Two recent projects – one a St. Paul Dutch Colonial, and the other a St. Louis Park Mid-Century – shed some light on key strengths of House Dressing Company.  With two homes of different ages, very different styles, and two very different owners, these projects progressed in two very different ways. But, the end result in both cases were customers who were exceedingly happy with the results of the work, homes repurposed to work better for years to come, and beautifully renovated kitchens.

#1 St. Louis Park Mid-Century

Our work with Bonnie Ross and her mid-century home in St. Louis Park started via a referral from her realtor.  She purchased the handsome rambler as a smaller, easy-to-maintain, one-level home that would serve her comfortably in Minnesota as she entered her golden years.  The home had many great features and a great location, but also out-dated interiors and a kitchen in drastic need of updating. A renovation was in order. Determined to make the home livable, she forged ahead with the project and handed the keys to House Dressing Company who worked industriously – and autonomously – while she spent most of her time throughout the project out of state.

With just a few person-to-person meetings, most details of the project were communicated via phone, weekly, and color boards sent to her at important milestones in the project.  Despite the distance, the project went incredibly smooth.  Through their regular and thorough communication during each phase of the project Bonnie built explicit trust in the House Dressing Company and their design and finish recommendations.  House Dressing Company’s experience with various ages and styles of homes, plus their attention to details resulted in a fantastic updating of the home featuring a contemporary and very functional kitchen.

A Contemporary Kitchen

The kitchen, typical of many 1950′s homes, had aging linoleum flooring, a less-than-functional cabinet peninsula, smallish cabinets hanging from ceiling soffits, and a collection of appliances that were functional but less than attractive.  By removing an unwanted door to the small backyard and replacing three small closets with new cabinets, the once cramped space was opened up and copious amounts of countertop and cabinet space created.

An L-shaped banquette was created to create a breakfast nook and hardwood floors replaced the linoleum to match the rest of the main floor. Flush-faced, tobacco-stained cabinets of sustainable lyptus wood with lipped doors and spare use of anodized bronze pulls provide a decidedly contemporary look and a striking contrast to the white quartz composite countertops and travertine tile backsplash. New oven and cooktop with adjustable stainless hood, and integrated refrigerator and dishwasher further the sleek, contemporary style Bonnie desired.

Smart Reorganization

The kitchen wasn’t the only space needing updating. The main floor space shared by the master bath and guest bath was smartly reorganized in the project. The guest bath’s separate tub and shower were combined into a beautiful glass surround tub & shower and the entrance to the guest bath repositioned to allow enough room to add a hallway closet allowing the washer and dryer to move up from the basement. The master shower increased in size in the process, relic heating fixtures were replaced, and 24″ x 12″ wall tiles were smartly used in both bathrooms to compliment the contemporary vanities and light fixtures. CLICK HERE for our project gallery which includes Bonnie’s project.

#2 Saint Paul Colonial

Our work with Molly Barrett Gannon of St. Paul was altogether different in style and process.  While Bonnie Ross basically left us to our work, Molly came to us with an idea, collaborated with us on the design, and sourced many of the fixtures on her own. With her creativity and energy, and the experience and crew of House Dressing Company, the renovation succeeded to update the kitchen, rear-entry and basement of their 1914 Dutch Colonial home to suit the needs of their family of six – with four boys under 13.  CLICK HERE to watch Molly’s testimonial video highlighting her viewpoint on the project.

A 1914 Kitchen for the 21st Century

The existing kitchen, a once cutting-edge 1960′s design, had strange angles wrapping around the stairway to the basement, odd placement of appliances, and dated finishes. The rear entry had no closet space and no easy access to the basement.  The space had “flow issues” – imagine hockey bags, shoes, coats, all with no place to go at the back entry. Plus a kitchen from a different generation inhabiting her historic home.  Molly’s aim was to mimic in the new kitchen the style of the original red birch shellac cabinets that still hung in the pantry.  She wanted her new kitchen to not look like a 2010 kitchen, but one that matched the character of her Saint Paul home.

Many meetings with Molly took place in the 3′x6′ pantry space examining those original cabinets and fixtures.  After getting a good grasp of Molly’s vision, House Dressing Company went to work.  The solution developed for her home was both about style and function. As her boys grew, the rear entrance to the house became increasingly more important as the main entrance for the family and it needed to work better.  And, in the process, Molly wanted to make sure what was created fit her ideas of historic integrity and that items were re-used throughout the process whenever possible.  The collaboration was underway.

