleaner, and can be buffed with bee’s wax or a boat buffer with epoxy polish. Simple steps that keep the integrity of the epoxy and the beauty of the design intact for a lifetime,” informed Thibodo.

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

Set Apart by Sustainability and Longevity

Set Apart by Artistry Since an epoxy coated product is created on each job site, it is a one-of-a-kind design element that will not be repeated in other homes thus creating a work of art in each home or cabin. From flooring to countertops, a homeowner can essentially create a space that truly reflects them.

“Our epoxy projects are truly one of a kind works of art. We tell our clients that the layers of depth of the materials we work with interact with one another to tell a deeper story of color and design,” says Thibodo.

The training and certifications of the artist who designs the epoxy surface is revealed during the installation process. Companies

who install epoxy surfaces should have training and certifications in this product as it requires knowledge and understanding of the physical nature of epoxy and its uses.

Since each application surface is different, it can be used on existing countertops or used in showers, the choice of epoxy will vary based on the design need.

“We have been trained and certified on various epoxy coatings and use our knowledge to provide the client the perfect combination to suit their individual needs.

Using the highest-quality epoxy we can use our artistic skills to create a look that emulates natural stone, the possibilities of using epoxy are truly endless and limitless,” remarked Thibodo.

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In the realm of environmental sustainability, epoxy coatings stand out due to its inherently earth-friendly attributes. The chemical makeup of high quality epoxy used in home design coatings contain low VOC (volatile organic compound) which leaves little to no odor once it is applied. The bigger picture of sustainability of epoxy coatings, is that it can give the look of natural stone such as granite or marble without the impact of extracting large slabs of stone from the earth.

As design trends change and personal tastes evolve, altering one’s home can be a daunting project. With epoxy coatings, a new look can be applied over old surfaces without having to tear out existing counters through demolition, helping to reuse what you already have. As homes and lake cabins are passed down by succession, using epoxy coatings allows for each new generation to economically and ecologically put their own stamp on the home while preserving it for the next family member to enjoy.

Set Apart by Creation Epoxy surfacing is created onsite, during which the process of installation begins with proper foundation. Whether there is an existing countertop that needs to be prepped, or a base needs to be created from scratch for the epoxy, the first steps ensure a proper curing process for the epoxy to set. On average the entire installation will take between 5-7 days

depending upon the size and scope of the assignment. While the epoxy will need up to 30 days to fully set to cure to its fullest durability and strength, it can be lightly used within 48-72 hours of completion.

The entire creative process of epoxy installation is comparable to watching an artisan at work. As each project is uniquely created, the artist uses all of his or her skill to create the desired patterns, looks, or color that the homeowner desires.

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the look of fallen confetti on the counters, as the homeowners wanted a playful and fun guest bath that reflected the joy of their entire cabin theme,” remarked Thibodo.

Installing epoxy coatings can bring a homeowner personal satisfaction of knowing that their home displays the life they want to create just for themselves. While most choices for counters and flooring are limited to what is in stock, epoxy allows individuals to create a design that sets them apart from their neighbors and friends.

Set Apart by Design The creativity of epoxy coatings gives homeowners a chance to create a lasting impact on their home that reflects not only design choices, but ones that are deeply reflective of personal journeys and passions.

“One of our clients visits Mexico every year, and desired for her lake home remodel to take on the Caribbean theme and elicit the tranquility of the water there. We used our design methods and an array of epoxy colors of vibrant blues and teals to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen counter that was reminiscent of the water they love so much. In one bathroom we used a method to create 60 Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

“A client of ours was passionate about the color red, it was her statement color and she wanted it to be used in her kitchen to color her countertops in a way that reflected her style. She had several skeptics who doubted her ideas and questioned her choices, but she knew exactly what her heart wanted. We installed a beautiful epoxy counter over her old Formica, and the layers of vibrant red combined with the metallics created a look that complimented not only her home design but reflected her as well. Those doubters, well, in the end they were in awe of her completed vision,” added Thibodo. ~L&H

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I

INTERIOR DESIGN

62 Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

1

2

Durable Flooring

Choose a flooring that can hold its own against sand, dirt, snow, children, pets and yes, even adults.

The best options are either tile or luxury vinyl. Both are durable, waterproof and can withstand the high traffic.

Wipeable Walls

The walls in the mudroom should be painted with a semi-gloss or satin paint that is easy to clean. The color you choose is up to you! I know everyone loves white walls but unless you want to constantly be wiping down the walls, it might be best to choose another neutral like a gray or beige. Or if you are a brave soul, go all out and pick a vibrant, fun color!

Organization

Every mudroom needs either cabinets, lockers, cubbies or hooks for organized storage. And depending on your family’s needs, include space for shoes, jackets, boots, beach towels, school bags, rain gear and more!

Mudrooms are one of the hardest working rooms in the home and for many homeowners, a must have.

The great news is, it’s possible to have a beautiful mudroom that is also practical and will withstand the test of time. Whether your mudroom is a mudroom only or a combo mudroom/laundry room, below are some must-haves that will make your mudroom the best one around!

