Wednesday, October 14, 2015

55 MN Showcase Home Tour

Last week I ventured into the Twin Cities to explore a stunning house that was thoughtfully constructed by a local builder and turned into a beautiful "home" by 27 talented interior designers. One of the things I want to do more here on the blog, is share where I personally find inspiration and ideas and talk more about the little side trips that I take.  And let me tell you, this home was right up my style alley.


Each year, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine hosts a Showcase Home Tour in the Twin Cities.  This is the first year I had heard of the event, and I am so glad I was able to squeeze in some time to visit during the final days of the tour.  The home was built by Great Neighborhood Homes for a local family who has a passion for the beach.  That is something I can personally relate to!  Ever since my mother and father in-law purchased a place in Florida, it has become our favorite family vacation destination and I can't seem to soak up enough sun, sand and sea.  Not only do I love the warm temps, sounds of the crashing waves and the overall relaxing atmosphere that Florida offers, I am madly in love with beach colors and textures!  So good!


This particular home was created in partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers, in which 27 designers brought the homeowner's beachy visions to life.  But you would never know so many folks were involved in the process as the entire home flows seamlessly from one room to the next.


Taking tours like this is like hopping into a 3D episode of an HGTV design show or MTV's Cribs.  However, it is so much more exciting than any reality television reveal because you can get a real idea of the space plan, touch the finishes and smell the fresh flowers.


I brought my camera and navigated around groups of people to snag some of my favorite moments throughout the tour.  Oh, hi there! #nicebooties


Although we don't have any lofty goals of living in a super-sized abode, there were many moments throughout the tour that provided me with ideas and inspiration that we can incorporate into our own spaces.  For example, I am smitten with the idea of opening up the front porch and adding hanging pendants paired with a lovely painted wood ceiling.  I also would smile big if we were able to find a place to install a Chippendale style railing.

Let's head inside through the gorgeous aqua dutch door where we are welcomed with a variety or warm finishes and beautiful beachy hues.  


The majority of the main floor was wide open as each room seamlessly flowed into the next, yet was nicely divided by decorative moulding and playful ceiling treatments.


As lovely as the furnishings were throughout the entire home, for me, the mouldings, wall and ceiling treatments stole the show.


As did the paint colors, floors and even the door hardware.


In the living room, my eyes went straight for the fireplace and I was excited to see a natural stone tile paired with a classic white mantle.  The wall behind the book ledges was lined with a subtle grasscloth wallpaper, which complimented the wall color yet offered a nice texture to the feature wall.


As I mentioned, this home was filled with my favorite colors and patterns; those blue and white stripe chairs were definitely calling my name!  I also admired the round pedestal table at the end of the sofa, pom pom pillows and wall to wall french doors leading out to the back deck.


From the main living area, we took a quick stroll down the hall to a home office, reading nook and den.


The view to the den is nothing short of stunning, and the ceiling treatment was another memorable moment of many.


As much as I loved the interior of the home, I could see myself spending endless hours enjoying the outdoors. Just off of the sitting room was an outdoor sitting area that dreams are made of.


I know we all want to stop for a moment to oooh and aahhh over that tall, blue ceiling, but we have so much more to see so I am forcing myself to move on.

The fireplace can be utilized while in the den or outdoors, and it is the focal point of the sitting area (which can also be screened in).  The ottomans are covered in a bold outdoor fabric and a rolling cart provides an area for visiting and relaxing.


Relaxing while taking in this outdoor view....



Back to reality Jen... I mean seriously!  How great to have the entire home open up to the same deck area, the setup is simply brilliant for both day-to-day living and entertaining.  And although I tried to put those sliding pocket doors into my own pockets and take them home with me, they just wouldn't fit.  #sigh #needdeeperpockets

One thing anyone can do, however, is add an amazing focal wall to their dining space.  Talk about making a statement!


Not only does it make you say, "WOW" while viewing it from the back deck, the dining area can also be seen from the living area and adjoining kitchen.




We are over the moon happy with our Cambria quartz counters, and I loved seeing them used throughout this dreamy home as well.  Major heart eyes for the complimenting slab of backsplash in this high-end kitchen.  The herringbone ceiling and those pendants receive glowing reviews as well. 


Being that I love high-functioning organized areas, there were a few personal favorites that I soaked up as I walked from room to room.  The first was the surprise pantry that was discreetly tucked off to the side of the kitchen.


The walk-in area boasts adjustable open shelving and pull out baskets, as well as concealed storage behind drawers and doors.  The counter provides space for a lot of work and prep to happen here, allowing the primary kitchen counters to remain clutter free.  And once again, the wallpaper totally makes the space come alive.