Molly’s vision for the kitchen was brought to life through the expertise of the House Dressing Company and their team.  Wood workers built the cabinets to mimic those in the pantry – including the lack of toe kick – and built the enclosure for the new refrigerator to match the hinges for which Molly did an exhausting search.  Salvage shops were scoured for legs for the farm sink, the pulls and knobs for the cabinets, light fixtures and the tall table island.  All of the modern conveniences were wrapped up in a decidedly historic space.

Grand Central Station

The renovation would entail a small but smart addition for the kitchen and new mudroom at the rear entry (250 sq. ft), plus a new bathroom and finishes in the basement. But, most importantly, in the process the stairway to the basement would be moved out of the kitchen and adjacent to the rear entry and hallway leading to the front of the house – allowing the kitchen to be “just the kitchen” and a new hallway the main thoroughfare through the house.  The new mud room and “sport room” became the resting spot for coats, shoes, boots, skates and bags, and the boys now had direct access to their new recreation spaces in the basement  – and vice versa – they had easier access to their backyard ice skating rink in the winter.

Reclaiming Usable Space

By moving the stairway to the basement, both the flow on the main floor and in the basement improved.  Direct access to the basement recreation spaces was created, and those spaces were opened up to maximize their usage.  The new, wide hardwood stairway connects the historic addition to the updated basement. New ceilings and light fixtures, new egress windows, and painted brick walls removed the dark, dank basement feel from the space.  The previous kitchen’s cabinets were relocated to the basement, the laundry has been improved with all plumbing now hidden, and the new basement bathroom caters even further to the needs of the family with a wall-hung urinal and drinking fountain just outside.  The space has truly become useable.  CLICK HERE for our project gallery which includes Molly’s project.

Two Stories – One Conclusion

While Bonnie and Molly had distinctly different plans for their homes, and each approached their projects in very different ways. Both would agree that their projects couldn’t have happened as smoothly without House Dressing Company.  Regardless of the client and their ambitions for their homes, House Dressing Company is flexible enough to work through any process.

This project is a great example of cost-conscious maximization and re-enlivening of a great home. Reusing, getting creative with stock components and just being smart about how things were done allowed all of the work completed, throughout four stories, to come in at just about $150/square foot.  For a job this size, we think that’s an incredible value. Feel free to contact us for more information about how we bill our jobs – you may be pleasantly surprised that unlike most general contractors out there our interior design services are included in the cost of our contracting work.

Historic Exteriors Handled With Care

To increase bedroom and office space, a 2nd story addition was added above the first level family room – where a flat roofed deck space existed previously. A new tile roof was added to match the existing, the chimney raised above the 3rd story, and the entire exterior of the home received a new coat of paint. Click through the images below to see the progression of the exteriors throughout the project.

Connecting the Kitchen & Living Room

The goal with the Kitchen and Living Room was to open up the space into the “family hub” of daily activity.  Family casual dining space, kitchen and living spaces were all reconnected by removing walls and widening openings.

Creating Usable Space for a Growing Family

The project reclaimed and repurposed a number of spaces to fit the needs of the growing Welsh family.  The existing house had no interior connection to the 2-car garage, nor did it have enough closet space at the existing rear entry.  The solution was to repurpose the existing maid’s quarters to become a generous mudroom and new rear entry with connection to the garage.  The lower level, while spacious, was made of many rooms with small openings. The reclaimed lower level spaces would have wider connections between rooms, wood laminate flooring, new cabinets, additional egress window and a new 3/4 bath.

Accommodating a New Home Office

Two offices were worked into the revised plan.  One is a new space built in the 2nd story addition, the other updated an existing office space once connected to the master sitting room.  To create a secured, private entry to this updated office, the main stairway was rerouted – closing off one branch with a new bookshelf, and creating a new branch leading to the office space.  In the process, a short stairway into the kitchen was filled in with pantry cupboards.

The Master Plan

The original master sitting room was replaced by an enlarged master closet and laundry. The master bathroom was enlarged to accommodate a whirlpool tub and a 2-sink vanity.

Room to Grow

The 2nd story addition created an additional bedroom, a new office, two new bathrooms and allowed an existing bedroom to enlarge – while replacing a Jack ‘n Jill 2-door bathroom with a private girl’s bath.

