JANUARY
FEBRUARY 2021
Winter
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c CONTENTS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY Photo courtesy Benjamin Moore
2021
FEATURE
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 1
34 SHOWCASE After raising four children on their farm in Langdon, this family’s decision to build a new home in Fargo was based on love.
42 DESIGN Create your own wall gallery filled with the things that reflect you and your family—a curated collection of art.
DEPARTMENTS
46 DISCOVERIES Knitting is gaining popularity with all age groups. For this fiber arts lover, heritage plays an important role.
12 COLOR Discover Aegean Teal, Benjamin Moore’s 2021 Color of the Year— inviting and soothing as the sea it’s named for. 20 ELEMENTS Spending more time at home? Unwind from the stresses of the day with bath elements that meld beauty and technology. 28 ART This local artist creatively designs and embellishes the skulls of longhorns creating sophisticated, raw and organic beauty. 6 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
ADDITIONS 8
Musings
10
Contributors
59
Wine Wisdom
52 HUMOR In the endless quest for staying healthy and fit, the search takes a bit of trial and error for the duration.
60 INGREDIENTS Kringle, a Scandinavian pastry enjoyed for generations, is a treasure filled with sweet almond goodness.
56 CUISINE There is no better time on our Midwest calendar than winter to enjoy the warmth of comfort foods we love.
64 REFLECTIONS We have all experienced a year full of challenges not possibly imagined. Reflect upon these pearls of wisdom.
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q
Come visit us at our own Crist built home. No fancy offices, no high-pressure sales pitch. Enjoy a cup of coffee with us and we’ll plan together, directly with the builder, Loren Crist. With over 25 years of experience in building relationships and quality homes, you’ll agree –Life is short, live it in a home you love!
701.793.1333 cristhomes.com
m MUSINGS Inspired Home Associate Publisher Terri Ferragut Phone: 701.866.4405 Email: terri@inspiredhomemagazine.com terri.ferragut@gmail.com Find us on
(Inspired Home Magazine)
Editorial Director Photo courtesy of Kohler
D
espite our lingering thoughts that will forever define the year 2020, a new year of promise and hope is worth celebrating! Regardless of last year’s challenges, we look ahead, perhaps still cautiously, yet totally determined. The winter season brings a welcomed sense of cleansing; but for many of us, thoughts of warmth and sunshine begin to slowly creep their way into our busy minds. For us Northlanders, there is the realization that more temperate days are indeed inching closer. For now, the hectic pace (albeit slower) of the holidays is over, and we have settled into a comforting pattern of familiarity with work, home and our families. You are in for a treat! In this issue, our Inspired Home writers celebrate winter in a myriad of ways. We seek comfort and warmth in our bed and bath spaces made inviting with a combination of beauty and technology. We rediscover, especially now, spending more time at home means we retreat to these spaces, appreciating the relaxation they afford us. Bath trends for 2021 are more inviting than ever and, in our winter issue, you’ll discover why! Knitting seems to be a fitting topic for the chill factor this season brings us and Lauren Ferragut Carlson shares with you her love of the fiber arts, all with a special Scandinavian twist. Her appreciation for all things Nordic spills into the delicious realm of desserts, one in particular, you’ll want to try for yourself — Kringle. There’s more! Chef Granville knows how to chase the chill far, far away by bringing comfort food classics to your cold winter evening table. And, of course, we all love Bernie Erickson who shares the lighter side of life in his quest for staying fit. As always, Dayna Del Val shares valuable pearls of wisdom for us all for 2021: “Let’s define a new normal that is more inclusive, kind, equitable and intentional.” Happy New Year and blessings to you all!
Terri Ferragut
Associate Publisher Editorial Director terri.ferragut@gmail.com terri@inspiredhomemagazine.com 8 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
Terri Ferragut Creative Director Terri Ferragut Art Director Susan Walker Director of Operations Scott Drzewiecki Contributing Photographers Lauren Ferragut Carlson Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss Contributing Writers Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss Lauren Ferragut Carlson Dayna Del Val Bernie Erickson Terri Ferragut Ashley Ferragut Johnson Granville Wood Copy Editor Keri Guten Cohen Social Media Director Bailey Hovland
Production representative
Franklin Place 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 114 Southfield, MI 48034 (248) 546-7070
this label only applies to the text stock
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c CONTRIBUTORS
o t e m o c l e W
Every issue we share a fresh and local approach to your home and life. TERRI FERRAGUT Every issue, we take great pride in presenting this beautiful local home and lifestyle guide we call Inspired Home. From design to great food our goal is to provide you with relevant information you value. Truth of the matter is, without the heart and dedication of this talented and professional team, this publication would not be possible. Issue after issue, their creativity brings Inspired Home to your doorstep or area business. They inspire me. JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss is a photographer for architecture and interior design. Her clients range from designers to builders, both commercial and residential. Her experience in marketing and portrait photography is wide ranging and has been the photographic component for several Addy award winning projects. Jill enjoys time spent with her large, blended family of seven in rural Minnesota, as well as pinochle, public radio, cooking and travel. BERNIE ERICKSON Specializing in helping his clients make small changes with maximum impact, Erickson is a residential real estate agent in Fargo-Moorhead.
10 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
LAUREN F. CARLSON Carlson, a Fargo native and geologist, is a research assistant at Cornell University at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station, where she conducts field work and data collection for the study of shrub willow as bio mass. She enjoys cooking, baking, running, renaissance art and writing.
ASHLEY F. JOHNSON Ashley Johnson loves her home city of Fargo. She works as a registered nurse at Sanford Medical Center and shares her happy home with her husband, 2 children and a rescue cat. She loves traveling with her family, cooking, entertaining and good wine. She can’t wait to show her children the world.
DAYNA DEL VAL Del Val is the President & CEO of The Arts Partnership in Fargo, ND. She is a professional actor and passionate arts activist as well as mom to a fabulous violin playing engineer and wife to a plant cell wall biochemist. She enjoys travel, reading and high teas.
GRANVILLE WOOD Wood is an international chef who worked in London, Stockholm, Toronto, Vancouver, Palm Beach and Houston before moving to Fargo with wife Susie, a doctor with Sanford Health. Most recently he operated The Blue Goose Café in the Plains Art Museum.
BAILEY HOVLAND Before earning an English writing degree at Concordia College, Hovland dreamed of being an interior designer. Now, serving Inspired Home Magazine as a writer and social media director, she has the best of both worlds—pairing the power of words with innovative interior design.
GORDEN COURT Kings Court Creative Photography has been a dream of mine since I was in middle school and bought my own Minolta point and shoot camera. I am hooked on light.
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The colorful and welcoming "hello" as you approach your front door is a perfect application of Benjamin Moore's 2021 Color of the Year, Aegean Teal.
COLOR
Perfectly Peaceful, Aegean Teal BY TERRI FERRAGUT | IMAGES COURTESY OF BENJAMIN MOORE
12 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
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“They have a sun-baked quality. It’s almost like they were left out in the sun to ripen.” – Andrea Magno, Director of color marketing and development for Benjamin Moore
L
ife as we knew it came to an abrupt and unwanted halt as the pandemic stuck, requiring those who were able, to stay home. Aegean Teal, a blue-green color, inviting and soothing as the sea it’s named for, was at the same time being researched by Andrea Magno and her color team. Magno, director of color marketing and development for Benjamin Moore, was seeking the perfect hue to claim the honor of the Benjamin Moore 2021 Color of the Year. For Magno’s team, the color trend research included travel, months of observing the ways that color is used across industries, sharing experiences, and collecting images and other artifacts. Her team became fascinated with
natural dyes, handmade textiles, the beauty of imperfection and colors with organic qualities. Through research, several colors captured their interest, but the balanced and calming quality in Aegean Teal not only resonated from an emotional standpoint, but also has a great presence, being a mid-tone color. “We were gravitating towards colors that had this organic, natural, rooted sensibility,” Magno explains. Her team imagined the paint being used in the kitchen — coloring cabinets or being splashed across an island. She also suggests it for a living room or bedroom, dressed up in a high-gloss finish on a bookcase or as a welcoming burst of color to greet guests at your front door.
