With the help of his dad Tim, Kyle was able to buy a home last year where they live together with Kyle’s brother Matt. The arrangement allows Tim and Matt to help Kyle with day-to-day tasks, make sure he gets to therapy, and do what they’ve always done, support each other through whatever life throws their way. Kyle is blessed with a dad who raised him to be a champion and who now devotes himself to Kyle. Tim, with Matt’s help, is committed to ensuring Kyle has every opportunity possible to recover much of what he has lost.

The rambler Kyle bought really does have a lot of potential, and sits on a beautiful wooded site in Inver Grove Heights. The problem: it just doesn’t work well for this household of three men. New Spaces designers Kathe and Curt Ostrom met several times with Kyle, Tim and Matt to discover what they like about their home, and what areas could be improved.

Then the Ostroms created a plan that would rearrange main floor spaces so that the kitchen, great room and dining area will be more functional for the whole family as well as a comfortable gathering space for friends and visitors. She added a front porch to give Kyle a place to sit and watch the ball games played at the park across the street. With just a few tweaks, Kyle and Matt’s main-level bedrooms and baths will become easier to navigate.  And a new lower-level bedroom suite will move Tim from his make-shift bedroom in the living room that will ensure each has a private retreat all their own.

Project Remodelers: Flynn Construction and New Spaces

When we learned about Kyle and decided we wanted to help, eight Builders Association of the Twin Cities Remodelers submitted requests to participate. Due the the nature of remodeling, it was necessary to select one application, a very difficult decision. (Read about some of the other remodelers on our website, click on the Operation Dream Makeover button on www.paradeofhomes.org.)

In the end, New Spaces and Flynn Construction, which had submitted a proposal to work together, were chosen. These two companies provide award-winning expertise in design and construction, and are excited to begin work.

Flynn Construction

Working in the remodeling business since 1980, Bob Flynn knew it was his life’s passion. Opening the doors to Flynn Construction in 1991, Bob has created a business that combines top-quality craftsmanship with his personal commitment to the satisfaction of each and every client. He has earned several awards from peers in the remodeling industry including his most recent, a 2007 Remodeler of Merit Award (ROMA). His company's work has been featured in the Star Tribune, Mpls St. Paul magazine, Midwest Home, Cottage Living, and the book On the Porch.

Bob has stayed on top of the latest trends and honed his business acumen by earning a number of credentials over the years, including Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designations from the National Association of Home Builders, and is a Certified Remodeler (CR) through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)

Bob was excited to become involved with Operation Dream Makeover. He has an intense passion to help members of our military to pay them back for their service to protect our freedom. Bob’s father served in World War II and his son served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan as a member of the United States Marine Corps. His son was a gunner on a small tank that was one of the first to enter Iraq in the initial invasion. Later he was deployed to Afghanistan where a close friend of his was killed by terrorists.

“We all owe a huge debt to anyone who has gone to war on our behalf,” explains Bob. “I am thrilled to offer my professional expertise to help Kyle Anderson and his family remodel their home.”

New Spaces

New Spaces is a residential design/build remodeling company committed to providing homeowners with a positive experience when they improve their most valuable asset - their home. Over 25 years ago, owner Doug Nelson started his business providing handyman services. Today New Spaces supports 28 full-time professionals experienced in design, lead carpentry, project management, support and marketing. In this family owned business Doug works with his wife Carol, who handles accounting and project estimation and his son Shawn, who is the President of New Spaces and founder of New Spaces Express, a division focused on smaller home updates and handyman projects.

Shawn, along with designers Kathe and Curt Ostrom, are taking point on the design and management of this project. The Ostroms, who merged their successful remodeling firm, CN Ostrom & Sons, with New Spaces a few years ago, has years experience and an eye for designing the perfect solution to any remodeling challenge. Kyle and his family agreed when they saw the preliminary designs.

“Our entire company is excited to get behind this effort,” says Shawn. “Everyone wants to have a hand in the project because their hearts are already there. Even better, Kyle and his family are a true joy to work with.”