Details

Details are something we hold close to our hearts here at House Dressing Company.  From uncommon craftsmanship to creative trim combinations – and even creative reuse of original details – we think the details in a home bring out its true character.  Enjoy this collection of shots highlighting some of the smaller, but just-as-important details of this great project.

The Welsh’s prospective house in St. Paul was a charmer:  a classic and sturdy 1920′s two-story design with a clay tile roof, a beautiful yard and incredible views of the Mississippi and downtown Minneapolis.  The home had been well preserved by all of its previous owners.  The kitchen had been recently updated.  A family room and 3-season porch addition provided extra living space.  And, most interiors were in very good condition with handsome wood floors and trim work.  For the right family, the home was move-in-ready, and the location was just what the Welsh family was looking for.

But, the Welsh’s realized, beyond the beautifully-preserved finishes of the home, the house was built and still organized for a family that lived many generations ago, back when live-in maids and chauffeurs served the home-owners’ needs, and mud rooms, eat-in kitchens, 2nd story laundries and media and exercise rooms were not top-of-mind.

The Welsh’s knew this would be a perfect project for House Dressing Company who had worked with them on their previous home in Minneapolis – providing new legs and considerable value to their old house in the Kenwood neighborhood.  They knew House Dressing Company’s vision and experience working with historic homes could transform this new home into one that would truly work for the needs of their family – all while respecting the integrity of the home.  (To hear what Tim Welsh has to say about his experience with House Dressing Company, CLICK HERE.)

A Great Plan

Confident after visiting the home with House Dressing Company, and discussing the possibilities the home presented, the Welsh’s completed the purchase of the home and a series of meetings were scheduled to draft plans for the reincarnation of their new, old house. With project architect Lee Meyer, a set of distinct needs were identified:

• Enlarge the kitchen and open it up to the family room to create a “family hub” for daily activity
• Create a mudroom and new rear entry direct to the garage
• Add a bedroom, additional office and bathrooms to the 2nd floor
• Enlarge the master bedroom bathroom and closets
• Add a bath in the basement and create a media room and play room area

Here’s how the plans have developed and how work has progressed to-date.

First Floor

KITCHEN – The previous kitchen design was consistent with designs from early in the 20th century, with a small butler style door leading to the dining room – preventing guests from seeing the mess of the working kitchen. While the recent remodel of the kitchen was comfortable for the previous owners – with updated appliances and cabinetry, it was not quite large enough for the Welsh’s larger and younger family, and they preferred a more casual eat-in kitchen design that could be opened up to the family room and serve as the “hub” of family activity – a place for living, entertaining and homework as much as just cooking.

The redesign plan completely removed the wall between the kitchen and the existing formal dining room – creating a wide open kitchen and family dining space  in which the beautiful views of the Mississippi could now be enjoyed throughout.  A larger center island – more than double the size of the previous – would allow for both meal preparation and consumption, and additional pantry cabinets replacing an awkward short staircase added the storage space they needed. Combined with a wider opening to the large existing family room, and new cabinets and columns, the once-separate spaces would become one integrated living space.  The previous formal living room with fireplace would undergo simple refinishing and become the formal dining room in the new home.

Typical of early 20th century designs, the small butler-style door connected the kitchen to the dining room.

The new kitchen and family dining area will be one open space, with great views out the front of the house.

REAR ENTRANCE – The existing rear entrance to the home lacked the closet space the Welsh’s needed and was connected to the garage only via an outdoor covered walkway.  To enter the garage one would need to step out into the elements – not ideal for the modern family in Minnesota relying on their vehicles for commuting and transporting busy children to and from school and activities.

The redesign would repurpose what was once the maid’s quarters into what Lee Meyer refers to as “the mother of all mudrooms.”  A new indoor entrance area from the garage would lead to a generous boot bench and cubbie shelf area with additional cabinetry, a “to-go” counter, cell phone drop zone, and two new, spacious closets.  The existing powder room would be retained and refinished.

The previous maid’s quarters’ bathroom has been removed to make room for the new rear entry to/from the garage.

Second Floor

BEDROOMS – The previous design had a master bedroom with a 3/4 bath, sitting room, office, plus two bedrooms that shared a two-doored “Jack & Jill” bathroom.  Again, while this was a good fit for the previous owners, it was not quite enough space for the Welsh’s three young children, their overnight guests, and the office needs of Mr. & Mrs. Welsh – both professionals hoping for their own office spaces.

