The Return of Wood in Home Design

As sure as the sun rises each day, home design trends are always evolving. Different decades are marked by their own design ethos, such as farmhouse style, all-white minimalism, mid-century modern, coastal Grandma style, or quiet luxury. Lately, the biggest trend we’ve seen rise to the top is the return of wood in home design.

So, what does that mean? Clearly, wood is an evergreen building material: it’s durable, natural, and looks beautiful. That being said, the use, treatment, and appearance of wood are constantly fluctuating with homeowner tastes. In recent years, we’ve seen medium-dark stains and natural wood grain make a huge comeback, along with warm tones of oak, walnut, elm, hickory, and cherry.

Beyond wood finishes, earthy, nature-inspired style is a major influence on current home trends. As we all crave more time outdoors and the peace nature brings, many homeowners are also choosing to bring the outside in through windows, textiles, patterns, wallpaper, tile, artwork, and more.

Are you drawn to woodwork or wood finishes in home design? If you’re searching for inspiration, scroll through the gallery below to see a few of our clients’ gorgeous use of wood throughout their homes!

High-End Mudrooms and "Paw-Washes": Designing for the 4-Season Minnesota Athlete & Pet

No matter the season, Minnesotans can often be found enjoying the great outdoors! Our state is lucky enough to experience all four seasons and every kind of weather in between; however, that doesn’t always feel like an advantage… All of that weather and outdoor fun can also lead to messes.

From hockey bags and muddy spring hiking gear to wet dogs coming back from the park and kids unloading their gear from a day on the lake, our mudrooms have to be ready for anything! Keep reading to learn more about the evolution of the luxury mudroom as a heavy-duty transition zone, and our favorite high-end mudroom upgrades.

• Pet Care Stations
  Furry friends are more than just pets; they are a part of the family. Of course, pet care has become more integrated into modern mudroom design - they’re going inside and outside all day! Homeowners are installing high-end pet washes/showers, custom feeding stations, and storage for all of their gear.

• Elevated Drop Zones
  A well-designed mudroom keeps up with your daily routine and eases busy transition times. Think an elevated drop zone for after-school and post-activity drop-offs, or individual storage lockers and cubbies, so everyone’s bags, outerwear, shoes, and accessories are ready and waiting in one spot!

• Sports Gear Upgrades
  If there’s one thing hearty Minnesotans love, it’s a winter weather sport. However, all that wet gear is a lot less fun. Upgrade to custom heated flooring for fast boot drying, integrated ventilation for hockey/sports gear, and keep the laundry area nearby to avoid smelly uniforms!

• Hidden Charging Station
  We probably don’t need to mention that tech integration is in everything now, from sports to hobbies to general health and wellness monitoring. Whether you’re charging smart outdoor gear, personal devices, or other gadgets, hidden charging stations will serve the whole family well. Not to mention, no one wants to detangle cords or fight over dead batteries when you could be out enjoying the great outdoors!

Want to see more high-end mudroom inspiration? Scroll below to explore a gallery of our clients' gorgeous homes! Each space is thoughtful, organized, and designed for busy family life.

Inspiring Interior Trends: Color Drenching

In the fall, our team predicted the design trends that would rise to the top in 2026. Throughout the year, we’ve been breaking down each trend on the blog. So far, we’ve discussed the influence of wellness culture on interiors and how owners foster a connection with nature in their homes. Today, we’re featuring a gorgeous interior design trend, color drenching.

Whether you love or loathe them, stark whites have dominated homes in recent years. In 2026, minimalist aesthetics are falling to the wayside in favor of maximalism. This embrace of more includes everything: more patterns, more textiles, more color, more tile, more furnishings. A perfect example of this trend is color drenching, which covers every detail of a space with a single shade, from walls to trim to ceilings. The result? A striking space that leaves an impression!

Ready to explore a few of our favorite color-loving client spaces? Scroll below for a feast of colorful home inspiration!

2026 Design Trend: Wellness Takes Center Stage

In November, our team predicted the design trends that would rise to the top in 2026. As the year unfolds, we thought it would be fun to spotlight each trend on the blog! To kick this series off today, we’re talking about how homeowners cultivate wellness through design.

Good health is wealth; this truth resonates more than ever post-pandemic. Our physical health touches every other part of our lives - its impact is undeniable. For example, you’re never as aware of how essential back muscles are until they go out on you. So, how do our clients foster wellness in their homes? We’ve seen and built everything!

Current wellness trends revolve around spaces to recharge, find peace, and ground oneself through self-care. As owners incorporate these routines into their lifestyles, their homes follow suit. We’ve designed state-of-the-art home gyms, yoga rooms, and Pilates studios. Another popular approach to wellness is biohacking practices, such as red light therapy, saunas, and cold plunges.

Lastly, our clients also crave everyday spaces that promote overall well-being and self-care. We’ve built countless pools, hot tubs, meditative corners, and serene escapes. Want to see more of these gorgeous wellness-inspired spaces? Scroll through the gallery below to get a taste of it all!

Saunas, Hot Tubs, and Pools

State-of-the-Art Home Gyms

Meditative Corners

Serene Self-Care Spaces