Design & Living Fall 2022

Dale Rosseau of Greenbush Woods is Fargo-Moorhead's local Santa, crafting wooden children's toys and adult collectibles for the Christmas season.

@designandlivingmagazine

SANTA'S WORKSHOP IS IN FULL SWING FOR CHRISTMAS

It's hard to believe that it's already that time of the year again; I swear, it feels like yesterday I was just wrapping up the Lakes Issue cover shoot, watching the sunset over Detroit Lake. But here we are, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, soon to be followed by Advent, Christmas and the many different ways our community celebrates this season of the year.

Reflecting on 2022, I am filled with one word: gratitude. The year brought more special memories and experiences than I could possibly fit into this page. I have experienced more of the world and seen more sights than in all of the previous years of my life combined.

From Virginia to Florida and even to Italy, I came to realize one thing when I returned home: the community of

Fargo-Moorhead is truly special; there's no community like it on Earth.

I have had the honor of meeting so many talented, genuinely lovely people this year; kicking off the year with The People's Issue, learning the stories of so many creatives in the community was a true pleasure. I was able to share a glimpse of 37 of these people with you and I can't wait to share the stories of so many more. The Lakes Issue is always a delight, giving me a chance to spend some time on the shoreline for a change, plus you just can't beat those sunsets on the lake. And now, here we are with the third and final issue for Design & Living this year: Welcome to this year's Holiday Shopping Guide.

My goal this year was to share even more about the people behind these

wonderfully crafted local items. It also made me realize another thing: sometimes the best gift to give isn't a thing, but an experience, so this year, I hand-selected some one-of-a-kind Airbnb stays in the region, perfect for a holiday getaway.

Thank you again for being a part of Design & Living's adventures. To you and your family, I wish a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a blessed 2023.

JOSIAH KOPP

MIKE

BRADY

KIM

LEVI

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GENEVA

GRANT

BEN JOSIAH

JENNY

AL DEVAN TORI

KACEY

HAILEY

JESSICA

TOMMY KELLEN KELLAN

JONATHAN

Paul Hoefer Paul@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Al Anderson Al@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Devan Maki Devan@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Tori Helland Tori@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Kacey Mongeon Kacey@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

Hailey Bebler Hailey@SpotlightMediaFargo.com

ClientRelations@SpotlightMediaFargo.com Jenny Johnson Jessica Mullen John Stuber

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Understanding & Adapting to Today’s Homebuying Market

The homebuying experience today doesn’t look like it did when your parents bought their home. Old rules of thumb and advice often don’t apply in the kind of high-demand seller’s market we have seen in the last few years, which is changing the rules of homebuying.

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to buy. Even with rising rates, mortgages are still very affordable by historical standards. Buyers simply need to get creative and take steps to increase their likelihood of finding the right home, be ready to move fast and make their offers as attractive as possible.

A Pre-Approval is a Prerequisite

In today’s market, sellers usually want a pre-approval (not just a prequalification) before they’ll even consider an offer. Lenders often pre-qualify a borrower, but this is based on self-reported information and will most likely not be accepted. A pre-approval letter requires your loan officer to check your credit score, review your financial documents, and ensure you have cash to close so they can certify that you are prepared to make an offer the seller can count on.

Work With an Experienced Real Estate Agent

Typically, the real estate agent representing the buyer is paid by the seller. This means that you get these services for free, so why not get the best match for your needs? Make sure to hire an experienced agent. Find one that works in the neighborhoods you are considering. Obtain a referral from a friend, family member or your loan officer. Then interview the agent. Ask about their time as an agent, their volume of business, experience in the neighborhoods you like, whether they know of upcoming listings, and how they intend to help your offer break through.

Shop Around for Loan Officers Who Know All the Angles

Take time to find a seasoned loan officer with strong product knowledge and the ability to work with you and your real estate agent to present the best offer

possible. If you are in a competitive offer situation, talk to your loan officer about the possibility of using gift funds from a relative or mortgage insurance. These options may allow you to redirect some of your personal savings and increase your offer. If you’re using proceeds from a sale to buy, talk with your loan officer or financial advisor about how much cash you need for the new house, or if you’re better off investing some. These are nuanced situations where more experienced officers can offer valuable advice.

Get Creative with Contingencies & Appraisal Gap Coverage

Most homes continue to attract multiple offers, often over list price. Many buyers today elect to eliminate the inspection contingency from their offers. Talk to your agent about whether this makes sense, and if there are creative ways to minimize risk, like bringing an inspector to a showing. Another way to strengthen your offer is to offer appraisal gap coverage, in which a buyer offers to pay cash (up to a capped amount) if the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price. Talk to your loan officer and real estate agent about inspection and appraisal gap options.

