Photography by Spacecrafting
A couple of empty nesters were well ahead of the so-called coastal grandmother trend when they outlined their wishes for their dream home. While the term may be in vogue right now, the aesthetic is timeless: casual living with an elevated twist. It’s the perfect description for shingle-style architecture — commonly seen along the East Coast — but with a custom touch from Streeter Custom Builder, Charlie & Co. Design, and Ellington & Co. Design.
This classic yet informal abode looks right at home in the heart of Edina. There’s just something about shingle style that evokes relaxation, which is exactly what the clients were after when they tapped Streeter for their second project together. “We wanted a retreat with unfettered access to all our local favorites,” remark the clients. The house also needed to feel cozy for the couple’s day-to-day life, with the ability to easily flex for entertaining. “This home lends itself to a level of sophistication that’s delicate yet completely livable,” shares Streeter Project Manager Clay Carlson.
From the outside, wood cladding and welcoming verandas are indicative of shingle-style architecture, while custom copper chimney caps and limestone patios give the exterior a marked Midwestern appeal. “There’s a softness that shingle style allows,” says Charlie & Co. Principal Designer Colby Mattson, who worked in tandem with Project Manager Jonathan Mason. He points out how the cedar shingles were steamed and bent to create depth surrounding the front gable windows. But more than anything, it’s the expansive window banks that make for a serene home flooded in natural light.
Also notable is the large glass wall of Marvin Signature Ultimate windows and doors on the structure’s south side. The team maintained a 10-foot ceiling in the living room and incorporated windows into the additional six-and-a-half feet of two-story volume to create a space that’s bright and airy without feeling cavernous. “You get the intimacy of the living room with all the drama of the daylight,” Mattson explains.
The floor plan encourages connection and spaciousness without being totally open. In particular, the clients craved a sense of separation between the kitchen and living room, so the team crafted a double-sided fireplace that acts as a divider. It’s a favorite feature for the owners — in particular the family’s long-haired dachshunds, who often lie on opposite sides like bookends. When the furry friends aren’t warming up by the fire, they have their own dedicated spot in the mudroom just off the kitchen. Here, a pocket door keeps them at bay during hosted events, while a built-in screen lets them look out so they’re not missing all the fun.
The kitchen is designed for easy circulation and entertaining yet is rightsized for everyday living, including a breakfast nook near the fireplace. Its scale is made possible by two hard-working pantries: a butler’s pantry between the kitchen and dining room plus a working pantry directly behind the kitchen. This allows for a smaller, more intimate gathering space and puts the softly curved range hood front and center as a focal point. The textured plaster hood complements the fireplace and is a favorite element of interior designer Carrie Ellington.
She purposefully designed the interiors to act as a canvas. To wit: You’ll notice different details depending on where the sun sits, with shadows revealing expert architectural nuances like custom millwork and unique curvatures. Ellington selected warm white paint to balance the brightness of the daylight and offset it with gray-green accents. “We loved these tones in the clients’ last home and wanted to evolve them for this project,” she adds.
Of course, the abode wouldn’t be complete without that iconic staircase. The blackened steel railing features vertical spindles that wrap up the treads and around the loft. Directly off the owners’ suite, this transitional area encourages a slowdown at the end of the workday.
There are plenty of other spaces for R&R, including the luxurious wet room complete with herringbone-pattern tile and a sophisticated curved entry, where the team concealed the sliding glass door track within the archway for a seamless look. In warmer months, you’ll find the family relaxing out on the covered terrace, which boasts a limestone fireplace and classic wood beam ceiling. The house is a stone’s throw from a golf course and is equipped with a simulator for the off-season. Also nestled into the lower level are an exercise room, an infrared sauna and a bar/lounge area. “Every room has a special detail that’s just right for us,” the owners gush.
Achieving that highly customized feel is the result of a highly synergetic process between a talented team. “The earlier we can collaborate together, the more successful a project will be,” asserts Carlson, likening the seasoned partnership to a “creative shorthand” that delivered a home the clients dreamed up in every detail — and then some.