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4

The Best Rug in Town

5 6

Clutter-Free

A durable rug is a must have. This will ensure that most of the sand, dirt and snow stay in the mudroom and that it doesn’t get tracked into the rest of the home. The best rugs to consider are made of either sisal or seagrass. Both are naturally stain and water resistant and stand up to dirt, mud, sand, snow and rain. Or you can always go with an indoor/outdoor rug or one that is easily washable.

Some people love the open concept organization with hooks and open cubbies. While others prefer a tucked away look and opt for closed cabinets, lockers, baskets and bins.

Message Board

Since the mudroom is the room everyone enters and leaves, message boards are a great way to keep reminders of events, tasks and other important information that either you or your family need to remember.

Seating

7

Every good mudroom should have a place to sit down to put on or remove boots and shoes. For even more space to store things, include storage space under the bench seating.

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8

Laundry Some mudrooms do double duty as the laundry room. Be sure your laundry area stays clean and tidy with storage for detergents, fabric softeners, laundry bags, stain remover and more. Also have a hideaway spot for laundry baskets and dirty laundry that may not have made its way into the washing machine yet.

9

Pet area Your furry friends need a place too, and the mudroom is a great place to have an area for your pets. Consider a drawer or cubby for treats, leashes, toys, food, water bowls, etc. Many people have an area for a pet bed as well.

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Sanitation Due to COVID-19, some mudrooms are getting a make-over to not only include the laundry area as mentioned above, but have been outfitted with a handwashing station and a shower! Yes, some people want to be able to walk into their mudrooms at the end of the day, put their dirty clothes in the wash, shower and enter their homes germfree. Living in a lake home, I’ve always thought a shower in the mudroom would be a great addition. My kids walk into the house from a long day of swimming dripping water all over and track sand everywhere just to head to the shower to clean up. It seems to me that a shower in a mudroom would be a great choice no matter what. ~L&H

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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.

Red Brick Boutique 107 West Main Street | Ottertail, MN | 218-367-2450 Monday-Friday 10am-5pm | Saturday/Sunday 9am-3pm Hello from Red Brick Boutique!

We are the shop where you want everything because it’s all so pretty.

Here, you can find that elusive perfect fitting pair of jeans for under $60 OR that pretty dress that no one else has.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for outfit inspiration and events, specials and activities. Visit our website, redbrickboutique.com and sign up to be a VIP where you can have first access to any and every event we have going on!

We are open seven days a week Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. . See you soon!

Lake & Home Magazine

Marcella Rose

126 S Vine | Fergus Falls, MN artwork@lakeandhomemagazine.com www.lakeandhomemagazine.com

218-290-4599 | Marcella@MarcellaRose.Com Shop online: MarcellaRose.com

Subscriptions Purchase your own subscription, renewal or gift subscription of Lake & Home Magazine directly from our website (shown above). Find inspiration and ideas for interior design, building, landscaping and more!

Framed Photos Send us your favorite lake photos or family memories - and we’ll print a poster-sized version for your home. We can even provide a frame for your art! Send your artwork and information to artwork@ lakeandhomemagazine, and we’ll be happy to provide you with pricing for your custom project.

“Throughout the ages, artists have incorporated gold in paintings and on sculptures destined for devotional use. Marcella Rose has incorporated gold leaf in a number of her images, stemming from her deep belief that time spent in nature has the same reflective, intimate and healing effect as time spent in a temple, church or other sacred place.” ~ Tania Blanich, Director of Operations, The Arts Partnership Marcella’s inspirational fine art encompasses original oil paintings, bronze sculptures, sculpted sterling jewelry — and archival limited-edition gicleé prints. Whatever your budget, check out her evolving online ‘bargain bin’ at MarcellaRose.com.

Set up a private gallery appointment in Pelican Rapids to shop available art, or to commission an original painting to enhance your home or office environment. Marcella can help you decide what is the best size, emotional feeling, or family heirloom to grace yourself with beautiful art.

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Otter Coffee and Ice Cream

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!

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!

Nadine’s Ladies Fashions 145 W Main St | Perham, MN 56573 218-346-2615 | nadinesfashions.com Stop by Nadine’s in Perham for a great shopping experience.

Great brands of clothing for women, juniors, and children.

Plus & missy sizes. Fun, forward fashion with great customer service.

Nadine’s carries an impressive selection of designer handbags for your evening out. We have a beautiful selection of women’s shoes and jewelry to accessorize your outfit. We carry many lakes shirts for your weekend in Otter Tail County.

Check out the sweatshirts and hoodies for a night around the campfire. Open seven days a week!

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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

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F

FEATURE HOME

F

or Jerry and Joan Johnson, the journey to building a lake house on Pickerel Lake in South Dakota began with a joint investment with a friend on a neighboring property.

A log cabin came up for sale, and the homeowners decided to go in on the purchase with their friend. For over 10 years, the two families shared the space and enjoyed their weekends out at the lake.

“As the kids got older, and we saw the need for more room, the house next door came up for sale, and we decided we should buy it, more so for the property,” Jerry said.

After enjoying many weekends on the lake over the years, the Johnsons began dreaming of remodeling the home on the new property they had purchased.

“We had Jackson Strom (of Strom Architecture) look at it, but we could just see it was better to tear it down and start over. We couldn’t do what we wanted using the existing house.”

