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With rising interest rates, supply chain challenges and limited inventory, it’s not necessarily easy to buy, build or remodel right now.
Still, for the price of a ticket ($30-$5), people can check out the latest trends in home design — and meet local builders and remodelers who are up for meeting those challenges — in the upcoming Artisan Home Tour.
The ninth annual tour is produced by Housing First Minnesota, a trade association for residential builders, remodelers, developers and building industry suppliers; it is also the organization behind the Parade of Homes.
Some of the proceeds from this tour will benefit the organization’s Housing First Minnesota Foundation, a nonprofit that builds and remodels transitional housing for Minnesotans in need.
The 2022 Artisan Home Tour opens on Friday (June 10) and runs on weekends through June 26. This year, the tour features 17 new homes; the final weekend, June 24-26, will also highlight six remodeled homes.
“What’s so fun about the Artisan Home Tour is that each of these homes is so thoughtfully created and custom crafted that you’ll see more bold choices, more unique features and truly one-of-a-kind details in each home,” says Katie Elfstrom, spokesperson for Housing First Minnesota, in an email to the Pioneer Press.
“Some of the unique features you can find in this year’s tour is a full bar entertainment area located right in the main living area, a main floor library with a hidden room behind a bookshelf, a hunting game room, a 1,400 bottle wine cellar with a ceiling made of the homeowner’s personal collection of wine crates, an outdoor loggia to a pool, as well as an arcade and movie theater. Not to mention, many of the homes feature lakeside living and pools.”
Here are five other highlights from this year’s tour:
“Japandi” trend
Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics — think of it as an uncluttered nod to nature. A modern rambler in Medina, no. 1 on the tour, was inspired by the design principles of Japandi. The builder, Swanson Homes, incorporated elements such as white oak cabinetry with frosted glass doors, Asian-inspired wallcoverings and a large paper lantern fixture.
Remote work
A lake-style home on Tanager Bay in Orono could be a distracting place to work, as close as it is to Lake Minnetonka; still, home no. 5 by Stonewood has embraced the reality of remote work with a main-level home office that includes a fireplace and an adjacent balcony. A coffee break could be enjoyed on the patio, which is surrounded by retractable “Phantom Screens.” In addition to the lake, there’s also a pool, hot tub and outdoor lounge.
Remodeled barn
A remodeled home in Prior Lake — available to tour June 24 to 26 — includes a former horse barn that is now a game room featuring a golf simulator as well as classic arcade games. More practically, the space, no. 18 on the tour by Highmark Builders, also has a remodeled kitchen and bathroom.
Beyond gray
Instead of opting for the popular palette of gray and white, this remodeled home in Arden Hills — available to tour June 24 to 26 — leans into the classic cabin vibe with its warm hues and rustic features. Its amenities are not rustic, however: Have you heard of a “support kitchen? This place, no. 19 on the tour by Michels Homes, has a newly organized main-level floor plan that made room for a new “support kitchen space” with a second refrigerator and food pantry. Be sure to also check out the hammered copper range hood, hickory wood floors and reclaimed ceiling beams.
Rooftop room
A modern home, newly constructed, has a rooftop entertainment space overlooking Bde Maka Ska (previously known as Lake Calhoun). Located in Minneapolis, no. 9 on the tour by Sustainable 9 Design has a third level with a full bar leading to the rooftop outdoor space. That spot has a fire pit, hot tub and outdoor cooking station — all with views of the lake and the skyline of downtown Minneapolis.
2022 ARTISAN HOME TOUR BY PARADE OF HOMES
- What: Over three weekends in June, the public can tour 17 newly constructed homes located across the Twin Cities (sorry, none in St. Paul); in addition, six remodeled homes will be open the final weekend of the tour.
- When: Noon to 6 p.m. June 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26. Six high-end remodeled homes will be open the final weekend only, June 24-26.
- Admission: An all-access ticket ($30-$20) or a single-visit ticket ($5) is required for entry into the homes.
- Info: More tour and ticket info at ArtisanHomeTour.org.