Aegean Teal joins 11 other complimentary shades that complete Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends 2021 palette. “They have this sun-baked quality. It’s almost like you left them out in the sun and they ripened,” Magno says of the shades. “And they all play well together.” Aegean Teal, for example, is an easy match with Gray Cashmere, or with more unexpected tones like Rosy Peach or Chestertown Buff. The other selected colors of the palette include Atrium White, Muslin, Foggy Morning, Beacon Hill Damask, Potters Clay, Amazon Soil, Kingsport Gray and Silhouette. The entire collection of colors has an elegance and earthy factor that draws its inspiration from the natural world; they emote
Natural woods and multiple metals accompany Aegean Teal to create comfort in this kitchen work space.
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INSPIRED HOME | 13
Cheerful brightness floods this kitchen with help from Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal and color partner, Atrium White.
balance and calm — something we all are seeking. Amazon Soil and other shades reference the joy in the small, simple moments that take place in our homes. Muslin, for example, brings to mind your favorite linen kitchen apron. Potters Clay reminds us of the natural shade of the terracotta planters that hold our houseplants. Atrium White and Silhouette are the soft, subtle white and charcoal shades that round out the palette. The 2021 color campaign was about highlighting the simple pleasures that have helped many people navigate a very challenging year — dining at home, enjoying nature, baking bread and perhaps learning a new craft to enjoy at home. Our homes have morphed by necessity into a place where we find little snippets of joy that help reset our mindset. We have evolved our living spaces into playing new roles this year: home gyms, offices and classrooms for our children. An energizing blend of color and light provides a perfect sense of balance for this kitchen task area.
14 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal on the daybed is in perfect harmony with Benjamin Moore's 2021 palette color, Muslin.
Nature takes its course with the raw beauty of wood held in lovely balance with Color of the Year, Aegean Teal.
Love your floor...
Hardwood | Tile | Carpet | Vinyl 3499 39th Street South, Fargo, ND | 701.293.8738 showcasefloorsfargo.com | @showcasefloors
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INSPIRED HOME | 15
The pleasing combination of Aegean Teal and Beacon Hill Damask greets every door opener.
The 2021 complementing palette color, Potter's Clay, exudes richness — a perfect backdrop.
Benjamin Moore Color of the Year, Aegean Teal has eleven complementing colors of comfort. Pictured is Amazon Soil and Rosy Peach.
Andrea Magno, Director of color marketing and development for Benjamin Moore.
Many things have changed over the year, but one thing has not. Our homes remain a constant — a safe haven where we can weather any storm surrounded by the comfort of color. Want to see this color for yourself? Visit Hirshfield’s in Fargo, 100 36th St. South, (Butler Business Park at Main Ave & 1-29) or call 701.235.0549. Visit shop.hirshfields.com to order online and pick up in the store.
16 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
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Benjamin Moore 2021 Color Palette
Foggy Morning 2106-70
Atrium White OC-145
Potters Clay 1221
Kingsport Gray HC-86
Color
of the Year Aegean Teal 2136-40
Muslin OC-12
Rosy Peach 2089-20
g n i Kitchen Designs r i p s In
Beach Hill Damask HC-2
Gray Cashmere 2138-60
Chestertown Buff HC-9
Amazon Soil 2115-30
Silhouette AF-655
Certified Kitchen Designers Cathy Michels CKD
Wendy Dynes CKD, NCIDQ #13830
Beth A. Kemmer CKD, CLC
Visit Our Showroom 3221 4th Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58103
Custom Built Cabinets and Closets INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
701.281.2427
www.woodspecialistsinc.com INSPIRED HOME | 17
PRODUCTS With A Purpose. ADS With A Purpose. From TriNova Wipe down your countertops daily with TriNova® Granite Cleaner. Daily:
Acidic cleaners can damage the sealant on your countertops. TriNova® Granite Cleaner has a neutral pH formula that makes it a safe, yet powerful option for all your stone surfaces.
Weekly:
Give your countertops a thorough cleaning. Make sure to get the backsplash and remove all the items off the counter when cleaning.
Monthly:
Use a topical Granite Sealer to ensure your countertops are protected. Stone is porous, using a Granite Sealer will help keep the stains out!
WATER TEST: To test if your granite needs sealing, do the water test. Put a couple drops on the surface of your countertops, if it lays on the top of your granite it’s sealed. If it soaks in, you need to reseal.
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TriNova® has everything you need to keep your home & kitchen looking their best. For our Inspired Home readers, enjoy a 20% off coupon for all TriNova® products on Amazon. Visit amazon.com/trinova to use code at checkout.
e elements
Soak up the beauty BY TERRI FERRAGUT
BEAUTIFUL BOTANICS
Bring the outdoors in by embracing blooms and foliage in small rooms for a big and bright impact. With its antibacterial finish, Wallsilk® is not only beautiful but has antimicrobial properties to keep your family safe. Water repellent, eco-friendly and PVC free. wallpepper.it
20 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
TERAZZO TERRIFICO
A new take on the beauty of Italian terrazzo comes alive on your bathroom walls. This digital terrazzo print wallpaper features a traditional pattern with a modern touch. Colorful and spirited, its PVC-free and meets rigorous standards for low VOC-emissions. westelm.com
ONE TAKE-AWAY FROM THE YEAR 2020 WAS THE EVENTUAL
realization we were all going to be spending more time at home. Increasing our comfort, relaxation and safety were and are on top of our minds and the resulting upward tick in remodeling projects proves it. Although outdoor spaces saw the biggest trend upwards, CNBC reported a 40% upward swing of kitchen and bath remodels beginning in June 2020 — and understandably so. The bathroom offers that momentary space of solitude and comfort. It is where we can unwind from the stresses of the day with a nice hot shower or warm bath. The bathroom becomes more than just another room in our home — it becomes our safe space. We begin and end our day in our bathroom and, invariably, the experience can set the tone for the rest of our day. Inspired Home went to work to explore beautiful ways for you to enhance your bathroom for 2021. Sit back, relax and soak up the beauty of the bath! INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
INSPIRED HOME | 21
TERRIFIC IN TANNINS
Reclaimed oak fermentation barrels and staves from California wineries, define each Native Trails Chardonnay Vanity. With a unique story to tell, each weathered oak vanity has a distinct white-wine stained colorization from the grape fermenting process. nativetrailshome.com
THE ART OF LIGHT
The Kamden, featuring two ultra-clean acrylic shades, has powerful LEDs directing light through the glass in both directions. With a two or three vanity light option, it is an energy efficient LED lamp and dimmable to create perfect any ambience. techlighting.com
WATER SAVER
Enjoy showers more knowing you are saving 30% less than the federal standard. Kohler’s new StatementŽ shower heads use air-induction technology to create large drops while using less water. Available in polished chrome, brushed nickel and matte black. kohler.com
BYE-BYE BACTERIA
Copper and alloys like brass and bronze are registered at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as antimicrobial material. From Nostalgic Warehouse comes unlacquered brass doorknobs that neutralize 99.9% of bacteria within 2 hours. Many design options! nostalgicwarehouse.com.
