MSP Home Tour Features Plymouth Remodel, New Design Ideas
Inside Jennifer Robinson’s newly remodeled Plymouth home, you’ll find thoughtfully chosen colors and space redesigned with a purpose.
“My house gives me a feeling of zen,” said Robinson. “It is wide open, colorful, bright, sunny, full of functional storage space.”
But it wasn’t always that way.
A wall had divided the kitchen. A dropped ceiling added to the closed-in feeling. It was also dark. So dark in fact that Robinson’s sister felt sorry for her.
“My sister actually showed up one Christmas, asked for my Target card and bought me a whole bunch of lamps,” Robinson recalled.
That has all changed.
“So now the ceiling is elevated with all these beautiful can lights,” pointed Robinson. “It’s completely open and functional.”
Featured as home No. 16 on the MSP Home Tour, Robinson worked with Mackmiller Design + Build on the remodel. Knowing she wanted a redesign, Robinson put in a bid at a silent auction school fundraiser. Her entry turned out the winner. The design team proved to be a good match.
“Working with both an architect and interior designer is worth its weight in gold,” said Robinson about her experience.
A wall previously divided the kitchen and the dining space.
‘Ask the hard questions’
Starting a remodel can feel intimidating at first. Beatrice Owen, executive director with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Minnesota, recommends getting at least three bids and making sure you feel comfortable with your contractor.
“Ask the hard questions,” said Owen. “Be prepared to work with your contractor, remodeler and be specific about how much it’s going to cost, how long it’s going to take.”
Owen says home tours like this one are a great way to gather ideas. It’s also a way to meet the people doing the work.
“One of the beauties of this particular tour is it’s different from all the others because as our tagline says it’s real homes, real people, real ideas.”
For Robinson, those ideas became a complete home remodel.
“I consider this my retirement home. I plan to be here for the next 20 years,” she said.
In addition to her kitchen, the bathroom and basement also received an extensive renovation.
“The bedroom bath upstairs, completely peaceful,” said Robinson.
Wanting to avoid any signs of clutter, Robinson put in custom cabinets throughout the house using JC Cabinets. For her closets she used Elfa storage from The Container Store.
“I have an outlet inside the [bathroom] drawer, so you can charge your toothbrush.”
Robinson said the thought that went into those little things made the difference.
“At the conclusion of the remodeling project, I feel like I’ve received exceptional value.”
Decorative lighting provides the ‘jewelry’ to Robinson’s redesign.
MSP Home Tour Details
The MSP Home Tour runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twenty-six homes are open for a free, self-guided tour.
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