Adding Personality While Playing It Safe

There's no trend like an interior trend, and while it always seems like the right choice to stick to the straight and narrow when it comes to design, we've dubbed this year as the year for bold interiors (but done only with sophistication.) We're all about adding personality to a space (wallpapers, prints, and rich accents), and playing it safe with some of the more permanent design elements (cabinetry, backsplashes, counter tops.) Here's a few ways to support that approach:

Calla Lily available in both hand-painted and printed wallpaper designed bysheshe for Wit & Delight using Sherwin Williams. Photo sourced from byesheshe.

Wallpaper - Most might see bold wallpaper as a risky interior move, but if…

Everyone knows timing is everything. Increasingly, fall is emerging as the best time to buy a house. There have been more than 32 million home sales since 2000 and it’s been found that buyers get the very best price in October. Rule of thumb that everyone seems to be familiar with though, is that Spring is typically the notorious time to buy a home. And while history has always seemed to favor that scenario, it seems that autumn has undeniable factors that just may contribute to the timing of your big purchase. The best time to buy a home is when market conditions are preferable, competition is low, and interest rates are on the decline. Here are a few expert insights as to why you should consider possibly investing in real estate this time of year.

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Most of us have long been anticipating the opening of the new Restoration Hardware Flagship store at Edina’s Southdale Center after their delay earlier this year. 58,000 square feet on 2 acres of land gives us a space that is sure to stun. RH, the upscale American home furnishing store has been known for their gallery concept and high-end classical show rooms that have fed us inspiration and left us swooning over the years. Tufted sofas, brass fixtures, and everything that shines. This place is truly the epitome of exquisite design. 


The third floor is home to a full-service dramatic roof-top restaurant managed by Laurel Elm, formerly of both Saint Dinette and La Belle Vie. With towering lush trees, natural light…

Looking to have some fun this fall? Explore Minnesota put together an incredible list with 10 things to do in the fall --my personal favorite? Visiting an apple orchard and then stopping by a brewery or a winery for some local drinks and delicious food! 

Here are a few other ideas for you to check out:

 Twin Cities Oktoberfest 

Held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on October 4th and 5th, the "family-friendly festivities feature authentic German food, live music, traditional German dancing, great people watching, festival games and shopping". 

Find more information on the Twin Cities Oktoberfest here!

The Abandoned Hayride

Located in Chaska, The Abandoned Hayride opens up on October 4th and runs through the first week…

 

Our agent Dan Schneider and his husband Paul are a dynamic duo -- Dan holds the real estate license, Paul is a contractor and together, they offer their clients an immense amount of experience when it comes to renovating, rehabbing and even staging homes for the market. 

One day in passing, Dan casually showed me this 'flip' they did years ago and I nearly fell over when I saw the change. Talk about curb appeal! I love everything about this custom reno -- and asked Dan to share some insight into what went into this impressive project.

 

A little insight from Dan on this project:

The sellers were concerned about potential hassles that might occur during the selling process and wanted the process to be as easy as possible. While it…

I think it is safe to say most people in real estate love home design. So when this listing popped up in my timeline, I knew I had to share it.

Frank Lloyd Wright became a cultural icon for his unique design style so it makes sense that those architects who worked under him also gained some traction for their connection to the legend. 

Built in 1994, this home boasts nearly 4300 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths and was designed by an apprentice who worked under Wright. What caught my attention was the amount of natural light in every room. Wouldn't want to clean those windows but my goodness, do they make for a picturesque view! 

 

Check out the full listing here!

Photos courtesy Keller Williams Classic Realty NW 

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Star Tribune reporter Kim Palmer's article this weekend had people talking.

The headline? What do Twin Cities millennial home buyers want? Not what boomers are selling.

Millions of millennials (the generation born between 1981 and 1996) are entering prime home-buying age, creating an intense demand for starter homes in popular urban neighborhoods. At the same time, millions of baby boomers are trying to downsize from the homes where they raised their families, creating a supply of big suburban homes.

But tastes and lifestyles have shifted in the decades since many of those homes were built. Today, buyers of all ages — but especially millennials — tend to prefer smaller, more modern-style houses in walkable neighborhoods near urban…

Agents, take note! This closing gift is a major winner! 

When Dan came to me and told me his idea of throwing a housewarming party for his client as a closing gift, my first thought was -- holy cow, this guy gets it!

Dan had worked with Carrie* (not her name) for years, selling her home last year and helping her land her dream home this spring. They have the kind of relationship agents dream of so it made sense that Dan and his husband Paul would do something very personal for Carrie’s closing gift.

If you know Dan and Paul, you know it makes total sense that they would get excited about throwing a party. I mean, they are the life of the party! And they love hosting. So getting to do something special for their client -- i.e. throwing her an…

Things To Do: July 20th

Minnehaha Falls Art Fair

Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis

10am to 5pm

(Photo Credit: Minnehaha Falls Art Fair)

Event Info: Celebrate dozens of local artists at the 1st annual Minnehaha Falls Art Fair.  Peruse a wide variety of mediums including paintings, ceramics, textiles, screen-printing, woodworking, photography, and more. 

Visit their website for information on vendors, food and parking.

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International Festival of Burnsville

Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville

3pm to 9pm

(Photo credit: City of Burnsville & Sue Lund Photography)

Event Info: Burnsville is a city that truly values & celebrates cultural diversity! During this event guests…

Don’t have a green thumb? Or maybe you don’t have space in your yard for a garden? Don’t worry. If you want to load up your fridge with beautiful fruits and veggies grown locally here in Minnesota, there are so many wonderful farmers’ markets in the Twin Cities to check out.

In The East Metro? Start Your Weekend at the Saint Paul Farmers’ Market

Located in Lowertown Saint Paul near CHS Field, this is a must stop on the weekends (open Saturdays, May 4 - October 26, 7am-1pm & Sundays, May 5 - October 27, 8am-1pm).

But what I didn’t know is that they have other satellite locations open during the week! And the list is long. Check it out here. 

Vendor to check out? Golden Fig 

Work in Downtown Minneapolis? Fill Up On Fresh Produce at…