22 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
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FRESH AND CLEAN
Increasingly popular are wall-hung toilets. With today’s emphasis on smaller spaces, sustainability and minimalism, Icera is a beautiful answer. Rimless elongated bowl is crafted of vitreous china finished with an antimicrobial glazing for easy maintenance. icerabath.com
CONTRASTING BEAUTY
The Blake is a sleek tub notable for a distinctive lip and contrasting color accentuating its elegant silhouette. Available in white, biscuit, Sapphire Blue and Status Gray, this tub is a great choice for those who want a contrast color too an all-white bathroom. mtibaths.com
Distinctive Commercial & Residential Design
SERVING THE LAKES ARE FOR OVER 29 YEARS www.bhhmn.com | 218-346-4505
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INSPIRED HOME | 23
RISE AND SHINE
Morning exuberance ensues with the fresh pick-me-up colors of Italian Maiolica wall tiles, in Aquamarina. This collection of tiles is reminiscent of Mediterranean landscapes and the natural landscapes of Italy. Tile color nuances gradually fade and blend. irisceramica.com
SAFE AND WARM COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL Amalfi basins by Native Trails are Murano molten glass crafted by the Murano glassmakers artisans. An inevitable focal point for any bathroom, each vessel sink claims colors and patterns that are uniquely different, creating an irreplaceable functional work of art. nativetrailshome.com
Cozy and warm towels are a winter must. Crafted from solid brass this towel warmer not only compliments your bathroom, but also functions as a mainstay in bathing comfort. Added benefits? Brass has an inherent ability to kill a wide range of harmful microbes. sterlingham.co.uk
SINK SPARKLE
Bring sparkle to your bathroom with the Ruvati Petra Collection of vessel sinks. Resting on the vanity top, their embellished metallic tones, textures and patterns dazzle. Stunning in gold, rose gold or silver exteriors they’ll add beautiful drama and durability for years. ruvati.com
24 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
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Experiencing HAIR LOSS?
“
These are difficult times we are living through. If you are dealing with hair loss, call to make an appointment. To serve you better, I am making house calls in the comfort of your own home. Violet Deilke
contact Violet Deilke at 218.236.6000
Centre for Hair and Wellness
DOWNTOWN MOORHEAD • centreforhairandwellness.com
BLACK IS BACK
Deep and rich. Strict and elegant. Black fits perfectly into any interior design style, giving the room a sculptural graphic look. From tile and paint to cabinetry and hardware, black is a powerful design tool. Pictured: Chevron honed Nero Marquina marble tile. homedepot.com
Pretty... but not piled up in your Egress Walls!
Clear acrylic allows maximum light | unique design keeps water out | fits galvanized, cement & timber egress frames | custom display cases.
Custom Plastics Since 1985
701-280-1993 • 800-380-1993 • 2310 3rd Avenue N, Fargo, ND 58102 www.customplasticsfargo.com
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INSPIRED HOME | 25
BEAUTIFUL CURVES
A new collection from Isenberg brings elegance to the bathroom sink. With its softly curved base to the geometric simplicity of its flat spout, the overall effect is remarkable, perfectly pairing organic natural shapes with contemporary sophistication. isenbergfaucets.com
THE DARK ARTS
Moody palettes of darker colors are on-trend for the bed and bath. Inspired by the charm of turn-of-the-century homes, Artifacts ™ by Kohler, create a vintage look enhanced by the comforts of modern design. Customize with a pedestal base or a ball-and-claw feet. kohler.com
FRENCH ELEGANCE
In collaboration with French crystal works, Christallerie Royale de Saint-Louis, comes a breathtaking collaboration using Old World techniques. Hand-cut, polished and stacked crystal knobs reflect pure beauty with a sparkling jewel-like appearance you’ll love. kallista.com
SMART TOILET
From ambient colored lighting and wireless Bluetooth® music sync to heated seat and foot warmer, Kohler has created the Numi advanced toilet with personalized settings. Its striking form and exceptional water efficiency marks a new standard of excellence. kohler.com
26 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
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Chanugpe! it
Replace your old countertops with our beautiful granite or quartz!
3
easy 1 steps
Jenne Cline Sales
Come to our showroom and pick out your ACTUAL slab that will be used in your home.
2
Arrange for a laser in home measurement (no need to have your countertops removed).
2414 South University Dr. Fargo, North Dakota
701.893.3430
3
Schedule the installation and we will dispose of your old tops and install your new beautiful granite countertops in ONE DAY!
Joyce Balstad
Fargo Operations Manager
a ART
Rustic & Refined
E
BY TERRI FERRAGUT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS
arly indigenous people and Native Americans believed that nothing should go to waste. When they hunted for food, every part of the animal was used for something meaningful, such as food, shelter, clothing or sacred relics. Because they were providing for people’s daily lives, the animals were highly respected and treated as sources of life. The cow skull became a tribute for the well-appreciated animal, which had played its vital role in their lives. Typically hung on the walls of people’s homes, these skulls were 28 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
also brought to sacred ceremonies to pay homage to what once was. Increasingly popular today, artists elaborately carve, design and embellish skulls in a myriad of ways, bringing a raw beauty to the bone of the skull. An artful reminder of its sacred insignia, it is a meaningful tribute to the natural world. A longhorn cow skull on your wall brings prestige and paints the centuries-old stories that accompany it. Beautiful and primal, these skulls add history and a chic edge to your home.
Incorporating a skull into your interiors or exteriors offers an interesting and unexpected contrast to the rest of your decor. Textural designs interplay between hard and soft, tough and dainty, and a bit of mystery combined with lingering sweetness. Three years ago, local artist Sara Majkrzak, attended a horse show in Columbus, Ohio, which included unique vendors from all over the world. During a leisurely stroll, Majkrzak found herself at a booth with artisan skulls adorned with stunning crystals and jewels. INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
The bejeweled and bedazzled appearance with glistening beads is a painstaking task requiring patience and 35-40 hours of labor.
terrific tile awaits...
An artistic sense of raw beauty, prestige, power and elegance combine to create this spectacular longhorn piece.
Mesmerized by their beauty, the hefty price tag of $3,800 sent her back home to Fargo without one. After spending three years reliving the artistic beauty she took in that day, she attempted to create one for her own home. The actual process of creating her first skull was a bit of systematic trial and error. “I started researching skulls online — what to look for, how easily they could be shipped, length of horns and colors of horns,” she says, then adds with a grin, “I felt like a taxidermy beginner.” After much research, she found a trusted supplier from New Mexico she has worked with ever since. “He sends me the skulls with the horns off and I just use a small screw on the backside to hook them back on.” Glue was a learning curve. “I ended up going through 13 different types of glues before finding one that is a super glue gel,” she says. She admits the beads were another issue. INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
Specializing In Custom Residential
Waterproof Showers | Heated Floors | Back Splashes | And More! New address! 1715 27th Street South Moorhead, MN
701.361.8976 | Fargo, ND
INSPIRED HOME | 29
Increasingly popular today, artists elaborately carve, design and embellish skulls in a myriad of ways, bringing a raw beauty to the bone of the skull.
Countertops | Fireplaces | Window sills | Showers
GRANITE & QUARTZ
NorthernStone.com
New Location:
y New expanded showroom y In-stock sink options for kitchen or bathroom vanities y Increased Northern Stone inventory remnants and full slab selection
1126 Main Ave W. West Fargo, ND | 701-297-2255 30 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
A close-up of Majkrzak's detail work reveals a masterful combination of preciseness and creativity that results in a finished art piece perfect for any North Dakota State University Bison enthusiast.