Expand Your Horizons

If you have the option to work remotely on a part-time of full-time basis, consider expanding your geographical home search. Your real estate agent can provide you detail on inventory in different neighborhoods. You might be surprised by the value you can get in a home by moving a little further beyond your initial target area.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions a person will make in life. As markets change and new practices become standard, many may need to adapt their plans. Having an experienced team on your side can make all the difference when navigating new approaches. Talk to an Alerus mortgage banker about how we can help you come out on top in the search for your dream home.

The information contained herein is general in nature, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Alerus does not provide legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Alerus Financial, N.A. is Member FDIC.

By Josiah Kopp | Photos by Josiah Kopp

lthough woodworking has always been a part of his life, Dale Rosseau was a builder of a different kind; from California to Oklahoma to Pennslyvania and even Wyoming, he has traveled (and built) many roads across the US, having worked many years in both construction and engineering.

Even though those days have passed, his life in construction and engineering still takes shape in a new endeavor: Greenbush Woods. From bulldozers and cranes to trucks and loaders, Dale's life on the road comes to life through his work today.

Meet Dale Rousseau of Greenbush Woods, Moorhead's Local Toy Maker

However, his first wooden toys—or apparel, rather— were elastic wooden ties that he began making when his woodworking endeavor began about 15 years ago. "I started making these [first], and I went to a couple of craft fairs with just these ties," he laughed. "I sold a few, but not a lot."

At the time, wooden toymaking was simply a pastime hobby for Dale, who would enjoy bringing his work to craft shows periodically and working on other wood

projects with his brother, who specializes in building furniture. Dale's only goal then was to sell enough toys so that he could buy more wood to make more.

And although he too enjoys building other wood projects like shelving, toys are what interest Dale the most, especially anything with wheels.

Before making toys, Dale made elastic wooden ties

The first step to making a toy is selecting your wood. Dale likes to use mostly pine, as it's light and cost-efficient—but also enjoys using hardwoods like walnut and cherry for other special projects.

Next, it's time for cutting the blocks of wood and shaping them with a router. Dale uses templates to follow, so he can achieve consistent cuts, shapes and results each time—and create a more efficient workflow; after all, Santa doesn't build all his toys overnight!

Dale on the routing machine, the beginning stages of a new toy

For assembly, he opts to use wood glue and sometimes pin nailers for a clean, seamless look.

Efficiency and smooth workflow is the name of the game for Dale; he uses a custom set-up of three Craftsman table saws bolted together, which for some of his best-selling toys, allows him to produce as many as 250 in a week—it's the perfect balance of high production without compromising quality.

Dale's aircraft work is especially impressive, and can periodically be found at the Fargo Air Museum

Dale organizes each piece of a wooden toy organized in tubs like this one

He brought me over to his storage shed where he keeps all his cut-out pieces neatly organized in large plastic bins, all of them ready to be pieced together like "a big jigsaw puzzle," as he describes. Some of his favorite pieces were stored here, which he lifted out of their bins as he proudly showed me the diversity of his work—yet these particular items should have been no surprise.

"I'm very construction-oriented, so I make a lot of construction [toys]," Dale said, holding up a couple of his favorite pieces, all made of hardwoods. He categorizes these as bookshelf toys, made to be adult collectibles rather than toys for children.

The bestseller of his hardwood collectibles is his bulldozer, which is unlike any hardwood machinery collectible you've seen before. Every detail is finely considered, and the hardwood tones really make for a classic look—no doubt a great conversation piece for any collector.

The best-sellers of his toys are the dump truck and the loaders, though all of his toys are equally as detailed and finely constructed, perfect for any youngster's Christmas.

The tractor/trailer combo is a great option for kids who like to connect pieces and haul things around in—imagination is limitless. Some of my personal favorites were the airplanes and helicopters, further illustrating Dale's expansive skillset for building just about anything that interests him.

Dale holding one of the raw pieces to a collectible, showing the before and after comparison to this bulldozer collectible

Have a youngster who's a construction enthusiast? These machinery toy are perfect for whatever road they are paving

By now you're probably thinking, "I love these, where can I purchase his toys?"

Greenbush Woods can be found primarily at craft shows across Fargo-Moorhead and the Red River Valley, especially right now leading up to the holidays.

Many of the cars, trucks and trains you see in this story are a part of his high-production lineup of toys. However, if you have a special request for a toy, you can contact Dale at greenbushwoods@gmail.com or by visiting greenbushwoods.com

FFounded in 2017, Wild Terra Cider House has quickly become one of downtown Fargo's beloved gathering places—that is no secret. But did you know they have a secret menu with a fall seasonal drink? Continue reading to learn more.

The Secret Menu Drink: The Bubbly Caramel Cider

This first drink is a fun bubbly version of Wild Terra's caramel cider. It is perfect for any fall evening. It is crafted with some of their caramel salted cider and then is topped with a dry prosecco. Since it is a secret menu offering, you just have to say "I will have what Breezee has!"

