Inspirational Updates
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If you love your house and your neighborhood and plan to stay there at least five more years, it makes perfect sense to customize your space so that your home is a more enjoyable place to live. Makeover a room inside (or outside) your home with the guidance of these talented professionals.
Twist Interior Design
Floral prints, delicate furniture, ornate chandeliers—the interior of this Lake Minnetonka dwelling was fit for a French country estate.
But for the owner, a single father in search of casualness and comfort, it just didn’t feel like home.
“The aesthetic was overtly feminine,” explains Sandy LaMendola, ASID, owner and principal designer of Twist Interior Design. “It may have worked elsewhere, but not for this client, not in this space.”
Twist was tasked with transforming the interior into something more befitting the homeowner, and to do so without scrapping quality elements of the existing design.
After working closely with the client to craft a distinct vision for the space, Twist Interior Design set out to reframe existing items within an environment of rich earth tones, warm organic textures, and bold furnishings.
The resulting interior softened the formal, subverted the feminine and—to dramatic effect—produced an atmosphere distinctly masculine, yet still refined.
612-338-1588 • twistinterior.com
Ispíri Design-Build
Situated on lakefront property in Stillwater, this home—with a 1970s exterior, crowded kitchen, and unnatural layout—wasn’t yet to “dream home” status, but it had strong potential.
The Ispíri team, a full-service design-build-remodel firm offering in-house consultation services, effective communication, and stellar project management, developed a beautiful and spacious rustic French country-style kitchen, kitchenette, and deck. The kitchen now has two separate access points from the lower level, in addition to a walk-out level beach kitchenette for convenient access to snacks and drinks. An expansive deck was built for lakeside entertaining, and a unique roof truss was created on the garage to raise the lower level ceiling by a foot, gaining valuable height. The exterior details—rooflines, window configurations, and outdoor watergardens—were carefully planned to add beauty while maintaining the home’s architectural style.
Not many people have the opportunity to live in the house of their dreams, but this family is now living in theirs.
651-578-0122 • ispiri.com
D.T. Carlson Co.
Strong communication and attention to detail helped create a remodeled home exactly as these Mahtomedi homeowners had envisioned. Five years ago, they approached D.T. Carlson Co. to modernize their
dated home.
“Their kitchen was lacking space, the overall layout was dysfunctional, and their great room had a non-functional fireplace,” says Dan Carlson, president of D.T. Carlson Co.
The homeowners were not quite ready to move forward on the project when they first approached D.T. Carlson Co., but came back this spring.
The original floor plan was altered by opening walls, creating a more functional living space. A gas fireplace and a custom-built mantel became a focal point in the great room, and a 2-foot cantilever was added to the kitchen to accommodate a center island, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and a study area.
612-414-1195 • dtcarlson.com
Eminent Interior Design
It was like every cookie-cutter bathroom built in the 90s—maple cabinets, white countertops, a massive corner tub, and your double sink vanity. It didn’t feel anything like a personalized sanctuary.
With a vision in mind, the Plymouth homeowners called Brandi Hagen, ASID, Eminent Interior Design, to create a one-of-a-kind space, one blending function and style.
“The ‘before’ bathroom was so boring, the homeowners wanted to make sure the ‘after’ was rich and dramatic,” Brandi explains. “We achieved those results without ever changing the floor plan.”
Brandi’s design solutions included replacing the tub with one that actually fits the space, allowing for a spa-like full bench steam shower tiled in a colorful travertine and glass mosaic, beautiful Cambria countertops, and a customized cabinet that is wide, yet shallow in depth, featuring convenient his-and-hers sides, complete with outlets behind the upper cabinet and under-sink drawers for additional storage.
“It’s the little details that make it perfect for the family,” Brandi says.
612-767-1242 • eminentid.com
JK Interiors, Inc
A dramatic change has taken place in this Shorewood kitchen. Not only was the space outdated, but the layout was awkward and the floor plan didn’t effectively maximize the space.
The 80’s may have experienced a fashion comeback, but it will never be back in vogue when it comes to kitchens. The baby blue color palette, uniform rows of cabinets, and white corian countertops dated this home.
“It was a 1980s time warp” says Jackie Wulf, owner, JK Interiors, Inc.
Jackie collaborated with the homeowner, remodeler, and subcontractors, coordinating multiple moving parts while carefully listening to the homeowners’ wants and needs. She helped give the kitchen personality using quarter-sawn stained white oak cabinets, leather finished granite, an intricate glass and stone backsplash, and quality stone flooring. The new layout takes advantage of previously unused space.