“I had ordered some online and did not like the quality,” she says “I wanted beads and gems that would shine in the sunlight and truly make an incredible piece!” After experimenting with 19 bead suppliers, Majkrzak finally found a company she loved. “The beads have the right amount of bling and the quality is outstanding!” Assembling her longhorns is time consuming, like piecing together a difficult puzzle. “When the kids go to bed at night I usually sit at the counter and bead for a few hours,” she says. Sometimes working into the wee morning hours, she stops when, she laughs, “I have glued my fingers together!” Demand for her art came after posting pictures on social media. Friends began asking how to make one of their own. A typical large longhorn takes around 35-45 hours start to finish — more time than her friends wanted to invest. So, she thought, “‘Why not make a few for them?’ That’s how it all got started.” Each piece is 100% unique. Every skull is different due to horn color variations and bead colors. “Most people want to hang them in a very visible spot like a fireplace or, in my case, my master bedroom,” she says. “Everyone who sees them, stops and stares.” A completely different approach to INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
an animal skull, it appeals to both men and women. For NDSU Bison fans, Majkrzak also creates her art using buffalo skulls. Majkrzak, a busy mom of a blended family of six and a substitute teacher at Kindred Elementary, admits her most important role is that of mother. But her love and appreciation of skull art, however, has brought a peaceful and positive balance into her busy life. Want more information? Contact Sara Majkrzak at saramaj5615@gmail.com.
The addition of skull art to any room adds a textural interplay of hard and soft, tough and dainty — always sophisticated.
Sara Majkrzak, a busy mom of six, enjoys the creative balance that her art brings to her life. Elena K Photography
On this bedroom wall, regal power and beauty shine through the multicolored beading that blends perfectly with the room.
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INSPIRED HOME | 31
Inspired by Design...
BUILDING QUALITY WITH INTEGRITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS Craftsmanship Innovation Excellence
3211 Fiechtner Drive Showroom, Fargo, ND 701.478.7238
POSSWOODWORKS.COM
innovation | quality | design
Functional and efficient | Innovative design | Made from natural materials | Affordable quality
110 n broadway fargo, north dakota 701.365.0900 mon-sat 10am to 6pm
scandesign www.scandesignnd.com
1803 s washington grand forks, north dakota 701.757.2444 tues-sat 11am to 6pm
Straight-set or unstaggered, 24- by 48-inch “black nickel� colored tiles from Showcase Floors keep lines clean and crisp on this contemporary fireplace. Interior designer Kris Carlson used lighter, neutral-colored textiles to accentuate, not overpower, the elegant architecture of the space. Bright pops of accent color can be easily exchanged when trends change.
A New Chapter
The mirrored clock, which reflects a view of the veranda, was specifically placed over the stairway so that wherever you were sitting in the living room you can see that beautifully design outdoor living space. It also provides natural light to the stairwell.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS
A
fter raising four children on their family farm in Langdon, Tom and Val Olson began reevaluating the needs of their oldest son, Charlie, who has Down syndrome. “While it was a hard decision to uproot him from our wonderful community, we knew that he needed the ability to have more experiences and more opportunities,” Val says. That opportunity came when Charlie was accepted into Taylor Made Living in Fargo and began receiving day services from the Anne Carlson Center. “I knew that I could not be three hours away from him, as our family has always been very involved in his
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life,” Val says. The Olsons knew without a doubt their next step was to establish a new home in Fargo to remain close to their son. In a newly developing area near the Sheyenne River, they found their perfect place to break ground. The Olsons’ needs had changed considerably since they’d built their first home in Langdon, N.D. With their grown children now out of the house, Val says this home was designed for the couple’s different lifestyle. Growing up with a military dad, Val says she moved a lot. “I think that I became more of a minimalist because of having to pack
up every two years,” she says of her interior design style. The couple took a modern, contemporary approach and, although it was an exciting step for them, they also kept home resale in mind. While the main floor is designed just for the couple, the lower level hosts a kitchenette, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a great room, a second laundry room and a playroom. The functional layout gave them the best of both worlds. The Olsons first met Loren Crist of Crist Construction while building a home for their daughter — an experience that impressed them both. Having studied architecture in INSPIRED HOME | 35
The open concept of the main floor allows circular movement throughout, connecting the various gathering and functional living spaces.
college before going back home to farm, Tom Olson maintained a keen eye for design and a respect for Crist quality. “He listened to everything that we wanted and worked with us to achieve that,” Val says. “I know that some of my requests had him scratching his head, but he did them.” Val often heard plumbers, electricians and installers mention that a Crist-built home can be identified by its quality and attention to detail. Dark and light play off each other in the kitchen. The contemporary design choice allows the light-reflecting whites that brighten the space to contrast brilliantly with the darker cabinetry.
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The Olsons knew without a doubt their next step was to establish a new home in Fargo to remain close to their son.
Contrast is a beautiful element with a mostly tone-on-tone design scheme. The espresso shelving against the “platinum white� 24- by 48-inch straight-set tiled backsplash from Showcase Floors were smart design choices that seem subtle but truly define the chic style of this kitchen.
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“Lighting can serve as art,” says interior designer Kris Carlson. The Olsons’ desire for spectacular lighting led to this masterpiece over the dining room table. Because of its design, the light it creates acts differently throughout the day, casting a tree-like shadow on the ceiling in the evening.
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Carlson facilitated the commissioning of this triptych (a work of art divided into three sections) by local artist Rando. To fuse texture and color, the background panels were covered in a blue fabric on which the artwork was fastened. Speaking to all the home’s artwork, Carlson says, “In a home with true flow of design, you should be able to move your art to any room and it still work.”
A very hands-on builder with all his homes, Crist says, “I enjoy being a smaller builder because I get the chance to physically work on all my jobs. I get to know clients better and I have time to design floor plans.” Crist enjoyed helping design many of the Olson home’s features, like the 10-foot ceilings with suspended wood beams, but he adds, “My favorite memories of this build were not as much the physical aspects but more the oneon-one conversations and meetings with Tom and Val.” Crist says the Olsons came up with most of the ideas and floor plan. “My job was to help put their ideas and wants on paper.” Val wanted a clean, modern interior design, yet wanted to maintain warmth — illustrated perfectly by the kitchen. Cathy Michaels INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
from Wood Specialists helped the Olsons choose a classic cabinet door design with chic white upper and black lower cabinets. Showcase Flooring of Fargo helped the Olsons select beautiful, stained wood floors and the impressive oversized tile backsplash in the kitchen, which also makes a stunning appearance on the living room fireplace. Kris Carlson, designer/owner at designing women2, loved working on this project. “Their home, although spacious, is so warm and inviting and has such a good aura,” Carlson says. “That feeling emanates from Val and Tom The typical use of this bathroom fixture is as a dining table light, but it fit so perfectly with the Olsons’ custom-designed vanity. The high ceilings lent themselves to this grand work of lighting art.
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Pairing medium to dark shades of brown and gray, the Johnson’s achieve a dramatic exterior. The brick façade and impressive stone columns under the cantilevered front porch are an impressive entry to this contemporary dwelling.
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and who they are as people.” Beautiful textiles, furniture and lighting were a few of the design elements Kris helped procure. “Home design is like writing a story by weaving together fabrics and textures and style. It sounds like a cliché but listening to everything a client talks about is the No. 1 predictor of learning and fulfilling a client’s desires.”
Val wanted decor pieces that would remain current with the passing of time. “I know what I want, but I have a hard time finding it,” Val says. “Kris was a great help to me.” Carlson, adept in lighting, thoughtfully curated stunning fixtures for the entry and entertaining areas. “Lighting creates mood,” Carlson says. “It’s not just functional; it serves INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
The stone walls surrounding the veranda inspired the concrete-colored coffee and end tables. Whether warmed by the sun or the outdoor fireplace, curling up on the creamy modern sofa (with performance outdoor fabric) becomes the perfect place for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. The comforting crackle of the outdoor stone fireplace is a beacon for outdoor gathering on cool summer nights.
as a statement piece in each room. It’s a form of art and speaks the soul of the home.” The home, which centers around hosting friends, cooking and enjoying meals together, incorporates areas that draw you in, both inside and out. The outdoor patio, complete with stone fireplace, is magnificent and soon an outdoor kitchen addition will make outdoor entertaining enjoyable. The Olsons enjoy their new home closer to Charlie. Val looks forward to a time, postpandemic, when she can entertain and get to know their neighbors. While moving and resettling can be a time of anxiety, it may also open doors and acts as a catalyst for something positive. The Olsons’ move to Fargo is an adventure story that is starting off on good footing. And it was made possible by some of the most talented folks in the industry who helped them write a beautiful beginning to their next chapter in life.
