At Home with Damon Thielen and Jessica Brown

March 1, 2016

The Sioux Falls home Damon Thielen shares with girlfriend Jessica Brown has the feel of a cozy country getaway, because when it was built in 1905, that’s exactly what it was.

“It was a vacation cottage for a local physician,” explained Damon. “An early owner had the first pheasant farm in South Dakota, which was on the big Sioux River on this property. He was also an amature arborist, so some of the trees you’ll see around here are more exotic. Lots of variation on pine trees.”

Over the subsequent century, owners added to the home, as neighbors grew closer. And although the “cottage” is now a 2,700 square foot, three bedroom, two bathroom home, it maintains much of its original architectural character. Beamed ceilings and expansive windows provide picturesque panoramic views of the surrounding woods, which one would never guess is just a stone’s throw from busy Minnesota Avenue.

“We get a lot of deer coming back in this area,” said Jessica, gesturing out at the front yard. “It’s fun sitting down, eating dinner at the table, and watching the deer.”

Libby, their year-and-a-half-old pup procured from the Oglala Pet Project enjoys watching the wildlife, too. The country-in-the-city setting is what first drew the couple, who work in the dental field, to the house when they moved from Milwaukee. But they knew it would also serve as a unique place to display Damon’s ever-growing collection of pop art and urban street art.

Some of his favorite pieces in the living room include a Warhol-esque “Marilyn Monroe Spock” by French artist Mr. Brainwash, and the first piece he ever had commissioned – a piece of ledger art by Rapid City-based Jim Yellowhawk.

“The piece of paper was originally from 1912 and it’s a Montana treasurer registry,” Damon said, pointing to the tiny, faded cursive behind the bold overlaying imagery. “I like motorcycles and bought my own about a year and a half ago. My dad rode motorcycles when I was growing up, so he threw in my current motorcycle and my dad’s and a couple of vintage Indian motorcycles. I think it’s a cool piece.”

While the bright colors emanating from the artwork catch a visitor’s immediate attention, it doesn’t take long to appreciate the subtle, stylish lines of the furniture’s midcentury aesthetic.

Read the full article in the March issue of 605 Magazine or click here. To view more images from this home, continue to scroll.