A Family Delight

The Lifelong Passion of Chris Bachmeier

BY JOYCE EISENBRAUN >> JILL OCKHARDT

Tucked into a cul-de-sac in a new West Fargo development is the latest custom creation by homebuilder Chris Bachmeier. Like many of the other homes he’s built, he’s worked with the family, listened to the wants and dreams, and designed something that uniquely fits their needs. But this time, the satisfaction of watching the family move into the beautiful space has been even greater: the family is his own.

Chris and his bride of three years, Samantha (“a beautiful, wonderful woman”) and infant Addilynn, (“the light of our lives”), moved into the new home last summer. “Building homes is something I enjoy,” he said. “You get to see the design become a structure and progress to the day we hand over the keys. It’s a lot of fun.”

For Chris and family, the design has been carefully constructed to meet their needs as a young family. The 2700-square foot rambler is energy efficient as well as low maintenance, showcasing the style and creativity of a custom homebuilder.

Welcome Home

A large covered front porch with dry-stack rock pillars invites guests into the front entry. Arched windows add light to the foyer area, as do the two sidelights to the door. Hand-scraped hickory hardwood floors, 10-foot ceilings and eight-foot custom two-panel doors create a vibrant architectural foundation.

Just to the right is an office with rainglass French doors and another arch-top window to the front yard. A contemporary desk in chrome and glass is the core of

Chris’ home business, while an abstract metal art piece above offers a perspective on the world.

The great room has a tiered ceiling that ascends to 12 feet with inset maple beams. Rope lighting and can lights add a dramatic flair. An arched series of windows overlooks the lake view to the rear of the home, matching the arch of the entertainment wall. Here, a stone-framed column surrounds an inset gas fireplace with built-in cabinets, shelves and a flat- panel television on the sides. An area rug in cream frieze anchors the oversized custom couch in linen-look taupe. Yellow pillows and throw pick up the undertones in the floral accent chair and ottoman. A charming baby chair in pink and white is just right for the youngest member of the family.

A soaring stone arch visually separates the living from kitchen and dining spaces. The kitchen island is finished in a handrubbed white glaze on maple, topped by dark gray and cream quartz countertop. Above, two pendants hold five mini-shade lights. On the other side of the island, a large two-basin sink has a stainless apron front, matching the rest of the appliances. The rest of the maple cabinets are finished in a deep espresso color, some with decorative rain-glass fronts, and all with soft-close drawers. A double garbage pullout helps keep recyclables tidy and out of the way.

On the north wall is a bar with bianco antico granite countertop and a glazed porcelain tile backsplash, finished in gold, bronze, gray and cream tones. The wine refrigerator is below with added wine racks built in above.

The dining area overlooks the back yard, a roughed-in sunroom that Chris hopes to complete next summer, and a large paver patio with inset gas firepit. A gray and cream geometric rug positions a table set for six with four leather dining chairs and two arm chairs in cream linen. A nine-light chandelier above matches the other shaded lights.

Just to the side of the kitchen is a walk-in pantry, with an auto-light that pops on when the door is opened. The hallway then wraps back to the guest powder room, laundry room, the drop zone with a well-designed locker system for coats and boots, as well as access to the three-stall heated and insulated garage.

Even in the powder room, Chris’ attention to detail is displayed. Heated ceramic tile floors have decorative insets of glass, stone and metal. Gray quartz countertop is accented by a translucent glass vessel sink. The mirror is a custom shape he designed, while the pendant lights are sparkling crystal and chrome. The walls are finished in deep gray and inset with a decorative tile band above the ceramic tile around the lower section.

Sleepy Time

Just off the dining room is a short hallway to two bedrooms and a “Jack and Jill” bathroom. The carpet is warm gray with complementing taupe walls. In the first bedroom, windows overlook the back yard and pond. Green and white floral print linens add a fresh color to the leather-accented bed. Walk-in closets in both bedrooms ensure plenty of storage. In the bath, the toilet and tub are closed off behind another set of pocket doors. Granite countertops are done in gray and tan with a touch of blue, harmonizing with the ceramic tile floor. A full-wall mirror is above the sink, highlighted by a four-light bar.

On the other side of the home is the master bedroom. Here the mood is purely indulgent, making it a wonderful retreat. Overlooking the back yard is a sitting room, which is currently also used as the baby’s nursery. An oversized teddy bear sleepily nods on the built-in bench seat. A low chest has a changing table top and the white crib features an aqua, black and white puff quilt.

Separating the sitting room from the bedroom is a two-sided stone gas fireplace. Windows, decorated with wood blinds, frame the room. Taupe and eggplant-colored linens accent the leather and wood bed. Geometric artwork on the wall is in corresponding shades. Above a treyed ceiling with rope lighting adds a delightful element to the romantic space.

The master bath has heated ceramic tile floors in taupe with inset glass and metal tiles. The two-person steam rain shower features a remote control and a clear-glass enclosure. An air-jet tub, with an arched Roman faucet, has a quartz surround with a privacyglass window above. Two sinks are set into an ‘L’-shaped granite countertop, with full-wall mirrors above both sides and countertop storage in the corner.

Next door is a large closet, with arched windows providing natural light for selecting clothes. A built-in bench provides handy seating under the windows, while the tall shelves, built-in cabinets and double ranks for hanging clothes ensure ample storage.

Lifelong Passion

“I started working with my dad when I was a kid,” Chris said. “I learned a lot from him, and have applied it to what I’m doing now.” A 2002 graduate of MSUM in construction management, he started Bachmeier Custom Homes Inc. in 2004. “Although working for my dad was great, I wanted to take the plunge and see if I could make it work. Fortunately, both my parents have been very supportive and helped make this venture possible!”

Although he acknowledged he is a “smaller builder” with about 12 houses each year, most in the $300$600,000 range, it means he can spend time with each homeowner and on each house. “Every home gets personal attention because I’m at the job site, working and checking on details,” he noted. “We have fantastic subcontractors and we use them from house to house because they know the quality, are conscientious and pay attention to details. Our project manager, Brock Butler, does a great job.”

Looking back over his 20 years of building in the area, Chris said some of the biggest changes have been in improved technology. “From the building materials to interior finishes, home audio, types of wood available, electrical, there have been a lot of changes, but it’s created more options for the homeowner to do something that is their dream.” Plus, Chris noted that the energy efficiency has gotten better. In this home, he has incorporated many custom features that are typical of his homes: extra insulation, builtin audio system, Anderson 400 windows, air exchanger, highefficiency gas furnace, central vacuum, spray foam on trusses and foundation walls.

From childhood on, Chris has known he’s wanted to build. Raised here and still enthused about the area, he’s planning to continue his dream of building homes, with a dedication to creative, quality construction that will help other families achieve their dreams. [AWM]

Chris Bachmeier

701.799.2232 bachmeiercustomhomes.com chrisbnd@hotmail.com