Tour de Luxury '09
Lucky me! I’ve spent the last week getting sneak peeks of the multi-million-dollar custom homes on this year’s Twin Cities Luxury Home Tour. The tour kicks off Friday at noon, so the builders and interior designers are primping the spaces for the opening. But they took a break to give me a preview, showing me so many awesome spaces and cool features, I’ve come down with a serious case of kitchen/bath/closet /porch envy.
A few highlights: Two homes (#10, Stonewood in Minnetonka, and #14, Pillar Homes in Tonka Bay) hug the shores of Lake Minnetonka, and their huge windows open every room to peerless views. Another, built by American Classic Homes in Rosemount (#4), has a gorgeous cedar-lined screen porch with a fireplace that overlooks the swimming pool and the more-than-4-acre site. Then there’s #6, Aulik Companies’ GreenStar-certifed Edina contemporary, with its curved wall of butterflies.
Photos by Carlos Bravo, carlosbravophotography.com
Don’t even get me started on the kitchens: fabulous islands with family seating, dishwasher drawers, bronzed appliances, built-in coffee stations, dual refrigerators, granite counters in every shape and shade, and even an onyx-tile backsplash. When it comes to don’t-miss features I’ve seen so far, I’m torn between the serene owners’ bath with egg-shaped tub (#6) and the golf simulator and secret-room video arcade (# 11). Steiner & Koppelman used a hidden garage-door opener to control the sliding bookcase that opens to the space. Very fun.
Check out more highlights Friday through Sunday, June 12-14, 19-21, and 26-28. Or, leave the guys at home and really see the houses at our first-ever Girls’ Night Out, Thursday June 25.
Posted on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in Permalink
"Home Dish" is the place Midwest Home readers can drop in to catch up on the Twin Cities' home and design scene—the news, events, and trends. Editor Chris Lee and contributing editors will share their inspirations, finds, and design obsessions. We'll dish on the latest happenings, and bring you along as we attend exclusive previews, discover cool products, and talk with design experts. Have a local design fave or dilemma of your own? Tell us about it.
Comments may be edited for length, clarity, or appropriateness.