Building Room for More: Traditions

Warm milk and cookies after the first day of school, decorating the Christmas tree together while singing carols, or snuggling up with popcorn for Friday movie night; nothing is more priceless than creating family traditions. Whether you're establishing a new pattern or carrying on a time-honored practice, these rituals make up the rich tapestry of a family's life.

Traditions provide a roadmap to memories, they connect different generations through shared history, food, values, and culture. Unlike anything you could pass on to your children, traditions are cherished memories they can hold onto for a lifetime. They're things to look forward to each season and count on, whether life is easy or hard, these special customs transcend the bumps and bruises of family life and bring people together.

There is no greater honor than helping families define what home means to them, we know that the spaces we help create are sacred. Each home we build is designed with intention, each room is made to compliment your family's story and carry out your individual traditions. From a kitchen big enough to host birthdays and holidays to a cozy den that's perfect for Saturday morning cartoons, we carefully craft each space for you to fill with your beautiful life.

2016 Fall Parade of Homes: Modern & Timeless

The advent of a new school year, changing leaves, and Pumpkin flavored lattes means one thing to the Twin Cities home building community: The Fall Parade of Homes has finally arrived!

We're incredibly proud of our 2016 Fall Parade Model. This tasteful family home is a unique blend of modern and timeless design styles. Effortless elegance is apparent the moment you enter the sunny front foyer; from the airy open floor plan to the calming natural color palette. Never ones to take ourselves too seriously, the home's understated style is punctuated by bright pops of color, playful mid-century accent pieces, and bold patterns and textiles.

Want to see more? Come visit this beauty anytime between September 10th though October 2nd. Can't wait until the 10th? Check out the images below for a little advanced preview before the main event!

Back to School: Routine-Ready Homes

The lazy days of summer are dwindling to an end and that means one thing: it's time to head back to school. Whether your kids have already started classes or you're still transitioning to the fall routine, we're guessing that getting the house organized is high on your to-do list.

A return to activities, sports, lessons, and homework is challenging enough to navigate each fall, but managing everyone's schedule can be downright impossible if you don't have a solid home base. While the daily routine specifics may vary from family to family, the need for well designed, family-focused, study-friendly nooks is universal.

Fall is the season for heading back inside, hunkering down, and getting down to business! The spaces featured below are all ideal for serious studying, clever coordinating, and happy hibernating. We love helping families create homes that aren't just beautifully designed but are also deeply practical and effortlessly functional. Preparing for a new school year doesn't need to be daunting - let's make your home work with your schedule, not against it.

Design Tip: Combining Styles Through Pops of Color

No aspect of design seems to be as fun or as fraught as color. While some are energized by bright accents and bold patterns, others find themselves overstimulated by even small amounts of strong color. Although choosing a color scheme can be frustratingly polarizing, don't despair just yet, there are more options than Team Neutral vs. Team Rainbow! There are endless ways to incorporate different approaches to color throughout your home's design.

If part of your family loves a quick jolt of color, while the other half prefers more calming tones, subtle pops of color are a fantastic way to compromise. The rooms below all have decidedly cool color palettes, but the small bursts of mustard, indigo, coral, and teal help to brighten the spaces. Bold colors draw your eye, giving your gaze a natural place to rest and then explore from; they provide an easy visual entry point.

On the other hand, if strong colors make your heart sing, then you might want to play with multiple bright pops of color in one room. The images below feature mixed patterns, contrasting colors, or multiple statement colors that draw your eye throughout each space. Rooms that follow this more playful approach to color are filled with contagious energy; they're fun, warm, and bursting with design personality!

In the end, there's no one way to create compelling design. Whether you're drawn to peaceful neutrals or bold primary colors, selecting your home's style all comes down to one thing: your taste. Go ahead, mix patterns and paint accent walls - above all decorating your home should be fun! If you do run into the occasional design disagreement, don't fret, our experienced designers can help you navigate the tricky waters of blending together different styles with ease. That's what we're here for!