“All of the elements came together for a truly unique look,” Jackie says.
952-474-3643 • jkinteriors.net
Novare Renovation & Design
Your home shouldn’t just reflect your style; it should fit the way you live. The challenge of this Woodbury home is that it did neither.
Not only did the home need a major style makeover, but a modified floor plan for improved efficiency, symmetry, and traffic flow.
After many discussions with the homeowners, the design-build experts at Novare Renovation analyzed every square foot of the main floor. The original dark and compartmentalized layout was reconfigured into a bright, open, fluid space.
“We combined function and flow with beauty and style,” explains Suzanne Pottinger, spatial designer, Novare Renovation and Design.
The kitchen transformation included plenty of countertop space, ample storage, and high-quality modern appliances, as well as stylish updates like new backplash, countertops, and fixtures.
Through listening to the clients’ vision, clearly communicating, providing quality craftsmanship, and paying meticulous attention to detail, this drab, dated kitchen became a stunning, welcoming space.
651-285-7141 novare-renovationdesign.com
Yardscapes, Inc.
A professional design-build landscaping firm not only creates unique designs, but understands that the more functional your landscaping is, the more likely you’ll want to spend time outdoors.
Yardscape’s experienced team helped one Minnetrista family transform this new construction property into a showcase of lakeside beauty, complete with a custom concrete pool, spa, and travertine patio perfect for lounging, dining, or entertaining.
“When it comes to landscape design, there’s nothing like creative, quality planning,” says David Kopfmann, Yardscapes, Inc. owner and designer. “We arrange the space so it’s useful, beautiful, functional, and meaningful.”
The main challenge of this project revolved around the city’s lakeshore setback requirements. To meet this requirement, the pool was designed 18-inches above the patio, providing an elevated view of the lake. The mix of stone, hardscape elements, and plants blends perfectly in with the environment and the distinct style of the home.
“Landscaping is more than modifying the natural environment,” David says. “It’s an art.”
952-887-2794 • yardscapesinc.com
Plekkenpol Builders
This Bloomington kitchen was awkwardly designed, making it feel boxed in and disjointed from the rest of the home. After careful consideration of builders, the homeowners selected Plekkenpol Builders to transform the space.
“A successful remodel starts with a plan based on the client’s needs, vision, style, and budget,” says Judy Plekkenpol of Plekkenpol Builders. “Once the plan is in place, we can provide options that will produce desired results.”
To achieve those desired results, the dining room wall was removed, creating one large open space for cooking and entertaining. Unique features include a glass and stainless steel backsplash, a deep center island with a bookcase behind the microwave, shallow cabinets for additional storage, and a pull-up mixer compartment, creating more counterspace around the cooktop for food prep and dining.
What was once a segregated space is now an integral part of the home.
“Our process and our staff exceeded the clients’ expectations and they are thrilled with the finished project,” Judy says.
952-888-2225 • plekkenpol.com
Che Bella Interiors
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Old homes are beautiful, but they were not designed for modern living. The homeowners of this 1912 charmer, located in St. Paul’s Crocus Hill neighborhood, decided it was time for their master bath to finally enter the 21st century.
The designers at Che Bella Interiors were ready for the challenge.
“Everything in the space was original—including the radiator,” says Tracy Hains, owner. “We had to re-run much of the electrical and mechanical system to create an effective design that functions for how the clients use the space. We also paid meticulous attention to researching materials and finishes that were updated, but still true to the style of this beautiful historic home.”
Not only was the master bath outdated, but the layout wasn’t practical for how the clients live. The solution? Creatively reconfiguring under-utilized spaces, including the creation of a large walk-in shower out of an old closet.
The updated bath is a perfect blend of function and beauty that reflects the historic charm of the home.
952-239-0961 • chebellainteriors.com
Murphy & Co. Design
When you take wine collecting seriously, you want a designated space to store those bottles of Château Haut-Brion.
But what if your basement is cramped, dark, and outdated, the ceilings are too low, and the space lacks architectural character?
That’s when you call Jeff Murphy, president of Murphy & Co., to do a complete overhaul. With over 20 years of experience in the residential design world, Jeff and his team provides clients with authentic and unique designs.
The ceiling height of this Edina basement was increased through underpinning the existing footings and dropping the lower level slab. Next, the space began to take shape with architectural details such as imported street cobblestones, aged brick walls, barrel vaulted ceilings, a leaded glass window, a tasting table, and a fireplace with hand-carved mahogany corbels and stone scrollwork.
What once was a space used only for storage is now a spacious, bright, and inviting room perfect for entertaining friends and family.
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