Ravishing Remodel

WRITER: JOYCE EISENBRAUN PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

NTERIOR DESIGNED BY: BY DESIGN KARI BUCHOLz his gracious, elegant home, built in 1990 on South Hackberry Drive in Fargo, was ready for a fresh look that was less formal and more naturally colorful. The result, thanks to great collaboration between newly married owners Sharon and Larry Strande and Kari Bucholz at By Design, is a brilliant, beautiful renovation.

Downstairs, the living room, dining area, powder room, kitchen, family room, and laundry are reconstructed and redecorated. Upstairs, the guest bath and the master suite are totally updated.

“We wanted to introduce more color, and have the living area more open for family gatherings,” said Sharon. “The original cream color was more formal, and we preferred something warmer.”

“The island in the kitchen was to be a focal point,” added Larry, “and we wanted to have the fireplace make more of an impact, not just have a simple surround and mantle.”

Larry and Sharon had known one another for years. Both were married previously to spouses who passed away in the last decade. They reconnected, and were married, just this past February. Both agreed to move into Larry’s existing home but wanted to create a new environment that reflected both their tastes.

Living Spaces

The anchoring color palette in the remodeled areas is a lush gray color, accented with metallic silver and natural stone in complementary colors. In the living room, the Strandes opted to keep the existing cream-toned couches, but added a rich gray tone to the walls, and metallic fiber throw pillows. The window treatments are contemporary panels of white sheers with a geometric metallic pattern on a gray satin back. The Strandes chose taupe frieze carpet for the living room and deep gray porcelain and metallic tile throughout the rest of the main level.

The dining room is visually separated from the living room by two columns, adding a romantic, European flair. Strandes opted to take out the back wall, opening the dining area to the kitchen, making the dining area visually brighter and roomier for entertaining. Above the contemporary dining table they added a six-light chandelier with alabaster lights on brushed nickel base. The dining chairs were recovered with gray and black tweed fabric on the front and a diamond pattern on the exposed back.

Down the hallway, the powder room has been transformed from nice to fabulous. The flooring was inset with metallic silver tiles. A gray and copper- toned granite countertop includes an arched backsplash across the mirrored wall. Nickel faucets now jut out from the wall, spilling into a gray ceramic vessel sink with inset copper rocks. Two new sconces with sparkle taupe glass in copper frames bring warm light into the room.

The kitchen has undergone the most dramatic transformation. The former contemporary cream laminate cabinets have been moved to the garage, and been replaced with custom cherry cabinets. A large island holds center stage— with room for seven chairs upholstered in fabric with ribbons of metallic fibers running through brown, tan, and gray. The top level of the counter is granite with silver shitz in the gray and black rock. Complementing the top design, Strandes chose a “water-spot” granite pattern for the lower countertop. Above, new pendant lights in a classic alabaster are suspended from a deep gray soffit that matches the contour of the countertop.

The outline of the kitchen has been expanded, stealing some space from the laundry room behind. Cherry cabinets line the entire back wall of the kitchen, surrounding the two ovens and microwave. Between the island and the back wall, the flooring has a beautiful inlaid design in the tiles, with geometric metallic insets. The inlay perimeter is outlined with glass mosaics that match the backsplash.

The kitchen’s five-burner gas stovetop features a hood and surround that is finished in a beautiful cream stone for authentic Old World appeal.

The same stone is also used for the fireplace mantle and surround in the family room, which is open to the kitchen area. The carved stone-embellished gas fireplace is a winter favorite according to the Strandes. A large sectional couch curves around the east side, overlooking a spectacular view of the river. Two occasional chairs in studded gray leather and metallic fabric create a cozy conversation area on the other side. A whimsical wire hippo serves as a coffee table and fun conversation piece. Cream window casements are finished with granite sills — a beautiful custom finish added throughout the main level.

Behind the kitchen is a hallway to the garage and laundry room. In the laundry area, recycling bins are tidily hidden in pullout cherry cabinets, while basket alcoves tuck laundry out of sight.

Living Upstairs

Upstairs, the Strandes decided to keep two of the bedrooms and Larry’s office intact and concentrate their efforts on the guest bath and the master suite.

In the guest bath, they used natural elements for a stunning effect, beginning with granite on the countertop. The entire wall above the sink is mirrored. A tall distressed copper bamboo faucet pours into a cream square vessel sink edged in mosaic tiles. Mosaic tiles are also used as an inset accent in the taupe ceramic floor and bath walls, adding another craftsman detail.

Just down the hall, two French doors swing open to the master suite. The carpet has been changed to a dramatic taupe in a sculpted ribbon design. The south and east window panels are sheer silver and bronze over silk. The king size bed is dressed in a striped duvet in shades of bronze, cream, and silver with matching throw pillows.

Before

Originally, the bath was open from the bedroom, but Strandes opted to put in walls and a pocket door for separation. On the right is Larry’s cabinet, while Sharon has her sink and vanity table on the left. Both areas have nickel faucets that project out of the wall into cream-colored vessel sinks with custom-designed rock bases. Mirrored walls above the granite countertops have fourlight alabaster fixtures above. Next to Larry’s area is a whirlpool tub with an unusual rock and wood surround.

A short hallway leads to other remodeling highlights: his and hers closets and a walk-in shower. Glass block is used for one wall while the rest is ceramic tile with a mosaic inset design that creates the appearance of a natural waterfall and meandering creek.

A Joint Effort

“We wanted to make this ‘our’ home,” Sharon said, “so it became a project we worked on together.” Sharon and Larry are both happy with the results and give much of the credit for the success to By Design. “Kari was very intuitive,” Sharon complimented. “She asked the right questions, talked about our lifestyles, and came up with great ideas. Everyone said it would be scary working with a designer, but it was not the case with Kari. She is a great listener.”

“One of the keys,” Larry said, “was also hiring the right people. John and Kevin Hanson with Hanbro Construction were phenomenal. They do their own work, and they do it right. Everybody said it would take six to nine months to get things done — we started last September and were finished before Christmas.”

Both agreed they wouldn’t change a thing in their newly revitalized home. Thanks to talented design and construction staff, and two individuals who knew what they wanted to create, the result is a ravishing remodel, beautifully tailored to their needs as a new family. [AWM]