North Notables: Rick and Amy Hendel of Hendel Homes

Hendel Homes, an Excelsior-based custom home builder, has been recognized as the National Home Builders Association’s Custom Home Builder of the Year. This is a significant achievement, as it marks the first time a Minnesota company has received this prestigious award. The accolade celebrates builders for their innovative accomplishments, leadership in the industry, and creative approach to crafting unique homes. The article features an interview with Amy and Rick Hendel, the founders of Hendel Homes, who share insights into their company's history, the meaning of this honor, and their operational philosophy. The Hendels' journey into the home building industry began in 1999, almost by accident. Rick, initially intending to pursue a medical career, started remodeling homes during college to support himself. This experience ignited a passion for the detailed craftsmanship involved in residential construction. After completing his bachelor's degree at Bethel University, he shifted his focus entirely to building homes, emphasizing uncompromising quality, precision, and meticulous attention to detail. Amy, with her background in marketing and design, complemented Rick's skills, playing a crucial role in establishing Hendel Homes. Together, their team has cultivated a reputation for seamlessly blending high-level craftsmanship with thoughtful design, ensuring an unparalleled client experience. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every project, reflecting core values of quality, integrity, and precise execution. Receiving the NAHB’s Custom Home Builder of the Year award is seen by Rick Hendel as a direct reflection of the dedication, passion, and expertise of the entire Hendel Homes team. He emphasizes that the award validates their commitment to clients, craftsmanship, and the continuous pursuit of excellence in high-end custom home building. For the Hendels, this recognition reinforces their philosophy of serving with integrity, precision, and a focus on constructing homes designed to last generations. It also underscores the quality of their work, the robustness of their processes, and the unwavering commitment of their team. The national acknowledgment by the NAHB is considered a humbling honor, attributing success to the trust clients place in them, and the collaborative efforts with architects, designers, and trade partners. Amy Hendel identifies their “secret sauce” as a combination of core values: humility, an unwavering work ethic, and a unique ability to collaborate effectively with clients, designers, and trade partners. These principles form the bedrock of their success, but what truly distinguishes Hendel Homes is their commitment to delivering the “Hendel product.” This involves going beyond mere construction to transform clients’ visions into tangible realities, by listening attentively and understanding their specific needs. The outcome is a harmonious blend of functionality, aesthetic appeal, and enduring quality. This fusion of integrity, personalized service, and a relentless pursuit of excellence positions Hendel Homes as a leader in the custom home building sector. Rick Hendel details their tailored design process, which prioritizes trust, transparency, and collaboration. Their signature step-by-step approach covers every phase of a project, from selecting the right team and finishes to construction, service, and warranty. This meticulous process ensures that every detail is executed correctly. Among their many projects, Rick highlights a memorable Montana lodge built around a natural stream. The residence was ingeniously designed to incorporate the stream, allowing it to flow under a breezeway at the entrance and continue to a tranquil trout pond at the back, creating a unique, resort-like living experience that seamlessly integrates natural elements with the home’s design. Looking ahead, Amy Hendel states that Hendel Homes aims to expand its reach while maintaining its core values of craftsmanship, quality, and personal connections. In the short term, they will continue to refine their practices and strive for higher levels of excellence in all business aspects, incorporating new design trends, innovative technologies, and advanced building science. Beyond expanding their local presence, Hendel Homes also offers owner’s representative services for clients building in other locations, nationally or internationally. This ensures a consistent and seamless construction experience, regardless of geographical distance, with Hendel Homes overseeing every aspect of the project. #AmyHendel #RickHendel #HendelHomes #CustomHomeBuilderOfTheYear #NationalHomeBuildersAssociation #LuxuryHomes #HomeDesign #MinnesotaRealEstate #ConstructionInnovation

