Inspired Home Spring 2026

A FRESH APPROACH TO HOME & LIFE

get a fresh start

All the brands you’ve always wanted. Stressless, Skovby, BDI, Copeland and much more. Browse our 41,000 sq ft showroom!

SPRING

36

SHOWCASE

This family’s love of the mountains and skiing offered an opportunity to incorporate a touch of Montana mountain charm into the design of their new lake home while staying true to the beauty of the Minnesota lakes country. Read about the journey of the builder, designer and homeowner.

DEPARTMENTS

10 GARDEN

The anticipation of getting back to our gardens is at an all-time high. Your floral gardens possess “flower power.” Bring their beauty indoors to create a personalized still life. Fresh flowers and meaningful memorabilia have the power to evoke positive emotions.

16 OUTDOOR LIFE

The word patio no longer accurately describes the backyard experience. Transform your urban backyard or lakeside setting into a space where you can gather, reflect, or simply escape from the daily grind. Travel to Italy with Inspired Home to enjoy the beauty of living life outdoors, inspired by nature itself.

26 ELEMENTS

Say hello to the new neutrals, and their use is not about a return to beige or greige. Think beyond classic neutrals–think nature-inspired tones. Muted greens, dusty pinks, deep terracotta and sandy mushroom beiges are all perfect hues to form the base of any design scheme.

54 INGREDIENTS

Bread-making can be intimidating, discouraging many would-be bread bakers. For those who love fresh artisanal bread, this recipe is for you! Reminiscent of bread you might find wrapped in brown paper in a European bakery, this simple Dutch oven recipe is as delicious as its good looks.

58 CUISINE

Road trip! Follow along as Chef Granville takes us across the country for the finest tastes and sights spring has to offer. From the bluebonnet-covered Texas Hill Country to the Austin, Texas, Food and Wine Festival and cross-country to Sonoma Valley wine country–it’s all here!

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DESIGN

The sauna is a crucial ritual in many cultures worldwide. Much more than a place for physical cleansing, the deep social bonding in this tranquil space offers an equalizing and purposeful time spent. One local architect and two area residents share their skills for design and compassion.

Welcome to the Inspired Home Spring issue!

Just inside these pages, we offer ideas and gain insight from some of the most influential people in their field of design as it relates to our everyday experiences. You’ll learn how area architects, gourmet chefs, interior designers and landscape architects all share the same driving passion and desire to create.

Area homeowners are cautiously waiting in the infamous turf countdown, waiting for that first drag of their rake that won’t harm tender grass shoots emerging. Shedding winter’s residue and anticipating a fresh emerald green carpet below our feet is something we all can relate to. Our backyard outdoor spaces are also gearing up for a new season of experiences for family and friends. We’ll share with you the Italian architectural design and beauty of bringing the indoors out again, in comfort and style.

Local architects, builders, and designers all play vital roles as we enter the warmer season. In this issue, you will discover how the mountains of Montana inspired a family and a local builder to turn that love into a lakeside lodge. From mountain skiing to Minnesota lake country, comfort and enjoying quality time with others rule for this homeowner and family.

It will soon be garden season, and in this issue, we learn the positive influence flowers have on our health and well-being. Creating a floral indoor still life using fresh flowers and a couple of treasured items displayed brings flower power.

We have so much more to share with you, so sit back, put your feet up and relax as you read the Inspired Home Spring issue!

Terri Ferragut

Associate Publisher

Editorial

Director

terri.ferragut@gmail.com terri@inspiredhomemagazine.com

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

Terri Ferragut

Creative Director

Terri Ferragut

Art Director Kaitlyn Iezzi

Director of Operations

Scott Drzewiecki

Contributing Photographers

Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

Lauren Ferragut Carlson

Angela Dirkes, Dirkes Digital Media

Sarah Olson

Kinsey Wallace

Gabriel Ferragut

Contributing Writers

Lauren Ferragut Carlson

Terri Ferragut

Ashley Ferragut Johnson

Granville Wood

Copy Editor

Keri Guten Cohen

Production representative

161 MPB 18530 Mack Avenue Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 (313) 510-4429

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.

ANGELA DIRKES

Angela has been delivering imagery that elevates listings, strengthens branding, and captures attention for over 20+ years. Her work appears biannually on the Parade of Homes cover and throughout regional marketing. Known for reliability, artistry, and standout results, she remains a trusted visual partner for businesses and homeowners alike.

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss is a photographer for architecture and interior design. Her clients range from designers and builders, both commercial and residential. When she's not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, traveling and entertaining.

LAUREN F. CARLSON

After spending eight years in Upstate New York at Cornell University researching hemp and willow for bioenergy, Carlson, her husband and daughter moved back to Fargo, North Dakota, where they were born and raised. She is currently employed by the USDA in sunflower improvement research. She loves hiking with her family, knitting, running, cross-stitching and Scandinavian baking.

SARAH OLSON

A career in the interior design world, along with a genuine passion for connection, led Sarah here to Inspired Home magazine. She loves date nights (or days) with her husband, walks with her dog, nature photography and time with her sweet and comical cats – always entertaining! She also enjoys listening to podcasts, reading, yoga/ Pilates, antiquing, traveling, watching a captivating television show, and a good citrusy IPA.

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, two teenage 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.

KINSEY WALLACE

Kinsey is a seasoned real estate photographer and agent with over 5 years of experience in capturing properties and helping clients find their dream homes. Kinsey also serves as the exclusive sales representative and designer for Red Leaf Custom Homes. An avid DIY enthusiast, she often spends her free time working on home improvement projects. She loves exploring new destinations, traveling to unique places and enjoys the great outdoors through gardening and camping.

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.

Flower power... positive energies

BY TERRI FERRAGUT

The arrival of spring brings increased sunlight, a warmer breeze and a new cycle of change. Nature begins a harmonious blend of environmental cues that set into motion the beginning of seasonal transformation. Beautiful, fresh blooms and greenery are well on their way.

Biophilic design principles (bringing nature indoors) integrate nature into environments that can foster health and well-being. Creating personal connections to nature through elements such as natural light, plants, water, natural materials, organic shapes, and views creates restorative spaces. A fundamental interior design technique that serves both aesthetic and psychological purposes is creating a still life vignette, using fresh flowers, greenery and perhaps, treasured art pieces. There is power in the simple beauty of flowers. Incorporating a floral still life in your home or office is a positive practice because it combines scientifically backed health benefits and the sheer joy of simply viewing them.

FLORAL THERAPY BENEFITS

• Biophilic design (bringing nature indoors) is proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

• “Floral Therapy” is a multi-sensory experience of sight, touch, and smell.

• Enhanced cognitive function, productivity and creativity are improved by floral integration.

• The visual movement of greenery provides organic, asymmetrical lines that break up the boxy shape of furniture and the architecture of our home or office.

• Plants add visual weight as an accent color and texture that grounds the design scheme of any room.

• Plants act as a natural air filter, removing toxins and increasing oxygen levels in your indoor environment.

• Still life arrangements with live plants help us stay connected to nature’s changing seasons.

Choose your personal and favorite items to create a special floral still life. Adding multiple textures with assorted vases adds design depth.

STYLING COMPANIONS

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your living room and bring the beauty of the season into your home. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to do this is by styling your coffee table or bookshelves with fresh flowers and spring-inspired decor. Tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths from your garden or purchased will create a beautiful and inviting spring vignette that will set the tone for the entire room. Mix natural materials such as woven baskets, wood beads, smooth ceramics, glass cloches, and metallic accents. Consider pops of pastel hues. Blush pink, soft yellow, sage green, or sky blue in flowers, vases, books, or decorative accents will be a welcome greeting from Spring. Remember the “rules of three.” Although it's tempting to go overboard, keep it simple and uncluttered; less is more. Create a simple yet impactful vignette with 3-5 carefully chosen items that show your personal interests. Clutter-free styling lets the beauty of your handselected pieces shine. Consider also the scale of your area and the placement of your vignette. Consider the room as a whole, and choose decor that looks balanced and proportionate for the space. Experiment and enjoy the process. Keep it fresh and simple. Let the flower power energy and your personally styled spring vignette put a smile on your face–every time you enter the room.

Happy Spring!

Travel with Inspired Home to Puligio, the Salento peninsula, nestled in the southern “heel” of the Italian boot—a popular cultural and historical area. Here, centuries of culture, tradition and natural beauty blend with the modern rhythm of Italian life.

Get inspired by the beauty of the country and the sophistication of Ethimo Italian garden furniture.

Living life outdoors

BY ASHLEY FERRAGUT JOHNSON PHOTOS COURTESY ETHIMO*

Surrounded by natural elements, solitude and relaxation are welcomed by furniture that interprets outdoor living.

As nightfall slowly approaches, it marks the end of yet another warm weather day. The sky softens and melts into the warm, pink-and-orange horizon, and there is no better view of the sorbet sunset than from your own backyard. In today’s lifestyles, we are expanding our living rooms and entertaining spaces beyond the four walls of our homes and bringing them out into the great outdoors. Spending more time in outdoor living spaces expands the home’s footprint and allows families to enjoy more nature, sunshine, and to entertain in a whole new way. Gone are the days when backyard living was limited to choosing a picnic table and the pattern of fold-up lawn chairs. Now you can create a dramatic outdoor space that is so chic and sophisticated that it truly feels like a comfortable extension of your home.