DirtBag

Their second offering is DirtBag, a great companion to football season and brunch. It has bloody mary and michelada vibes and is crafted with dry cider, tomato, sea salt, basil, celery seed, coriander, black peppercorn and lime juice. It has a fun 360 top so you can rim it, open it, take a sip and drink it as is or add a shot of vodka. The ideal start to a chill weekend or a football party.

Something for Everyone

For those who are looking for non-alcoholic options, Wild Terra makes their own organic kombucha on-site and serves it on tap in the tasting room.

Meet Breezee

Fargo native Breezee is the President of Wild Terra Cider, who co-founded and co-owns it with her husband, Ethan, who's the Head Cider Maker. Together, they use their creative-good-times cider to promote positivity and connection.

Q&A with Breezee

Why Fargo? What do you love about the community here?

I am from Fargo, born and raised. In our twenties, we lived in Washington but moved back to raise our family. Fargo has a really robust downtown community and the people are a large part of what makes being in business downtown Fargo so much fun.

What vibe were you aiming for inside the space and what inspirations did you pull from?

We started to Wild Terra to be different and to express our perspective. So when I designed

the space I wanted it to feel completely unique compared to other establishments. Ethan and I travel to many different places from Seattle to Austin to Miami. We are always taking notes on how we can improve the taproom experience.

What is unique about your cider-making process?

There are so many great cideries out there but we want to show you a different style of cider. Meaning, whereas we do have your standard dry and pear ciders we also have a Skittles-infused cider and a cider aged in bourbon barrels with cherry puree. All of the cider-making and packaging happens in a

space under 5,000 square feet, but we are looking to build our new production facility in the next 18 months.

What are you most looking forward to in serving the F/M community this holiday season?

I am looking forward to seeing customers that have moved away that are back to visit and to see gatherings of friends and family in the taproom. It means so much to us that people can't wait to share our space with those in their lives. The taproom gets extra cozy and fun in the winter so it always feels like a party.

"You never know what [flavors] us crazy kids will come up with, just keep your mind open!"

-Breezee

Host Your Christmas Parties at Wild Terra

Wild Terra has hosted over 500 events since they first opened in 2017. From bridal showers and adoption celebrations, to birthday parties, family reunions and weddings, the loft is the perfect space to host your party.

"The success of your event is of utmost importance to us, so we help you with every detail," Breezee said.

With the holidays fast approaching, it's also the perfect place to host your Christmas parties and other holiday gatherings for a truly unique experience.

Booking information

All reservations can be requested online on their website. For the loft, they recommend no more than 50 and for the entire taproom, they request no more than 150. To book, visit wildterra.co/loft-rental

This Fargo Company Makes 3D Printed Gifts for the Home...and for Toddlers

Meet Rob & Ali Burke, Founders of Printed Foundry

TThere are two types of married couples, those who love working together and those who would kill each other if they had to work in the same business. Thankfully, Rob and Ali Burke make for a great team when it comes to building a company up. Ali is an amazing organizer and culture builder, building processes into a well-oiled machine, and Rob has the crazy visions, technical skills and business acumen to succeed where others have failed.

Rob and Ali started Printed Foundry, their 3D printing business, at the height of the pandemic in 2020. Printed Foundry creates eco-friendly household products, made-to-order in the US.

A few years prior to Printed Foundry, Rob had begun 3D printing as a hobby, learning how to design in Fusion 360 and building solutions to everyday problems around the house and workplace like holding open doors in the house with a magnetic doorstop, or a custom shampoo bar holder for the shower or a toilet paper ornament to remember 2020's TP shortage.

In 2020, a high demand for mask straps made Rob realize he could help solve a shortage with his printer. This sparked the realization that there was a demand for 3D printed products that otherwise would be cost-prohibitive to bring to the market as mass-produced items. Thus, Printed Foundry was born.

Over two years later, Printed Foundry has over 16 custom-designed products selling across Amazon, Etsy, Facebook and Shopify with a fivestar rating across the web.

American-Made

Printed Foundry's products are fully made in the USA. They get their filament from 3D Fuel right in Fargo, print and ship all in the US. All orders ship to the US for free and are carbon neutral.

They often hear things from customers like, "We ordered this for a baby shower for one of our friends that loves Dungeons & Dragons... it turned out great and was so cute we needed to buy one for our baby too!"

Though toys are just a subset of the products they offer, their top seller is the Baby's First Sword, which has filled a niche in the market for fantasy fans, nerds and those with a sense of humor looking for a unique gift to give. The annual Christmas ornament is always a favorite as a way to remember each year by. The magnetic doorstop was the very first tool Rob designed to help solve their own problem and will always be one of their favorite products because of that.

So what's next for Printed Foundry? They plan to grow organically, adding new products throughout the years and continue to be a fivestar rated company that keeps production and jobs in the US.