74 Lake & Home Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2020

“We could just see it was better to tear it down and start over.

We couldn’t do what we wanted using the existing house.”

Jerry Johnson - homeowner

Beyond the entry is the great room with 11-foot ceilings, making the area feel extra spacious and open.

“I knew my son would be joining me in the farming operation, so he would be around to use it,” Jerry continued. “And we wanted to have the option to have two or three couples stay at a time.”

Jerry and Joan were inspired by modern homes they have seen in California, structures that are packed tight along the beachfront, with long and narrow construction and a great deal of glass facing the water.

The Johnson’s have known Strom since he was a child. Strom’s family farmed right beside the Johnson family for years.

When building the home, the homeowners wanted to be sure to utilize as much of the 50-foot wide lot as possible and maximize the views of the lake as well.

One of the goals for the home was to include warmer tones with the modern design. That was accomplished in one way by covering the ceiling of this space in a stained tongue and groove hickory wood. The change in ceiling material helps define the space.

Greeting you as you walk in the door are several pendants hanging at different heights overhead.

Completing the space is a fireplace from North Star Energy LLC from Aberdeen, SD, with custom stone.

Continuing further into the house, you are struck by the fantastic southern light that streams through large windows at the end of the wide-open space.

Retractable shades hang hidden in the window frames and are easily moved up and down with a switch.

“I am fortunate to have had them along my path,” Strom said. “They’ve always been supportive of my career, and it’s nice to have someone like that in your life.”

Jerry said of Strom, “He did a great job on it, and it was fun working with him, that’s for sure.”

The Johnson’s 6,600-square-foot, fivebedroom, seven-bathroom modern lake home was built in 2015 by Greg Johnson Construction in Bristol, SD.

A door off the great room on the main floor leads to a covered patio. The space includes infrared heaters to warm the area, and there are phantom retractable screens that come down at the press of a button, creating an instant screened porch.

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The patio wraps around the house, creating a grilling area directly outside the kitchen door.

Another interesting detail of the home is the stone that was used throughout the structure, from the patio to the fireplace in the great room, to the landscaping, and the steps down to the lake.

During the design process, the homeowners were inspired by a picture from a magazine that included some beautiful stonework.

Strom was able to track down where the stone came from, and the homeowners visited the quarry in Oklahoma on their way home from Florida.

“They provided the rock for the exterior, like the chimney and some of the other details around the home.”

Jerry continued, “As we went along with the project, they said they could smooth one of the stone pieces to make a mantel and hearth for us.”

The homeowners also needed to replace the original stone on the lakefront, and the quarry was able to provide large pieces for that part of the project.

Heading back into the house and to the left is the dining room with large windows giving you a great view of the lake.

The kitchen has beautiful walnut cabinetry and white quartz countertops around the perimeter of the space, and a marble backsplash.

The showstopper of the space is the large kitchen island. The top of the island is a piece of translucent quartzite measuring 5-feet by 12-feet.

Underneath the quartz are LED mats that light up the island countertop with a flick of a switch.

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A built-in desk is incorporated into the master closet’s cabinetry, eliminating the need for a full office space. Pocket doors easily fold right over the desk space so it can be covered if needed.

The homeowners can walk from their master bedroom to their master bathroom, through the master closet, to the laundry room, and all the way to the mudroom.

A drop area was incorporated where you first come in from the garage.

Lang’s TV & Appliances of Aberdeen, SD, installed the smart home features and provided the appliances.

The home has a two-car garage with built-in cabinetry and storage.

Walking back through the house to the entryway, you find yourself at the bottom of a beautiful custom steel staircase created by StraightLine Design out of Detroit Lakes, Minn.

“We have an island at home, and that seems to be the place where everyone congregates,” Jerry said. “At times, it isn’t quite big enough, and I thought, ‘we’ll make it bigger!’”

The flooring on the main level of the home is textured tile.

The homeowners have their master suite on the main floor, and their son’s master suite is directly above. Each master suite has a view of the lake.

Maximizing the connection to the lake was important, so even in the master bathrooms, you can see past the bedroom to the lake.

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Ten-foot ceilings throughout the second level of the home create an open and spacious feel.

The steps of the staircase were made to match the walnut cabinetry and are held up by a single beam. Iron posts with cables running through it create the railing. “They did a great job, and we liked their work,�

Jerry stated.

The second you get to the top of the staircase and turn to the left, you see the highlight of this home. A sitting room with large angled windows faces the lake. Large glass windows surround you on three sides, giving you a fantastic view of the water. The custom windows were measured and provided by House of Glass in Aberdeen, SD.

Ten-foot ceilings throughout the second level of the home create an open and spacious feel. The second-floor living room has a fireplace and hickory ceiling similar to the great room below it. The flooring on this level is engineered hardwood.

The second floor includes a wet bar with a coffee maker, dishwasher, and a refrigerator, which is a great feature for guests or hosting a gathering with friends.

Next to the living room on the second floor is a deck. Bi-fold doors open to a space that includes custom steel railings with cables, matching the railings on the staircase.

The deck can be transformed into a screened porch like the downstairs patio, with its infrared heaters and phantom retractable screens.

