Sunny Disposition

a living room with a stone fireplaceRuth Paarman is an Iowa editor and writer who frequently visits the Twin Cities.
Photos by Jim Kruger, Landmark Photography.

Bright inside and out, this family home charms with its details.

The distant sound of the Minnehaha steamboat’s horn sets the stage for this cheery family home near Lake Minnetonka in Shorewood. With 3,502 finished square feet of charm, it reflects an earlier era with refreshing whimsy and lively colors.

KC Chermak, president of Pillar Homes, aimed for small-town appeal, reminiscent of nearby Excelsior. “We gave it a whimsical lake feel. It’s very relaxing and inviting,” he says. “The home becomes one you want to come to, creating the perfect lake escape and a really family-friendly home.”

Dormers, peaks, and subtle breaks in the roofline hearken back to a more romantic architectural period. Fieldstone, similar to rocks found nearby, lines the foundation. Paneled doors, board-and-batten siding, and cedar-shake shingles add wraparound interest. Radial steps and pillars flank the porch, with its wooden beadboard ceiling and front door.

Inside, classic millwork and light colors project a vintage effect. The great room welcomes family and friends with ample windows and white woodwork for brightness; hand-scraped Spanish walnut floors add contrast. Alder beams and beadboard meet in the majestic 10-foot-high ceiling. A substantial fireplace repeats the fieldstone from the exterior foundation and provides a gathering spot. One side of the built-in cabinetry appears to be a standard bookcase. Turn it 180 degrees, however, and a flat-screen television appears.

In the open, airy kitchen, white cabinets with inset panels stand out from a tumbled limestone backsplash. A tiled border accentuates the 48-inch range and folding pot-filler faucet. Gold and silver granite counters and rope lighting accent the gourmet assets, which include two refrigerators and a hidden serving area with warming drawer. A unique soffit defines the kitchen island, which faces an octagonal dinette area. A cozy seating area offers the ideal spot for coffee and a newspaper, while a white built-in desk with mounted cabinetry keeps bills and paperwork in check.

The breezy screen porch repeats the octagonal shape and the use of cedar shingles. Chermak cites the space as one of the home’s strong suits: “It’s really got an Old World flavor. You can stay at home, and the kids can go to the park,” he says, noting that parents can watch over the nearby ball field, skating rink, and tennis and volleyball courts from its vantage. The deck stretches the width of the home, protected by a pergola providing welcome shade on sunny days.

The octagon appears again in the form of the study, located on a landing between the ground level and the upper floor. A floating desk surrounded by a built-in credenza and seating offers a prime spot for studying, working, or just gathering as a family. A bar and refrigerator keep cold drinks close at hand.

Windows open from the upper-level owners’ suite to the backyard and park. A deep tray ceiling provides height. Buff and caramel tile covers the heated floor, as well as the backsplash, in the attached bath. White cabinetry and a farmhouse style basin offer nostalgic appeal. Dual spray heads in the walk-in shower stand ready to soothe harried parents. One of the vanities is equipped with a high-tech mirror that reveals a TV monitor ideal for checking up on the news. The connected laundry room is another convenient amenity.

A large bonus room over the garage and another bedroom share a Jack-and-Jill bath. Across the hall, one more sleeping chamber features a quaint window seat and its own three-quarter bath, perfect for a teen.

Chermak says the home offers plenty of “small-town family flavor.” Every member of the family will want to share its charm.

BUILDER
Pillar Homes

HOME LOCATION
Shorewood

SUPPLIERS
Cambria® Natural Quartz Surfaces
Cartier Lighting Granite Tops
Granite Tops
Harmony Melamine Creations
by Scherer Bros. Lumber Co.
Hedberg Masonry &
Landscape Supplies
Industrial Door Company, Inc.
Jenn-Air
Kinetico / Aquarius
Water Conditioning
Marvin Windows and Doors
Minneapolis Glass Company
Orion Home Systems
Warners’ Stellian

11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)

Only $9.95!
  • Less than $1 an issue.
  • 77% off newsstand price.
  • Includes annual HomeBook.


Everything Home. Everything Local.

You can also add Minnesota Monthly
(12 issues a year) for just $13 more.