1. Thanks for visiting. While this site is under construction please have a look at our last project which won the NARI Minnesota Honorable Mention 2009 award for outstanding achievement in Entire House Remodel over $500,000 category at the thirteenth annual Contractor of the Year (COTY) Awards ceremony on November 20th2009.

2. Entry

3. BEFORE: A tired 1954 Ranch sitting on prime land in desired location AFTER: Full second floor addition with significant updates to first floor involving only a slight increase in home’s footprint

4. BEFORE White pines dwarf the home, but were saved to minimize the effect of the new roof height. North end of house retained front bedroom converted to office, bathroom and master bedroom converted to guest room. New master bath window above. AFTER

5. BEFORE Tiny front deck was difficult to use as a living space, but had a view of a magnificent sugar maple which had to be preserved. The new porch is the main entry as well as a second living room. Using piers instead of the originally planned full foundation saved the maple. AFTER

6. BEFORE Access to the patio was through the tiny galley kitchen AFTER New roof lines as well as retained kitchen and garage walls frame the backyard retreat BEFORE AFTER New siding and windows as well as updated trim refresh the unchanged north side of the house

7. The Great Room The great room was created first by removing a drafty masonry fireplace and then all bearing walls. This was only possible by using walk-through girder truss (WTGT), which brackets the master bedroom and guest room on new second floor. BEFORE Bearing wall removed to create great room. WTGT allow Master Bedroom and guest bedroom to be supported at the 4 corners of the great room DURING

8. Walk through girder truss rests on built-up Microlam beams which carry the weight of second floor and define the functional areas in the great room, including the new entry. DURING AFTER

9. The simple front entry was replaced by the dramatic slate fireplace and a custom built cabinet which hides the TV and becomes a warm focal point for the great room. Window wall has been cantilevered two feet past foundation over large window well . BEFORE

10. New stairwell becomes a part of great room , the newels integrate the craftsmanship of cabinetry with uniquely spaced balusters.

11. An outdated galley kitchen joins the great room BEFORE Traffic from the garage via the breezeway (door to left) had to detour around the dining room table to get to the kitchen (door on right). Beam in Kitchen becomes the face of ceiling feature

13. DURING Stairs to basement, and wall to dining room removed to make kitchen functional for larger family

14. Custom concrete counters built on-site by the contractor incorporate owner supplied objects. Bamboo cutting board compliments several curves in the island.

15. 1st Floor Bath Mirror wall pushed back 9”into old master bedroom closet, allowing for full size vanity designed by homeowner, yet ample closet space for guests Visiting grandparents appreciate not having to deal with stairs . The first floor guest room, formally the master bedroom is adjacent to the 1st floor bath in which the tub was replaced by a low curb shower with heated bench seat.

16. Guest Room (1st Floor) didn’t suffer when it lost 9” to the adjacent bath Mud Room / Laundry hall behind the great room art wall is significantly more attractive than masonry fireplace that extended into breezeway

17. Stairwell wall is framed full height. (Guest bedroom upper left, office upper right)

18. Guest Room – 2nd Floor

19. The master suite, trimmed in warm cherry, includes a large walk in closet. The tall front facing windows look directly into trees. The dappled lighting helps to create a restful retreat.

21. Master Bath Room-in-a-truss framing creates bath. Warmboard is subfloor and radiant tube channel in one.

22. Toasty radiant floors take the bite our of frosty Minnesota Winter mornings. Tumbled travertine blends with custom concrete tub deck and double ramp sinks. With plenty of room for 2 this is a far cry from the original bath.

23. Bonus Room Suite A dormer tucked into the 2nd floor hall became a 6’ x 7’ ¾ bath, which turns the adjacent bonus room into a very private guest suite, and yoga room for the owner. Blue glass and ceramic tiles are just part of the owners desire for dramatic color. During

25. A unique front porch was a homeowner must have. The dramatic ceiling makes it a perfect place to watch a summer rain shower.

26. Unique-to-the-neighborhood posts are based on a 1950’s furniture leg. 4”x4” posts are wrapped in Miratec – all miters are freehand cut with circ saw. A thru-mortised piece of cedar ties the leg together. To replace the applied stone foundation walls given up to save the maple, the builder used a stone deck material which satisfied the owners.

27. On-site crafted cedar corbels is only one example of the subtle use of curves throughout the project

28. The roof line of the old kitchen is embraced by the 2nd floor wall which carried the roof down to the eaves.

29. Thank you for visiting!