Ethimo garden furniture collections draw inspiration from Mediterranean lifestyles and expert craftsmanship.

A beautiful collection in pickled teak– a design approach focused on contemporary simplicity.

The term patio no longer accurately describes the backyard experience and outdoor living areas are no longer a second thought. These spaces have become the largest room of the home, whether in new construction or exterior updates. Statistics show that the added value a well-designed outdoor living area brings to a home is substantial and ultimately a wise investment. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to know exactly what to look for in your outdoor furniture setting. However, it is essential to recognize that the pieces you integrate outside your home are just as important as the furniture you place inside. By investing in your outdoor entertaining space, you are opening up your backyard to limitless possibilities.

Living the summer and spending time in relaxation and comfort is a unique experience. Whether a city terrace, lakeside, or a private garden, outdoor furniture matters. Natural materials, clean lines and refined details make every open-air moment an opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Living in harmony with nature in a tailored outdoor living space is a well-balanced mix of beauty, nature, culture and tradition that comes together to grace your surroundings. Specific finishes on furniture are created for different terrains, and quality fabrics become artistic tools to furnish and personalize any open-air space.

outdoor life

Enjoy the beauty and sophistication of living life outdoors, inspired by nature itself. From the most private sanctuary to the most spacious setting, the benefits and comfort of fresh air and sunshine are within your reach. Boosting our mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving our mood, and increasing our vitamin D intake from sunshine will lead to better sleep, focus, and overall well-being. Lowering cortisol and blood pressure, combating inflammation, and enhancing our memory and creativity are worthwhile endeavors that can be fueled by the outdoor experience.

outdoor life

Inspired by the urban elegance of 19th-century railings, a refined rhythm of aluminum slats creates an enveloping shape.

Transform your urban backyard or your lakeside setting into a place to gather with friends, to reflect in silence, or simply to escape from the daily grind. With the right furnishings and a creative eye, those beautiful sunset colors at dusk are just the beginning of life well lived.

*Ethimo, an eco-friendly builder of quality contemporary outdoor furniture, is made in the Lazio region of Italy, near the southern border of Tuscany. Inspired by the Mediterranean landscapes and their colors, they create pieces for elegant and sustainable outdoor living that are enjoyed worldwide.

Neutral is nice…

BY TERRI FERRAGUT

Color drenching, an immersive design technique, bathes a room in related hues, creating drama and comfort.

Aneutral color scheme is among the most timeless, creating a calming space that aligns with many interior design styles, from traditional to modern. Neutral does not have to mean bland, and the use of them in an interior setting is not about a return to beige or greige, but about warmer, natural shades

in the home to create longevity. Neutral hues feel soothing and pair well with bare wood finishes, touches of rattan, and textures like unglazed ceramics. Perfect for use in design for contemporary and traditional settings, these versatile neutral hues work well in a color-drenched room as an alternative to white or grey.

Think beyond classic neutrals. The new neutral paint hues are transitioning to warm and earthy, nature-inspired tones–muted greens (sage, olive, khaki), dusty pinks, deep terracotta, sandy mushroom beiges, and rich browns, adding warmth and character. Designers are championing the range of soft colors, dubbed the new neutrals, that form the base of a design scheme. When using these new neutrals, consider color drenching. This interior design technique involves using a single color on nearly every surface in the room, including walls, ceilings, trim, and even furniture, for a contemporary look. You can use the same hue or varying colors in the same family. A singular-color approach feels immersive and cohesive. Color drenching a neutral space can be visually stunning, especially if you play with the sheen of the

paint to add dimension to the space. Think higher sheen on a ceiling and moldings, highest sheen on trim, and lowest sheen on your main walls.

TEXTURE

When decorating with a restrained neutral color palette, it's important to add depth and interest through texture. Whether through nubby boucle soft furnishings that help create a cozy space or natural materials like solid wood, stone, or ceramic art, all layers of texture can serve as a point of interest in your neutral room. The texture of wood grain, combined with the sparkle of a glass sculpture or the shimmer of a metal accessory, all add up to warmth and calm. Although the space may be neutral in color, there will be many design elements to enjoy.

YOUR DREAM KITCHEN BEGINS HERE

A singular-color approach feels immersive and cohesive.

PLAYFUL SHAPES

Rich textures enhance a neutral scheme, and you can also experiment with adding various shapes through décor. Unique shapes like curved sofas, roughly textured organic wooden tables, a textured rug, scalloped pillows, and artwork are a few of the many options to consider. If you're working with a flat wall surface, try mimicking traditional architectural features such as wall paneling, picture rails, or decorative moulding. Adding a three-dimensional element to the wall will add depth and visual interest to an otherwise flat surface.

Disrupt a room positively by incorporating something interesting and unexpected as a design element. Well-matched colors throughout can look bland, but adding something a bit surprising can be just what's needed to create a room’s personality. Incorporate cheery, bright pillows to create a playful pop of color amid the neutral tones. Try introducing brighter colors in small doses as accents by painting a console, door frame, or the inside of a cabinet for a lovely surprise whenever you open it. Adding a few bold, eye-catching pieces, like a cool light fixture or a statement piece of art, creates visual interest. Continue the room's personality by layering in textures, patterns, and colors through furniture and accessories. From using the right neutral paint to layering in textures and a pop of bold color for depth, you will add excitement and new life to your room, allowing all who enter to benefit from its sophisticated calm and its peaceful presence.

lake Lodge on the

BY TERRI FERRAGUT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA DIRKES

Lake Eunice, in Becker County, Minnesota, may not be the largest or most famous of the familiar Land of 10,0000 Lakes fame, but to Chris Hoffmann, the clear waters, gentle hills and woodlands define the comfort of home and respite.

No matter where his agricultural career led him, no matter his location, “home was Lake Eunice.” Hoffmann shares, “I would travel hours out of my way to get back to my grandparents’ small cabin for the weekend.”

Hoffmann’s new lake home is built on the site where his grandparents’ seasonal cabin once stood. Living on Lake Eunice and enjoying its beautiful setting had always been a part of his life. When considering a new build on the same site, the decision was easy. He wanted a quality home built to last a lifetime, one that would allow his family the same love of lake and land–a home he could establish to pass on to his children.

The initial meeting with Bob Kochmann, Co-Founder of the award-winning Kochmann Homes and Darrick Guthmiller, President, was a result of a recommendation from Hoffmann’s friend, whose lake home on Island Lake, in Becker County, had been designed and built by Kochmann Brothers. Hoffmann, after viewing his friend’s home, realized a call to the builders was his next step in beginning the exciting journey of a new build. In the initial meeting with Kochmann and Guthmiller, expectations were made clear. Hoffman wanted to take advantage of the lake view and create a rustic lodge aesthetic where family and friends felt comfortable walking right in without removing their shoes.

Design and architecture were important to Hoffmann from the initial meeting with Guthmiller. The family’s love of the mountains and skiing offered an opportunity to incorporate a touch of Montana mountain charm into the new home while staying true to the beauty of the Minnesota lakes country. After viewing the first lodge-type design option, Hoffmann knew right away, “and we moved ahead from there,” Guthmiller adds. With the seasoned expertise of both Christina Mehl, owner and principal designer of Design Direction, and Kochmann Brothers Homes, the plans for a cozy and

modern family lodge began to take beautiful shape. “From there, Hoffmann’s design preference was incorporated into all the finishes– all the selections that were made with Christina were on point,” Guthmiller shares.

Using quality, rustic materials was important to the homeowner. The flooring, stairs, and fireplace mantle, all crafted from antique wood, possess stunning patina created by age. Ron Holstrom Antique Floors in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, supplied the reclaimed antique wood and crafted the dramatic twelve-foot dining table made of antique longleaf heart pine.

“The reclaimed wide-plank wood flooring looks as though it’s been there for decades,

adding warmth and authenticity, while the ceiling beams introduce another layer of character,” Mehl says. The interplay of Birchwood Cobblestone rock, used in the stunning fireplace and exteriors of the home, creates breathtaking rustic beauty and architectural continuity. Mehl agrees, “The wood-burning fireplace, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows, is impressive and offers stunning lake views and the cozy ambiance that only a real fireplace can provide.”

To balance the heavier design elements, Mehl selected light fixtures with soft curves that bring a sense of ease to the space. She adds, “The textured wallpaper and thoughtfully sourced furnishings—found by the client—complete

the room, resulting in a welcoming, ‘come sit and stay awhile’ atmosphere.” In other areas of the home, the main bathrooms continue the thoughtful detailing, featuring open vanities with wall-mounted faucets, concrete vessel sinks, and warm gray wall tile.

