Home. Design. The Beauty of Both.
Summer is waning in the northern states and most people probably aren’t thinking about gardening. I’m fascinated by gardens any time of year. Here’s a post I found on designing garden transitions. If you have a patch of land, why not create a design that enhances it and provides you a beautiful view and a place to unwind, play, entertain, etc.
.
.
.
The other day I was at The Galleria shopping mall in Edina. As I strolled down the hallway, my attention was caught by a large, spherical fountain. I immediately went to see it up close. It was beautiful. It was located within/outside Lili Salon – Spa.
I asked Andrea, a massage therapist at the salon, about the fountain. She told me it was created by Allison Armour. I had suspected as much since I had written about her fountains and garden art some time ago. That post is titled Art in the Garden. It was such a pleasure to see her work in person.
If you’re equally enchanted by this sculpture and fountain (known as an Aqualens), make a point of stopping by to see it. Clever Lili Salon – Spa placed their doors so that the fountain remains outside the salon, allowing visitors to get an up close view any time. I didn’t have my camera to take a photo so here’s one from the original post I wrote about Allison’s work.
A lot of people find the holidays stressful. If you find yourself in need of pampering, perhaps an appointment for services at Lili Salon – Spa will bring needed relief.
Lili Salon – Spa
3464 Galleria
Edina MN 55436
952-935-5000
salonlili.com
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!
###
.
Now that 2011 is fully in the books, it’s important to discern which market segments performed well and which encountered additional challenges. This not only sheds light on consumer behavior, but also provides a preliminary look at what 2012 might have in store. For the 12-month period spanning January 2011 through December 2011, Pending Sales in the Twin Cities region were up 10.8 percent overall. The price range with the largest gain in sales was the $120,000 and Below range, where they increased 51.6 percent.
The overall Median Sales Price was down 11.7 percent to $150,000. The property type with the smallest price decline was the Single-Family segment, where prices decreased 9.7 percent to $167,000. The price range that tended to sell the quickest was the $190,001 to $250,000 range at 141 days; the price range that tended to sell the slowest was the $1,000,001 and Above range at 292 days.
Market-wide, inventory levels were down 28.6 percent. The property type that lost the least inventory was the Single-Family segment, where it decreased 25.9 percent. That amounts to 0.0 months supply for Single- Family homes and 6.3 months supply for Condos.
As reported by the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors.
~~~
.
February 16-19, 2012
St. Paul River Centre
$2 Off Coupon for the Home and Patio Show
If you’re planning to make some changes to your home or gardens this year, here’s an opportunity to get ideas and “how to” information. Hundreds of exhibits and displays will be placed throughout the three levels of the River Centre. Home improvement seminars will be presented by the Home Depot Pros. Topics include:
Do-It-Yourself Tile Installation: Ceramic, Porcelain and Stone
Do-It-Yourself Installing Pre-Finished Laminate and Hardwood Flooring
Do-It-Yourself Light Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Landscape Lighting
Do-It-Yourself Toilet Installation and Repairs
Painting Tips and Techniques
.
Looking to spruce up the landscape and garden? The Minnesota State Horticultural Society is sponsoring the garden seminars. Topics include:
Container Gardening for the Balcony, Deck or Patio
Small Space Vegetable Gardening – Jennifer Porwit, Master Gardener
2011: Oh, What a Year! – Bobby Jensen, KARE 11 and The Lawn Ranger
Ornamental Grasses – Susan Oven, Master Gardener
Crafting Cool & Creative Containers – Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener
Organic Gardening – Mark Armstead, Linder’s Garden Center and Greenhouse
Master Gardeners will be available on Saturday and Sunday to answer questions. Looking for bulbs? Check out the bulb sale each day.
Thursday Noon – 9 P.M.
Friday Noon – 9 P.M.
Saturday 10 A.M. – 9 P.M.
Sunday 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.
$9.00 adults;
$2.50 children 6 to 12
5 and under free
More information on the Minnesota Home and Patio Show
Directions to the River Centre
~~~
.
It’s been beautifully foggy for a few days this week. No sunshine though. I miss the sun. This photo reminds me of sunny, colorful days.
If your home is beginning to feel a bit dull and uninspired, try adding color. It can be as simple as pillows, artwork, a rug, towels, or the like. Use your imagination. Find something you love. Sometimes small changes make a big difference.
~~~
.
As a Realtor, I am always looking at homes as I walk and drive and bike around town. I usually look beyond the basic facade. What else is there to see? What details does the home have? What is the landscaping like? What colors have been utilized? Is the front yard gated off or open to the street?
