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

Modern Kitchen Design: Spaces Driven by Character

Are you making plans for a new kitchen this year? As the process begins, you’re probably asking yourself: What trends are defining kitchen style in 2026? As custom home builders and remodelers, we’d say modern kitchen design is driven by character. Our clients want to create homes that reflect their unique interests, lifestyles, and design sensibilities. Below is a brief list of features owners are choosing to increase their kitchen’s functionality and express their style.

• Statement Appliances
  Hiding and blending appliances still have a place in kitchen design. But more homeowners are also adding statement appliances with bold colors, metallic accents, and other bespoke finishes.

• Banquettes
  There is nothing cozier than a built-in booth or corner seating! We love how these built-ins elevate a kitchen or dining nook, making it feel special.

• Sculptural Islands
  Kitchen islands have always been functional, but an emphasis on detailing and beauty is making them more ornate, like a piece of fine furniture.

• Prep Kitchens
  Whether you call it a larder, butler’s pantry, or prep kitchen, these tucked-away spaces keep cooking messes and kitchen clutter out of sight, making hosting a breeze!

• Integrated Bars
  Custom bars remain a massive kitchen trend that isn’t losing steam! From coffee to beverages to cocktails to smoothies, these integrated stations allow artful entertaining and extend the kitchen gracefully into other living areas.

• Full-Height Backsplashes
  Practical and pretty, full-height backsplashes bring a splash of design drama and provide a visual backdrop to any kitchen. They’re also easier to clean than tile and can provide an extra ledge for storage and display.

• Separated Spaces
  While open floor plans were all the rage for years, homeowners are craving separate spaces in the post-pandemic era. Separated spaces allow more privacy, contain messes, lower noise levels, and complement traditional/formal gatherings.

Ready to be inspired by character-driven kitchen design? Scroll below to see our clients’ expressive kitchens - they are all absolutely stunning!