We recently had the opportunity to remodel a 1956 two-story, walkout home in Edina. The homeowners, whom we have had the pleasure of working with many times in the past, asked us to make their home more accommodating for their now multigenerational family. Their goal was to create a bright and relaxing entertainment space appropriate for the adults, with a nearby play structure for the grandchildren.

We started on the home’s main floor. The family’s existing living room had an outdated fireplace mantel and surround, dated carpeting and white paint on the walls. Their floor plan also left something to be desired – the family’s office wasn’t adequately separated from the living room, making it difficult to use both spaces simultaneously. To punch up their space and make the lower level more multi-use, we removed the pass-through that separated the office and living room and framed a new wall in its place, eliminating the noise that had previously passed through to the office. We also installed a new fireplace face complete with a glass subway tile surround, replaced the existing carpet with natural maple hardwood floors, and repainted the walls with a bright and updated color.

On the lower level we reworked the family’s exercise space to better accommodate their equipment. We began by removing a wall and expanding the space. We also replaced the carpet with wood floors, repainted, and installed a wall-hanging widescreen television to enjoy while working out.

We also rearranged the basement to better serve the family’s multiple needs. Before the renovation, the basement had a hallway to the old exercise room and two closets for storage with a play area to the right of the existing fireplace. To better accommodate new needs, we removed one closet completely to give the basement more living area, remodeled the single existing closet to have a more functional storage area and converted the play area into a bar, complete with a wine cooler, microwave, sink, granite countertops, and maple cabinets. We installed new recess can lighting in the family room and pendant lights above the new bar area. But don’t worry – we didn’t leave the kids hanging. We also made a new and improved play area for the grandchildren!

We were so pleased with the overall outcome and, happily, our clients were as well!The family has since reported that their remodel resulted in a home the whole family loves! In their newly reorganized basement they are able to entertain the adults while at the same time provide a place for the grandchildren to play. A happy homeowner makes for a happy home remodeler!