Slip Into Summer
Finally, it’s time for flip-flops—by my personal barometer, that means the seasons have officially changed. After way too many months of living under wraps, summer in Minnesota is all about peeling off a layer or two, kicking back, and enjoying the great outdoors.
That impulse applies equally to Minnesotans’ summertime homes. Pared-down style, airy palettes, and organic furnishings seem just right in homes that are all about the art of easy living. Case in point: “Getting Real” (page 28), Kevin and Jodi Spearmans’ summer place outside Stillwater. These former Minnesotans, owners of an exclusive Houston interior design firm, spend holidays here with their four boys, surrounded by extended family and friends. See their simple yet sophisticated interiors and learn their secrets for creating kid-friendly casual chic.
Life is even less complicated at the Grand Marais retreat of Twin Cities’ artists Hazel Belvo and Marcia Casey Cushmore, featured in “Simply Superior” (page 40). A sense of life reduced to its essentials is palpable here; colorful paintings hang on gallery-white walls and the owners’ dual second-floor studios glow with light and lake views. Belvo says it best: “We wanted to build a house that has everything we want and no more than we need. And that’s exactly what we got.”
For some Minnesotans, summer getaways are easier still: They take “staycations” in their own backyards. But what backyards! Check out the resort-style landscapes with pools, porches, patios, and season-stretching outdoor kitchens in “Get Your Grill On” (page 24). If your idea of endless summer is cooking out—come rain, sleet, or shine—you’ll be inspired by these homeowners and the designers who make it happen for them. Then enjoy the breathtaking vista of the St. Croix River Valley from Jeff and Julie Anderson’s outdoor sanctuary in “Pride & Panorama” (page 48). The peerless view from the backyard of their Stillwater Victorian makes it the place to watch the annual Lumberjack Days’ fireworks. And the pool, pool house, gazebo, hot tub, and fire pit make it the perfect gathering place for family and friends all season long.
Slip into some flip-flops yourself this summer, and enjoy the simple life wherever you find it.
Chris Lee, Editor
clee@mhmag.com
6 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
