Mapleton’s Modern Minimalist

[ MB & Will Dort | Radiant Homes ]

Story by Tracy Nicholson
Photography by Micah J. Zimmerman, Amdak Productions

As the owner of Skill Cutz Barbershop and his own barber college in Fargo, Will Dort’s talent is anything but ordinary. When he and his wife, MB, decided to design their home with Radiant Homes, it was not surprising that the two were in search of something far beyond the typical build. Although Will Dort may be the creative mind in his shop, it’s MB Dort’s sleek and mod-minimalist style that dominates at home. Meet their newest addition, three-month-old son Blu, and take a tour through the family’s stunning Ashmoor Glen home, on the golf course in Mapleton, N.D.

Contemporary Curb Appeal

Completed in November 2018 by Radiant Homes of Fargo, the Dort’s contemporary two-story intrigues at the curb and inspires inside. “Modern prairie, simple, cohesive, impactful.” This is how Radiant Homes president, David Reid, describes the Dort’s new abode. “Radiant partners with each of our clients to design a home specifically for the life they are building,” said Reid. “In this case, the Dorts came to us for a home that would reflect their affinity to modern design while meeting the needs of hard-working business owners and a growing family. We helped them develop a design program that would meet the project goals, and then recruited architect, Jan Mevold, and interior designer, Brandi Youngmark, to help bring their vision to life.”
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“From the start, she had a clear vision of the overall feel she wanted for their home,” said Youngmark. “The exterior finishes were unique for a residential application – metal panels, EIFS and cedar accents were specified to fit the overall, modern look of the home.”

From the road, guests get a preview of the interior’s sleek style with stand-out exterior elements like larger overhangs, a low-sloped hip roof and a solid concrete porch. “The exterior of white and dark gray give it a more contemporary feel with refinished wood cedar along the front and the side, adding warmth and interest,” said Mevold.

A section of EIFS under the front porch, just to the right of the entry door, is finished to mimic the natural concrete look. “There are no ‘standard’ siding finishes; all of the metal siding is a commercial, box-ribbed metal panel,” said Reid. “The cedar tongue and groove siding provide a natural element and warm accent, in contrast to the stark color palette of black, white and gray. The front door is full glass, 42-inch wide by 8-feet tall and sets the tone for the window design featuring lots of wide open glass; no grids and large openings.”

Making Mapleton Home

Although moving to Mapletonwas not part of the Dort’s original plan, they compared the cost and size of lots with proximity to Fargo, and Mapleton was a clear winner. To assist them with their decision, the Dorts worked with April Bernabucci at Keller Williams Inspire Realty. “Once we drove back and forth a few times, we realized it wasn’t that far,” said MB Dort. “We used to live West of Sheyenne, near Eagle Run, and it would take us longer to get to work from there than it does from here.” 
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Settling into a larger lot on the Mapleton golf course meant no backyard neighbors, allowing the couple to get creative with an interior wall of windows. The Dort’s open-concept, main floor layout is 1,107 square feet with 1,232 upstairs and 1,107 square feet in the lower level. 

Take a Tour!

Throughout the home, the Dorts fuse their sleek style with Haitian artwork and framed photographs, along with MB Dort’s own art pieces. Each impeccable room carries a subtle nod to the couple’s past and present. Will Dort moved from Haiti to Fargo in 1997, while MB Dort grew up in Frazee, Minn. The two have been married for six years of their 16-years together and recently welcomed their first child, Blu, who’s now three-months-old. While Will Dort has made a name for himself in the barber industry, MB is a manager at Discovery Benefits in Fargo. With successful careers and a family on the grow, it was the perfect time to plant their roots and define their dream home.

Although the Dorts have called Fargo home for over two decades, they travel to Haiti whenever possible. “We were visiting family and we have some projects that we work on over there, so we were back and forth throughout the year in 2016,” said MB Dort. On their last visit, the two sold nearly all of the furnishings, coming back in 2017 to only a bed, table and their clothing. Starting fresh with new furnishings, the Dorts were able to customize each room and truly define their personal style. 

Interior Intrigue

Greeting guests, just inside the foyer, the Dorts worked closely with Radiant Homes and Youngmark to create a gorgeous, black-stained, oak screen wall. This unique feature defines the entry and provides privacy for the adjacent lounge, which was originally planned for office space. With a talented team at the helm and style-conscious homeowners, the interior results are high-contrast and high-design. ​

Magnificent & Minimal

With near floor-to-ceiling windows, the Dort’s open-concept space embraces clean lines and fresh, gallery white walls to frame in the golf course view. A sleek, linear fireplace with floating wood hearth is the living room’s focal point, drawing the eye to MB Dort’s abstract imagery and the couple’s Haitian photography. Black-stained oak accents and the absence of traditional door and window trim helps emphasize the spaces’ perfect symmetry. “The home’s layout is open and flooded with natural light. I think it’s a timeless design and piece of the future with the homeowner’s sense of style,” said Mevold. 