Design features that Mehl describes as “stand-out moments” throughout the home are the flooring, fireplace, and lighting in the rustic-style wine cellar on the lower level. There, custom metalwork designed for the wine cellar doors creates a palpable “old-world feel.” Playful exterior design elements that she appreciates are the gas-powered lanterns flanking the front door entrance. “I imagine they cast a beautiful glow that gives the home a special presence.”

The Hoffmanns, all settled in and prepared for another warm season of all that lake living has to offer, will center around the comfort of this Montana mountain lodge-inspired home. And in the words of Mehl, “It’s a home that doesn’t just welcome you in, it invites you to stay.

Contributors

Architectural Design, General Contractor:

Kochmann Brothers Homes, Inc.

Bob Kochmann, Co-Founder

Darrick Guthmiller, President

Interior Design: Design Direction

Christina Mehl, Principal Designer

Cabinets, Countertops, Closet Shelving: Poss Cabinets

Wood Flooring Supplier, Mantle: Ron Holstrom

Installer: Brandon Johnson

Dining Table: Ron Holstrom Furniture Maker

Fireplace, Gas Lanterns: Home & Hearth

Plumbing: Home Heating & Plumbing

Shower Doors: Frontier Glass

Siding/Gutters:

Lemke Home Improvements

Brick Flooring:

Hebron Brick

Brick & Tile Installer: Dean Qualley Tile

Marvin Windows, Patio Doors: Crane-Johnson

Masonry Supplier: Dakota Wall Systems

Installer: Buckley Masonry

Electrical: Livewire Electrical

Heating/Cooling: Comfort Masters

Lighting: Valley Lights

S t u n n i n g c o l o r s e l e c t i o n

C o u n t e r t o p s e r v i c e & r e p a i r

C o u n t e r t o p s e r v i c e & r e p a i r

S

S

Dynamics

BY TERRI FERRAGUT IMAGES COURTESY DYNAMIC HOMES

Through wind, rain and snow… is a familiar phrase coined when characterizing the dependability of the United States Postal Service. With Dynamic Homes, their mission is not merely a catchy ‘sounds good’ tagline–it has been their successful and dependable mode of operation for over 55 years. Their guiding north star is ‘Build for Life.’ As a custom builder specializing in modular homes, with over 10,000 homes constructed across the Upper Midwest, they’ve earned the title.

Headquartered in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Dynamic Homes uses a building system in which components are precision-engineered in a 110,000-square-foot, climate-controlled factory to avoid weather-related damage and delays. They offer more than 34 standard floor plans, and nearly 90% of their projects are custom-designed. From chalets and cabins to two-story and ramblers – speed, productivity, customization, and energy efficiency are the building blocks of their acceptance and success.

Home of a

Designed with a graceful contemporary aesthetic, this lake home blends beautifully with its natural surroundings.

Nick Omberg, territory sales manager, enjoys the process of building and selling Dynamic Homes, from working with their dealers and their customers to seeing the house roll down the production line. “Giving a tour to the homeowners as their home is being built is one of my favorite parts of my job,” he adds. Faster construction time due to its climate-controlled environment shortens the build’s completion timeline. “The ability for our customers to realize their dream home in a few months is why people choose a qualitybuilt Dynamic Home,” shares Omberg.

Omberg is proud of its dealers, “All of our dealers do a fantastic job promoting and selling our homes.  We couldn’t be more pleased with their efforts.” Tyler Drewes, second-generation custom home builder and owner of Up North Home Construction in Perham, Minnesota, partners as a dealer with Dynamic Homes. Drewes agrees with the quality of the homes, “Dynamic Homes delivers the highest overall quality home built inside a controlled environment for a guaranteed up-front price with unlimited customization potential.” Drewes adds, “The project is a prime example of the ability Dynamic Homes has to customize the interior and exterior as well as the floorplan.”

SOME DYNAMIC FACTS

Durability

Homes are built to the same International Residential Code (IRC) as traditional stick-built houses and are placed on permanent foundations with basements or a crawl space.

Faster Construction Time

Homes are built in a climate-controlled factory simultaneously with the on-site foundation work, eliminating weather delays and resulting in a move-in time that can be significantly quicker than traditional construction.

Energy Efficiency

Dynamic Homes are built with high R-factor insulation, energy-efficient windows, and 2x6 exterior walls, constructed to meet the Minnesota Energy Code, among the strictest in the country. Deeply committed to energy efficiency and the value of lower utility costs, they are an Energy Star Partner.

Superior Quality and Durability

The indoor construction environment protects materials from the elements and allows for stringent quality control inspections. The homes are engineered to be stronger and

A pleasing design and a delightful hidden function combine with this “walk-through” bookcase and storage cabinet.

Customization in design is an option that Dynamic Homes integrates into a majority of the homes they build.

more durable for transportation, with less air infiltration and enhanced structural integrity.

Customization

Nearly 90% of their clients’ homes are customized, using numerous options available for finishes, fixtures, and amenities to fit personal needs and styles. Customers may modify existing floor plans or design a home from the beginning.

Cost Efficiency

The streamlined, system-built process reduces material waste and labor costs, making the homes more affordable than site-built alternatives. The company also offers fixed costs on the modular components, which helps with budget planning.

Pride is apparent in Omberg’s voice as he speaks about the homes the company builds. “Building a home is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner will have to make.  Our dealers and Dynamic Homes don’t take that responsibility lightly. Every home has a story and we are happy to be a part of it.”

Build Dynamic... Build for Life

Since 1970, Dynamic Homes has helped thousands of customers build the home of their dreams. From single-family homes to cabins, cottages and more, when you build with Dynamic, you can create a distinctive, yet affordable home designed to meet your needs, style, budget, and timeline. Choosing the right builder for your home is important. Once you see how Dynamic’s unique, system-built modular construction benefits you, the decision will be easy.

OUR POPULAR LAKER MODEL

1,736 SF, 3-bedroom, 2 bath home

9 ft ceilings throughout, with a vaulted great room

2-panel white oak interior doors

Rustic alder kitchen cabinets and boot bench, Montana maple cabinets in bathrooms

Electric fireplace in great room with hickory wrapped chase

Artisan bread, simply delicious

There is a lovely simplicity to this bread, which is betrayed by its artisanal looks.

Enjoying a delicious slice of fresh artisan-style bread with butter and jam is a perfect way to start your day.

Bread-making can be intimidating to a lot of us. A tedious encounter with yeast, including “proving” dough, punching it down, and shaping the loaf, all seem labor-intensive and timeconsuming, discouraging many would-be bread bakers. That said, I have always enjoyed making and baking bread. I actually love the process, the time and the patience it requires. And then I had a baby—that sort of changed…well, everything.

Once I settled into life as a new mom, I found myself in the kitchen baking again with baby in tow. I quickly learned that if I wanted to bake, it had to be easy, not too involved, yet flavorful and visually pleasing. Was it even possible? Yes! One of my favorite quick-bake recipes I discovered is a “no-knead” bread. I’m calling it an artisanal loaf because it is beautiful to look at, crusty and delicious.

No doubt about it, it is easier than making brownies from a box and easier than frying an egg (which I think is harder than it should be). This bread requires only four ingredients, one bowl and a small bit of time. That is it. I could make this bread between diaper changes with my eyes closed. And, actually, I have done just that.

There is a lovely simplicity to this bread, which is betrayed by its artisanal look and its delicious taste. Reminiscent of bread you might find wrapped in brown paper in a European bakery, Dutch oven bread is impressive in its good looks. The Dutch oven baking yields a beautiful brown crusty top and soft brown bottom.

When you cut into the loaf, it crunches and cracks with such audible force that it could wake a sleeping baby. I am speaking from experience. Letting the loaf rise or “prove” for up to 24 hours allows it to develop a rich and deep flavor, full of enticing air pockets. This bread does all the work for you and with zero intimidation. I hope you try it for yourself!

To our readers: Make this bread at home and send me a picture of your finished loaf. Email it to lauren.ferragut@gmail.com. We’ll post it on Facebook.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, yeast and gradually add warm water. Gently stir to combine the mixture.

Transfer the dough to a clean, ungreased, clear glass bowl, if possible. It’s easier to check the rising dough.

Gently mix all four ingredients until combined. Important tip: The dough will be very soft and sticky, but totally manageable.

I wait 24 hours for the dough to rise; it should appear doubled and bubbly. A longer wait results in more flavor.

Flour your hands to punch down and “shape” the sticky dough. Transfer to a floured piece of parchment paper.

DUTCH OVEN NO-KNEAD, ONE-BOWL BREAD

An easy way to make a delicious, crusty artisan loaf at home!

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. kosher salt or 1¾ tsp. table salt

1 tsp. active dry yeast

11/2 cups warm water

METHOD:

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and yeast. Gradually add warm water to the dry mixture and mix gently until all flour is incorporated and it forms a rough ball. (It will be sticky.)

Transfer dough to a large, ungreased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 18 to 24 hours, until the dough doubles and the surface is covered with tiny bubbles.

When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a 5-quart (or smaller) cast-iron pot with a lid inside the oven to heat thoroughly, about 30 minutes. Remove the Dutch oven and set it aside—use oven mitts!

