Hawthorne Home

After completing her master’s at the University of Bristol in Bristol, UK, then living in Minneapolis and Manhattan, this local designer has happily returned home to Fargo’s historic Hawthorne neighborhood. Emily Johnson, an alumna of Concordia who was raised in Moorhead, grew her passion for residential architecture cross-country and overseas, finding inspiration in classic English kitchens, Art Deco cityscapes, and well-crafted British tradition. In this issue, Emily invites readers inside her design firm, Hawthorne Home by Emily Johnson, and the renovation of her family’s 107-year-old home.

BY Tracy Nicholson & Emily Johnson
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss

MEET THE DESIGNER
This time, I asked Emily to take the reins and tell her story because frankly, she's more qualified for my editorial role than I am. To give you a little background, Emily earned a communications degree with a minor in English from Concordia in Moorhead. After moving to the UK to attend the University of Bristol, she earned her master's in English Lit, which led to a career in digital content marketing. As a hint foreshadowing her future, Emily chose the work of author Thomas Hardy for her master’s thesis, which explored his awareness of Impressionistic uses of light and color, fragmentation, and point of view – all defining the importance of "place."

In 2017, Emily and her husband, Brady, had been living in Manhattan for two years when they packed up and moved home to downtown Fargo, allowing Brady to further his career as a software executive. Emily continued her work as a marketing manager at an ad agency, having been invited to telecommute. Shortly after, expecting their first child, the Johnsons bought their historic home and started the extensive remodel. One year later, they moved in and began what Emily refers to as “Slow Design,” a process of taking time to experience and live in the space before adapting it to their life, now expanded to two sons (2, 5) and two cherished Scotties.

In 2021, Emily went back to school, this time for a career with Concordia’s International Admissions Team. She loved her work with international students but, at the end of 2022, Emily stepped off-campus and into her long-held passion to pursue interior design full-time. Her vision is to preserve and reimagine classic interiors and create warm, layered spaces that embrace the craftsmanship of a bygone era for modern living – hoping to bring elements of English estates and cozy ‘snugs’ home to the Midwest.

Grab a spot of tea and settle into the settee as Emily takes you on the full tour of her renovation, with a glimpse inside her recent interior design projects!

BEFORE

AFTER

AT HOME WITH EMILY
From our very first walk-through, we knew the gorgeous sight lines would dictate design decisions on the main level. The leather sofas anchor the room with approachability (hello, children and dogs!) and complement the varied color scheme. At first or even third glance, it’s easy to miss the palette of pinks, blues, and greens but, look again, and there they are, adding life and a bit of whimsy. Above all, we chose things that felt durable and affordable. Nothing is too precious or off limits except that extraordinary bouquet from Prairie Petals.

Fun Fact: We fondly call our home The Dylan after learning Bob Dylan himself lived in our attic in the summer of 1959! In 2021, The Forum did a story on Dylan’s time in Fargo and included our home.

SUNROOM
I feel so lucky to live in a home with a sunroom. This sun-drenched room has always been my favorite but went underused for the first couple of years. Designing slowly, however, allowed me to really feel out how to use the space. Like many families in the past few years, a second home office had become essential, along with more storage. An open and underused wall in the sunroom had the potential to achieve both. Kaeli Bernier from Wendt Custom Cabinets understood our vision from the get-go and did one better by maximizing every inch of available space in the floor-to-ceiling built-ins. I still can’t get over the flawless corners and moldings.

The pinch-pleat curtains make the room feel taller and add a cheerful textural layer. Prior to these, I’ve always made do with off-the-rack drapes, but this whimsical fabric was too special to overlook.

Replacing the cracking hexagon tile with thin maple-board planks made the room feel larger and more in keeping with the rest of the home. Painting the built-ins in rich color (Benjamin Moore Backwoods - the same color as our basement), simply felt right. The overall effect feels serene and inviting, and after years of living with my books packed away in boxes, I thrill every time I see them.

POWDER ROOM
We’re fortunate that a powder room had already been added to the main level, but the design felt out of place with the character and history of The Dylan.

We laid the groundwork for a timeless aesthetic with a maple board and batten and this moody, multicolored William Morris wallpaper - Blackthorn - which restates the living room color palette.

Layering in thoughtful textures and shapes, like the shapely brass mirror, slim porcelain pedestal sink, and simple milk glass pendant further elevate the allure of this little space.

JUNGLE NURSERY
This room was such fun to create! Our now five-year-old son, Wilder, is wild indeed, so a jungle theme was an easy decision. I had the idea for a large-scale mural only because Brady didn’t want me painting yet another room.

I specifically opted for a neutral palette to give the mural staying power and appreciate how it feels both playful and restful. The Jenny Lind bed feels like it could’ve been here a hundred years ago but finding an equally beautiful dresser online proved futile.

We needed a good mix of practical options for storage and display, and I think the maple dresser we designed in partnership with JSM Woodworks achieves both. I think of it as a future heirloom. Going custom with the dresser also ensured we had ample room for a vertical acrylic shelf that holds an array of storybooks.

WOODLAND NURSERY
Initially, I was concerned the navy walls would make this small room feel smaller, but I couldn’t be more pleased. They read clean and crisp and complement the variety of textures and tones. From the antique rocking chair to the brass figurines, oatmeal-colored curtains, and timeless furnishings, this room feels comfortable and inviting. The raccoon print melts me every time.

