the home

The home is pure Craftsman style. The Nielsens and Benjamin Custom Homes worked hard to stay true to the style, knowing it was important for the home to be relaxed and cozy. Scott and Kristie are genuine in life and envisioned a home to reflect those attributes. They wanted it to be a place where friends and family walk in and know they are welcome and feel glad they’re there.

Entering this home one immediately feels at ease. Its soft natural colors are calming and the abundance of windows brings natural light into the home throughout the day.

The main floor boasts a myriad of living spaces including an office at the front of the house that can easily convert to a bedroom for accommodating family visits. The open floor plan of the main living areas offers a flow through the living room, dining area, and into the kitchen where a wide window affords a view of the pond at the back of the property.

The scenery was a big draw for the Nielsens in choosing this particular lot. “The evergreens and the water made it feel like being in the country,” claims Kristie. They find calmness in the nature sounds, the birds and the expanse of space.

The kitchen is finished with white custom cabinetry, white quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The flooring in the first-floor main area is a lovely high-grade Quick-Step laminate in a dark wood finish.

A stunning master suite sits at the back of the house. The suite includes two large walk-in closets, a master bathroom with a custom walk-in shower and tub, private toilet, heated floors and dual sinks. The spacious bedroom area has large windows with a magnificent view of the pond.

Finishing out the main floor of the home are an additional bathroom, a large laundry room and a breakfast nook with built-in seating.

Two historic doors add a sentimental aspect to the home. A pocket door at the laundry room entrance and a barn door between the master bedroom and bathroom came from the original house of the family farm of Kristie’s sister and brother-in-law. “Ben and Adam welcomed the challenge of restoring these doors which have such special meaning for us,” shares Scott.

The real gem of the home is at the top of the stairs. Kristie tells the story of drawing out the design and having in mind two specific ideas. She wanted a place for the grandchildren to play and also wanted to find a place in the home that would serve as a quiet place for her and Scott to read, have conversations, or spend time alone.

The loft became the perfect place for both. In the original graph paper drawings, Kristie had included a large loft area for the children. But still, there wasn’t a perfect quiet place. As LaPlante reviewed the plans and added touches of his own he included a dormer with large windows. It faces the southwest giving expansive views of Midwest sunsets overlooking the water, and is set apart from the rest of the loft area. Kristie remembers her reaction to the addition: “As we sat in his office, I literally started crying; I said that’s it, that’s my quiet spot. I felt like it was a gift, for him to do that and it was confirming we were on the right track.”

“I feel like every step we needed to take, it felt like God had gotten there first and led the way for us, and then we were just walking forward in that direction,” Kristie reflects.