offering flexible FAMILY SPACES

words by ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON photography by MIKE SMITH

ERITAGE HOMES , a custom homebuilder based in Fargo, offers 19 different plans that can be tailored to suit an individual homeowner’s taste and the specific needs of the family that will call the house a home. The decidedly female-friendly company is the only “woman-centric” builder in North Dakota and designs homes to its clients’ tastes, adding necessary features, combining floor plans and tweaking layouts so the homes integrate into their owners lives as seamlessly as possible.

Although every home is a little bit different, every house that Heritage Homes designs features ample storage, flexible living areas and space for entertaining that can evolve along with a family’s needs. The company offers a detailed analysis and suggests potential floor plans and customization ideas based on in-person meetings and detailed design consultations. It’s a very in-depth, personal approach that has made the company one of the most trusted in the region.

Of course, all that happens once customers express interest and reach out. For potential homeowners who are still in the “just looking” phase or require a more hands-on, visual inspection of a possible home, Heritage Homes offers an online assessment of a potential customer’s taste and 3D tours on heritagefargo.com and features model homes available for a walk through. One of those model homes showcases a floor plan called the Georgetown II.

The Georgetown II is a new take on one of Heritage Homes’ most popular designs. The attractive, two-story layout features maintenance-free vinyl siding (which is available in a variety of colors) and classic brick elevation on the façade.

“This home is a good choice because it shows off one of our most popular plans with a different and inspiring new look without changing the main concept of why the Georgetown plan is a great home,” explains Nicole Schaf- fer, interior home design consultant and project coordinator at Heritage Homes. “We have had so many people see this as their forever home.”

The Georgetown II’s three bedroom, two and a half bath floor plan features 2,574 square feet of living space. Fully finished, that can be expanded to five bedrooms, three and a half baths and 3,651 square feet. “As with any of our plans, what makes it unique is you can customize it to make the home a place to fit with your family lifestyle,” says Schaffer.

The floor plan offers flexible, family-friendly features with a laid back attitude. “The first and foremost reason why our homes are great choices is because of livability,” explains Schaffer. “The Georgetown II is a great example of this with the open floor plan on the main floor which makes it great for entertaining your family and friends.”

Guests enter the foyer through a dramatic 8-foot door centered on a wraparound front porch that boasts dramatic columns for a unique look. The home’s cool white interior feels refreshing and modern and gives homeowners plenty of options for decorating, while exposed, crisscross wood beams stained in a rich, deep tone provide contrast and visual interest. Wide plank floors provide a soothing, grounding link between all the main floor living areas, which include the kitchen, the dining area, a gracious walk-in pantry, the great room, and a bonus main level flex room — which many homeowners use as a playroom or an office.

“All the wood details on the main floor with the four barn doors and coordinating reclaimed wood ceiling in the flex room give this home an urban, rustic-chic look,” Schaffer explains. The on-trend, yet timeless reclaimed wood is installed by D&M Industries, a frequent Heritage Homes partner. The cabinets are custom oak from Mill Creek Cabinetry, another regular collaborator. Oak trim provides continuity throughout the home.

Subtly patterned wallpaper adds elegance to the powder room off of the kitchen and the dining room without competing for attention, while a quietly compelling ceramic tile, opalescent with a Moroccan-inspired design, shimmers on the fireplace inlay and the kitchen backsplash, providing subtle texture and unifying the two rooms. It also reflects the light from the flames in the fireplace and maximizes the natural light pouring into the triple-wide, energy-saving window that looks into the backyard from the kitchen sink. This is an ideal spot to keep an eye on the kids or pets in the backyard while soaking in the sunlight.

Speaking of pets, guests frequently remark on one particular pet-friendly addition. “The turned staircase allows us for a unique space under the stairs — the perfect place for the family pets,” says Schaffer. “We could call it a pet nook or pet cubby.”

The home boasts similarly thoughtful yet unexpected details on the second level. “When you go upstairs, the master has a fabulous entrance with a beautiful wood window seat with a large master bathroom with tile shower and heated floors with a bonus of an additional laundry room entrance to the master closet and en suite,” says Schaffer. A recessed ceiling adds height and drama to the room, and his and hers walk-in closets provide ample storage.

