HOME TOUCHES photos by Studio One Photography by Sheryl Jensen Jane and Jim Carr knew what they were looking for; they just couldn t find it in any of the homes that they looked at on the market. Then, when they finally decided to build, it took them almost two years to find the right piece of land. One Sunday morning, Jane found a simple nondescript ad in the newspaper advertising fifteen acres of land in Duluth. The Carrs saw the property two days later and bought it on the spot. At first, there were some questions about where to put the home on the lot with the builder they had hired. When the plans didn t match up with what the Carrs wanted, they went instead to Bob Brucklemyer of Bayfront Builders who did the plans. Then they worked with Ed and Dennis Brucklemyer of Brucklemyer Brothers Construction LLC to build the home. With the answers they wanted to hear about building exactly the home they wanted, they broke ground in September and moved in right after the home was featured in the Tour of Homes last May. The Carrs were pleasantly brave to try design ideas and quick to make decisions, trusting our design people to get it right. I have often told clients grab hold of the first color, style, etc. that says I like that. Too many agonize over all the choices that are available to consumers and end up going back to what first caught their eye, says Ed Bruckelmyer. We are so happy we went with Brucklemyer Brothers Construction, says Jane. He and his team are master craftsmen beyond belief. We knew what we wanted, and they were able to do exactly what we envisioned. Bruckelmyer adds, This home exemplifies the word custom from glass block windows, to custom millwork, closet systems, and cabinetry. The Carrs allowed us to create a truly custom one-of-a-kind home. The craftsmanship of our employees and sub-contractors really shines throughout the home. Country Living in the City Limits for Jane & Jim Carr 56 FEBRUARY MARCH 2009
H Left: A breezeway functioning as a solarium, a patio, and a walkway between the house and the garage has French doors on each wall, one leading to the front yard, the other to the back. Top: Custom off-white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances give the kitchen a clean, industrial look. A cherished heirloom chopping block was custom built into one corner of the island. Above: Simplicity and elegance make the dining room an inviting space for guests. One Floor Living and Convenience Essential We knew we wanted comfort and a space that we could live in forever, says Jane. The main floor of the house has everything they need. There is no basement and the second level is used mainly for storage, guests, and a play space for the Carrs grand-daughter. Jane is partners with four other women in a venture called the The Alaris Group, Inc. She works out of her home office, so she made it conveniently located just to the right of the home s main entrance. Jane looks quite at home in her niche, complete with the sign on the back wall, It s Good to be Queen. A command center desk gives her ample room to do her work. A colorful red and white striped sofa gives the room its color punch. Rich Continued on page 58 THEWOMANTODAY.COM 57
Below: The sitting room is a multi-purpose space with comfortable furniture for TV watching and relaxing, a small corner table for quiet dining for two, and a convenient bar complete with a sink, refrigerator, and wine cooler. Right: Jim s tranquil den reflects his love of nature and the outdoors. The custom cabinetry is accented with agates that he polished and selected for handles on the unit s doors. cherry wood doors open to a large closet allowing Jane a place to store all of her office supplies and paperwork. Manly Den Jim, who works for the Air National Guard in Logistics Readiness, wanted a sanctuary of his own. He says he based his peaceful den around a Robert Bateman moose painting that he had wanted for years and finally acquired. The wall of custom cabinetry and bookshelves in Jim s den is accented with agates that he had found, polished, and selected to match as handles. The room is filled with examples of Jim s hunting interest including mounted ducks, geese, and a deer head. The sage green carpeting underfoot is a natural complement to the room s soft tones. Green Walkway Down the hall from the office and den is an unusual feature in the home, a breezeway/solarium from the main part of the house to the garage. With French doors leading to the outside on both sides of the breezeway, the couple can easily access the front or back yards without having to walk all the way around the house. The breezeway is a garden sanctuary with abundant plants, gardening hats on the wall, and little touches of antique furniture to give the room its quaint ambiance. Part solarium, part walkway, and part patio, it creates a peaceful corridor to enter the house. Flagstone flooring in random patterns in the breezeway leads to flagstone squares in the hallway where the coat closet and storage area is located. Across the hall is the utility room housing the geothermal heating and cooling units and the three hot water storage tanks. A Cook s Kitchen This is the biggest island St. Germaine s ever built, says Jane of her expansive Cambria quartz top work space and eating counter. It s the best 58 FEBRUARY MARCH 2009
