While gatherings of family and friends may look a little different during this time of COVID-19, many homeowners have designed their homes with hosting and entertainment in mind.
Home 14, “Prairie Connection,” features plenty of space to frequently entertain extended family alongside its sweeping prairie views. For these homeowners, a focus on family, entertainment, and connection to the landscape was the winning combination.
The large kitchen island is perfect for gatherings, while a two-sided fireplace defines distinct sitting areas—one for watching television and another for conversation with family and guests. The basement, designed for watching movies and playing ping-pong and featuring a tunnel that leads to a plywood-clad indoor sport court, is the perfect hangout zone for teenagers.
The empty-nester homeowners of Home 7, “Modern Dellwood Transformation,” faced a challenge with their newly acquired 1980s builder home. Large family gatherings are central to the homeowners’ identity. With four bedrooms and 2 ½ baths, the home had all the space the couple sought for large get-togethers, but felt disjointed, lacked flow, and featured poor lighting and minimal views of the outdoors. Their goal was to create spaces that enhanced family gatherings and allowed activities to flow from one space to another.
Adding a small amount of extra square footage and reconfiguring the kitchen spaces allowed the addition of a large dining space that would provide the open flow from kitchen to dining and living spaces. The new kitchen is modern and expansive enough for baking cookies with the grandkids while many hands prepare meals. A large covered front porch provides ample room to greet guests, and outdoor entertainment areas by the pool and gazebo create space for summer fun and winter respite.
Tickets to the 13th annual Homes by Architects Tour go on sale August 10. Learn more at homesbyarchitects.org.
The 2020 Tour is supported by Pella Windows & Doors, White Oaks Savanna, Spacecrafting, Andersen Windows, Brooke Voss Design, DOM Interiors, Fritz Cabinetry, Frost Cabinets, Hagstrom Builder, InUnison Design, Kolbe Gallery Twin Cities, Martha Dayton Design, North Elevation, Otto Painting Design, Redpath Constable Interior Design, Redstone Architectural Homes, Showcase Renovations, Streeter Custom Builder, Synergy Products, and Welch Forsman Associates.