The homeowners enjoy being able to open up the deck space upstairs while entertaining friends and family, all the while keeping the bugs out.

Throughout the process, the homeowners, architect, and interior designer had many conversations about what would be the least obtrusive when it came to the view for almost every room of the home.

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“Every single detail of this place was combed through and analyzed.

I enjoyed working with a team that was that hands-on.”

Jackson Strom - architect David Arlt of Interior Design Concepts in Aberdeen, SD, was instrumental in the home’s interior design. The homeowners have worked with Arlt on other remodeling projects on their home in town over the years and appreciated his input on the building project.

“He was a lot of help,” Jerry said. “He knew what we liked, and he was able to incorporate that into the inner space. It worked out well to have both David and Jackson involved.”

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Strom adds, “Every single detail of this place was combed through and analyzed. I enjoyed working with a team that was that hands-on.”

“I would drive down from Fargo, ND almost every Saturday morning to check in,” Strom added. “It was a labor of love, and it was fun to watch it go up.”

Another sitting room with a fireplace and a large window facing the lake completes the living spaces on the second floor.

Along with the second master suite upstairs are three guest rooms on the backside of the home.

One detail that was very important to the homeowners was making space for visitors.

“We wanted to accommodate ourselves, my son’s family, and a number of guests,” Jerry said. “We like to have people out.”

The homeowners discussed their project with friends, and it was suggested to them that to make guests feel the most comfortable, they should include private bathroom facilities for each room.

“We modeled those three rooms to resemble a small hotel setting,” Jerry continued. “We didn’t tie up any space in the room with closet space, but have spaces where you could open your suitcase and live out of it for a few days.”

Each bathroom includes a custom tile shower, and the same is true of the two master suites.

The Johnson’s and their guests are sure to enjoy many wonderful summers on the water in the coming years in this beautiful home at the lake. ~L&H

CouLDn’t have done it without: Greg Johnson Construction Strom Architecture

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F

FEATURE HOME

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T

he farmhouse kitchen gleams.

White cupboards and pale-veined countertops reflect the light that streams in from the room’s many windows. A delicately molded tin ceiling provides a harmonious note of historic elegance. A mosaic in subtle shades of white and gray adds a modern counterpoint above the stove. Above the kitchen island, coppery pendant lights glow.

The lower cupboards built into the island are painted a deep, dignified blue (Sherwin Williams Salty Dog), which makes them blend into the legs of the stools, receding from view.

It’s only after a moment that you notice that this island could seat a small army.

You glance around the room and suddenly notice a few details you missed the first time

around, while admiring the kitchen’s orderly coziness. Two dishwashers stand sentry along one wall. There are two sinks and a bank of sleek, restaurant-style refrigeration and freezer units tucked into the short hallway that leads to the pantry. There are two professional caliber Wolf ovens as well. Shiny red knobs power eight burners.

When your eyes sweep over the softly lit countertops and into the formal dining room,

the pieces start to fall into place. A curvaceous dining room table holds court under homey wooden beams and a pair of chandeliers. It can comfortably accommodate 12. That’s a dinner party for many households. But the table comfortably seats the Fleming family and a friend, with room to spare.

The fact that the design team at Wes Hanson Builders Inc. in Crosslake and Alpine Cabinetry in St. Cloud could design a functional and

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subtle Irish influence was inspired by a trip to Ireland and a nod to Sean’s Irish heritage. This combination is unusual, but the design team at Wes Hanson Builders Inc. enjoyed the challenge.

It was a fruitful, creative partnership right from the start.

“We had been in several of the homes they’d built and liked what we saw,” Sean says. “We also had two family members recommend them.

Then when we met with them, we felt confident they understood our goals.”

Like any building project, the home’s design evolved as it progressed. In the Flemings’ case, the starting point was crystal clear. Kristin laid it out for Wes Hanson Builders’ design principal Matt Schmidt straight out of the gate.

comfortable home for Sean and Kristin Fleming and their nine children (aged 1-17) is impressive, yes–but it’s also their job. It’s the fact they could do it while making such a substantial house feel enveloping and intimate is where the artistry lies.

It helped that the Flemings have excellent taste. They also had a specific and unique vision.

“We were trying to do a country farmhouse style with a touch of Ireland,” Sean Fleming explains. “We really liked the country farmhouse feel–inviting, lived-in, a place the kids would want to come back and visit, especially on holidays.”

The farmhouse look referenced design elements they appreciated. It was an aesthetic that defined the way they wanted their new house to function and radiate. The

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“When she came in, she was like ‘All I care about is my kitchen,’” he says. “What was really unique about this is that she also said, ‘I want as big of an island as possible.’ So I literally drew a rectangle for the island and just worked out from there. That’s the first time I’ve ever done that for a house.”

“WE WERE TRYING TO DO A COUNTRY FARMHOUSE STYLE WITH A TOUCH OF IRELAND. WE REALLY LIKED THE COUNTRY FARMHOUSE FEEL– INVITING, LIVED-IN, A PLACE THE KIDS WOULD WANT TO COME BACK AND VISIT, ESPECIALLY ON HOLIDAYS.” SEAN FLEMING // HOMEOWNER

Kristin Fleming needed the kitchen to function in a very specific way. The island anchored the room (and the house). But it was just the beginning of the merging of form and function.

