Interior Design

High Contrast Homes: A New Home For A New-to-Fargo Family

High contrast homes with Studio West

When Britani and Adam DeFoe (formerly of Omaha, NE) first started looking at houses in the FM area, they couldn’t find anything that felt right for their family. Check out one of the high contrast homes we’re featuring this month!

Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography

High contrast homes with Studio West

Moving out of state can be stressful, especially when you add four little ones into the mix. When Britani and Adam DeFoe (formerly of Omaha, NE) first started looking at houses in the FM area, they couldn’t find anything that felt right for their family. That was when they decided to build with Studio West Homes. The end result was a roughly 5,400 square-foot, contemporary-modern masterpiece that is above all, kid-friendly to boot. Now, you can join us in welcoming the homeowners to Fargo and take a private tour of their newly-constructed abode.

Meet the Homeowners

The DeFoe family had been living in Omaha when Adam DeFoe said yes to an exciting new job opportunity right here in Fargo. Thus began the search for a home that would not only meet the needs of Britani and Adam DeFoe, but also of their four little ones: Cora (7), Calla (5), Judah (4) and Ezra (2).

These homeowners were not complete strangers to the area though. As a young couple, Britani and Adam DeFoe had lived in Fargo before moving away and starting a family of their own. However, finding the right home for all six DeFoes proved to be quite the challenge this time around.

This is what led them to reach out to their friend Trisha Stibbe, who introduced them to Kirsten Waverek and Elliot Steinbrink of Studio West Homes. “They had looked at houses and weren’t finding what they wanted, so we started designing a house for them. We had the house designed and priced in about four weeks,” Waverek said. Construction on the home started in September 2017 and the project was completed by Spring 2018.

Meet the Builders

High contrast homes with Studio West

Trisha Stibbe, Kirsten Waverek and Elliot Steinbrink make up Studio West Homes. Together, they have made their mark on the FM area with their fresh take on traditional home design. With the DeFoe home, Stibbe, Waverek and Steinbrink have shown that not only do they specialize in traditional style, but that they can also execute contemporary-modern design with the same attention to detail that makes each of their builds special.

High contrast homes with Studio West

Left to Right: Trisha Stibbe, Assistant Client Manager; Elliot Steinbrink, Project Manager; Kirsten Waverek, Design & Client Manager

Entryway

High contrast homes with Studio West

When you first enter the home, the dining room is to your left, a staircase with a metal railing is on your right and the formal living room is straight ahead. Overhead are nine-foot ceilings with rustic beams that don’t feel out of place in this modern-contemporary space, which is a blend of Britani and Adam DeFoe’s individual tastes. “Britani came to us and wanted a modern home, whereas Adam liked a contemporary take on a craftsman home. They’ve got four kids, so they wanted something they could live in. Our overall goal was to have their home be both modern and contemporary, but still have it feel very homey. I think it was a really good combination. ” Waverek explained.

High contrast homes with Studio West

High contrast homes with Studio West

Flooring – Floor To Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home
Industrial Dresser -Urban Outfitters
Mirror -Urban Outfitters
Railing – All Fab Railings
Bench -CB2

Formal Living Room

High contrast homes with Studio West

The focal point of the formal living room is a faux-cement fireplace. Studio West Homes designed this space for Britani and Adam DeFoe to entertain guests. “We wanted spaces that were adult-specific,” Britani DeFoe said. While this room is for adults, the lower level features a living room and theater room for the whole family. However, a hidden playroom on the second level is where the youngest DeFoes (and their toys) will truly be able to take over. “I think the overall design and layout just works really well. It’s really functional,” said Adam DeFoe.

High contrast homes with Studio West

Light Fixture – Restoration Hardware
Flooring – Floor To Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home
Rug – High Fashion Home
Coffee Table – West Elm
Sofa – SCHEELS Home & Hardware
Side Tables – McNeal & Friends
Chairs – West Elm

Kitchen

High contrast homes with Studio West

Above the stove, Studio West Homes ordered a custom range hood from All Fab Railings, which they had powdered to match the DeFoe’s staircase.

The kitchen is where Britani DeFoe loves to spend time, and we can understand why. Contrasting cabinets in dark navy and bright white from Wendt Custom Cabinets, quartz countertops from Spaulding Stone and luxury laminate flooring from Floor to Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home make this space fit for Food Network.

High contrast homes with Studio West

Flooring – Floor To Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home
Cabinets – Wendt Custom Cabinets
Countertops – Spaulding Stone
Custom Range Hood – All Fab Railings
Pendant Lights – Rejuvenation
Appliances – Best Buy

Breakfast Nook

High contrast homes with Studio West

Tabletop – IKEA
Table Legs – Etsy
Throw Pillows – HomeGoods, Target, Amazon
Chairs – McNeal & Friends

The breakfast nook was intended to be a place where the DeFoe kids could work on homework. With that being said, the DeFoes wanted a durable tabletop that would be easy to replace in a few years. Studio West Homes then came up with a solution; they used an IKEA countertop and set of legs ordered off Etsy to create a makeshift work station for the kids.

What makes this a high-contrast home?

  • Bright, white walls
  • Dark floors throughout the first floor
  • Black trim on the windows and doors
  • Black steel railing & custom range hood
  • Painted cabinets in contrasting colors
  • Natural wood & stone accents

Patio

High contrast homes with Studio West

High contrast homes with Studio West

The DeFoe’s formal living room features a wall of A100 patio doors with black trim for a modern look. The best thing about these doors is that they fold back completely, creating an open, indoor-outdoor space between the formal living room and patio.

Dining Room

High contrast homes with Studio West

Flooring – Floor to Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home
Rug – West Elm
Prints – Etsy
Table – Jute Co.
Chairs – IKEA

High contrast homes with Studio West

The gallery wall in the dining room serves as an homage to all of the places the DeFoes have lived. While the breakfast nook was intended for homework, this is where the whole DeFoe family enjoys their meals together.

Mudroom

High contrast homes with Studio West

Floors – Floor to Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home
Cabinets – Wendt Custom Cabinets
Countertops – Spaulding Stone

Master Suite

High contrast homes with Studio West

High contrast homes with Studio West

High contrast homes with Studio West

Back in Omaha, the DeFoes were living in a rambler. This time around though, they wanted a two story with the master bedroom on the main floor. Their master suite is complete with an ensuite with a walk-in-shower, free-standing tub and double sinks.

Main Living Room

High contrast homes with Studio West

The main living room is located in the lower level with an adjoining theater room and bar. A custom, powdered steel fireplace, shiplap wall and nine-foot ceilings prevent this space from feeling like your average basement.

Bar

High contrast homes with Studio West

High contrast homes with Studio West

Much like the kitchen upstairs, the bar features cabinetsby Wendt Custom Cabinets and countertops by Spaulding Stone. Unlike the kitchen though, the bar is just steps away from the DeFoes’ wine cellar. “If there was a thing that we thought of, they made it work within our budget,” Adam DeFoe said of Studio West Homes.

Hidden Playroom

High contrast homes with Studio West

Hidden somewhere on the second floor is a secret room where the DeFoe kids reign supreme. IKEA cabinets provide ample storage for their many toys, while a small sectional is the perfect place for Cora, Calla, Judah and Ezra DeFoe to hang out.

Theater Room

High contrast homes with Studio West

This theater room is perfect for family movie night or for hosting sleepovers.

Studio West Homes

701-404-7716

studiowesthomes.com

[email protected]

 

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