The James 2.0 Krueger Construction
Written by TRACY NICHOLSON
Photos by DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Featured on the BIA’s Fall Parade of Homes, Krueger Construction’s new model home, the James 2.0, does not disappoint. This English Tudor two-story in West Fargo’s Rivers Bend neighborhood checks all the boxes, with four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a loft, a sunroom, custom wallcoverings, Venetian plaster, over-mortared stone, and elegant Tudor archways. Here, Kimberly Krueger-Tehan, her husband Jimmy Tehan, and her brother Corey Krueger opened every door for a behind-the-scenes tour, from its 3,071 square feet of finished space above to its 1,487 square feet below. We loved the original James model, but the James 2.0 is next level comfort and old-world craftsmanship.
“We put a lot of thought into incorporating the unique arch design and beams that resemble exposed trusses — both are signature elements in a Tudor-style home. The Tudor arch design is carried from the exterior to the front entry and both openings flanking the kitchen.”
Kimberly Krueger-Tehan
Krueger Construction
From Left: Corey Krueger, Kimberly Krueger-Tehan, Jimmy Tehan
From Their Family to Yours Just like all Krueger homes, the James 2.0 is rooted in family tradition. For 41 years, the Kruegers have been building the American dream, with each home named in honor of their three children, Kimberly, Kristi, and Corey, as well as grandchildren and spouses, with several contributing their talents to the family business. It’s a daily reminder that what they do is not just important to their family, but also the families that will one day build their lives in the homes they build.
“Every year when we design models, we want them to be unique and different from what we’ve built in years past. The James 2.0 is considered more of a transitional Tudor,” explained Kimberly Krueger-Tehan.
This home is named after Jimmy (James) Tehan, Kimberly’s husband and Krueger Construction’s general manager. He designed the original James model, then worked with Kimberly to modify the new model. “We’ve built the James model a few times, starting about six years ago, but for the 2.0 version, we made some modifications primarily on the main floor,” explained Jimmy Tehan. “This new design is based on feedback we’ve gathered from homeowners. It’s just more aligned with what families are looking for now versus years ago.”
Artisanal Arrival
Within the main foyer of the James 2.0, guests arrive at a Tudor arch framing custom built- ins and bench seating surrounded by vertical shiplap that sets the tone for a warm, neutral, and monochromatic feel. The home’s warmth flows into the adjacent private office, introducing a Venetian plaster wall finish accented by a repurposed canvas painted by Kimberly and her sister, Kristi Krueger Roscoe.
Fireside Gathering
The well-appointed great room in the James 2.0 model features nine-foot ceilings that extend to a deeper tray, showcasing seven distinctive maple beams made by Wendt Custom Cabinets. Beyond the beams, the cast- stone fireplace mantel is the true anchor of the room’s immersive, monochromatic design, with custom built-ins and a Venetian plaster wall finish.
Proper Pantry
Just off the kitchen is a glass-grid pocket door that opens to a walk-in pantry with floating maple shelves, quartz countertops, and painted cabinetry in Accessible Beige.
“There’s nothing in this house that is a true white,” said Kimberly Krueger-Tehan. “We went with warmer windows, then pulled that into the millwork throughout the home and the kitchen, including the custom hood. We didn’t want to lose focus on the more intricate details, like the stone backsplash, the island legs, and the light fixtures, so the curvature of the custom hood is designed to be streamlined.”
Refined Dining
Overlooking the backyard, the formal dining room continues the home’s transitional design and white oak laminate flooring with a more refined take on vintage farmhouse elements. This oversized chandelier is five feet in diameter, with an antiqued fusion of both gold and nickel finishes. “I really liked the scale of this fixture, it’s oversized, yet delicate, and doesn’t feel too heavy for the space,” said Kimberly Krueger-Tehan.
Brighter Days
Through a Tudor arch, just beyond the kitchen and dining room, is a main-floor sunroom positioned to embrace natural light and views, with direct patio door access to the backyard. This room is designed to easily transition into a second office, guest room, or play area.
