Photos by Spacecrafting
When empty nesters Scott and Cindy Anderson traded their family home for the house they planned to retire in, they aimed to recreate the luxury they enjoyed—without all that extra space. Their new place would take full advantage of the verdant views near a Lake Elmo golf course and embrace their love of minimalist design.
Teaming up with luxury home builder Charles Cudd Co., the couple brought their vision for a contemporary Scandinavian farmhouse to life. It provides one-level living when the Andersons are solo, yet it still contains plenty of room for family and friends. Light-filled spaces in every room are both beautiful and functional, stripped down to their essences to create a crisp, timeless sensibility.
“We wanted to build a home where we actually use the space,” says Cindy. “We wanted an open floor plan and for it to be contemporary with warmth from different textures and elements. I love how it turned out.”
The central space, encompassing kitchen, dining, and great room, is a stunner. It features essentially 20 feet of floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase views of the vibrant, marshy landscape. With natural light streaming in from all sides and a largely white interior, the main living area can feel like being in a cloud. Keeping this airiness grounded are architectural details like columns, soffits, and shelving that help define different zones.
Take the office at the front of the house. Although it’s open to the great room and dining area, it gets delineated into its own space by a stairwell to the basement and see-through shelves and cabinets.
The main floor is all clean lines and minimal adornment, giving it the Andersons’ desired con- temporary vibe. Design features like the striking black replace and dark kitchen cooktop line up along axis points to give symmetry to the large living space. “All of these areas are open to each other with sculpted elements that make the space unique,” says Joe Bush, Charles Cudd general manager for the eastern metro and western Wisconsin.
“You walk into the home and it just feels right.” Playing to the Andersons’ penchant for minimalism, the designers created a sizeable walk-in pantry complete with microwave, cabinets for storing other appliances, shelving, and countertops. That way, the main kitchen stays clutter-free and hosts can use the pantry space for food prep or staging during gatherings.
Off the kitchen, a generous screen porch with 8-by-7-foot unfettered screen walls feels just like being outside, complete with expansive views of the wetlands. Even though the home sits adjacent to the Royal Golf Club, the course is out of view. This gives the Andersons privacy paired with the lovely scenery.
The master bedroom and bath offer a peaceful sanctuary. The right-sized bedroom opens into copious space for function and relaxation in a dressing room/closet and bathroom. A glass-walled shower and soaker tub in white, off set by a light herringbone floor, bring the ambiance of a Scandinavian spa.
In the basement, large windows mirroring the upstairs great room highlight the landscape and brighten the rooms. Two bedrooms, an ample family room, exercise room, and bathroom provide flexible space for the couple’s young adult daughters, extended family, or guests.
Having the room to accommodate the Anderson family as it evolves—without overdoing the amount of square footage—makes this Scandinavian farmhouse the perfect fit for the couple’s next chapter.
The Details
- Builder: Charles Cudd Co.
- Home Location: Lake Elmo
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2.5
- Style: Contemporary
Take a virtual tour here.