The redesigned second floor would take advantage of the space above the main floor family room and three-season porch (previously a flat roof deck) to replace the “Jack & Jill” bathroom, add another full bath, and add a bedroom and office.  Using the space of the former sitting room, the laundry would be relocated from the basement and multiple smaller closets unified into one generous master closet. The master bath would be enlarged to include a tub and the previous master bath vanity re-utilized in a new bathroom. Plus, the stairway would be re-routed and the existing office space would gain a private entrance.

The flat roof above the family room presented an ideal opportunity to enlarge the second floor.

The same view of the space above the family room, now roughed-in for a new bedroom, bath and office.

Basement

The basement, which was used for laundry, storage and as family and rec room spaces would also undergo significant updates.  The laundry would be moved to the 2nd floor.  A 3/4 bath would be added.  New cabinetry, a sink and “recycled” refrigerator from the original kitchen would be added into what would become a Play Room, and the family room would be wired for a state-of-the-art home theater and media system.  Doorways and openings between rooms would be enlarged to open up and integrate the somewhat dark spaces, and a “Dorothy Door” and stairway would be replaced by an egress window to increase safety and further increase daylight in the space.  All finishes and floors would be updated to reclaim the space and bring them up-to-date with the rest of the house.

The Process

On this project, House Dressing Company was able to work through the construction plans with the client while the previous owner prepared to move out, so that demolition and rough-in work could begin immediately following the close of the sale of the home.  The project is expected to complete within a five month timeline – with the Welsh family comfortably in their new home before Christmas.

The rear view of the home the day of closing.

Within just a few weeks, the rear facade of the home has undergone significant change with the addition above the family room.

Stay Tuned

We look forward to posting new in-progress shots and providing updates on other key components of the project as they progress -the clay tile roof, new built-in cabinetry, trim details, and how many materials from the original home are being re-used or recycled in the project are all worth a closer look.

We hope you enjoy seeing the work unfold and look forward to sharing the completed home both with it’s owners, the Welsh’s, and with you.  More to come.

House Dressing Company is proud to have been featured in the Spring 2009 edition of Mpls.St.Paul Home Magazine.  Editor Shawn Gilliam and photographer Stephanie Colgan visited us at our Interlachen project and captured a peek at the family ties that keep us all in the remodeling business we love – and some of the interior details that make this home a real gem.

Here’s the story:

From Mpls.St.Paul Home Magazine, Spring 2009

Albums and magazines fill the shelves of Camilla and Terry Hughes’ Edina home office with nearly three decades’ worth of personal notes, project photos, and plans.  The couple ponder over the pages, noting the “interesting bungalow” on Kenilworth Place, the “classic colonial” on Franklin, the “great Victorian” on Irving.

This timeline of renovation “befores” and “afters” goes back 27 years, when the couple decided to leave their jobs (Terry worked in graphic design, Camilla was with a women’s apparel line) and started something new. “We wanted to find a way to work together and be with the kids more,” Terry says.

What began with renovating a home near Lake Calhoun became their work–and way of life.  ”Every time we’d finish a house, we’d get excited about the next one,” Terry says.  ”Each house was a graduate course.  Living through the renovations ourselves gave us a little bit of a different perspective than when you do it for someone else.”

Renovating their own homes also gave the couple the opportunity to work with their sons, Tim and Terry Jr. “I was in about the fourth grade when they dropped out of what they were doing and started building houses,” Tim says.  ”I always thought it was neat my folks were around and weren’t typical nine-to-fivers, even though we lived in some pretty precarious situations.”

Nonetheless, the number of renovations grew, as did the couple’s reputation for quality work.  As full-time house “flippers,” long before the term came into popular use–and with it, the stigma sometimes associated with fixing up homes for quick profit–they did eight of their own homes before agreeing to take on jobs for others. “Getting to know the people, that’s our favorite part of the process,” Camilla says of working for clients. “It’s so rewarding to help them figure out their views for the future and how their houses might fit for their families.”

Collaborating with Lee Meyer Architects of St. Paul and a family of subcontractors, the couple’s work has drawn attention from local and national publications, landing some 20 articles in such magazines as Better Homes and Gardens, Renovation Style, Old Home Renovation, and Mpls.St.Paul.

Terry and Camilla recently wrapped up what they call a California cottage in Edina that features butted-board paneling (where boards in various widths are butted together in random patterns) and “millwork details more typical of an older city home,” Terry says.  It’s the thirtieth house of their own that they’ve worked on.  ”Because we lived in most of them, we’ve learned the value of what can be done,” Terry says.  Camilla agrees. “Our creative selves have grown through living in each one of these houses and experiencing all we did,” she says.

