Before and After: Formal Meets Fresh

This couple came to us for help refreshing their longtime home in Southwest Minneapolis. They had been inspired by their neighbors home, which we completed in a few years ago. Our new clients had been in their home for decades and had decided to stay, thus prompting a design refresh. They had worked with a decorator when they bought the house, but things were wearing out, and as it happens in life, clutter had accumulated. Our overarching concept for the project was simple: the house (and the couple) needed a Breath of Fresh Air. While the rooms had been painted individual and strong colors, we would introduce a suite of off white paints. Dark wood floors were sanded and given a lighter touch. They had quality furniture that we were able to reuse, but absent the skirts and fussy details. While a blank slate can be exciting, there is something incredibly satisfying about working with people to give their homes and their things a new life.

Kitchen

When people spend a long time in a home, they get set in their ways. In this kitchen, we went through several design exercises to address some functional challenges, considering a peninsula, taking the range off the angle, and other interventions. In the end, the clients realized they wanted tweaks, not a reinvention, and the layout—and the look!—remained largely unchanged. The new cabinetry is still white, but simpler and higher quality than the previous iteration. They splurged on Danby marble and simplified by running it up the backsplash. They ultimately did not want to commit to a small island, but a prep table offers additional work surface and flexibility.

Baking Center

One of the bigger changes was transforming the “home office,” a popular kitchen feature in the 80s and 90s, to a baking center, specific to the needs of our home baker. We examined counter height and storage needs to fit her specifications. It is also an aesthetic statement in a lovely shade of blue!

Kitchen Nook

In this nook off the kitchen, we simply migrated the use from a sitting area to a dining one. Roman shades offer a beautiful softness and flexible privacy and light control.

Living Room

We love helping clients carve out spaces to support their favorite activities. This living room is large enough for two zones, and the placement of the entry made it impossible to center a single large seating area on the fireplace. Enter the games table! Perfect for cards with neighbors, and an excellent kids table for larger gathering. To emphasize the fireplace, we painted the mantel a blue-green that really enhanced the original tile. Everything is set off against a warm white envelope.

Sunroom

Our clients have a beautiful garden that they have spent years cultivating. This sunroom is among the trees, and with a quieter palette, the green outside is welcomed in. The painted Swedish cabinet is one of the first things we found for the house, and it hides a TV. I love the organic texture we brought in throughout this home.

Sunroom Continued

The painted Swedish cabinet is one of the first things we found for the house, and it hides a TV. I love the organic texture we brought in throughout this home.

Dining Room

In the dining room we celebrated their beautiful, traditional dining set, but brought down the formality with a woven rug, fresh blue linen upholstery, and fewer pieces overall. We also removed a panelled wainscot and heavy damask wallpaper in favor of a more modern block print on the walls. A breath of fresh air personified!

Powder Room

I have to say this little cutie now feels original to the house. The historic tile floor is a triumph, and the console sink, while giving up storage, offers a lot of breathing room.

Hall Bath

The second floor bathroom serves several bedrooms, but the space was extremely tight, with a small vanity and a bulky radiator next to the toilet. We captured the adjoining vestibule to enlarge the space and expand the vanity, while in-floor heat allowed us to remove the radiator and give proper clearance to the toilet. This is one of my favorite bathrooms—I wish we had a million photos!