For the room’s design, MB Dort relied on a mix of personal photographs and abstract artwork with furnishings from Miami’s Modloft and online sources like CB2 and West Elm. “This space is probably one of our favorites,” said MB Dort. “I really like the large windows and natural light; it’s what really makes the house for us.”

Designed to Dine

Fusing contemporary and comfort, the Dorts chose a warm-toned, walnut dining table from Modloft, with a mix of black velvet and acrylic chairs, flanked with fur. Also shown, is the most stylish infant highchair we’ve ever encountered; a Mima Moon chair with camel seat from Pottery Barn Kids.

“I would definitely say our home is modern,” said MB Dort. “We like to mix as many textiles and finishes together, so it has that modern and industrial vibe to it, while not feeling too cold. To warm up the space, we pulled in textures like the sheepskin over the acrylic dining chairs.”168, 152

High Gloss & High Style

“In the kitchen, we used a lot of recessed lighting, while decorative fixtures were used more sparingly and emphatically,” said Reid. “The beautiful chandeliers in the kitchen, stairway and powder room really stand out. A full-height quartz backsplash with under-cabinet outlets is utilized so the beauty of the quartz is uninterrupted.” Adding interest and personal reflection to the sleek space is a portrait painting entitled, Pipe Dream, by Haitian artist, Raynys F. Informe.

“It was great working with MB,” said Youngmark. “The interior features dramatically contrasting finishes throughout, to create a perfectly modern feel. Sleek kitchen cabinets feature high gloss, white slab doors with a full-height quartz backsplash. The black-stained oak island and the warmth of natural wood create a bold statement, but with a minimalist approach.”

Powder Room Perfection

Just beyond the kitchen, walk-in pantry and drop zone, the Dort’s powder room is a captivating visual in black shiplap. Mid-century mod, sputnik lighting, a floating vanity and styled mirror accentuate a more vibrant portrait by Haitian artist, Raynys F. Informe.

Heading upstairs has never been a more beautiful journey. White-washed tile treads give way to custom-fabricated steel and a black-oak handrail, with the finale drawing the eye to a neon, linear art piece created by the homeowner, MB Dort.

Elevated Design

Upstairs, the home’s spacious floorplan accommodates an office, laundry room, nursery, master suite, guest bedroom and guest bath. At the top of the stairs through a custom glass half-wall, their unique, loft-style office space features an Iris Apfel painting, another piece by Raynys F. Informe.

Mastering the Suite

Instead of relying on larger windows, the Dort’s gorgeous master bedroom features an expansive patio door for maximum exposure to natural light. To make this design work, Radiant Homes added a coordinated exterior guard rail, so it can be easily opened to enjoy fresh air and golf course views. An abstract, black and white painting by MB Dort is displayed bedside and alongside chic West Elm and CB2 furnishings.

Inside the galley-style master bath, the Dorts chose his and hers floating vanities in straight-grained, Brazilian rosewood laminate. Black shiplap creates the perfect backdrop for chrome fixtures, linear lighting and frameless mirrors. The stunning master shower features a custom glass enclosure with a timeless tile design. Around the corner from Will Dort’s vanity, the two have designed their own, cost-efficient master closet using IKEA finishes. ​

Find the Finishes:
Builder – Radiant Homes
Architect – Jan Mevold, Mevold Studio
Interior Designer – Brandi Youngmark Interior Design
Realtor – April Bernabucci, Keller Williams Inspire Realty
Flooring & tile – Carpet World 
Carpet tile foyer rug – Flor.com
Concrete foyer bench – CB2.com
Dining table – Astor in Walnut | Modloft, Miami
Portrait paintings – Haiti artist, Raynys F. Informe
Neon & abstract art – homeowner, MB Dort
Black dining chairs – Harlow Mink Velvet | CB2.com
Acrylic dining chairs & faux fur – Ikea.com
Infant high chair – Mima Moon High Chair with camel seat, Pottery Barn Kids
Artwork photo frames – CB2.com
Artwork canvas near fireplace and leather stools – CB2.com
Nursery chair – AllModern.com
Acrylic side crib – Pottery Barn Kids
Master bedroom dresser – West Elm

For more information, contact:
Radiant Homes
David Reid | President 
1  2nd Street North, Suite #122, Fargo
701.478.4000
radiantcreativehomes.com

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Skill Cutz Barbershop & Salon | Skill Cutz Barber College
1700 32nd Avenue South, Unit 2 – Fargo 
701.235.3550