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

Thomsen Homes

Affordable Luxury Homes in Fargo, ND

Homeowner Tips

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!

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!

Starting our home search

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Thomsen Homes is so excited to be working alongside Chelsey as she and her family build their new home. She has a knack for design, and her chic style is breathtaking! Stay tuned for her guest blog posts and follow along for her home building journey.

 

Hello! My name is Chelsey, a mom of 3, with a passion for home design, living in West Fargo, ND. My husband and I originally built a Thomsen home back in 2017 and decided that we have outgrown the home that we are currently living in. Join me as I walk you through our home building journey on my Instagram and right here on this blog.

Originally from Texas, I moved to North Dakota in 2006 to attend NDSU. I ended up graduating from MSUM with a degree in Graphic Communications. My husband Nate and I have been married for 4.5 years and have three amazing kiddos – Avery (10), Auden (6), and Alder (3). Currently, we have a 3-bedroom home and with 5 of us, we have felt a little cramped. We’re looking forward to upgrading our home, so we have more space, and of course a 3 stall garage is on the top of our list.

 

First, I want to provide a little background about why we chose Thomsen Homes as our home builder and I hope I can answer some helpful questions that you may have when starting your own home building journey.

After meeting with several local builders, we decided to build with Thomsen Homes because the pricing that they had to offer was incomparable to anyone else. We loved the fact that Thomsen includes a sod yard, basic appliances, a patio and my favorite – LP siding. I love the look of the LP Siding because (in my opinion) it looks like a real wood home and provides a classic touch. We also liked the addition of a sod because when you’re buying a home, I want to buy new furniture and not have to worry about buying sod for our new yard.

Another fact that I loved about Thomsen when we initially met with them, was the fact that they were very upfront about pricing. We were able to get estimated costs for some of the upgrades we wanted so we knew we’d be able to fit those upgrades within our budget.

Stay tuned for next time as I discuss signing our contract and starting our build process with Thomsen Homes.

Back 2 School: Do Your ‘Home’ Work

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Brrrring! That’s the sound of the bell! It’s that time of year again and here come the early wake ups, test stress, and late nights studying. Thomsen Homes wants to make sure you and your kiddos get the best out of the school year by providing everything you need to create the best environment possible for your learners! Do your ‘home’work and see what makes a Thomsen Home the perfect place to learn and grow!

The ‘Purr’fect Home Is A Pet Friendly Home

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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.\

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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!

Home Is Where Mom Is

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No matter what stage you are in, in Motherhood, being a mom is hard work. Whether your littles are 30 years old or 3 years old, Moms have been the center of the home.

So, what about the different types of mom’s? – The mom that loves to cook, or the neat freak mom, the “mom boss”, whatever type of mom you are there are so many different things to think about when building your new home to suit your “mom lifestyle”. We picked 3 different types of mom’s that maybe you can relate to and different ideas when it comes to building a home to suit your lifestyle.

For the Empty Nester:

Kids are grown and out of the home. Maybe, you are looking to downsize or have grandchildren. Whatever kind of empty nester you are when building your new home here are some things to consider:

Do you need extra space for visitors? – Whether the grand kids come to stay, or you have your grown kiddos stay. Think about any extra bedrooms and a floor plan that maybe allows for that extra space for guests.

Or maybe you want a floor plan with all main level living? Look at different slab-on grade plans that are low maintenance.

Turn a bedroom into a closet, have that space you always dreamed of for your hobbies, clothing, trinkets or whatever you want!

For the Neat Freak:

No matter what stage you are in this neat freak stage maybe kicked in before motherhood or afterwards, either way it doesn’t matter. When it comes to building your home there are things you can do within your floor plan to make sure those messes can be tidy and organized!

Think about different storage options, maybe invest in an over-sized mudroom with built in- lockers to keep the family organized.

This can trickle throughout the home whether it’s additional pantry storage, or a built- in buffet in the dining area to keep all those platters and items that may not fit within the kitchen cabinetry.

For the Chef:

The kitchen can be the heart of the home and if you are a mom that loves to cook this room in the home is especially important! When building think about what kind of counter space you want. Maybe, consider an over-sized island, or a pot filler for ease of access to the stove.  Pantry space, custom niches or open shelving to display cookbooks or dishes the options are endless!


Need more ideas? Head on out to our Open Houses every Sunday  to get inspired! This is a great opportunity to hone in on what is important to you and what you want in your home to fit your lifestyle. Happy home building mamma’s!