Twin Cities Top Design

A Cook’s Kitchen

First Place (tie): Residential Kitchen See more. Designer: Linda Engler, Allied Member ASID, and Becky Kohout, Allied Member ASID Firm: Engler Skogmo Interior Design Mpls., 952-746-2007

Design Challenge: The narrow center hallway in this 1930s colonial led to small, compartmentalized spaces, including the kitchen, back hall, and powder room. The awkward doorways, a dysfunctional layout, inefficient countertop space, and inadequate storage made cooking and organizing difficult and the small space lacked adequate dining and gathering space for a family of four. Missing entirely was a much-needed mudroom and desk area.

Professional Solution: To bring in more light, a wall separating the kitchen and dining nook was removed and one window was enlarged. The dining room door was relocated to achieve more fluidity. To further open the space and bring in light, the back entry closet was eliminated and the doorway into the kitchen was widened. This allowed the kitchen to open up beyond its borders. To reference the home’s roots, cream enameled cabinets, soapstone and Carrera marble countertops, hardwood floors, and vintage lighting were brought in. To create the mudroom, French doors to an adjacent sunroom were removed, freeing up an entire wall for tall storage cabinets, a built-in bench, drawers, hoots, cubbies, and a desk. The resulting space is light and airy, making it user-friendly for multiple cooks and two young children.

Grand Galley on the Prairie

First Place (tie): Residential Kitchen See more. Designers: LuAnne Silvia, Allied Member ASID, Lisa Peck, ASID, and Emily Anderson, Allied ASID Firm: Pisa Design St. Louis Park, 952-926-3572

Design Challenge: Working within the confines of log construction, the designers needed to refine the existing floor plan to function better for the homeowners’ cooking and entertaining needs as well as to add more appropriate lighting. The cabinets needed to be designed to showcase the log construction, while simultaneously reflecting the homeowners’ innate contemporary style. The overall attitude needed to be energizing with simple textures and vivid color to juxtapose the complexity of the log structure.

Professional Solution: The designers increased storage and function and created symmetry by extending the length of the range wall. A second ceiling beam was added, and the hood over the sink was mirrored to add symmetry. The addition of a pantry and wine cooler extended the kitchen’s overall footprint and the appliances were rearranged to improve workflow. New cabinetry provides a smooth and sleek counterpoint to the wood backdrop, adding a block of color to the mostly wood surfaces. The ruby red color of the countertops and granite was chosen to accent the homeowners’ existing collection of Asian accents, and the teal backsplash and lower cabinetry adds a cool counterpoint to the rich, warm tones.

See more Residential Kitchen award-winners.

Maritime Living

First Place: Residential Single Room See more. First Place: Design For Renovation, 3,500–5,000 Square Feet See more. Designer: Karen Soojian, ASID Firm: Gabbert’s Design Studio & Fine Furnishings Edina, 952-928-3109

Design Challenge: The designer’s family is the client for this dramatic new construction that celebrates life on the water, entertaining, and family time. Therefore, the living room needed to be designed to accommodate all of the energy of family and friends. The home,  inspired by the lifestyles of Nantucket and the New Jersey Shore, was built in a cottage style. The goal was to bend a nautical theme with wonderful textures from the surrounding environment while enhancing the views of Lake Minnetonka.

Professional Solution: A nautical theme is woven throughout the home. Indigo blue is the predominant color, while red and khaki accents are seen in the furnishings and accessories. The space is designed to stand the test of time and the demands of an active family. The focal point of the living room is external, with floor to ceiling windows that frame the lake view. It was important that the design did not compete with the backdrop of the lake, but rather complement it during all four seasons. The commanding height of the ceiling gives the room the appearance of being larger than it measures, but the wall covering, furnishings, and arches soften the scale, keeping it intimate and cozy. The fireplace, knotty walnut wide-plank flooring and authentic turn-of-the-century Persian prayer rug add drama and color to the space. A brindle hair-on-hide chair adds whimsy and humor and gives a nod to the Midwest.

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

Urban Entertainment

First Place: Residential Multiple Rooms See more. Designers: LuAnne Silvia, Allied Member ASID, Lisa Peck, ASID, and Emily Anderson, Allied ASID Firm: Pisa Design St. Louis Park, 952-926-3572

Design Challenge: The unfinished lower level needed to include spaces for a bar, watching television, playing billiards and card/board games, exercising, and a bathroom. The client wanted a space that would showcase a collection of art and reflect his love of wood and modern design.

Professional Solution: The concept for this thirtysomething’s bachelor pad was to create a sophisticated entertainment space by using chunky proportions and heavy textures, incorporating an abundance of wood, and developing a menswear-inspired color palette. The designers created a space plan with separate activity areas for media and games, but kept the areas all visually connected to allow an open traffic flow. The designers added custom wood light fixtures that appear to float just below the ceiling to further define the areas and offer rich architectural interest. A custom built-in angled bench was designed to conceal media equipment and provides extra seating for larger groups. The cabinet doors have wide stiles and rails and the countertops have a thick-edge profile. Red and white oaks are combined to add a rich backdrop for art.

See more Residential Multiple Rooms award-winners.