Shop Local & EcoFriendly this Christmas

Printed Foundry's products are made in the USA; no sweatshops involved and no long supply chains. Their products are made-to-order, meaning they don't require warehouse space and there are no unsold products that end up in a landfill. 3D printing creates much less waste material during the manufacturing process which in turn means less landfill waste. The filament (plastic) used is made from corn, giving it biodegradable characteristics.

Baby's

Baby's

By Josiah Kopp | Photos by Josiah Kopp

This Dilworth Food Scientist Formulates Teas to Help People Find Healing

Meet Lynn Park, Dilworth's Herbal Entrepreneur & Owner of Kanji Naturals

LLynn Park's journey of developing healing herbal teas and supplements was a direct result of seeking relief for her own health challenges.

The Baltimore, MD native worked hard to sweat out a Master's Degree in food science with an emphasis in nutrition at BYU, a private research university. She then spent 14 years managing quality control and governmental programs for Kraft General Foods and Stella Foods.

Meanwhile, Lynn had been struggling for years with migraines and SIBO, a gut condition. She worked for decades with her traditional physician with no resolution, rather only constantly changing pharmaceuticals to try to manage her symptoms.

Lynn then "retired" to raise her four wonderful children and began homeschooling them. She put on her learning hat and spent years studying natural healing methods, especially to

help members of her family who had symptoms and conditions until they found success.

Then Lynn really began to dig deep for healing solutions when her daughter became chronically ill with an array of unexplainable symptoms, leaving her doctors stumped. Lynn finally went to a naturopath in the area and her learning curve grew exponentially as she discovered the food allergies underlying her condition. This sparked the next chapter in her life.

Lynn was ready to use her research, knowledge and master's in food science to begin an entrepreneurial endeavor in herbal healing, which started with courses on herbalism and aromatherapy—and making her own teas. "I love digging into the latest research and experimenting with different products," she said. "My girlfriends convinced me I needed to sell my teas, as they always enjoyed drinking them. Thus began my adventure into entrepreneurism and my continued path of learning and developing new natural products."

Further Education & Formulation

Thus, Lynn continued her nutritional journey from a different angle. She attended the Franklin Institute of Health in Tennessee for her herbalism courses and read and attended many conferences on herbalism and aromatherapy. She formulated teas, tinctures and aroma blends to help her kids with their ADHD, anxiety, allergies and skin conditions as well as working on nutrition. As she found success, Lynn wanted to find a way to help others on their health journeys as well, offering an alternative path to relief, especially for those struggling with side effects from pharmaceuticals.

"The herbal teas, incense and flower essences I offer help on the journey to better health and understanding of underlying causes," she said. "There are so many tools that nature offers us to heal and it involves all our senses. I love discovering all these new ways to use nature to heal and to strengthen."

Behind the Name "Kanji" Naturals

"This is a funny and embarrassing story," Lynn said. "As I was researching on the computer one day, I came across a story about Chinese writing for Japanese, and they talked about the symbols for 'tree' and 'forest.' I love trees and the symbols looked like pine trees and I was enamored. As I quickly perused the article I understood that the name for these characters was 'Kanji,' so I saved the name for future use. Nothing could resonate more for me than trees; I thought 'Kanji' meant 'tree.' When I decided to start a business I knew that was the name I wanted. Turns out Kanji is the name for the whole language system of using Chinese characters to write Japanese. Oops. I still like the name and used it."

Please note: Kanji Naturals does not claim to cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your doctor before taking alternative medicinal approaches.

The Product Lineup

To date, Kanji Naturals offer 17 herbal tea blends, 15 flower essences, four gomasio blends (spice blends that replace salt and pepper on the table), seven loose incense blends, three types of Balm of Gilead (for sore muscles, joints and congestion), five natural perfumes (aromatherapy) and flower art and photography.

For Lynn, understanding the science behind things is very important to her. "I feel very uncomfortable with folklore and stories of remedies passed down," she said. "But they are a place to start research to understand them."

To stay at the forefront of research, Lynn regularly learns from great herbalists and doctors such as Rosemary Gladstar, Rosalee de la Foret, Dr Jill Stansbury, Juliet Blankespoor (Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine) and Dr. Christa Sanadinos.

Currently, Lynn is working on a new tea for heart health support. This tea works on normalizing blood pressure, anxiety and improving the circulatory system.

Lynn's Pick

"For everyday use, I love a hot cup of Evening Repose tea or Zesty Hibiscus iced tea. I have also leaned heavily on the Balm of Gilead muscle balm for calming the herniated disc in my back. In addition, I love having incense making my home smell wonderful and healthy."

Editor's Pick

"The Orange Cinnamon Mint tea is a blend I bring out each year from October through December," Lynn said. "I wanted to develop a tea that reminded me of joyful holidays and tasted amazing. I developed this tea based on my love of the drink Wassal as well as something spicy and aromatic. This tea contains peppermint (with some chocolate peppermint), orange peel, cinnamon, cloves and rose petals to soothe the mind and the soul during this busy time of year as well as help the body deal with the heavier sugar load this season tends to bring on."

