Hollywood Regency Meets Art Deco, A Modern Minnetonka Condo Makeover

Before

The overall layout of this Minnetonka condo unit was perfectly functional and almost ideally suited to meet the homeowners’ needs. It had spaces that provided the same use and experiences of their previous home, such as a porch spot for views outside, a guest room, and multiple living spaces. The homeowners liked the size of the rooms – not too big, not too small – and they appreciated the open layout.

The outdated style, however, did not match their personal aesthetic, and they knew it would never feel or function like home. While much of the unit was bright and cheery, other parts were dark, including the entire primary bathroom. There was poor use of space in the kitchen, with an oddly-shaped island leaving behind wasted square footage that could instead be filled with function.The decor was bold and big, but not an aesthetic that felt like them or would ever bring them joy to come home to.

Primary Remodeling Needs

• Create a modern and luxurious feel 
• A fun aesthetic to match their tastes
• A large, functional bar 
• Brighter spaces, more light
• A better layout for entertaining 
• Modern function
• The ability to set moods with unique and striking lighting
• A whole-home audio system
• A remodeling project that didn’t involve gutting the entire space and redoing the layout. (ie, keep the windows and structural components kept the same)

After The Condo Remodel

These homeowners love their condo’s new look and function! They enjoy returning home to it every day, as well as entertaining family and friends. Their newly designed home is perfect for a relaxing night in watching a movie, enjoying a cup of morning coffee while admiring the view of some of Minnesota’s beautiful wetlands, or hosting an after-work cocktail hour. 

The Design Solutions

• To achieve the new look, the overall layout of the condo was not changed, but specific items and functions that made it feel dated were removed or updated.
• A small dining room area off the front entrance was converted into a full bar, mimicking the set-up from their old house which they enjoyed so much.
• The arch at the kitchen pass-through was straightened out, and molding from the top of the columns and wallpaper were removed. Flooring, tile, and fixtures were all replaced.
• Existing shelves and cabinetry were used, but they were enameled and updated with new hardware, lighting, and glass to bring them up-to-date. 
• The only major floor plan changes to the entire condo were the relayout and redesign of the primary bathroom, as well as transforming the dining room space into a full bar. 
• The condo was transformed into an entirely new space, and done so without any large structural changes or needing to battle condo association rules and regulations.

Design Highlights

The Kitchen

The kitchen space in this condo was completely redesigned to meet both the homeowner’s functional needs as well as aesthetic taste, and fun, custom features were added wherever possible to personalize it for them.

New Kitchen Design Highlights

• New, high functioning cabinetry with high-end finishes was added, creating a contemporary kitchen that is both high function and high design. 
• Ceiling heights were optimized, making the entire space feel larger and more open. 
• The shape of the kitchen island was changed, and a new, larger island was added, making better use of the space both functionally and aesthetically. 
• The beautiful, hand-picked, quartzite island top and the mirrored backsplash help make the space feel bright and luxurious. 
• Ample counter space and tons of cabinet space allow the homeowners to use the kitchen area to its full extent.

These homeowners adore their new kitchen, and now enjoy even full days of cooking and meal prep! The position of the island allows for easy viewing of the TV, plus whomever is cooking can still be connected to guests in the living room, hearth room and porch. Plus, they get to enjoy the gorgeous views outside their windows as they work. 

The Bathroom:

By eliminating odd angles, removing the built-in tub, and updating the dated finishes, the relayout of this primary bath turned it into a streamlined and contemporary bathroom that is bright and full of light. The new design incorporates a water closet with feature wallpaper, as well as a fully custom walk-in closet. 

The Fireplace:

The original 3-sided fireplace was resized and updated by raising it on a plinth and finishing it with porcelain tile.
The plinth was designed to allow guests to perch next to the fire, and the fireplace was raised, allowing it to be visible from all nearby spaces. A fireplace surround was designed and placed over the entire area, creating space for the homeowners to place a TV and display artwork. 

The Bar:

These homeowners were very passionate about creating a feature bar in the dining room to serve for both entertaining and personal use. Our team created a full bar that features a sink, two beverage refrigerators, an icemaker, a dishwasher, a custom metal bar shelving unit, quartzite countertops, and custom mirror walls. The waterfall backsplash at the pass-through to the kitchen, polished chrome dew drop light fixture (selected to mimic champagne bubbles or dew on grass), and striking stone mosaic with art deco motif create a showstopping entrance into the unit, fit for fun and style!

Windows and Lighting:

The lighting design included replacing dated fixtures, redirecting light, and a re-layout of the entire lighting plan. These homeowners wished to have lighting fixtures that would be unique art pieces, not just serve lighting function, so we sourced decorative lighting that fit the motif and be sure to make a statement.

Dimmable LED strips were placed underneath the sides of the bar, highlighting the tile and reflecting off mirrored surfaces to create a bright and fresh atmosphere.

Fearing that no access to natural light would keep the primary bathroom feeling dark and drab, we also included dimmable LED strips in the shower niche and made use of mirrors to reflect both natural and artificial light from throughout the home. Use of high polished light fixtures, stone, and tile help create a final new space that feels bright, fresh, and functional.

Additional mirrors were used throughout the entire condo to help bring in light. The homeowners love that when entertaining, the use of the mirrors within different areas makes it feel like everyone is together in the same space! They enjoy that no one ever feels left out of the party.

The homeowners find great joy in admiring the many new lighting fixtures, especially the hanging light in the hearth room that resembles stars in the sky at night, sputnik chandelier in the entryway, bedroom lighting that creates the effect of stars when catching the sunset, and various other lighting options and fun fixtures in the bar area. 

The Final Design

The final condo design includes other fun features such as:

• A wine bar in the living room with sink and  in-counter wine cooler, where guests can help themselves to beverages.
• An “art gallery” hallway to display favorite art pieces and treasured memories.
• A remodeled powder room off the entryway with an elegant, unique look – designed to be eye-catching from the other primary living spaces (due to having a prominent location and being visible upon both exit and entry to the home)
• An entryway that creates a grand entrance into the condo
• A cozy hearth room with views to the outside as well as other entertaining and lounging areas

The entire redesigned condo is a striking example of Hollywood Regency design, with refined and stylish touches of Art Deco throughout. The modern flair and elegant comfort of the new condo, now bright and fun, stylish and unique, perfectly fits the homeowners aesthetic, and every day they enjoy the fun new function and feel of their new spaces.