‘It’s Amazing’: Remodeled Golden Valley Home Part of MSP Home Tour

For Justin Anderson and Courtney Pickel, hosting is where their heart is. Having a kitchen and a living space to do that was a must.

But hosting in their 1946 Golden Valley home wasn’t easy when they moved in two years ago. Their kitchen was blocked by a wall and cut off from the rest of the house.

“We had like a windowless room beforehand,” said Pickel.

“It was tiny before. Me and Courtney could cook together but nobody else could be in the kitchen while we were cooking,” said Anderson.

After only a couple months in their home, they dove in and selected a contractor.

“We decided we were just going to do the kitchen now and not wait a couple years because that was our original plan,” said Pickel.

The couple chose Minneapolis-based Sawhill Custom Kitchens and Design for the remodel. Everything from the walls, to the floors and to the appliances was redone. They also worked with a designer to work in custom touches, such as using handpainted Delft tiles from the Netherlands for a kitchen backsplash or Big Chill appliances modeled after the La Cornue brand.

Courtney Pickel points out the Delft tiles that were part of the kitchen remodel.

Modern features were included too such as installing a retractable downdraft vent system for cooking instead of an island range hood to increase viewing space.  

The entire process took about eight months.

“It was so smooth. I’m sure there were a lot more headaches than we even knew about,” smiled Pickel.

The previous kitchen did not offer a view to the outside.

‘Can We Actually Do This?’

For homeowners contemplating a remodel, the MSP Home Tour put on by NARI of Minnesota is designed to inspire ideas. It’s also a way to see what’s possible.

“At a house that’s maybe similar to their house and they’re struggling with trying to figure out ‘can we actually do this? Can we actually do a kitchen and make it look this?’ We live in a really small house, and we’re able to show that,” said Matt Cook, president of Sawhill Custom Kitchens and Design. “So it gives a lot of people hope.”

Cook said every remodeling project comes with hiccups, including the Golden Valley renovation.

“We had some nerve-racking moments where we weren’t sure if things were going to show up when they were supposed to,” said Cook.

Those moments are reminders of why it’s important to build a relationship with a contractor to know the project will come through in the end.

Cook said his company tries not to do a “one-shot-fits-all” approach to meet homeowners where they’re at. He also said projects like this are especially satisfying.

“There’s always a vision and a dream for a project, and it’s so rewarding to see it all come true,” said Cook.

MSP Home Tour & Launch of ‘City Stories’

The MSP Home Tour will run May 2-3 and feature nearly two dozen homes.

“Our homes are fully ranging the gamut from a beautiful pastoral Minnetonka house, which is fantastic and a new addition, all the way to condos in the North Loop and Loring Green,” said Nona Beining with NARI of Minnesota.

The home tour will start in conjunction with a new event to explore architecture, history and design.

“City Stories,” put on by NARI of NARI of Minnesota and the nonprofit Rethos, will offer the opportunity to explore places that have shaped the Twin Cities region — from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. The event, held May 2-10, includes walking and home tours, as well as talks curated in partnership with local heritage, cultural and design organizations.

More details: msphometour.com/msp-home-tour-new-chapter-city-stories/

Also see Plan for $850K-plus Homes Approved for Maple Grove Neighborhood

Golden Valley | Plymouth