Many people may not realize just how much sand blasting has evolved over the years. Differing from the usual sand blasting, media blasting features the use of multiple forms of blast media and abrasive levels that can be used on numerous surfaces. This can been achieved without damaging the integrity of the project. One of the materials used for blasting is recycled bottle glass. This media can be used dry or can be applied with water, creating a dustless form of blasting. This is typically referred to as “Wet” or “Dustless” blasting. This makes it easier for the technician to see what they doing, keeping materials cool and easier to clean. The media blasting industry has evolved to the point of blasting not only with recycled glass, but also corncob, walnut shell and recycled pl
Read MoreNow that winter is (hopefully) coming to a close, we can start thinking about spring and summer! It’s an excellent time to make your house a home with the upgrades you’ve always wanted. Whether your upgrade is as simple as getting a new furnace, more complex like replacing your kitchen cabinets, or even a large-scale remodel, we have options to help you get the financing you need. The First National Bank in Sioux Falls offers several options for financing your home improvement projects.
If there’s a project you’ve always wanted to get done but don’t have all the cash on hand to do it, a home equity loan could be a good way to get your project done. A home equity loan is great for one-time financing needs; it allow
Read MoreSpring Landscapes … Dig Into Spring
Once again, I’m sitting here staring out the window into the white abyss. Quite literally, the pile of snow outside of my office is on the edge of 15 feet tall. As of today, we are currently having one of the snowiest Februarys on record and seemingly the coldest. We’ve had close to 30 days or so of single digits and below zero temps. Officially I have had it with the snow, the cold and the lack of Vitamin D. I can’t even remember the last time I had a warm thought. The sun only tricks us, making it look so nice and cozy outside until the first slap of 5 degrees hits you in the face. The article theme is supposed to be on spring landscapes, I hardly think so.
Today, I stopped down at one of my favorite local coffee shops to get a nice warm Ame
Read MoreCreative Surfaces Countertops & Tile
Founded in 1988, Creative Surfaces is a family-owned and operated business renowned for delivering uncompromising quality and craftsmanship for every room of the home. Today it remains a family-owned and operated business, but it has grown exponentially from its beginnings as a custom countertop store to creating custom cabinetry and signage for retail, automotive, hospitality, casino and a variety of industries that spans coast to coast. Creative Surfaces employs 130 employees in Sioux Falls and their manufacturing facility in Rapid City, SD.
In 2005, they expanded their focus on countertops and made the decision to open the Stone Center, a retail showroom for home and business owners to stop in and see an amazing selection of countertop materials
Read MoreCottage Elegance
Written by Kelli Phelps
Photography by Cipher Imaging
In south Sioux Falls sits a grand custom-built Amdahl Construction Co. home. Fabulous curb appeal is an understatement at this four-bedroom transitional-style home with three full baths and two half baths, all adding up to roughly 4,500 square feet of living space. Situated on a large lot with a pond, the boomerang-shaped roofline of this masterpiece welcomes you with intricate details.
The welcoming exterior is comprised of white pillars set apart from white stucco, siding and the contrasting black on window casings. Grey, earthy dry stack stone accents flow effortlessly with the professionalism in the landscaping of the yard. A grand curved walkway eagerly ushers guests to the inviting front porch.
The front door i
Read MoreDwelling Coverage: How Is It Calculated?
Your home is most likely your biggest asset and it is crucial that you insure it properly. Odds are, you have no idea what your home is insured for. Do not worry, most people do not. What most people remember is their deductible and maybe their premium. Your homeowner’s insurance may have been put together by your mortgage broker and an insurance agent. I am going to talk about dwelling coverage (your house) and how it is calculated.
As an insurance agent, we use a computer program to determine the proper value to rebuild a house. It is very useful and accurate but it’s not a bad idea to call your local insurance agent to go through the calculation with them to make sure your home has the proper amount of coverage.
