Like a cobbler whose children have no shoes, some architects never get around to designing their own homes. The reasons are many — perhaps all their creative energy is channeled into projects, their wants and budgets don’t align, or it’s too challenging and time-consuming to be both the client and the architect. Jackson Strom, owner of Strom Architecture, solved that last problem by assigning his wife, Lindsey, as the client for the couple’s new 5,462-square-foot house in West Fargo, North Dakota.
Photography by Scott Amundson
“I love just about any type of design that’s done well, so it might have taken me a long time to settle on a style,” Jackson says with a laugh. “Lindsey’s taste is more traditional, and it was important that our home felt warm, relaxed and livable while raising our family there.”
This isn’t the first house that the couple has worked on together. Their previous residence was a 1928 Tudor situated in historic downtown Fargo and purchased in 2016, around the time they got married. They spent four years renovating on nights and weekends (with help from their dads) — scraping ceilings, tearing out old flooring and insulation, and redoing the kitchen and two bathrooms. While the kitchen was out of commission, the couple took advantage of local happy hours for easy dinners after work.
When their first son, Sully, was born in 2019, Jackson and Lindsey began thinking about building a new home that could grow with the family. They decided to do it sooner rather than later so that they could establish roots by the time he started kindergarten. “We loved renovating our old house, but it was exhausting,” Jackson says. “Every time we peeled back a layer, we discovered more problems. By building new, Lindsey and I knew we could get exactly what we wanted and put our minds at ease knowing everything was up-to-date.”
Photography by Scott Amundson
They found a site in West Fargo, located near a river and playground in a neighborhood filled with families. Now it was up to Jackson to design a house that would meet Lindsey’s clean, traditional aesthetic and adapt to the family’s evolving needs.
Knowing as much as he does was both a blessing and a curse for Jackson. He has designed sky’s-the-limit homes for clients with all the bells and whistles and high-end finishes. Jackson’s expert eye can’t not see poor craftsmanship. But that kind of refinement can be expensive (in terms of materials and labor), and the couple had a real-world budget. So, like most clients, they had to make compromises.
Choosing a simple, open layout on the main floor accomplished a few things. It gave the family the light-filled, flowing spaces that make daily life and entertaining easier and boosted the effect of more lavish finishes — cased openings between rooms, a window seat alcove in the great room, a built-in china cabinet near the dining table and a range alcove in the kitchen. “We don’t have the means to create a bunch of separate ‘wow’ moments, so we chose an open canvas where these elements act as the backdrop for the entire space,” he explains. Here, like an effortlessly chic outfit, simplicity — paired with just the right finishes — wins the day.
Photography by Scott Amundson
That includes the main staircase off the front entryway — a deceptively straightforward design elevated by a waterfall railing and balusters that die into the floor, which was a tedious installation process. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms: a suite for the couple, a bedroom for each of the boys and one for guests, plus a bathroom and a laundry room. Jackson paid close attention to window placements throughout the house (putting them on two walls per room for maximum light) and spacing. “I analyze — maybe overanalyze — circulation and clearances between and around furniture and traffic patterns,” Jackson explains. “It’s important unseen work that makes the space feel just right — not too big and not too small.” All of this helps the home operate at a higher frequency with a greater sense of ease.
Throughout the abode, the couple balanced aesthetic, quality and performance, saying yes to natural materials like stone countertops, high-quality windows and handmade tiles, and premium engineered wood floors, while finding a middle ground with elements like overlay cabinets. Leaving the lower level unfinished was another time-honored way young families often grow into a house, but Jackson drew up plans (now completed) that include a bedroom, bathroom, rec room, wet bar, workout area and sauna. “We planned it with intention, so that finishing could be done in stages,” Jackson says.
Photography by Jill Ockhardt Blaufuss
A den off the great room offers a quiet place to work, watch TV and corral the boys’ toys (the family now includes 3-year-old Oliver). Similarly, a pantry that wraps behind the kitchen gives Lindsey an out-of-sight space that she expects will come in handy once she and Jackson start hosting family holidays.
“I grew up watching my mom and my grandmas host warm, welcoming holidays and special gatherings, filled with tradition and care,” recalls Lindsey. “Now, I’m excited to have a home where I can carry on those same traditions. My mom and I have talked about how helpful a butler’s pantry — or scullery — can be for keeping the main kitchen clean and presentable while entertaining. Including this in our pantry floor plan was a thoughtful way of bringing that idea to life.”
Photography by Scott Amundson
The Stroms leaned on the expertise of others to take the project across the finish line, from the hardwood floor and tile installers to the finish carpenters. Fargo designer Katie Sullivan helped them choose furnishings and fixtures, bringing a fresh eye and enthusiasm to the table and steering the couple to a timeless mix of hardware finishes and a color palette that complements Jackson’s architectural vision.
“We’re so fortunate that Jackson is not only a talented architect but also one who truly cares,” Lindsey says. “His designs are both beautiful and intentional. Over the years, I’ve walked through houses I imagined myself living in someday, and now I get to feel that way every day in our own home. No matter the season or the room, our house is filled with natural light and views that make it feel warm, welcoming and uniquely ours.”
Project Partners
Architect: Strom Architecture
Interior designer: Katie Sullivan
Builder: Radiant Homes
Landscape architect: AGL Landscape Architects
