FM2026RR_ISSUU

Kindness isn’t a Moment. It’s a Movement.

One heart is meaningful. Thousands are unstoppable.

February 12 is our chance to build a better future together. Be part of the region’s most generous tradition and help us create lasting change. Join

NOW IS THE TIME

Don’t Wait Any Longer to Enjoy Single-Level Living in a 55+

SIGNATURE PATIO HOMES IN A CLOSE, CONNECTED COMMUNIT Y

Available Spring 2026!

▪ Lock & Leave Freedom: Travel freely or simply spend more time doing what you love.

▪ Low Maintenance Living: Lawn care & snow removal are handled, so every season is worry-free.

▪ Social Connection: Gather with friends & neighbors in the clubhouse’s spacious gathering areas.

▪ Active Lifestyle: Enjoy pickleball courts, fitness center, & outdoor pool – designed for fun & wellness.

We will begin accepting reservations for home sites in Meadowlark Crossing early March 2026. This event will be by “invitation only” due to a limited venue and limited homesites. Visit our website or call us to be added to our VIP invitation list.

Live well every day in a home designed for the life you want to live now and for years to come. Call us to schedule a tour of our model home at 4501 Silbernagel Dr, Bismarck.

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RIVER + RANCH MAGAZINE

Volume9: Issue 1

River + Ranch Magazine is a collaborative effort to showcase the creativity and design of the West. The two publishers of Bismarck Magazine decided to embark on a new adventure and create a different magazine focusing on design, art, and western living.

Publishers

Layout Editor

Copy Editor

Contributors

Cover Image

Advertising

Hannah Haynes hannah@bismarck-magazine.com

Caroline Crary

caroline@bismarck-magazine.com

Jenna Kluting

Jennifer Kranz

Maria Brezny

Melanie Sioux Photography

Caroline Crary

caroline@bismarck-magazine.com

River + Ranch Magazine Corporation, Copyright 2018 River + Ranch and riverandranchmagazine.com. All rights reserved. This periodical cannot be reproduced without the written permission of River + Ranch Magazine. River + Ranch Magazine will not be held responsible for any errors found in the magazine. Bismarck Magazine Corporation accepts no liability for statements made by advertisers.

RIVER + RANCH TEAM

Professional Women in Building

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Happy New Year! We’re thrilled to be stepping into our 9th year of publishing River + Ranch Magazine, continuing to highlight the incredible craftsmanship, talent, and expertise found throughout our great state — from the riverfront properties to the Badlands cabins and the cattle ranches.

There’s something deeply personal about a remodel. It’s not just about new finishes or updated layouts — it’s about honoring what already exists while thoughtfully reimagining how a space can live, breathe, and serve the people inside it. In this issue of River + Ranch, we’re celebrating remodels that do exactly that: projects rooted in respect for history, craftsmanship, and meaningful design choices.

One of our featured remodels takes us to one of Bismarck’s most well-known streets — Bell Street — where a classic home has been refreshed with intention and care. The designer leaned into the era of the home, preserving its character while introducing a fresh perspective through refined materials, and thoughtful details. Rather than erasing the past, this remodel enhances it, proving that timeless design and modern living can coexist beautifully…and in color!

We also step inside a more personal project — BR Design Consulting (formerly Bridget’s Room), a remodel within Bridget’s own home that highlights the power of creativity and reuse. By salvaging original cabinets and materials from the house and repurposing them in new ways, the space tells a layered story of loving the foundation of a home and making it your own. It’s a reminder that great design doesn’t always start from scratch; sometimes it begins with seeing what you already have through a new lens.

At the heart of this issue is a remodel driven by something even deeper than design. A group of women from Professional Women in Building came together, donating their time, skills, and talents to remodel two patient apartment units for the Bismarck Cancer Center. These spaces serve patients and families who travel to Bismarck for treatment, offering comfort, warmth, and a sense of home during an incredibly difficult season. It’s a powerful reminder that design can heal, support, and uplift.

Together, these stories reflect what remodels can truly be — purposeful, personal, and impactful. We’re honored to share them with you.