Remove dough from bowl and place on a well-floured surface. Sprinkle the dough with a generous tablespoon of flour. Dust your hands, too! Punch down the dough and roughly shape it into a ball as best you can. The dough will be sticky. Place the formed ball of dough on parchment paper, big enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Lift the corners of the parchment paper and lower the dough into the hot pot.

Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place the bread on a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing.

Invite your friends for fresh bread and jam with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. They’ll be impressed!

I quickly learned that if I wanted to bake, it had to be easy, not too involved, yet flavorful and pleasant to the eye. Was it even possible?

Road TRip:

A Spring Food and Wine Revival

BY CHEF GRANVILLE WOOD

Spring is an elusive enigma, here in the far north. The weather Gods have their way with our emotions. Consistently warm afternoons and warm soil coming to life tease us relentlessly.

As a former chef in Florida, leading a kitchen with the mission of promoting regional American cuisine, we relied on out-of-state suppliers to offer wellrounded menus for both snowbirds and residents. We sourced veal from Wisconsin and acorn-fed pork from North Carolina. Soft-shell crabs arrived from Maryland, and crawfish, crab, and shrimp from Louisiana. Outstanding spring lamb came from Colorado. A variety of specialty fruits, vegetables, and cheeses were sourced from California, and in turn, Florida shipped fresh fish, spiny lobsters, and avocados north.

These were exciting times in the American culinary scene, and it wasn’t just food; wine was playing a role. My first trip to the Austin Food and Wine Festival was in the spring– a welcome respite from the Florida heat. I recommend everyone with a passion for wine and food to attend. Spring in Texas was an eye-opener. Blue Bonnets in the hills were blooming everywhere in the cool, dry weather. Aside from the food and wine, it created long-term

and Susan Auler pioneered the

relationships with other chefs, wine makers and purveyors. It was an intimate gathering of tweedy-bow-tie types, wine lovers, foodies, and chefs (a few of us were playfully referred to as the “Naughty Boys”). In the morning sessions, the “tweedies” would revel in stories of our antics of the previous evening on 6th Street in downtown Austin, the music capital of the world. While in Texas, I met Ed and Susan Auler of Fall Creek Winery, vintners of outstanding Chardonnays, Paula Lambert of the Mozzarella Company and Laura Chenel, California goat cheese savant. Chefs were reshaping traditional Hispanic dishes to a modern Southwest Cuisine–a culinary revolution like Cajun cuisine did, no BAM, just wow. Stephen Pyles at Routh Street Café and Dean Fearing at the Mansion on Turtle Creek were lighting up the Dallas culinary scene.

In Berkley, California, fifty years ago, Chez Panisse founder Alice Waters launched the first farm-to-table, locally sourced, organic and sustainable movement with her menu.

The Chez Panisse’s King Salmon Tartare with shaved salmon, fresh butter lettuce, cucumbers and avocados is a perfect example of farm-to-table fare.

Meanwhile, on the opposite Coast, it was spring every day. The access to fresh produce with a high consciousness for organic and sustainable foods, from chickens to carrots. Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, was so committed that she built a hillside garden behind her restaurant where she grew all her vegetables before enlisting farmers who shared her vision. Berkeley had become a springboard for several notable chefs, college graduates with a passion for food fueled by time spent in France. Like moths to a flame, they ended up at Chez Panisse. They brought a French sensibility–seasonality, freshness, and quality. Instead of Dover Sole from England, Flounder was sourced from the Pacific. A food revolution began, using fresh ingredients prepared with integrity. The Stars San Francisco restaurant founder, Jeremiah Towers, modernized French cuisine with a touch of Asian. Miller and Tower, two of many chefs from Chef Panisse, brought the Farm-to-Fork revolution to the rest of the country.

Moving up the coast is Sonoma Valley, a little piece of heaven with 70-degree temperatures and cool breezes off the Pacific. Spring brings a burst of wildflowers everywhere, and roadside vegetable and fruit stands are bustling. The Sterling family Iron Horse Winery produces fine sparkling wines and cuvees, Chardonnays, and stellar Pinot Noirs. This was a special trip. A major brandy

producer had donated their facility to the American Institute for Wine and Food and the Culinary Institute of America. As an Institute member, I was part of a small group that attended a celebratory luncheon at Iron Horse Winery. A menu of chilled Dungeness crab with dressed wild greens, spring lamb with roasted garden-fresh vegetables and a Pavlova of spring berries and a glass of sparkling wine. I chatted with Audrey Sterling, the matriarch of Sterling Vineyards. Sitting with her in the farmhouse kitchen at a simple kitchen table, I can’t help but notice the plate rail running around the length of the kitchen, holding brightly painted abstract paintings. I asked about them. Audrey just smiled and said that when her husband Barry was Ambassador to France, they had many friends, one of whom was Pablo Picasso. He had painted them as a gift. A gift indeed.

Happy Spring! Let’s look to the season to see how our local creative chefs will let flavors spring forth.

Located on a piece of paradise northwest of Vergas, MN, The Forest Edge Gallery features a kaleidoscope of art from local & regional artists. See our sculpture, pottery, hand-blown glass, laser art, jewelry and paintings.

Culture, Comfort and Design

BY TERRI FERRAGUT IMAGES COURTESY RHET ARCHITECTURE

The origins of the sauna, dating back to Northern Europe over 10,000 years ago, still play a significant role in people’s lives worldwide. In its earliest form, a pit was dug into the ground with a pile of stones at the bottom, heated with a campfire. When they became warm, they were covered with thatch or peat, then water was thrown on top to create steam.

From the sweat lodges of indigenous cultures to Japan’s sweat baths, from the banyas of Ukraine to the saunas of Finland, the power of heat therapy has endured over time, transcending continents in various forms. The Nordic countries believe that having saunas is essential for both physical and emotional well-being. Architect Rhet Fiskness, AIA, NCARB and owner of Rhet Architecture, studied Nordic architecture at the University of Oulu, Finland, where he immersed himself in Finnish culture for ten months. Fiskness shares, “The sauna is a social gathering ritual for every home, school and office.” It is crucial in Nordic culture for physical cleansing, mental well-being, and deep social bonding. Offering an equalizing,

design

tranquil space for families, friends, and business to connect, they are vital in long winters for warmth and community. “Sharing a sauna requires trust, vulnerability, and bonding and signals a friendship has moved beyond mere casual acquaintance. You are not friends until you share a sauna," adds Fiskness.

Through a mutual business connection, meeting the Nelson family evolved into an opportunity for Fiskness to put his personal appreciation for the cultural tradition of the sauna into action. The Ignite Church of Moorhead sponsored mission trips to help strengthen the Reconciliation

Church, a Christian sister church in Uman, Ukraine. Steven and Chris Nelson, part of the mission teams, shared experiences there that impressed upon them the importance and deep-rooted cultural tradition of the Ukrainian “banya.” Chris Nelson shares, “The banya experience is ingrained in Ukrainian hospitality culture, not just for the health benefits but for meaningful conversation. They use the sauna as a place to have in-depth discussions to understand each other better.” She adds, “The time is not rushed. In the cooling room, between hot cycles, they drink tea with honey, at a restful pace.” So taken with the banya culture, Chris and her husband Steve wanted to create a similar area in their own home. They wanted a “space where we could enjoy deep conversations with our friends and family as well.”

design

design

A cultural pillar in Ukraine, it is considered an essential and fundamental part of life, fostering social bonding, health, community and peace among all ages. The importance of the banya has extended itself into Ukrainian wartime, with initiatives like “Sauna Aid” providing mobile saunas for both refugees and soldiers. Offering a moment of normalcy and humanity amidst conflict, the theme, “There is no war in sauna!” remains a repeated phrase. Fiskness welcomed the opportunity to design and build a sauna for the Nelsons. The right components were essential. A traditional quality sauna required natural materials; primarily wood, stone, fire and water. Important to an authentic build, Fiskness explains, “Simplicity in design with an uncluttered space to foster relaxation and quiet contemplation. Indirect, soft lighting, although a secondary source of direct lighting, is helpful for cleaning but should never be illuminated while using the sauna.”

Another vital component is a connection to nature, he adds, “one that activates the senses of touch, sound, and smell, such as the crackling fire or the sound of lapping water.” The sauna's physical dimensions are intentionally compact, with a short, narrow door that requires stooping to enter. Inside the sauna, a tier of benches at various heights encircles the central stove heater.

Interesting design elements of the Nelson project include a ‘spy window’ behind a oneway glass mirror backsplash, which Fiskness explains, “allows sauna bathers to look out into the family room.” Another is the sauna ‘pail shower’ that plunges a sudden burst of cold water, a form of contrast therapy, which improves circulation, immune support and produces an endorphin boost. The cooling room, designed to maximize the hot-cold therapeutic experience, shares light from a window behind the library's bookcases.

Beyond the health benefits and intrinsic beauty, an indoor sauna is a private and customized design element in your home, an attractive feature for future buyers. The most important features? Family and social connection–a sacred space for quality time, quiet conversation and deeper understanding of one another. Sounds like the perfect antidote for almost everything.

