A Minneapolis Custom Home Builder's Artisan Home Remodel

As a custom home builder in Minneapolis, I love helping families create a home that serves their vision. This Artisan home belongs to a young couple who ditched the fast-paced life in San Francisco to prioritize a season of family focus in Minnesota. Sensing that their kids were growing fast, and thanks to the high cost of living in CA, they sold their business, took a three-year break, and decided to turn a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis into a cozy nest for their growing family.

Falling for Tradition

Even though they initially wanted a sleek, modern pad, this couple couldn't resist the charm of an ancient house in Minneapolis. The views, proximity to Lake Harriet, and all-around loveliness won them over. While they had heard of MDW prior, when a friend of theirs actually bought my personal home (before the one I currently live in) and was raving about it, they were sold!

Minneapolis Custom Home Builder Teamwork 

Thanks to shared seasons of family life and values, we hit it off right away. For this remodeling project, we teamed up with Karl Adelbert from KA Designs and Julia Miller from Yond Interior. The result? A match made in design heaven. With the couple's own background in design, the collaboration brought out the best ideas, turning their vision into a dream home.

Bumps in the Remodel Road

The project hit a pause button for six months, but that didn't stop us. We used the time wisely, ordering materials and getting everything ready. When the building process ball started rolling again, the focus was on keeping the home's original charm while adding a splash of modern style.

Working with a budget wasn't easy, especially when we had plans to touch every part of the home throughout the entire process, but we stayed true to our vision, giving a facelift to the most important areas.

Traditional Meets Trendy

Come fall, the finished, beautiful home was the talk of the town during the Artisan home tour. We gave the kitchen a fun makeover, bringing the walls down for a better flow. An unused, second staircase made way for a much-needed pantry, and the once gloomy basement turned into a fun-filled play area for the kids to keep these California kids active in the Minnesota winter. The second level got some valuable upgrades as well, and we added a pocket laundry to help meet the demands of family life.

The Wow Factor

For me, the kitchen stole the show with a vibrant mustard yellow pantry, a fun and unexpected pop of color. A cool plaster hood and soothing marble touches completed the look, adding touches of modern home vibes to the overall charm of the historic house. And let's not forget the powder room, decked out with a marble sink from Istanbul and Yond Interior's distinctive design and funky lights we can’t get enough of. Seeing the whole project come together, with every artistic touch and collaboration, is one of our favorite parts of the entire home-building process!

The Remodel In a Nutshell

Turning an old-school house into a modern gem had its challenges, but the teamwork between the homeowners, MDW, and the design wizards created an exceptional home that boasts both traditional and modern vibes. It's proof that with a bit of vision, teamwork, and a whole lot of custom home-building heart, you can turn a house into a home.