The kitchen wraps around to a darling family command area.  A desk for managing daily paperwork and bills, an abundance of cabinetry for office supplies and craft storage, a garden view and a cozy upholstered chair are the ideal equation for keeping daily schedules and responsibilities organized.


To the right, another hallway, this one leading to a half bath and mudroom.




The floor-to-ceiling shiplap walls really allow the wallpapered ceiling to stand out.

And the room that made my heart race faster than any other... The mudroom!


This space is pure perfection and is what I dream about as I sleep each night.  Cubbies with open and concealed storage?  Check.  Easy to clean tile flooring?  Check.  A puppy station and dog door?  Check.  Planked ceilings and pretty wallpaper?  Check and check!  In my best Wayne Campbell voice, "She will be mine.  Oh yes, she will be mine."


The home's main level is for living, the lower level is purely for playing and lounging and the upstairs is for sleeping and relaxing.  Although I didn't take too many photos of the basement, I did love the paint color on the bar area cabinets.


Upstairs, the master bedroom, bathrooms and closets are located in their own "wing".  And this view shows the impact different wall finishes and moldings can make.


Those white closet doors are delicious and will serve as inspiration for future doors in our dressing room.

And yes, I said, "bathrooms".  The husband and wife each have their own bathroom and closet space, located on opposite ends of the bedroom.  I especially loved her bathroom; everything from the soaker tub to the nook of shelves to the detail of the blue colored sink.




The master bedroom felt like a beach side hotel retreat, perfect for unwinding each day.


Yet again, another fabulous ceiling treatment.  And can we all collectively drool over the wall treatment behind the fireplace?  It is another moment of inspiration we plan to incorporate within our own home.


The laundry nook is hidden behind a barn door painted in a lovely teal color.


And a peaceful sitting area joins the master suite area to the side of the home where the children's bedrooms are located.


With all boys at home, I enjoyed living vicariously through the homeowner's life with daughters.  Their two girls each have their own bedroom, closet, bathroom and cozy window seat.

The first girl's bedroom was decorated with feminine pinks and patterns.



And the window bench area sported the most stellar moulding details.


While the second girl's bedroom was given a warm wood wall treatment and cozy hanging chair.



As well as another window bench... This time the wallpaper was the major eye catcher.


These photos only scratch the surface of all this luxury home had to offer and simply highlight the areas that gobbled up my attention and provided ideas, inspiration and new "to do" list items for our own home.  You can find out more about the designers behind each space here, view additional photos of the home here, and learn more about the homeowner's family here.

Did any of these special spaces strike an idea or two or for your home?  Maybe a color combination or a pattern pairing?  How about a wall treatment or moulding detail? 

55 comments:

  1. I absolutely love the front door!

    Her Heartland Soul
    http://herheartlandsoul.com

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  2. I don't know, for me this home is just complete overkill. I do love the kids rooms, but everything else is just too much of a theme... I love certain details but feel like it could have all been toned down about 10 notches. The exterior is beautiful!

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  3. What a beautiful home! So many beautiful elements to tuck away for future reference. While I'm reluctant to add wallpaper to my own home after taking down so much of it (so painfully), I love the graphic patterns used in this home. Gorgeous details too. Thanks for sharing - I'm a show house junkie!

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  4. I really enjoyed that home tour! I have to say that as impressive as the furnishings and finishes were, the ceiling treatments were my favorite (enter herringbone ceiling)!

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  5. Jen - I love your blog. I didn't write this after your "blogiversary" post, but I should have. I love your decorating style and share your need for all things organized. You have inspired so many projects around our house, but the main reason I enjoy your blog is because of the personality that shines through your writing. Your honesty, humor, positivity, and practicality are all enjoyed and appreciated. But I think you cemented my "blog crush" with your Wayne's World reference today! Thanks for making me smile, and I hope you find the balance and inspiration you need. - Melissa

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    1. Thanks so much, I really appreciate you sweetness Melissa! I wasn't sure if anyone would catch that, lol. :) #imnotworthy #partyon #excellent

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  6. I love show houses! Thank you for this!
    Also, we are planning on painting the kitchen cabinets like the basement bar cabinets in this house. The Hubs wants cabinet knobs, I want pulls. This pic really helps me wrap my head around what they can look like. I think The Hubs is right. Thanks!!

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  7. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE...HOME...this isn't just a house...the thought and coordination..KUDOS!!! franki

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  8. Wow!! This house is absolutely gorgeous!!! My husband and I are currently in the process of building a home and this one is the perfect inspiration! Thanks for sharing Jen!

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  9. Was the fireplace wall in the the master done in planks (ship lap style) or "sharpie"? I'm building a house in Farmington, MN with a very similar vibe to this one and that fireplace would be PERFECT!!!!! I probably should just try to get to this house before next weekend!

