Parade Picks

This McNulty home is just the ticket for these homeowners, who recently got married and have a baby on the way. They were looking for something that would accommodate their new family, but still allow them to be close to their friends and his work in the city. They instantly fell in love with this home’s dramatic twelve-foot domed ceiling and grand open staircase with its custom-made, wrought-iron railing—just the first impression they want to create when entertaining business associates and friends. His sports buddies will be likewise impressed when they get a load of his play spaces. The lower level entertainment area is a sports-lovers dream, with a large plasma TV over the gas fireplace, an elegant bar, and pool table. The fifth bedroom is perfect to house their extensive exercise equipment.

The kitchen is a stunning space, with gorgeous marble countertops, custom cabinetry, and professional grade appliances that include a Sub Zero refrigerator and Wolf six-burner range with grill and griddle. What’s more, there’s plenty of room for her to make her famous potato salad while he’s marinating the steaks for grilling. He can imagine how great it will feel each morning to settle into the breakfast/hearth room with a cup of coffee, the sports section, and incredible views of their 2.43-acre property.

The owners’ suite turned out to be what really sold this couple. From the barrel-vaulted ceiling and beautiful bow windows to the luxury bathroom, this is their perfect retreat. And they already have plans to turn the three other bedrooms on this level into nursery, playroom, and computer room to ensure their child has every advantage.

Lander Sherman Urban Development
195 E. 9th St., St. Paul
$339,900
Home #273

This professional couple in their mid-thirties enjoys traveling, following college sports, and staying active through golf and running. They feel right at home at Printer’s Row, the fourth phase of development in downtown St. Paul’s new Wacouta Commons neighborhood, winner of the national Best in American Living Award for Best Smart Growth Community. They are proud of their sleek new urban home in a beautiful new neighborhood—the new city park a half block away is a great place to picnic or walk the puppy. They are also happy to be a part of a neighborhood with a mix of housing types—rental- and ownership-priced to meet a wide range of incomes and lifestyles.

This couple loves the contemporary, bold exterior of their home, and they are delighted to show it off to friends. They hold barbeques on their patio, overlooking downtown St. Paul and the new, European-influenced city street. Sit-down dinner parties overlook the skyline through south- and east-facing oversized windows. Their contemporary loft has cool features, including sealed concrete floors and exposed ductwork, but it also has a polished air with beautiful cherry cabinets, granite countertops, a gas fireplace, and  a spacious stainless steel island that doubles as a bar when they have visitors.

Their loft is just blocks from the Farmer’s Market, where they go on weekends to get fresh flowers and vegetables. They are also regular users of St. Paul’s renowned trail system along the Mississippi River, which is nearby. At night, they attend events at Xcel or the Ordway and have dinner at LoTo,  created by restaurateur David Fhima. St. Paul’s newest hotspot, this restaurant is just a couple blocks walk from their home.

This couple travels with ease, knowing that their association-maintained home is secure while they’re gone. They just lock the door and go, and landscaping and snow removal will be taken care of. And their cars are safe and sound in the heated, underground garage. When entertaining out-of-town guests, they’ll offer their second bedroom, which they generally use as a den and TV room.

This couple is eco-conscious, and they are glad their home is, too. Low-VOC paints and finishes, sealed cabinet backings, and fresh air exchange give them high indoor air quality. They also save money on energy bills with energy-efficient appliances, furnace, and a programmable thermostat.Dean R. Johnson Construction Inc.
17505 69th Pl. N., Maple Grove
$208,695
Home #938

A recent college graduate who is buying her first home, this twenty-five-year-old woman has just begun her professional career. To get the most out of her buying dollar, she looked at townhomes in a growing suburb. She found just what she wanted at this Dean Johnson Homes townhome at Waterstone of Maple Grove. This neighborhood of multi-level townhomes is priced right, and just a short drive to Maple Grove’s hot shopping and entertainment district. The neighborhood has already attracted many young singles and couples, and this young professional is sure to fit right in.

Her new three-level home is set on the edge of Maple Grove’s fast-growing area along Highway 10. Naturally beautiful wetlands, woods, and prairies still dot the landscape, a welcome respite from her long day at the office. Her double garage is perfect for her car with plenty of space to house her bike, golf clubs, and the kayak she plans to buy with her holiday bonus. 

But it was the interior spaces that really made her fall in love with her new home. The entry foyer is spacious and welcoming with rich, blond-maple hardwood underfoot, leading to an open staircase which beckons guests up to the bright and open living spaces. The main level is designed so that the kitchen, dining space, and living room flow gracefully from one to the other, with more maple hardwood floors beautifully tying these spaces together.

Her new kitchen features stainless appliances, a black granite-topped island, lots of beautiful maple cabinetry, and even a walk-in pantry. She loves the cozy gas fireplace that warms the entire level, and has already measured the built-ins surrounding it to make sure her stereo and CD collection fit perfectly (they do). 

She loves how the bedrooms on the upper level are designed for privacy. The owners’ bedroom includes a huge walk-in closet plus a reading alcove, and it opens to an incredible bath with separate shower, double lavatories, and full tub. This bath is also accessible from the upstairs hall for convenience. Also on this level is the second bedroom with its own three-quarter bath, just perfect for mom when she comes to visit for their girls weekends. 

