Arden hills regeneration

Mitlyng Design Team: Ashley Mitlyng, Katie Loecken, Mary Begley

Photography: Half Acre House

Contractor: Yanz Builders

RE-FoCUSED ON THE Family

Built in 1969, the original floorplan remained largely untouched. A unique layout with all public spaces on the main level and all private family spaces on the lower, walkout level. As built, the 2,000 square foot main level consisted of formal rooms: entry (since converted to a sunroom), dining, and living spaces, as well as an informal spaces: entry, family room, dining, and kitchen.

Gone are the days of formal entertaining for most families, these redundant living and dining spaces are re-envisioned as a main level primary suite. The former entry sunroom is transformed into a nursery, which is now adjacent to the primary bedroom. By swapping the sliding exterior doors for a large picture window (salvaged from the kitchen) and installing double pocket doors, the room is private for its current use as a nursery yet can easily convert to an office in the future.

The primary suite is where the formal living and dining rooms used to be. Now the west wing of the house contains all the family bedrooms. The entry to the primary bedroom is located off a sitting room with a spiral stair to the lower-level bedrooms. A vestibule connects the primary bedroom to the primary bath and closet, allowing one spouse to get ready for the day while the other remains asleep. By retaining the original brick wall from the backside of the fireplace, the primary bath feels warm and timeless. The original windows in the former dining room remain; now frosted and tempered, they add a diffused spa-like daylighting to the elegant soaker tub and walk-in shower.  

The singular entrance to the main living area is redesigned to accommodate both guests and family members. The east stair is relocated from a dark corner to the front entry bringing light and grandeur to the space. Formerly, when walking through the front door you would be confronted by a row of closets in a dark hallway. Now you are greeted by the open stair and slat wall. The walnut slats screen the great room yet allow sunlight through.

The large open concept great room is composed of the Living, Dining, and Kitchen. Once located in the triangular corner of the house, the kitchen is reconfigured into a more efficient “L”-shaped layout, including a corner pantry and a central island. The close proximity to the deck and yard allows for modern entertaining.

At the opposite end of the great room, across the dining table, is the living space featuring the hard-working hearth. The homeowners loved the original Chicago brick fireplace, but it was visually heavy & provided no storage. The brick was carefully salvaged and re-installed as the new fireplace surround, flanked by built-in walnut cabinets and bookshelves. As an extension of the hearth, a bar is incorporated. This small entertaining zone, opposing the kitchen, serves as a bookend to the space.

What was formerly a floorplan full of outdated, redundant spaces is now a carefully appointed great room and primary suite for a modern way of living. This home now serves the growing needs of a young family from newborn life to aging in place. A truly forever home.

The success of this project is due to the large involvement of the homeowner in carefully selecting the interior finishes and furniture. The aesthetic of the home is a collection of pieces that play on the original modern 1969 design juxtaposed with the homeowner’s love for antiques.  The finishes collaborate with the Architecture in elements like the structural slat wall, and the gracious amount of carefully designed cabinetry and built ins. It was an honor to  work side by side with the homeowners to help make their dreams a reality for their family!

Press:

• Star Tribune, 04.28.2023: 2023 Home of the Month Announcement

• Star Tribune, 01.13.2024: Home of the Month Article
  

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