Featured Project
Mendota Heights Renovation
Project: Kitchen, Butler’s Pantry, Primary Suite
Location: Mendota Heights, MN
Architectural Style: 1969 home with a French mansard roof
Clients: young family who loves their old home
Team Effort: Tusk Builders, Merri City, Paskar Woodworking, Dakota County Lumber
This 1969 home had a ton of character. Walking into the kitchen felt like stumbling into an old English pub—blue hex tile floors, a matching blue brick backsplash, dark V-groove cabinetry with exposed hinges, wood-beamed ceilings. Our clients appreciated the charm, but it just wasn't them. The primary suite had its own issues, too—carpet in the bathroom, an awkward layout and none of the privacy or luxury they were after.
Their goals were a kitchen that flowed better and reflected their style, and a luxurious primary suite with better privacy and a new closet to match. They had a strong design aesthetic and were willing to invest in the things that mattered most—cabinetry, finishes, thoughtful details. Working with Merri City on design and Paskar Woodworking on cabinetry, we helped them create a plan and make smart calls to maximize their budget.
The finished spaces are stunning—with a timeless quality that feels as if they always belonged in the home.
Highlights from this Mendota Heights kitchen renovation:
The original blue hex tile floor in the kitchen was too good to touch—so we built everything new around it. All-new custom inset cabinetry, new appliances, and new pantries in the hallway and alongside the fridge that add a ton of storage.
We rebuilt the original red oak hutch and fitted it with a copper sink and an automatic hot water dispenser. (The clients are big tea drinkers.)
The primary bathroom was a full gut. New marble floors, a dedicated soaking tub room and a large custom closet turned what was a carpeted, oddly laid-out space into a luxurious private retreat.
This project was our first with Dakota County Lumber, who supplied all the lumber and millwork. They’re a women-owned and operated company and were a joy to work with from start to finish.
photography by Mira Visual Media
styling by Merri City