What's Next for Kanji Naturals?

"I am so grateful for not only the customers in the FM area but also other small business owners that are so generous with their advice and ideas," Lynn said. "I am in a sweet spot right now with being able to grow the herbs I need." As her business continues to grow, she is looking for contracting opportunities with local organic growers for a few specific herbs she no longer has enough space for.

Last year, Lynn started a community medicinal garden in Dilworth, open to anyone willing to attend and work in the garden. For more details on this contact Lynn at kanjinaturals@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at Hope and Joy Medicinal garden. "Learning all of these healing modalities are costly," she said. "I want to make it available and simplified for anyone desiring to learn." Lynn's next dream is to create a healing forest open to the public.

People can find Kanji Naturals online at kanjinaturals.com. It's also found in a few stores in the area: Unglued, Grateful Cratefulls and Aspen Acupuncture. Lynn also sets up a booth each weekend from July through October at the Red River Market.

About the Space

This whimsical a-frame cabin has an off-grid feel as you drive up the 1/3 windy driveway and sit atop a bluff surrounded by 40 private acres of woods—yet it's located right in the heart of the North Shore. It's just a 5-minute drive to grab ice cream or coffee and conveniently close to many state parks and tourist destinations. The cabin offers many amenities, including wifi, full-kitchen access, in-unit laundry, dedicated workspaces, free parking and more.

The journey of starting an Airbnb

A passion project during the pandemic turned into owners Todd & Tessa Checovich's first big leap into real estate investing. "We love a-frames and the North Shore—so when this 1974 a-frame overlooking Lake Superior was listed, we knew we had to have it," Tessa said. "We closed on the cabin a month after our second daughter was born and spent my maternity leave up there caring for our girls and making the cabin our own with decor, furnishings and some cosmetic updates."

Thankfully, the heavy lifting of the renovation had been completed before the Checovichs bought it; they just put their own spin on it. The biggest change they made was changing the red and brown exterior by painting it a deep, rich green—Foxhall Green by Sherwin Williams to be precise.

The Checovichs opened their doors as Wild Pines Cabin on Airbnb in April 2021. Todd and Tessa run the operation together and their favorite part is hearing guests' reactions when they arrive as well as the memories they make at the cabin.

About the Space

The main cabin offers five bedrooms with three full baths spread across three levels with multiple hang-out areas. If additional privacy is wanted, there is a guest suite off the garage with a full bath available in the summer. They offer kayaks, floaties, a dock, a fire pit, board games, TVs and more to help create fun memories at the lake.

The cabin is located a mile away from Carlos Creek Winery, five miles from the MN lake staple, Zorbaz. They provide internet and work-from-home spaces, so you can work during the day and enjoy your evenings. It’s only a 10-minute drive to Alexandria if you want to go shopping, see a movie or try different restaurants. You can go on a bike ride around the many bike trails around Alexandria, take out the kayaks, float down the river, fish and so much more.

Lake Ida is also a big fishing lake. Guests are welcome to rent or bring their own fish house & enjoy MN’s winter activities. The cabin has two fireplaces on the main and lower floor to help guests warm back up after a day on the lake.

The cabin is also located one mile from Carlos and three miles from Gathered Oaks, which are two popular wedding venues in the area. The cabin gives the option of a full kitchen, more rooms and close proximity to the venues for those there to celebrate their loved ones. Some other unique features include a 157 year-old glass oval in entryway, wrought iron railings on the staircase, two stone fireplaces and more. Every night while sitting on the deck you can relax and watch the sunset. It's like sitting in a tree house surrounded by mature trees in all directions.

The journey of starting an Airbnb

Max Honaker grew up going to his family’s cabin in northern MN every summer. When he and Maggie Monaghan began dating, it didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the area as well.

They both had a dream to create a bed and breakfast that revolved around some of their favorite summer past time traveling up to MN. They came across this beautiful A-frame for sale and the cabin checked a lot of boxes for them. The wheels started turning in their heads until they finally decided to drive up from Omaha and tour the cabin. They fell in love with it and the rest is history.

Max and Maggie's favorite aspect of running an Airbnb is that it allows them to pay for their dream vacation home while also sharing the lake vacation experience with others. "It’s fun to hear different family’s backgrounds; from what they’re celebrating, to how long it’s been since they’ve all been together," Maggie said. "Our goal is to give people the perfect lake getaway."

After purchasing the property, Max and Maggie had the entire exterior re-stained to make the house shine again. The house did not require any major renovations or remodels, however, there was quite a bit of deferred exterior maintenance they addressed. Max also has a green thumb for pine trees, as he thinks it helps give the "up north" vibes, so he planted five this spring with plans to plant another dozen or so next spring.