Sons Tim and Terry Jr. now work side by side with their parents at what’s grown into the family’s firm, The House Dressing Company.  Tim lives with his family in an Orono home with charming Arts and Crafts details, the ninth home he has renovated.  ”Terry Jr. is a different breed of cat,” Terry says. “He’s lived in the same house with his family his whole life.”

Still, the two generations have seen a constant flow of work that’s moved to the next generation: the children of former clients.  And the four of them just might be getting ready to bring on the next batch of Hugheses: Oscar, 9; Henry, 8; Oliver, 6; Truman, 5; Frannie, 3; and Finnegan, 1.  ”They’re still pretty young, but I know they love coming along to different job sites,” Tim says.  ”We were just talking about this the other day, about how neat it will be that they have this option when they’re out of college, that we could pass this along to the next generation as well.”

Unique Vision.

With her artist’s eye, Stephanie Colgan captured a few other images during the shoot at our Interlachen project that really speak to our love of details – and finding vintage fixtures and combinations of trims that won’t be found in other homes.

While the interior and exterior of this home have been totally remodeled, many of the light fixtures are vintage.  The photos above show a few matching pieces that are from the early 1900′s that we discovered at one of our favorite local treasures. These Victorian fixtures bring a historic touch and nice contrast to the off-white painted butted board interiors – all while being safely refurbished and rewired.

To find some of your own vintage and reproduction treasures, try these friends of ours: Architectural Antiques, John’s Antiques of St. Paul, Lightworks, and The Lamp Mender, Bloomington.  We highly recommend these operations – tell them we sent you!

Trim is another of our loves. (Some may say it’s an obsession!!) One of the secrets of the trade that we’ve learned through the years is that with the right combination and design, many styles of stock trim can be pieced together to create unique layers of trim that just won’t be found anywhere else – and don’t need to cost an arm and a leg through new fabrication.  The mantel and archway over the living room fireplace in the Interlachen project (above) are case in point.  Unique combinations of stock trim parts combine with the right design result in amazing – and creative – trim details.  Just one of the many House Dressing Company secrets that we love to share with our clients.

To see more photos of the “Interlachen Redux” click HERE to visit our gallery.

A big “THANKS” to Shawn and Stephanie for their help to make this story in Mpls.St.Paul Home happen!  Click HERE to see more stories about us and our projects in our Press section.

Find more great content at the Mpls.St.Paul website – and visit Stephanie Colgan’s site HERE.

Sometimes a remodeling project
lifts a home to new heights.

For the Ryans of Minneapolis, House Dressing Company has served as their personal contractor through numerous renovation projects that have restored and updated just about every room in their 1917 Georgian Colonial back to and beyond it’s original splendor.

But, after Bob Ryan injured his knee on a trip to Boston, he returned home and realized that the four stories of living space they had worked so hard to restore suddenly had become very challenging – and often painful – to navigate. Bob’s favorite third floor study, in particular, became increasingly more difficult to reach and enjoy. Despite how much they loved their home and the improvements they had made to it, they began to consider selling and moving to another home that would be easier to live in. But – that would be their last resort. Wisely, and as they had many times before, they looked to their friends at House Dressing Company.

The Solution…

The solution designed by House Dressing Company that allowed the Ryans to remain in their home was to install a compact residential elevator in a new 9 ft. x 16 ft. addition toward the back of their home. The hydraulic elevator, with footprint of just over 5 ft. x 4 ft., and new landing spaces on each floor were gracefully and smartly integrated into the design of the historic home – adding the functionality of the elevator as well as new living and traffic areas that have further improved the livability of the home.

In the basement, new excavation conveniently positioned the elevator shaft and equipment room just off of the existing family room. On the main floor, additional closet space and a new rear entry vestibule leading to the back patio were designed around the elevator shaft and adjacent to the living room and existing sun room.

On the 2nd floor the Ryans worked with House Dressing Company to make more involved revisions to their master bedroom suite: moving the laundry into the new addition, moving the master bath into the existing 2nd floor sun room, and creating new office and very generous closet spaces. The once “smallish” master bedroom gained additional living and functional space.

The third floor study is simply connected to the elevator through a new, efficient entry foyer, with the elevator itself tucked neatly under a dormer extended out from the previous roof line. The whole addition fits nicely along the side and rear of the house.

