Arts and Crafts Reborn

Bathroom by Mike Otto Construction Inc. and SALA Architects

Cost: Over $100,000

"Visitors to the house have all been in awe." -- Homeowner

The Mission
This Bryn Mawr neighborhood homeowner wanted separate shower, tub and toilet areas in a small bathroom done in an arts-and-crafts style to blend with the rest of their "Sears kit" house, one of few kit houses left in the nation.

The Design
By borrowing closets from two bedrooms, a separate tub area was created. Additional windows were installed to bring in more light. Handcrafted wall tile adds interest and ease of maintenance.

Period-correct fixtures and trim details were replicated from the rest of the house.

Materials

• Sconce: Linn wood wall sconce, Brass Light Gallery
• Sink: Richmond Countertop, St. Thomas Creations
• Faucet and Tub Filler: Rohl/Perrin & Rowe
• Tub: Claw11, Classic I Whirlpool Airtub, Waterworks
• Vanity and Tub Deck Top: Granite, Pine Green, Midwest Tile
• Floor Tile: Hex Tile JAP7 Nemo unglazed 1-inch, Tile X Design
• Wall Tile: 4-by-4-inch Moss Green Field Tile; 4-by-8-inch accent tile, Nouveau Tulip, North Prairie Tileworks
• Paint: Martin Senour Paints, Cocker Spaniel color 57-3, Savitt Bros
• Trim and Cabinetry: Red Oak, Mike Otto Construction Inc.

Modernize, Modernize, Modernize

Kitchen by Michael Lee Remodeling

Cost: Over $100,000

The Mission
The owner of this 1980s traditional rambler wished to update her kitchen so she could stay in it for many years.

The Design
The kitchen and dining rooms swapped places and interior walls were moved to create a large open feel between the kitchen, dining and great rooms. One of the highlights is the modern touch of a green, glass-tile backsplash. Rustic hickory floors provide a bold visual counterpoint to the gorgeous granite countertops. All new, high-tech appliances completed the mission of bringing a modern flair to this home in Vadnais Heights.

Materials

• Cabinets: Cherry, Scandia Kitchens
• Countertops: Verde Marinace, Innovative Surfaces
• Backsplash: OC Casa Tahoe, RBC Tile
• Refrigerator: Sub-Zero
• Under Counter Beverage Fridge: Marvel
• Two-drawer Dishwasher: Kitchen Aid
• Oven and Microwave Combo, Cooktop and 
   Warming Drawer: Jenn-Air
• Appliances: Supplied by Guyer's Builder Supply

60 Years Later

Bathroom by Castle Remodeling Inc.

Cost: $45,000

"I love my new bathroom. I could just sit and stare at the beautiful tile patterns for hours. I really like how it turned out and am so excited that my bathroom went from the worst-looking room in my house to the best." -- Homeowner

The Mission
This Minneapolis bathroom remained much the same as when it was built in 1942. The mission was to add some pizzazz and use the color blue.

The Design
The idea of expanding the size of the small bathroom was briefly considered, but close proximity to the kitchen and the cramped layout of the home hindered this option. The designer discovered that the owner was an avid quilter, and sought to incorporate this love into the bath design. Multiple shades of blue were used to create quilt patterns on the floor accented with a neutral-beige tile. Traditional fixtures were chosen to match the style of the rest of the home. The wall-hung sink, with attached towel bar, frees up floor space and grab bars were installed to facilitate the owner aging in place.

Materials

• Toilet and Sink: Ravenna, American Standard 
• Faucets: Deluxe Brass Diverter Tub Spout, American Standard
• Shower System: Kohler
• Towel Bars and Shelf: American Standard 
• Tub: Americast Cambridge
• Fixtures: Erickson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.
• Tiles: 12-by-12 inch Trani Chiaro, 8-by-8 inch blue and teal, 1-by-1 inch Jasba - Paso Blue-Grey and Boyce & Beam Glass Tile. Provided by J&E Tile Inc.

Wow! Without the Expense

Kitchen by StoneCrest Builders Inc.

Cost: Under $15,000

"This kitchen was transformed in a few days rather than weeks. The project had very little intrusion on the family's everyday life. They had to go out for dinner one night, and then their home was theirs again." -- Dan Drenckhahn, StoneCrest

The Mission
To update this Apple Valley kitchen and make it feel new, without the expense of new cabinetry.

