Lavish Kitchens Part 2- Refrigeration

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The second feature to our lavish kitchen series is refrigeration.

Sub Zero Pro-48- $13,800

Made with 100% sculpted steel, and features dual refrigeration—meaning the refrigerator and freezer use separate sets of compressors and evaporators, unlike standard refrigerators. The compressors are each controlled by microprocessors to ensure the proper temperatures. The refrigerator even features auto-closing doors with an improved hing system that keeps the warmth from creeping in.

Dimensions: 48″ W x 84″H x 24″D, more information here.


Northland 72″ Side by Side- $11,000

 Northland is a 100-year-old provider of custom refrigerators. You can even choose a  glass door and stainless steel wrap, features “daylight” interior lighting and easily cleaned glass shelves. They have many other unique refrigeration options available as well.

Dimensions: 72″W x 84.5″H x 24″D, more information here.

Stay tuned for our next lavish posting!

Haunted Halloween

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Given the time of year, we decided to further research a local, haunted location.

The beautiful sandstone Griggs Mansion, is without a doubt considered the most haunted mansion in St. Paul. In 1883, a wealthy grocery businessman, Chauncey Griggs, built this lovely mansion. He only lived in it four years, before moving to the West coast. After Griggs moved out, the Griggs Mansion served many purposes including an art school, private residence and apartments. 
Griggs Mansion has 24 rooms and 9 fireplaces.  It was a common occurrence for its occupants to leave shortly after moving in.

The Griggs mansion was designed by Clarence Johnston, an American Architect, who at the time was only 23 years old.  Johnston was a well known Architect in the Twin Cities and was also responsible for other well known Minnesota landmarks including; The Glensheen mansion,  and MN State Fair grandstand. 
Today, Griggs mansion has reclaimed it’s original intent as a single family residence.

Most of the supernatural activity seems to be centered around the 4th floor, many other parts of the house have been known to be haunted. Footsteps have been heard in empty staircases, doors open and close by themselves, rasping coughs come from behind closed doors on empty rooms and heavy drapes swing for no reason. A college student staying in a basement apartment woke up to see a floating head of a child above him. Six or seven spirits/ghosts have made their existence known by various means throughout the years. The mansion’s spiritual occupants are a young maid ( who is believed to have hung herself in 1915 in the house), a gardener, a child, a thin man in a black suit, a teenager, and a Civil War General. 

Creepy…

Sources: 1 / 2

Pantone’s Colors For Fall

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Pantone is a universal color matching system, servicing various industries including the graphic arts, fashion, home, interior, plastics, architectural, paint, industrial design and consumer markets. Each spring and fall the trending colors are launched and frequently these colors are used by fashion designers and interior designers to create designs based on these pallets.  Pantone’s Fall 2012 colors include some bright shades you may not expect for fall. Here are the colors translated into interiors, which is your favorite color combination?

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The start to our Lavish Kitchen Series

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  This will be the start of our series on Lavish Kitchens:

Let’s be honest, most of us think about our… If money were no object dream kitchen.

Have you heard of  La Cornue? These show stopping ranges are always the focal point of any kitchen they are in. With prices starting at $6,800 for the single door range and prices heading upwards of  $46,000.  They are not exactly for the budget conscious. La Cornue has the capability to create completely custom ranges. They are artisan works of art and a wonderful addition to a kitchen, in any style.

Meanwhile cooking on one of these cookware sets. If you are into more traditional styles these are offered in an array of colors and have a lifetime warranty.

If your style tends to be on the more modern side you can get these, which have an architectural look.

Stay tuned for our next Lavish kitchen posting! 

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Health and Wellness Project

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We are excited to share with you a truly one of a kind project designed by our Friends at Walsh Design Group.

Designed for a family in Minnetonka, whom four of the members have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity). MCS  is a chronic medical condition characterized by symptoms that the affected person attributes to low-level chemical exposure. Commonly accused substances include smoke, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fabrics, scented products, petroleum products, and paint fumes. Symptoms are usually vague and non-specific such as nausea, fatigue and headaches.

Walsh designed a “clean room” addition above the garage to allow the family members with MCS,  a safe environment  to gather and  create memories with friends and family.

  • What was the most challenging aspect of the project
    • The most challenging aspect was finding building materials, interior finishes, and furniture that met the homeowners chemical sensitivity requirements, style and quality standards.  The homeowner had a traditional style and lots of great ideas of what she wanted the addition to look like.
    •  Choosing materials and furnishings from our standard resources would have been easy is it wasn’t for needing them to be made of 100% natural products with no preservatives, pesticides or finishes. While there are many “green” products on the market, many of these still did not meet the safety guidelines for the project.
  • What was the most rewarding aspect of the project
    • Creating a safe space that the homeowner has been able to enjoy with her family and friends that is not causing allergic reactions for her and her children.
  • Which type of materials were used
    • The homeowner consulted with a chemical specialist to identify materials that should be safe for the family. The structure began with a hospitality HVAC system, specialty lumber and plywood and zero VOC paint. Every building material and all of the furniture and accessories were chosen of the purist natural materials.