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN IN BUILDING

PWB

photos by Dana Middleton Photography

Professional Women in Building (PWB) is a charter of the Bismarck-Mandan Home Building Association (BMHBA) dedicated to supporting women in all areas of the building industry, as well as promoting awareness of the building industry as a career option for women and giving back to the community through their unique skills. Their Room Refresh project is an example of how they are raising awareness and giving back to the community through their work in the construction industry.

Karli Skjeret, vice president of the PWB, and Kari Anderson, secretary of the PWB, discussed the initial idea for a room refresh and brought it before the board. The original idea was to find an organization that needed a simple remodel around $10,000 that wouldn’t require any demolition. With approval from the board, they put out applications and invited organizations to submit.

Sara Kelsch, marketing director at the Bismarck Cancer Center (BCC), applied for renovations to be made in their patient apartments. These apartments are made available to patients undergoing radiation treatment. The BCC serves a 250 mile radius, so patients can end up traveling far to receive these life-saving treatments. By providing lodging for the 8-12 week duration of their daily treatments, the BCC makes it possible for patients to stay in town at a low cost in a fully furnished apartment with room for an additional guest. After reading through applications, the PWB chose the BCC’s proposal, and planning began in April 2025 for a refresh of these patient living spaces.

The initial plan was to renovate one apartment’s two bedrooms and put in new flooring throughout. After raising awareness through marketing campaigns, the PWB received an unexpected generous donation of $50,000 from a woman in Watford City. This, with the generous donations of time from contractors, opened up the opportunity to fully renovate two apartments. Passion for the project ignited, and people volunteered to even help with a small demo project so the kitchens could be renovated as well. The planning team arranged the renovation to only require the apartments to be unoccupied for ten days.

The apartments received new cabinetry, new window treatments, new furniture, and new flooring and baseboards. Design choices reflect a neutral modern finish that feels cozy, clean, and safe. The team at PWB also made sure to include amenities such as new TVs and other fun activities to modernize the space and make it feel more homey. The detailed finishes make the apartments feel like a retreat away from stress and anxiety.

The PWB are proud to support the Bismarck Cancer Center and the life-saving treatments they offer. With the funds left over, tentative plans are being discussed to renovate the remaining two apartments in the fourplex. While it may seem like a simple renovation, the impact of having a comfortable, safe, and aesthetic place to stay during treatments can make a huge difference in the opportunity of respite for a patient.

BUILD + RENOVATION CONSULTING

Remodel /Jeanne

Build + Renovation Design Consulting (BR Design Consulting), formerly known as Bridget’s Room, has taken on a new name to better reflect the services they have always offered. While they may be best known for their retail space, the truly special talent of the team at BR Design Consulting is in their design, build, and renovation skills. As such, Bridget Gerhardt, owner of BR Design Consulting is combining her two businesses into one. “I want to focus on what I really love, which is the design aspect, building, and renovating,” she explains. Their location will still offer furnishings for sale, but reorganized to emphasize their services as a design studio.

An example of the stunning work possible with the help of their expertise is Bridget’s personal home which underwent an unbelievable renovation in only four short months. Bridget’s leading vision and creativity really shone in how she repurposed and reused many of the existing pieces of the home, by moving or modifying them. She also poured an incredible amount of detail into the decor, creating many art pieces herself, and designing whole rooms with specific people in mind. Thoughtful design shaped every single aspect of the renovation.

The decision to move came from a desire to be closer to family and friends. With kids at college and a husband who travels often for work, Bridget found herself wanting more community. “I wanted a place where I could walk and see my friends,” explains Bridget. The home’s location is around the corner from her sister and a few of Bridget’s good friends live in the same neighborhood, so when Bridget heard the house was selling, she was immediately interested. The floor plan, windows, tall ceilings, and downstairs bar all piqued her interest, and the gorgeous landscaping and location across from a driving range cemented the decision. “It felt like something I could do and make it my own,” she explains. Bridget and her family moved in at the very end of May 2025. Renovations began immediately, and after four short months, were completed just in time for Bridget to put her new home on CPABLE’s Holiday Home Walk.