Elevated Living
In this revised two-story floor plan, access to the upstairs is discreet yet convenient, placing the stairwell out of sight between the kitchen and sunroom. The first stop at the top is a cozy loft, which leads to a primary suite, laundry room, three bedrooms, and a full guest bath. Here, the floor plan flows seamlessly, with both a primary suite and hallway entry to the laundry area. The guest bath is also designed for ease of use, with a separated dual vanity space and a closed-off toilet and shower room.
Suite Dreams
In the upper primary suite, Kimberly’s design includes expansive bedside windows and a tray ceiling accented with an elegant two- tiered chandelier from Valley Lights.
“There are so many details to love in the primary. The nod to the home’s Tudor design in the curvature of the quartz vanity backsplash—matching the same design detail on the polished nickel framed mirror—is one of my favorites,” said Kimberly Krueger-Tehan.
This primary also features a private doorway connecting the primary bath to the shared laundry room. “A number of our plans have the laundry connected to the primary suite, and we always give our customers the option to close it off, but nobody has ever asked us to do that,” she added. “I think once you live with that convenience, you’ll never go back.”
Designer Drop Zone
Arriving from the oversized and heated three-stall garage is charming powder room and discreet designer drop zone, with floor-to-ceiling storage and custom paneling that extends to each side of the built-ins. While the cabinetry, shiplap paneling, and wall colors are consistent with the home’s warm neutrals, Kimberly chose a more dynamic gray-blue tone for all of the home’s exterior doors.
Mastering the Plan
“We’ve had a lot of great feedback on this home in both the floorplan flow, as well as the finish selections. People love the sunroom and private office on the main floor, and also the loft space upstairs, offering lots of flexibility for modern-day families. The fireplace finishes and beams in the living room receive so many compliments, and the kitchen’s stone backsplash, custom hood, and furniture-style oversized island are fan favorites,” said Corey Krueger, vice president of Krueger Construction.
Adding even more space, the lower level is already plumbed and laid out for the future addition of another full bath, two bedrooms, a storage room, a family room, game space, and a wet bar. “Every year, we roll out a few new model homes to showcase quality of construction and design principles, but most of the work we do is in completely custom home building. Our in-house drafter, Katie, holds a masters degree in Architecture, and we work closely with her to create fresh home designs that serve our customers well,” explained Kimberly Krueger- Tehan.
Emerging Design
With a new year on the horizon, Kimberly explained the design elements that are quickly evolving and adapting to a warmer northern climate. “From a design standpoint of what’s newer to our market, we’re actually seeing a lot of those elements in this home, like the Venetian plaster, cast-stone fireplace, and dryvit finishes. We’re also seeing much warmer whites, both interior and exterior, so a lot less of the high-contrast black and white. We haven’t done a white kitchen in about a year, but we’re still doing really light, warmer, and creamier colors.”
“We occasionally dabble in truly modern design and have a few floorplans that lend themselves to mid-century elevations, but I think most of the people we work with come to us for traditional and transitional homes,” added Kimberly Krueger-Tehan. “They are looking for a truly custom floor plan that is tailored more to their family’s lifestyle than trends — building a meaningful home for their family is what inspires my family and our team.”
DESIGN DETAILS: Builder: Krueger Construction Interior Design: Kimberly Krueger Tehan Floorplan: Kimberly Krueger Tehan + Jimmy Tehan Architectural Drafting: Katie Burandt Cabinetry, Beams & Countertops: Wendt Custom Cabinets Fireplace: Quality Heating & Air Flooring & Tile: Imperial Flooring Appliances: Rigel’s Lighting: Valley Lights Glass Shower Door: Red River Glazing Plumbing: Ferguson Home
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Krueger Construction
1133-A Harwood Drive, Fargo
701.239.0015
FB: Krueger Construction, Inc.
Insta: kruegerbuilt