September 5, 2012

Architect Spotlight: Alchemy Architects

Of all the places you inhabit on a daily basis, your home is one of the most important. It is the container of your feelings of safety, the bearer of your lifestyle, and the catalyst of many memories. The vision of your dream home is precious. As such, handing over the design of your future home to a professional that you hardly know is a daunting task. One of the ways that you can begin to evaluate some of the best residential architects that the Twin Cities has to offer is by visiting the architects along the Homes by Architects Tour.

To further prepare you for your tour experience, over the next few weeks these blog posts will discuss how the architects of the 16 homes on the tour practice with passion. Our... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 31, 2012

Friday Fun Facts: Marvin Windows & Doors

When I was younger, one of my least favorite chores was washing the windows. I was too much of a perfectionist. Every time I thought I was done, I’d notice another streak or smudge. And it was nearly impossible to get to the dirtiest, hard-to-reach spots, adding to my frustration. Unlike vacuuming or dusting, every imperfection was glaringly obvious.

Back then, my only opinion of windows is that they were hard to clean.

That was before I understood that the purpose of windows (preferably windows without fingerprint smudges and streaks) goes beyond letting in sunshine. Since becoming a homeowner—and after working for Midwest Home magazine for nearly eight years—I have come to appreciate what good, quality windows can do for... Read more »

Posted on Friday, August 31, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 30, 2012

Demo Time

There's so much happening at the Great Get-Together, where's a gardener to go? Here's a quick rundown. Read more »

Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 27, 2012

Achoo! How to Handle Seasonal Allergies

Hay fever can become an issue as summer fades into fall. Here's what you can do about it. Read more »

Posted on Monday, August 27, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 24, 2012

Friday Find: Textured Wallpaper

Wallpaper is hard to remove. And apply. But when it's done right, and adds dimension and beauty to a room, it's oh so good. Read more »

Posted on Friday, August 24, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 23, 2012

Music at LeDuc

The LeDuc Estate, a four-acre site located along the Great River Road Scenic Byway in Hastings, is one of Minnesota's architectural gems. Built in 1865-66, the home and outbuildings have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1970. And thanks to preservation and restoration and community support, the Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS) has managed to maintain the original Gothic Revival architecture and Andrew Jackson Downing design—which inspired William and Mary LeDuc's creation.

If you've never seen it, now's the time... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 22, 2012

Transforming the House into a Home

The work of a residential architect extends beyond their sketch pad or computer 3D models. They are part of a team of professionals who translate creative thinking into a furnished and durable physical reality. Architects develop relationships with businesses, engineers, material manufactures, and builders to ensure that their clients' homes are built to a high standard with appropriate interior finishes and affordable utility bills.

Some of the key team-members for the 20 architects involved in the upcoming 2012 AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour are the tour sponsors:

• Marvin Windows and Doors, the premier manufacturer of wood and clad... Read more »

  Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 20, 2012

Are Geraniums Toxic to Japanese Beetles?

Every Monday we tackle common lawn and garden questions on Home Dish. Today we referred to expert Julie Weisenhorn, state director of the Master Gardening Program, University of Minnesota Extension. For more information about Master Gardening programs in your county, visit www1.extension.umn.edu/master-gardener.

Master Gardeners have been discussing whether geraniums are toxic to those pesky Japanese beetles, and if so, is there a benefit to interplanting geraniums around plants that the beetles prefer (such as roses or grapes).

Read more »

Posted on Monday, August 20, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 17, 2012

Friday Fun Fact: Kohler Co.

If you’ve never heard of Kohler Co., it’s time to crawl out from under that rock.

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in the village of Kohler, Wis. (in Sheboygan), the family-owned Kohler Co. is one of America’s oldest and largest privately held companies—a global leader in kitchen and bath products. The Kohler kitchen and bath "family" consists of not only the Kohler brand, but Sterling, Englefield, Jacob Delafon, Mira Showers, and Sanijura. There are manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, England, France, Spain, India, Thailand, Egypt, Morocco, China, and New Zealand (and that's just one aspect of the Kohler brand, they also have furniture and... Read more »

Posted on Friday, August 17, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 16, 2012

Art for the Home, Food for the Mind

Summer and art fairs go hand in hand, which means both are quickly (sadly!) dwindling for 2012. So get out there while you can—there are a couple good options this Saturday. Both are free to attend, and promise food, fun, and family activities, along with great opportunities to decorate your home with unique, locally-made wares.

Riverwalk Market Fair
Saturday, August 18 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Northfield's market runs regularly for many months, but now's the time to catch it before the open-air market heads indoors. Expect local arts and crafts, like glass work from featured artist Dale Brown; organic and sustainably grown foods from the likes of Luigi Sison and Klaus Thuringer making mustards, jams, and more; live... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)