“I expressed the desire for a ‘U’ shaped kitchen with wanting the cleaning space separate from the cooking and prep space, while having our large fridge and freezer close by but enough out of the way in order to not create a bottleneck area in the kitchen,” Kristin Fleming explains. “That is why the pantry was such a priority as well. We will have 30 people easily chatting in the kitchen and no more stress of everyone in the way! Matt

designed the space between the island and oven and dishwashers wide enough to assist in this. He really designed those practical things perfectly.”

“So many elements in there that are kind of a farmhouse theme, and yet it’s today’s function, with today’s appliances and the convenience of everything at our fingertips,” adds Craig Ethen, Alpine Cabinetry operations manager. “It’s got lots of counter space, lots of baking space, lots of cooking room.”

There’s a lot of room in the Fleming house in general. From the front, it looks modest and inviting, almost sweet. A calming white exterior with dark accents, a gracious front porch and an old-fashioned letter box greet visitors. The warm wood columns and stone chimney echo the colors and textures of the interior. Farmhouse accents like a screen porch and windows tucked into the eaves hearken back to a simpler time.

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The square footage and a generous number of windows keep everything feeling light and spacious. Instead of focusing on an open concept design, Wes Hanson Builders incorporated rooms from earlier eras, like the parlor or sitting room off the kitchen, the aforementioned screen porch and the sunny pantry, which updates an image pulled straight from grandma’s house for a modern family. This choice makes a large home feel intimate, accessible and somehow familiar.

In this music room (another space inspired by a more genteel era) a Baldwin baby grand piano rests under a crystal chandelier, stately in an alcove of windows. Kristin is a vocalist and pianist and the oldest five children play as well.

“THIS IS DEFINITELY FARMHOUSE, BUT THERE ARE SOME VICTORIAN-STYLE ACCENTS TO IT.” MATT SCHMIDT // WES HANSON BUILDERS

The house is large, but it doesn’t sprawl. It doesn’t call attention to itself. It’s only when you walk around back for a view of the lake that you see how it reaches three stories to the sky, linked by a clever network of porches, that you realize this house is more than it seems.

The three-level home, screen porch and garage measure 7,713 square feet. Since the family lives here all year long, Kristin homeschools the children and the Flemings have family in the area, having plenty of space was a main priority.

The design choices Kristin and Sean made slowly steered the plans toward a hybrid style that combined the farmhouse and old-world elements into a home that feels both welcoming and grand.

“At the start it was farmhouse,” says Schmidt. “And as we progressed, we kind of realized that Sean would have been content with a Victorian-style house and Kristin was the definition of farmhouse. This is definitely farmhouse, but there are some Victorian-style accents to it.”

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The view from the piano bench also includes a sitting room full of buttery, broken-in leather chairs and a rustic stone fireplace. Alpine Cabinetry built a lovely, copper-lined fireplace box right into the shelving unit, so it’s easy to build a fire on a whim.

“It’s a formal space, yet a very relaxing space,” says Craig. “It’s warm, with the cozy fireplace, the grand piano, all the woodwork and you’re looking out on the lake. It almost makes you want to have a cigar and a drink on the rocks.”

In a family this large, finding a few quiet moments to yourself is important. There are plenty of nooks and alcoves in the Fleming house designed to

“That Baldwin was bought down at Carlson Piano World in The Cities,” says Sean. “It is one of the last American-made Baldwin baby grand pianos from the Young Artist Series. That makes it pretty special.”

When seated on the well-worn piano bench, the pianist looks into a library. This isn’t a stern collection of leather bound first editions or weighty tomes primarily for decoration. The shelves are stocked with titles–including many children’s books – that the family reads and loves.

“THE BASEMENT REALLY IS WHERE THE TWO IDEAS COME TOGETHER AND REALLY LEAN A LITTLE MORE TOWARD THAT VINTAGE FORM.” MATT SCHMIDT // WES HANSON BUILDERS

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fulfill this need. A comfortable chair on the landing invites you to curl up with a good book. A window seat beacons in the bunkroom. A white picnic table promises pretty views of the lake. A flat wooden swing hangs from a tree branch, pretty as a page from a picture book.

Downstairs, the blend of tradition and comfort reaches its zenith. There’s a structure and formality here, but it’s anything but stuffy.

“The basement really is where the two ideas come together and really lean a little more toward that vintage form,” explains Schmidt. “We did a very tall, 54-inch tall wainscots. The wainscot is very dark brown.

There’s almost a library feeling.”

These classic elements are offset by plenty of natural light and more casual common areas for rest and play. This is the spot for a game of Connect Four, shuffleboard or pool. The comfortable couches practically invite a low-key movie night. This downstairs gathering place necessitated a place to store snacks and drinks. The Flemings decided to take that idea to the next level.

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This is a place where you can (literally) hang your hat, pour yourself a drink and let your shoulders unclench. A thoughtful collection of gentlemanly touches and functional objects puts the perfect nightcap at your fingertips.

“When you think of a pub you think of warm, you think of dark, you think of cozy,” says Ethen. “There’s tin ceilings, there’s glass, there’s open shelving for liquor bottles, wood countertops, bar footrails, and all that décor all plays into a pub.”

