Home Decor

The ‘Purr’fect Home Is A Pet Friendly Home

August 5, 2019 by Shannon Seefeldt

We all love our furry, slimy, scaly, small, large (you name it) companions. They bring a sense of comfort and joy to not only yourself and others, but to the home as well. A happy, wiggly greeting as you walk in from a hard day’s work. A meow and leg rub as you’re cooking breakfast. The simple gratitude knowing that these little ones love and depend on you. With that being said, what can you do to make sure your home is the best it can be? Here are a couple tips on making your home, the ‘purr’fect home.

Toys Are Your Friend: Sometimes our little friends can get bored. And when there’s a bored pet, there’s usually damage to your home that ensues. If your pet is a chewer we suggest sturdy, chewable toys like Kong brand items and bones. Rawhides are a good choice due to their chewiness and ease of swallowing, if that occurs. Rawhides, however, can leave residue on carpet and other fabrics so make sure to clean up as soon as possible! Feathers and balls are great for distraction too! Do you have a scratcher? We suggest carpeted posts and covers for couches/chairs if your cat or dog is persistent.

Home in a Home: Your pet also likes a little alone time. A good getaway for some peace and quiet is just what they need! This can be as simple as a bed tucked in a corner or as elaborate as a nook underneath the stairs. Need some inspiration for this? Check out Rodimel Dog House Project. Cat condos also create not only a place for cats to play, but to sunbathe and hide too.\

Green Can Be Mean: Remember when picking out plants that some, although pretty, can be toxic to animals. Aloe Vera is on trend right now but did you know it’s toxic to animals? We didn’t! Keeping these away from animals can also give you an excuse to decorate! A cute macrame hanging planter or a perched plant on a shelf keeps animals safe and your home cozy! Here is a full list of plants to keep out of reach of animals, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants.

Fine Feathered Friends: The bird’s the word around here, but they’ll be around for a LONG time. Remember that these guys can live over 30 years. Keep their cages away from windows with direct sunlight or breezy tendencies. A corner placement is preferred to make them feel secure. Do your research as some birds require companions which means a dual package. If you have a bird that mimics, such as a parrot or cockatoo, remember what you say… it can and probably WILL remember and repeat.

Tidy & Neat, A Good Feat: Some of these tips may seem obvious, but we will state them anyway. To keep a clean home, bathe your pets regularly if their breed requires it. Matching fabric color to fur color can hide noticeable shedding on furniture. Rugs are a good way to hide and prevent scratches in hardwood and laminate flooring. Decluttering keeps animals safe and also keeps them less prone to getting into things. Keep treats and food off the ground or keep food in a pet-safe container.

Life is easy when your pets’ lives are easy. Remember to do your research before purchasing a pet and know your limits! We hope your pet adventure is a long and filled love. Live long and prosper, pet owners!

Krafting Your Kitchen – What’s Trending in the 2019 Kitchen

February 14, 2019 by Shannon Seefeldt

“The kitchen is the heart of every home. It evokes memories of your family history.” – Debi Mazar

Indeed the kitchen is the heart of the home, or at least we like to think so here at Thomsen Homes. The kitchen is one of the most personal parts of the home, giving life to a person’s style and uniqueness. Kitchen style is forever changing year after year. 2019 is bringing some new trends that some will be sure to love!

One trend carrying into 2019 is custom-painted cabinets. This enables you to transform your kitchen like never before. Instead of staying within the boundary of stains, painted cabinets give you a plethora of colors to choose from. Literally endless! Are you a white, chic kind of person? Or perhaps you’re bold and like your cabinets to be a statement, maybe going with a blush or navy hue. Whatever your choice, here are a couple colors trending in 2019.

Warm Grey
Blues (robin’s egg, navy, almost-black blue)
Blush
Greens (think forest green, sage or a deep teal)
Beige (yes even the “boring” colors aren’t so boring anymore)

Another new trend is the mixing of materials in the kitchen. Gone is the cliche that you can’t combine gold and silver or brushed nickel. How dare we? Well we say, “We dare you!” We recommend no more than two different metals in your kitchen. Be sure to make sure your fixtures coordinate well with the cabinetry/counter tops you choose in your home! If you aren’t sure, our designers will point you in the right direction!

What does your kitchen say about you? “Kraft your new kitchen” today with Thomsen Homes!

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home

January 23, 2019 by Lauren Stonehouse

Among dieting and exercising as the top new year’s resolutions, 2019 may bring a new kind of resolution and it has to do with your home.

Whether you rent, own, are looking to buy or renovate, having a new year’s resolution for your home can be one that may be easier or more fun to stick to than a diet (wink, wink).

Setting realistic expectations for your home

The tricky thing about resolutions is that sometimes the expectations we set for ourselves are unrealistic and not achievable, or we just stop and don’t continue moving forward with them. When it comes to your home, try to set timelines and expectations for these resolutions so you can achieve them.

For example, if you rent your home but are looking to own, set a resolution to start the wheels in motion to move towards that goal. Maybe you need to start with seeing what you qualify for, or maybe you need to knock off some debt before doing that. Set an end date to do these things by and try and keep yourself accountable for doing so.

