Behind every great neighborhood are great visionaries — thoughtful architects, investors, builders, and developers who walk a mile (plus a year or three) in the shoes of its occupants. At JLG Architects, defining a lifestyle, preserving history, and capturing the story are just pieces of a much more complex puzzle, an intensive design process that results in exceptional residential destinations like Selkirk on 4th, Mercantile, RiverHouse, Pure North, Sand Creek Flats, and The Landing at 1001 NP. This time, we go deep into the design details with JLG’s Marissa Arroyo, Hannah Halvorson, Tommy Schmidt, Brian Carlson, and Jesse Hadley — architects and interior designers dedicated to dreaming up all the ways we live. Make yourself at home on a beautiful tour of their team’s latest projects, from the downtowns of Grand Forks and Fargo to the wetlands of Jordan, MN.

Nestled in West Fargo’s enchanting European-inspired village of Oak Ridge, Sonder Bakehouse is a haven of happiness, blending the art of baking with a mission to make the world a sweeter place. Inside an exquisite bakeshop and kitchen, Kayla Houchin shares a symphony of flavors and philanthropy, supporting charity: water with nearly every bite of her handcrafted creations. Sonder’s pastry case is pure romance and sugar, stealing hearts with artful rows of macarons, chunky cookies, scones, and artisan cakes, along with edible cookie dough, cake pops, and heaping cups of joy Houchin refers to as ‘The Good Stuff.’ With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to indulge your sweet tooth and share a little homemade love — fresh from the Sonder Bakehouse oven.

Re-emerging from the historic 1900s Stone Building in the heart of downtown Fargo is the Synclaire Events Venue, harkened into its glow-up era by Jenna Pokrzywinski and her husband, Zach. With a limited budget and leap of faith, the couple embarked on an eight-month renovation of this prime historic property, where their venue dreams became a stunning reality. In this issue, we travel from archives to archways, where you're invited to the marriage of historic grandeur and modern-day opulence.

At abiRiver Consulting, a fresh start means carefully packing up the past, moving into the future, and guiding clients home. Owner Therese Johnson doesn’t just bring boxes to the table, she brings a wealth of tools, including a real estate license, emergency management skills, crisis intervention experience, and donation/ auction expertise. She also arrives with a dedicated team of movers and healthcare professionals who specialize in patience, organization, and most importantly, compassion. While her team helps clients prepare for exciting new chapters, they also help clients cope, walking beside them through the challenging chapters they never saw coming. When life is too heavy to carry, abiRiver is a helping hand — ready to plan, pack, and prepare clients’ hearts for a new homecoming.

To build an enduring legacy on the family’s Lake Lizzie lot, West Fargo’s Carrie and Jack Lawrence needed a bold new architectural angle, shifting perspectives backward and upward. With Brent Behm of Ruki Modern and the couple’s sister-in-law, Kimberly Scanlon, NCIDQ, ASID, of Vela Interior Design, the family transformed their beloved shoreline into a sky-high sanctuary. Now a year-round, multi-generational home primed for the next chapter, the Eagle’s Nest keeps family close and spectacular views within reach, soaring high alongside a few feathered friends.

Amber Blonigan and Tony Shooshani have officially shifted gears, moving from California’s fast and furious tracks to a slower lane along Fargo’s historic 8th Street. As avid collector car dealers, racecar drivers, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors, their lifestyle is all about setting their own pace—zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. In this issue, we’re putting on the brakes to tour the couple’s exquisitely restored 1899 home, where you’ll meet their Belgian Malinois, Loeka and Dino. We’re also taking a spin by The Black Building in downtown Fargo to see their prized Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, now on display in its off-season.

After 30 years crossing the country while her husband Russ served in the Navy, Melissa Kuntz felt called back to their home state of North Dakota. In 2020, at the height of a pandemic, they sold their home, packed up their belongings, and set off to North Dakota to embrace their next chapter in life, which ultimately led to opening the doors of a new 2,000-square-foot boutique. Settling into a sweet spot at the edge of downtown Fargo in October, Olive & Rust feels right at home. In this issue, we’re shopping an eclectic collection of handcrafted gifts, Nordic décor, stylish statement pieces, and cozy Mid-century modern furnishings — weaving together the essence of all the places the Kuntz’s have lived and loved.