Built Around the Way You Live

Designer Homes of Fargo-Moorhead

Photos by Chase Chapters

For most people, building a home begins with a dream.

Sometimes that dream is fully formed. A family knows the exact kind of kitchen they want, how the living room should feel, where the kids’ bedrooms should be, and what kind of view they want to wake up to every morning. Other times, the dream is harder to define. There are ideas, saved photos, a few must-haves, maybe a feeling more than a floor plan.

That is where Designer Homes of Fargo-Moorhead has built its reputation.

Founded in 2007, Designer Homes has spent nearly two decades helping clients turn those early ideas into homes.

With roughly 325 homes completed and a building radius of about 80 miles, the company has grown into one of the region’s recognizable names in custom residential construction.

But ask the team what they really build, and the answer goes beyond square footage, finishes, or curb appeal.

They build around people.

The Designer Homes Team

Ashley Tweten
Design Specialist

Brook Skjeresth
Director of Design & Marketing

Dylan Walton
Architectural Designer

Robert Leslie
Founder

A Custom Home Is Personal Before It Is Physical

Designer Homes’ process begins long before construction equipment arrives on site.

The company’s “9-Step Path to Building Home” starts with an initial consultation, where clients meet with a Designer Homes specialist to talk through lot options, lifestyle needs, design inspiration, and budget. From there, clients may choose one of the company’s designed standard plans or begin the custom design process with a design deposit that is applied toward the final purchase price.

For clients building a fully custom home, the second phase is one of the most important, which is custom floor plan design. According to Designer Homes’ process guide, clients meet one-on-one with an in-house architectural designer to create a floor plan tailored to their lifestyle, design preferences, and day-to-day routines. That collaborative phase typically includes one to three design meetings before the plan moves into pricing and pre-construction.

For Architectural Designer Dylan Walton, that early stage is where the work becomes especially meaningful.

“Every client has a unique vision,” Walton said. “Sometimes that vision is very clear, and other times it isn’t. In either scenario, there’s no greater reward than seeing that lightbulb of excitement go off—the moment it all comes together and they can see their dreams quite literally coming to life.”

Walton said the key is not forcing people into a standard template. It is asking the right questions, listening closely, and understanding that each family uses space differently.

“We don’t have a one-size-fits-all mentality,” he said. “Everyone lives a little differently, and the spaces that are important to one client may not be the same for another. Unpacking that information and creating something for that specific individual or family is what makes every home a rewarding journey.”

That philosophy is echoed by Design Specialist Ashley Tweten, who said the design process starts with understanding the client as a person—not just a buyer.

“I start by asking questions about how clients live—their values, routines, habits, and priorities,” Tweten said. “We talk about their hobbies and interests, what is working in their current home, and what is not. That early phase is the foundation of everything that follows. It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about alignment, lifestyle, and vision.”

The Best Way to Begin

The best way to begin, according to Founder Robert Leslie, is simple: start a conversation.

“The best way to do this is to listen to our clients,” Leslie said. “They will tell us exactly what they want and how they are going to live, so that we are able to utilize our expertise to create the very best floor plan and amenities to fit their needs. We feel that listening is the most important thing we can do so that we can get it right for our clients each time.”

That kind of support is especially important during selections, when clients may be choosing flooring, cabinetry, tile, hardware, lighting, plumbing fixtures, paint colors, countertops, and more.

Brook Skjeresth, Director of Design & Marketing, said her goal is to simplify that process without taking away the excitement.

“I try to help clients focus on the bigger vision first—how they want their home to feel, what matters most to them, and how they live day to day,” Skjeresth said. “From there, I can guide them toward selections that fit their style and budget. I help clients understand where to invest and where they can simplify, with the goal of making the build process exciting instead of stressful.”

The Designer Homes process continues through construction, framing and electrical walkthroughs, final walkthrough, closing day, and even a one-year warranty visit. Around the one-year mark, a warranty manager schedules a customer satisfaction visit to ensure the home continues to meet both the company’s standards and the homeowner’s expectations.

Custom

Over the years, Designer Homes has incorporated a wide range of unique features into client homes.

Walton has seen everything from airplane hangars to gun ranges, pool rooms, libraries, and hidden rooms.

Tweten enjoys the chance to explore design ideas that push beyond the expected, whether that means unique material combinations, statement lighting, or shower designs that give a space a more distinctive feel.

However, custom does not have to mean extravagant. Sometimes custom means a pantry designed around the way a family cooks. A garage built for hobbies and storage. A primary suite that supports a specific morning routine. A laundry room that makes daily chores easier.

“At Designer Homes, we pride ourselves not only on building beautiful homes,” Leslie said, “but on building beautiful homes that are extremely livable.”

Are You Ready to Live Your Dream?

Designer Homes of Fargo-Moorhead
Website: designerhomesfm.com
Phone: 701-492-5057
Email: info@designerhomesfm.com
Facebook: /DesignerHomesFM
Instagram: @designerhomesfm