We’re Amber & Ben, the creators of Dolan Design MN. Above is how we used to look before kids 😉
Ben and I both come from creative families full of artists (see my sister’s stunning artwork!), architects and engineers, but both of us became heath care professionals. We graduated from college during the Great Recession when jobs were tight. While we find satisfaction from helping our patients, our jobs lack a creative outlet. I found myself designing, decorating (and redecorating) and Ben gardened (and regardened). As our family grew, so did our needs, and we took to designing and remodeling our own home. It started with basics such as built ins for a mudroom, moving on to renovating our basement, and most recently remodeling our entire second story to add space for two bathrooms. Ben focused on adding beautiful gardens throughout our property, learning what plants thrive where, and what combinations work the best.
In 2022, we finally got the courage to get into real estate investing to scratch our (my?) constant renovation/ design itch. We searched for over a year for our first property (COVID housing market!), and finally landed on a well-loved 1912 craftsman. From there we renovated, furnished, and landscaped our first property, which became our first furnished rental property! We’re now continually building knowledge and skills to complete cost effective remodeling, interior decorating and landscaping, and we’re ready to share what we learned with you.