A FRESH APPROACH TO HOME & LIFE

All the brands you’ve always wanted. Stressless, Scovby, BDI, Copeland and much more.

Browse our 41,000 sq ft showroom!

a fresh start for spring scandesign

SPRING

36

SHOWCASE

This family’s love of the mountains and skiing offered an opportunity to incorporate a touch of Montana mountain charm into the design of their new lake home while staying true to the beauty of the Minnesota lakes country. Read about the journey of the builder, designer and homeowner.

DEPARTMENTS

10 GARDEN

The anticipation of getting back to our gardens is at an all-time high. Your floral gardens possess “flower power.” Bring their beauty indoors to create a personalized still life. Fresh flowers and meaningful memorabilia have the power to evoke positive emotions.

16 OUTDOOR LIFE

The word patio no longer accurately describes the backyard experience. Transform your urban backyard or lakeside setting into a space where you can gather, reflect, or simply escape from the daily grind. Travel to Italy with Inspired Home to enjoy the beauty of living life outdoors, inspired by nature itself.

26 ELEMENTS

Say hello to the new neutrals, and their use is not about a return to beige or greige. Think beyond classic neutrals–think nature-inspired tones. Muted greens, dusty pinks, deep terracotta and sandy mushroom beiges are all perfect hues to form the base of any design scheme.

54 INGREDIENTS

Bread-making can be intimidating, discouraging many would-be bread bakers. For those who love fresh artisanal bread, this recipe is for you! Reminiscent of bread you might find wrapped in brown paper in a European bakery, this simple Dutch oven recipe is as delicious as its good looks.

58 CUISINE

Road trip! Follow along as Chef Granville takes us across the country for the finest tastes and sights spring has to offer. From the bluebonnet-covered Texas Hill Country to the Austin, Texas, Food and Wine Festival and cross-country to Sonoma Valley wine country–it’s all here!

62

DESIGN

The sauna is a crucial ritual in many cultures worldwide. Much more than a place for physical cleansing, the deep social bonding in this tranquil space offers an equalizing and purposeful time spent. One local architect and two area residents share their skills for design and compassion.

Welcome to the Inspired Home Spring issue!

Just inside these pages, we offer ideas and gain insight from some of the most influential people in their field of design as it relates to our everyday experiences. You’ll learn how area architects, gourmet chefs, interior designers and landscape architects all share the same driving passion and desire to create.

Area homeowners are cautiously waiting in the infamous turf countdown, waiting for that first drag of their rake that won’t harm tender grass shoots emerging. Shedding winter’s residue and anticipating a fresh emerald green carpet below our feet is something we all can relate to. Our backyard outdoor spaces are also gearing up for a new season of experiences for family and friends. We’ll share with you the Italian architectural design and beauty of bringing the indoors out again, in comfort and style.

Local architects, builders, and designers all play vital roles as we enter the warmer season. In this issue, you will discover how the mountains of Montana inspired a family and a local builder to turn that love into a lakeside lodge. From mountain skiing to Minnesota lake country, comfort and enjoying quality time with others rule for this homeowner and family.

It will soon be garden season, and in this issue, we learn the positive influence flowers have on our health and well-being. Creating a floral indoor still life using fresh flowers and a couple of treasured items displayed brings flower power.

We have so much more to share with you, so sit back, put your feet up and relax as you read the Inspired Home Spring issue!

Terri Ferragut

Associate Publisher

Editorial

Director

terri.ferragut@gmail.com terri@inspiredhomemagazine.com

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

Terri Ferragut

Creative Director

Terri Ferragut

Art Director Kaitlyn Iezzi

Director of Operations

Scott Drzewiecki

Contributing Photographers

Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

Lauren Ferragut Carlson

Angela Dirkes, Dirkes Digital Media

Sarah Olson

Kinsey Wallace

Gabriel Ferragut

Contributing Writers

Lauren Ferragut Carlson

Terri Ferragut

Ashley Ferragut Johnson

Granville Wood

Copy Editor

Keri Guten Cohen

Production representative

161 MPB 18530 Mack Avenue Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236 (313) 510-4429

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.

ANGELA DIRKES

Angela has been delivering imagery that elevates listings, strengthens branding, and captures attention for over 20+ years. Her work appears biannually on the Parade of Homes cover and throughout regional marketing. Known for reliability, artistry, and standout results, she remains a trusted visual partner for businesses and homeowners alike.

JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS

Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss is a photographer for architecture and interior design. Her clients range from designers and builders, both commercial and residential. When she's not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, traveling and entertaining.

LAUREN F. CARLSON

After spending eight years in Upstate New York at Cornell University researching hemp and willow for bioenergy, Carlson, her husband and daughter moved back to Fargo, North Dakota, where they were born and raised. She is currently employed by the USDA in sunflower improvement research. She loves hiking with her family, knitting, running, cross-stitching and Scandinavian baking.

SARAH OLSON

A career in the interior design world, along with a genuine passion for connection, led Sarah here to Inspired Home magazine. She loves date nights (or days) with her husband, walks with her dog, nature photography and time with her sweet and comical cats – always entertaining! She also enjoys listening to podcasts, reading, yoga/ Pilates, antiquing, traveling, watching a captivating television show, and a good citrusy IPA.

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, two teenage 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.

KINSEY WALLACE

Kinsey is a seasoned real estate photographer and agent with over 5 years of experience in capturing properties and helping clients find their dream homes. Kinsey also serves as the exclusive sales representative and designer for Red Leaf Custom Homes. An avid DIY enthusiast, she often spends her free time working on home improvement projects. She loves exploring new destinations, traveling to unique places and enjoys the great outdoors through gardening and camping.

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.

Flower power... positive energies

BY TERRI FERRAGUT

The arrival of spring brings increased sunlight, a warmer breeze and a new cycle of change. Nature begins a harmonious blend of environmental cues that set into motion the beginning of seasonal transformation. Beautiful, fresh blooms and greenery are well on their way.

Biophilic design principles (bringing nature indoors) integrate nature into environments that can foster health and well-being. Creating personal connections to nature through elements such as natural light, plants, water, natural materials, organic shapes, and views creates restorative spaces. A fundamental interior design technique that serves both aesthetic and psychological purposes is creating a still life vignette, using fresh flowers, greenery and perhaps, treasured art pieces. There is power in the simple beauty of flowers. Incorporating a floral still life in your home or office is a positive practice because it combines scientifically backed health benefits and the sheer joy of simply viewing them.

FLORAL THERAPY BENEFITS

• Biophilic design (bringing nature indoors) is proven to reduce stress and lower blood pressure.

• “Floral Therapy” is a multi-sensory experience of sight, touch, and smell.

• Enhanced cognitive function, productivity and creativity are improved by floral integration.

• The visual movement of greenery provides organic, asymmetrical lines that break up the boxy shape of furniture and the architecture of our home or office.

• Plants add visual weight as an accent color and texture that grounds the design scheme of any room.

• Plants act as a natural air filter, removing toxins and increasing oxygen levels in your indoor environment.

• Still life arrangements with live plants help us stay connected to nature’s changing seasons.

Choose your personal and favorite items to create a special floral still life. Adding multiple textures with assorted vases adds design depth.

STYLING COMPANIONS

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your living room and bring the beauty of the season into your home. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to do this is by styling your coffee table or bookshelves with fresh flowers and spring-inspired decor. Tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths from your garden or purchased will create a beautiful and inviting spring vignette that will set the tone for the entire room. Mix natural materials such as woven baskets, wood beads, smooth ceramics, glass cloches, and metallic accents. Consider pops of pastel hues. Blush pink, soft yellow, sage green, or sky blue in flowers, vases, books, or decorative accents will be a welcome greeting from Spring. Remember the “rules of three.” Although it's tempting to go overboard, keep it simple and uncluttered; less is more. Create a simple yet impactful vignette with 3-5 carefully chosen items that show your personal interests. Clutter-free styling lets the beauty of your handselected pieces shine. Consider also the scale of your area and the placement of your vignette. Consider the room as a whole, and choose decor that looks balanced and proportionate for the space. Experiment and enjoy the process. Keep it fresh and simple. Let the flower power energy and your personally styled spring vignette put a smile on your face–every time you enter the room.

Happy Spring!

Travel with Inspired Home to Puligio, the Salento peninsula, nestled in the southern “heel” of the Italian boot—a popular cultural and historical area. Here, centuries of culture, tradition and natural beauty blend with the modern rhythm of Italian life.

Get inspired by the beauty of the country and the sophistication of Ethimo Italian garden furniture.

Living life outdoors

BY ASHLEY FERRAGUT JOHNSON PHOTOS COURTESY ETHIMO*

Surrounded by natural elements, solitude and relaxation are welcomed by furniture that interprets outdoor living.

As nightfall slowly approaches, it marks the end of yet another warm weather day. The sky softens and melts into the warm, pink-and-orange horizon, and there is no better view of the sorbet sunset than from your own backyard. In today’s lifestyles, we are expanding our living rooms and entertaining spaces beyond the four walls of our homes and bringing them out into the great outdoors. Spending more time in outdoor living spaces expands the home’s footprint and allows families to enjoy more nature, sunshine, and to entertain in a whole new way. Gone are the days when backyard living was limited to choosing a picnic table and the pattern of fold-up lawn chairs. Now you can create a dramatic outdoor space that is so chic and sophisticated that it truly feels like a comfortable extension of your home.

