Twin Cities Top Design

New-Century Modern

First Place: Residential Best In Show First Place: Design For Renovation, 3,500–5,000 Square Feet See more. Designers: LuAnne Silvia, Allied ASID, and Kristen Mengelkoch, Allied ASID Firm: Pisa Design St. Louis Park, 952-926-3572

Design Challenge: The condo’s eight-foot ceiling height was of great concern to the clients, who wanted a space conducive to showing their large pieces of modern art. The designers were challenged to aesthetically mask the low ceiling height as well as to choose furnishings and finishes that would make the art collection the condo’s focal point. Additionally, the furniture needed to be sleek and simple, without being cold and hard.

Professional Solution: The designers selected furniture and accessories that would make the ceilings feel higher. The ceiling and wall colors were also kept light and neutral to make the ceilings appear higher and the spaces wider and to create an allusion of more space between the large pieces of art. A dark wood floor was installed to further add visual light, and seating was kept low profile. Furnishings are neutral and warm, repeating the color palette of the architectural materials—pale-camel-colored upholstery repeats the color of the white oak used on the walls and cabinets, while the deep brown of the wood floors is repeated in the woods of the dining room table and furniture accents. Complementary colors and layers of subtle textures were chosen that did not compete with the colors of the art collection.

See more Residential Renovation 3,500–5,000 Square Feet award-winners.

Charming Crocus Hill

First Place: Historic Restoration First Place (tie): Design Is In The Details Designers: David Heide, Allied ASID, AIA Associate, and Mark Nelson, Allied ASID, AIA Firm: David Heide Design Studio Mpls., 612-337-5060

Design Challenge: To return as many original elements as possible to the contiguous spaces of the living room, stairway, parlor, and dining room, which had been reduced, altered, or removed in a previous “modernization” of this historic home.

Professional Solution: Through rediscovery, and some serious sleuthing, the design team used clues from the home to guide the project to the desired outcome. Two elements of the home that had been significantly altered were the original fireplace surround and a wooden screen separating the stairway hall from the parlor. Both had been removed years ago. The designers discovered the nailing pattern of the original stair screen and used the design of the original balusters on the other side of the stairs to create a new screen to fit the pattern. Not only had the original mantel been removed, the entire room had been painted white. After stripping away a portion of the paint, the original outline of the surround could be seen. Using materials matching those found elsewhere in the residence, the  fireplace was restored to its original scale and splendor, making it a welcoming focal point once again. Other design elements, though perhaps more subtle, further the timeless aesthetic of this home, including antique and restored light fixtures, decorative stencil, and thoughtfully selected furnishings that all became the finishing touches.

Hidden Details

First Place (tie): Design Is In The Details See more. Designers: Linda Engler, Allied Member ASID, and Becky Kohout, Allied Member ASID Firm: Engler Skogmo Interior Design Mpls., 952-746-2007

Design Challenge: In order to please both the man and the lady of the household (he wanted a TV in the living room, she preferred a piece of art), the design team knew they needed to find a way to hide the television and make it invisible with a piece of art. Yet, given the location of the living room windows, the only viable place would be above the fireplace mantel, which would need to be reconfigured to accommodate both the TV and the art.

Professional Solution: The designers commissioned a local artist whose work appealed to both homeowners to paint a diptych on two panels to function as cabinet doors to the television. The painting was done in acrylic for a durable, touchable finish. A new mantel was also designed to surround the new gas firebox. The mantel had to be designed in a way to allow the television to be placed as low as possible. An eight-inch-deep recess was created above the mantel in which the plasma TV wall bracket was mounted. And since the painting could not have hardware on it, touch latches were installed on the artwork frame/cabinet doors.

See more Design Is In The Details award-winners.