Homeowners often weigh the benefits of renovating against the complex process of tackling a new build. Some prefer the classic beauty of historic styling, while others favor the elegance of modern architectural design. A few want to have it all. Edina-based custom builder City Homes and Everson Architect teamed up with Liquidpink Interiors to combine their individual areas of expertise to achieve a client’s blended vision. The resulting home offers a tremendous expanded space that celebrates both traditional and contemporary aesthetics, complete with showstopping finishes by Kolbe Windows & Doors that balance the family’s affinity for indoor comfort with their love for the outdoors.
Photography by Rob Grosse / Spacecrafting
Collaborative Approach, Seamless Process
When the homeowners first connected with City Homes’ Rebecca Remick, she quickly learned about the family’s growing lifestyle and the obvious needs to update their current Shorewood home.
“They had lived in the house for a while. They had always planned to remodel and add on. They liked their home and their plot of land, but they needed more space,” remembers Remick. “They had thought a lot about what they wanted regarding sightlines and space. They even knew the views they wanted through their windows.”
The clients appreciated the large bold windows of a neighboring home recently executed by City Homes. “They liked the contemporary, modern style and cube shape,” says Remick. The challenge was to create something strikingly modern that still felt connected and familiar to the existing home.
For this project, Remick referred the clients to Everson Architect’s Tommy Everson for his experience with contemporary home designs. She also called on Stephanie Lalley of Liquidpink Interiors for her purposely personalized approach to interior design.
“We love working with both Tommy and Stephanie,” says Remick. “We rely heavily on them. We go to all the meetings to make sure we’re working together to give the clients what they want in the best way possible.”
Connected Structures, Contrasting Designs
After considering the client’s needs, Everson Architect presented a couple options. They could either craft a new addition to match the style of the existing house, using the same traditional siding materials and roof style, or the addition could contrast the existing house, using sleeker materials and a flat roof to achieve a more modern aesthetic.
“They decided they liked the contrast of keeping the original portion of their house more traditional and making the addition more modern. This was both an aesthetic and functional choice,” elaborates Everson.
The integrity of the existing home was maintained as a single-story cube topped with a pyramid-shaped roof. The garage was replaced as a new-built larger cube with a flat roof, and both the old and new structures were connected by a low-profile link that serves as the main entry.
Bigger, Better, Bolder Windows
The clients made it clear from the start that expansive windows were non-negotiable. Everson invited them to the Artisan Home Tour to see his Orchard Creek Overlook project, a modern home that showcases exceptional Kolbe Windows & Doors custom windows.
“For some projects, we choose Kolbe because they have something unique that no one else has to offer,” notes Everson.
“Kolbe and its customer service are great. They understand construction and the lead times that are necessary,” supports Remick. “Every project will have its hiccups. It’s important to know how we work together to solve issues when they come up. Kolbe is a team player. We trust them to come through.”
Kolbe’s Forgent Series provides a high-end look with advanced performance, adding major value as the replacement windows on the existing home and the new windows on the addition. Using the manufacturer’s hybrid Glastra fiberglass, the selected windows require minimal maintenance. The team chose a black finish for the windows to give a sharper, more modern appearance, unifying the old and the new.
“Nothing else comes close to this in the fiberglass products we’ve seen. It looks more refined. You can tell there’s a lot of attention to detail,” says Everson. “We wanted the window frames to be minimalist. There are no extraneous elements like curves, swoops or sticking.”
Intentional Symmetry, Visual Continuity
The clients were aware that the desire for expansive windows presented challenges given the location. It wasn’t just a straightforward addition. The lot is an awkward shape that comes to an acute angle with the property on display from every side. Everson strategically positioned the windows to maximize choosing the largest possible size.
“The large windows were a definite must,” reiterates Everson. “There’s a wooded area out back which helps connect to views of nature. From the second story of the addition, you have views to the lake through the big windows.”
Light, Views and Color
“What’s amazing is when you walk in, you don’t know where the old house stopped and the new started,” details interior designer Lalley.
For Lalley, pointing the interior design in a peaceful and minimal direction was key. “The project has a soft geometry with very clean lines. We kept it very warm inside the house. The floor plan is open, airy and brings in as much light as possible. It’s like being in a tree house with all the windows and natural light.”
The window in the eat-in kitchen area’s breakfast nook was one of the most important to the homeowners. It is a favorite space for the family to gather and the new window is like a calming framed painting.
The interior finishes feature natural wood, stone and a neutral color palette. Jewel tones throughout complement the green background of trees with minimal furniture and nothing pushing up against the windows.
“The windows are the remodel,” emphasizes Lalley. “They are so important to this home. It was a very successful project.”
Architecture: Everson Architect
Builder: City Homes
Interior Design: Liquidpink Interiors
