At Custom One Homes, we firmly believe each and every member of our team is what sets us apart from the rest. Their hard work, dedication, and creative spirit are what drives our business and we wouldn’t be where we are without them. So, we think it’s only fair to give them the recognition they deserve!

It’s time to shine the spotlight on our Vice President, Cheryl Mann. Cheryl has been with Custom One Homes from the very beginning and it’s safe to say she’s an integral part of our team! With 40 years of experience, Cheryl knows the custom home building industry inside and out. Keep reading to learn more about how Cheryl got started in the industry, how she serves our clients, and what she loves about being part of the Custom One team.

Name: Cheryl Mann
Title: Vice President
Years at Custom One: 36
Years in the Industry: 40

What is your brief professional history?

I started working for a local real estate company in 1979 until that owner later sold it to start a building company in 1983.

How did you get into the custom home building industry?

I handled closings and all accounting for the real estate company, then I transitioned into estimating/accounting for a building company. 

Favorite part of your job?

I love the interaction with all parties (homeowners, tradespeople, suppliers) and collaborating to see a project come to completion. Turning over the keys to a new home and watching the process happen from the ground up is the best.    

How do you overcome challenges or problem-solve in your position?

Challenges are always overcome by working together as a team, including staff, tradespeople, and suppliers. It is important that everyone is on the same page and understands their responsibilities. 

What design trend are you digging right now?

I love anything our interior designer comes up with! She is the best; and just when I think she’s nailed it, she comes up with something new.   

What’s your design style?

Modern Rustic 

What do you wish people knew about your job or industry?

I wish people knew the number of parts and pieces it takes to build the whole puzzle. There are loads of moving pieces, and the colors and patterns of them are changing constantly.   

What’s your biggest work quirk or what are you known for around the office?

I have been here forever and am obsessed with my job, is that a work quirk?

Where can you be found outside of work?

With family, especially my kids and grandkids.   

What are your hobbies?

Soaking up some sun on a boat in the middle of the lake, riding the motorcycle with my husband, and definitely travel.   

Do you have a pet?

No pets currently, but I sure do want one. We just haven’t made that leap again.  

Twins or Vikings?

Vikings – go, team!

Summer or winter?

Summer, always summer!

Lake or ocean?

Ocean, preferably on a cruise ship.

Traveler or homebody?

Both really; I just don’t travel as much as I would like.

Ice cream or hamburgers?

Hmmm, I really love a good hamburger. 

What’s your favorite meal or Twin Cities restaurant?

My son is a foodie, anywhere he picks becomes a favorite.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know a little about Cheryl and her experience as part of the Custom One Homes team. We’ll be sharing more about the heroes of Custom One Homes, so be on the lookout for future Q&A’s!

We’re not quite ready for summer to end but fall is just around the corner. The good news? That means the Fall Parade of Homes is just a few weeks away! This year, we have three gorgeous homes and a new community on tour. While that’s exciting in itself, the team at Custom One Homes has another reason to celebrate. One of our entries will be featured as a Dream Home during the Fall Parade! Get the details below and be sure to stop by once the Fall Parade kicks off!

2019 Fall Parade of Homes
September 7th-29th
Open Thursdays through Sundays from 12:00 to 6:00 PM

Dream Home Model #66 – 5115 Woodlane Alcove, Woodbury, MN 55129
Parade Page

Located in the Autumn Bluff neighborhood in Woodbury, MN, this home is a must-see! Spanning 8,050 square feet, it includes 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and a 4-stall garage. Featuring a rustic modern style, the home lies on a beautiful acreage lot with views of the neighboring bluff and wood ravine. Taking advantage of the surrounding area, the design includes an abundance of gorgeous natural details. From antique wood beams in the great room to weathered wood walls in the hearth room, each detail perfectly complements the style and location of the home. Rustic elements continue throughout the lower level, where a rough sawn ash countertop adorns the golf simulator viewing bar. The lower level is also home to an indoor regulation pickleball court and private deck overlooking the pool.

Upstairs, the vaulted master suite takes luxury to the next level. Embellished by whitewashed beams and vine-imprinted tile, the master includes a spa-like ensuite and walk-in closet. It also features a fireplace, beverage fridge, and private balcony, ensuring no opportunity for relaxation is missed.

Other highlights of the Custom One Homes Dream Home include:

• 4 fireplaces
• 10′ tall ceilings on the main level
• 9′ tall ceilings on the lower level
• Suspended main level staircase with art display area
• Kid’s playroom
• Exercise room

Don’t miss your chance to see this stunning home during the Fall Parade of Homes! Every $5 admission to tour our Dream Home will help the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s efforts to build and remodel homes for area families in need.

At Custom One Homes, we strive to help our clients build a home that reflects their personality, needs, and lifestyle. From our initial meeting to move in day, our process revolves around families. So, we make it a point to really get to know our clients as we guide them through the custom home building process. By working closely with them, we can ensure the final product is a home they’re sure to love for years to come.

