NORTH SIOUX CITY | You’re never too old for a playroom, and this couple proves it. They’ve got toys, alright. But their toys are life-size, and they’re the variety that goes vroom.
Nancy and Barry Knudsen heard the open road calling, and they captured their love of cruising the highways and byways in a big way. The basement of their 4-bed, 4 1/2-bath home in North Sioux City is emblazoned with Pantone 165 -- the signature orange hue of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.
Originally, they had been looking for a lot to build a shed big enough to store their toys and tools. Nancy’s sister noticed a “For Sale” sign about a mile down the road from her house. They found an old, abandoned two-bedroom bungalow on 2 1/2 acres and ended up buying the property.
What started as a site for an outbuilding turned into a whole house. The empty nesters moved in about four years ago and finished the basement later, once they decided on a theme.
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The Knudsens fully committed to the motorcycle theme. The shiny diamond plates around the bar and refrigerator give the downstairs kitchenette a distinctly industrial feel. They also decided to forgo carpet for easy cleaning.
Nancy bought used barstools and turned them into something that’s one of a kind. A friend branded the Harley-Davidson logo into the backs, and she had the seats reupholstered with orange leather, thanks to her connections to a hide tanner through working at Tyson Fresh Meats.
Nancy bought used barstools and turned them into one-of-a-kind items. A friend branded the Harley-Davidson logo into the backs, and she had the seats reupholstered with orange leather, thanks to her connections with a hide tanner through working at Tyson Fresh Meats.
The pool table was one of the only pieces of Harley paraphernalia before they moved. With more space, their collection’s grown. Barry’s had a motorcycle for as long as she can remember. Nancy got tired of riding on the back and got her own bike over 10 years ago.
The pool table was one of the only pieces of Harley paraphernalia they owned before they moved. With more space, their collection has grown. Barry has had a motorcycle for as long as Nancy can remember. She got tired of riding on the back and got her own bike over 10 years ago.
Nancy did a lot of looking on Houzz.com and came up with this design idea to create inset shadow boxes as an eye-catching, built-in media console. Since her husband is an electrician, he knew how to light the spaces and showcase some of their favorite motorcycle trinkets and souvenirs.
Nancy did a lot of looking on Houzz.com and came up with this design idea to create inset shadow boxes as an eye-catching built-in media console. Since her husband is an electrician, he knew how to light the spaces and showcase some of their favorite motorcycle trinkets and souvenirs.
A home theater was on Barry’s wish list. This is where he can kick back and relax while projecting his favorite action films right onto the wall. “Very rarely do I get some chick flick on down here,” she said with a laugh.
A home theater was on Barry’s wish list. This is where he can kick back and relax while projecting his favorite action films right onto the wall. “Very rarely do I get some chick flick on down here,” Nancy said with a laugh.
Given the amount of space downstairs for entertaining guests, the Knudsens opted for a relatively small living room upstairs. Instead, they dedicated more square-footage to a big kitchen, outfitted with plenty of seating from the island to the dining room.
Given the amount of space downstairs for entertaining guests, the Knudsens opted for a relatively small living room upstairs. Instead, they dedicated more square-footage to a big kitchen, outfitted with plenty of seating from the island to the dining room.
The tiled backsplash above the cooktop was custom-designed to mimic the wavy, swirling pattern in the glass front door. It reminded them of watching humpback whales surface in the waters of Maui.
The tiled backsplash above the cooktop was custom-designed to mimic the wavy, swirling pattern in the glass front door. It reminded them of watching humpback whales surface in the waters of Maui.
This kitschy print hangs proudly by the front door. Nothing captures Nancy’s design philosophy quite like this.
This kitschy print hangs proudly by the front door. Nothing captures Nancy’s design philosophy quite like this.
Nancy’s style borders on contemporary, but it’s also very eclectic. “If something trips my trigger, I’ll pick it up,” she said.
