Dual Dwelling

the exterior of a large homeAlecia Stevens is a Minneapolis writer and interior designer.
Photos by Jon Huelskamp & Jim Kruger, Landmark Photography

Waterfront elegance makes room for a rustic retreat.

Many Minnesotans dream of owning a home or cabin on the water. When builder Rich Riemersma, vice president of Imperial Homes, saw this site along a 5-acre pond in Inver Grove Heights, he decided to make the most of the location. Inspired by the setting and with encouragement from the homeowner, the design team created a luxurious primary residence and a cabin-like retreat in the bonus room over the garage.

In this cleverly designed guest suite with its own private entrance, knotty pine lines the walls and ceiling, complementing kitchen cabinets of knotty alder. Add a magnificent view of the water filtered through swaying birch trees, and you’re transported to the beloved cabin “up north.” Yet a few steps away is something else entirely.

The home’s stucco and stone exterior presents a simple gracefulness to the street, while the updated traditional style gives it a clean, light touch. Materials throughout emphasize elegance, beginning with two massive mahogany entry doors with leaded windows—topped by an arched, leaded glass window—that open to reveal a dramatic 13-foot entry ceiling. The homeowners wanted a traditional living room, and this one soars to 14-foot ceilings. Not to be overshadowed, the fireplace employs similar scale. A hand-carved sandstone surround and mantel—weighing in at 2,700 pounds—was shipped in pieces from Texas. Although an archway offers easy access from the living room to the kitchen/great room, the separation adds a welcome touch of formality.

The kitchen was conceived for gathering, with decks and porches nearby to share a meal and treasure the views. Granite counters and stainless appliances give it a polished look. The millwork in this main living area mixes cherry cabinetry and painted woodwork. The enameled finish suits the overall style of this home.

Elsewhere on the main floor, private spaces reign. A handsome home office offers respite from the collective life of a young family. Carpeted in a traditional dark pattern, with floor-to-ceiling built-ins of cherry, this masculine room offers views of the water. A spacious owners’ suite features built-in cabinets for a TV and storage, as well as a beautiful owners’ bath with marble flooring that alternates polished and matte tiles. This subtle element is repeated in the shower. Honed, brown marble tops the custom cabinets.

The lower level attracted similar attention to detail. The sunken media room, defined by a dramatic Venetian plaster ceiling and fluted cherry columns, looks out on the terrace and pond. A handy kitchen and bar are nearby. Three bedrooms, each with a dedicated bath, feel more like suites than simple sleeping chambers. Including the cabin-guest suite over the garage, the 7,514 square-foot home has five bedrooms.

Storage comes at a premium in every home—no matter its size—so construction technology helps make the most use of the space. “By utilizing pre-cast concrete planking in two places, we are able to capture so much more space,” notes Riemersma. An area beneath the front entrance makes room for a wine cellar and additional storage. A lower-level “garage” under the main four-stall space allows room to spare for lawn tractors, jet skis, and other seasonal equipment. Rounding out the amenities list is the lower-level exercise room.

Considering all this and the cabin over the garage, you might say this home has it all.

BUILDER
Imperial Homes, Inc. with
Royal Oaks Design

HOME LOCATION
Inver Grove Heights

SUPPLIERS
The Brass Handle
GE Appliances
Harmony Melamine Creations
by Scherer Bros. Lumber Co.
Hedberg Masonry &
Landscape Supplies
J.J. Vanderson & Co.
Kinetico / Aquarius
Water Conditioning
LaCosta Architectural Imports
Molin Concrete Products Company
Peters Billiards
Rubble Tile
The Tile Shop

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