One of the largest changes Bridget made to her new home was the lighting. She wanted to brighten up the entire home, so she worked with Mark Bachmeier from 369 Electric to run new electric throughout the home’s interior and exterior. In addition, Bridget ended up replacing almost all the lighting, opting for brighter LEDs.

One area of the home Bridget had not originally intended on renovating was the kitchen, as the cabinets were well-made and not in need of an update. However, as she was in the space more, she realized some practical adjustments were needed to optimize its function. While remodeling the kitchen, she repurposed the old cabinets and brought in new ones, seamlessly blending the two different styles. To help with this, Bridget enlisted the help of Mike Ness, owner of Creative Wood Designs. Mike and his team designed and installed thin frame wood door cabinets alongside the previous cabinets and chose a rift white oak with a stained finish. To polish off the look, they applied a glaze and a zero sheen top coat. They also enhanced the functionality of the kitchen by adding a utensil organizer to the left of the range and a spice pullout to the right. With repurposing in mind, Bridget also saved and reused all the original appliances.

The other important element of the kitchen remodel was adding in a window. “Brandon Leingang and Josh Fleckenstein from Heritage Exteriors came in, and I explained I wanted this floor-to-ceiling window. I want to see why I bought this house,” Bridget explains. “Now, I can literally be in my front yard and look through to see my whole backyard.”

In the living room, Bridget renovated the existing fireplace to make it fit her style better. Originally, the mantel sat 14 inches higher. Bridget pulled it down, rearranging the stonework, and repainted it. She also

“WHEREVER WE ARE, WITH WHATEVER WE ARE DOING, I WANT IT TO REFLECT ME AND MY FAMILY”

repainted the adjacent bookshelves. The artwork that hangs in the living room is a Bridget original. “Before I was married and had this business I loved painting and artwork,” tells Bridget. “When we got here, my husband said, ‘I love the stuff you sell at the shop, but could you make something for the house,’ so then I made the two art pieces upstairs in the living room.”

The basement of Bridget’s new home received no less attention. One of her husband Nathan’s favorite things to do is to entertain friends at their place. The bar in the basement was the perfect place to create a unique entertaining space just for him. Bridget created a logo and name for the bar, “Buff’s Brews,” named for Nathan’s friends’ nickname for him- Buffalo Head. The map above the couch was created by Bridget as well and shows the different places he has been in the world. Bridget even designed coasters and cups with the Buff’s Brews logo to make it feel even more like a real bar.

Next to the bar is a cleverly hidden wine room. Wine corks line the ceiling, many of them contributions from previous clients to personalize the space. On the wall is a mural of old sheets of paper Bridget found in books she thrifted. “I filled it with a lot of meaningful things,” she explains.

The inspiration for this project came from the moment, grounded by decades of experience. “Wherever we are, with whatever we are doing, I want it to reflect me and my family,” Bridget explains. The attention to detail and passion is not limited to Bridget’s personal projects. She loves getting to know her clients on a personal level to better tailor her designs to their lifestyles, like she was able to do with her own personal home. For Bridget, design is personal to her and her talent for design means she can make it personal for anyone.

J MARIE DESIGN & EPIC BUILT

One of the joys of homeownership and design is making a house your own. You can fill it with the colors, textures, and patterns that bring you the most joy. Under the expert guidance of Jean Holwagner, owner of J Marie Design, and Tom Seifert, with Epic Built, these homeowners were able to take this vibrant home and through a remodel, insert their personal styles with elegance and timelessness.

After purchasing the home, the new homeowner first reached out to Tom Seifert with the idea of a remodel that would preserve the colorful character of the home while still bringing it up to date and making it their

BEFORE

own. After pulling up images of the home, Tom immediately saw the potential. “I was like, we want to be a part of this,” he recalls. “That home has so much character, even just on the outside.” Tom brought Jean onto the project, and after meeting with the homeowner, she knew this was going to be a fun project. “The homeowners’ personalities are very fun, energetic, and colorful,” she describes. “The first time I met the homeowner he had fun colored socks on. I knew right away that this was going to be a beautiful marriage and fun to work on.” The remodel took about eight months to complete, and once it was finished, the homeowners and their family were able to move into a beautiful space designed uniquely for them.

