Summer in Minnesota

We were happy to remodel the interior of this classic home on Lake Minnetonka - with a property this spectacular, it is easy to fully immerse into summer!

Summer Spaces!

Summer spaces!

A bright and classic white screen porch is perfect for summer relaxation.    Grab a good book or gather with friends and refreshments - this is a room that maximizes the spirit of sunshine and easy lake living.

A Place For Everything...and Everything In Its Place

The Motivations to Build a New Home

There are so many exciting things about building a new home—the new kitchen, the gorgeous finishes, those brand new windows, heated floors, the energy efficiency—all this and more, plus a brand new place to call home.  The list of motivations that prompts people to build new is long.

One such motivation surfaces time and again when we work with our clients...the storage of the stuff.  So much stuff needs to be contained, and needs a home of its own.  Good design accounts for all these things that we need to manage.  Thereby, good planning and design ultimately brings peace and order to our lives.

So Much Stuff!

As we dive into the design process, we often analyze where things will be kept, and try to create spaces that support the lifestyles and habits of the people who live there.  Hockey bags for example.  We have heard the complaint of many a mom about the bulky, smelly hockey bag.  We often suggest a locker located in the garage that prevents the bag from coming in (and allows it to air out).  In addition, mudrooms are important filters for the home, and when well-designed, they bridge the garage with the rest of the home.  Mudrooms prevent throw-off items from migrating into (and cluttering up) the living spaces.

Closet design is another key lifestyle enhancer.  The proper closet design is not just an element of size, it is reflected in the built-in storage to house the shoes, scarves, ties, folded items, hanging items—all in the right mix for the individuals.  What a difference this makes in your every day comings and goings.

Organization + Order = Relaxation

Toys, kitchen gadgets, linens, cookbooks, reading books, magazines, cell phones, school projects, bills, tools...the list goes on and on.  When a custom built home takes all these things into account, your life runs more smoothly.  Organization allows you more time to come home and relax.  And that is what your home should ultimately do—support your every day so you can recharge your batteries when you are home, as opposed to drain them.  It is a wonderful thing to create a place for everything...and have everything in its place.

From Cape Cod...With Love

"One family brings a little piece of Massachusetts coastline to Lake Minnetonka"

Such begins the recent article in the October issue of Lake Minnetonka magazine.  We are so pleased that this exceptional home we built for an active family of five was featured prominently, and thank you to our clients that made the project exceptional!

Beyond cooking.....

Kitchen have evolved from the once typical galley space dedicated to cooking and cleaning.  Throughout the years, lifestyle and design trends have significantly impacted the way we design and layout kitchen space.  There are multiple functions that kitchens accommodate in today's custom design, and getting this space right largely impacts the liveability of a new home.

We encourage our clients to envision all the family/friend functions that will take place in their kitchen.  It seems universal that people congregate in this space during everyday family gatherings, holidays, and parties—so the space needs to accommodate meal preparation in combination with these unavoidable congregations.  Homework also happens frequently at the kitchen island, as well as craft projects, coffee breaks, and casual meals.  So islands can be designed with these activities in mind as well.

We are seeing office spaces close to the kitchen, as well as open family gathering and conversation rooms that adjoin the kitchen as well.  When the design is open to other living spaces, distinctive architectural details such as ceiling treatments and arched openings help define and add interest to the spaces.

Kitchens definitely need to cook—and so much more.  When the design takes into account your lifestyle, your lifestyle flows seamlessly in your new home.

The ingredients of exceptional design...

Everyone is quick to agree that exceptional design is a recognizable thing in several categories—from computer products to magazine layouts to seasonal fashions.  But in custom home design, what are the benefits of exceptional design beyond visual composition?

Custom home design is personal.  It is the process of discovery, inspiration, and the reflection of our individual personalities, hobbies, and habits.  This reflection then supports our daily activities, organizes our days, influences our moods, and ultimately—makes us feel at home in our home.  What a treat it is to wake up every morning to spaces that delight you, and spaces that accommodate your life.

It is a tall order to achieve this type of tailored design that influences how you live and feel each day.  The key ingredient?  

Careful, comprehensive, and detailed thought.  It does not happen without discovery and process—the time spent in the design process is most definitely, time spent well.

A little space—a lot of detail.

Powder rooms are a great space to feature unique details.  From light fixture selection, vanity design, wall finishes, and floor and ceiling treatments—you can create big drama within a small space.