A Blank Canvas
Home Ideas Magazine, May 2022
For Evon Faber, the home building process is her blank canvas. All artists know that the quality of the canvas they choose is the first step to creating an exceptional final product. That’s why Evon and her husband Ron’s east Sioux Falls home is the third they have built with WT Homes in six years. “The bones of this house are just amazing, and it’s because of how Willie builds them. They are so solid.”
WT Homes is a multiple award-winning custom home builder. Over the last 18 years owners Willie and Becca Tschetter have honed the skills to deliver quality work. They place emphasis on listening to home owners in order to ensure that each space looks and feels exactly as desired. WT Homes firmly believes that a home is only as strong and reliable as the products it’s built with. They approach each of their homes as if they will be living in it for the next 40 years. From framing lumber to flooring, they choose only the best.
WT Homes’ commitment to quality resonates with Evon’s own ideals, “What you put into a home is what you get out of it.”
Approaching the home from the street, the bold black and white two story modern farmhouse-style home is immediately eye-catching. But the choice of color is more than just a statement, the origin strikes closer to home. “When I would think of an old farmhouse, it was always a two story white home with black trim around the windows, always” explains Evon, “and so I thought, that would be kind of fun to do white and black on the outside.” It was a creative choice that clearly has struck a chord. She smiles, “Mine was the first [white and black house], now there are about five or six in the neighborhood.”
As you walk through the front door you are inundated with the seamless fusion of modern edge and farmhouse wholesomeness. To your left a luxurious-looking metal glass sliding door leads into the home office, complete with a black decorative paneled wall and sputnik chandelier. Directly across from the office is a powder room bathroom.
The home has six bedrooms including the master bedroom. The extra bedrooms are perfect to accommodate visiting family, in particular Evon and Ron’s 10 grandchildren. “In each of the rooms I did something unique,” says Evon. Upstairs is the “Bumblebee Room” decorated with a yellow and grey motif. Then there is the “Red Room:” “The boys fight over this one! I think it’s because of the red truck over there,” Evon gestures towards a vintage red truck standing on the floor in the corner. There is the “Girls Room” all kitted out in pink and featuring a charming built in window bench. And finally, there is the “Nautical Room” sporting oars and boat. The upstairs level also includes a split bathroom and upstairs laundry.
Downstairs is the family room with gas fireplace and wet bar featuring glossy black tile on the back wall. A fifth bedroom serves as the couples’ home gym.
On the main level is the master bedroom with its breathtaking vaulted ceiling and chandelier. Large windows give a serene view of the Willow Run golf course green. The master bath includes a walk in tile shower and freestanding bathtub.
The highlight of the home is the open concept living room and kitchen on the main floor. The entire space seamlessly blends both modern and farmhouse styles. “I like modern, but I like more of a warm flair to it,” Evon says. The living room features a striking black brick linear gas fireplace. The mantle matches the warm tone of the white oak floors perfectly tying it together. The space has a modern edge and yet maintains a coziness that invites you in. “A lot of my furniture is from either Montgomery’s or Simply Perfect” she adds. Off the living room is the dining room with it’s heartland chandelier. The room is enveloped in windows giving the space plenty of natural lighting and more sweeping views of the golf course green.
As to which part of this open concept space was the most fun to design, Evon’s response is quick, “Oh the kitchen definitely! I love kitchens.” This passion and effort is unmistakable. The black and white theme of the exterior of the house is reprised in the kitchen. Brushed gold hardware on the cabinets adds an extra pop. “I pondered a lot about whether I should do white on the bottom [cabinets], and for some reason I landed on black on the bottom. And I am so glad I went with black on the bottom, I really had to give it a lot of thought.” Two black pendent lights hang over the white quartz countertop of the island which features X end caps. A careful observer will note that the white tile of the backsplash is placed virtually. “I really wanted them to go the long way, and you are starting to see it now more, but you never did before.”
There was a never ending list of decisions to be made. “We changed our mind midstream numerous times on cabinets I know, how many times did we call them up there?” says Ron to his wife.
“I debated and debated on those two black upper glass cabinets [that are there now]” explains Evon, “I would [call Willie] and say ‘is it too late to change it?’ And he would say, ‘of course Evon, it’s not too late yet.’”
For Evon, home design is a passion. So much so that she has even lent her talents to other home buyers. “We lived in an apartment while we were building our home and there was another couple who were also building. I helped them pick their colors and get everything picked out. I just love putting things together for people, it’s just really very satisfying.”
When it comes to advice for first time custom home owners, Evon has several words of wisdom. She suggests to look at as many houses as you can and write down the things you like. “Do your research online, capture your style. The key to building a house is to really understand your taste.” The building process “really comes down to key people. Interview the builders so they have a clear understanding of your expectations.”
An artist knows that the canvas must be high quality in order to create a masterpiece. And that is why Evon has chosen WT Homes for her third home in a row, “Willie is the best in the business. He really builds a solid home. No one’s as good as him.”
For more information about the multiple award-winning WT Homes and their commitment to building high quality homes, visit their website at https://wt-homes.com