What originally drew the homeowners to this home was its bright and playful personality, so they wanted to preserve that tone. They also needed a home that would function well for a family of six kids, one with disabilities. With both function and design in mind, Tom and Jean worked together throughout the remodel to fulfill the homeowner’s vision.

Built in 1965, the home reflects both the era it was built in and the eccentric taste of the previous owners. “We were inspired by the previous owners,” describes Tom. “They gave us the courage to be bold in our choices which I think is the beauty of this home.” On the main floor, the remodel changes were mainly cosmetic, while the basement needed to be gutted and refinished. An addition, phase two of the remodel, has just been started, and will include an indoor pool.

On the main floor, Jean was careful to choose what would blend well with what was original to the home. “That was the fun part of it,” she tells. “We were really able to redo a little, but a lot of what you see, like the built-ins, were here.”

Over 20 different Sherwin Williams colors were used to update spaces, creating an elegant vibrancy. In the dining room, Jean put up a wallpaper that pulls together all the various paint tones into one statement piece, and then used the kitchen and dining room as inspiration for the rest of the home.

For the bedrooms, Jean asked for input from the children to personalize their spaces as much as possible. With the kids’ help, she designed colorful rooms with whimsical patterns, fun textures, and effortlessly cozy atmospheres. Function also played a large role in the bedrooms. In the primary suite, a door in the closet connects the bedroom to the next bedroom, for ease of access between the parents and their son with special needs. “It’s fun when you can work on a home like that,” describes Tom.

Jean is a master of many design styles, talented at embracing the character of homes and truly giving her clients what they want. She was careful to allow the beauty of each room to shine through the changes she made. “She doesn’t have a style she will ever force on a client, and that’s one of the joys of working with her,” expresses Tom. Walking through the home, while you can tell it was expertly designed, you would not be able to guess the designer behind it, as Jean keeps the process about her clients. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years, and I pride myself on that,” she explains. “I really get to know my clients well, understanding who they are and what they want. It really is not about me at all. It’s the things they love, the places they’ve been, what tells the story about their lives and their home.”

In this way, Jean is able to bring out the best of any home she works in. Particularly for this home, it is impossible to tell what was kept and what was brought in new, as Jean expertly blended the two together. Many of the light fixtures are new, while the tile flooring is original and the white oak wood floor is new. All the hardware throughout the house has been redone, while the wood shutters are original. The crown molding and wall texture in the home is all original as well, just refreshed with a new paint coat. Overall, the home’s distinct traditional style pairs beautifully with the playful design. “The modern English home elegantly blends the charm of traditional English aesthetics with contemporary elements to create spaces that are stylish and timeless,” describes Jean. “It’s been a labor of love.”

COASTAL CONDO REFRESH

Asimple update can bring an outdated home into a more stylish time period. Through a few impactful changes, a home can open up, expand in space, and fill with light. From changes as small as paint to as large as taking down walls, there are affordable ways to improve the layout, function, and style of any home. In this remodel, the homeowners took the time to update their dark and dated townhome into a sleek coastal retreat all within a budget.

When the homeowners first bought the townhome in August of 2024, they talked about the possibility of a remodel in the future, but liked the home as it was. When plans for a hot tub were thrown out by her husband, the homeowner saw her opportunity for a larger remodel of the interior. After creating a budget, the two were able to begin planning for a coastal refresh.

The homeowner generaled the renovation herself with the help of her nephew who owns his own construction company. Before the renovation, the home’s design was early 2000s, with dark browns, dated fixtures, and limited space in the kitchen and dining room. The homeowner wanted the home’s interior to draw inspiration from its exterior location on the water with a light coastal theme that would open up more space in the layout.  BEFORE

To make the home feel more stylish, the homeowner changed out light fixtures and fans and put in new white oak flooring. Cabinets were changed to a warm off-white color that feels bright and welcoming. The countertops in the kitchen are also updated, but with a more affordable material option than quartz to keep the project within budget. The countertops blend in well with the rest of the house and look high-end without the price tag. An undermount sink brings a sense of elegance to the space. A geometric backsplash in the kitchen was the homeowner’s way of doing something different that was still fashionable. “We wanted some different contours, not too crazy, but just subtle enough,” she describes. With the help of Imperial Flooring, they chose this tile that also went up around the fireplace.

