701.478.3000 | 3280 Veterans Blvd. Suite 120 Fargo, ND 58104

Thomsen Homes

Affordable Luxury Homes in Fargo, ND

Shannon Seefeldt

Baking & Design Hero: Cydney Knaust

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Have you ever met someone who just makes you smile? Well, Cydney is just that person! Whether she’s cheering you up with her carefree attitude or bringing in loads of monster cookies (the bin is gone by noon), Cydney is sure to bring a little sparkle to your day. Cydney built with us a few years back and fell in love, eventually landing her job here as Design Assistant! You’ll be lucky to have her on your team and maybe she’ll even bring a cookie or two for you! Get to know Cydney below!

  1. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why? Beauty and the Beast. My mom and I would watch it together all the time and she would twirl me around in her arms while the end credits played.
  2. Speaking of movies, what is the current title for your life? Three Men and a Lady (I live with all boys 😊)
  3. If you were a character on a TV show, which one would you be? Leslie Knope
  4. Look at your last played song on your phone, what is it? Truth Hurts by Kidz Bop Kids
  5. You’re up next at karaoke. What’s your go-to song and why? Shoop by Salt-N-Pepa – because it really doesn’t require singing well!
  6. Chess or checkers? Checkers
  7. Beaches or Mountains? How about a beach by the mountains? But if I have to pick I’d say mountains because I’d rather be active and go hiking.
  8. What is the craziest thing you’ve done? Those who know me well know how extremely crazy I am 😉 I would say the craziest thing I have done is close on a new house, get married and travel to Iceland in three consecutive days.
  9. If you could time travel, where would you go? I would go to the year 3000 to see how accurate the Jonas Brothers were when they sang about it. And then I would travel to whichever year the Vikings win the Super Bowl 😉
  10. What’s your proudest achievement? Being a member of the NDSU Women’s golf team that won the conference championship for the first time in program history and advancing to the NCAA regional at Stanford.
  11. Best piece of advice you have been given? “Never get in a pissing match with a skunk.” Thanks, dad!
  12. What one topic/person do you wish you knew more about? Carol Baskins – did she kill her husband?!
  13. What are some small things that make your day better? Prayer, a green light, fresh sheets, vanilla candles, puppy kisses, Asher (my baby) giggles, my husband’s cooking
  14. What does your daily life look like at Thomsen Homes? A typical day for me consists of coordinating meetings with clients, assisting on design meetings, processing addendums/documents and some data entry in our software system.
  15. If you could try another role here at Thomsen for a week, which one would it be? Drafting, but I’ll leave that to the pros.

 

Visible Beauty: Creating a Showcase with Open Shelving

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We’ve stated many times throughout the years that your home is a reflection of you and your lifestyle. This statement cannot be more true when it comes to how you decorate and showcase prized possessions such as trophies, photographs, your favorite books, movies… etc. Open shelving gives a breath of freshness throughout the home and pulls back the curtain of who you are. It has succeeded the tradition of closed cabinets and doors. There are many different variations of open shelving too as this Inspiration booklet below will show you! Come and create your own “lifestyle gallery” with Thomsen Homes!

 

Shirley Hayer: Design Extraordinaire

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Shirley is our wonderful and charismatic Design & Studio Lead. She brings a wealth of knowledge and freshness to the Design Team and we are glad to have her! She always greets you with a smile and friendly, “How are you?” You’ll be confident knowing that Shirley will “surely” get the design job done right on your home! Get to know Shirley below!

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?  I would make art!

What fictional place would you most like to go?  Shangri-La

Look at your last song listened to on your phone. What is it? River – by Leon Bridges

My favorite word in the English language is? “Mom” 

If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what movie and why?  Ooh, this is tough!  I have such a long “Favorite Movies” list…  Maybe “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, because it reminds me of a time I watched it with my dad and I had never seen him laugh that hard before.  I LOVE remembering that!

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What did you want to be when you grow up?  I’ve been a “Designer” from about age 8!  I remember helping my friend re-arrange her bedroom furniture so that she would have more “room”, and her mom loved it !

Where would you spend all your time if you could?  At the beach or on a big sailboat – anywhere on or near the water.

What is one of your favorite smells? Babies, especially mine..!

If you had to change your name, what would you change it to?  Maybe some version of my middle name, which is Elizabeth..?!?

Who inspires you to be better? I’m inspired by so many incredible designers – (too many to list), but my kids also inspire me.   I hope to also inspire them – to always pursue their dreams, and to never give up!

When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with? Creating beautiful spaces.

What are some small things that make your day better?  A.M. Yoga, meditation, and my morning matcha tea latte.  Also, feeling like I accomplished something meaningful during the day.

What’s a typical day like for you at work? Ha!  There is no typical day, which is why I LOVE this industry!

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? I don’t know if this is considered a “skill” but I have a very even-keeled disposition.  It really helps when stress levels rise.

What do you love most about your job? I really love that every day we are helping our clients build their “dream homes”!  Their excitement is so contagious!!

