Interior Design: Joann Sevald
About Joann Seval “I’m Joanna Sevald, founder and principal designer of Riegis Design Co. LLC, a design studio based in Fargo-Moorhead. If you’re like most of my clients, you’re a busy professional juggling a successful career and a full family life, and you don’t have the time (or energy) to spend evenings and weekends picking
About Joann Seval
“I’m Joanna Sevald, founder and principal designer of Riegis Design Co. LLC, a design studio based in Fargo-Moorhead. If you’re like most of my clients, you’re a busy professional juggling a successful career and a full family life, and you don’t have the time (or energy) to spend evenings and weekends picking out finishes or coordinating with contractors. That’s where I come in. I work with people who have high standards and limited time. You want a beautiful, functional home that reflects your lifestyle without the overwhelm of managing all the moving parts. I get it. That’s exactly why I’ve built my business around making the design process as effortless and rewarding as possible for you.
With over 25 years of combined experience in design and construction, I’m able to anticipate challenges before they happen and keep your project running smoothly from day one. Whether I’m space planning, selecting materials, or coordinating with builders and tradespeople, I’m always focused on the details so you don’t have to be. My approach is warm, personal, and highly organized. I listen carefully, design with intention, and treat your home like my own. The result? A thoughtfully designed space that works beautifully for the way you live and feels like you.”
Featured Project:
Rambler Renovation
“Set on a multigenerational family farm, this inherited rambler was reimagined to support a new chapter while respecting its roots. The renovation focused on reworking the home’s core living spaces, beginning with a complete kitchen transformation and a thoughtful reconfiguration of the surrounding layout. Opening up the stairway wall was high on the priorities for the clients.”
“A new floor plan opened the kitchen to the dining room and removed the stairway wall, allowing light, sightlines, and daily movement to flow more freely throughout the home. We also added a beverage fridge area that freed up some kitchen space. Updated flooring, tailored millwork, and new interior and exterior doors further unified the spaces, creating a sense of continuity and quiet sophistication.”
“What once felt compartmentalized now reads as cohesive and refreshed, an interior that feels entirely new while remaining grounded in its setting. Designed for a young family just beginning to grow, the home balances openness with practicality, offering a flexible foundation for years to come.”
Designer Q&A
Q : How did you get started in interior design?
A: I went right from high school into an interior design program at Alexandria Technical College.
Q : What inspired you to become a designer?
A: I can’t really say anything that really inspired me. I was always interested in re-painting my room, and in high school, I took classes in woodworking and landscaping. Those were the only options in my small school that were somewhat related to design.
Q : How would you de scribe your design style?
A: I think for the most part transitional, but it is everchanging. New things inspire me
Q : What makes your approach or aesthetic unique?
A: I really try to get as much input from my clients’ style and lifestyle when designing their space. It’s not my taste, but it is what they tune into that makes it a space they love.
Q : What kinds of project s do you most enjoy working on?
A: I really love residential renovation of an existing home and making it into a space that they can function in and love without starting from scratch.
Q: How has your style evolved over the years?
A: I am always looking at other designers’ and architects’ projects to get inspiration, but also educating myself on new products and finishes to better my knowledge for my clients.
Q : What do you wish client s under stood better about interior design?
A: It’s not just decoration! 90% of my job is space planning, design documentation, and then selecting the finishes that will actually work in your space.
Q : What de sign trends are you seeing most often in the FM area right now?
A: Thoughtfully layered textures that still feel light and effortless.
Q : What projec t are you most proud of, and why?
A: I worked on a basement renovation that was old and dungy and we transformed it into a large bar for entertaining and different areas for gaming, serving food, and relaxing. My why—the clients were fun to work with, and they trusted in my process to give them the end result they wanted.
Q : What ’s one piece of advice you always give your clients?
A: Challenges are inevitable in any renovation, but thoughtful problem-solving and patience are what keep the project moving forward.
Q : What common mistakes do homeowner s make when designing or renovating?
A: Having a realistic budget.
Q : How do you balance aesthetics with functionality?
A: If a space doesn’t function well, it won’t ever feel beautiful. I design with real life in mind first, then make sure every choice supports both usability and aesthetics.
Q : What are your favorite material s or products to work with, and why?
A: I love working with natural materials—stone, wood, linen—because they bring warmth and depth that can’t be faked. They wear beautifully over time and help spaces feel lived-in, not overdesigned.
Q: What books, websites, or magazines do you recommend for design lovers?
Riegis Design Co. LLC
riesdesignco.com
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Instagram | @riegisdesignc
Published March 26, 2026