Ethimo garden furniture collections draw inspiration from Mediterranean lifestyles and expert craftsmanship.

A beautiful collection in pickled teak– a design approach focused on contemporary simplicity.

The term patio no longer accurately describes the backyard experience and outdoor living areas are no longer a second thought. These spaces have become the largest room of the home, whether in new construction or exterior updates. Statistics show that the added value a well-designed outdoor living area brings to a home is substantial and ultimately a wise investment. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to know exactly what to look for in your outdoor furniture setting. However, it is essential to recognize that the pieces you integrate outside your home are just as important as the furniture you place inside. By investing in your outdoor entertaining space, you are opening up your backyard to limitless possibilities.

Living the summer and spending time in relaxation and comfort is a unique experience. Whether a city terrace, lakeside, or a private garden, outdoor furniture matters. Natural materials, clean lines and refined details make every open-air moment an opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Living in harmony with nature in a tailored outdoor living space is a well-balanced mix of beauty, nature, culture and tradition that comes together to grace your surroundings. Specific finishes on furniture are created for different terrains, and quality fabrics become artistic tools to furnish and personalize any open-air space.

outdoor life

Enjoy the beauty and sophistication of living life outdoors, inspired by nature itself. From the most private sanctuary to the most spacious setting, the benefits and comfort of fresh air and sunshine are within your reach. Boosting our mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving our mood, and increasing our vitamin D intake from sunshine will lead to better sleep, focus, and overall well-being. Lowering cortisol and blood pressure, combating inflammation, and enhancing our memory and creativity are worthwhile endeavors that can be fueled by the outdoor experience.

outdoor life

Inspired by the urban elegance of 19th-century railings, a refined rhythm of aluminum slats creates an enveloping shape.

Transform your urban backyard or your lakeside setting into a place to gather with friends, to reflect in silence, or simply to escape from the daily grind. With the right furnishings and a creative eye, those beautiful sunset colors at dusk are just the beginning of life well lived.

*Ethimo, an eco-friendly builder of quality contemporary outdoor furniture, is made in the Lazio region of Italy, near the southern border of Tuscany. Inspired by the Mediterranean landscapes and their colors, they create pieces for elegant and sustainable outdoor living that are enjoyed worldwide.

Neutral is nice…

BY TERRI FERRAGUT

Color drenching, an immersive design technique, bathes a room in related hues, creating drama and comfort.

Aneutral color scheme is among the most timeless, creating a calming space that aligns with many interior design styles, from traditional to modern. Neutral does not have to mean bland, and the use of them in an interior setting is not about a return to beige or greige, but about warmer, natural shades

in the home to create longevity. Neutral hues feel soothing and pair well with bare wood finishes, touches of rattan, and textures like unglazed ceramics. Perfect for use in design for contemporary and traditional settings, these versatile neutral hues work well in a color-drenched room as an alternative to white or grey.

Think beyond classic neutrals. The new neutral paint hues are transitioning to warm and earthy, nature-inspired tones–muted greens (sage, olive, khaki), dusty pinks, deep terracotta, sandy mushroom beiges, and rich browns, adding warmth and character. Designers are championing the range of soft colors, dubbed the new neutrals, that form the base of a design scheme. When using these new neutrals, consider color drenching. This interior design technique involves using a single color on nearly every surface in the room, including walls, ceilings, trim, and even furniture, for a contemporary look. You can use the same hue or varying colors in the same family. A singular-color approach feels immersive and cohesive. Color drenching a neutral space can be visually stunning, especially if you play with the sheen of the

paint to add dimension to the space. Think higher sheen on a ceiling and moldings, highest sheen on trim, and lowest sheen on your main walls.

TEXTURE

When decorating with a restrained neutral color palette, it's important to add depth and interest through texture. Whether through nubby boucle soft furnishings that help create a cozy space or natural materials like solid wood, stone, or ceramic art, all layers of texture can serve as a point of interest in your neutral room. The texture of wood grain, combined with the sparkle of a glass sculpture or the shimmer of a metal accessory, all add up to warmth and calm. Although the space may be neutral in color, there will be many design elements to enjoy.

YOUR DREAM KITCHEN BEGINS HERE

A singular-color approach feels immersive and cohesive.

PLAYFUL SHAPES

Rich textures enhance a neutral scheme, and you can also experiment with adding various shapes through décor. Unique shapes like curved sofas, roughly textured organic wooden tables, a textured rug, scalloped pillows, and artwork are a few of the many options to consider. If you're working with a flat wall surface, try mimicking traditional architectural features such as wall paneling, picture rails, or decorative moulding. Adding a three-dimensional element to the wall will add depth and visual interest to an otherwise flat surface.

Disrupt a room positively by incorporating something interesting and unexpected as a design element. Well-matched colors throughout can look bland, but adding something a bit surprising can be just what's needed to create a room’s personality. Incorporate cheery, bright pillows to create a playful pop of color amid the neutral tones. Try introducing brighter colors in small doses as accents by painting a console, door frame, or the inside of a cabinet for a lovely surprise whenever you open it. Adding a few bold, eye-catching pieces, like a cool light fixture or a statement piece of art, creates visual interest. Continue the room's personality by layering in textures, patterns, and colors through furniture and accessories. From using the right neutral paint to layering in textures and a pop of bold color for depth, you will add excitement and new life to your room, allowing all who enter to benefit from its sophisticated calm and its peaceful presence.

lake Lodge on the

BY TERRI FERRAGUT PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGELA DIRKES

Lake Eunice, in Becker County, Minnesota, may not be the largest or most famous of the familiar Land of 10,0000 Lakes fame, but to Chris Hoffmann, the clear waters, gentle hills and woodlands define the comfort of home and respite.

No matter where his agricultural career led him, no matter his location, “home was Lake Eunice.” Hoffmann shares, “I would travel hours out of my way to get back to my grandparents’ small cabin for the weekend.”

Hoffmann’s new lake home is built on the site where his grandparents’ seasonal cabin once stood. Living on Lake Eunice and enjoying its beautiful setting had always been a part of his life. When considering a new build on the same site, the decision was easy. He wanted a quality home built to last a lifetime, one that would allow his family the same love of lake and land–a home he could establish to pass on to his children.

The initial meeting with Bob Kochmann, Co-Founder of the award-winning Kochmann Homes and Darrick Guthmiller, President, was a result of a recommendation from Hoffmann’s friend, whose lake home on Island Lake, in Becker County, had been designed and built by Kochmann Brothers. Hoffmann, after viewing his friend’s home, realized a call to the builders was his next step in beginning the exciting journey of a new build. In the initial meeting with Kochmann and Guthmiller, expectations were made clear. Hoffman wanted to take advantage of the lake view and create a rustic lodge aesthetic where family and friends felt comfortable walking right in without removing their shoes.

Design and architecture were important to Hoffmann from the initial meeting with Guthmiller. The family’s love of the mountains and skiing offered an opportunity to incorporate a touch of Montana mountain charm into the new home while staying true to the beauty of the Minnesota lakes country. After viewing the first lodge-type design option, Hoffmann knew right away, “and we moved ahead from there,” Guthmiller adds. With the seasoned expertise of both Christina Mehl, owner and principal designer of Design Direction, and Kochmann Brothers Homes, the plans for a cozy and

modern family lodge began to take beautiful shape. “From there, Hoffmann’s design preference was incorporated into all the finishes– all the selections that were made with Christina were on point,” Guthmiller shares.

Using quality, rustic materials was important to the homeowner. The flooring, stairs, and fireplace mantle, all crafted from antique wood, possess stunning patina created by age. Ron Holstrom Antique Floors in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, supplied the reclaimed antique wood and crafted the dramatic twelve-foot dining table made of antique longleaf heart pine.

“The reclaimed wide-plank wood flooring looks as though it’s been there for decades,

adding warmth and authenticity, while the ceiling beams introduce another layer of character,” Mehl says. The interplay of Birchwood Cobblestone rock, used in the stunning fireplace and exteriors of the home, creates breathtaking rustic beauty and architectural continuity. Mehl agrees, “The wood-burning fireplace, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows, is impressive and offers stunning lake views and the cozy ambiance that only a real fireplace can provide.”

To balance the heavier design elements, Mehl selected light fixtures with soft curves that bring a sense of ease to the space. She adds, “The textured wallpaper and thoughtfully sourced furnishings—found by the client—complete

the room, resulting in a welcoming, ‘come sit and stay awhile’ atmosphere.” In other areas of the home, the main bathrooms continue the thoughtful detailing, featuring open vanities with wall-mounted faucets, concrete vessel sinks, and warm gray wall tile.

Design features that Mehl describes as “stand-out moments” throughout the home are the flooring, fireplace, and lighting in the rustic-style wine cellar on the lower level. There, custom metalwork designed for the wine cellar doors creates a palpable “old-world feel.” Playful exterior design elements that she appreciates are the gas-powered lanterns flanking the front door entrance. “I imagine they cast a beautiful glow that gives the home a special presence.”

