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CommentsWoodland Wonder
Nostalgic style meets luxury living
By Holly Dolezelak
Photo by Jon Huelskamp, Landmark Photography
The village green, the side entry, the carriage house—all symbols of a time past, when life was slower and towns were smaller. This 5,067-square-foot Minnetonka home captures a slice of that era, starting with the covered front porch that faces the green, the centerpiece of this quiet neighborhood.
Keith Waters, president of Keith Waters & Associates, Inc. created a retreat from the corporate world for a busy client—a successful business owner whose children are grown. Located less than a half mile from Lake Minnetonka, the home feels as if it’s suspended in the middle of a forest.
The open living space of the main level is defined by stone pillars and floor-to-ceiling windows, which overlook a pond and natural wetlands. Brazilian teak floors complement the pillars and fireplace, both of which are faced with the same blue-, gray-, and copper-toned natural stone that clads the exterior of the house. The 12-foot-long fireplace is topped by an artisan-made, bronzed metal mantel that adds a dash of contemporary distinction.
The open kitchen is the heart of the main-level space. A backsplash of natural stone tile and stained poplar cabinets make for a light, airy space that complements the casual yet elegant feel of the room. An 11-by-5-foot island offers work and seating space, while an informal dining area is surrounded by an expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows. The house contains no formal dining room, notes Waters. “More and more people are opting out of the formal dining room because they just don’t use it,” he says.
The alder-lined library just off the front entrance gives the homeowner a more private place to relax. Overlooking the porch and village green, the library features dark-stained alder cabinetry and millwork. A sculpture niche just outside the door lends the perfect touch of art and practicality.
Photo by Jon Huelskamp
Landmark Photography
The space is flexible, says project designer Kristene Heyer. “We included an elevator and roughed in pipes, so the room could be used as an office, a nanny’s apartment, a mother-in-law’s apartment—whatever life demands.”
Also on the upper level, a small anteroom introduces the owner’s suite, with a domed ceiling and chandelier, flanked by a sizable laundry room and walk-in closet. The bath features a stone tile double steam shower, a heated stone-tile floor, double sinks, and a jetted tub.
The owner’s bedroom is a microcosm of the whole house. A built-in knotty alder headboard and nightstands dominate the room. On the opposite wall, an off-white built-in provides a home for the media center. A large expanse of windows overlook the wetlands below, with none of the nearby homes in sight. Like the rest of the home, this space is a comfortable retreat that lends itself to work, play, and everything in between.
Holly Dolezalek is a Minneapolis freelance writer.
Click here to watch a video tour.
Builder
Keith Waters & Associates, Inc.
Home location
Minnetonka
Suppliers
Cityscape Painting
Granite-Tops
Guyer’s Builder Supply
Marvin Design Studio by Shaw
Stewart Lumber
Marvin Windows and Doors
Minneapolis Glass Company
Minnesota Standard Showplace, a division of SPS Companies, Inc.
11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
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