Sometimes, the right home manages to find you. That was the case for two West Coast natives when they spotted this 1950s American Colonial–style estate in Wayzata. They were charmed by the brick pathways and old fountains dotting the property — like little whispers from the past. All that was missing was a dose of panache.
Photography by Daniel Jenkins
“We knew we wanted this home before we even stepped inside; the landscape and outdoor spaces spoke to us first,” homeowner Melanie Owen confesses. “There is something undeniably magical about it — a sense of history woven into the land itself. It was a property that had been designed with a long-term vision, a place that matured beautifully over time.”
Melanie is the head of design at a large retailer; her husband, Matt, is the showroom manager of the Kohler Showroom by First Supply in Edina. Together, they bring a carefully honed design sensibility to this 8,900-square-foot, six-bedroom residence, where they live with their 19-year-old daughter, Kennedy, and 12-year-old son, Sawyer.
“The bones of the house were good, but the flow was missing — it felt disjointed rather than inspired,” Melanie explains. “Yet, as a designer, I didn’t see limitations; I saw possibility. I wanted to create a home that honored its past while infusing it with warmth, modernity and the effortless, welcoming style that defined our California coastal upbringing.”
The couple called on architect Matt Wittman of Wittman Estes in Seattle, who had worked with them on two previous homes. Together, they began sketching the evolution of the 2023 Wayzata remodel, bringing out its best qualities and making the residence beautiful yet utterly livable. “We wanted to blend old and new in a way that is both timeless and contemporary,” Wittman points out. “The house weaves together the historic and modern pieces into a new experience.”
That experience begins in the kitchen, which originally felt a bit dark and cramped. New, white oak cabinetry was brought in, inspired by favorite cafes and boutiques in Europe. Then, for contrast, expressively veined marble countertops added smooth texture. When it came time to choose the kitchen fixtures, Matt selected some personal favorites from Kohler by First Supply. The Kohler Stages 45-inch sink quickly became the ultimate workhorse with its butcher block cutting board, while the Kallista One faucet in unlacquered brass offered a note of quiet luxury.
“My priority was to craft a kitchen that is as functional as it is beautiful — a space where I can spread out while baking, where natural light pours in, where family and friends can seamlessly join in to meal prep without feeling crowded,” Melanie shares.
The home’s original owner, who once helmed the Star Tribune, accented the residence with little pockets of delight like a tropical plant conservatory and a mod midcentury bar. But over the decades, various remodeling projects had dulled the home’s intended spirit. In the living room, French doors obscured the lake views, and the fireplace had been reimagined with dense red brick. “I saw an opportunity — not just to restore the space, but to reignite what made it special in the first place,” Melanie asserts.
She started with the fireplace, simplifying it with a precast concrete hearth for a touch of minimalism. The French doors were swapped out for taller, sliding glass doors, allowing the natural light to flood in. “This is a space made for entertaining,” says Melanie. “On summer evenings, we slide open the doors, blurring the line between inside and out. Guests drift between the living room and the tropical atrium. It’s a room that invites people in, encourages movement and inspires connection.”
Another essential area is the foyer, where a blocky central stairwell was replaced with a gracefully curving stairway — which feels like a living sculpture. Turns out the bold structure was a tour de force to build. “Melanie provided us with inspiration photos,” Nor-Son Custom Builders Project Manager Nick Stastny says. “It was a lot of work for the framer and dry waller to achieve the desired flowing shape, and we had to work on the piece multiple times.”
The hard work paid off. And if you take the rounded stairwell up to the primary suite, you will enter a floating retreat, high above the trees. The vaulted ceilings and wraparound windows here create an ethereal sense of openness. “One of the most striking features is the large Italian marble fireplace surround, an original element from the 1960s that was imported from Europe,” Melanie says. “I love its nostalgia and grandeur — the way it grounds the space with its rich history.”
Above all, this is a home that fully comes into its own in the summertime. The garden, originally laid out by a master gardener, has retained its complex layering of color and texture — both natural and intentional. And when the doors are flung open and the pool is glistening in the sun, all of the elements blend together — perfect for family diving contests or barbecue dinners on the patio.
“Entertaining both small and large groups is made easy with the new flow through the house,” Wittman explains. “The formerly inconsistent spaces are now connected, enabling the Owen family to enjoy the outdoor decks and pool through the seasons.”
But in the end, it’s the home’s proximity to the peaceful lake that cast its spell on this transplanted California couple — a chance to live life outdoors, in harmony with family and nature. “Perhaps my favorite moments are at dusk, when the lake turns to glass and we look across its surface, watching as the world quiets,” Melanie muses. “The swans, the storks, the owls emerging from the trees, the deer moving like whispers through the dusk. This house is more than a place — it’s a rhythm, a refuge, a canvas for all the moments yet to come.”
Builder: Nor-Son Custom Builders
Architect: Wittman Estes
Bar designer and builder: Aspect Design Build
