Name:
Blain Mikkonen with the rest of the GD team: Grant Koenig, Phil Bruckbauer and Patrick Bresnahan
Business name:
Grain Designs
Live in/Business located:
Fargo, ND
Your style in three words:
modern, industrial, rustic
On your junking bucket list:
No bucket list here… we’re living our dream and passion so we are eager to look forward to see what the future holds.
You knew you were a junker when…
Growing up on a farm, junking, frugality and being resourceful were second nature but it became a passion when we began using old barns/buildings to build furniture and we really started to realize the value of what was; even moreso the potential for what it can be.
Best all-time junking find:
We’re typically junking for wood/steel materials so we find value in every barn or building we visit, but when we find the pieces that make us question what it may have been used for decades ago it never gets left behind.
You wish you would never have parted with…
There are always some incredibly unique pieces of wood that you’d love to keep around to show people. Some that must be many 100s of years old, or others that have incredible grain or color. But the unique character of those pieces of lumber are also the details that really set our furniture apart.
Bringing to the Bonanza:
As much of our furniture and home decor that we can squeeze into one trailer. Dining tables, coffee tables, and tons of wall hangings. However, there are sure to be a few one of a kinds such as some awesome industrial bakery fixtures that we’ve converted into an armoire and wine bar.
You never junk without…
…a full bag of tools. Sawzall is probably our most prescious salvaging tool.
In your garage: cars or junk?
Cars actually… Since the business migrated from my garage, I have finally been able to contain the remains to a very small corner with some of our early trial but mostly error pieces. A classic restored truck that pays homage to the mid ’60s has since gotten its home back.
No one would ever guess you…
…shut down the shop operation in the afternoon if someone on the team accidentally mentions: “Man it is a beautiful day to golf”.
Your junking holy grail:
Getting free reign to take as much or little material and junk as we want from a property or cluster of old farm buildings.
Junking makes you feel…
…the process of demolition and salvaging has become a very small portion of our business but it is always the most rewarding. A day of demolition always makes us feel like we deserve to crack open the cooler.
Find
Email: blain@graindesignsfargo.comWebsite: www.graindesignsfargo.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/graindesigns
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graindesigns
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/graindesignsfar
Blain, we look forward to seeing you, the crew and your amazing inventory in three more days!
Kim