The most important part of your
Read MoreContemporary Comfort
By Kelli Phelps
Photography by Michels Digital Solutions
Architecturally beautiful, this Nielson Construction home sits surrounded by open land in eastern Sioux Falls. The exterior paint is an extra white that stands out from the thick black trim surrounding the 4-stall garage doors, efficient white pane windows and contemporary front door. The covered concrete front porch pairs perfectly with two dry stack stone pillars to welcome you home.
Gliding through the front door, it is as if you are still outside. The glass framing the 5-pane front door allows natural light to flood through as you ask yourself if you forgot to shut the door. A contemporary cylindrical chandelier hangs softly between the beams of the tray ceiling above the entryway. A carpeted office, which c
Read MoreSimply Perfect
April 2019 Article
Simply Perfect Blue
by Penny Klinedinst
Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.
Paul Gauguin
Have you ever fallen in love with a color?
That’s how we feel about these beautiful, crushed blue velvet chairs. The color is so stunning that it simply owns the room.
Let’s say you see chairs like this, or something else with an absolutely fabulous color, and you’re smitten. And then you bring it home and wonder, how on earth do I integrate this into my home?
The Fine Art of Balance
The best time to invest in neutrals was yesterday. The second best time is today. That’s because you’re ten steps ahead of the interior design game when you have a neutral palette upon which to build.
A light grey sofa, taupe walls and a
Read MoreAPRIL 2019 WEEKEND PROJECT
Wooden Easter Basket
Contributed by: Annette Amdahl
Time: 2 hours
Cost: $20
Difficulty: Medium
Materials:
Boards:
3 @ 1” x 8” x 36”
1 @ 1” x 8” x 12”
1 @ 1” x 8” x 20”
1 @ 1” x 2” x 34.5”
Wood glue
Wood stain (Dark Walnut)
Polyurethane
1.5” brad nails
Cotton balls
Tools:
Miter saw
Scroll saw (or jig saw)
Sanding block
Paintbrushes
Stain rags
Brad nailer
Pen/pencil
Tape measure
Hot glue
Cut boards to size
Using the cut list supplied, cut all six wood pieces to size (see image 1). On the 20” long board, draw a bunny head and ears outline similar to that shown in image 2. On the 12” long piece, draw a similar shape of the bunny head without the ears so you have more of a half-oval shape (this will be the back end of the bunny basket). To cut these two pie
Read MoreMARCH 2019 WEEKEND PROJECT
“Feather Wall Art"
Contributed by: Annette Amdahl
Time: 2 hours
Cost: $10
Difficulty: Low
Materials:
1"x1"x3' long piece of wood
1" thick scrap wood
Can be any width
Lengths vary 3"-12"
Plywood board 1/2"x 4"x3' long
Paint (optional)
Wood stain (optional)
Tools:
Miter saw
Sanding block
Paintbrushes
Stain rags
Brad nailer
1" brad nails
Collect your wood pieces
This project is a great way to use up all those scrap wood pieces you might have laying around (see image 1). If you don't have scrap wood, it's suggested to buy six-foot-long 1" x 2"-5" wide boards to use for this project. Planning ahead, you might be able to make two matching feathers to hang side-by-side.
Add a matching angle to the side pieces
Set your miter saw at a 27-degree angle and cut off one end of each of your scrap wood pieces (see i
Read MoreSimply Perfect
March 2019
Simply Perfect Man Cave
by Penny Klinedinst
The term “man cave” conjures up ideas of…well, cave men.
It also suggests the stereotypical man cave, with features like sports pennants hung on faux wood paneling, beer-stained carpets, empty pizza boxes and fossilized Cheetos between sofa cushions.
These days, men have progressed beyond the primitive and given the choice, many prefer a more refined and contemporary environment.
Raising the bar
In this lower level remodel, we turned the bar area into a focal point, mixing style and function. The light, reclaimed wood bar is set off by black cabinets and reflective tile on the wall.
Comfortable bar-height seating includes grey fabric-backed chairs with durable leather seats—on both sides of the bar—and at the ends of
Read More