The Design
New countertops, slate backsplash, sink, faucet and updated lighting add a sense of warmth and richness. The angular tile design provides a nice contrast to the perpendicular and parallel lines in the flooring and cabinetry.

Materials

• Countertops: Coffee Brown, Cold Spring, Exquisite Stone  
• Sink: Revere, Home Interiors  
• Faucet: Kohler  
• Tile Backsplash: 15-by-15-centimeter Gobi Slate, 10-by-10-centimeter Apache Deco, Natural Grout, The Tile Shop
• Lighting: Pendulant lights, Forte, American Lighting

Tuscan Touch

Kitchen by Structural Dimensions Inc. and Byers Interior Design

Cost: $50,000

"We were faced with the challenge of creating a kitchen for two homeowners each taller than 6 feet. With that in mind, custom 42-inch (6 inches higher than standard) base cabinets were created. An island offers much-needed workspace, pulls the room together and solves traffic flow issues." -- Michelle Byers, Structural Dimensions Inc.

The Mission
After 15 years of banged up cupboard doors and three consecutive vinyl floors it was time for a change to this Eden Prairie home. The U-shaped kitchen had no natural flow and minimal workspace, soffits gave the room a closed-in feel, and outdated materials and appliances were prime candidates for a cleaner, updated look.

The Design
All new appliances were installed, the dishwasher location was moved for more efficient use and the range was traded in for a cook-top and double oven. Can and puck lights were installed to further enhance the modern look.

The conservatory window above the sink was replaced with a picture window, allowing sunlight to bathe the rich, warm colors of this new, Tuscan-inspired culinary haven. Glass inserts were created for three of the cabinet doors. Pendant lights above the island were chosen to complement the warm feel of the room. Granite countertops, custom natural stone tile with glass inserts in the backsplash and stained oak floors set the stage for a total transformation.

Special extras incorporated into the design, which give the new room character, include a new desk alcove and shelves on the end of the island.

Materials

• Countertops: Monet granite, Capital Granite
• Cabinetry:  Birch stained, Fritz Cabinetry 
•  Appliances:  Jenn-Air, Warners' Stellian 
•  Pendant Light: Cervantes Mini Pendant, Murray Feiss 
•  Tile:  Golden Tobacco Tumbled Limestone, Rubble Tile; Glass Accent, Vitra Art Bohemia, Tile X  Design 
•  Sink: Stainless Steel, Elkay 
•  Faucet: Marielle Oil Rubbed Bronze, Price Pfister  
•  Paint: Restrained Gold, Sherwin Williams  
•  Floor: 2 1/4 inch Oak with custom stain, Lon Musloff

Claiming Space

Bathroom by The Woodshop of Avon and Clark Smith Construction

Cost: $65,000

"Now we have a four bedroom home with plenty of room for our adult children when they come home to 'visit,' and plenty of privacy for us!" -- Homeowner

The Mission
The departure of their last child occasioned the opportunity for this Edina couple to finally claim some space for themself in this traditionally styled home.

The Design
Annexing a neighboring bedroom provided ample territory for a whirlpool bath, 4-foot square shower, double 6-foot vanity and separate water closet room. Classic, white-painted, face-frame cabinetry topped with granite, delivers on the homeowners' request for clean lines and low-maintenance materials. The under-mounted sinks and bath provide an uncluttered appearance that flows into a luxurious, full height, glass, rain shower complete with body sprays.

Materials

• Custom cabinetry: The Woodshop of Avon
• Frameless shower: Minneapolis Glass
• Fixtures: Memoirs Lavatories, Kohler; Widespread Faucets and Roman Tub Faucet, Santec; Cimarron Comfort Height Toilet and Watertile Bodysprays, Kohler; and, Rain Shower Head, Grohe, all from Ferguson
• Tile: (floor, shower walls, ceiling and above tub) Travertino Romano, TXD Stone Imports
• Accent border: Storm Honed mosaic, TXD Stone Imports
• Granite: St. Cecelia, Custom Stone Interiors and Stone Holding
• Paint: HC-39, Putnam Ivory, Benjamin Moore