MODERN RUSTIC

Sometimes a spectacular landscape guides every step of a building process. That’s exactly what happened when a southern Minnesota couple and their three children first stepped onto the sandy shores of an almost untouched parcel of land in greater Minnesota.

“The first time we were there, our family fell in love with the amazing sandy beach,” says the male homeowner. We felt like we were at the ocean! The beach really sold it.”

The landscape wowed Amy Dirkes, too. The couple hired the architect and studio lead of Nor-Son Custom Builders, based in Baxter, MN, to design their dream home. The beach immediately became the centerpiece of the project. “It was as if you were transported to the New England coast and this big, sandy beach with natural grasses,” Dirkes enthuses while remembering visiting the home’s plot the first time. “It was really a breathtaking piece of land. We wanted to maintain the unobstructed views of the lake and the beach area in the design by utilizing large windows. We also aimed to capture that same feeling when you’re standing inside the house as when you’re standing on the beach.”

The couple had owned a cabin in southern Minnesota and their kids had grown up going to their grandparents’ lake cottage, so they were all well acquainted with lake life. But this home needed to be different, and not just because the beach and the lot were exceptionally striking.

The couple wanted a house where they could work remotely now, but also enjoy many summers after they retire. They needed comfortable living space for their immediate family and guests, but also plenty of room to grow, as their adult children have families of their own.

Dirkes’ first challenge was to coordinate an old and a new living space. This project actually began with a remodel of an existing structure on the property that the homeowners nicknamed the “little yellow cabin.” Dirkes converted the classic cottage into a guest house. Its distinctive yellow siding now provides a pop of color in the new beachfront entry and laundry space.

Dirkes needed to also make sure that the two cabins complemented each other. The homeowners also wanted to make sure that both structures worked in harmony with the landscape and the neighborhood.

“They were very conscious of their surroundings and wanted to build in the context of neighboring cabins,” says Dirkes. “They wanted to make sure that the scale was relative to everything around it. They were very sentimental about the property and we tried to bring that into the design. This is a home that has a lot of detail and character in it.” As design ideas continued, Dirkes blended several components that the couple loved into a unique design. The homeowners liked the sleek, streamlined look of mid-century modern buildings and wanted the space to feel homey, welcoming, and appropriate to Minnesota lakes country. They also wanted to showcase natural materials like wood and stone. Prairie style design elements of wide overhangs, low-pitched roofs and natural wood bridged the gaps between these influences. The resulting home feels contemporary, while radiating a sense of warmth and comfort.

The home includes five bedrooms and five en suite bathrooms, as well as two additional powder baths in strategic locations. There’s also a screened porch that’s a favorite with family and guests, a garage and workspace, and a bunkroom that can sleep a crowd.

The inside of the house expands upon the exterior’s modern rustic aesthetic. It weaves natural elements together to blur the boundaries between outside and inside. The great room fireplace is an excellent example.

“Nor-Son helped us with the fireplace design,” explains the male homeowner. “We had seen one that we liked but didn’t want to replicate it exactly. We wanted it to be asymmetric and with both stone and metal. The stone on the fireplace is the same stone that’s on the exterior of the home.”

The couple worked with Chariot Customs in Brainerd, MN to create a custom metal color and finish. They added shiplap behind the television for a touch of extra texture. This emphasis on natural materials and metallic textures continues throughout the home, as there are rustic wood walls in the master bedroom and office and a set of distinctly unique sinks in the master bath.

“These sinks are made from actual rocks,” explains the female homeowner, who guided most of the home’s design decisions. “They are each one-of-a-kind. Those sinks tie into the pebble tile under the bathtub and create a great look.”

The couple wanted every living space to feel grounded in the landscape outside, so they emphasized organic shapes and natural textures. Their kitchen holds two of the boldest design choices. “The kitchen island countertop is our favorite, and nearly everyone comments on it and loves it,” says the female homeowner. “It is mostly white and neutrals, but with a surprise peek of purple if you look closely. It looks like small rocks or pebbles and almost has the appearance of a flowing river.”

The female homeowner found many of the home’s eye-catching light fixtures at Southern Lights in Burnsville, MN and the lights above the kitchen island were a favorite find.

