feminine fabulous

ahouse doesn’t need a big footprint to make a strong design statement. It’s possible to combine a clean, modern look with a proudly feminine aesthetic. This stylish south Fargo home proves that paying attention to the little details adds up to a big impact, no matter the square footage.

The homeowner brought plenty of design and home-building experience to the table, since she’s built a home roughly every five years. She came to Darrick Guthmiller of Fargo’s Kochmann Brothers Homes, Inc. with a distinct vision.

“She’s built before, so she had some pretty strong ideas of what she wanted,” says Guthmiller. “It’s modern elegance.”

The homeowner had previously enjoyed living in a downtown condo. The space suited her and her dogs, but she found herself missing that neighborhood feeling. Seeking a retreat within the city limits, she found a quiet south Fargo neighborhood that offers her the best of both worlds, the convenience of the city without the hectic pace. Guthmiller let the neighborhood’s landscape shape the home’s design.

“There is a park across the street, giving the home owners a nice view,” he explains.

Since many of the garages are tucked away at the back of the lot to maximize this view, the street retains a classic neighborhood feeling. Connections happen spontaneously when people aren’t hustling into the house through their garages after a long day. This is the kind of place where you can imagine people waving from their front stoop, neighbors chatting as they get the mail, local kids riding bikes along the sidewalk in the evening. The homeowner happily reports that her neighbors have become friends.

This little pocket of the city has a classic neighborhood vibe, but the interior of the home is anything but traditional. Sylvia Lunski and her design team at Design Direction in Fargo took the client’s vision and put it into motion.

“She wanted her home to feel elegant, glamorous — and definitely feminine,” says Lunski. “She enjoys a contemporary style that’s sophisticated and timeless.”

The result is a sleek and comfortable home packed with delicious details. This strong and feminine space commands attention without ever raising its voice. Every decorative choice is carefully considered, from the sculptures, plants and books artfully arranged in niches in the walls, to the soothing stone fireplace that blazes in the great room.

The serene gray and white palette unifies the main level. The contemporary look is complemented by colors and elements pulled from nature, including minimalistic flower arrangements, warm wood flooring from Design Direction, a powder room decorated in a quiet sage green. Clean right angles are softened by a plethora of curves, from the sleek dining room chairs and artful end tables, to the lamps and vases that draw the eye throughout the space. eden, dining room, great room, master bedroom and master bath, as well as the laundry room and a powder room are all located on main level. The open layout offers convenience for the homeowner and also helps maximize the 1,900-square feet of living space.

Lunski and the homeowner worked together to choose soft, welcoming fabrics and bright, painterly pops of color. It’s a tactile space, accented by fuzzy pillows that recall an Old Hollywood starlet’s marabou slippers; elegant tufted ottomans in vibrant shades of pink and teal; and quietly confident leopard print, ikat and graphic black and white patterned accents. Dreamy abstract canvases have an opalescent glow.

The result is quiet glamour, subtle shine. The chandeliers and light fixtures from Valley Lights sparkle with crystal. Even the stainless steel kitchen appliances by Rigels gleam.

“With this square footage, an open floor plan allows for adequately sized rooms that work well together,” explains Guthmiller.

Design elements like barn doors with rain glass inserts instead of solid wood between the great room and the den save space. This airy design element was echoed throughout the space for both practical and aesthetic reasons.

“The glass allows light to pass through, providing an airy feel,” says Lunski. “It visually opens up the space, while still giving the homeowner privacy. This allows the eye to flow from one room to the next.”

The colors are bolder in the basement than on the main level. The sound system recedes into slate gray walls. Elegant decanters, stemware and bottles stand in as functional objects d’art in the entertaining area. A hot pink accent wall blazes, amplifying the light of a gracious window. (“It doesn’t feel at all like you’re in a lower level when you’re in there,” says Lunski.) A quartet of petal pink chairs cluster around a circular table outside the wine cellar, the perfect place for a tête-à-tête. The wine cellar itself really gets people talking.

“It’s probably the most unique feature in her home,” says Guthmiller. “A lot of people have a wine storage room, but not many have a truly temperature-controlled space like this.”

It’s a distinct room in an unusual home, created specifically for a discerning client with a focused vision of what she wanted. But Lunski says anyone can learn from this client’s aesthetic. “She likes one-of-a-kind pieces with a distinct flavor, reflecting her personality and lifestyle,” she says. “It’s a clean, sleek look with a combination of bold and soft pops of color.”

A house doesn’t need to be large to make an impression. By playing with color, texture and unique design elements, any homeowner can create a richly layered aesthetic that’s entirely their own.