Are you in an existing home that maybe your family has grown out of? Look at different options on how to find a home to accommodate your family and your lifestyle. Maybe consider new construction and look at different floor plan options that would work for you.

Do you have house projects that you just never have gotten around to doing? These can add up quick. Try and limit yourself to a couple. Maybe you want to put up a kitchen back-splash, or get new shades? no matter what the resolution is set realistic expectations, so you can achieve it.

Do your research

Remember no matter what the resolution is from diets, to home resolutions, do your research. In the long run this will help you. Look at your options, what you can afford, consider new and existing construction and weigh your options. Try not to limit yourself and do the research up front. Find inspiration through Instagram, Pinterest and blogs to start to get excited about your new home resolutions.

Home for the Holidays in my new Thomsen Home

December 22, 2017 by Lauren Stonehouse

The holiday season is a busy time of year and for three of our Thomsen Homes team members they will be celebrating the season in their new Thomsen home. Rebecca, Josh and Chelsey all took the leap of building a new Thomsen home this year with their families and we have asked what they are most looking forward to this holiday in their new home.

Welcome Home Tis’ The Season

“We celebrated Christmas early with my husband’s family, and my mother-in-law helped me set up the tree! Decorating was so much fun this year-I finally have a place to plug in lights above my cabinets and wrap garland around the railing (which I’ve always loved and never been able to do before!) I love that we have plenty of space for the tree upstairs since most of or family time centers around the kitchen, and the way that the light reflects off the snow in our yard through all of our windows. So cozy! :)” -Rebecca

“Everything from decorating the tree to baking cookies in our new kitchen, our family is looking forward to making many memories in our new home. It’s great to have the space to entertain family and friends for the holidays. We are thrilled that we get to spend this first big holiday in our new home!” -Josh

“My husband and I are very excited to spend this Christmas in our new home as it’s our first house that we can call our own. With 3 kids this has always been our dream, to own a home where we can make memories together. Christmas is my favorite holiday and always will be. I love creating traditions and little surprises that my kids will always remember, from baking holiday treats to torturing them with holiday music, this Christmas will be one I will always remember in our new home!” -Chelsey

In a new home for the holidays? What are you looking forward to about spending the holidays in your new house?

Halloween Decorating Tips & Tricks

October 25, 2017 by Chelsey Freng

Fall is quickly upon us which means Halloween is drawing near, but have no fear! We are here to help you with some Halloween tips and tricks on decorating your home, as well as upcoming FM area events.

Pumpkin Everything

Decorating your home is the best way to get in the holiday spirit and pumpkins are an easy solution. Pumpkins come in all shapes and colors. White and pale green pumpkins have become increasingly popular due to their neutral color, as well as the squat, round looking pumpkins (also known as cinderella pumpkins). Add pumpkins to display on your porch, the steps by your front door or inside your home. The easiest way to add Halloween decor is placing small pumpkins throughout your home. Line up three or four small white and orange pumpkins for an easy centerpiece on your kitchen island or dining table. Add a pumpkin to your fireplace mantel or even your kitchen countertop; however, pumpkins don’t have to be boring. Spruce up your pumpkins with ideas from this website, offering 101 ways to decorate pumpkins.

Try these paint pen herringbone pumpkins by Lovely Indeed for an easy, no-carve pumpkin option.

These painted mud cloth pumpkins by Homey Oh My are another no-carve alternative.

Print it, Frame it

Pinterest has a never-ending abundance of craft and decorating ideas, including Halloween art that you can print and frame. Printing your own art is an easy decor hack that you can switch up each holiday season. Check out these 8×10 printable images from Alesha Haley and these mix & match printables from Landeelu. Check out her post on mantel decorating while you’re at it!

What Halloween decorating tips and tricks have you discovered? If you’re looking for more design trends, check out our design section on the blog.

Upcoming Events

2nd Annual Teen Night – Skateland – October 27th – 8 pm to 11 pm

Family Skate Halloween Costume Party – Skateland – October 28th – 10 am to 12 pm

ZooBoo – Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton – October 30th – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Community Halloween Party – Courts Plus – October 31st – 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Trick or Treating at Scheels – Scheels on 45th – October 31st – 4 pm to 7 pm

Trick or Treating at West Acres Mall – October 31st – 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Design Trend: Navy Cabinetry

July 6, 2017 by Chelsey Freng

Navy cabinets are a growing trend in the interior design world. When incorporated correctly, this trend can create a classic, timeless look. Whether you are going for a farmhouse look or a modern feel, navy cabinetry can complement with various decor pieces to create any style.

Incorporating navy cabinets in the kitchen

When using navy cabinets in the kitchen, it is best to use the darker color on the base perimeter cabinets or accent with a navy kitchen island. Our design team recommends pairing darker base cabinets with white upper cabinets. When using a darker color on upper cabinets, this may create an unbalanced, top heavy feeling in your kitchen. Add a white granite or quartz countertop to create a well-balanced kitchen design. In your decor pieces, incorporate metals such as gold, nickel or copper items. This kitchen in our 2585 2-Story Model Home incorporates the custom navy blue base cabinets with white upper cabinetry. Accent pieces include nickel cabinet hardware, bronze lighting, and a mix of metal decor pieces.