Details…

No detail was ignored by House Dressing company. From matching slate roof and exterior brick to wood floors, trim work throughout, vintage light fixtures, and paneled entry doors for the elevator on each floor, each new space was connected to existing spaces seamlessly. Sharon Ryan mentioned, “It’s as if these spaces were always part of the house! House Dressing Company knows old houses and how to make old and new spaces blend together without missing a detail.” They love it, and can look forward to staying in their home as they get older.

From top to bottom, hi-efficiency, lo-E insulated glass replaced old single-pane and storm windows, blown foam insulation was utilized, and new hi-efficiency radiators and in-floor heating were included by tying into the existing hot water heater and boiler. The finished project leaves the Ryan’s home more energy efficient than before work commenced.

The Bottom Line…

The Ryans lived in the home throughout much of the project with House Dressing Company mitigating construction noise and dust and working around the Ryans’ schedule. The basic cost of the elevator equipment to connect four stories was $26,000.00. The additional renovations undertaken throughout the project added to the overall project cost, but the work created living spaces that the Ryans now can’t live without – and added immense value to their historic home. Click HERE to see more photos of the Ryans’ home – the Lake of the Isles Oasis in our project gallery.

An Aging Population…

Americans are reaching retirement age at unprecedented and increasing rates. Advances in residential elevators to reduce their size and cost make the implementation of a residential elevator a truly viable option for retirees who want to stay in their home, those with special needs, or those looking for their “last home” with concerns about their ability to handle multi-level living in the future.

Residential elevators in either exterior additions or interior implementations (using closet space or spare bedrooms) could be worked into just about any home with the proper planning and design. As another design study, House Dressing Company has worked with its designers to outline possible options for implementing an elevator into another House Dressing Company home in Edina. Inclusion of a residential elevator into a remodeling plan could greatly extend the livable life of a home to accommodate the challenges of aging.

House Dressing Company has the experience needed to guide any home owner or prospective buyer through the process of planning, designing and building an elevator into a historic or not-so-historic home. From multiple-story exterior additions such as the Ryan project, to interior solutions utilizing the compact size of modern elevators, nearly any home can be seamlessly fitted with a residential elevator – with the proper guidance.

Email House Dressing Company today to learn more about how to begin the planning process, or to arrange a walk-through to look at the possibilities in your home.

Dear Home Owner,

Please allow us to introduce ourselves. House Dressing Company is a family of home renovation experts that has been remodeling historic and not-so-historic homes in the Twin Cities for the past 26 years. Whether you’re considering a whole home remodel, an addition or a new kitchen or bathroom, House Dressing Company will guide your home successfully to it’s full potential. We share with our clients a love for lasting craftsmanship and smart design that brings new life to tired, older homes – and creates function and value that lasts generations.

We’ve Been There…

More than 30 of the homes we’ve worked on have been our own – and we’ve lived in those homes throughout the remodeling process. So, not only does our entire family have years of experience doing the work we love, we’ve got a wealth of insider information that allows us to see things from the viewpoint of both the contractor and the homeowner. We know how to get the best value for the investment – how to get quality results without spending big bucks. And, did we mention we love what we do? It shows in our work.  Click here to visit our project gallery.

A Family of Subcontractors…

We don’t employ a large staff. For every job we bid several contractors in each work category. We know these people well as we’ve been working with them for years, and we evaluate the pros and cons of each bidder with the client before making selections. We aim for both quality and value – and know how to achieve both. From our architects to our painters and landscapers, our team is made of effective communicators, creative collaborators, and above all, detail-minded craftspeople who know how to produce House Dressing Company quality.

Personal Contractors…

We’re not a big builder, nor are we just “general contractors.” Our clients refer to us as “personal contractors” as we have the experience and perspective that allows us to successfully guide both the home and the homeowner through a remodel. From structural intricacies and big picture design issues to interior details and shopping for finishes and accessories – and mitigating the mess of construction – we share the many secrets we’ve learned in our projects to ease the process, avoid the headaches, and help your home to reach new heights.

Consider us your “secret agents” who have successfully waded through just about every home remodeling challenge a home can throw at us – and are ready to put our expertise to work for you and your home. You may be surprised to discover that our personal contracting services are provided at the same cost that most contractors charge just to manage a job. You’ll see the difference.

Call us to set up a complimentary initial consultation at 952.920.8301.

Email us at inquiries@housedressingcompany.com