Uncommon Charmer

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

Vintage inspirations inform modern getaway.

This shingle-style home in Minnetonka evokes bygone days, when life moved at a slower pace and handcrafted quality was commonplace. As soon as the front door opens, these whispers from the past are apparent. The attention to detail lavished on this home by builder Keith Waters and Associates is evident in the natural walnut flooring and stair treads, hefty baseboards enameled in creamy white, and stairway with painted risers and spindles.

The setting reinforces the nostalgic feel. The 5,629-square-foot home looks out upon a common green—not a golf green, but a boulevard of grass reminiscent of a village green. Located in a woodsy area that overlooks a marsh, this house shows its face to the street; the garage is tucked away in the back.

For all its historic charms, however, the place brims with modern conveniences. Says architect Denise de Victoria, one of the members of the Keith Waters team, “This home was designed for a very busy family and it truly is quite self-contained.” It includes an office, a workout room, a great family kitchen, and a wonderful porch off the back where family members can unwind with a peaceful view of the marsh.

The homeowners asked architect de Victoria to create a family-friendly home that offers a getaway feeling. She soon discovered that the husband loves to cook as a way to relax. So she began with the heart of the home: the vintage-inspired kitchen, featuring a 5-foot gas range that will support his hobby. The room is classic, composed of beautiful and timeless materials, including marble, walnut, and stainless steel. A previously owned wooden wine cooler the size of a double refrigerator was designed into the space, at the homeowners’ request. The wine cooler, cleverly refinished to mimic the doors in the home, now looks like an antique armoire of just the right scale and vintage.

A stone fireplace divides the kitchen from a family room, repeating the earthy and soft colors of the kitchen. Just off the kitchen, an inviting porch offers the ideal spot for a casual dinner with complete privacy and soothing views. A nearby dining room adapts to more formal occasions.

On the second floor the architect has done a masterful job with layout. Like a big old family home, passageways meander, making rooms private. A “princess room” in pink with a sparkling chandelier, home to a young daughter, is at one end. The master suite overlooks the misty marsh and its bath is sheathed in dark brown marble, the perfect complement to the dark walnut throughout the home. A spacious laundry room has room to spare for a hefty sewing or craft table. A bonus room over the garage is roughed in, as is space for a future elevator.

The stairs from the ground floor to the lower level are generous, opening to an entertainment area with bar, storage, and floor-to-ceiling doors that lead to a patio and elegant terrace off the back of the house. All in all, this home is indeed a retreat from the hustle of a busy day—calm in color scheme and rich in materials.

BUILDER
Keith Waters & Associates, Inc.

HOME LOCATION
Minnetonka

SUPPLIERS
Appollo Systems
Granite Tops
Guyer’s Builder Supply
Harmony Melamine Creations
by Scherer Bros. Lumber Co.
Hedberg Masonry &
Landscape Supplies
Marvin Windows and Doors
Minneapolis Glass Company
Roth Distributing Company
Shaw/Stewart
Architectural Millwork

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