Ethen had a very specific addition to the pub in mind. He unveiled it as a housewarming gift.

“Sean has always wanted to somehow put his Fleming family coat of arms somewhere in the house, like a window or front door–just something he has talked about since we married,” says Kristin.

“Craig heard this and decided to have it etched into the mirror on the bar. He did the work on it and surprised us with this. It really meant a lot.”

The pub was designed to be soothing, but other parts of the Fleming home focused on function instead of just atmosphere. The laundry area and mudroom boasts two washers, two dryers, and plenty of coat hooks and space for the kids and their friends. Alpine Cabinetry installed a mail center to help manage paperwork, tucked clever storage drawers into benches and installed more stained knotty alder cabinets than you’d find in some kitchens.

“We actually were considering a downstairs kitchen initially but as the plans went along, we shifted toward trying to make a bar that had an Irish pub feel,” says Sean. “We wanted to make it feel Old World.”

It was a challenge that Alpine Cabinetry embraced. Drafter Miranda Steinemann came up with a plan that both the builders and the homeowners loved.

“What the cabinetmakers did is kind of remarkable,” Schmidt says. “They brought the scale of the space down into that more cozy atmosphere that you might associate with a pub.”

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The third-floor school room offers plenty of space to work on projects in silence and shelves to store supplies. The seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms needed to maximize every inch of space as well. A bunkroom and more traditional bedrooms feature plenty of sleeping and storage space with room for visiting friends and family.

The bathrooms are calming. A classically gorgeous tub invites a leisurely soak in a warm white room accented by soothing wood. Light glints off glass doorknobs and pulls, a detail pulled from farmhouse tradition.

In contrast to the basement, which is more traditional and masculine, the upper levels have a light, bright, farmhouse touch. Beds dressed in calming shades of white unify the sleeping spaces. Gauzy white curtains flutter in the breeze. White wrought iron beds, a crystal chandelier and white furniture with a vintage look give a girls bedroom an understated, feminine look.

The Flemings’ fondness for pedestal sinks that they saw in Europe prompted them to adopt the look in many of their home’s bathrooms.

Alpine Cabinetry looked to the past and tucked storage solutions like medicine cabinets into the walls to add additional storage. The builders designed the girls’ primary bathroom to maximize both form and function.

“When you walk in, there’s kind of a common bath area with a Kohler trough sink,” Schmidt explains. “It’s a huge, long bowl that has three fixtures on it, so three people can be using the faucets at the same time. On the opposite wall, there’s a full counter and mirror.

Two doors go into what I’d call the wet room– one has a bath/shower and one a shower. If there are five girls in there at the same time, they can all coordinate and get ready.”

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In lesser hands, this design could feel utilitarian and clunky, a locker room set-up on loan to a family home. But in the Fleming home, it just makes sense. And even the most practical spaces have a kind of understated elegance to them. That’s a mark of good design.

“We wanted to maximize the space for function with our large family while hopefully making it warm and comfortable,” says Sean. “The house is amazing for our needs.

This house allows us to host both sides of the family as well as friends comfortably for dinner parties and many sleepovers for guests.”

And that’s what really matters. The Fleming residence provides a comfortable haven for a large and busy family and a welcoming retreat for their extended family and friends.

And thanks to thoughtful design and the homeowners’ unique taste, it does it with style and grace. ~L&H

CouLDn’t have done it without: Wes Hanson Builders

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“THE HOUSE IS AMAZING FOR OUR NEEDS. THIS HOUSE ALLOWS US TO HOST BOTH SIDES OF THE FAMILY AS WELL AS FRIENDS COMFORTABLY FOR DINNER PARTIES AND MANY SLEEPOVERS FOR GUESTS.”

SEAN FLEMING // HOMEOWNER

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F

FEATURE HOME

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D

iscovering the perfect lot on Pelican Lake was just the beginning of the process to build the perfect cabin. With its sugar sand beaches, crystal clear water, and incredible sunsets, there couldn’t be a better cabin location for an active family of seven, who live in the nearby Brainerd area.

This impressive lake home was built by KC Companies, a construction company in Pequot Lakes owned by Chuck Lane and Kent Marthaler. They provide residential, professional, commercial and industrial construction, plus renovation or remodeling, throughout Minnesota and Iowa.

According to Marthaler, the homeowners were also truly drawn to the lot itself. Its shape and size, along with access to a small environmental lake across the road, provide additional character.

“It isn’t your typical square lot,” he says. “It’s a bit angled on the way it faces the lake, and although there isn’t much elevation, there’s some slight rising and falling in the gentle slope between the road and the water. The homeowners wanted an ‘Up North’ kind of look, with a natural feel that opens up to the views of the lake. You can’t change the shoreline, but if you find the right location, you can build a dream.”

KC Companies worked with Doerr Architecture, also in Pequot Lakes, to develop the design plans. Architect Bill Doerr looks at his role as a collaborative effort with the homeowner and the builder.

With this particular structure, he had more time than usual to examine the property and make decisions on how the house would sit on the lot. After selling his family’s home on Pelican Lake, he temporarily lived as a renter in the lot’s original cabin, which was later “re-purposed” to a new location in Pine River.