Space was made in the kitchen by adding more counter space and cabinet space. Where was once a half-wall is now a stylish railing which opens up the space both visually and functionally. The fireplace and bookshelves in the living room also received a remodel both cosmetic and functional. What used to be a large bulky archway with shelves around a fireplace now looks sleek, modern, and is set back for more space in the living room.

Another cosmetic change the homeowner made was covering up a dated wall with arched built-in mirrors. “We called it the confessional because that’s what it reminded us of,” jokes the homeowner. To compromise on budget and design, the homeowner designed a slab wall that covers the pre-existing wall for a statement piece that better reflects her personal style.

Through a series of affordable and simple changes, the homeowner was able to convert her outdated townhome into a stylish retreat for her and her husband. Remodeling is not just for a large budget, but can be achieved with any budget through creative, outside-the-box solutions and a well thought out design.

HOME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER

Sparling Construction is known in the Bismarck-Mandan region for high-quality construction and remodels. To them, your dream home is a reality waiting to happen, and with years of experience to back their passion, they have been delivering stunning homes to clients for years. Todd Freitag, owner, and Lindsey Freitag, owner and CFO, recently decided to renovate their personal house, turning it into their dream home.

Todd first purchased the home twelve years ago before he first met Lindsey. The home’s original design was contemporary with a traditional, closed floor plan and despite the 5,000+ square feet, only had three bedrooms. After meeting and marrying Lindsey nearly nine years ago, the couple began renovating the home

in stages, before the most recent large remodel. Lindsey wanted the remodel done before their next child’s graduation in May of 2024. With construction beginning May 10th of 2023, the timeline was tight. “I said, I’ll get it done, and she goes, I hope so,” recalls Todd. “I knew I had to live up to it, so the last week or two there were literally 10 or 12 vans out front… We made it with about two days to spare.”

While the remodel was ongoing, Lindsey and Todd managed to continue living there by staying in their garage. They made the best of it, installing a kitchen they still use for entertaining, and creating a living room, dining room, and sleeping area. They spent Christmas there and were able to host dinners at their large dining room table which had seating for 25 people. The sacrifice was well worth it in the end, when they were able to move back into their home after spending painstaking hours designing and remodeling.  BEFORE

The remodel took into account both structural and cosmetic changes. They adjusted rooflines, bearing points, rethinking not only the layout and the design, but also how the home comes together from an engineering standpoint.

Redesigning the layout was a major component of the remodel. Both Todd and Lindsey wanted an open floor plan with additional bedrooms. They went from three bedrooms to six, building two additions to the back of the home, using every square inch of their space. It was important to both of them to have a space large enough to host their entire family. “My favorite part about it is having the space for our family and having the kitchen to be able to cook and provide for them because that’s my love language, food for everyone,” explains Lindsey.

The Freitags plan on this home being their forever home, so they also planned for the future when designing it. They installed ramps up to the decks both on the front and back of the home which help their older parents access the home, but also ensure it’s a home they can safely live in for the remainder of their lives together. “Sparling’s motto

The Faces of Spaces. Stop in to meet Lisa, Mikenna, and Delaney for assistance on your 2026 Project. Interior Design. Furniture. Flooring.

is live better at the same address, but Go Universal’s [our accessibility & aging-in-place company] motto is live longer and safer at the same address,” says Lindsey. They also designed a closet by the garage that can be turned into an elevator someday if the need should arise. “We built [the home] for the future and accessibility as we age,” explains Lindsey.

Because the Freitags plan on living here for the longterm, they poured a lot of love and hard work into the home’s construction. They both grew up on farms and enjoy spending time outdoors, so it was important to bring that feel to their home. A wide variety of woods and wood tones can be seen throughout the home, and they all work together for an elegant take on the modern farmhouse style.

The location of the home was important to both Lindsey and Todd, which is why a remodel made far more sense than moving. “It was really important that we could have a bigger lot and the farm kid in us could have acreage, but we really love the feel of water and being on the water,” explains Todd. For Lindsey, the location of the home is reminiscent of where she grew up which has water, a woods, and a horsepark all within sight of the house. “I grew up in the country on a farm in Minnesota, so we had trees and horses and cattle,” says Lindsey. With their years of experience in remodeling homes, the couple knew they could take their vision for the home and make it reality.

