Home for the Holidays

The elegant architectural structure of this spacious rambler in West Fargo’s Charleswood addition is beautifully enhanced, not hidden, with the festive holiday décor. The owners have incorporated their personal style, along with the many Heritage Homes’ Woman-Centric design elements, into their beautiful masterpiece.

The owners not only have a masterly touch in design, but have also catered to the needs of their young, busy family. “I like the contrast and visual punch, but it also needs to be kid-friendly,” she noted. The resulting holiday style in this residence is a beautiful statement where children are joyfully included in the celebrations.

Although lovely in its holiday “attire,” the home is structurally stunning any time of the year. The exterior features a warm contrast of tan dryvit, with brown, tan, and gray ledgestone, along with brick flowerbeds curving around the front. Two stone lions guard the driveway to the three-car garage, angled to take advantage of the cul-de-sac curve. Half-moon arches soar above the front pillared entrance, with matching arches above each window on the left.

The front art deco leaded glass door opens to a generous foyer with a 12-foot ceiling lit by pewter side sconces and inset can lights. Just to the left is a beautiful ironwork and blown glass art sculpture by Forest Edge artisans of Vergas, MN. The wall color is a relaxed khaki with light cream casements throughout the main floor. Natural maple hardwood, featured in the foyer, is also used in the kitchen and informal seating area.

Just to the right of the foyer is the dining room, decorated as a glamorous holiday scene. Natural maple pillars lit with alabaster sconces create the framework for the custom-designed round room. Between the pillars, the walls are painted in a black, high gloss finish for drama and sparkle. Above, the dropped round ceiling has a silver leaf foil. The ninelight crystal chandelier softly glows beneath a sheer black shade. An oversize round maple table, custom-made by one of the owner’s father, is decorated for the holidays with silver placemats, set with platinum and pewter-edged bone china, and topped with silver napkin rings holding cherry-red napkins. A capizshell vase in the center holds shimmering silver leaves and is surrounded by a red-bulb wreath. Upholstered chairs in tan linen twill weave, outlined with brass studs, offer cozy seating. Tone-on-tone cream carpet with a zebra pattern finishes this sophisticated space.

To the left of the foyer is the hallway to the family quarters, with two bedrooms for the children and a spacious, tranquil master suite. Each of the children’s rooms has its own special theme, right down to the eclectic Christmas trees they helped decorate.

Living Well

“We loved to travel before we had the family,” the owner said. “So we wanted to incorporate some of that hotel feeling into our home,” hence, the large pillars that set off living areas in the home. Tiled in sparkling black squares, two of the pillars, one on each side of the living area, are accented with inset floor lights. The black tile is also used as the floor-to-ceiling surround for the gas fireplace on the north wall. This season, large sparkling snowflakes in white and silver are floating down the black tile.

Just to the left of the entry pillar is a 12-foot green tree decorated with large bulbs in red and white, white feathers, red florals, red glitter fronds, red and white branches, and a lovely antique angel ready to herald the good news. Behind the tree is a beautiful multi-media piece by artist Jay Pfeifer. Commissioned by the owners, the abstract superbly incorporates copper, plaster, and acrylic in shades of red, brown, tan, and cream.

The media center shelves on the west wall hold family photos. Above, white vases sprout twigs with red holiday bulbs with white feather garland accents. Red ironwork reindeer hold large red stockings, hinting of Christmas morning delights. A black transitional leather sofa, loveseat, and chair have holiday pillows in white, silver, and red, in addition to a set of pillows with large red bows and faux diamond clips. The maple end tables showcase the holiday spirit too, with white feather trees on one and a crystal bowl filled with white feathers topped with solid red and black-and-white zebra bulbs on the other. Cream tone-ontone zebra-patterned carpet anchors the living space. Above, the dropped round ceiling detail is a favorite Heritage Home design element, and it’s accented with a brushed nickel fan with oval paddles.

Near the living area is a handy mini serving area with a wine refrigerator and glass rack. Black quartz accents the maple cabinets and a whimsical Santa and lime green trees add a holiday note.

On the far side of the great room is another pillar, shifting the attention to the kitchen and informal eating area. The ceramic tile used in the main hallway is the flooring of choice in the seating area, while natural maple hardwood is in the kitchen. Above, ceiling cutouts are deep taupe outlined by lighter khaki tones.

In the dining area, a small mahogany-stain oak table seats a cozy foursome. Red snowflake placemats set a holiday mood, as does the red berry wreath centerpiece with a red metallic tree. Near the sliding glass door to the spacious back patio, two cream leather chairs offer a comfortable corner to relax while meal preparations are underway. Red pillows with snowflake accents add a holiday touch.

The kitchen, recently remodeled in natural maple, has flat panel cabinets with oversized brushed stainless hardware and appliances. Above the sand-toned quartz countertops, the backsplash is finished in black tile. Across the top of the cabinets is white feather garland with lime green polka dot and red ribbon packages. Decorative towels hung on the dishwasher handle offer playful choices of “Naughty” or “Nice.”

The center island has two tiers, with the lower level boasting a Bosch flat cook top. The upper level seats four on black leather padded chairs with stainless leg accents. Four blown-glass pendant lights in white, with a black ribbon accent, light the area. A painted metal Santa, who appears ready to make lists, complements red snowflake placemats on the counter.

Off the hallway leading to the kitchen is the home office space, beautifully set apart with double French doors of ribbed glass. Next door is the laundry and drop zone, with access to the garage.

Stunning architectural detailing, woman-centric design elements that make family life, work, and entertaining more enjoyable and stress free, and kid-friendly features are all wrapped up with an exquisite holiday theme in this home. It’s a showcase for the creative genius of Heritage Homes, but also a superb tribute to the owners’ ability to create a warm, inviting home for the family.

[AWM]