The lower level, with its big recreation room, adds even more space. She plans on setting up her elliptical trainer and the television at one end, with her drafting table and painting materials set to take advantage of the large window at the other end. A three-quarter bath on this level will come in handy after a workout or a painting session with her watercolors.Capestone Builders Corp.
5392 Barrington Way, Shorewood
$709,000
Home #838

With the kids out of the house, this couple was looking for a home that reflects their tastes and will take them well into retirement. They were ready to find a home designed to suit their newly independent lifestyle. They have always loved the Minnetonka lakes area, and came across Barrington when they were taking a fall-colors drive near Excelsior. They didn’t have to look twice to decide this was their perfect next home.

These twinhomes are set in a lovely little valley just east of Lake Minnetonka. The idyllic setting is an easy jaunt to the shops and restaurants in historic downtown Excelsior, with access to the rest of the metropolitan region made quick and easy via Highway 7. And while it’s close to so much, the restful backyard view of woods and pond made them feel like they were a million miles from civilization. It’s got a slew of golf courses in the vicinity for him, and she’s planning on exploring the nearby Aster trail where she can bike all the way from Hopkins to Victoria.

The walkout rambler design is just what they wanted. The main level alone has everything they need to make life enjoyable, while the spacious lower level assures they can invite the kids and grandkids to stay over the holidays without breaking a sweat.

He loves the private den set just inside the front door, and plans to take it over as his personal retreat where he can monitor his stock portfolio while keeping up with his fantasy football league. She believes in family sit-down dinners every day, so one look at the formal dining room with its built-in buffet and curved soffit and she knew she was home. They both adore the kitchen, and plan to hone their gourmet cooking skills here. The furniture-styled islands, one with snack bar and the other with a butcher-block top, are beautifully designed with shelves, cabinets, pull-out baskets, even a wine cubby. And the gorgeous granite countertops, stainless steel top-of-the-line appliances, and satin-finished honey-toned cabinetry and hardwood floors look as good as they perform.

They both love the luxurious owners’ suite. The bedroom is a dream, with great views out the box-bay window, especially when relaxing on the old-fashioned window seat. There’s plenty of space in the walk-in closet for both wardrobes, and they’ll spend a lot of time in the bathroom with its warm floor, whirlpool tub, and huge glass shower.

On the lower level, a huge recreation room features a granite-topped wet bar with a wine chiller and lots of cabinet space. A second fireplace (the other is in the main-level great room) and entertainment center plus a pool table will keep the grandkids entertained for days. This level also boasts two bedrooms, a full bath, an exercise room, and a screened porch.

Add in the surround sound, full security system, complete exterior maintenance, and the insulated garage with room for their boat, and this couple found everything they wanted and then some.Ratzlaff Homes, Inc.
15465 Lucerne Ave., Burnsville
$899,000
Home #631

When this couple began their home search, their goal was to move up in size to accommodate their busy family. They hadn’t intended to spend quite this much, but one look at this gorgeous brick-front Colonial, and they were goners. They reviewed their finances, figured in the equity they’d accrued over the years in their current home, and discovered they really could make this home their own.

They are not the ostentatious type, so the classically elegant exterior suited them perfectly. The one-acre homesite is ideally located in a quiet residential neighborhood with great schools and quick access to the metro freeway system. Paved biking trails criss-cross the area, and the older kids are thrilled that they’d be just blocks from Buck Hill, where they expect to perfect their snow boarding this winter. Three nearby lakes offer year-round recreation, and the Burnsville Shopping Center and surrounds ensures a quick trip for every family member’s needs.

The home’s layout had absolutely everything they wanted. The main and lower levels have plenty of formal and informal spaces that are ideally suited for the variety of entertaining they plan, from casual get-togethers to their annual fundraiser for Mary’s Place. The kids have already laid claim to the lower level recreation room with its dramatic floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, big-screen TV, and entertainment center as well as the game room for billiards plus additional space for a card table.

The main level’s spaces are truly gorgeous, from the grand entry and high ceilings to the extensive use of Brazilian cherry hardwood floors that stretch from foyer through the formal dining room into the kitchen, breakfast area, butler’s pantry, and powder room. The kitchen itself is a dream, with custom cherry cabinetry, Zodiaq® quartz countertops, center island, and high-quality appliances. The wine cooler in the butler’s pantry is a great addition for entertaining. And for hassle-free warm-weather entertaining, the dinette’s patio door leads to the fully landscaped backyard and paver patio.

With three bedrooms and two full baths (the girls will share a well-designed dual bath) upstairs, the kids each will get a lot of privacy. Their teen has already begun lobbying for the fifth bedroom in the lower level, but that may have to wait a year or two. 

What totally sold this couple, however, was the fabulous owners’ suite. Set on the main floor, this private space is luxurious yet comfortable. Medallion-accented lighting and ceiling cove dress up the bedroom, while the private bath feels as good as it looks with a heated floor plus whirlpool tub, ceramic tile shower, and double-bowl vanity.