The article details House Beautiful's seventh annual Whole Home project, which took place in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, specifically an area between Asheville and Hendersonville. The location was chosen for its culinary scene, high brewery-per-capita ratio, proximity to the Biltmore Estate, vibrant art scene, and scenic views, as well as a local bakery famous for salty chocolate chip cookies. The 4,000-square-foot mountain contemporary home was built in partnership with Sean Sullivan of Living Stone Design + Build, named 2023 National Custom Home Builder of the Year, and Laura Sullivan of ID.ology Interiors & Design, along with 11 other design teams. The initial goal of the project was to celebrate vacation home living and promote downtime. However, the project took an unexpected turn on the final day of the team's visit when Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The storm caused significant devastation to the region, including the River Arts District and Biltmore Village, resulting in power outages, loss of communication, and displacement. Although the House Beautiful team was safe, the widespread destruction prompted a shift in the project's mission. The focus moved from design inspiration to supporting the community's rebuilding efforts, highlighting the resilience of the local tradespeople and designers who continued their work despite personal losses. The article emphasizes the collaborative spirit of the project, acknowledging the extensive contributions of Sean and Laura Sullivan, Sarah Caldwell, Jill Jones, Chris Culler, Matthew Jones, Will Hewitt, and a person referred to as “Blackstone,” all of whom played crucial roles in the home's construction and design. Their dedication was particularly notable as many were directly impacted by the hurricane. The home itself is described as energy-efficient, located in the conservation-minded community of Sprout in Hendersonville. It features heating and cooling systems by Trane and window treatments by Hunter Douglas, which contribute to its energy efficiency. The exterior paint colors, Pantalon and Off-Black, are from Farrow & Ball. The article also lists various brand partners, including Architectural Grille, Fabricut, Feeney Railings, Fibreworks, Lee Industries, Minted, Monogram, Harlequin, Serena & Lily, Spoonflower, The Container Store, Visual Comfort & Co., and Wayfair Professional. House Beautiful also partnered with Wellness Within Your Walls, an organization dedicated to educating and guiding on reducing toxins in living environments, reflecting a commitment to meaningful and healthy design. The article concludes by encouraging readers to visit the region when it is ready, not only for its natural beauty and culinary delights but also to support its recovery. The full story of the home will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of House Beautiful, which is scheduled to be released on November 26. #InteriorDesign #HomeTours #NorthCarolina #HurricaneHelene #SustainableDesign #HomeDecor #DesignPartnerships #CommunitySupport

The Shingle style home, a unique American architectural development, emerged in the 1870s as a blend of Colonial American influences and European architectural styles, particularly from Normandy. This architectural style intentionally moved away from the ornate finishes of grand mansions of the 19th century, embracing a more informal aesthetic. Key characteristics include rambling, asymmetric structures with minimal exterior ornamentation, aside from their distinctive wood-shingle cladding. These homes often featured open floorplans centered around a central hall, and interiors could range from intricate wood paneling in public rooms to simpler beadboard and other finishes. The Shingle style became a popular choice for summer houses among the Northeastern elite, valued for its comfortable and less formal personality. Though many iconic examples, such as McKim, Mead & White’s Low House, have been demolished, some remain on the market, offering a glimpse into this historical period. Three examples of Shingle style homes currently for sale in New England illustrate the diversity within this architectural movement. The first, "The Boulders" in Jamestown, Rhode Island, built in 1888, exemplifies the eclectic and rambling nature of the style. Its exterior features a playful arrangement of gables, porches, and turrets, embodying the casual feeling the style aimed for. The interior maintains this informality with thoughtfully designed but roughly carved paneling in the main hall and simple, irregular finishes in the bedrooms, with fireplaces being a notable exception for their intricate ornamentation. This home encapsulates the comfortable, cobbled-together aesthetic popular at the end of the 19th century. A second example, an 1890 home in Edgartown, Massachusetts, demonstrates how the Shingle style was adapted for smaller-scale residences. This house features an open floorplan where the foyer seamlessly flows into the living room, leading to a dining room, all opening onto a back porch with ocean views. The design prioritizes air circulation and connection to the outdoors. Unlike larger Shingle style homes, its woodwork is kept simple, utilizing beadboard, diamond-paned windows, and modest door surrounds. At 3,700 square feet, this residence was conceived as an informal retreat, despite its current high valuation. The third property, located in Dublin, New Hampshire, illustrates that not all Shingle style homes were coastal. This estate showcases a purposeful asymmetry in its exterior, with elements like dormers, gables, and porches, and a main gable subtly shifted to the left. A notable aspect of this home is the visible influence of the Colonial Revival style, which was also popular in the late 19th century. The central hall, typical of Shingle style, is adorned with finely carved woodwork reminiscent of Colonial architecture, particularly around the fireplace, where the carvings are light and graceful, contrasting with the heavier paneling seen in the Jamestown house. These three homes collectively highlight the defining characteristics, regional adaptations, and evolutionary influences within the Shingle style architecture. #ShingleStyle #NewEnglandHomes #HistoricHomes #Architecture #RealEstate #RhodeIsland #Massachusetts #NewHampshire

