Classic Finnish by Finmark Construction
Copper Harbor Haven a favorite in Parade of Homes
By CONSTANCE SEE
An excellent example of Finnish architecture is the Copper Harbor Haven home, designed and built by Finmark Construction of Kalispell, a family business founded by Derek and Ned Oja in 2011.
Copper Harbor Haven won the People’s Choice award at the Flathead Valley Parade of Homes in 2015. Some compared it to a Frank Lloyd Wright structure. "We were blown away by the public’s response,” Derek Oja said. “Our home with a build price of $350,000 won against million-dollar homes.” The home earned approximately 75 percent of the votes, winning first place in the People’s Choice category.
"We were blown away by the public’s response,” Derek Oja said. “Our home with a build price of $350,000 won against million-dollar homes.”
Step through the large mountain rustic doorway into the expansive open floor plan blending a combined kitchen, dining room, living room and entryway. A separate spacious study is accessed through frosted glass doors. Premiere Doors & Millwork of Thompson Falls hand-crafted the interior Shaker rustic alder doors and moldings, all made in Montana. Crown moldings with accent lighting frame tray ceilings in the living room, kitchen and master bedroom.
Big Sky Countertops crafted the birch-lined, knotty alder, Shaker-style kitchen cabinetry. Special hinges slowly close cabinet doors with a gentle whisper. “We don’t buy anything pre-made,” said Mike Hutchens of Big Sky Counter Tops and Woodworking. “Everything is handmade to customer specification and guaranteed for your satisfaction.”
A timber canopy in the living room frames the dining room tray ceiling. Large wood-framed windows look out over two outdoor living spaces with stamped concrete patio flooring. In the master bedroom, bright sunlight pours through large windows and a set of sliding glass doors leading to a private back patio. The en suite bathroom is stunning with colorful natural stone walls above the bath and in the shower. “Ned and I designed Copper Harbor Haven from scratch,” Derek said. “We didn’t use any outside architect or interior designer.
The chain gutters, natural stone in the bathroom, timber ceilings and size of the timbers, crown moulding, cove lighting, exterior under-beam lighting, a blend of horizontal and vertical siding, custom-built cabinetry, and transom glass are all our ideas.” Aluma Glass of Kalispell is one of the Finmark’s selected subcontractors. “Aluma Glass prides itself on being the detail-minded experts in custom shower enclosures for the Valley, owner Eric Robbins said.
“As the oldest glass shop in the entire Flathead, established in 1954, we pride ourselves in truly serving the goals of each contractor and their customers. We get excited when clients say, ‘It turned out even better than I thought. It’s perfect!’”
Masterfully blending the old with the new, Finmark Construction, Flathead’s next generation of craftsmen incorporates state-of-the-art Bluetooth cell phone-controlled sprinkler and HVAC systems, allowing owners to save money by setting thermostats and water controls remotely from anywhere in the world. Monitor your new build from the comfort of your home.
Raised in Hancock, Mich., Derek and Ned learned teamwork and family pride at a very young age. Their father, grandfather and great-grandfather all worked in the construction fields. Their great-grandfather handcrafted all the pews by hand for a local church, a legacy promised to last for many generations to come.
FAMILY BUSINESS
Derek is one of 14 children. “We all grew up with very strong values,” he said. “Last summer, all seven of us boys were working for Finmark. My youngest brother was 13 and he even wanted to swing hammers and learn the business.” Meeting with potential new clients you base your decisions on your feelings, Derek said. You sit down and talk. You explore possibilities. Building a home is one of the biggest expenses you will have in your lifetime. It’s unknown waters, but we’re working alongside our customers, helping them achieve their vision. You need a relationship that will stand the test of time. ”In the end, your heart is your guide,” Derek said.
“With Finmark, you’re not paying for a contractor, you’re joining the family, a family that prides itself on a history of timeless quality and pride of heritage.” •
RESOURCES
Finmark Construction
406-755-6089, Finmarkconstruction.com
Aluma Glass
406-755-5234, Eric@alumaglass.com
Big Sky Countertops and Woodworking
406-270-0544
Premiere Doors & Millwork 406-827-8800 Premieredoorsmt.com
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