Cari Ann Carter has a passion for design. “Even when I was very young, my mom would say I had a propensity for all things aesthetic and homemaking,” she says.
This passion evolved into various careers over the years, including working in hotels and restaurants, and then transitioning into real estate. Her highly successful agency, Cari Ann Carter Group, has offices in Twin Cities, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Southwest Florida.
Just this year, she is branching out again with what may be her biggest project yet – Fresh Roots Living, a newsletter that “celebrates the art of creating beauty without burden, connection without complication, and homes that nourish the soul without demanding perfection.”
Fresh Roots Living, she says, is a pillar of commonality between her personal life and her real estate life. “It’s about embracing organic living, design, and farm-to-table entertainment experiences.”
Speaking of starting over, Fresh Roots was born out of a dynamic partnership. “My love, Steve Wasnick, and I met in 2017,” says Cari Ann. “We’re both divorced, and we blended our families in 2021.”
Cari Ann’s daughter Emily is 21, and Steve’s children, Trace and Charlie, are 20 and 12 respectively. They all, along with two Belgian Malinois, share a home on DIY Designer Homestead, an 18-acre farm the couple bought in 2021.
“He and I both come from generations of gardeners who had land, and we really love the idea of building something that emulates that. I wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing by myself.”
Their farm-to-table lifestyle, complete with chickens and an organic garden, inspires the newsletter’s content. Fresh Roots Living offers simple, elegant tips for gardening, cooking, and home design, ensuring anyone can recreate them.
“I’m creating content that delivers beautiful experiences in approachable ways,” Cari Ann explains. For instance, she shares how to craft a stunning tablescape in 10 minutes, prepare a wholesome meal in 30, and make her Grandmother’s Rhubarb Crisp recipe using ingredients from the garden.
At the heart of Fresh Roots is design. Drawing from her real estate expertise, Cari Ann reimagines spaces to feel soulful yet unpretentious. Her comprehensive approach to home design emphasizes both beauty and functionality, creating environments that truly serve the people who inhabit them.
Her standout article “Building Jewels, Not Giants” highlights a full home remodel focused on accessibility, flexible layouts, and spaces that anticipate real needs – from aging in place to hosting family visits for empty nesters. This thoughtful renovation demonstrates how smart design choices can transform a house into a lifelong sanctuary.
Other design topics have explored the power of paint color in transforming spaces, building a She Shed to provide a dedicated space for wellness, and the timeless appeal of leather furniture that ages beautifully. Each article reflects Cari Ann’s belief that good design should enhance daily life while standing the test of time.
Priding herself on putting her followers first, Cari Ann does all the necessary content research. “How do you weed through 50 different garden sheds that are affordable and give you a place to put all of your supplies? I will do it and then recommend three of my favorites.”
One of her best recommendations is a lovely flatware set from a French line that she features on Instagram, which can be conveniently purchased on Amazon. “It’s beautiful and comes in a cool little wood box that makes it easy to store.”
Sometimes, she explains, it’s as simple as making a few minor adjustments – like purchasing a new home item or cooking fresh – to fill a person’s cup. “This goes beyond just buying and selling real estate. It’s how you live in it. I want to simplify things in a world that’s so complicated.”
For Cari Ann, Fresh Roots Living represents more than just another business venture – it’s a return to what matters most. “In a world that constantly tells us we need more, I want to show people that simple, intentional choices can create profound beauty,” she reflects. “Whether it’s a perfectly imperfect dinner party or a corner of your home that brings you peace, these small moments are what make life rich.”
As she continues to build both her homestead and her community of readers, Cari Ann remains committed to proving that the most beautiful life is often the simplest one.
To join the Fresh Roots Living community and embrace a more organic, beautiful life, subscribe at CariAnnCarterGroup.com/Fresh-Roots-Living.