Wood Flooring SALES, SANDING & REFINISHING CUSTOM DESIGN AND INSTALLATION proud installer of hardwood floors National Wood Flooring Association Riverside Flooring 1814 W Superior St 218-722-9395 www.riversideflooring.com H kitchen I ve ever had. I love to cook, and this is a dream place to do it. Jane had an old heirloom chopping block that she wanted to incorporate into the island. Ed and his crew were able to build a custom cabinet to incorporate into the island for the block. Another interesting kitchen feature is a retractable faucet in the tiled backsplash behind the stovetop to put water in large pots for cooking or canning. Off the kitchen is a walk-in pantry with great storage for food, small kitchen appliances, and dishes. Another built-in storage unit off of the kitchen is the butler s pantry used to store holiday dishes and family heirlooms. Not only does Jane have ample room to cook, but with a dining room, kitchen island eating space, and even another table on the three-season porch, Jane and Jim have plenty of space for their guests as well. We had 25 people for Christmas, adds Jane. Leading from the kitchen is a sitting room with comfortable furniture for enjoying TV and relaxing in front of the two sided fireplace that also faces the three-season porch on the other side. In one corner of the room is a bar with high stools, a sink, refrigerator, and wine cooler. The opposite corner features a small table and two chairs overlooking the backyard, used as an alternate eating space for the couple. Continued on page 60 www.bruckelmyerbrothers.com Custom Cabinetry Design Fabrication complete to your specs. General Contracting since 1988 218-525-2344 2304 Lismore Road THEWOMANTODAY.COM 59
Left: A vaulted ceiling in the master suite done in white-washed pine helps create the room s comfortable ambiance. Lower Left: Relaxing in the master suite s Jacuzzi tub is the perfect end to a chilly winter s day. Right: An expansive three-season porch also gives extra space for guest dining with the room s large table. Lower Right: Helping to keep the porch cozy is a fireplace; another fireplace on the other side provides a crackling hearth for the sitting room. Relaxing Master Suite The wall in the hallway leading to the master suite has a cherished quilt made by Jim s mother with squares of all of the animals indigenous to Minnesota. This hallway also has a little windowseat as a quiet niche. Jane says, I love the bedroom. It is an oasis of serenity and calm in our home. A vaulted ceiling with white-washed pine gives a country feeling to the space. Our lives are really hectic, adds Jane, so we wanted the colors in here to be muted and subtle. The master bath has a large Jacuzzi tub for relaxation and a steam shower. Off of the master bath is a walk-in closet room with custom shelving on the walls and a center unit with drawers on both sides to eliminate the need for dressers in the bedroom. Right next door in the same wing is the laundry room that also doubles as Jane s sewing space and a place for crafts storage. A Natural Paradise Jim and Jane feel like they are living in the treetops and have gone back to nature on their wooded lot. We have seen fox and coyote tracks, and we often see deer. One day I even saw a black bear strolling down the driveway, says Jim. Even though the home has the feeling of being way out in the country, Jane says, We really are five minutes from everything. Being just off the St. Louis River Road does make them close to 35W and to the shopping district in the western part of town. It really is country living in the city limits, adds Jim. S 872 Stanley Road, Two Harbors, MN www.tradesmenco.com 60 FEBRUARY MARCH 2009
H GEOTHERMAL THE ENERGY-WISE WAY TO LIVE Whether you re building a new house or considering a new heating and cooling system for your present one, consider the economical and environmental advantages of geothermal technology. Ground source heat pumps are the world s most advanced, most cost-efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a new or existing home, resort or business. You can t afford not to! Proud installer of Geothermal heating and cooling in the featured home. IGSHPA - Certified Installers Lower your heating and cooling bills up to 80%. Call Summit for your free estimate and energy analysis for your home, business, and resort! Lic #20143519 2321 West 1st Street Duluth, MN 218-728-9965 www.summitmech.net Phone 218-624-1234 Fax 218-624-0599 5741 Old Hwy 61, Duluth, MN 55810 General Contractor Bruckelmyer Brothers Construction, LLC Subcontractors Calco Painting - Painting Riverside Flooring - Hardwood Flooring St. Germain s Cabinets - Cambria Quartz, Zodiaq, and Mystera Countertops Summit Mechanical - Geo-thermal Heating Tradesmen Building Center - Building Materials THEWOMANTODAY.COM 61