To give you an inside look at the custom home building process, we created a 7-part video series showing each phase. Since January, we’ve been following Darin and Erin Rippentrop build their dream home from the ground up. From beginning to end, we’re covering it all and our team has truly loved sharing every step of their journey! In the last video, we offered a peek at the framing and electrical process. As Darin and Erin toured their newly framed home for the first time, they finalized the placement of outlets and other important features.

Our next video is all about one of our favorite parts of the custom home building process; the finishing stage! After months of hard work, everything is starting to come together as Darin and Erin get to see their design choices come to life. This phase of construction is all about having a critical eye. After all, we only have one chance to get things right. From cabinets to millwork to flooring to siding – we want each piece finished perfectly. Check it out below!

Interested in learning more about how we can create a home that reflects your unique personality? We’d love to answer any questions you may have! Contact our team to get started.

At Custom One Homes we believe in giving back, which is why we created Custom One Charities. It’s our way to support charities like Make-A-Wish and other community organizations. With that in mind, we’re excited to announce registration is now open for our 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament!

What: Custom One Homes’ 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
When: Thursday, July 25, 2019
Where: Prestwick Golf Club

Click here to register for this event.
Click here to learn about the 2018 Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from the event will go to Make-A-Wish, Custom One Charities, and local organizations. We couldn’t be prouder of the turnout of our past events and the money we’ve raised for great causes. We’re looking forward to working with our amazing sponsors, golfers, and attendees to have another successful event!

Update – 5-20-2019: because of your generous support, the golf tournament is sold out! However, there are still tickets available for those who would like to join us for dinner.

Spring has sprung and it’s the perfect time to get a head start on home organization! Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you covered with some of our best home organization tips. With these home organization tips, your home will be neat and orderly in no time!

Mudroom Organization

Mudrooms are becoming commonplace in most homes, and for good reason! A mudroom is your home’s first line of defense when it comes to keeping tidy. A built-in bench with shoe storage, hooks, and cubbies provides plenty of space to hang outdoor gear and store purses and backpacks. Another great option is built-in lockers, which provide each member of the family with their own designated space. Baskets pair well with open shelving because they keep small items together and out of sight.

Laundry Room Organization

Laundry can be a time-consuming process but one thing that makes it easier is a well-organized laundry room. Adding cabinets or shelving in the laundry room ensures items like laundry detergent, stain remover, and dryer sheets are easy to find. Folding clothes and treating stains is a breeze with plenty of counter space, too. Once clothes are clean, a built-in rack provides the perfect place to hang items to try or keep them wrinkle-free. Is your laundry room on the smaller side? Place a piece of butcher block or inexpensive laminate countertop over the top of a front loading washer and dryer to create counter space, then add shelving or cabinets above. Or, stack a front loading washer and dry to create enough space for shelving and a hanging rack next to them.

Master Closet Organization

There’s nothing quite as overwhelming as an overcrowded, unorganized master closet. Luckily, there are a few solutions that will keep your closet looking tidy. To make the most of your master closet’s available space, utilize a mix of shelving and hanging space. Next, invest in quality hangers. Opting for a slimmer hanger lets you maximize your closet’s space. Also consider hangers for pants, ties, and scarves. To keep smaller items organized and easy to find, use baskets. For watches and jewelry, consider placing trays on shelves or in drawers.

Don’t forget to do a seasonal purge, either! For example, as you transition your winter wardrobe to spring/summer, remove any items you didn’t wear. Sorting through and donating clothing and shoes you didn’t wear will keep your closet free of clutter and allows you to give back to the community.

Pantry Organization

Keeping your pantry organized means ingredients and snacks are easier to find. A simple place to start is to sort items by category. For example, group baking items, snacks, and breakfast foods together into their own basket or separate part of the pantry. Clear containers are also helpful to keep your pantry uniform, make it easy to see what they hold, and can be stacked depending on their style. If your pantry has deeper shelves, place less used ingredients and items at the back. Then, place a basket filled with everyday items in front of or on top of them. When you need to access the items in the back, simply remove the basket.

For homes with small children, place kid’s snacks on the bottom pantry shelf. This will make it easier for kids to reach them and reduce the chance they’ll accidentally bump other items off the shelf in the process. To get the most out of a small pantry, add an over the door shelf for spices or food storage items. Removing unnecessary bulky packaging can also help to save space.

Office Organization

Keeping your home office organized and clutter free is key to enhancing your productivity. The first step to a clean office is sorting through and purging unnecessary paperwork cluttering your desk. While sorting through paperwork, separate documents into three piles: shred/recycle, file, and needs action. For the items you file, consider a color-coded filing system. Assign a color to each category and use coordinating colored hanging folders. Next, sort items like writing utensils and sticky notes into categories and organize them in drawers, baskets, containers, and bins to make it easier to find them when you need them.

Spring has officially arrived and it’s time to get outside and enjoy that fresh, springtime air. Living in the Midwest means enduring the cold and snow so when spring and summer finally make an appearance, you can bet we make the most of it! From backyard barbeques to quiet nights, decks and porches are the perfect way to take advantage of warmer weather.

Many homeowners are opting to add covered porches leading out to a deck in their new home’s design and we can’t blame them! They’re the perfect way to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, while easily transitioning from one season to the next.