Midwest Design

Photography: Spacecrafting; Architect: David Charlez Designs; Interior Design: Leona Rose; Builder: Nor-Son Custom Builders A lakefront retreat. A forever home in the metro. For nearly 50 years, Nor-Son Custom Builders has been building exceptional homes across Minnesota’s lakes region and the Twin Cities area.

While a coat of paint can certainly transform a room, wallpaper and wallcoverings can do even more, especially for those willing to step outside the box. Whether it’s used in a space as small as a powder room or as large as a dining room, wallpaper adds personality, movement, and striking visual interest to interiors. From bold florals to flying birds, these home projects pack personality and style in part because of their creative wallpaper applications.

Photography Andrea Rugg The Kellys’ land spans 21 acres, where over the years they have planted many trees and plants, opting for a more natural look, versus manicured. In 2019, they built their house, which overlooks the thriving landscape. When Bonnie and Wayne Kelly put up their house and planted their gardens in Minnestrista, they did so in a forest they made. Most people do it the other way around: build or buy a house and plant a few trees, but not this couple.

Photo by Taylor Hall O’Brien There is a quiet shift underway in how homeowners think about their living spaces. After more than a decade of interiors inspired by farmhouse style, many are drawn toward something simpler and more authentic. Few aesthetics capture that feeling as fully as wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, age, and the natural passage of time.

As Minnesota’s fleeting summer season continues to press on, it won’t be long before the leaves change to shades of orange and temperatures cool. Get outside and enjoy these local festivals and events that make the most of this time of year. Taste of Minnesota, put on by the Taste of Minnesota Foundation, is an annual summer festival that brings together local vendors, restaurants, and musicians to celebrate the state’s cultural, culinary, and creative richness.

ADŌR creates thoughtful, architectural homes defined by craftsmanship, integrity, and extraordinary attention to detail. Based in Excelsior, Minnesota, ADŌR partners with discerning clients and leading design professionals to bring one-of-a-kind luxury homes to life throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. When you choose ADŌR Homes, you can expect unsurpassed integrity through every step of the process. 350 Hwy 7, #218 Excelsior, MN 55331 (612) 590-8099 | ador-homes.com

North Star Kitchens, a kitchen design and build company serving clients since 1996, is celebrating its 30th year in business with the opening of a brand-new showroom. The new showroom, located at 811 Glenwood Ave in Minneapolis, is now open to the public and welcomes homeowners, interior designers, architects, and custom home builders.

Photography Spacecrafting/Rob Grosse The kitchen island came from an unexpected place: a piece of furniture the homeowners had been holding in storage for several years, hoping it could someday be used in their house. It was modified to be part of the island, and is now a standout feature of the room. Sometimes, you search and search for a new house, only to find that the best place you could possibly be is the place you already call home.

Photo by Roger Starnes Sr; Courtesy of unsplash Your garage door opener protects your home’s security and represents a significant investment. Knowing how to troubleshoot a garage door opener before small issues escalate can save hundreds of dollars and prevent safety hazards. Discover how to troubleshoot a garage door opener that won’t close all the way. Homeowners drastically underestimate maintenance costs, with 48% delaying or canceling necessary repairs, leading to more costly problems.

Photo by Drew Gray Photography; Photo courtesy of Two Island Design Build That’s the No. 1 question people ask Google when beginning a remodeling project. Problem is, the answer is either too broad, vague, incomplete, or entirely false. The only way to get an accurate cost for your project is to go to the source: a professional remodeler. Ah, so you’ve asked a few and they answer, “it depends.” That’s frustrating, but they’re not wrong. It’s a valid question. It’s necessary to know the answer.