PRIMARY BEDROOM
It’s best not to ask how many paint pots I went through to find this pale beige-y pink, but it casts our room in such a cheerful glow. With so many wood tones, painting our existing bed frame and nightstands matte black pared things back and grounded the palette.

BASEMENT FAMILY ROOM & BAR
Finishing the cold and empty basement had always been on The List but, in August of 2021, with a two-year-old and another baby on the way, more space became the priority.

Creating a dedicated playroom for the boys was certainly a consideration, but ultimately, we wanted a room we’d enjoy now and well into the future. One that could host social nights at home, serve as a cozy, relaxed movie room, and provide a little more storage.

Inspired by our spectacular trip to the Northwest Scottish Highlands and our stay at The Torridon, a boutique resort in Wester Ross, we envisioned Scottish Pub meets English Snug – both a gathering place and private retreat.

Encasing the whole of the room in board and batten evoked the coziness of classic British interiors and informed every subsequent design decision. We chose the brass and glass bar shelves for their visually light and airy feel and appreciated the creamy tones of the woodsy wallpaper. Both elements are rich without feeling heavy. Funnily enough, we get the most compliments on the carpet! The pattern reminded us of Scottish tartan and allowed us to forgo an area rug.

Old homes are notoriously short on storage, and The Dylan was no exception. With not a single closet on the main level, creating a beautiful and generous home for outerwear was a top priority.

THE VICTORIAN FAMILY ROOM
From the enviable natural light to its generous proportions, there are so many things I love about this circa 1900 living room. Its stunning original features inspired much of the design and the rich, lost-in-the-forest green brought it to life.

The custom wall paneling feels like it was always here and enhances the new details — from the window seat reupholstered in William Morris’ “Blackthorn” to the pillowy linen curtains.

This room may be grand, but it’s also practical for a young family. The vintage Ethan Allen shelf has ample display for books and trinkets, the deep window seat drawers tuck away toys, and the minimalist children’s table (selected in lieu of another side table) provides dedicated space for the littles. Taken together, the room is comfortable and inviting and, best yet, awash with life.

BEHIND THE DESIGN
Basement Family Room & Bar
Wallpaper: Cole & Son Woods in Stone & White, Decorator’s Best
Window Treatment: The Little Blind Shop (Hunter Douglas Blinds)
Custom Cabinetry & Wardrobe: Braaten Cabinets
Carpet: Carpet World Fargo
Electric Fireplace: Hebron Brick
Countertop & Hearth: Calcutta Gold Quartz, Northern Stone Fargo
Construction, Painting & Millwork: Dawson Contracting
Brass & Glass Wall-Mounted Shelving: Iron Abode
Leather Sectional: West Elm
Coffee Table: Antique/family heirloom
Ottomans: Studio McGee for Target

Formal Living Room
Leather Sofas: Hom Furniture
Coffee Table: West Elm
Black Marble Side Table: OROA Trade
Blue Armchairs: West Elm
Area Rug: Rugs USA
Art Trio: Artist Susan Hable, McNeal & Friends
Original Oil Paintings: Artist Kali Benson
Mid-century Modern Cabinet: Facebook Marketplace
Antique Secretary’s Desk: Family Heirloom
Brass Art Lights: Amazon

Sunroom & Home Office
Built-in Shelving & Desk: Wendt Custom Cabinets
Maple Floors: Kadoun Hardwood Flooring
Original Painting: Artist Susan Boyd
Chaise Lounge Chair: Interior Define
Patterned Drapes: Custom - Calico
Side Table: Target
Tufted Bench: Facebook Marketplace
Table Lamp: HomeGoods
Floor Lamp: Lamps Plus

Powder Room
William Morris Wallpaper: Spoonflower
Oval Mirror: West Elm
Slim Pendant: Home Depot
Pedestal Sink: Kohler
Maple Board & Batten: Hawthorne Home

Primary Bedroom
Bed Frame/Nightstands: Ethan Allen
Wall-Mounted Lamps: Lamps Plus
Bedding: Etsy & West Elm
Art: One Kings Lane
Accents: Vintage & thrifted
Faux Leather Tray: Gathre

Wilder’s Room
Jungle Mural: Munks and Me
Elephant Print: Sharon Montrose
Maple Dresser: Hawthorne Home / JSM Woodworks
Dresser Accents: Vintage & thrifted
Jenny Lind Bed Frame: Crate & Kids
Bedding: Pillowfort & Handpicked Goods
Nightstand/Table lamp: HomeGoods

Huck’s Room
Dresser & Crib: Pottery Barn Kids
Rocking Chair: Family heirloom
Nightstand: HomeGoods
Art: Minted
Abstract Wall Hanging: Jungalow by Justina Blakeney

Feeling Thrifty?
Emily’s favorite places to find thrifted and vintage pieces include The Arc in North Fargo, Sulaine’s Antique Mall in Detroit Lakes, and FM Antiques, which recently relocated to 3218 HWY 10 East, Moorhead.

Follow Emily’s Inspiration
To fuel timeless design inspiration, Emily follows Michigan-based interior designer Jean Stoffer. Find Stoffer’s work on “The Established Home,” featured on Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network. You can also read Stoffer’s 2022 book, “Establishing Home, Creating space for a beautiful life with family, faith, and friends.”

Contact the Designer:
Hawthorne Home by Emily Johnson
emily@hawthornehomeinteriors.com
hawthornehomeinteriors.com
Instagram: @hawthornehomebyemily