With a cramped master bedroom in the attic and no room nearby for a baby nursery, Doug and Ann Thielen of Minneapolis were faced with the age old dilemma: to move or not to move? They opted not to move and instead used the slanted walls of their second floor to add a dormer, increase their square footage, and make the place more baby-friendly.
They enlisted the help of architect John Anderson of JDA Design Architects in Minnetonka. John was able to create a detailed design plan and ease the couple’s worries. Although they had considered building an entirely new second story, they were able to save $50,000 by sticking with the dormer. The dormer increased the space by over 300 square feet.
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The leisurely drive to Medina, a half hour west of Minneapolis, is relaxing enough to rid you of the big-city traffic paranoia, and slow things down to a comfortable pace. The Engel’s home—nestled in a patch of forest near Medina—was intended to reflect the restful life away from the Twin Cities.
Unfortunately, the home hadn’t changed for over 20 years—inside or out. The result was a home that was beginning to show its age and artistic oversights. It wasn’t working so much on the relaxing side of things. An unwelcoming bathroom devoid of anything spa-like. A kitchen that navigated like a maze. A living room that felt as odd as its Southwestern + Colonial eclecticism. A makeover was in order, and the Engels consulted with architect Rick Lundin to develop a home that was surprisingly beautiful, strategically functional, and specifically Engel.
As soon-to-be empty nesters, the Engels had room to work with in the 3,000-square-foot expanse of the house. However, return visits from their three daughters were something to keep in mind. It wasn’t just daughters who frequented the Engel home. It was up to 50 guests and relatives during the holiday season. In order to accommodate the seasonal rush of humanity upon the Engel homestead, the architect took drastic measures with the worn-out kitchen.
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February 18th, 2010 in Minneapolis
Every remodel job has its unique challenges. For one Minneapolis family, they had a challenge that went something like this. They wanted a fully functional kitchen. In fact, it had to be more functional than it was before. Additionally, the kitchen needed to be a lot more fun. Something about the previous design was strangely depressing. Beyond that, their kitchen couldn’t be an inch bigger, but it had to seem more like part of the house.
The personalities behind these remodel dreams? A family that loves to cook, constantly entertain guests and have regular family fun. Here’s how they took this kitchen from ugly to unbelievable.
Gaining Space by Stealing Closets
Wasted space in coat closets was quickly acquisitioned for use in kitchen resizing. That way, the kitchen got bigger without traveling out of bounds.
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Christine Albertsson and Todd Hansen are intrepid modern-day explorers. OK, not really. They’re actually an average couple who were checking out south Minneapolis’s Minnehaha Creek when – Eureka! – they came across a house they would soon call their own.
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December 29th, 2009 in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a city of distinction and sophistication. And homeowners want houses that reflect the urbanity of the area. Here are some tips from savvy homeowners who have produced showcase-quality living spaces, with ideas that you may want to consider for your next bath or kitchen remodel.
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