Once There Were Castles

The holiday season is quickly approaching. The gift that is on our minds is the book Once There Were Castles. In this book Larry Millet brings back to life the lost mansions of the Twin Cities. Once There Were Castles presents ninety lost mansions and estates, organized by neighborhood and illustrated with photographs and drawings. An absorbing read for Twin Cities residents and a crucial addition to the body of work on the region’s history, Once There Were Castles brings these “ghost mansions” back to life.

Once There Were Castles is a wonderful holiday gift that will be treasured for a lifetime. The books author Larry Millet has spoken several times at Castle Building & Remodeling’s show rooms. Larry is one of our favorite architectural historians in the region. This book is perfect for a history buff or someone that appreciates beautiful homes or is considering building a 45,000 square foot estate.

Come into any Castle Building & Remodeling show rooms and pick up a copy today for only $39.95 or search online for Once There Were Castles.
big

Castle Home Tour H9 Provides Insight on Custom Tile

By removing walls and making structural changes, the refrigerator, cooktop/oven, and sink could finally be in the same room! A wet bar was installed near the existing sink location, which is now part of the breakfast nook/mudroom. The two original doors to the dining room were kept in place allowing for the circular flow and traditional symmetry. The custom backsplash tiles above the cooktop influenced the color scheme. Meanwhile, flat panel cabinets from Ikea and Granite countertops were installed throughout. Finally, a powder room was added off the breakfast nook / mudroom.

H9: 3309 Aldrich Ave S

H9: 3309 Aldrich Ave S

This home features a beautiful custom back splash above the range with tile from Clay Squared. Two of the tiles were hand-painted to the homeowner’s request and make this space truly theirs.

H9: 3309 Aldrich Ave S

Custom tiled backsplash by Clay Squared

When you visit this home not only will you learn all about tile but you will also have the opportunity to win custom tile house numbers from Clay Squared. This is a great way to add a personal touch to the exterior of your home from a great local shop! Check out their website to see examples.

 

H8: 5408 Colfax Ave S

While this South Minneapolis home may be tiny on the outside, homeowners were hoping to make a big impact with their new kitchen without an addition. To alleviate the small and cramped feeling, a wall was removed to create an open layout between the kitchen and dining room. The homeowners also decided to use french doors leading to the backyard to allow for natural light and the feeling of the outdoors being inside. Aesthetically the new kitchen makes a statement by using bold red tile, paired with more classic hardware, cabinetry and countertops. In the end, the homeowners will have a more functional space they will enjoy for years.

Davenport Rendering

While you won’t be able to see all the cosmetic changes you will be able to see what it looks like when a Kitchen is mid-progress. The educational feature The Castle Process is a good way to learn about our warranties, process, and phases of a typical Kitchen remodel. You can also enter to win a new Progress Lighting Flush Mount Light provided by Castle Building & Remodeling.

 

When visiting this home you will also be able to explore the beautiful landscaping, completed by Field Outdoor Landscaping. This home was looking for fantastic curb appeal that could emphasize the sloped front yard in an appealing way. Talk to landscaping experts and get your landscaping project questions for the fall answered!

close up

Close up of front yard

H7: 4327 Abbot Ave S

This 1950 South Minneapolis rambler was ready to be opened up to create a more spacious dining experience. The original wall seperating a bedroom next to a closed off kitchen was removed, doubling the overall size and allowing for a shared
kitchen and dining room. A raised bar, cabinetry and range connect the new dining space to the kitchen allowing for entertainment and cooking to happen in one central location. To remain on budget, selections were made with a budget conscious mind. The end result is an affordable fabulous new kitchen to be enjoyed for years to come.

H7: 4327 Abbott Ave S

H7: 4327 Abbott Ave S

 

We know planning your remodel can be a huge burden – especially financially. When you visit H7 you will be able to learn more about the costs of typical kitchen remodeling costs and learn about alternative options to help save costs. We understand it can take years to both financially save up and plan your remodel so visit this house to help you through the process.

H7: 4327 Abbott Ave S

H7: 4327 Abbott Ave S

 

Visit this home for a chance to win some fabulous PartyLite products – with fall around the corner it’s a perfect time to add warmth to the home!

PartyLite

H6: 3843 Beard Ave S

Usually we buy houses in any condition, but this entire home needed a lot of attention, both inside and outside. In addition to plaster repairs, refinished flooring and painting in every room of the house, the kitchen was gutted and entirely remodeled. The old doorway between the kitchen and dining room was enlarged to become a spacious archway, visually connecting the kitchen to the main living areas of the main floor. Custom cabinetry, granite countertops, a glass tile backsplash and new applianses retain the charm of the home while bringing the overall look into the 21st Century.

H6: 2843 Beard Ave S

H6: 2843 Beard Ave S

When you visit this home you will have the opportunity to talk with the host not only about the home and it’s project but also the featured conversation about Choosing the Right Flooring for your home. There are so many options both aesthetically and financially so it can be hard to get the best of both worlds. Talk to us and learn about your options and how you can get the flooring of your dreams.

H6: 3843 Beard Ave S

H6: 3843 Beard Ave S

 

Finally, don’t forget to stop by this home to increase your chances to win a Piccolo Restaurant Gift Card provided by Mary Taylor / Alerus Mortgage [image coming soon!]

In the meantime visit our Home Tour website to see all the great projects on tour this year.