  • Which type of furnishings did you use 
    • All of the fabrics were natural: wool, silk and cotton. We researched how the fabrics were stored and had them washed in a special detergent to remove all foreign materials they may have come in contact with. Rugs and carpets were not only made of specific wool, but the wool had to come from specific sheep. Sheep that were raised in their own buildings away from other sheep that were treated with pesticides, moth repellent and flame retardants. This wool was pure. Once made the rugs and furniture ere shipping in special packing materials and allowed to off gas for months before they were delivered to the new clean room. Much of the furniture was bench made locally by custom workrooms.
    • Does this family have special lifestyle constrains due to allergies and sensitivities
      • Yes, the family will experience ” allergic like” reactions to many environments. They cannot be comfortable outside the clean room for too many hours per day. Traveling and hotel stays have always been a big challenge.
    • How long has the project been complete. Have you maintained contact with them regarding the health and wellness of the family. 
      • The family has been living in the clean room for about two years. Their quality of life has improved remarkably since their new space was completed. Careful selection of the building materials, fixtures and furnishing have created a space that for the first time in many years the family can enjoy safety and comfortably.
    Thank you Walsh Design Group for sharing this unique project with us. Check out more completed projects here !

    Sources: 1

    Windows, Shutters and Doors, OH My!

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    The topic on windows, shutters and doors can be long and confusing, here are the basics.

    Windows
    There are many different style and varieties of windows, below you see an illustration of the most common styles.

    • Single or double-hung windows slide open vertically. A single-hung window’s top pane is fixed, while the bottom pane opens upward. On a double-hung window, both panes open and close. These are the most common.
    • Sliding windows are attached at the top and bottom. They slide open and closed horizontally.
    • Casement windows are hinged on their sides and swing open like a door. The usually have a crank handle that opens and closes them.
    • Awning or hopper windows swing open and closed vertically. Awning windows are hinged at the top, while hopper windows are hinged at the bottom.
    Bay Window
    Bow Window
    • Bay or bow windows protrude out from the wall of your home, giving the feeling of a more spacious room. They can be made up of almost any window type and combination.
    French Windows
    • French windows are large door-sized windows with lattice light, typically set in pairs.

    Shutters

    Shutter Styles

    Exterior window shutters  were originally designed for light control, privacy and protection from the elements. Nowadays they serve a decorative purpose, easily adding pops of color to homes.

    Doors
    Similar to windows, doors come in many styles and variations, here are the most commonly found door styles.

    Custom Doors – We designed this door for a clients home, and the manufacturer, Pinecrest liked it so much it that it is now available in the Pinecrest catalog.

    
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    Entryways

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    You have been told that the first impression is the most important. How about the first impression when you enter your home… what is it saying to visitors? Is it showcasing your individual style while welcoming your guests?

     

    Lanterns

    Entry Table Styling
    A few good things to remember to include when designing an entryway are:
    • Mirror
    • Key catch-all
    • Storage
    • Personality
    • Coat rack- if no closet

     

    Seating
    One of the most important things many people forget about in their entryway is seating. Seating is important to assure that there is a comfortable spot to remove shoes,especially for children and the older generations. A bench may also double as additional storage, which is certainly an added bonus!

     

    Sources: 1/  2 /3

    Architectural Detail- Columns

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    Columns not only offer support to a dwelling, they can be a great architectural detail as well. Depending on the style of architecture they can range from hand carved deep mahogany to sleek and ultra modern.

    Natural

    Arts and Crafts

    Traditional

    Mid Century

    Corinthian

    Italian Renaissance Revival
    Minnis714024

    Transitional
    Contemporary
    Source: 1/  2/ 3/ 4/ 5 /6

    Featured Designer- Lisa Ball

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    The featured designer of October is Lisa Ball of Design by Lisa.  Lisa’s idea of successful design is more than following a formula, it is about helping to create a home that reflects not only good design but reflects her clients as well.

    Share your background
    I grew up as an “Army Brat” and lived in many different places before coming to Minnesota, which I now consider “home.” I worked as a Flight Attendant for Northwest Airlines for many years and worked in interior design at the same time until I decided to retire from the airlines in 2000 and devote myself to interior design full time. I worked at William Beson Interior Design until 2005 when I opened my own studio.
       If you could live anywhere  in the world, where would it be and why
    The only place outside of the country that I would consider moving to is Australia. There is a fun, adventurous spirit among the people there that fascinates me…and the weather is wonderful.
    Describe your dream home
    Inviting,interesting,colorful

    What are your hobbies
    Cooking, travel, entertaining


     Five things you can’t live without
    Great conversation, laughter , new experiences, friends and family.
    What are your favorite local shops and restaurants
    112 Eatery, Hunt and Gather, Sparks

     Describe one of your favorite projects (location, client, and overall aesthetic )
    I worked with clients who have a beautiful home on the bluffs. The house was quite contemporary and the clients wanted to keep the contemporary feel, but almost all of the finishes in the house were white and the clients wanted to maintain the contemporary feel but bring in some warmth.  I think that we were able to maintain the best features of the house and give it the warm, updated feeling that the clients wanted.
    Master bedroom- before and after
    Master Bath- before and after
     

     Kitchen- before and after

    Wine Cellar- before and after

    Who is your favorite artist and/or furniture designer
    I love the work of David Hicks because I think that it was ground breaking and it has stood the test of time. Current designers that I admire include Thomas O’Brien and Bobby McAlpine.
    What is your favorite room in your home, why?
    My Sun Room is the most comfortable room in my house (I am fixing up a 1960’s rambler and this is also the only room that is finished!)

     Fill in the blank, No room would be complete without…
    Books and pictures

    Do you have “go to” paint colors, if so which ones
    Benjamin Moore White Dove, Lennox Tan, and Timothy Straw are three colors that I go to often.
    Thank you Lisa, you can see more of her work here!