For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house. In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years. “As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh. “We love it – totally,” Sandi added.
So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement. When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years. After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago. Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed. The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156493","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other. Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless. “We just really like it,” she said. And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry. The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom. The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower. And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156516","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck. The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun. The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids. There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding. Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft. Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved. For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156529","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren. And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower. And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house. Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house. In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years. “As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh. “We love it – totally,” Sandi added. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156485","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement. When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years. After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago. Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed. The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired.
The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other. Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless. “We just really like it,” she said. And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry. The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom. The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower. And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156516","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck. The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun. The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids. There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding. Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft. Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved. For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156529","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren. And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower. And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house. Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house. In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years. “As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh. “We love it – totally,” Sandi added. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156485","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement. When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years. After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago. Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed. The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156493","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other. Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless. “We just really like it,” she said. And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry. The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom. The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower. And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot.
She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck. The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun. The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids. There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding. Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft. Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved. For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156529","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren. And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower. And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house. Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house. In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years. “As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh. “We love it – totally,” Sandi added. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156485","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement. When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years. After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago. Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed. The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156493","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other. Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless. “We just really like it,” she said. And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry. The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom. The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower. And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156516","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]] She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck. The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun. The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids. There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding. Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft. Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved. For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren.
While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren. And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower. And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house. Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house.In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years.“As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh.“We love it – totally,” Sandi added.
So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement.When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years.After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago.Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed.The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156493","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other.Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless.“We just really like it,” she said.And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry.The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom.The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower.And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156516","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck.The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun.The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids.There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding.Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft.Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved.For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156529","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren.And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower.And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house.Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house.In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years.“As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh.“We love it – totally,” Sandi added.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156485","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement.When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years.After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago.Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed.The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired.
The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other.Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless.“We just really like it,” she said.And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry.The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom.The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower.And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156516","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck.The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun.The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids.There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding.Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft.Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved.For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156529","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren.And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower.And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house.Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house.In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years.“As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh.“We love it – totally,” Sandi added.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156485","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement.When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years.After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago.Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed.The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156493","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other.Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless.“We just really like it,” she said.And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry.The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom.The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower.And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot.
She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck.The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun.The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids.There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding.Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft.Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved.For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156529","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren.And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower.And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house.Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.For 40 years, Sandi and Terry Kemmer knew what they wanted their first-built house to look like. It wasn’t until 2005 though that they finally built that dream house.In the early 1970s, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead newspaper would publish house plans, and then people could send in $1 and a self-addressed stamped envelope and have the plans sent to them. The Kemmers found a design they loved and sent away for it. They held onto those plans in a three-ring binder with various other house plans and ideas they liked that they had found over the years.“As it was built, we kept downsizing and downsizing,” Terry said with a laugh.“We love it – totally,” Sandi added.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156485","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]So they had the house plans they loved, but the next step was finding a place they would want to live after retirement.When they were first married, the Kemmers were both teaching in Ulen-Hitterdal. They would come to Detroit Lakes a lot to enjoy their weekends and summer. So after 40 years of moving around, they ended in Mayville, N.D., before retirement and decided Detroit Lakes was the spot they wanted to retire to and build the home they had held onto for 40 years.After being completed by Christmas of 2005, the couple used the house as a weekend retreat for several years before moving there permanently two years ago.Entering the front door, the house looks like any other typical home with a formal living room and entryway to the den/spare bedroom and master bedroom and bathroom. From there though, be prepared to be wowed.The great room and kitchen are open to vaulted ceilings, with an upstairs loft. The built-in fireplace and shelves in the great room also house a hidden television for a more formal setting when desired.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156493","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]The kitchen, complete with custom-built cabinets that have a few perks of their own, includes a narrow spice cabinet on one side with a wine fridge on the other.Sandi’s favorite part of the kitchen isn’t even in the kitchen. Next door is the walk-in pantry - a pantry that seems endless.“We just really like it,” she said.And for good reason. With floor to ceiling shelves on one side and space to stack larger items on the other side, just about anything for the kitchen can be found in the pantry.The main level also includes a guest bedroom and a bathroom.The master suite includes doors off the bedroom to the deck and an all-glass block walk-in shower.And speaking of that deck, Sandi said they use it year round. Their Timber Creek addition house abuts the woods, and their deck is perfect for enjoying the serene lot.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"1156516","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"350","typeof":"foaf:Image","width":"750"}}]]She said that they eat most meals on the deck, and she even has pictures of the grandkids bundled up in coats and blankets in March around the table on the deck.The south side of their home, the side with the deck, is filled with large windows to soak in the sun.The grandkids - six of them under the age of 10 - not only get fun adventures outside at grandma and grandpa’s house, they also have their own dedicated space upstairs. The loft is filled with toys and dress-up clothes for the grandkids.There are two guest bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs as well. One of the bedrooms has a special cubbyhole in the wall where the younger grandkids can be found playing - and hiding.Sandi said she and Terry rarely come upstairs when the kids aren’t home visiting except to use the computer they have housed in a little nook off the loft.Even though they held onto their plans for 40 years, while they were building, their contractor suggested changes here and there to enhance the house, which they loved.For instance, the master bedroom was supposed to be open with the 18-foot ceilings as well, until the contractor suggested putting in the loft instead of wasting the space with an open ceiling. The Kemmers went with his idea and are happier with the play area for the grandchildren.
While the Kemmers love the home they have after waiting 40 years, they said they aren’t opposed to selling it eventually and building a new one either, somewhere closer to their children and grandchildren.And when that day comes, there are pieces of this house plan they will take with them including the pantry, surround sound, deck to the south and a walk-in shower.And yes, they still have their three-ring binder and a perfect plan saved for the next house.Follow Pippi Mayfield on Twitter at @PippiMayfield.