Val is in the beginning stages of developing a place for adults with disabilities to go to during the day to cultivate their inner creativity, artistry and passions through cooking, baking, pottery, artwork, dance and music. Modeled after a center in Pennsylvania, where their artists are showing some of their work in New York City, Val’s vision is a coffee shop adjoined to an area where the members would be able to sell their wares. She is working on her plans with a close friend who also has a son with a disability. If you are interested or want to hear more about Val’s project, email her at tolson@utma.com.
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Design Thoughts "Their home, although spacious, is so warm and inviting and has such a good aura. That feeling emanates from Val and Tom and who they are as people. Home design is like writing a story by weaving together fabrics and textures and style. It sounds like a cliché, but listening to everything a client talks about is the number one predictor of learning and fulfilling a client’s desires.” Kris Carlson, Designer/owner, designingwomen2 CONTRIBUTORS Contractor: Crist Construction | Tile fireplace, backsplash and showers: Showcase Floors | Metal Railings and beams: Jeff Built Construction | Appliances, Custom range hood and HVAC systems, (Innovative Air): Rigel’s | Brick and stone: Star Masonry | Patios: Curb Design | Interior Design: Kris Carlson, designing women2
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d DESIGN
Rooms are defined by the things we love. Surrounding ourselves by things that matter to us brings comfort and inner peace.
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Your T Happy Wall BY TERRI FERRAGUT
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here is no better way to spend your time at home than creating something special your entire family will appreciate — a gallery wall. Gallery walls are impressive, and it’s easy to understand why. A gallery wall lets you tell your story through a curated collection of art by filling it with all the pieces you love. They are an amazing way to infuse color and pattern into a space. They allow our inner art lover to display personal collections that are uniquely meaningful to us. They’re an excellent way to take up empty space on a large wall, making the room feel fully inhabited by us. And, most importantly, they are a perfect opportunity to show who we are and what matters to us. A great gallery wall can be just pictures, whether art or photos. It can also be much more than that. To create a great gallery wall, start with your favorite images like photographs, drawings or art. Add in the things you cherish, like postcards from favorite vacations, your grandmother’s dishes or jewelry. The possibilities are essentially endless to achieve, all while maintaining a designed artful appearance. With a little practice, creating a chic gallery wall is easy to do — and very rewarding. Color plays a key role in almost every aspect of design. So, when you are considering a gallery wall think of color first as it will most likely be the main line that ties all your different elements together. Secondly, displays that have a central concept always look a bit tighter, connect well and have a nicer flow than those that don’t. There should be an interesting focal point to help tie your design scheme together. Like any design project, gallery walls are in danger of spinning out of control if they’re not held in check. It’s a balancing act because going too tame leaves you with something visually uninspiring. Adding in nontraditional pieces can make it even harder to strike just the right note, but it’s also what makes it so amazing when it all works out. The key is in finding the places where you can be consistent and using that to connect everything together.
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Gallery art is a beautiful way to tell your family’s story, as seen here as you or your guests ascend the stairway to an upper story. Here, a commonality of images from the natural world reflect the homeowner’s interests, creating a connective theme for the gallery wall.
Here, you see a beautiful representation of a collection of framed pictures, artifacts and remembrances of vacations. Incorporating elements on top of the credenza brings extra interest. This common theme of nature — combining small — and large-framed pieces — creates interest. Frames using natural wood and basic black frames add dimension.
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Most importantly, gallery walls are a perfect opportunity to show who we are and what matters to us.
A basic pattern for artwork is used here. All uniform frames and common themes seem to reach out into the room defining the homeowner's interests and personality.
1. To Begin Measure the width and height of the wall. This could be above your sofa, a table, office desk or anywhere else you would like. This will allow you to choose the number of pieces you would like as well as the perfect sizes to fit your space. If your gallery wall is going to be displayed above your furniture, be sure to leave a gap of at least 6 inches above the furniture piece. A good rule of thumb is to measure approximately 59 inches up from the floor, which will mark the center line of your first piece of art. Work your way up from there. 2. Choose Your Art Pick art that makes you happy inside. Usually, these are the pieces you’re immediately drawn to and have a color palette that you love. You might want to INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
consider pieces that tie in with your current color scheme. 3. Pick a Desired Layout Play with different layouts, then take a picture of them. Get ready to hang. 4. Hanging Your Art Refer to the photograph of your chosen layout and select the first piece of art you’re going to hang. You will need a level, a hammer, nails and a pencil. It’s best to start with the bottom piece first and work outwards from there. If you have a decidedly larger picture, place it more centrally and move other art outwards. This will allow you to arrange your gallery wall without running out of space. For the most pleasing display, leave a gap of 3-4 inches between each piece to give your wall a more uniform feel. Larger pictures need
This larger gallery wall incorporates one bigger picture as an anchor with additional artwork radiating outward, creating beautiful drama across the entire area.
some room to breathe, while small-framed art looks best positioned together. 5. Love It! Bottom line? Create a display pleasing to you. Stand back and enjoy your new gallery. INSPIRED HOME | 45
d DISCOVERIES
After knitting many baby blankets, I began to try my hand at sweaters. This “wildflower”-patterned sweater still needs a collar and a sleeve, but hopefully my daughter will love it when I am finished.
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Nålbinding, "Viking" knitting, is a beautiful single-needle fiber art. If you'd like to give nalbinding a try, call a local fiber art shop for more information.
Nåbinding, an ancient fiber art
E
ver since I was a little girl, I have loved anything that has to do with string, yarn, floss, needles and teensy-tiny holes. I can credit my Grandma Dar, who taught me how to cross stitch, and my Auntie Di, who taught me to knit. They are hobbies that have kept me busy since. Many hats, blankets, sweaters and stitched gifts later, I learned about nålbinding, a Scandinavian textile method practiced during the age of the Vikings (793-1066 AD), predating both knitting and crochet.
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BY LAUREN FERRAGUT CARLSON
Nål, pronounced in English as “knoll,” means needle. This technique is how the Vikings made their mittens, socks, hats, under clothing and sieves to strain liquids, to name a few applications. Nålbinding literally translates “to bind with a needle.” Although nearly a lost art, there has been a resurgence of interest in the ancient craft. Like knitting and crochet, you build your fabric by a series of patterned interlocking loops. But this is where a lot of similarity
ends. Rather than working from one large ball of yarn, nålbinding utilizes the leftover pieces of wool from weaving. This is why many items made in this method are smaller, such as socks, mittens and hats rather than sweaters or rugs. In nalbinding, when one comes to the end of their yarn, it is split into two (like a y) as the new yarn is joined. Then, with the palm of your hands, you rub and twist the two new ends together to make a continuous piece of yarn. Think of it like INSPIRED HOME | 47
Traditional nålbinding needles were made of bone, antlers or wood. Aesthetically pleasing, today's needles still are made from the same materials and easily purchased online. Shown here is an up-close detail of a “Norwegian Fir”-patterned sweater I made for my daughter, Tüni, with the most precious rosemåled button made by my sister-in-law.
Although nearly a lost art, there has been a resurgence of interest in the ancient craft.
Tüni learned the word “sweater” at about the same time I finished knitting this one. She was excited to put two and two together and wear the results.
There are literally hundreds of different nålbinding stitches; pictured is the Oslo stitch. This single-needle knitting method creates interlocked stitches/knots that will not unravel.