“I usually get a few site visits for each of my projects, but it was a great opportunity to be there and see the passing of the day, including sunrises and sunsets,” says Doerr.

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“Living there affected the plans in a very positive way, because I could make some of those decisions while actually experiencing it.”

EXTERIOR Since all the neighboring homes have the same sandy beachfront, it can be hard to tell where one lot ends and one begins.

“The homeowners wanted an ‘Up North’ kind of look, with a natural feel that opens up to the views of the lake.”

Kent Marthaler // KC Companies

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“We used the lot’s slight angle and set the house so that it follows the property lines,” Doerr explains. “That puts it at an angle to the lake and gives it an optimum location for views of both the lake and the sunsets.”

The original house had been set back closer to the road. Although there was space to move it forward, the builder and architect would have to deal with a natural mound that ran across the lot between the road and the lake. It might have been tempting to flatten it, but instead they decided to embrace it.

“The main level was designed to be at the top of the knoll, which set it up nicely for a walkout on the lower level,” says Doerr. “It may have been hard to envision in the beginning, but once it was all pulled together, it worked out seamlessly at the beach level, and it adds to the distinction of this property.”

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“We used the lot’s slight angle and set the house so that it follows the property lines. That puts it at an angle to the lake and gives it an optimum location for views of both the lake and the sunsets.�

Bill Doerr // Doerr Architecture

In the past, the Up North look usually meant log siding with a green shingle roof, but the homeowners wanted to use all-natural materials to modernize that look. They used a plank siding and combined that with wood, glass, and stone to complete the clean design.

Expansive windows provide lake and sunset views from the wide-open living areas, and the entire walk-out lower level opens onto an outdoor living space that is one enormous patio, with a built-in bar and gas fire pit.

To add to the distinctive look of this home, they decided to try something out of the ordinary for the patio surface. Erlandson Epoxy in Brainerd, which specializes in decorative and commercial coatings for concrete in the lakes area, made that patio surface look like no other.

“For this project, we put down a base color coat and used one of our three-part metallic coatings in the epoxy,” says owner Scott Erlandson. “I could never mimic that exact floor anywhere else. We could use the same colors, but they would always turn out differently because the pattern is affected by the time of the year, the humidity, the air temperature, and even the minor high or low spots in the concrete.”

The process is then finished off with a clear coat epoxy that is UV stable for the outdoors, and gives a polished and finished look to the patio.

INTERIOR The floor plan designed by Bill Doerr works exactly as the homeowner wanted it to work.

The large open living area and the master bedroom make up most of the main floor, with a second living area on the lower level, flanked by two bedrooms on each side. A bonus space above the garage provides an extra bedroom with a fun loft area.

Some homeowners want to design and create their own interiors, but for those who are looking for some assistance in that area, KC Companies has someone on their team to provide that service.

“For a beautiful home on the lake, I would say I’m more transitional.

There are touches of traditional, but I also add in a bit of the rustic feel, too. I want the design to be up-to-date, but long lasting.”

Trish Lane // KC Companies

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“My wife Trish works with us, providing interior design choices for our residential homes, when necessary, and for all our senior care and industrial buildings,” says Chuck Lane.

“She picked out almost everything for this particular home.”

Most of Trish’s training in design has come from research combined with experience.

“Being married to a builder, we’ve moved several times, and I love to make changes and try new things,” she says with a laugh.

“With the assisted living buildings, I would say that I use more traditional decorating, with little surprises of color, trying to make it more ‘homey.’ But for a beautiful home on the lake,

I would say I’m more transitional. There are touches of traditional, but I also add in a bit of the rustic feel, too. I want the design to be up-to-date, but long lasting.”

Design is constantly evolving, as styles and people’s tastes change over the years, and she is continually watching, reading and investigating about all aspects of design.

The home is a mixture of sheetrock and wood, with wainscoting upstairs and wood on the ceilings. Downstairs it’s all sheetrock, with wood beams and wood on the ceiling that is meant to look like shiplap. The same stone that was used on the fireplace on the main floor was also used in the basement to create a level of continuity throughout the house.

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“Sometimes it’s nice when you draw an idea in your head, and then you have someone who can build it exactly that way,” she says. “For instance, when I worked with Bob Humphrey to build the cabinets at Cabinetry

by Design, it was a great team effort, and we finally got to the right color I had been searching for.”

One other room she mentioned that was surprisingly fun was the theater room.

Everyone in the family picked out a favorite movie, and they hung those posters on the walls.

“The bar area came together really well, too, with a wonderful granite countertop that I was able to find at Lake Country Granite in Pequot Lakes,” she adds. “In fact, the entire house came together really well. Everything definitely works and is used the way it was initially intended.”

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CouLDn’t have done it without: KC Companies

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The outdoor lake space also gets used the way it was intended, with paddle boarding, surfing, boating and fishing equipment all a part of the activities the family enjoys on Pelican Lake.

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KC Companies works hard to make it right for the customer, according to Marthaler.

“I think what I am proud of the most with this house is how we finished it,” he adds. “The look of both the interior and exterior was something the homeowners envisioned as a kind of a dream, and we made that dream become a reality.” ~L&H

“I think what I am proud of the most with this house is how we finished it.

