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Artful Living | The Sitting Room Lake Minnetonka Living

Photography by Spacecrafting

When The Sitting Room was tapped to bring its personalized design approach to a custom home on Lake Minnetonka, the clients had a clear vision: an abode that could take the wear and tear of their young family (including a busy golden retriever) while balancing bold colors and modern design to yield a beautiful, livable home.

Senior Interior Designer Megan Jackson Meder was particularly excited to dive in. The Sitting Room Studio had worked with the homeowners before, but a 7,061-square-foot new-construction house packed with color was a first. “Projects like this allow us to fully flex our collaborative and creative capabilities,” shares Meder, who worked in tandem with designer Hannah Winesburg as well as PKA Architecture and Vine Hill Partners on the project.

Artful Living | The Sitting Room Lake Minnetonka Living

The five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is a study in luxurious livability. The open floor plan lends itself to easy entertaining and, of course, full displays of Lake Minnetonka. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the main level frame the panoramic vistas. PKA Director of Design Chad Healy and team made the most of the narrow site and created a variety of spaces for enjoying the water, including a welcoming covered entry and a three-season porch off the living room. Drop-down screens, a stunning limestone fireplace and hidden heaters make the porch a family favorite (at least three seasons out of the year).

Artful Living | The Sitting Room Lake Minnetonka Living

But that’s where color comes in. “Even in Minnesota winters, we’re surrounded by bright spots,” the owners gush. Their artwork collection largely inspired the palette. One piece painted by the client’s mother sits front and center in the foyer. “It’s an incredibly colorful and joyful piece that sets the tone for the home as you walk in,” explains Meder, who scattered deep jewel tones throughout the residence. Thoughtful twists on tone and pattern capture the livability the clients were craving. A pink rug, for example, would’ve felt too saturated for the living room, so Meder sourced an ombre option that softens the look. And Christian Lacroix and Romo fabrics create an adventurous palette that’s equally trend-forward and family-friendly.

Artful Living | The Sitting Room Lake Minnetonka Living

Pops of color “talk to each other” throughout the open floor plan: Marigold, emerald and magenta are peppered in with pillows and are mirrored by a playful pattern on custom Palecek counter stools that cozy up to the navy kitchen island. Because the kitchen is so visible, it needed to feel more beautiful than utilitarian. Thoughtful bursts of color are offset by modern details, such as clean lines and natural materials like oak and steel. Everyday appliances are hidden — yet functional — behind cabinetry, while a walk-through pantry leads to the butler’s pantry. “The entire space stays beautiful easily,” Meder notes. “You have everything you need without seeing it.”

Pops of color “talk to each other” throughout the open floor plan: Marigold, emerald and magenta are peppered in with pillows and are mirrored by a playful pattern on custom Palecek counter stools that cozy up to the navy kitchen island. Because the kitchen is so visible, it needed to feel more beautiful than utilitarian. Thoughtful bursts of color are offset by modern details, such as clean lines and natural materials like oak and steel. Everyday appliances are hidden — yet functional — behind cabinetry, while a walk-through pantry leads to the butler’s pantry. “The entire space stays beautiful easily,” Meder notes. “You have everything you need without seeing it.”

Artful Living | The Sitting Room Lake Minnetonka Living

One element that’s unquestionably meant to be seen is the three-level staircase. Modern lines and a mix of wood and steel make it as much a piece of art as an architectural necessity. Upstairs, an idyllic escape awaits. Built to capture the best water views, the owners’ suite sits down the hall from the kids’ rooms. It boasts a private rooftop deck and outdoor fireplace, a coffee bar, and a spacious closet and bathroom, where the clients embraced adventurous tile selections. “Tile became another source of color and style for the home,” says Meder, who used tile as art, including full-height wall applications.

Artful Living | The Sitting Room Lake Minnetonka Living

There’s still an homage to lakeside style here — you just need to look up. The team gave shiplap an unexpected twist by applying it to the ceiling, highlighting the modern architecture. And that’s not the only material reimagined. The clients chose a metallic wallpaper, evocative of oyster shells, to emphasize the interesting angles of the ceiling and reflect the evening moonlight.

As the family settles into their lakeside abode, they’re confident they wouldn’t change a single thing. “The entire team encouraged us to choose what we loved,” they share. During the building process, they rented a house nearby and often walked over to see progress and work with the teams from The Sitting Room, PKA and Vine Hill Partners — all collaborating on design details to make their vision come to life. A very colorful life, that is. 

Read this article as it appears in the magazine.

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