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Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved anything that has to do with string, yarn, floss, needles and teensy-tiny holes.
using many short pieces of yarn (a couple feet) that you felt together to continue the length of your working yarn. To interlock the loops, it is like weaving over and under each individual loop. To build your fabric in knitting, you use two needles to pull one small loop through another, on and on. Nålbinding utilizes one small, short needle, usually made of bone, wood or antler, in addition to your hand to make a series of interlocking loops where the entire yarn length is pulled through. Because the entire piece of yarn is looped through (like a knot), it will not unravel — unlike knitting or crochet. If a stitch is damaged, ruined or lost, it can be easily repaired, unlike knitting where that stitch would have to be picked up or the garment may unfurl. One famous example of nålbinding is the Coppergate sock found in York, England. It is the only example ever to have been found in England, so it is believed that it ended up there as a result of being worn by a traveler or trader, but it was unequivocally made in Scandinavia. Nålbinding is notorious for taking longer than knitting. I read an article from a woman in Minnesota who teaches this Scandinavian textile technique and this is how she puts it: “I’ve heard that if you had someone that you really cared about very much and you wanted to make them a pair of mittens as a love token, if you really cared about them, you would nålbind.” The mittens would last longer and you would show, by taking more time to make them, the depth of your feelings. “If you were like, ‘Eh, I can take him or leave him,’ you’d knit,” the woman continued. As an ever-learning intermediate knitter, I had to chuckle at that. Anything I’ve ever made and gifted felt like a labor of love. And because INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
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Looking for Classes? Call Prairie Fiber Arts Center at 218.284.0004 or visit their online store below.
Over the years, archeological nålbinding finds have been misidentified as knitting. A textile historian must trace the path of yarn to determine what method was used.
most people don’t know the difference anyway, I don’t think it matters. Any homemade gift is a perfect one! Nåbinding fascinates me. I have yet to try this Old-World technique of making
textiles but, given my propensity to keep ancestral skills alive, I will certainly try. To all you knitters, give it a try to help continue this nearly lost fiber art craft.
Building Blocks with Liz: Improve your knitting skills one square at a time! This class is designed for the knitter who is ready to go beyond knitting and purling. Each class focuses on the development of a skill while knitting a square or "block". Each block builds upon the skills of the previous pattern, giving knitters more confidence and knowledge. Blocks can be assembled into a lap blanket, 2 baby blankets or pillows. Class includes 13 sessions. Begin January 3rd and held Sundays 2-3 PM through March 28th. Class fee: $195 More information and class registration on the Prairie Fiber Arts online store at prairie-fiber-arts-center.myshopify.com. Class materials available for purchase at PFAC.
Prairie Fiber A rts Center
We offer a variety of beautifully sustainable specialty yarns, accessories, gifts, fiber art classes, Zoom tutoring,design consultations, and more! Our store is proud to be community-centered and open to everyone of all skill levels. Stop in at our downtown store or visit our online store! 50 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
P R A I R I E F I B E R A RT S C E N T E R 127 4th Street South Moorhead, MN 56560
218.284.0004 www.prairiefiberarts.com prairie-fiber-arts-center.myshopify.com
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h HUMOR
2021, complete with weighty observations
A
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BERNIE ERICKSON
bout mid-July this past summer, a buddy of mine was talking about getting the “quarantine 19” and how he did not like it one bit. I offered my sympathies and said something about how he thinks he got it, how he was feeling, what he was doing to get better and so on. Turns out he wasn’t talking about the viral condition; he was talking about the weight gain resulting from reduced activity combined with increased food consumption due to a dramatically altered lifestyle. The “quarantine 19” he was talking about were the extra pounds slowly overtaking his waistline. This Christmas season, I didn’t give up my favorite holiday sweets and savories. I still made them and kept them around the house. And then I ate them. All of them. Many times. I could bake a batch of four dozen of my favorite Ghirardelli chocolate chip cookies, and they’d be all gone in about three and a half days. And I’m the only one who likes them around here. I even tried putting most of the batch in the freezer, thinking out of sight, out of mind and taking out just a few at a time. But one day the ones on my kitchen counter were gone, so I discovered the high 52 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
butter content of the recipe kind of kept them from freezing solid. The cookies were a cool and chewy delight right out of the freezer! So much for out of sight, out of mind. On a normal day, I’d have about three or four with my afternoon coffee. And then maybe two or three more with my second cup of coffee. After all, they were small. You know those stories about grocery stores running out of yeast because everyone and their neighbor suddenly started making sourdough friendship bread? To be safe, I began buying every one of the blue bags of Ghirardelli chocolate chips at my corner grocery store, just in case they ran out and I’d have to settle for store brand chocolate chips. After months and months of eating delectable holiday favorites like they were sensible carrot or celery sticks, I hadn’t necessarily fallen victim to a case of the “quarantine 19.” It was more like a case of the “Home Bound Eight Pounds.” I’m one of those guys whose weight hasn’t really changed much in the last 40 years, which is pretty amazing. However, the only thing INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
still in the same place as it was 40 years ago is my teeth. If I was going to make sure the “Home Bound Eight Pounds” were an annoying guest and not a permanent resident, I was going to have to act fast. Going to the gym was out of the question. Not for obvious reasons, but because I really don’t like group activities. Especially ones that involve anything strenuous in front of people I don’t know. I don’t care for perspiring in private. I am surely not interested in sweating in public. Ditching the “Home Bound Eight Pounds” was going to require the latest home fitness equipment. Because everyone knows doing 12 push-ups, 12 sit-ups and 12 jumping jacks every single day is no way to get fit and drop a couple pounds. If it were, people would have been doing it for years. Like every new adventure in life, this was going to require a significant financial investment in wardrobe and equipment — and probably time, but I hadn’t thought it through that far yet. Remember last year when some electronic home bicycle was all the rage? It was a stationary bike with a web-connected flat panel screen that cost as much as a decent used car. Back in my younger days, home exercise bicycles had handlebars that rowed like a boat and a seat that moved up and down in time with the pedaling. In those days, you could even redeem S&H Green Stamps for things like home rowing machines or a 3-foot-tall motorized tower with two 6-inch wide belts to wrap around your waist and back side to shake those pounds away. Now that was a workout. One day I was taking a leisurely stroll through the shopping mall — the closest I come to a public workout — and came across a new store: GoGoGrapefruit. I was feeling a little winded from my mall walk anyway, so I decided to take a break and see what GoGoGrapefruit was all about. It was mostly about expensive activewear. I don’t mind spending money on nice clothes. These days, when I find work pants that look good (no small feat, believe me), I buy them in every color they make. Men’s pants come in blue, black, khaki and gray, so it’s not quite as extravagant as it sounds. Same policy gets a little pricey with fashion denim though. Buying $90 jeans in all four INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
I’m one of those guys whose weight hasn’t really changed much in the last 40 years, which is pretty amazing. However, the only thing still in the same place as it was 40 years ago is my teeth.
Wine Time!
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INSPIRED HOME | 53
Opera tickets & gift certificates make great gifts!
