Silent Rivers Design+Build

06/22/2026

Today, we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, uncles, big brothers, teachers, coaches, mentors, and father figures who make such a lasting impact on our lives and communities. Thank you for the countless ways you care for, guide, support, encourage, protect, and provide for the people who depend on you.

We hope you had the opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved day of rest, reflection, and time with those you love. The work you do—both seen and unseen—helps build strong families, strong homes, and strong communities.

To the fathers and father figures on our Silent Rivers team, thank you for all you do at work and at home. We hope you enjoyed your Father's Day and know how much you are appreciated.

Happy Father's Day from the entire Silent Rivers family.

06/17/2026

While you're planning your festival weekend, be sure to explore the incredible Interactive Arts activities happening throughout the event. From hands-on creativity to engaging experiences for all ages, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Learn more about Interactive Arts:
https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/interactivearts

One of the most special spaces at the Des Moines Arts Festival is the Patron VIP Club, located in the heart of the festival near the Main Stage. Silent Rivers is proud to help bring that experience to life each year.

And if you've ever considered becoming a Patron supporter, there's still time. Patron support helps make the festival possible and includes access to the exclusive VIP Club, offering a comfortable place to relax, connect, and enjoy the festival from a unique perspective.

Become a Patron:
https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/patron

We're honored to support an event that celebrates creativity, community, and the arts in Central Iowa.

Your donated dollars will go directly to support the free-to-attend Festival with access for everyone to a prestigious juried art fair, free interactive arts activities, concerts from national touring musicians, performing arts showcasing theatre and dance, literary arts programs with nationally kno...

06/10/2026

We couldn't be more proud of the team at Iowa Home Crafters for helping bring the Downtown Ames Sidewalk Outdoor Café Pilot Program to life.

As a sister, Iowa Home Crafters shares our belief that great construction is about more than buildings, it's about creating places where people want to gather, connect, and build community. This project is a perfect example of that philosophy in action.

The Iowa Home Crafters team invested countless hours of project management, craftsmanship, coordination, and hands-on installation work alongside partners including the City of Ames, Ames Home Builders Association, 10Fold Architecture + Engineering, ABC Supply, Munn Lumber, and the participating businesses. Much of that effort was contributed because they believed in the vision of creating a more vibrant, walkable, and welcoming downtown Ames.

The owner of both companies, Chaden Halfhill, has long been a champion of community development, placemaking, historic preservation, and creating spaces that strengthen neighborhoods and Main Streets. Seeing the Iowa Home Crafters team step forward to help make this pilot program a reality reflects the values that guide both of our companies every day.

Congratulations to everyone involved. We are proud of the craftsmanship, collaboration, volunteer spirit, and community leadership demonstrated by the Iowa Home Crafters team. We look forward to seeing these new outdoor café spaces become gathering places that support local businesses and inspire future placemaking efforts throughout Ames and beyond.

06/08/2026

🏆 Honored to announce that the restoration of the historic 727–729 19th Street Double House in Des Moines' Sherman Hill Historic District has received a 2026 Preservation at Its Best Award from Preservation Iowa in the Multi-Family Residential Rehabilitation category! Award: https://preservationiowa.org/preservation-at-best/19th-street-double-house/

Last week our founder, Chaden Halfhill, accepted the award on behalf of the project which transformed a severely deteriorated Victorian duplex into a beautifully restored and functional residence while preserving its historic character for future generations.

Built in the late 1800s, this rare Queen Anne-style double house was facing significant structural challenges, including failing masonry walls, water damage, and decades of deferred maintenance. Through the dedication of our team and skilled tradespeople, the home was stabilized, restored, and given new life while maintaining the architectural details that make Historic Sherman Hill one of Iowa's most treasured historic neighborhoods.

This award is especially meaningful because it recognizes more than a building - it celebrates the preservation of community history, sustainable reinvestment, quality housing, and the belief that historic places still have an important role to play in our future.

The project has now earned recognition at the local, regional, national, and statewide levels, including:

🏅 2026 Preservation Iowa Preservation at Its Best Award
🏅 2026 dsm Magazine Home Design Awards Silver Winner – Historic Renovation/Restoration (50+ Years)
🏅 2025 NARI Regional Remodeler of the Year Award
🏅 2024 NAHB Best in American Living (BALA) Silver Award

Thank you to Preservation Iowa for this honor, to our clients and partners for believing in preservation, and to everyone who works every day to ensure Iowa's historic buildings continue telling their stories.