“I searched and searched to find the right thing for this space in the house where everyone gathers,” she says. “We needed pendants above the large island that provided adequate lighting downward, but that also created interest above. When I found these, I knew they were special and just the right choice. To me, they look like stones and glass and ice, parts of nature, and perfect for a place at the lake.”

The main floor contains everything the couple needs, so it will remain accessible as they grow older. This level includes the master suite, a sunlit great room, the kitchen, and dining room. A second guest suite is located on the opposite end of the home from the master, plus there are two mudrooms. A home office is connected to the master suite so the couple can work remotely.

The first mudroom is off the garage. The second is the aforementioned laundry room and beach entry that contains the siding from the original cabin of the property. It’s situated on the side of the house near the lakefront and provides access to the exterior. “We wanted a place where everyone could come in from the lake without coming into the great room or the main area of the cabin to keep things cleaner and keep the sand out,” explains the female homeowner. “In fact, we did not even put a door in the great room. We did put a door into the kitchen, as of course we need a place to easily get out to the deck. In our landscaping, we chose some beautiful shale flagstones that create a path from the beach all the way to the beach mudroom to encourage/remind everyone to use that door if they are wet or have sand on their feet.”

These careful design choices do a fine job of directing traffic and minimizing the sand and dirt inside the main living space. The couple also requested two more key features that really minimize mess.

“There is also an outdoor shower by the beach mudroom door,” adds the female homeowner. “Then, as you enter that mudroom, we chose to put a tiny room with a toilet, so if anyone has to go to the bathroom from the beach, they don’t track all through the house.”

Beach towels visible in a custom-built towel compartment add a pop of cheerful color to the beach mudroom and also serve an important purpose. Another built-in houses everything the family needs for lakeside fun.

“There is a large cabinet right by that door that we designed to be big enough to put coolers to take on the boat and in the smaller drawers and cabinets, a place for all beach necessities: sunscreen, things for the firepit (like marshmallow roasters), plastic glasses, etc.,” continues this thoughtful wife and mother who has anticipated every need. “The laundry area is also in this

room so beach towels can go right in the dryer and not lay around wet. It’s such a fun, colorful, functional space.”

Exciting choices abound upstairs as well. An entertainment room and sleeping spaces provide a flexible zone that’s perfect for hosting guests.

“Our three kids’ bedrooms are up there,” explains the female homeowner. “And in addition, this is an extra hangout space with room for a game table and a large TV. We also have two unique queen size sleeping nooks in there that are super cool and provide additional sleeping space.” “This entertainment room is a great space for old and young alike, with games, cards, TV, and a place to watch movies,” adds the male homeowner. “We have a sink, beverage fridge, and dishwasher in the space so we don’t have to go back and forth to the kitchen downstairs. Behind a barn door within that entertainment room is a small exercise room that helps us stay in shape at times when we can’t or don’t want to exercise outside and when we are away from our health club routine at home.”

A small room tucked behind a barn door at the top of the stairs is another clever and useful touch. The family calls it the reading nook, but it has additional purpose. “It’s tiny, but it is one of our favorite rooms, hands down,” says the female homeowner. “I was inspired to have something like this because we wanted a fun and special space to read to our grandchildren as that phase of life approaches. One wall is covered with books and other fun things that make it a happy spot for all. It is also an unbelievable nap spot, we have discovered! And, it also provides one more sleeping spot when we have a large groups of overnight guests.”

This is a home set up for indoor and outdoor fun. There are several spots to watch sporting events, plenty of room for yard games, and a big fire pit for evening campfires.

Nor-Son Custom Builders | BUILDER

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“We have many rooms set up to encourage games; board games and cribbage, especially,” explains the female homeowner. “The sunroom is the cribbage hub. There’s almost always a game or two of cribbage going on in there!”

A different kind of competition takes place at the front of the house. While the wife planned most of the interior spaces, the husband focused on choosing the electronics and creating a clean, dry garage space with an epoxy floor and heater so he’d have room for his hobbies. He also crafted a very special driveway.

“I designed the layout of the driveway so that it could accommodate a pickleball court,” he explains. “My wife and I then stenciled pickleball court lines on the driveway. This has been a huge hit for our family, our friends and our kids’ friends as well.”

This modern rustic home is already a haven for friends and family and all will be making memories along these sandy shores for generations to come. L&H