 

 

Your Relaxation Destination

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We’ve all seen the movie scenes…

Julie Roberts singing along to Prince while she’s soaking in the tub, Marilyn cooling off from the NY heat, Al Pacino relaxing and smoking a cigar… you gotta admit it, bathrooms are more than just  the room with a toilet! Bathrooms can be a place of rest and relaxation; where you go to get a little peace and quiet, a little… YOU time. Thomsen Homes wants you to be able to create a spa-like oasis that’s just footsteps away! Here are some key features to think about then designing your relaxation destination:

  1. Are you a shower or a tub kind of person? Some may forgo a grandiose shower in search of a free-standing tub with jets! Maybe you’re the former and love a luxurious shower you can sing your heart out in?!
  2. Do you need one or two sinks? Remember that while having two sinks is mostly ideal, it can also take up counter space you may need for getting ready i.e makeup, shaving…
  3. Do you need more than one outlet? A lot of times couples get ready at the same time. Having an extra outlet on both sides of the counter can eliminate the stress associated with tangling electronics cords.
  4. Consider a storage nook/closet for your toiletries.
  5. Do you have children or pets that need bathing? A shower/tub combo should be included in one of your bathrooms for an easy bath solution! Perhaps adding a detachable shower head isn’t such a bad idea either?

We have so many options for you to choose from! From vinyl to tile flooring, fiberglass to tile showers, laminate to quartz countertops and SO MUCH MORE, you’ll be able to come home and unwind the day away in your brand new oasis! See our Inspiration booklet below for some amazing ideas!

Flooring, It’s What’s Under Your Feet!

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Floors; You dance on them, play on them, sit on them, the list goes on and on. Floors are a staple feature of the home both in function and design. What is fun about picking out flooring for your home is that you can choose to have one style all throughout the house, or have a little fun and choose several options, depending on the room. They should accommodate your lifestyle while also showing off a little bit of your personality. Here are some things to consider when choosing your flooring:

  1. Durability – Do you have pets or kids? These guys often leave mud or bring in snow from outside. Accidents happen and things may be spilt or knocked over by small hands and wagging tails. Newborns and toddlers tend to like the softness of carpet to lay and play on. Do you entertain often? Consider how much traffic runs through your home and where people tend to gather.
  2. Budget – Thomsen Homes has a wonderful array of flooring options that come standard in our home, meaning no extra cost for you! We have plenty of beautiful wood laminate flooring that will be sure to catch the eye. Looking for something in the bathroom or laundry room? Choose from over 15 different vinyl colors and patterns! If you would like to upgrade to a more luxurious feel, we have tiled several styles of tiling and stone to choose from!
  3. Style & Design – Everyone has their own taste when it comes to how they decorate and use their home. Maybe you prefer cool tones like greys and darks, or more maybe earthy tones such as tans and cremes. The flooring you choose should also complement the furniture being placed into your home and the decor on the walls. We have flooring to fit the personality of a crafty-chic household to those who prefer a more modern and sleek look.

We hope that with these tips and the guidance of your expert Design Team, you’ll love to live on your floors!

 

Go Ahead & Judge That Cover: Home Exterior Options

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As the title alludes, we’re dropping the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The way a home looks on the outside can say just as much about the people who live there as the interior does! We’ve all driven through neighborhoods and admired certain homes’ exteriors, some more than others. What has caught your eye lately?

Are you a modern type of person who enjoys sleek lines, geometric accents and bold colors? Or perhaps you are more of a craftsman or colonial style person, revealing in rich character and little details? Not sure what you like? We will help you choose which exterior will fit you and your lifestyle! From our timeless standard options to one of our upgraded options, you can be sure your home stands out in a neighborhood full of “cookie cutter” homes.

Your Kitchen: A Space of Many Uses

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When you reminisce on memories you’ve made with friends and family, where do a lot of those memories occur? Think about events and parties you’ve been to, or have hosted yourself. What space do you gather in? The kitchen is the space most beloved and used in the home. You cook, entertain, eat, socialize, and so much more in the kitchen. Designing this space to your liking is key to ensure plenty more memorable moments happen in the years to come!

 

Coming to the Surface: Countertops & Choosing What Suits You

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There are quite a few things to consider when picking out your counters. With all the choices from laminate to granite, from a simple to a busy design, picking countertops may give you a little stress when it comes time to choose. Not so design savvy? Don’t worry! Our Designers will help guide you through this process by asking you questions to get your mind fine-tuned and running towards countertop success! With an abundance of samples in our Design Studio to feel and look at, the choosing becomes a little easier! We will help you get a feel for your space as a whole by helping you choose cabinets and flooring to match, creating something that is cohesive and beautiful!

We offer three types of countertops in our homes:

Laminate: These come standard in our Classic home bathrooms. They are made from layers of bonded plastic and board. Many varieties that have a consistent look.

Quartz: These come standard in both Classic and Luxury home kitchens and standard in our Luxury home bathrooms. Made from ground quartz and resins, these countertops are very hard, durable and easy to clean, but not heat resistant.

Granite: Granite is an upgrade option for any home. Granite countertops are made from sheets of granite, therefore the color and pattern can vary from one sample to the next. Granite is much more heat resistant than quartz is.

Not sure which to choose? Check out this article on choosing quartz or granite.

We have created a series called Design For Your Mind, which focuses on guiding you through various aspects of the design process! Watch our countertops edition below!