The look of both the interior and exterior was something the homeowners envisioned as a kind of a dream, and we made that dream become a reality.”

Kent Marthaler // KC Companies

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D

DESIGNER PORTFOLIO

MORE ACCESSIBILITY, MORE ENJOYMENT

block to building what has now become a leader in the inclined elevator system market.

HOW COMPLICATED IS IT TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN AN INCLINED ELEVATOR? The entire operational system is fairly easy.

There is a main power switch for the entire system, as well as a key to activate it when you are ready to employ the lift. A key switch is utilized to call the car up to the station, and once you are inside there is a single switch to choose to go up or down. An emergency stop button is also at the ready, and cars have a sliding gate or hinged doors for safety.

Since the entire lift system is categorized as an elevator, it does require annual maintenance, which is handled by a contractor in the region. By setting up an

annual service package to review, maintain and do updates, you are ensured ease in operation with the entire lift system.

For nearly 30 years, Marine Innovations has been building a loyal following among homeowners with their tram systems that create an ease-of-access to lake and riverfronts. The company which originated in St. Paul in 1991, was started by Mike and Lori Botzet with the initial product of a bank hoist system. Six years later the company transitioned to Frazee, Minn., where it remains a steady and vibrant part of the local

community and a leader in inclined elevator systems.

WHAT WAS THE INITIAL IDEA BEHIND CREATING MARINE INNOVATIONS AND THE TRAM SYSTEM? Mike Botzet saw a lake tram system in operation, and recognized areas in need of improvement and ways it could become a better and more reliable system. He used that moment of inspiration as the starting

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HOW DOES MARINE INNOVATIONS INTERACT WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND GIVE BACK? We are a locally owned company that values our employees and the community that we live and work in. Supporting our local schools and the children of our community, is an important facet of our company. The dealers we work with also hold this same value and help their local community.

WHAT IS THE BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY OF MARINE INNOVATIONS? Our philosophy is to create the absolute best inclined elevator, allowing the homeowner to fully enjoy their property.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE FEATURE YOU HAVE CREATED FOR A CLIENT? Each property allows for a new opportunity for creativity and new ideas to be implemented.

We have created curved track systems for a client to fit their property, and for another we built a completely enclosed carriage with a domed acrylic roof and floor to ceiling tempered glass front wall. A client can have a vision for their ideal lift, and we can find a way to make that dream a reality.

888.334.4666

WWW.MARINEINNOVATIONS.COM

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HOW CAN THIS TYPE OF HOME IMPROVEMENT ADD TO THE LIFESTYLE OF CABIN OWNERSHIP? There are many ways an inclined elevator adds to a homeowner’s enjoyment.

From simplifying the transportation of the homeowner from garage or parking area to their home, to providing access to an otherwise inaccessible dock or boat house along a lake or river. Family time at the lake can become easier with small children, when you are carrying all the life jackets, toys and accessories in one trip down the lift instead of multiple trips up and down several staircases. The lift becomes not only a practical tool of lakeside living, but a tool for living independently and actively in a home that you cherish.

ARE THERE ANY CHALLENGES TO INSTALLING THIS SYSTEM? Our lift systems are uniquely designed to meet any and all challenges that can be presented.

We have dealers across the country, and the landscape and terrain of each region presents opportunities to find a solution. Our system is used not only on lake and riverfronts, but also provide a lifestyle solution to get to locations within a property safely. Some homeowners use them to have access to pools, others

888.334.4666 | WWW.MARINEINNOVATIONS.COM

use them to gain entry up a hillside from their street level garage. In Texas our dealers have installed lifts on Lake Travis, which is a reservoir with changing water levels and our lift has been able to meet the unique needs of homeowners along the changing shorelines.

We have designed lifts that are over 1,000 feet long, some with dramatic angles, and have installed lifts on every type of terrain across the country. Any landscape is suitable, we haven’t found a hill that we can’t conquer!

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO PLAN AND INSTALL A LIFT SYSTEM? The process begins with a call to Marine Innovations (888-334-4666) or to one of our dealers. We listen to your needs and then build and install the best system. The average time from inspiration to completion is approximately 2-3 months. This is dependent on weather as installations are not done when there is snow cover. ~L&H

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L

FEATURED LAKE

Size: 4485.87 Acres Max Depth: 94 ft.

Clarity: 9.3 ft.

Shore Length: 38.49 mi Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Star Lake is located in north-central Otter Tail County approximately four miles west of Dent, Minn. Star Lake is connected to Dead and Round Lakes via non-navigable streams. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots.

Extensive marsh areas are located in the south bay and the west arm of the lake. The maximum depth is 94 feet; however, 59 percent of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth.

Development is scattered around the entire shoreline of Star Lake. DNR owned public water accesses are located along the north and east shorelines. Stands of hardstem bulrush, wild rice, and common cattail are scattered along the shoreline of the entire lake; however, the largest stands are located in the south bay and the west arm.

Star Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. The lake has a reputation as one of the best all-around fishing lakes in Otter Tail County. Northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye, and bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.

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Anglers can maintain the quality of angling by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake has enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. ~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

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