Home Design

Modern Marries Farmhouse In A Horace Home

By Becca Opp

Posted on June 29, 2018

Part of Signature Design Home & Remodel's modern farmhouse

Jess and Derek Bernstien are the owners of Signature Design Home & Remodel, who recently built their own home in Horace, ND.

Photos by Hillary Ehlen

Feature photo:
Flooring – Floor to Ceiling Carpet One Floor & Home
Electrical – Interstate Electric LLC
Tape & Texturing – JP Drywall & Paint

Jess and Derek Bernstien from Signature Design Home & Remodel

Modern on the outside, farmhouse on the inside; this house is truly representative of the Bernstien family. Jess and Derek Bernstien are the owners of Signature Design Home & Remodel, who recently built their own home in Horace, ND. We caught up with this couple to see how they have married two very distinct styles.

40 Miles Apart

Although they grew up only 40 miles apart in the small towns of Verona and Enderlin in rural ND, Jess and Derek Bernstien didn’t meet until they moved to Fargo, like many young people, to further their educations. The couple met through mutual friends in 2008. Jump to 2018, and Jess and Derek Bernstein have been married for five years and are the parents of two lively kids, Kayson and Alyssa.

“We wanted to do those things right—the things we won’t be able to change down the road,” Jess Bernstien said.

Entryway

The main level of the Bernstiens’ home features 10-foot ceiling heights, while their unfinished lower level has 9-foot ceilings. “We wanted to do those things right–the things we won’t be able to change down the road,” Jess Bernstien said.

Third Home’s the Charm

Before the Bernstiens built their forever home in Horace, they had purchased homes through two other builders. Both homes had unfinished basements that Derek Bernstien finished himself. “We bought our first house with the upstairs finished and the basement unfinished. We decided to tackle it ourselves and learned a lot along the way,” he said. Soon, Derek Bernstien began helping friends with their home projects too. Eventually, he and his wife decided to start Signature Design Home & Remodel with Tracie Christensen as their first official client.

When building their own home through Signature Design Home & Remodel, the Bernstiens looked to Horace and were sold on its spacious lots and family-friendly feel. “The neighborhood is full of kids,” Jess Bernstien said. “Everyone is just a big family here,” Derek Bernstien added. The Bernstiens rented a home in West Fargo while building their forever home in Horace. During the design phase, the Bernstiens worked with Jan Mevold of Mevold Studio, who served as the architect on this project. They broke ground in June 2017 and completed the home just before Thanksgiving of that year.

Neutral Color Palette

After their forever home was complete, it was time for the Bernstiens to update their furniture and decor. “It was definitely overdue,” Jess Bernstien shared. When picking out furniture, she and her husband leaned toward neutral pieces with the exception of a blue chair that Derek Bernstien picked out himself. To help make the pop of color look a little more intentional, Jess Bernstien added blue accents throughout the main living area. “I had to buy curtains to match the chair,” she laughed.

The nice thing about neutrals is that they can complement both modern and farmhouse style. The modern exterior of this home flows into the farmhouse interior because of the continuation of that neutral color palette.

Living Room

The Bernstiens thought about installing carpet in the living room, but instead opted for a large area rug that can be moved as desired or replaced if needed.

Part of Signature Design Home & Remodel's modern farmhouse

Functional Farmhouse Design

The Bernstiens built their home for entertaining, which is demonstrated in their kitchen. The double ovens, large kitchen island and open concept floor plan are ideal for hosting family and friends. Derek and Jess Bernstein were actually able to host their extended family for the holidays in December 2017.