1 of 5
Photo courtesy of Charles Cudd
New Build 318 Bushaway Rd., Wayzata Builder: Charles Cudd De Novo Parade number: 114 Price tag: $1.9 million
2 of 5
Photo courtesy of Creek Hill
New Build 5900 Dunkirk Lane, Plymouth Builder: Creek Hill Custom Homes Parade number: 148 Price tag: $767,200
3 of 5
Photo courtesy of Cates
Remodel 5290 Bald Eagle Blvd., White Bear Lake Remodeler: Cates Fine Homes Parade number: R7
4 of 5
Photo courtesy of McDonald
Remodel 1481 Iowa Ave. W., St. Paul Remodeler: McDonald Remodeling Parade number: R25
5 of 5
Photo courtesy of ISPíRI
Remodel 201 Holly Rd., Hopkins Remodeler: Ispíri Parade number: R54
Area builders will show their best stuff in 324 newly built homes on the Fall Parade of Homes, and area remodelers will unveil 86 projects in the Remodelers Showcase. While all will flaunt the best of what our Twin Cities area homebuilders and remodelers have to offer, these five rise to the top—and showcase some of the best building trends out there right now.
From well-conceived, functioning family floor plans to fun, artsy details, these five (two new builds and three remodels) are all vastly different. But they have one thing in common: They showcase some of the best in Twin Cities residential build and rebuild.
And they’re all open for you to see, even the remodeling projects, which have homeowners living in them. Get out and check these homes out—and while you’re at it, see the rest of the Parade and Showcase, too.
New Build
318 Bushaway Rd., Wayzata
Builder: Charles Cudd De Novo
Parade number: 114
Price tag: $1.9 million
Charles Cudd De Novo’s 6,000-square-foot shingle-style home is snuggled into a two-acre wooded lot in Wayzata.
“This is the quintessential family home,” says Rick Denman, principal with Charles Cudd De Novo. The five-bedroom, four-bath home offers plenty of space for children to relax, play, and study—and for parents to steal away.
The home’s open porch welcomes guests and family members into the spacious main level. There, everyone can gather in a number of places: the formal dining room, casual dinette area, hearth room, screen porch, and outdoor patio and deck.
The home comes equipped with a well-appointed mudroom, too. The family resource center just off the kitchen is perfect for paying bills or making a grocery list, especially with the window that overlooks the kids playing in the indoor sports court. “The full-height sports court is a space where kids can go to have fun during the Minnesota winter, whether to play hockey or basketball,” says Denman. “[A homeowner] can even convert it into a dance studio.”
But it’s not all for kids—especially the large owners’ suite with soaking tub.
New Build
5900 Dunkirk Lane, Plymouth
Builder: Creek Hill Custom Homes
Parade number: 148
Price tag: $767,200
Located in Plymouth’s Terra Vista neighborhood, this 4,295-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bath home delivers country-style craftsman in the Wayzata school district. The neighborhood association’s outdoor private swimming pool and year-round clubhouse will certainly attract those oriented to community.
The home has an open floor plan as well as a three-season tongue-in-groove cedar porch with a gas fireplace. The well-conceived layout makes this home perfect for entertaining: Its center island sink area allows hosts to prepare food and drinks while gauging the pulse of the party. And Creek Hill Custom Homes’ expert use of architectural design, such as beamed ceilings, double doors, archways, and expansive windows, tempers the scale of the home’s family-sized rooms.
It’s a model home, “so those interested can visit our interactive tool on our website and actually change the paint colors, cabinets, and flooring to suit their taste,” says Michael Hillesheim, president of Creek Hill Custom Homes. It’s a great way to dream your home.
Remodel
5290 Bald Eagle Blvd., White Bear Lake
Remodeler: Cates Fine Homes
Parade number: R7
This 1970s contemporary home on Bald Eagle Lake in White Bear Lake was dark and dated. With very little of the home salvageable, the builder, architect, and homeowner decided to tear it down to the foundation.
“The project was a wonderful collaboration between us, Hudson architect Michael Huber, and the homeowner,” says Jennifer Cates Peterson, manager for Cates Fine Homes. “The architect and homeowner had a blast figuring it all out.”
The team’s creative use of common finishes makes this home a true standout. The half-barrel Douglas fir ceiling with huge curved beams relaxes the sleek lines of the home. “Dancing walls”—which do not reach the ceiling—separate without isolating various spaces and add an element of surprise. The metal barn door covered with glass tiles adds a splash of color. A kitchen backsplash incorporates large glass tiles that curve around petite mosaic ones. The owners’ suite shower uses long thin tiles set vertically, leading to an open-air view of the awe-inspiring ceiling.
“There are so many original concepts,” says Cates. “It really is a piece of artwork.”
Remodel
1481 Iowa Ave. W., St. Paul
Remodeler: McDonald Remodeling
Parade number: R25
Like many in St. Paul, this 1930s one-and-a-half story English Tudor had a dated floor plan. Medical issues persuaded the homeowners to consider a major remodel or move to a home that was easier to maneuver in. Having lived in this Como Park neighborhood house for more than a decade, the family stayed put and remodeled.
McDonald Remodeling removed the wall that separated the kitchen from the dining room, eliminated the main-floor bedroom to make way for other necessities, and opened up the back of the home. Each step brought in more natural light.
The former bedroom space was divided—half for a new laundry room with storage space and a closet, half for a small office and homework area for the kids.
“Our goal in remodeling is to make something look like it has always been there,” says Todd Bjerstedt, project manager for McDonald.
Indeed, this kitchen’s subway-tile backsplash, Shaker-style cabinets, farmhouse sink, and cupped drawer pulls create a period look that fans of the arts and crafts movement will definitely recognize and find wonderfully, appropriately fitting.
Remodel
201 Holly Rd., Hopkins
Remodeler: Ispíri
Parade number: R54
With one child and a baby on the way, the homeowners of this 1930s Tudor in Hopkins needed an attached garage so they weren’t schlepping the kids through snow. It was also an opportunity to correct a few flaws. The main priorities were to relocate the powder room, add a mudroom with lockers and closets, enlarge and update the kitchen, open the main-level floor plan, and create both a main-level family room and a new owners’ suite.
The result completely changed the flow and function of the home. “The old powder room door opened into the kitchen. By moving it we made it more private,” says Joseph Robbins, senior design consultant with Ispíri. The kitchen makeover resulted in clean, classic lines. Enameled perimeter cabinets brighten the space, while the deep stain of the island introduces contrast. The island counter and L-shaped banquette provide plenty of space for kids to grab snacks or a quick meal.
And when it’s time to be away from the kids, the addition of the owners’ suite with bath and walk-in closet added much-needed private space.