The foliage here created a window to the side yard. And here was the view.
~~~
Sunny Spaces Inside
Beautiful Gardens Outside
List price: $144,900
Sale price: $139,300
This property is sold and no longer available for showings.
Detailed wrought iron fencing provides picturesque structure to yard.
Living room with wood floor and crown molding.
Sun room with windows on three sides. Use as an office, guest bedroom, or den.
Formal dining room with two windows, wood floor, and crown molding.
Kitchen has granite counter tops and checkerboard flooring.
Exposed brick in one corner of the kitchen.
Informal dining space in the kitchen. Note the two windows!
Large bedroom accommodates an upholstered chair. Note the three windows.
Very nice walk-in closet with organizers in main bedroom!
Stained and leaded-glass architectural detailing in bath.
Upper level space is currently used as an art studio.
The front yard has perennials and raised beds for annuals.
Close to the river and the walking/biking paths!
Map of area–click to enlarge
This one-bedroom plus den home is a “not so big house” in terms of size but has plenty of style and charm! It’s located just a block from Grand Avenue and is within close proximity to three private colleges/universities. Other features include a screened porch, main floor laundry, a single garage, and central air conditioning.
Walk Score = 85 / Very Walkable
Read about the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.
For additional information and to arrange a showing, call, text or email:
Ellen Walsh
612.220.3304
emwalsh@cbburnet.com
Kate Walsh
612.220.3309
info@designhouse9.com
Coldwell Banker Burnet
Minneapolis MN 55416
~~~
.
This property is now pending and is no longer available for showings.
This charming cottage is coming on the market later this week. The home is set back from the street for greater privacy. The front and side yards have beautiful perennial gardens and raised beds for annuals and herbs. This home is within walking distance to the river, Grand Avenue shops and restaurants, Macalester College, and the University of St. Thomas.
One Bedroom + Sun Room, Office or 2nd Bedroom
Living Room
Formal Dining Room
Eat-in Kitchen
Upper Level Loft/Studio
Screened Porch
Hardwood Floors
Garage
Central Air
Walk Score = 85 / Very Walkable
Read about the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood.
Call or email us if you’d like more information. A more complete post, with additional photos, will be posted here later this week.
Ellen Walsh
emwalsh@cbburnet.com
612.220.3304
Kate Walsh
info@designhouse9.com
612.220.3309
Coldwell Banker Burnet
~~~
Happy Birthday to my June 16th birthday gal!
Hope your day is a beautiful as you and these peonies.
~~~
See more photos and learn more about the Minneapolis Farmers Market:
It’s Not All Food at the Farmers Market
~~~
April 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
It’s the 24th Annual Home Tour in the Twin Cities. The tour is an opportunity to see numerous interesting remodeling and expansion projects in homes throughout the two cities. It’s also an opportunity to get a sense of various neighborhoods.
Homeowners are the focus of this tour and have been since the beginning twenty-four years ago. Owners often choose to remodel their current homes because they wish to stay in the neighborhoods they’ve come to love.
The tour features homes with the following renovation projects:
All tours are free and self-guided. Visitors will be requested to remove their shoes so slip-on shoes are a good choice. Shoe coverings will also be provided for visitors with special needs.
MSP Home Tour Website and Information
A List of the homes on the Home Tour
Frequently Asked Questions about the Home Tour
~~~
Photos featured in this post are not of homes in the Home Tour.
~~~
.
This charming scene enhances the side of a commercial building in Excelsior, Minnesota.
It beautifies the area and provides unexpected pleasure to passers-by.
~~~
The Irvine Park Historic District is a wonderful place to take an architectural walk.
Read more about the Irvine Park neighborhood and see photos of other homes.
~~~
.
Soon we’ll be able to enjoy sitting outdoors again. Would you like a view like this?
~~~
Ready for a respite from winter? Check out the Home and Garden Show this week. There will be plenty to see and do. Click on the link below to get all the details.
Minneapolis Convention Center
March 2-6, 2011
More information about the Minneapolis Home and Garden Show
Save $3 off an Adult Ticket when you purchase it online here.
~~~
.
Photography is one of my passions and, as such, I have hundreds of pictures. The other day I was looking through some of them and came upon this one. I love the rustic fence juxtaposed against the new path. I took this photo on a late fall afternoon when the days are shortening and the light is waning.
I considered tweaking the photo with image editing software but opted to leave it as taken. It’s perhaps a bit dark yet still appealing. It’s one of those moments a photographer hopes to capture, when the light is between day and night, offering a surreal quality to the image and scene.
~~~
DesignHouse9