Life can be a bit chaotic. So why not create a home that’s centered on a sense of calm? That was the mission for this peaceful, comfort-filled abode in Edina, where the color blue is the grounding note throughout. From cornflower to indigo, steely blue to sky blue — this pleasing hue carries the day and happily knits all of the spaces together.
“Beyond being a family-favorite color, blue has soothing qualities that remind people of the sky and water, creating a serene mood,” says Lisa Peck, owner and principal designer of LiLu Interiors in Minneapolis. “The blues in this home mix with sandy colors to evoke a look of nature, reminding me of the shores of Nantucket.”
Photography by Chad Holder
Indeed, that open, easy sense of living is threaded throughout this sunny 2023-built, five-bedroom residence, which is brimming with restful rooms. “One key question we were asked is how we wanted to feel in the home, and after some deliberation, we determined that we wanted to feel peace and serenity inside and outside,” homeowner Nicolle Harty explains. “The house functions beautifully for everyday needs but also converts to be able to host 50+ people for Thanksgiving — and that’s not an exaggeration.”
Which explains why this 7,400-square-foot residence has not one but two kitchens. The main kitchen has a pair of ovens, cabinets galore and plenty of counter space. But the real hero is the second, smaller kitchen nearby.
“There are so many things I love about the scullery kitchen,” says Harty. “There is a dedicated fridge for fruit, vegetables and herbs. It makes meal and smoothie prep a dream. I also love the pullout storage for baking, pantry essentials and snacks. It’s the perfect party command center with room for trays and dish clean-up as well as sliding doors to hide the mess.”
That same ease extends to the laundry, with three separate zones. On the main level, a full-size washer and dryer handle the kitchen and pool needs, while on the lower level, a stackable unit is available for guests. Then, near the bedrooms, a third laundry area is used for the bedding and clothing, with special drying racks for sweaters. “The goal is always to design stress out of your life,” notes Peck. “And not having to carry laundry from one floor to another is definitely a way to reduce day-to-day stress.”
But it’s not just the daily demands that are part of the design — so are future needs, like caring for aging family members. “There is an elevator, curbless showers and a ‘flex room’ that could be a future main-floor bedroom if needed,” Peck says, pointing out the seamless adaptability of the home. “The exercise room, sport court and pool all help the family stay fit, plus the home is packed with convenient storage.”
Creative problem solving is a key focus at LiLu Interiors, where the team champions a mindful approach to interior design. The firm offers personalized design and construction oversight, focusing on the client’s passions and interests. The result is a home centered on what the clients love — and how they want to live.
The family wanted to reside in a friendly, walkable neighborhood. And that connection to the outside extends to the inside as well, with sunlight flooding into every room. “The clients asked for a home that had a ‘coastal cottage’ vibe, so we tried to create that with the material selections and window sizing and placement,” explains PKA Architecture Project Manager Tammy Angaran, who led the project’s architectural design. “The white windows and trim, along with the lightly stained cedar-shingle siding and roof, help achieve the look.”
Storage is another idea that took creative flight, with carefully planned bookshelves and bins, closets and cupboards. “There’s an abundance of cabinetry in the home,” says Senior Project Manager Julie Lindemann of Streeter Custom Builder in Wayzata. “LiLu worked with the clients early in the design process to guarantee that everything was accounted for, ensuring each space was designed to be highly functional and organized.”
On the lower level is a beloved family hangout complete with three television screens, perfectly poised for serious teenage gaming. And because the space has its own bar and kitchenette, entertaining is a dream.
But in the end, it’s the graceful mélange of blues that casts its quiet spell, alongside the utter calming effect of cozy tweeds, gentle stripes and crisp florals. “I am surrounded by beauty in every room,” the homeowner sums up. “Whether it’s a wallpaper choice, the fabric of a window treatment, a perfect chair, the backsplash tile in the kitchen, or a piece of distressed wood that is now the fireplace mantel, the details really do matter. All of these aspects make the house perfect for our family.”
Project Partners
Interior designer: LiLu Interiors
Builder: Streeter Custom Builder
Architect: PKA Architecture
