Organic Conversion

This owner’s bathroom went from lackluster to wow in Lori Jo Krengel’s hands. Working within the construction restrictions of a Minneapolis high-rise condominium, she kept the vanity and toilet in place, and replaced the tub with a walk-in shower. Modern clean lines contrast with the deep, organic hues of the stone and wood to give the new bath its masculine, yet sleek aesthetic. Lori Jo Krengel 

Sunnyside Up

Can’t you just see yourself enjoying a cup of tea in this cheery Minneapolis kitchen? We could. Designer Susan Palmquist added more than bright white cabinets, subway tiles, and green granite counters. She improved the room’s flow and added new windows in the dinette cove to center the table and flood it with natural light. Compared with the dingy, disorganized room it replaced, this remodeled kitchen is truly transformed. Susan Palmquist

Serene Scene

Everyone, even a newlywed, appreciates personal space. This includes a couple in St. Paul that asked Paul Knutson to create more elbowroom in their compact 1939 bath. The compact, flat-topped sink and toilet provide additional surface areas. Italian wall tiles with vertical accents add height, while mirrored cabinet doors project light and spaciousness. A glass-block window over the new soaking tub invites dappled, natural light into the space. The result is streamlined and spa-like. Paul Knutson

Belle Kitchen

This project turned a 100-year-old basement into a lower-level entertainment area. To make the space inviting, the designer integrated glazed cherry throughout, including an “entrance” of clad archways and glass built-ins. A simple kitchenette allows guests to help themselves and supports a nearby outdoor kitchen and patio. Tricia Bayer

Swapping Success

Rebecca Lindquist preserved the best of this 1917 owners’ bathroom, new Carrera marble-topped vanity, with cheery glass knobs and polished chrome finishes. An under-utilized linen closet was replaced with more period-style custom built-ins. Lindquist did away with the uninspired shower for a marble steam version with partial glass walls, and added classic mosaic tiles in a windmill pattern to the floor. Underneath, luxurious in-floor radiant heat more than compensates for the missing radiator. Rebecca Lindquist

Mastery in the Mix

For Lynne Stryker, designing this vibrant kitchen was like reconfiguring puzzle pieces to create a smarter, more beautiful fit. Tucked at the back of a lovely Art Deco-inspired home, the old kitchen was terribly cramped. A lively mix of materials, including chunky stainless steel shelving and frosted-glass cabinet doors, keeps things interesting. Horizontal elements in the upper cabinets, sleek hardware, and a mesmerizing blue glass-tile backsplash add glossy movement and a linear effect to the room. Lynne Stryker

White Magic

Very homeowner deserves a kitchen that prompts a smile. But with multiple doorways, minimal lighting, and outdated cabinetry, this Minneapolis kitchen mostly evoked traffic headaches. Several minor yet effective changes allowed Susan Palmquist to conquer the homeowner’s lengthy wish list. By eliminating a doorway and relocating a broom closet, she increased kitchen space and streamlined movement through the room. The white-on-white color scheme also provides a clean visual canvas for the owner, a budding artist and designer. Red appliances and accents give her kitchen its bold strokes. Says the homeowner with a smile, “I love my new kitchen!”Susan Palmquist

Suitably Stunning

To accomplish this, Carol Sadowsky removed the wall between the kitchen and informal dining room/family room to create a single welcoming space. Eliminating the built-in television area and changing access to the lower level allowed for continuous countertops and generous appliances, including a 48-inch dual fuel range. Sadowsky also removed unused desk space and relocated the kitchen sink to its original position under the exterior window. Dark granite counters, nickel fixtures, and a large stainless steel hood add sheen while wood floors provide a warm finish. Quaint beadboard accents, a white subway-patterned back-splash, and a new apron sink complete the vintage look. Carol Sadowsky

Modern Merger

Kristy Conlin created a contemporary kitchen in Minnetonka that’s now greater than the sum of its parts. The old kitchen, an adjacent office, and a built-in buffet were combined to form a gleaming galley-style kitchen with seemingly endless counter and cabinet space. Sliding glass doors on one end flood the room with light and offer access to the manicured gardens and outdoor entertaining spaces. Streamlined cabinets, back-lit glass cabinet doors, and honey-colored wood floors soften the kitchen’s spare aesthetic. An aluminum pantry, tambour cabinet, and large island with prep sink and informal seating are among the new amenities. Visual contrast gets a kick from thin and thick horizontal lines, light and dark tones, and matte and shiny materials. Kristy Conlin

Expanded Elegance

The previous kitchen lacked function and space, and was inconsistent with the home’s elegant interiors.Carol Sadowsky used an existing foundation beneath the home’s exterior back stairs to expand the kitchen slightly. The home’s exterior back stairs to expand the kitchen slightly. Removing the soffits and relocating the cooktop made room for a large island with storage and table-style seating. A carved hood and sophisticated backsplash form the hearth—and heart—of this tasteful kitchen. Carol Sadowsky