Stone Château

an curved staircase leads into a dining areaJack Gordon is an Eden Prarie writer.
Photos by Jon Juelskamp & Jim Kruger, Landmark Photography

This Bloomington home brings a touch of the Old World to the New.

Ever wish your home really were your castle? This is the place for you. The front façade presents two towering stories of natural stonework, separated only by a gable and a dormer of cedar shakes. With its European styling, copper gutters and downspouts, and an 11.5-foot front door set in a 14-foot entryway, the house suggests a historic château transferred stone-by-stone from France or Italy to West Bloomington—and right across the street from a lake, to boot.

“The stonework may be my favorite thing about this house,” says Troy Shannon, a general partner in Suisse Builders. Stone appears again in the front porch of Chilton stone and the brick-and-granite stepped walk that curves up to the entry.

Running neck-and-neck with the exterior stone for Shannon’s favor, however, is the woodwork inside. Extensive alder cabinetry and wainscoting blend harmoniously with Bolivian rosewood floors and three mahogany columns that reach to the 10-foot ceilings of the main floor. South American eucalyptus is used for the trim, including substantial crown moldings.

The elegant dining room off the entry features cove ceilings and a built-in alder hutch. Convenient to the dining room is a butler’s pantry with marble countertop, wine refrigerator, and alder cabinets detailed with a stencil.

A larger wine refrigerator lies just beyond in the spacious kitchen, where the stencil is reiterated on the side of a large marble-topped island. Granite countertops set off the plentiful custom alder cabinets. A cozy breakfast nook in a bay window beckons the casual diner.

In the inviting great room, the alder woodwork extends to the ceiling above and around the fireplace. Framed above is a 50-inch plasma TV. A long outdoor deck featuring an octagonal gazebo wired for lights and sound can be accessed from the great room or the kitchen. The main floor also includes a spacious office fully paneled in alder and boasting a bay window.

Up the striking, curved staircase that rises from the entry, more splendor awaits. The romantic master suite features a sitting room with bay window, a fireplace, and an 11-foot tray ceiling with crystal chandelier. Another bay window adds elegance to the master bath, with its oval tub, shower of travertine tile, distressed alder cabinets, and limestone countertops.

Past two additional bedrooms, each with its own bath and walk-in closet, is an extra-large room with its own bath, suitable for a nanny’s quarters, a guest suite, or a bedroom for the family member best able to claim and defend it. Of its two alcoves, the bigger could serve as a cozy sitting room.

The walkout lower level features a recreation area with plenty of room for a billiard table. Alder-wainscoted walls, a stone fireplace surrounded by built-ins, and a wet bar with refrigerator and commodious cabinetry make it easy to entertain in high style.

Opposite the bar, double doors of African mahogany open to a home theater with a 108-inch screen. Completing the lower level is a fifth bedroom with walk-in closet and an adjacent three-quarter bath.

Along with the stone and the woodwork, Shannon has one more favorite thing about this 5,670-square-foot house—just a thoughtful, added touch. The giant heated garage sits lower than the main floor, so a person coming from the car must climb several stairs to reach the garage entrance. Suppose that person is carrying parcels? Answer: An electric grocery elevator lifts bags and cartons to the landing.

BUILDER
Suisse Builders

HOME LOCATION
Bloomington

SUPPLIERS
Anchor Block Company
Gray Gardens
Guyer’s Builder Supply
Harmony Melamine
Creations by Scherer
Bros. Lumber Co.
LaCosta Architectural
Imports
Marvin Windows
and Doors

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