Incorporating navy cabinets in the bathroom

If you’re going for a lighter, classic look, accent the dark cabinets in your bathroom with a lighter countertop. Choose either white, cream or a grey countertop. Thomsen Homes offers numerous granite and quartz countertops, as well as high-end laminate options. If you are creating a masculine bathroom, pair the navy cabinets with a darker countertop such as dark grey. Again, incorporate metals such as gold, nickel, or copper in your decor pieces, as well as lighting fixtures and cabinet hardware. This bathroom in our 1670 Rambler Model Home is a great example of how to decorate with navy cabinetry in the bathroom. Accent pieces include satin nickel cabinet hardware, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and bronze decor pieces.

Whether you decide to incorporate navy cabinetry in your bathroom or kitchen, you can’t go wrong with this classic design that adds a hint of color to your space. If you’re looking for more design trends, check out our design section on the blog.

That’s a Wrap! Design Conference 2017

April 26, 2017 by Chelsey Freng

The Pioneer Woman didn’t let us down at this year’s Eco Chic Design Conference, but Ree Drummond wasn’t the only one to take the stage and offer inspiring insight on home life. Chip Wade, Grain Designs and Maria Bosak also weighed in on home inspiration and remodeling tips. This year’s conference was filled with shopping, great food, design tips and a sit down with Ree Drummond sharing her expertise on how to fill your beautiful home with all around goodness and tasty flare.

Thomsen Homes Gravity Booth

Attendees got the chance to defy gravity in the Thomsen Homes booth and lined up to win an autographed chair signed by Ree. The Thomsen team spent the day chatting with the attendees, as the anticipation of the seminars taking the stage grew.

Let the show begin…

Tears of joy and overwhelming appreciation, Maria Bosak took the stage and introduced the crew from Grain Designs. Rolling up in a golf cart the boys of Grain Designs took to the stage and worked their magic creating a feature wall and sliding barn doors with reclaimed wood. Using reclaimed wood right before our eyes the group put together a visual for the audience in how a statement wall or a sliding barn door can be a backdrop statement piece for your home. Shortly after Grain Designs left the stage Maria Bosak, Trever Hill and Julie Alin took over and incorporated décor pieces on stage and spoke to how it’s important to use pieces that create a focal point in your space.

Photo credit: Eco Chic Boutique

After a quick break we were back at it and HGTV host of “Elbow Room” Chip Wade took the stage. Chip provided insight on how to push the limits and create things that have never been done before when it comes to home improvement. He touched on taking clever ways to make the most out of a small space whether it’s installing back- to -back storage units that slide out when you need them and then disappear into the wall to use the most out of your space.

Dinner with Ree Drummond

Before Ree took the stage, she sat down for a quick bite with honored guests. The menu was from Ree’s cookbooks and consisted of a killer kale salad, chicken piccatta, green beans, assorted rolls topped off with cherry cheese cake shooters.

Sit down with the Pioneer Woman

Down to earth, city girl gone country, Ree Drummond made her debut in North Dakota for the first time at the design conference. In a cozy setting she and Maria Bosak sat in matching upholstered linen-like sandy beige fabric with antique nail head trim. The pair sat on stage and talked about cooking tips, Ree’s background as a city girl who fell in love with a rancher among other topics like family and life in front of the camera. A self taught photographer, writer, mother Ree’s charismatic personality, love for butter, kids and basset hounds won over the crowd in the Scheels Arena.

Photo credit: Eco Chic Boutique

A perfect end to a great conference we can’t wait to see what is in-store for the next Eco Chic Design Conference 2018!

Blush Décor: 3 Ways to Embrace This Trend

March 23, 2017 by Chelsey Freng

With a neutral color palette, mixing blush and gold throughout décor pieces is one of the latest trends taking over the design realm. This color combo has slowly been cropping up on Pinterest boards and design magazines for the last year and has already made a bold statement in 2017. You can find this color combo just about everywhere, including our Thomsen Home staged 1944 model home. Here are three ways to embrace the blush trend:

1) Bold Pieces

Adding bold pieces of either blush décor or gold (or both) will create a big impact in your space, such as this mirror and large piece of art. Add these pieces above your couch, headboard or a large open wall.

2) Adding Metallic

Not only is gold the perfect metallic to compliment pink/blush décor pieces, but also adding copper into the mix is another great alternative. Add copper pieces throughout the living room, bathrooms, bedrooms, or just about anywhere you can think of. The possibilities are endless! Think copper furniture, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures such as sink faucets or even add copper drawer pulls to dresser drawers. You can’t go wrong with adding copper with your gold and blush décor, but make sure you add enough statement pieces to make the copper items stand out, such as these kitchen accessories.

3) Adding small décor items

To make your blush/gold consistent throughout your space, add small details such as these blush throw pillows, gold tray, lamp and vase.

As long as you stick with a consistent color scheme, any décor idea will work in your space. View more blush decor photos here.