Design by Colleen Slack, Fox Interiors and Jennifer Thompson Horstman, Mingle for 2012 ASID Minnesota Showcase Home Craft Room for home owners' gift wrapping and sewing hobbies. Custom features include zig zag mural, custom desk top graphics and a custom storage system for wrapping paper in closet, by Twin Cities Closet Company. Photography by Mark Ehlen, Ehlen Creative Communications

Photo by Marcus Gleysteen

This home remodel is a celebration of curves and light. Starting from humble beginnings as a basic builder ranch style house, the design challenge was maximizing natural light throughout and providing the unique contemporary style the client’s craved. The Entry offers a spectacular first impression and sets the tone with a large skylight and an illuminated curved wall covered in a wavy pattern Porcelanosa tile. The chic entertaining kitchen was designed to celebrate a public lifestyle and plenty of entertaining. Celebrating height with a robust amount of interior architectural details, this dynamic kitchen still gives one that cozy feeling of home sweet home. The large “L” shaped island accommodates 7 for seating. Large pendants over the kitchen table and sink provide additional task lighting and whimsy. The Dekton “puzzle” countertop connection was designed to aid the transition between the two color countertops and is one of the homeowner’s favorite details. The built-in bistro table provides additional seating and flows easily into the Living Room. A curved wall in the Living Room showcases a contemporary linear fireplace and tv which is tucked away in a niche. Placing the fireplace and furniture arrangement at an angle allowed for more natural walkway areas that communicated with the exterior doors and the kitchen working areas. The dining room’s open plan is perfect for small groups and expands easily for larger events. Raising the ceiling created visual interest and bringing the pop of teal from the Kitchen cabinets ties the space together. A built-in buffet provides ample storage and display. The Sitting Room (also called the Piano room for its previous life as such) is adjacent to the Kitchen and allows for easy conversation between chef and guests. It captures the homeowner’s chic sense of style and joie de vivre.

Interior Design by Martha O'Hara Interiors Built by Stonewood, LLC Photography by Troy Thies Photo Styling by Shannon Gale

Stone was used liberally throughout the home; we chose a honed travertine. “In the different areas of the house, an array of finishes for the stone, from brushed or tumbled to polished or honed,” most of the countertops throughout the house are granite, and the exterior beams are covered in rough-hewn Hawaiian coral stone. Cabinetry : Mahogany scallop door from Manufacture Gallery Basin : Xylem from Ferguson Faucets : Axor Citterio by Hansgrohe from Ferguson Flooring : Crema Andino honed travertine tile from Andean Stone Wall tiles : Inti vein-cut brushed travertine tile; chisel coral stone (shower) from Andean Stone Photo-David Livingston Architect-Jim McPeak

Contractor: Choice Wood Company Interior Design: Billy Beson Company Landscape Architect: Damon Farber Project Size: 4000+ SF (First Floor + Second Floor)

Entry stairway in 2-story French style home perfect for a lovely family with five young daughters. Photos by Robert Peacock

Spanish Eclectic

Their family expanded, and so did their home! After nearly 30 years residing in the same home they raised their children, this wonderful couple made the decision to tear down the walls and create one great open kitchen family room and dining space, partially expanding 10 feet out into their backyard. The result: a beautiful open concept space geared towards family gatherings and entertaining. Wall color: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter Cabinets: Dunn Edwards Droplets Island: Dunn Edwards Stone Maison Flooring: LM Flooring Nature Reserve Silverado Countertop: Cambria Torquay Backsplash: Walker Zanger Grammercy Park Sink: Blanco Cerana Fireclay Photography by Amy Bartlam

The kitchen is glossy and modern, but off-set by the rough concrete block wall pattern on the interior wall. The block wall is replicated from the existing exterior concrete block wall to bring the outdoor inside. Photo by Elon Schoenholz

Working with and alongside Award Winning Janey Butler Interiors, creating n elegant Main Bedroom En-Suite Bathroom / Wet Room with walk in open Fantini rain shower, created using stunning Italian Porcelain Tiles. With under floor heating and Lutron Lighting & heat exchange throughout the whole of the house . Powder coated radiators in a calming colour to compliment this interior. The double walk in shower area has been created using a stunning large format tile which has a wonderful soft vein running through its design. A complimenting stone effect large tile for the walls and floor. Large Egg Bath with floor lit low LED lighting. Brushed Stainelss Steel taps and fixtures throughout and a wall mounted toilet with wall mounted flush fitting flush. Double His and Her sink with wood veneer wall mounted cupboard with lots of storage and soft close cupboards and drawers. A beautiful relaxing room with calming colour tones and luxury design.

The counter in this award wining bathroom is an art photography image printed on steel and toped with glass to create a cool watery landscape for lovely handblown glass sea creatures and natural stone objects. The custom wall hung cabinet has carved panel doors for a cutting edge subtle texture. Photographer: Dan Piassick

Photographed by Robert Radifera Photography Styled and Produced by Stylish Productions

Nestled into sloping topography, the design of this home allows privacy from the street while providing unique vistas throughout the house and to the surrounding hill country and downtown skyline. Layering rooms with each other as well as circulation galleries, insures seclusion while allowing stunning downtown views. The owners' goals of creating a home with a contemporary flow and finish while providing a warm setting for daily life was accomplished through mixing warm natural finishes such as stained wood with gray tones in concrete and local limestone. The home's program also hinged around using both passive and active green features. Sustainable elements include geothermal heating/cooling, rainwater harvesting, spray foam insulation, high efficiency glazing, recessing lower spaces into the hillside on the west side, and roof/overhang design to provide passive solar coverage of walls and windows. The resulting design is a sustainably balanced, visually pleasing home which reflects the lifestyle and needs of the clients. Photography by Andrew Pogue

Photo: Arnona Oren