📸 Photo Credit: Paul Gates Photography Inc.

The double house at 727–729 19th Street is a rare and significant example of Free Classic Victorian Queen Anne architecture within the Sherman Hill Historic District – Des Moines’ oldest residential suburb and a neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

05/26/2026

Loving these photos from previous arts festivals! Cannot believe we are less than 30 days out until this summer's festival. Drop us a comment here if you plan to attend. And if you're a Patron supporter, let us know if we will see you in the Silent Rivers VIP Club? It is not too late to become a patron to join us in the club!

To become a patron and access the VIP Club at the Des Moines Arts Festival, you must purchase a tax-deductible Patron Package.

Patron Program | DSM Arts Festival https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/patron

Packages starting around $110 for individuals and grant you passes to the exclusive Silent Rivers VIP Club, which features a private bar, upgraded restrooms, and premium seating.

Example: Friend Package $110

- Access for ONE to the Silent Rivers VIP Club.

- Two complimentary beverages per person / per day of the Festival at the VIP Club.

- Access to the Express Lane service at all food and beverage locations.

- One rolled 2026 Des Moines Arts Festival Commemorative Poster.

- 10% merchandise discount from the on-site Festival Shop.

- BOGO drink coupon (for 1) to use at Festival beverage stations.

Just one month to go until the Des Moines Arts Festival!

📷 Alan Jacobs

05/22/2026

May is National Home Remodeling Month and National Home Improvement Month led by NAHB Remodelers and Buildertrend! This is a time to celebrate quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the value of partnering with experienced remodeling professionals.

Spring often marks the beginning of remodeling season, with warmer weather, longer days, and homeowners looking ahead to how their homes can better support the way they live, gather, work, and relax.

For nearly 35 years, we have been helping Central Iowa homeowners transform their homes through custom kitchens, lower levels, additions, whole-home renovations, historic restorations, and thoughtfully designed spaces rooted in craftsmanship and timeless design.

We are proud to continue creating homes that are not only beautiful, but deeply personal, functional, and built to last for generations.

05/22/2026

We are excited to once again provide the VIP Club experience for Des Moines Arts Festival Patrons through the Silent Rivers VIP Club!

The VIP Club is an incredible way to enjoy the festival with terrace seating overlooking the Main Stage, high-value networking opportunities, air-conditioned bathroom facilities, package hold service, a private bar, lite culinary fare each day, complimentary and discounted beverages, and exclusive programming including meet-and-greets with exhibiting artists.

If you’ve never experienced the Arts Festival as a patron, this might be the year to check it out! Patron packages help support the festival while creating an elevated festival experience for guests at every level, from Friend Packages to Executive Circle Packages: https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/patron

05/21/2026

05/19/2026

The countdown is on for the 2026 (June 26–28)! 🎨☀️ Are you ready to see downtown Des Moines come alive again with art, music, creativity, and community?!

AND we are excited to once again provide the VIP Club Experience for Des Moines Arts Festival Patrons created by Silent Rivers!

The VIP Club is an incredible way to enjoy the festival with terrace seating overlooking the Main Stage, high-value networking opportunities, air-conditioned bathroom facilities, package hold service, a private bar, lite culinary fare each day, complimentary and discounted beverages, and exclusive programming including meet-and-greets with exhibiting artists.

If you’ve never experienced the Arts Festival as a patron, this might be the year to check it out! Patron packages help support the festival while creating an elevated festival experience for guests at every level, from Friend Packages to Executive Circle Packages: https://www.desmoinesartsfestival.org/patron

05/15/2026

Happy 515 Day from all of us at Silent Rivers Design+Build!

We’re proud to call Central Iowa home and grateful to be part of a community built on creativity, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and connection. From historic neighborhoods and growing business districts to the families and local companies that make this region thrive! The 515 is filled with people who care deeply about where they live and work.

Thank you to the homeowners, businesses, partners, makers, and community members who continue to invest in the future of Greater Des Moines and the surrounding communities. We’re honored to help shape spaces where life happens.

Here’s to the people, places, and stories that make the 515 such a special place to call home.