Booking information:

Guests can book through Airbnb, VRBO or contact Maggie at maggiemonaghan77@gmail.com

About the Space

This cozy, warm, yet light and modern cabin showcases floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Ida, white shiplap walls, white oak floors and a custom-made triple-decker bunk bed. Are you a family with little ones? Not to worry! The cabin also offers baby items, including pack-and-play, baby toys and books and plastic kitchenware for kids.

The cabin is also furnished with custom furniture from Bord Furnishings, a local Alexandria company, Adirondack chairs around a custom iron fire pit, a screenedin porch with couches and a table, a private swimming dock, a sand beach area and a beautifully clean and serene lake. Other amenities include free parking, WiFi, a full kitchen and more.

The journey of starting an Airbnb

Josh Smedsrud grew up visiting his grandparents' cabin on Lake Ida and always knew he wanted a place on the lake to call his own. In the fall of 2020, he and his wife Sofia discovered this beautiful cabin and immediately made it their own. "We knew this was the one for us," Sofia said. The couple then embarked on a two-month sprint to create a cozy, inviting, restorative space for couples and families to come and enjoy.

Their first guest checked in before Christmas and then their bookings started to fly in. "We hear guest after guest telling us how 'Haven' is the perfect name for our place, as they feel it is a refuge and a place to unwind, rest and reconnect with each other and the outdoors," Sofia said. "We love 'Haven' and are so happy our guests have found a restorative and restful place to enjoy!"

Booking information:

Guests can book their stay on Airbnb by visiting airbnb.com/h/havenonida

About the Space

Gathered Oaks is a real getaway, whether you are arriving from just down the street or across the globe. It’s a unique stay in a thriving community that offers great opportunities for food, recreation, history and shopping.

Every room is self-contained with a private entrance and its own private bathroom. The Airbnb is located on 11 acres on Little Charlie with plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors during your stay.

Guests have a variety of stay options. Bin 8 is their Luxury Grain Bin Suite with a fresh industrial design. It has its own private deck, a small gathering space with a kitchenette and interior stairwell that takes you to a third-level bed and bath suite. It also has two levels inside the bin.

Bins 1-4 are on the main level. Bins 1, 3, and 4 have the best lake views. Bin 2 is the closest for parking and unloading. Bins 5-8 are all accessed by a stairway. They have a domed ceiling that follows the contour of the bin making them feel spacious and elegant.

The journey of starting an Airbnb

Anne & Dave Larson have been dreaming about grain bins as a concept at one of their venues for several years. When they started to create Gathered Oaks, it seemed like a perfect fit and so the Larsons began to create concepts with their builder to bring their ideas to life.

Meanwhile, Anne’s aunt near Kensington had several grain bins that she was not using. With many pieces of the puzzle falling into place as well as some engineering plans, the Airbnb took shape. The unique concept created many challenges but also gave the Larsons many opportunities to think outside the box and provide a truly unique experience for guests.

"It’s a really fun addition to our venue," Anne said. "Creating more accommodation for wedding guests, creating possibilities for corporate or other kinds of gatherings at Gathered Oaks and providing a unique guest stay during our non-event days."

Booking information:

Guests can book their stay on Airbnb by searching "gathered oaks grain bin suite" or by visiting gatheredoaks.com

About the Space

This one-of-a-kind getaway cabin is the perfect balance of everything you could ever wish for: artful yet cozy with a timber frame modern design that preserves the cabin-at-heart feel. The cabin has two decks with incredible views of Lake Superior, an outdoor fireplace, a "wall of windows" view of the lake from the inside as well as an open floor plan. Not only grand to the eyes, but also kind to the earth; this Airbnb cabin is sustainable and was built to the certification standards and certified by the Department of Energy as "Net Zero Ready."

The cabin is perfectly located just 20 minutes from Duluth and 5 minutes from Two Harbors as well as a boat launch for easy lake access.

The journey of starting an Airbnb

Owner Jack Dickinson runs a company that builds timber homes, barns and commercial buildings. This cabin was an opportunity to show his customers how he and his team are leading the way in terms of sustainability, prefabrication and design. The home is certified as "Net Zero Ready" in climate zone seven, the coldest climate zone in the US, and the structure itself was prefabricated in his manufacturing facility and delivered to the site in the form of timbers and panels.

Jack loves the North Shore of Lake Superior and wanted a place to share that space with his family and loves making it available for others looking to do the same. "It's an absolute joy hearing from our renters how much they enjoyed the space—that's my favorite part of making it available," Jack said. "It was built with our children in mind, so it's the perfect spot for families and couples looking to find peace and quiet with serene views and nature abound."

