October 2018 Midwest Nest

Edition 13

Last August, when Susan and I first sat down to discuss starting Midwest Nest from scratch, we predicted it was going to be a crazy adventure, and we were right. We published our first issue in October of 2017 and with each passing month, we found an outpouring of support.

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2018 Design Challenge: page 12

Down Home: PAGE 18

The Pines by Grain Design: PAGE 22

Jordahl Custom Homes: PAGE 28

Plains Art Museum: PAGE 44

Homes For The Holidays: PAGE 62

Smart Spaces: PAGE 68

Modern Farmhouse Remodel: PAGE 72

This month, we were overjoyed to celebrate the people who helped make our first 12 issues a great success. Since a mundane open house just wouldn't suffice, Susan devised a brilliant plan to have our own Midwest Nest "Design Challenge", as part of the festivities. We gathered nine designers, randomly placed them into three teams, and gave them a strict budget of $450. They had 24 hours to transform one room in a Dietrich Homes model home, using identical bedroom sets from Furniture for Less. They couldn't paint, wallpaper or pop any holes in the wall - so this design challenge was a real challenge.

Despite the obvious hurdles, none of the independent designers had ever collaborated with each other. To make sure everyone played "North Dakota nice" we added a little inspiration - a local non-profit named Down Home. After the Parade of Homes, all of the decor and bedding would be donated to help transition families from homelessness into permanent housing. 

For the first time, nine designers that we have admired and have gotten to know so well - now had a chance to get to know each other. Like the cherry on top, they'd forged new friendships and had managed to accomplish something truly spectacular - together. Now, that's brilliant... and much better than your average open house. 

I am not a risk taker, but Susan, our fearless publisher, is the person who made me get out of my own way and take a chance. In life, you only get so many chances to do what you love, so together, we took a giant leap of faith. Nine local and two national awards later... we haven't doubted the leap. We are so grateful for our talented family of graphic designers, photographers, circulation gurus, copyeditors and contributors. They say it takes a village to raise a child, well... we can assure you, it also takes a pretty great village to publish a magazine. 

With Midwest regard and gratitude,

Tracy Nicholson