Archives

  1. Washburn Lofts 3rd Floor Condo

    Located within the historic Washburn Lofts, this condo renovation reconfigures the space so that it functions well for holding large parties. The new owners regularly entertain large groups, but they also wanted the home to feel intimate and warm for just the two of them. The project features remodeled main living spaces (including the living room, dining room, guest suite, and media room) and a new kitchen, walk-in pantry, wine room, bar, and laundry room. In the primary living areas, walnut paneling and cabinetry complement the existing shelving in the library, while the concrete floors were ground down to adjust their luminescence. We salvaged cabinets from the old kitchen for the new laundry room and pantry. We also switched the locations of the media room and guest suite to provide a direct connection between the guest bedroom and guest bath. The design also involved exposing the former flour mill’s exterior walls to serve as an integral part of the home’s décor. MSR Design selected new furnishings, lighting, and rugs for the entire home; provided guidance on placement of art and where to place future artworks; and worked with a steel fabricator to design new large-scale art pieces for the entry.

  2. Crane Island Summer Home

    Owned by the same families for generations, the 14 summer cottages on Crane Island in Lake Minnetonka comprise a National Register Historic District. Located on the site of a demolished cottage, this new summer home delicately fits into the historic context, while respecting the Midwestern architectural character cherished by residents. Designed to celebrate casual summer living, the house accommodates frequent guests, as well as spaces for retreat. The project also entailed relocating a small historic shed on the property and converting it into a guest house. The design breaks down the scale of the house by creating two linked gabled structures to better match the scale of the other island homes. Each gabled part has slightly different detailing to convey the sense of accretion over time. The ensemble of structures on the site (including the main house, guest house, and existing water tower) provides an ideal relaxed environment for the activities of the family and their guests.