Stylish storage that is integrated into a home’s design is an important part of a Heritage Homes floor plan. The en suite master bathroom offers am impressive amount of storage options, double sinks and a classic look that splits the difference between masculine and feminine. Every bedroom boasts its own walk-in closet. There’s even a walk-in closet off of the downstairs foyer.

Heritage Homes is excited to be introducing our community model homes where you can tour through multiple model homes with different layouts, design colors and concepts within a block’s radius."

These are the kinds of features that can be better appreciated in person, which is why tours are so popular. One of the most exciting ways to see a Heritage Homes model home is during the Parade of Homes, which happens in both spring and fall. The event gives attendees a chance to tour homes built by Homebuilders Association members all over the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Heritage Homes staff is especially eager to unveil a new concept during the Fall Parade of Homes on September 29 and 30 and October 6 and 7.

“Heritage Homes is excited to be introducing our community model homes where you can tour through multiple model homes with different layouts and different design colors and concepts within a block’s radius,” explains Mari Santoyo Perry, Heritage Homes sales team leader and new home specialist.

If you’re touring the Georgetown II or any of Heritage Homes’ other models during the Parade of Homes, make sure that you have a plan to manage your time. “The Parade of Homes is such a fun event but can be overwhelming with so many houses to see,” says Santoyo Perry. “Most people cannot attend every house, so figure out why you want to go and hit the homes that will help you see exactly that.”

Santoyo Perry says that the event attracts a variety of attendees. “Some people come for something fun to do on the weekend, others come for design ideas and many come to help determine what home they’d like to build or buy,” she says. “This event truly helps people in the beginning stages of home buying to see what our market looks like in different price points. Consumers get to see different builders, home layouts, design concepts and current home décor trends. The Parade of Homes is an exciting event for people of many areas to come see some of the most beautiful homes of the FM area showcased.”

Whether you’re just looking, generating ideas or you’re ready to discuss building, take notes and ask questions to make the Parade of Homes (or any home tour) an efficient use of your time. And don’t be afraid to discuss the price. You certainly won’t be the first person to bring it up and budget is an incredibly important consideration.

“The most common question I have people ask is what is the starting point for this home to be built for,” says Santoyo Perry. “Many people don’t realize a home price starts with size and home site cost but then can go up in price depending on architectural design and interior additional accent details. So make sure to ask what the starting price point of that home is, because a $500,000 house might start at $300,000 and be able to be built for less or even more with additional accents.”

Heritage Homes offers so many customizable options and floor plans that you’re sure to find the right fit for you and your family. So take the time (or the “Finally About Me Quiz” on the company website to determine your style) to narrow down your style, think about your budget and the features you need and take the first step, whether that’s at a Parade of Homes tour, online or in person. Heritage Homes will have you set up with the perfect home for you in no time.

01 BRIDAL BOUQUET

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02 ASSORTED FAIR-TRADE PILLOWS

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03 DARK WALNUT TRIANGLE FLOATING SHELF & SOLID STONE SUCCULENT PLANTER Grain Designs 3265 45th St S, Suite 112, Fargo 701-356-6608 : graindesigns.com

04 HANDMADE ENAMEL PLANTER

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05 RENEW ACCENT CHAIR WITH MH DOWN GREY/IVORY PILLOWS and 06 EVERLANE VASES and 07 CEMENT APPLES all from EcoChic 3265 45th St S, Fargo 701-356-6600 : iloveecochic.com

07 LIFE-CHANGING SOY CANDLES

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09 MESA TRAY TABLE

Scheels Home & Hardware 3202 13th Ave S, Fargo 701-232-8903 : scheelshomeandhardware.com

10 HONEY BRONZE HARDWARE Showplace

Cabinetry Design Center 2553 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo 701-365-4455 : showplacedesigncenter.com

11 CHEVRON ACCENT PILLOW

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12 ASH GRAY HARDWARE Showplace

Cabinetry Design Center 2553 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo 701-365-4455 : showplacedesigncenter.com

13 CUSTOM HEADBOARD & BEDDING

Design Direction 3211 Fiechtner Dr, Suite 1, Fargo 701-365-4040 : designdirection.com

14 OUTDOOR DINING SET AND ACCENTS

Scheels Home & Hardware 3202 13th Ave S, Fargo 701-232-8903 : scheelshomeandhardware.com

15 MATTE BLACK HARDWARE Showplace

Cabinetry Design Center 2553 Kirsten Ln S, Fargo 701-365-4455 : showplacedesigncenter.com