“WE HAD A LOT OF FUN THROUGH THE DESIGN AND THROUGH THE BUILDOUT, AND WE CAN’T THINK OF MUCH WE WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY OR REGRET. WE DID EVERYTHING RIGHT AND DIDN’T COMPROMISE.”

A million different details make this home truly unique. The statement tree wall is composed of trees brought over from Lindsey’s childhood home and her family farm. “We wanted to bring Minnesota home,” describes Lindsey. “Our motto is home is on both sides of the river because I am from Minnesota, and he’s from North Dakota.” Barnwood from a collapsed barn on Lindsey’s family farm was used to frame mirrors, a fireplace, and as the material for a shiplap wall. When it came to finding the perfectly rusted metal, it was impossible to find truly rusted metal that was not rotted or moldy. Todd’s brother Craig, project manager at Sparling Construction, bought new metal and tried to rust it himself. After trying just about everything, they bought vinegar, paprika, chili powder, created a rust-like powder, and lacquered it on the metal, creating a rust look with just a few simple ingredients. The different beams throughout the home were hand-crafted by them. Everything is well-built, high-end, and often custom-made. “A lot of craftsmanship went into this home,” describes Todd.

The home has been exactly what Lindsey and Todd wanted, with several spaces perfect for entertaining family and friends, easy access to outdoor spaces, an open floor plan, and luxurious finishes meant to make everyday living better. “The house is way more than we thought it would be because it turned out so perfect,” expresses Lindsey. While the process was daunting at times, it was worth it, and they even had some fun along the way. “It was actually quite enjoyable doing it with my wife, my soulmate,” describes Todd. “We had a lot of fun through the design and through the buildout, and we can’t think of much we would do differently or regret. We did everything right and didn’t compromise.”

Heat Meets High Design with

Fireplaces are no longer just a heat source, they’re a design statement, and at Coldspring Stoneyard, innovation and craftsmanship are redefining what a hearth can be.

Coldspring’s fireplace team, including sales specialist Wayne McMahen and installer Josh Foley, recently completed two projects that showcase just how far fireplace technology has come. The first fireplace features the newest electric offering from DaVinci: a 51-inch holographic model that projects flames from a hidden screen above, using an angled lens to create remarkably lifelike movement across the logs. Homeowners can change nearly every element, from flame color and ember glow to backlighting, making it one of the most customizable electric options on the market. Available in sizes ranging from 39 to 71 inches, it’s designed to fit both new builds and remodels.

For the homeowners, realism was an important factor when choosing their model. “We had a wood burning fireplace in this spot. The house was built in the 70s and it was very dated,” the homeowner explains. “We didn’t really use the wood burning fireplace. We don’t have natural gas in the area so that wasn’t an option. I didn’t want a bad looking fireplace, and this one is just so nice. We have it on every night.” Another standout feature is the

non-combustible concrete mantel from Minnesota

Concrete, which can be installed at virtually any height. “We looked at a lot of electric fireplaces, and this was by far the best one we found as far as realistic flames, the different options you have with it. This was the best one we came across, I don’t even think it was close,” adds the homeowner.

In the second home, Coldspring installed a 48-inch Boulevard linear gas fireplace by White Mountain Hearth. Featuring a hammered iron forged frame in pewter, a bronze liner, broken fire glass, and underbed halogen lighting, the fireplace blends rustic character with modern polish. “Once the weather cooled off it’s been on every day,” the homeowner said. Having owned gas fireplaces before, she knew immediately it was the right fit: “I loved the forged look on the outside. We were going rustic in a sense but not overly, and this fireplace complemented the rest of the house perfectly.”

From cutting-edge electric holograms to timeless gas designs, Coldspring continues to bring warmth, style, and innovation to homes across the region.

Crafting Dreams, Building Futures

J.E. Builders’ philosophy is to build homes with a team approach, addressing the client’s wants and needs. We emphasize and achieve practical results in a timely and skillful manner.