The Hoffmanns, all settled in and prepared for another warm season of all that lake living has to offer, will center around the comfort of this Montana mountain lodge-inspired home. And in the words of Mehl, “It’s a home that doesn’t just welcome you in, it invites you to stay.

Contributors

Architectural Design, General Contractor:

Kochmann Brothers Homes, Inc.

Bob Kochmann, Co-Founder

Darrick Guthmiller, President

Interior Design: Design Direction

Christina Mehl, Principal Designer

Cabinets, Countertops, Closet Shelving: Poss Cabinets

Wood Flooring Supplier, Mantle: Ron Holstrom

Installer: Brandon Johnson

Dining Table: Ron Holstrom Furniture Maker

Fireplace, Gas Lanterns: Home & Hearth

Plumbing: Home Heating & Plumbing

Shower Doors: Frontier Glass

Siding/Gutters:

Lemke Home Improvements

Brick Flooring:

Hebron Brick

Brick & Tile Installer: Dean Qualley Tile

Marvin Windows, Patio Doors: Crane-Johnson

Masonry Supplier: Dakota Wall Systems

Installer: Buckley Masonry

Electrical: Livewire Electrical

Heating/Cooling: Comfort Masters

Lighting: Valley Lights

S t u n n i n g c o l o r s e l e c t i o n

C o u n t e r t o p s e r v i c e & r e p a i r

C o u n t e r t o p s e r v i c e & r e p a i r

S

S

Dynamics

BY TERRI FERRAGUT IMAGES COURTESY DYNAMIC HOMES

Through wind, rain and snow… is a familiar phrase coined when characterizing the dependability of the United States Postal Service. With Dynamic Homes, their mission is not merely a catchy ‘sounds good’ tagline–it has been their successful and dependable mode of operation for over 55 years. Their guiding north star is ‘Build for Life.’ As a custom builder specializing in modular homes, with over 10,000 homes constructed across the Upper Midwest, they’ve earned the title.

Headquartered in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Dynamic Homes uses a building system in which components are precision-engineered in a 110,000-square-foot, climate-controlled factory to avoid weather-related damage and delays. They offer more than 34 standard floor plans, and nearly 90% of their projects are custom-designed. From chalets and cabins to two-story and ramblers – speed, productivity, customization, and energy efficiency are the building blocks of their acceptance and success.

Home of a

Designed with a graceful contemporary aesthetic, this lake home blends beautifully with its natural surroundings.

Nick Omberg, territory sales manager, enjoys the process of building and selling Dynamic Homes, from working with their dealers and their customers to seeing the house roll down the production line. “Giving a tour to the homeowners as their home is being built is one of my favorite parts of my job,” he adds. Faster construction time due to its climate-controlled environment shortens the build’s completion timeline. “The ability for our customers to realize their dream home in a few months is why people choose a qualitybuilt Dynamic Home,” shares Omberg.

Omberg is proud of its dealers, “All of our dealers do a fantastic job promoting and selling our homes.  We couldn’t be more pleased with their efforts.” Tyler Drewes, second-generation custom home builder and owner of Up North Home Construction in Perham, Minnesota, partners as a dealer with Dynamic Homes. Drewes agrees with the quality of the homes, “Dynamic Homes delivers the highest overall quality home built inside a controlled environment for a guaranteed up-front price with unlimited customization potential.” Drewes adds, “The project is a prime example of the ability Dynamic Homes has to customize the interior and exterior as well as the floorplan.”

SOME DYNAMIC FACTS

Durability

Homes are built to the same International Residential Code (IRC) as traditional stick-built houses and are placed on permanent foundations with basements or a crawl space.

Faster Construction Time

Homes are built in a climate-controlled factory simultaneously with the on-site foundation work, eliminating weather delays and resulting in a move-in time that can be significantly quicker than traditional construction.

Energy Efficiency

Dynamic Homes are built with high R-factor insulation, energy-efficient windows, and 2x6 exterior walls, constructed to meet the Minnesota Energy Code, among the strictest in the country. Deeply committed to energy efficiency and the value of lower utility costs, they are an Energy Star Partner.

Superior Quality and Durability

The indoor construction environment protects materials from the elements and allows for stringent quality control inspections. The homes are engineered to be stronger and

A pleasing design and a delightful hidden function combine with this “walk-through” bookcase and storage cabinet.

Customization in design is an option that Dynamic Homes integrates into a majority of the homes they build.

more durable for transportation, with less air infiltration and enhanced structural integrity.

Customization

Nearly 90% of their clients’ homes are customized, using numerous options available for finishes, fixtures, and amenities to fit personal needs and styles. Customers may modify existing floor plans or design a home from the beginning.

Cost Efficiency

The streamlined, system-built process reduces material waste and labor costs, making the homes more affordable than site-built alternatives. The company also offers fixed costs on the modular components, which helps with budget planning.

Pride is apparent in Omberg’s voice as he speaks about the homes the company builds. “Building a home is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner will have to make.  Our dealers and Dynamic Homes don’t take that responsibility lightly. Every home has a story and we are happy to be a part of it.”

Build Dynamic... Build for Life

Since 1970, Dynamic Homes has helped thousands of customers build the home of their dreams. From single-family homes to cabins, cottages and more, when you build with Dynamic, you can create a distinctive, yet affordable home designed to meet your needs, style, budget, and timeline. Choosing the right builder for your home is important. Once you see how Dynamic’s unique, system-built modular construction benefits you, the decision will be easy.

OUR POPULAR LAKER MODEL

1,736 SF, 3-bedroom, 2 bath home

9 ft ceilings throughout, with a vaulted great room

2-panel white oak interior doors

Rustic alder kitchen cabinets and boot bench, Montana maple cabinets in bathrooms

Electric fireplace in great room with hickory wrapped chase

Artisan bread, simply delicious

There is a lovely simplicity to this bread, which is betrayed by its artisanal looks.

Enjoying a delicious slice of fresh artisan-style bread with butter and jam is a perfect way to start your day.

Bread-making can be intimidating to a lot of us. A tedious encounter with yeast, including “proving” dough, punching it down, and shaping the loaf, all seem labor-intensive and timeconsuming, discouraging many would-be bread bakers. That said, I have always enjoyed making and baking bread. I actually love the process, the time and the patience it requires. And then I had a baby—that sort of changed…well, everything.

Once I settled into life as a new mom, I found myself in the kitchen baking again with baby in tow. I quickly learned that if I wanted to bake, it had to be easy, not too involved, yet flavorful and visually pleasing. Was it even possible? Yes! One of my favorite quick-bake recipes I discovered is a “no-knead” bread. I’m calling it an artisanal loaf because it is beautiful to look at, crusty and delicious.

No doubt about it, it is easier than making brownies from a box and easier than frying an egg (which I think is harder than it should be). This bread requires only four ingredients, one bowl and a small bit of time. That is it. I could make this bread between diaper changes with my eyes closed. And, actually, I have done just that.

There is a lovely simplicity to this bread, which is betrayed by its artisanal look and its delicious taste. Reminiscent of bread you might find wrapped in brown paper in a European bakery, Dutch oven bread is impressive in its good looks. The Dutch oven baking yields a beautiful brown crusty top and soft brown bottom.

When you cut into the loaf, it crunches and cracks with such audible force that it could wake a sleeping baby. I am speaking from experience. Letting the loaf rise or “prove” for up to 24 hours allows it to develop a rich and deep flavor, full of enticing air pockets. This bread does all the work for you and with zero intimidation. I hope you try it for yourself!

To our readers: Make this bread at home and send me a picture of your finished loaf. Email it to lauren.ferragut@gmail.com. We’ll post it on Facebook.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, yeast and gradually add warm water. Gently stir to combine the mixture.

Transfer the dough to a clean, ungreased, clear glass bowl, if possible. It’s easier to check the rising dough.

Gently mix all four ingredients until combined. Important tip: The dough will be very soft and sticky, but totally manageable.

I wait 24 hours for the dough to rise; it should appear doubled and bubbly. A longer wait results in more flavor.

Flour your hands to punch down and “shape” the sticky dough. Transfer to a floured piece of parchment paper.

DUTCH OVEN NO-KNEAD, ONE-BOWL BREAD

An easy way to make a delicious, crusty artisan loaf at home!

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. kosher salt or 1¾ tsp. table salt

1 tsp. active dry yeast

11/2 cups warm water

METHOD:

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and yeast. Gradually add warm water to the dry mixture and mix gently until all flour is incorporated and it forms a rough ball. (It will be sticky.)

Transfer dough to a large, ungreased bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rise for 18 to 24 hours, until the dough doubles and the surface is covered with tiny bubbles.

When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a 5-quart (or smaller) cast-iron pot with a lid inside the oven to heat thoroughly, about 30 minutes. Remove the Dutch oven and set it aside—use oven mitts!