54 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
available color washes digs into the grocery budget a little, which is why I had to get the “Home Bound Eight Pounds” under control or I’d need to take out a home equity line of credit just to replace all my pants. Toward the back of GoGoGrapefruit, they had the coolest piece of home fitness equipment I’ve ever seen. When it wasn’t turned on, it looked like a simple full-length mirror you’d hang on the back of your bedroom door. But when turned on, it came to life with the image of a handsome hologram fitness/life coach that I thought kind of looked like me if I had nicer hair and had taken better care of myself. They probably planned it that way. The handsome hologram talked me through examples of daily workouts and all the good things I could expect in terms of health and fitness. When I flipped a switch, he went away and it turned back into a wall mirror. Way better than Guntyr, that personal trainer I had a few years ago. What to do? I could buy the mirror and do something about the “Home Bound Eight Pounds” or I could spend about the same as the price of the Magic Mirror and replace all my pants. When put that way, it was pretty much a no-brainer. I had just bought all new pants anyway. I hadn’t bought a new piece of home fitness equipment in who knows how long. I knew I’d get at least 60 months of regular use out of my new Magic Mirror because every month when I made one of the convenient 60 monthly payments, I’d be reminded to use it again. Maybe now I’ll splurge on some expensive GoGoGrapefruit activewear to go with my Magic Mirror. After all, if I’m going to be active, I’ll need something nice to wear. INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
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for your entire family Manage your shades with precise control from your pebble remote or your smart devices. Voice activate when integrated with smart-home systems like Amazon, Alexa or Siri. Energy efďŹ ciency through preset schedules that control solar heat gain or loss. Two battery options or hard wire options for new construction. Barliâ€? Anderson, showroom mascot
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c cuisine
Bergen Fish Soup
Winter: The Season of Discontent, or Is It? BY CHEF GRANVILLE WOOD
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A winter scene of Bergen, Norway. Surrounded by mountains and fjords, the historical harbor street front is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
I
f we viewed the COVID 19 lockdown as just being snowed in, it would be more palatable. Imagine sitting in front of a roaring fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate, along with a warming shot of aquavit. Fuzzy woolen socks and a soft throw over your shoulders, that, my friends, is what is referred to as hygge. That is how Scandinavians survive winter. “The heart can get really cold if all you’ve known is winter.” Alire Saenz
As any Norwegian we tell you: “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.” Scandinavians embrace winter. Getting out in the crisp air for a ski, ice skating, sledding or just a walk through a park. When the sun is out, their faces are turned to the sun, catching the warmth and light-generating serotonin that creates mood enhancers essential to maintaining your sanity through the long dark winter. Warming bowls of steaming thick soups and stews, alongside thick slices of homemade INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
bread, go a long way after a day of friluftslive, the Scandinavian word for open-air life and winter play. With extensive rugged, coast lines along all Scandinavian countries, seafood plays an important role in a majority of Scandi lives. Nothing reflects that as well as a steaming bowl of Norwegian Bergen Fish Stew. Laden with cod, haddock and salmon enriched with egg and cream, this is a rich, satisfying dish on a wind-swept evening. Bergen is an old fishing port on the west coast of Norway. Historic yet modern, the locals wander down onto the docks when the boats come in and buy their fish straight from the fishermen. The inland foods are sustaining as well with free-range lamb grazing on the mountain slopes. Lush meadows, nestled between steep mountains and waterfalls, dot the landscape of Norway. But it is the wild game and the gamey flavors of venison that we are stalking. The Finns, with their vast “raked” forests, yield copious herds of reindeer and venison. Not quite as north as Lapland, these forests also yield many varieties of wild mushrooms.
Venison makes a rich stew redolent with earthy vegetables and the sharp flavors of blue cheese and black currants. I like to add some dried wild mushrooms from last season, particularly chanterelles. This is a real huntsman’s meal, perfect to be eaten by the fire with a good dark beer. Legumes such as dried peas and lentils play a role in the winter diet. They can be easily stored and provide protein-rich soups, especially when paired with another protein such as meat. The Swedes have a penchant for yellow peas and cook them in honor of their Viking god Thor. This winter custom of cooking peas on Thursdays is an old Viking tradition and is usually washed down with aquavit and beer. So, when you are feeling down, nothing cures the winter blues like a hot bowl of soup and a shot of aquavit. Old Norwegian Proverb “End skal lytte nar en gammel hund gjo.” “One should listen when an old dog barks.”
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BERGEN FISH SOUP This recipe has been passed generations. Ask your fishmonger or butcher to skin the fillets and remove any pin bones. Look for plump and very fresh fillets. INGREDIENTS: 2
medium onions, chopped
7
oz. carrots, diced
1
Idaho potato, diced
1
piece celery root, diced
1
stick celery, diced
1
leek, sliced (wash out grit)
METHOD:
1¾
pints fish stock
1¼
pounds fresh cod and salmon
½
lemon juiced
3
egg yolks (whisk the egg yolks with the cream and sour cream to create a liaison)
Cook the vegetables in the fish stock over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Sprinkle the fish with lemon juice and season with salt. Cut into pieces and add to vegetables and fish stock, poach for 10 minutes. Slowly whisk in the egg yolk and cream mixture. Using a spoon, stir gently while soup thickens — do not boil. Adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
4 oz. heavy cream 4 oz. sour cream
Norwegian Saying
Sea salt and white pepper (to taste)
“Altfor reint har ingen smak” Too Clean Has No Taste
Chopped parsley for garnish
VENISON STEW Hunting season provides all different cuts of venison. For this dish, I use the leg joint. Venison is extremely lean, so I add bacon for flavor and fat. You will need a scale that measures in metric as this recipe comes from Finland. I also soak dried chanterelles and morels and add them. INGREDIENTS: 600 grams (4 cups) venison, diced 150 grams (1 1⁄3 cup) yellow onion cut in half and sliced 180 grams (2 cups) each of carrot, parsnip, celery root, diced 300 grams (4 cups) wild mushrooms (optional) Juniper berries (4-6) Fresh or dried rosemary Salt and fresh black pepper to taste 3
Tbs. balsamic vinegar
170 grams (¾ cup) smoked bacon, chopped 1
liter (1⁄2 cup plus 1 Tbs) venison or beef stock
100 ml (1⁄2 cup plus 1 Tbs) sour cream 2
Tbs. black currant jelly
3
Tbs. blue cheese
100 ml (I cup) heavy cream 4
METHOD: Place first 8 ingredients in a glass bowl. Cover and marinate over night in the refrigerator. Early the next day, remove meat and warm to room temperature. Drain vegetables and reserve marinade. In a heavy pot, render the bacon, add venison and vegetables, browning in batches. Add the stock and simmer for 40 minutes. Add black current jelly. Mix heavy cream and flour together until smooth. Whisk the mixture in, add sour cream and simmer 10 minutes. Serve over mashed sweet potatoes or regular potatoes. Sprinkle with blue cheese.
Tbs. flour
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INGREDIENTS: 300 grams (11⁄3 cups) split yellow peas 8
cups water with salt, white pepper, marjoram, thyme
1
onion, finely chopped
600 grams (4 cups) pork butt 1
ham bone
1
leek, 2 carrots, diced
150 grams (2⁄3 cup) celery root, diced 1 bunch chopped parsley METHOD:
HEARTY PEA SOUP WITH PORK Yellow pea soup, “ärtsoppa,” is a classic Swedish food and served since the middle ages. Perfect as a warming meal on a cold Swedish winter day, it was traditionally served on Thursdays, mid-day. Even today, it is still served on Thursdays in schools and in the army and navy. Crisp breads, knäkebrö, followed by a plate of pannkakor, "Swedish pancakes," are traditional accompaniments to the soup.
Wash the peas and soak over night in the water. The next day bring the peas, water and seasonings to a boil. Add the onion and ham bone. Lower heat and simmer for an hour, add the pork and vegetables. Simmer for one and half more hours. Remove the ham bone and pork. Cut pork into medium cubes and add back to soup. Check seasoning and add chopped parsley. Serve with aquavit and a cold beer.
Wine Wisdom
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon This wine is a perfect example of fine Paso Robles juice, dark and jammy with plenty of fruit up front. This Cabernet Sauvignon has very soft, beautiful tannins that wrap around you like a big warm hug. The toasty oak gives this wine a really nice caramelized feel. It is a great wine to pair with roasted veggies and any braised meats.
Chelsey Malstrom, Seven Sisters Spirits, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
I
’d love to share a couple of red wines that warm you from the inside out, which is just what we need this time of year! It’s great to share with friends or a thoughtful token for that neighbor who recently shoveled you out of a snowbank!
INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
Earthquake Zinfandel Part of the David Michael wine group, this Zin is a powerhouse! This wine, hailing from Lodi, California, was planted around the same time as the great earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco. Enjoy the notes of plum, fig and leather with an incredible acidity. Try pairing this wine with a cast iron-seared ribeye steak — it plays well with fat!
Cheers! Chelsey Malstrom INSPIRED HOME | 59
i INGREDIENTS
Rosemaling and kringle—a delicious and beautiful combination.
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I
e l g n i Kr
often think back to when my love of baking began. And, truthfully, I think it was because of Home Economics class in 7th grade at Ben Franklin Junior High School in Fargo. I remember making crescent rolls stuffed with mini Snickers. Is that even baking? They were delicious. I started making them at home by myself. What that class truly taught me was not how to make sugary desserts — it instilled independence and confidence in my young self. It was from there that I started to be curious about the baked goods made in my family’s home year-round. I knew I could make those, too, if I tried! And I did. There are a lot of talented bakers in my family, beginning with my 107-year-old Great-grandma Verna who worked as a baker and farm wife, my Grandma Jo, my aunts and, of course, my mother. As a young girl, I remember my mother often making Kringle. She made it in the early morning to bring to her exercise class as a treat. When she came home all that would be left were buttery crumbs and globs of almond icing. I wasn’t too sad. I happily shmeared the icing and remaining Kringle crumbs into a perfect crunchy sweet bite. One summer afternoon she took me aside and taught me how to make the tasty and coveted Kringle. Over the years, I learned many Norwegian bakes like Berlinerkranser, Fattigman, Skoleboller and Flettekrans. This was the catalyst for my love of baking and the inspiration for my small baking business, Scandilo, out of Geneva, N.Y. But Kringle will always be my favorite. It is easy to make (only four ingredients), impressive to look at and so easy to eat. Its puffy and buttery outside crunch, creamy center and almond icing will leave you wanting more. It’s all you need served with a stiff cup of coffee. Kringle is something that makes a regular appearance in my kitchen and freezer — it freezes beautifully. I hope you try it for yourself !
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a Scandinavian Treasure STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LAUREN FERRAGUT CARLSON
e n i W ! e m i T
FREE 5 lb. bag of ice with purchase Expires February 28th, 2021
3 minutes south of We Fest on Hwy. 59 Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 218.847.BEER (2337) I 218.846.WINE (9463) www.7sistersspirits.com
INSPIRED HOME | 61
There are a lot of talented bakers in my family beginning with my 107-year-old-Great-grandma Verna who worked as a baker and farm wife, my Grandma Jo, my aunts and, of course, my mother.
Even though there are only four ingredients to this recipe, I still like to set everything out in a "mise en place" style, ready when I am to begin my task.
Once the flour and butter have been incorporated, rolling the butter and flour mixture into a ball makes it easier to equally divide the dough in half.
Take each ball of dough and place on a parchmentlined cookie sheet in two equal strips, patting down by hand into 2 - 3 by 12-inch strips.
If this dough looks familiar, this "puff" is the same recipe used to make cream puffs—eggs are whisked into the butter, water and flour mixture, creating a "shiny" dough.
The butter, water, flour and added egg whisked mixture will easily cling to itself and easily roll into a ball making it easy to divide into half, one for each kringle.
Spread the filling layer on top of each dough strip. This "filling" will bake a puffy golden-brown crust. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Cool before icing drizzle.
62 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
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e l g n i Kr
METHOD Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. CRUST LAYER: Like pie crust, use a fork or a pastry blender to “cut” the cold butter into the flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs the size of peas. Sprinkle on ice water and gently stir the water into the dough with a fork. This will be a soft dough.
Classic Kringle are shaped into an oval. This recipe yields two rectangular-shaped Kringle, which fit on a baking sheet. Eat one, share one or devour them both. Serves 8. INGREDIENTS Crust layer: ½
cup butter, softened
1
cup flour
2
Tbs. ice water, cold
Cut the dough into two equal pieces. Take each piece and form it by hand into a 3- by 12-inch strip. Place the two strips of dough side by side on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Space them — they will flatten and spread. Press each strip flat using the back of a measuring cup or a small rolling pin to about ¼ inch thick.
FILLING LAYER: Mix butter and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the flour. Whisk until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking between each egg. Add almond extract. Spread the sweet almond dough on top of each dough strip. (This “filling” will bake a puffy golden-brown crust.) Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow the Kringle to cool for one hour before frosting. GLAZE: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, butter and almond extract until smooth. If the icing seems too thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth enough to drizzle. Drizzle and top with sliced almonds.
Kreps Family Farm Corner Coffee Farm fresh goodness in every bite!
Ope ning Soon!
Filling layer or pate a choux: 1
cup water
½
cup butter, 1 stick (cold)
1
cup flour
3
large eggs
1
tsp. almond extract
Glaze: 3
Tbs. milk
2
Tbs. room temperature butter
1½ tsp. almond extract 2-3 Tbs. milk or cream
Farm-to-Table wholesome food for your family! jams | jellies | breads | pies | baked goods | pickles picante sauce | Bloody Mary mix | MORE! Licensed Inspected Commercial Kitchen
(Retail outlet in the mall – Look for us next to Jay’s Smokin’ BBQ.)
Moorhead Center Mall Moorhead, MN
701.200.1719 krepsfamilyfarm.com
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INSPIRED HOME | 63
r REFLECTIONS
A truly new year
H
appy New Year! There have certainly been other years I’ve been happy to see the backside of as we usher in a new one, but perhaps none quite like 2020. And I bet you’re feeling the same way. The year 2020 will forever signify a year of overwhelming loss: loss of life, so many, many people gone entirely too soon; loss of income and stability for millions; loss of gatherings and human connection; loss of physical touch, smiling faces and a sense of constancy in so much that we took for granted: restaurants, schools, places of worship, offices, gyms, movie theaters, public transportation … But 2020 will also be associated with mass bread baking, gardening and crafting and eating, working and learning at home, which led to some of the most quality family/couples time in generations. It’ll include memories of hearts adorning home and business windows all over the globe. Nightly rituals of pot banging and hand clapping outside to honor frontline workers will surely be recalled. Peaceful protests demanding (and starting 64 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
BY DAYNA DEL VAL
to see) real, systemic change will also be important to the year’s narrative. Musicians, singers and dancers will be remembered for creating impromptu concerts on balconies and rooftops that were seen live by many and streamed by millions. It would be lovely to say 2021 is going to be different, but there’s no way to know that yet. The vaccine must be administered to billions before we can safely have herd immunity, and that can’t happen overnight. That likely means much of what we suffered and struggled with during 2020 will follow us into this new year, but it also means the good can and will come along, too. And good begets more good. The technology we’ve come to depend on will spur entrepreneurs to create faster, smoother, more accessible means to communicate and operate our day-to-day lives. Teachers will develop even better curriculum to stimulate students’ minds, regardless of being virtual or in person. We’ll see rapid change in the treatment of people of color as more and
more people rise up and demand real equity. Artists will continue to push the boundaries of the Internet and social distancing as they create, compose, choreograph and conduct art that is more accessible than at any time in human history. So many doors were shut in 2020 but think of the windows that opened because of it. Think of how quickly we adapted to the complete disruption to our entire way of life. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. But in case you’ve forgotten, 2019, 2018, 2017 and all the years before weren’t perfect either. Let’s look to 2021 as a reboot year. This is our opportunity to shake off the habits and patterns that didn’t serve us before 2020, both personally and communitywide, nationally and globally. Let’s define a new normal that’s more inclusive, kind, equitable and intentional. That’s the best way to honor the losses of 2020 and recognize the myriad sacrifices made by so many. Happy New Year. May this year be our best year yet. INSPIREDHOMEMAGAZINE.COM
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