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    1. The fireplace was done in the shiplap treatment. :) But you could definitely achieve a similar look with paint, sharpie or a stencil.

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    2. Thanks! I'm also looking at the railing on the balcony. The quote from our lumber/siding supplier for a prefab version is $612/ 8' section... ouch!!

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  10. Wow! This house is loaded. Great for inspiration. I don't think I would like living in it as all together it was too over the top. Too much going on, but definitly some great ideas here. As a show home its wonderful, but for living, it just doesn't feel like a home, at least not yet. Maybe the owners will edit it down, and I am sure they will add personal touches when they start living in it. For now it seems too forced, too planned. Artificial. Don't get me wrong its lovely to look at, but with everything over the top I just can't see living in a home that contrived. But isn't this true with a lot of show homes. That is their purpose to be unique and sometimes over the top. To be inspiration, but they can also have a negative effect if you start comparing your home, your spaces with a fantasy home like this. It happens each year when I go to our local parade of homes. I view with the intention to get ideas, but more often than not, I start to feel like my home is less and will never be like any of these. I like your take of finding 1 or 2 ideas and see how it might fit your home. But, with show homes, magazines and blogs filled with perfectly styled images of what we think a home should look like it can oddly turn from a positive inspiration to a "keeping up with the jones" yucky sentiment. I have to remind myself from time to time to not compare my home, our spaces with others. I think we've all been the sometime in our thinking. I see your hard work and talent and appreciate that you share all you do. You also let us see the not so perfect when projects don't go as planned. That keeps it real. Thanks for that, a little fantasy home dreaming is fun, but grounding it in a little reality makes it even better. One area I struggle with all these lovely inspiration ideas is how to incorporate them into a home with builder grade oak everywhere. I love the ship lap, all the white, light feeling and alternative wall, floor and ceiling finishes and coverings, but can't get past how to bring that into our home when painting or replacing our oak molding and cabinets is not possible. So nothing happens. Its hard to find decor ideas for oak filled homes. Its an obstacle I can't move, so I have to work with it, but there is no voice in the decor world for those like me that are in this boat. I just cant see how to incorporate these cool decor ideas when I dont have white trim. How do you pair white shiplap and oak trim. I don't think you do and that's my challenge. Painting is sadly not happening, so nothing happens. This is my home reality, at least mine. Is anyone else out there that is stuck with this too? Love what you do Jen. Anyway you could extend help to us stuck in a wood trim debacle?

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    1. Hi Amy!

      I agree with so much of what you said. These homes are so fun to look at, but yes, they are done for inspiration and to show new products, ideas, finishes, etc... I love to walk through and pick up small details that we can bring back to our own personal spaces, but I definitely didn't leave there with home envy. In fact, sometimes these tours make me appreciate my own home even more. :) So yes, it is very important not to compare these homes to our own.

      As far as the wood trim question, I did a post on the topic a few years ago and I still reference it often: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/you-asked-what-wood-you-do.html

      xoxo!

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    2. Look at what www.domesticimperfection.com did in her current house's kitchen and Dining Room and that is your solution to your Oak Cabinets and loving the shiplap/planked look. Look under House Tour.

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  11. I loved this! Feel free to post more like this!!

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  12. Wow! This home is beautiful! So full of drool-worthy inspiration! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Wow...what an amazing house and I love all of the light fixtures - beachy with out being over the top! I could move right in!!

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  14. What a lovely home! This is totally your style, Jen! I LOVE the color of the blue cabinetry in the lower level - that would be a great color for an accent wall! I also like the idea of using the same quartz material as a backsplash in the kitchen.

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  15. Wow - this entire home is amazing. There isn't a single thing I wouldn't want to incorporate into our home! Now if only I could :)

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  16. What a gorgeous home! I love everything in that house, from the paint colors, to the wallpapers, decor, and accessories. Everything! Now, I'm dreaming. :)

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  17. What an incredibly charming and welcoming home! Fantastic use of colors and staging. A very pleasing color palette with well thought out pops of color, yet not too overwhelming. That pool was insisting on staying a while and relaxing for sure!

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  18. I'm in LOVE! Love the colors, textiles, floor plan, furniture, wall coverings...
    Everything! Makes my feel a little better that it took over 20 designers. I'm only one person at home.

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  19. I find the combination of soft aqua with rustic wood interesting. It works for a beach house, though, doesn't it!

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  20. This house is absolutely stunning! This house struck so many ideas, we'd have to move ; )

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  21. I love the whole thing, and it's rare I say that about a house! I live in ND and would love to live in MN in a few years. Maybe they'll be ready to sell when I'm ready to move?! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous home :D

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  22. Ah, I love a good home tour full of inspiration! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Wow! I had no idea that there was anything like this in the cities! Your pictures are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing!

    http://www.kellyzugay.com/

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  24. I love a lot of things about this, especially all the trim details!

