They Fell in Love…

And Then They Bought It

My sister and I were working with a lovely newly wedded couple to find them a home. We looked at homes in Saint Paul. We looked in Minneapolis. We looked along the river front. And then this home came on the market. Initially, the only photo on the MLS was of the front exterior. I told them it was either ugly and dated inside or the listing agents were planning professional photos to be taken.  It turned out they were having professional photos taken of the interiors.

We went to see it right away. The couple knew they had found something special that first time through. My sister and I have worked with many buyers who have walked into homes and known immediately it was the home for them.

The home had been owned by the sellers for over forty years. The prior owners had also lived in this home for decades. Both of the previous owners had been newly wedded couples when they first moved in to this home. This is what I call great predecessor history. It bodes well for this couple’s future happiness.

The next day we went back with an architect to get some ideas and cost information for remodeling the kitchen. The architect confirmed they had great space to work with.

They made their offer, and after some pretty painless negotiation, the contract was signed and delivered. They secured an amazing 2.75% mortgage rate. The closing took place at the end of July. They love their new home.

I can’t wait to see their new kitchen!

The home has a great screened porch!

And a private, double lot with mature trees and perennial gardens.

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Ready to buy or sell a home? Call the sister team.
We’d love to help you move forward.

Ellen and Kate Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Fall 2012 Parade of Homes

Parade of Homes (New Homes)
September 8-30

Remodelers Showcase
September 28-30

Homes open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 6pm

There are very few new homes on the Parade this year compared with other years. There are far more remodels. This is not surprising given the real estate marketplace of late.

We’re featuring these two St. Paul remodels because we recently had clients close on their new home in St. Paul and they plan to do some remodeling. They are seeking to make the new space blend and match the original period of the house. This is always a good way to approach a remodel and addition; big differences in the feel of spaces will hurt sellers when it comes time to sell.

839 Osceola Avenue, St. Paul

Here is a description of this project from the Parade of Homes website: “This kitchen and bath remodel in a historically significant house in Saint Paul’s Summit Hill neighborhood illustrates how to remodel the heart of a house without losing its soul. Next Level Renovation, with designer David Heide, replaced the 1980’s kitchen in this 1890 residence with a space that features period sensibilities and the latest amenities. The original house was designed by Cass Gilbert, the turn-of-the-twentieth-century architect, notable for his classic homes and other buildings, including the State Capitol in Saint Paul.”

683 Portland Avenue, St. Paul

From the description on the Parade of Homes website: “Come and see how the convenience of a modern kitchen blends seamlessly with a stately home in the historic Summit Avenue neighborhood of St. Paul. The three-story addition also provides an art studio, main-floor laundry/mud room, and a cozy wine cellar with tasting room. In collaboration with architect David Herreid, McDonald Remodeling proves again that you can have it all: character, style, and convenience in your existing home!”

Contact us for more information if you are considering a remodel or an addition and would like to discuss keeping your home and design as salable as possible. Visiting the Remodelers Showcase homes is a good way to meet remodelers and see their work in person.

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Kate and Ellen Walsh
Coldwell Banker Burnet
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com

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Modern Style in the Big Apple

An Award-Winning Design:
New York Penthouse Apartment with Rooftop Garden

I love this New York penthouse apartment. It’s open, full of light, and opens to a rooftop garden. Numerous green and sustainable components were used in this renovation. The lines are clean and linear and yet there is a sculptural aspect to the space as well. This is an excellent example of why it pays to hire an architect for renovations, a remodel and new build jobs. If you get a good architect, you just can’t go wrong.

Hmm, I have to take that last statement back. I’ve seen some homes “designed” by architects where the owners actually dictated more of the design than the architect. The relationship between owner and architect is certainly a collaborative one; however, owners with no design sense are better off leaving key design decisions to the professional. Note the adjective “good” used above to describe which architect to hire.

If I lived in New York City I would want a rooftop garden.

What do you think of this apartment? Would you want to live here? Are you a fan of modern architecture? Read more and see more photos at the websites listed below.

Awards include:

Interior Design Best of Year 2008 Eco-Residential Winner
AIA NY State Award of Excellence 2009

Learn more about the architect: JoelSandersArchitect.com.
All photos from JoelSandersArchitect.com

Read more about this award-winning design at Architizer.com

More photos, and text if you can read French: Un Green Penthouse  It appears the rooftop also has an outdoor shower. Très amusement!