Remove dough from bowl and place on a well-floured surface. Sprinkle the dough with a generous tablespoon of flour. Dust your hands, too! Punch down the dough and roughly shape it into a ball as best you can. The dough will be sticky. Place the formed ball of dough on parchment paper, big enough to cover the bottom of the pot. Lift the corners of the parchment paper and lower the dough into the hot pot.

Bake for 30 minutes with the lid on. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Remove the lid and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and place the bread on a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing.

Invite your friends for fresh bread and jam with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. They’ll be impressed!

I quickly learned that if I wanted to bake, it had to be easy, not too involved, yet flavorful and pleasant to the eye. Was it even possible?

Road TRip:

A Spring Food and Wine Revival

BY CHEF GRANVILLE WOOD

Spring is an elusive enigma, here in the far north. The weather Gods have their way with our emotions. Consistently warm afternoons and warm soil coming to life tease us relentlessly.

As a former chef in Florida, leading a kitchen with the mission of promoting regional American cuisine, we relied on out-of-state suppliers to offer wellrounded menus for both snowbirds and residents. We sourced veal from Wisconsin and acorn-fed pork from North Carolina. Soft-shell crabs arrived from Maryland, and crawfish, crab, and shrimp from Louisiana. Outstanding spring lamb came from Colorado. A variety of specialty fruits, vegetables, and cheeses were sourced from California, and in turn, Florida shipped fresh fish, spiny lobsters, and avocados north.

These were exciting times in the American culinary scene, and it wasn’t just food; wine was playing a role. My first trip to the Austin Food and Wine Festival was in the spring– a welcome respite from the Florida heat. I recommend everyone with a passion for wine and food to attend. Spring in Texas was an eye-opener. Blue Bonnets in the hills were blooming everywhere in the cool, dry weather. Aside from the food and wine, it created long-term

and Susan Auler pioneered the

relationships with other chefs, wine makers and purveyors. It was an intimate gathering of tweedy-bow-tie types, wine lovers, foodies, and chefs (a few of us were playfully referred to as the “Naughty Boys”). In the morning sessions, the “tweedies” would revel in stories of our antics of the previous evening on 6th Street in downtown Austin, the music capital of the world. While in Texas, I met Ed and Susan Auler of Fall Creek Winery, vintners of outstanding Chardonnays, Paula Lambert of the Mozzarella Company and Laura Chenel, California goat cheese savant. Chefs were reshaping traditional Hispanic dishes to a modern Southwest Cuisine–a culinary revolution like Cajun cuisine did, no BAM, just wow. Stephen Pyles at Routh Street Café and Dean Fearing at the Mansion on Turtle Creek were lighting up the Dallas culinary scene.

In Berkley, California, fifty years ago, Chez Panisse founder Alice Waters launched the first farm-to-table, locally sourced, organic and sustainable movement with her menu.

The Chez Panisse’s King Salmon Tartare with shaved salmon, fresh butter lettuce, cucumbers and avocados is a perfect example of farm-to-table fare.

Meanwhile, on the opposite Coast, it was spring every day. The access to fresh produce with a high consciousness for organic and sustainable foods, from chickens to carrots. Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, was so committed that she built a hillside garden behind her restaurant where she grew all her vegetables before enlisting farmers who shared her vision. Berkeley had become a springboard for several notable chefs, college graduates with a passion for food fueled by time spent in France. Like moths to a flame, they ended up at Chez Panisse. They brought a French sensibility–seasonality, freshness, and quality. Instead of Dover Sole from England, Flounder was sourced from the Pacific. A food revolution began, using fresh ingredients prepared with integrity. The Stars San Francisco restaurant founder, Jeremiah Towers, modernized French cuisine with a touch of Asian. Miller and Tower, two of many chefs from Chef Panisse, brought the Farm-to-Fork revolution to the rest of the country.

Moving up the coast is Sonoma Valley, a little piece of heaven with 70-degree temperatures and cool breezes off the Pacific. Spring brings a burst of wildflowers everywhere, and roadside vegetable and fruit stands are bustling. The Sterling family Iron Horse Winery produces fine sparkling wines and cuvees, Chardonnays, and stellar Pinot Noirs. This was a special trip. A major brandy

producer had donated their facility to the American Institute for Wine and Food and the Culinary Institute of America. As an Institute member, I was part of a small group that attended a celebratory luncheon at Iron Horse Winery. A menu of chilled Dungeness crab with dressed wild greens, spring lamb with roasted garden-fresh vegetables and a Pavlova of spring berries and a glass of sparkling wine. I chatted with Audrey Sterling, the matriarch of Sterling Vineyards. Sitting with her in the farmhouse kitchen at a simple kitchen table, I can’t help but notice the plate rail running around the length of the kitchen, holding brightly painted abstract paintings. I asked about them. Audrey just smiled and said that when her husband Barry was Ambassador to France, they had many friends, one of whom was Pablo Picasso. He had painted them as a gift. A gift indeed.

Happy Spring! Let’s look to the season to see how our local creative chefs will let flavors spring forth.

Located on a piece of paradise northwest of Vergas, MN, The Forest Edge Gallery features a kaleidoscope of art from local & regional artists. See our sculpture, pottery, hand-blown glass, laser art, jewelry and paintings.

Culture, Comfort and Design

BY TERRI FERRAGUT IMAGES COURTESY RHET ARCHITECTURE

The origins of the sauna, dating back to Northern Europe over 10,000 years ago, still play a significant role in people’s lives worldwide. In its earliest form, a pit was dug into the ground with a pile of stones at the bottom, heated with a campfire. When they became warm, they were covered with thatch or peat, then water was thrown on top to create steam.

From the sweat lodges of indigenous cultures to Japan’s sweat baths, from the banyas of Ukraine to the saunas of Finland, the power of heat therapy has endured over time, transcending continents in various forms. The Nordic countries believe that having saunas is essential for both physical and emotional well-being. Architect Rhet Fiskness, AIA, NCARB and owner of Rhet Architecture, studied Nordic architecture at the University of Oulu, Finland, where he immersed himself in Finnish culture for ten months. Fiskness shares, “The sauna is a social gathering ritual for every home, school and office.” It is crucial in Nordic culture for physical cleansing, mental well-being, and deep social bonding. Offering an equalizing,

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tranquil space for families, friends, and business to connect, they are vital in long winters for warmth and community. “Sharing a sauna requires trust, vulnerability, and bonding and signals a friendship has moved beyond mere casual acquaintance. You are not friends until you share a sauna," adds Fiskness.

Through a mutual business connection, meeting the Nelson family evolved into an opportunity for Fiskness to put his personal appreciation for the cultural tradition of the sauna into action. The Ignite Church of Moorhead sponsored mission trips to help strengthen the Reconciliation

Church, a Christian sister church in Uman, Ukraine. Steven and Chris Nelson, part of the mission teams, shared experiences there that impressed upon them the importance and deep-rooted cultural tradition of the Ukrainian “banya.” Chris Nelson shares, “The banya experience is ingrained in Ukrainian hospitality culture, not just for the health benefits but for meaningful conversation. They use the sauna as a place to have in-depth discussions to understand each other better.” She adds, “The time is not rushed. In the cooling room, between hot cycles, they drink tea with honey, at a restful pace.” So taken with the banya culture, Chris and her husband Steve wanted to create a similar area in their own home. They wanted a “space where we could enjoy deep conversations with our friends and family as well.”

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A cultural pillar in Ukraine, it is considered an essential and fundamental part of life, fostering social bonding, health, community and peace among all ages. The importance of the banya has extended itself into Ukrainian wartime, with initiatives like “Sauna Aid” providing mobile saunas for both refugees and soldiers. Offering a moment of normalcy and humanity amidst conflict, the theme, “There is no war in sauna!” remains a repeated phrase. Fiskness welcomed the opportunity to design and build a sauna for the Nelsons. The right components were essential. A traditional quality sauna required natural materials; primarily wood, stone, fire and water. Important to an authentic build, Fiskness explains, “Simplicity in design with an uncluttered space to foster relaxation and quiet contemplation. Indirect, soft lighting, although a secondary source of direct lighting, is helpful for cleaning but should never be illuminated while using the sauna.”

Another vital component is a connection to nature, he adds, “one that activates the senses of touch, sound, and smell, such as the crackling fire or the sound of lapping water.” The sauna's physical dimensions are intentionally compact, with a short, narrow door that requires stooping to enter. Inside the sauna, a tier of benches at various heights encircles the central stove heater.

Interesting design elements of the Nelson project include a ‘spy window’ behind a oneway glass mirror backsplash, which Fiskness explains, “allows sauna bathers to look out into the family room.” Another is the sauna ‘pail shower’ that plunges a sudden burst of cold water, a form of contrast therapy, which improves circulation, immune support and produces an endorphin boost. The cooling room, designed to maximize the hot-cold therapeutic experience, shares light from a window behind the library's bookcases.

Beyond the health benefits and intrinsic beauty, an indoor sauna is a private and customized design element in your home, an attractive feature for future buyers. The most important features? Family and social connection–a sacred space for quality time, quiet conversation and deeper understanding of one another. Sounds like the perfect antidote for almost everything.