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  25. Holy crapola! That is one gorgeous house! It looks like the house is in a regular neighborhood, so do you know if they will sell or auction off the home and if so, any idea on the price? Just curious what new designer homes are going for. There are so many things that I love (ie: the mudroom, kitchen, backyard, etc!) and it is also interesting to see wallpaper being brought back into the design elements.

    Thank you, Jen for bring us along on this fun house tour!

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    1. Hi Pat! The home was actually done for existing homeowners that can now move in with the show coming to an end. I am not sure about the final price point, but I can say that it was built in an amazing part of town (the entire neighborhood is dreamy), so I am sure that impacts the final value of the property as well.

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  26. Thank you for sharing this! So much inspiration! You continue to inspire me with being more organize. I even now understand the beauty of the wallpaper in their panty. Organization is beautiful, and if there is beauty in the design of it, it's even more beautiful!

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  27. Wow, an impressive house! I loved all the built in details, especially the ceilings and fireplaces, but couldn't live with all those patterns on the walls! I guess each designer added in a new pattern! Thanks for showing it, it was fun to see it through your eyes.

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  28. Can you please share the deets on that gorgeous camera bag?m😍

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    1. Of course! It is from JoTotes: http://www.jototes.com/collections/all/products/gracie-butterscotch

      I have had it for a couple of years now and still absolutely love it. :)

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  29. Love getting a little peak into the homes of others and this one was crazy! That mud room... *le sigh* ;) Anyway, thanks for sharing. So glad you're not going anywhere :)

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  30. WHAT!!!! This is amazing!! The front door had me for the start and every ceiling treatment is perfection! Amazing!!!

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  31. Such a beautiful house! My favorite may be the girl's room with the pop of pink versus the blue hues. Tell me though, how long has wallpaper been making a comeback? I've seen it here and there on HGTV, and now it seems like it's full on taking over!

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  32. I love the office set-up in the kitchen, the bathroom, the mudroom and the Dutch doors!! I think it's so fascinating how different people's styles can be, I'm sure if this was offered to you, you would live happily ever after, whereas it would mostly be a gut job for our family. My mother would adore this though!!!

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  33. I can't even believe how GORGEOUS this entire home is! How on earth did you ever leave that place?!!!

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  34. This house absolutely beautiful! Definitely wouldn't mind calling this place home.

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  35. Oh my!!! How did I miss out on this!? What a stunning home! I love all of the decorative ceilings they did!

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  36. Love the tone of this post. Just admiring beautiful design without jealousy. Can you imagine? 27 designers? I love the thought about bringing some of these ideas or pieces of grand design into normal homes. Although your home may have started out modest, with that great room ceiling redo you've done your home has edged closer to extraordinary.

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  37. Thanks for sharing Jen - glad that you enjoyed and because of you, we got to enjoy it thousands of miles away. I actually love the style and could happily live in it.
    The only thing I would change is the bathroom each for him and her. We do most of our talking as we get ready in the bathroom in the morning - harder to call out between the two bathrooms. Thanks again

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  38. Would love to know if you could tell me more information about the natural stone tiling around the fireplace and the wood floors. I heart them both but having a hard time really getting an idea of the specifics I would need to try and replicate. THANK YOU

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  39. Wow! What an incredible home, it kind of reminds me of your home because you are awesome at adding colours into your decor :)

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  40. Very neat ideas! But I am showing my age (pushing 50) and have to disagree with the wood treatment in the master bedroom fireplace wall. It's just too close to the dreaded "groovy" diagonal wood planking that still plauges many homes, see link for examples.
    http://uglyhousephotos.com/wordpress/?p=8776

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  41. I've been looking for a place to purchase the eight-point star wallpaper used on their half bath but I'm not having any luck. Do you have the source for this paper? Thanks!
    P.S. I'm a long time fan of your blog. Thanks for putting up so many great posts. Keep up the good work =)

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  42. Is there anyway to find out the names of some of the flooring used in this home? I am looking at very similar tiles but can't find exactly what I like. there are several in this house that would work for me! I would love any info you could provide! thanks

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  43. This is a dreamy home! Thanks for covering it. I am looking for undermount sinks for our master bath remodel and can't find any in the blue/aqua color. Any idea where they found these? Thanks!

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    1. Hello,
      I am not sure of the exact source for this house in particular, but I have seen a similar style made by Kohler: http://www.us.kohler.com/us/catalog/productDetails.jsp?productId=422856&skuId=385019

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  44. Hi! I was wondering what the wall color is in the den. It's so pretty!!

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  45. I love this fireplace! Redoing ours what is it called

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