Fredrik Eklund, a prominent real estate agent from *Million Dollar Listing New York*, offers a glimpse into his serene Connecticut home, which serves as a peaceful retreat from his demanding professional life and family responsibilities. Currently based in Miami, Eklund frequently escapes to this country house, where he resides with his husband, Derek Kaplan, and their twins, Milla and Freddy. The article details both the interior and exterior aspects of this tranquil residence, highlighting features that contribute to its calming atmosphere. Inside the home, Eklund has shared photographs showcasing various rooms. The kitchen and living room are depicted as inviting spaces, with the living room featuring a notable fireplace. His bedroom is described as super cozy, and a distinctive sauna room stands out. This sauna, according to Eklund, offers a view of the outdoors and is inspired by his childhood in Sweden. He considers it "the most zen place" where he engages in sweating and meditation. These interior elements reflect a design philosophy focused on comfort, natural light, and personal well-being. Eklund also provided new images of the house's exterior, revealing a pale brick colonial-style mansion. The grounds are characterized by lush green grass, a tranquil pond, and meticulously maintained hedges adorned with overflowing planters. These exterior features emphasize the property's natural beauty and its role as a picturesque country escape. Eklund shared these images on his Instagram Story, expressing his affection for the home by writing, "Home is where the heart is," and commending his new gardener, Adam, for the upkeep of the hedges. The article contextualizes Eklund's need for such a retreat by mentioning his busy life, which involves complex real estate deals and raising his children. He recently sold his Beverly Hills house for $10 million, indicating a shift in his real estate portfolio. Furthermore, Eklund provided updates on his children's lives as they prepare for first grade in Florida. Freddy is scheduled for chess camp, while Milla shows artistic talent in painting and drawing, spending hours in the studio. Eklund noted their growing social circle in Miami, suggesting a vibrant but demanding family life that underscores the value of his Connecticut sanctuary. This Connecticut home represents more than just a residence; it is a carefully curated space designed for relaxation and personal rejuvenation, aligning with Eklund's needs to balance his high-pressure career and family life. The design choices, both inside and out, prioritize a sense of peace and connection to nature, offering a consistent theme of tranquility throughout the property. #FredrikEklund #MillionDollarListingNewYork #ConnecticutHome #RealEstateAgent #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SaunaDesign #CountryLiving #FamilyLife

Fredrik Eklund, star of the reality television series "Million Dollar Listing," has recently moved into a new residence in Beverly Hills with his husband, Derek Kaplan, and their four-year-old twins, Milla and Freddy. Eklund has expressed significant satisfaction with their new home, which they refer to as their "forever home," attributing an improvement in his sleep and overall happiness to its design and colorful ambiance. This move marks a change from their previous, larger mansion that was featured on the show. The design aesthetic of Eklund's new home is characterized by soft colors, with a prominent use of pink hues throughout. Eklund specifically highlighted the positive impact of his bedroom's design on his well-being, stating that it makes him feel "very, very happy." He reported sleeping better, waking up earlier, and experiencing a sense of "zen" when spending evenings in the backyard. This personal residence contrasts with the typically more conventional, multi-million dollar properties he deals with professionally, reflecting a conscious decision by Eklund to create a living space that aligns with his personal preferences rather than market trends. Eklund and Kaplan approached the interior design process with a desire to incorporate vibrant, cheerful colors but initially harbored some uncertainty regarding the extent to which they should implement this vision. Ultimately, they decided to prioritize their own tastes, emphasizing that the home's design only needed to be right for them. This philosophy allowed them the freedom to create a truly personalized space. The home features a bright and joyful atmosphere, evident in the pink and soft blue color scheme, as well as playful elements like rainbows on a bookcase and the doormat. A particular sentimental element incorporated into the home's design is a red table belonging to Eklund's late grandmother. This piece was shipped over and intentionally integrated into the decor, making Eklund feel a sense of his grandmother's presence within the house. The family has affectionately dubbed their new residence "the color house," a name that reflects its vibrant interior. Eklund provided a photographic tour of the home on Instagram, sharing details about the family art, his grandmother's table, and the blush and baby blue tones used in the primary suite and children's bedrooms. His husband, Derek Kaplan, described the home as "Our warm cosy cocoon," further underscoring the comfort and contentment the family finds there. Eklund emphasized that while the home is colorful, the palette is intentionally soft, avoiding an overwhelming or overly maximalist aesthetic, creating a truly beautiful and welcoming environment for his family. #MillionDollarListing #FredrikEklund #HomeDesign #InteriorDecor #CelebrityHomes #BeverlyHillsRealEstate #ColorPalette #FamilyHome #ArchitecturalDigest