Houzz Tour: New Shingle Style on Lake Minnetonka
Careful attention to detail creates an easy, cohesive flow throughout this Minnesota family home
Picture this: four acres on Lake Minnetonka surrounded by beautiful woods, a marsh and a channel that leads out to the lake. The home on this serene site is new, but the architectural style hearkens back to the Shingle style made popular in the late 1800s. Inside, dark wood and thoughtful moldings maintain a historical feel, while the carefully considered floor plan was customized to suit a young family’s modern lifestyle. A quiet color palette, comfortable furnishings and large windows across the back of the home let the family relax and take in the vast views of the marshy Minnesota landscape.
The front entry welcomes with sidelights, a wool silk rug and an elegant chandelier.
Shingle Style is Back — Here’s How to Spot It
Shingle Style is Back — Here’s How to Spot It
Designers Danielle Loven, Greg Clark and Katie Ruhberg worked with builder Rick Hendel and the homeowners from the very beginning, creating a layout that flowed and rooms that were scaled right and worked for the family’s lifestyle. “Every room on the back of the house looks out on this beautiful landscape,” Loven says.
This room is the more formal (yet comfortable) living room, where the homeowners like to entertain. The designers chose a dark stain to make the curved, vaulted ceiling look like it’s made of walnut, and tied it to the fireplace molding and carved built-ins. The fireplace surround is Absolute Black granite. The rug anchors the room in a lively pattern without detracting from the views. The chandelier and sconces are blackened iron.
This room is the more formal (yet comfortable) living room, where the homeowners like to entertain. The designers chose a dark stain to make the curved, vaulted ceiling look like it’s made of walnut, and tied it to the fireplace molding and carved built-ins. The fireplace surround is Absolute Black granite. The rug anchors the room in a lively pattern without detracting from the views. The chandelier and sconces are blackened iron.
The kitchen is partially open to the living room. A built-in contains an arched pass-through that makes it easy to set up a buffet or bar for entertaining. The table that’s visible beyond it is in the dining room, which is completely open to the kitchen. The light fixture over the table is also blackened steel.
“The family knew that even though the kitchen is open to the dining room, they wanted to eat most of their meals together at the island,” Loven says. The island has two zones: the eat-in area and the raised work zone with the sink, which is within the kitchen work triangle. The designers differentiated the two by using two different natural stones: durable Absolute Black granite on the work portion and Carrara marble that matches the perimeter countertops for the eat-in portion.
The team used the Absolute Black granite to match the fireplace surround in the living room; the island and details in the ceiling coffers are walnut. This helps to break up all the white cabinetry and Carrara marble around the rest of the kitchen.
Tip: When using wallpaper in a kitchen, consider all the great vinyl choices available today. Another detail to note in this ceiling besides the walnut is the grasscloth wallpaper used in the coffers. Vinyl grasscloth won’t absorb grease, get dusty or stain and it’s easy to clean, the designers say.
The team used the Absolute Black granite to match the fireplace surround in the living room; the island and details in the ceiling coffers are walnut. This helps to break up all the white cabinetry and Carrara marble around the rest of the kitchen.
Tip: When using wallpaper in a kitchen, consider all the great vinyl choices available today. Another detail to note in this ceiling besides the walnut is the grasscloth wallpaper used in the coffers. Vinyl grasscloth won’t absorb grease, get dusty or stain and it’s easy to clean, the designers say.
The view from the sink is wide open to the marsh and channel.
At the right, dual refrigerators blend right in with the cabinetry thanks to their panel fronts. The moldings and this concealment help create the historical look; the range and wine refrigerator are the only modern appliances that are out in the open. Just past the refrigerator is a butler’s pantry nook.
The nook has walnut shelves, cabinets and another sink. Trellis wallpaper elevates the design of the utilitarian space. To the right are a microwave and warming drawer — hidden from the main kitchen yet still convenient.
On the other side of the kitchen is the cozy, more casual family room. “Our clients wanted to keep this room open to the kitchen so that they could hear the kids in here when they are working in the kitchen,” Loven says. They stuck with a warm, neutral color palette so this room would also be all about the views.
Here we get a good look at those square mullion details. Thanks to all the windows, the room has the feel of a sunporch.
The shiplap over the mantel lends a cottage look, as does the fireplace, which is a blend of different stones.
Tip: Give the grout choice the consideration it deserves. Here the team chose a white grout to make the lovely stones stand out.
Here we get a good look at those square mullion details. Thanks to all the windows, the room has the feel of a sunporch.
The shiplap over the mantel lends a cottage look, as does the fireplace, which is a blend of different stones.
Tip: Give the grout choice the consideration it deserves. Here the team chose a white grout to make the lovely stones stand out.
The team designed a unique walnut vanity with reverse molding on the bottom and had a local craftsman make it. It has an Absolute Black granite top to tie it in with the rest of the first floor. The sconces have a nautical look.
Wallpaper: Thibaut
Wallpaper: Thibaut
This space is Loven’s favorite room in the entire house. The old-fashioned sink, wood countertops and herringbone slate floor give it a farmhouse look. Meanwhile, a wonderful yellow flowered wallpaper makes the room cheerful and happy.
Wallpaper: Harlequin
Wallpaper: Harlequin
The adjacent casual entry next to the garage gives us a better look at the herringbone slate floor.
The master suite is on the first floor and enjoys grand views of the marsh, channel and lake. “They just wanted to keep things very quiet and relaxed in here,” Loven says.
By the way, you may have noticed there are no window treatments in the house. The clients wanted to live in it for a while and figure out where they wanted them. Because the house sits on four acres surrounded by woods and marsh, they already have privacy, so the treatments will be more about controlling light.
Wall paint: Half Moon Crest (half formula), Benjamin Moore
By the way, you may have noticed there are no window treatments in the house. The clients wanted to live in it for a while and figure out where they wanted them. Because the house sits on four acres surrounded by woods and marsh, they already have privacy, so the treatments will be more about controlling light.
Wall paint: Half Moon Crest (half formula), Benjamin Moore
In the master bath, the feeling of calm and quiet continues, with a cross-cut travertine tile extending across the floor and up the wall. The shower has an Italian marble accent wall, and the shower floor tile is a mix of 2-by-2-inch tiles in two different travertines.
“We built the vanities to resemble one big built-in,” Loven says. (Note the panelized portion against the wall and extended moldings at the top of the piece.) The unit is cherry wood with Crema Marfil countertops.
The children’s rooms, guest room and playroom are on the second floor. Pink stripes, crochet poufs and whimsical bedding keep things playful in the daughter’s room.
Bedding: Serena & Lily
Bedding: Serena & Lily
A bonus room over the garage serves as a playroom. The couple left lots of floor space for playing and a craft table while the kids are young, and they expect to add homework space as they get older.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their two young children
Location: Orono, Minnesota
Size: Five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Designer: Danielle Loven, Greg Clark and Katie Ruhberg of Vivid Interior Design
Builder: Hendel Homes
The home is new construction but was built to look like a New England Shingle-style home. Windows with square mullions, a curved pediment, columns and large gables add to the character of the classic facade.