CASSELTON, N.D. — Crystal Arkle and Tom Kiefer don’t have to travel far to enjoy a little break from the hectic monotony of modern life.
Just a few hundred feet from the couple’s front door is a small glass palace they built from the ground up. This is a DIY masterpiece in greenhouse design and a decorator’s masterclass in detailing.
“It’s a greenhouse, but it’s more of an art project,” Arkle said, pointing out small details here and there, including a wood stove, a collection of antique vases, and a ceramic sink she picked up during cleanup week one year. . “It reminds us to do what makes us happy.”
The Arkle and Kiefer greenhouses caught our eye here at Arts Partnership for how creative place-making also extends to making the home a place for art and creativity.
Crystal Aakre and Tom Kieffer own and operate Kieffer Kennels near Casselton, North Dakota, and have recently been putting the finishing touches on their art-inspired DIY greenhouses.
Contribution / Crystal Aakre
The space is well insulated for flowers and plants to bloom until October, giving a cozy, vintage feel to the property, which is owned and operated by Kiefer Kennels.
“Most of the things here have a story, and we wanted a space where we could do art, grow things, and hang out as a family,” Arkle said. “I also wanted space to put my art and accessories.”
Among her collection are a sewing machine from the early 1900s, a giant thermometer taken from a steam engine, a butcher’s block “from a friend,” knick-knacks from her grandmother, and the Kiefer children’s targets in the field. Includes things like toy shotguns used to shoot.
It took Arkure 10 years to gather enough windows to build a greenhouse that matched the vision he had in mind. She and Kiefer began collecting other materials when they became a couple in 2020.
Contribution / Crystal Aakre
“Random but symmetrical”
Arkle said it took 10 years to collect enough framed windows to achieve his vision for the space. The project cost about $5,000 and took about three years for Aakre and Kieffer to gather additional supplies and structures.
“Almost everything we used was reused in some way. The bricks were given to us by friends, and the rest we picked up at auctions and vendors,” Akure said.
Arkle and Kiefer started collecting items together when they became a couple in 2020.
Inspired by the art of Crystal Arkle and Tom Keefer, the interior of the greenhouse displays many plants growing in beautifully filtered light. The space was constructed using nearly all recycled materials collected from various locations in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Contribution / Crystal Aakre
For Kiefer, seeing the structure completed and fully functional brings a sense of satisfaction, especially when he reflects on the challenges of building something useful and aesthetically pleasing.
“We built the frame, filled it with sand, placed it on the pillars, and played Tetris until the window was completely in place,” Kiefer said. “The ceiling is new and has a good slope, so it should catch a lot of snow,” he said.
At night, solar-powered lights illuminate the greenhouse. Mr. Arkle and Mr. Keefer have not yet decided whether to install electricity and water.
Contribution / Crystal Aakre
One of the only new components of the greenhouse was the clear panel roof. They are made of polycarbonate material with a special UV protectant, a necessary purchase to maintain optimal temperatures and climate for plant growth, Kiefer said.
He sheepishly admits that the structure is not the masterpiece of a professional carpenter, but that it is “surprisingly airtight” and has more creative appeal than modular sheds or big-box store kits. say.
It’s also of a high standard, and Kiefer believes he can maintain this structure for many years to come.
“What I love most about this greenhouse is how random but symmetrical it is and everything seems to fit perfectly,” Arkle said.
Although Akure grows plants and flowers in the greenhouse, she also enjoys decorating the space with a collection of jars, vases, photographs, and other artwork.
Contribution / Crystal Aakre
Electricity and running water have not yet been installed, but Akure has built a coffee and washing-up station in a porcelain sink she salvaged from the curb during spring cleaning. The solar light will stay on even after it gets dark.
“Around 9 o’clock at night, when I walk into my house and look outside, the solar lights come on and everything is bright,” Arkle said. “It’s very beautiful.”
On mild winter days, Arkle and Kiefer fire a wood stove in the greenhouse. They say the space is heated to about 60 degrees, a stark contrast to temperatures that can reach 110 degrees during the summer.
Contribution / Crystal Aakre
The greenhouse’s creative diversity is matched only by Ms. Arkle’s enthusiasm for the collection. She puts the art form on full display inside a small glass castle.
Arkle and Keefer intended it to be some kind of hobby cabin, but the wood-burning stove has turned it into a favorite hangout spot for their family no matter the weather.
“We grilled steaks in here the other night,” Arkle said, admitting that she would like to keep the greenhouse just for herself and her family. “There’s also an appeal in keeping the space private.”
Akure hopes to one day start a small flower arranging business, and the greenhouse will help her think about how to expand her efforts.
“My ultimate goal is to plant a flower cutting garden and make bouquets,” she said, but Kiefer and Akure eventually hope to rent out the space to photographers for shoots. I’m thinking. “The lighting is perfect for photography. It’s perfect for so many things.”
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This article is part of a content partnership with Arts Partnership, a nonprofit organization that fosters the arts in Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo. For more information, please visit theartspartnership.net.
Rona Whiting is an independent journalist and content strategy consultant based in Fargo. She covers a wide range of topics including local arts, healthcare, senior living, startups, technology, and education. Whiting has also written extensively about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease for magazines and publications including Being Patient, an award-winning global news forum for dementia researchers, physicians, patients, and their care partners. I’m doing it. For more information on Whiting’s work, visit lonna.co.
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