The couple had built the home on Lake Minnetonka, MN in 2003. They loved the premier waterfront setting but craved relief from the heat and glare of the intense afternoon sun along their west-facing yard. They needed an attractive solution that would draw people outdoors and extend the season without compromising the lake view. The designer worked within stringent shoreline management restrictions to create a convenient and comfortable outdoor living environment under motorized pergolas.
It’s the simple things during those winter months that make us feel cozy (and goes well with the snow). Marshmallows in hot chocolate, wool stockings, and lots of naps and soup. We know what goes well with all of these: a crackling fireplace. Fireplaces are also beneficial for the environment! You can conserve energy and live a greener lifestyle with the addition of a fireplace in your home. Whether you want a real, potent wood fire or something a little more modern – fireplaces are a living piece of fine art. And a central heart to the home. Here are six fireplaces that will stir the design coals of your heartstrings. Mmhmm, we’re warmer already.
One of the most important and healthy things you can do for your home (to keep a long-lasting relationship with what keeps a home well) is winterizing your outdoor kitchen. And there may be a lot you’re not considering for the task at hand! That’s why we created this easy, step-by-step checklist for winterizing your kitchen (we may or may not have added some fun additional items in there for you to abide by).
If you’re eagerly awaiting summer we have the perfect space for you. Our client loved their pool but hated their backyard with its undersized deck, plain concrete slab and hilly terrain. They wanted a structure that embraced the husband’s affinity for wildlife and grilling and the wife’s French country decorating style. It needed to provide better space for cooking and entertaining, extend enjoyment of outdoors in inclement weather and seasons, and play well with its natural surroundings.
Now that the summer heat is officially simmering down, it’s time to throw open the windows and let the crisp breeze come in! Also, it’s extremely beneficial in home design (like good lighting) to open up a space. So, the product we’re featuring in this blog is the coveted Phantom Screen. These retractable screen doors can be used for windows, outdoor spaces (patios, porches and lanais), multi-panel systems and doors. Imagine a double french door that opens up to the fresh air without the burden of bugs at your ankles, yeah it’s that good! Convenience is key in interior decorating so let’s take a dance through some beautiful examples of Phantom Screens being used in our client’s homes.
Here’s a roundup of are our favorite spaces using the product and how you can incorporate into your own home.
While the kitchen is the heart of the household, it’s easy to consider a big, breezy porch as the soul of the home. This is the spot you can hunker down and read a good, juicy book. It’s the corner you can take a nap at high noon. It is the socializing hub, as a place where you can settle down with family and friends and have a nightcap. Whether or not your porch is filled with house plants, good conversation, cozy furniture or whimsical string lights, we have just the porch to get anyone inspired. Meet the breezy and especially cozy sanctuary. Pssst…if you need any porch remodeling ideas, you’ve come to the right corner of the internet.
In my humble opinion, hot tubs are great all year round! During the summertime they’re ideal for relaxing, even in the heat; throughout the winter they are the ideal way to stay steamy and warm. It’s hard to come up with a valid reason not to have one! There really is something about crawling in warm jacuzzi on a brisk fall night. Whether you want to admire an updated landscape at a new home, have a cocktail, or relax after a long run, hot tubs are the ideal space to take a moment for yourself. Now that we’re closing in on autumn as September rolls around, we thought it would be dreamy to roundup a list of our favorites. These are the hot tubs that blend beautifully into jaw-dropping landscapes (and how you can replicate at your own home).
The Hot Springs Oasis
This exquisite hot tub refuge is built right into the patio, making it appear as if it’s a part of the earth itself. The natural stones and breezy path winding down to its base makes it appear as if it’s in a hidden forest, adding to the haven vibes even more. The bonfire nearby makes for a perfect spot to tell stories and curl up in a warm towel to dry off. It’s truly reminiscent of a dreamy getaway.
How You Can Quickly Replicate: Consider lots of planters and additional landscaping near your hot tub space. Investing in a fire pit nearby adds on to the element that you can stick around and stay awhile.
A vast improvement in form and function was simply a matter of envisioning beyond the obvious and working the numbers.
Isn’t the home of your dreams supposed to be perfect in every way? You’ve invested a lot of thought and research, chosen the best builder you can afford and poured over every detail from foundation to finish only to find that even a custom build with a healthy budget can miss the mark. It happens. Decisions have to be made, not always by choice but because of scheduling, supply chains, code restrictions and more.
Ahhh, the sweet smell of competition and a little bug spray. Nothing says summer quite like the shuffled enjoyment of putting together backyard sports games with neighbors and friends. While there is a little summer left and a lot of fall, we’d love to see how you can best use your beautiful yard to get out and play! Psst…fall also means less mosquitos so let’s get out the bocce ball and get competitive! Your kids didn’t name you “Mr. King of Funtown” for nothing.
Now, let’s get dreamy. Home design doesn’t only need to be connected to the inside of the house. You were a kid once – and adulting might mean creating the space for your kids (and you!) that inspires you to get outside and play.
Here are some ideas we had that surely will bring a smile to your face.
It’s almost football season and you know what that means: entire Sunday afternoons spent curled up in a blanket watching countless hours of sports. This, of course, includes intervals of basking in between naps and checking the chili cooking in the crockpot. Beyond relaxing, autumn is a wonderful time to host afternoon potlucks with friends or watch the big game. Let’s not forget hosting the kids when they come home for college or having close family over for a staycation.
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Mom's & Design Build
12275 Weckman Road Shakopee, MN, 55379 United States