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Reinventing Your Home–Architect Review

American Institute of Architects | Minnesota
Reinventing Your Home Event

Wednesday, March 21, 2012
International Market Square, Suite 185
5:30pm–7:30pm

At “Reinventing Your Home,” you’ll have an opportunity to talk to architects about your remodeling project. Five architects will hold a panel discussion to explore how to make a home livable for the long-term. They’ll also take questions from the audience, and judging from last year, will field queries about green building, how to get the most bang for the buck and hiring an architect. Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 at the door (appetizers included).

For more information and to register: AIA Minnesota website

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Whitney’s Home

A Feng Shui Perspective

A friend recently sent me a post about Whitney Houston’s home in New Jersey being for sale. I looked at the photos and had my usual REALTOR® curiosity about the house. I loved this stained-glass wall that appears to separate the foyer from the living room. The color and “movement” of the design reminds me of music–quite appropriate for the amazing musical talent that Whitney was.

Here’s a photo of what appears to be the living room, complete with circular skylight (wow!) and a curving wall of windows. Note also the clerestory to the right along the upper wall. The natural light in this space must be splendid.

The property reportedly has just over five acres of land. Here’s a view of the grounds. There are many trees, offering both beauty and tranquility. No doubt Whitney enjoyed many wonderful moments at this home and in her life despite her struggles.

Her modern home is said to be quite different from the other homes in Mendham Township. Most of the homes there are reportedly classic estates, historical homes, and farmhouses. As a REALTOR®,  I’ve seen modern homes sell very quickly when they are done exceptionally well or designed by a well-known architect such as Ralph Rapson. If they aren’t stunning, they can linger on the market due to feeling cold, having odd floor plans, having awkward and/or poorly proportioned rooms, etc.

I located some aerial photos of the property. There is a large pool, a tennis court, and a walking path. Here’s a link to a photo of the pool with her initials set in the bottom:

Photo of Whitney Houston’s Pool at her New Jersey estate

Unfortunately, the design has a helter-skelter aspect; It does not have the natural flow and orderliness of a rectangular or square house that would be beneficial. From a Feng Shui perspective, this home has a number of challenges due to what is known as “missing areas”. These “missing areas” symbolize missing areas of the bagua (a map placed over a floor plan and used in Feng Shui consultations), thus weakening these areas of life for the occupants. Anyone living in this home would benefit from making Feng Shui adjustments to either energetically or physically “fill in” the missing pieces.

The layout of this house may well explain Whitney’s addiction issues and subsequent problems with finances, relationships, and the decline of her magnificent singing voice which could no longer produce the perfect pitch and beautiful tonality it once did.

As I continued looking at the home from various angles, I noticed the heart-shaped portion of the house. It would be interesting to know what part of the house this occupies. The kitchen (often referred to as the heart of the home)? The main bedroom? No matter. From all I’ve read and seen, Whitney had a heart as big as her voice.

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This home is not currently listed on the MLS. Find more information here:

CarProperty.com

Here’s an article about a homeowner who hired Ralph Rapson to renovate her home in the Rolling Green neighborhood of Edina, Minnesota:

One Rapson Rhapsody

RapsonArchitects.com

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Evening of Architecture and Design

Good Design Makes All the Difference

Some home owners are opting to stay in their homes and renovate and improve their homes rather than move. The Star Tribune/AIA “Evening of Architecture and Design” takes place on Wednesday, March 16th and offers people the chance to talk with local architects about their home and ideas. The evening includes a panel discussion titled “Designed to Stay, “ about ways to remake your home to work for the way you live today and for the long-term. You’ll also see the winners of the “Home of the Month” contest. Here’s more information:

The All-Star Panel:

The event will feature panelists Christine Albertsson, AIA, Albertsson Hansen Architects; Eric Odor, AIA, SALA Architects, John Gavin Dwyer, AIA, John Gavin Dwyer Architect and Dennis Wedlick, AIA, Dennis Wedlick Architects, New York. Architectural critic Linda Mack will be moderating the event.

Event Details:

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
5:30: Visit the AIA Minnesota office and view all of the Home of the Month entries, then enjoy a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres in Studio 185, just across the hall from the AIA Minnesota office.
6:00: Presentation of Home of the Month winning entries
6:15-7:00: Panel discussion
7:15: Q & A

Location:

International Market Square
275 Market Street, Suite 54
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405
Registration at the AIA Minnesota office, Suite 54
Program next-door in Studio 185

Deadline to register is March 16, 2011 at noon.

Register for the Evening of Architecture and Design Event here at the AIA Minnesota website or call 612-338-6763.