Booking information:

Guests can book their stay on Airbnb by visiting airbnb.com/h/dickinsoncabin

By Josiah Kopp | Photos by Josiah Kopp

The home, located in Oxbow, ND, is built on a 2/3 acre lot

EEvery spring and fall, The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead partners with Parade of Homes to showcase dozens of the best in homebuilding, architecture, interior design and decorating to provide homeowners and the community with all things home inspiration. This fall, the feature home was a grand masterpiece, standing tall, slated in white—a midwestern castle if you will. This home was crafted by husband and wife duo Ben and Mel Anderson of Benjamin Custom Homes. Let's take a tour of this one-of-a-kind masterpiece and learn more about the Andersons’ story.

Ben began building homes on his own at the age of 15 in Lisbon, ND, and has not slowed down since. In 2015, Mel jumped on board with Ben to help with the design process of the first Benjamin Custom Home parade house. Since then, Mel has become integrated into the design of each home, ensuring the character and detail fit just right with each home.

"Our goal is to always build truly unique homes for their unique owners," Mel said. "We view each home we build as a piece of quality artwork that families can enjoy functionally and aesthetically."

Founded in 2001, Benjamin Custom Homes isn't only about building homes; Ben is also the current President of the Home Builder's Care Foundation of the FM HBA and is passionate about supporting the foundation's mission by raising funds as a free-will donation to tour the home. Overall, almost $1,500 was raised by the wonderful Fargo-Moorhead community through touring this home!

Mel joined Ben in 2015 and specializes in both interior and exterior design. Everything you can see and touch on a new home she has a hand in selecting. Outside the design world, Mel is a labor and delivery nurse. Earlier this spring, Mel was featured in Design & Living's The People Issue, where you can learn more about her story.

Photo provided by Mel Anderson

Images from BCH show a dollhouse render of the floorplan for both the main level and upper level.

Starting with a Vision

The homeowners approached Ben and Mel with several ideas about how they would like their home to look and feel in each space. They had so many fantastic ideas that made the vision so easy. There were a few renditions of the home layout until the Andersons scaled it into the home the homeowners could visualize being just right for them.

So many unique elements were incorporated into the design of the home; so much interest to the eye was created with the gentle combination of stain colors, mixed metals and paint colors in just the right places. It has just the right amount of color mixed in to add dimension in the right places as well as a warmth added in both the patterns and textures on the flooring and walls. It really is a blend of products to create a happy, cozy and timeless space.

Amenities & Features

This home comes packed with so many bells and whistles, including a large, bright and spacious fourstall garage, a mudroom with cubbies to hide clutter, a Costco grocery door to the walk-in pantry from the garage, custom cabinetry throughout the home, quartz countertops and backsplash, vaulted ceiling in the dining room with beams, custom fireplace, built-in shelving, main floor office with French doors, main floor powder bath with custom trim work, backyard patio/porch off main living space, open staircase with tall windows, second-floor master bedroom and bathroom with open tile shower, free-standing bathtub, soapstone countertops and custom cabinetry, Jack and Jill bathroom, three additional upstairs bedroom and a basement unfinished with a 9 ft ceiling height.

A Full Walkthrough

The exterior of the home has a modern Tudor feel with painted brick, tall windows with header accents and grand peaks. The interior is transitional-modern; the lines and shapes are clean-cut and the finishing materials are classic.

Entry & Mudroom

"I give full credit to Curated by Trever Hill for the staging element of this home," Mel said. "He made the place shine with charm and highlighted the features built into the home with his creative eye and talented team. He turned an empty beautiful house into a cozy, perfectly styled home."

Trending Now

Some of the new and upcoming trends incorporated into this home included tapered fireplace, sheetrocked hood, light fixtures, arches, stair railings, front hallway light fixtures, painted brick exterior, black windows, green cabinetry in kids bath and mudroom and beams in dining room.

Kitchen & Dining

The cabinets are custom Built by Wendt Custom Cabinets. "They did an absolutely beautiful job," Mel said. The main color is Creamy by Sherwin Williams and the island is a dark stained maple to add some contrast and warmth. The homeowner liked a mix of black, gold and polished nickel for metals in the space for extra charm. The dining room boasts a cathedral vaulted ceiling with wood beams spanning the width and a classic candelabra-style chandelier.

Living Area

The main living area hosts a grid ceiling, large patio door, beautiful hand-built sheetrock fireplace surround, flanking fireplace stained cabinetry, arched inset shelving and beautiful brushed bronze arm sconces.

Did You Know?

To be featured, a home must meet certain criteria set by the FM Home Builders Association. It must be less than $750,00 and must be completed and staged.

Master Bed & Bath

The master bedroom is spacious and bright with a beautiful view hosting two closets—one for him and a walk-in for her. The master bath has basketweave flooring that perfectly accents the soapstone countertops. The chrome bath hardware adds classic elegance to the space. There is a private toilet room, a tiled shower with a bench and a freestanding soaking tub ready to relax in.

Built in Record Time

The average US home is built in 30-34 weeks. This home was completed in just 24 weeks; the process was expedited to be able to meet the Fall Parade of Homes deadline.

