Destination Up North UpNorth-Spring_19_NB | Page 9

Matt Nornberg, owner
of Nornberg Builders
Inc., in Pillager, Minn.,
does the majority of his
work in Cass County.
His father started the
company in 1984, and
he grew up in it, taking
over about five years
ago. In the 30 plus years
the company has been in business, Nornberg
has seen a lot of trends come and go. The most
notable: “Log cabins have kind of gone by the
wayside,” he says. “These days most people are
going for more of a cottage style look with
stained wood siding and wood accents.”
Amy Dirkes, AIA, Architect and Studio Lead at
Nor-Son Custom Builders, which has offices
in Baxter, The Twin Cities and Fargo, N.D.,
adds there is a trend for less wood and more
stone and steel. “We’re seeing less earth tones,
textures and stains and more enameled,
sleek, refined finishes. Function trends have
stayed relatively the same. People still want
an open floor plan with expansive views of
the lake and woods beyond. They want to
bring the outdoors in via screened porches
and multi-slide doors. They want finishes that
withstand the lake elements with less emphasis
on a natural wood aesthetic toward lower
Photos by Nornberg Builders Inc.
maintenance products. Most clients want to be
‘on trend’ with their design decisions, but more
through classic forms, function and finishes that
will withstand the test of time,” says Dirkes.
Other trends Nornberg is seeing, a lot of built-
ins, everything from shelving to bunk beds;
making use of the space under the stairs; and
putting in a fireplace. “We’re also building a lot
of oversized islands in kitchens with seating all
around it for the entertainment side of things,”
he says.
“Large open kitchens with hearth rooms, or
phantom screened porches that open to
interior space through multi-slide doors are
extremely popular. You can expand your interior
space with the push of a button. Having a
Home Central off the kitchen is really popular
to house all the things that keep a busy lifestyle
organized yet within reach, but tucked away
from the public eye,” adds Dirkes.
Doug Haataja, a project
manager for Hy-Tec
Construction of
Brainerd Inc., says that
master suites, lakeside
screen houses, open
concept floor plans and
great rooms are also
hot right now. So is the
IT'S THE GOOD LIFE...
DH DOCKS
Lakeside living
218.963.2566
23624 Smiley Rd Nisswa, MN
www.dhdocks.com
Instagram: @dhdocksnisswa
Facebook: @DHdocks
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