Children's Room

The children's rooms are painted to match the character of the kiddos. The daughter's room has a softened, feminine lavender scalloped design which was painted by the homeowner herself. The windows are large and bright and the light fixture is airy and feminine as well.

Reflecting on the Finished Product

"Every project we do has its own challenges and excitements," Mel said. "We love playing with different designs and are always trying to match the home to the owner. A home is an expression of the people who live in it and it's our goal every time to make a home that fits the family. With each home, we learn how to use new techniques and problem-solve elements we have not previously done on other homes."

A job well done indeed, and it's worth mentioning all of the skilled people involved with making this dream home a reality; BCH partnered with several companies to create this oneof-a-kind dwelling. "We have so much local talent and we're honored for them to have been a part of this project," Mel said. Weyer Companies provided all of the painting, Wendt Custom Cabinets provided the built-in shelving and cabinetry, Sierra Pacific Windows (Fargo Glass and Paint), Curated by Trever Hill Design provided staging, upstairs girl's room staged by Handpicked Goods and flowers by Love Always Floral.

To learn more about how Benjamin Custom Homes can help you build your dream home, visit benjamin-homes.com or call 701.388.9172.

with West Acres & More!

By Geneva Nodland Photos provided by West Acres

The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner, and with that comes one of the biggest shopping events in the nation. Black Friday is a day filled with deals and dollar signs, and West Acres is Fargo’s central hub for it. On Friday, Nov 25, the mall will be opening its doors for the post-Thanksgiving retail craze, and we want to make sure you’re prepared for the day!

The mall opens its doors at 8:00 a.m., and most stores will follow suit, but opening times will vary. Some stores may be opening up earlier! Watch for the official announcement of opening times the week leading up to Black Friday at westacres.com

There’s already a lot to do at the mall on a normal day, so let’s see what’s happening on Black Friday!

Although many guests arrive early for shopping, the busiest time of the day on Black Friday is the afternoon. To avoid crowds, plan to shop early—or late! In previous years, sales have started earlier— sometimes the entire week of Black Friday, and in some cases even earlier in November. Keep up to date on sales at West Acres at westacres.com or on Instagram @westacresmall.

On the day of, the mall is bustling with determined shoppers of all ages. You’ll find great deals, good food and even some entertainment. Guests will immerse themselves in the holiday spirit upon entering the mall as they’re surrounded by festive displays and activations, the warmth of familiar Christmas lights and even snow in the center court. They’ll get a taste of the holiday season by visiting Santa at the mall for photos! Plus, the Saturday following Black Friday, the first Holipalooza of the season will kick off with live performances, local drinks and delicious treats in the Buffalo Court.

Get started on your holiday shopping and support local businesses at the Small Business Saturday Holiday Pop Up Market!

This pop up shopping event will host a variety of local businesses and makers where you’ll find handmade and specialty curated gifts and treats. You can enjoy a glass of wine or mimosa and a charcuterie or hummus board while you shop. And don’t forget to grab a dessert from Elu Dessert Kitchen on your way out!

Deals

Although we’re all itching to know the deals of the day, shoppers have to be kept on their toes—isn’t that mystery part of the appeal? You will start to see sales announced through November as we near Black Friday, however, most stores don’t announce official Black Friday deals until the week of. You will be able to find details online at westacres.com!

Did you know?

You can find your favorite West Acres stores’ deals online at any time. Just head to westacres. com/sales to browse the current sales, then head to the mall to shop!

If Black Friday shopping isn’t for you, there are other ways to hit the holiday deals. The days following Black Friday are still surrounded by the retail rage with Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. These two events continue the trend of great deals but focus on different target markets—like customers supporting small businesses in their communities and online shopping.

Of course, our community participates in the continuation of the shopping, as we

really prepare our shopping lists for the holidays… and maybe a few treats for ourselves!

On Saturday, Nov 26, head to your favorite local spots around town to participate in Small Business Saturday. Whether you purchase directly from the business or support them in other ways like leaving a positive review online or donating to a local kickstart or fundraiser for a small business, feel good about your shopping experience.

SmallSaturdayBusiness &Cyber Monday

Saturday, Nov 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cellar 624, The Venue on Main, 624 Main Ave Suite 4B, Fargo

Save some funds for the great online deals on Cyber Monday. The Monday after Thanksgiving, on Nov 28, find hundreds of deals to complete to your online shopping list. Most notably, find deals online at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and name brands like Samsung, Apple and more. While there are a ton of great tech deals on Cyber Monday (following the theme), you can find a lot more than just that when it comes to large online shopping stores like Amazon or Walmart.

By the time these deals come to a close at the beginning of December, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the holidays knowing your shopping is done. During this time of year, it’s easy to put a ton of stress on gift-giving, but remember, sometimes the best gift of all isn’t always something you can put in a box (no, I don’t mean a brand-new car)!

Happy shopping!