Photos by Spacecrafting
“Today’s world is turning families’ priorities back to each other in lieu of friends and parties and traveling, and this home reflects that,” says Joe Bush, general manager of Charles Cudd Co., about the company’s new 4,810-square-foot home in Grant. The clients approached the custom home builder with a request for a more traditional home that would be large enough for entertaining close friends but still intimate enough so their family wouldn’t feel lost. Bush and his team delivered on all fronts with a three-bedroom, five-bathroom house perfectly suited for the couple and their two children.
When you arrive at the wooded 10-acre lot, a pretty slate-blue and white exterior greets you, with a gabled roofline and a circular driveway that leads up to an extra-wide front porch with plenty of space for, as Bush half-jokes, that “good old Midwestern meet-and-greet and Minnesotan goodbye!”
The home is thoughtfully elevated on the site to provide sweeping views of the lush green surroundings and usher natural light in from all sides, but Bush also made sure to balance the panoramic feel by creating “sculpture within spaces” inside. Symmetrical designs and separating elements such as arches, beams, soffits, and transoms help delineate areas within the open floor plan and introduce warmth and function. Expansive windows and a vaulted ceiling in the great room add to the grand scale of the home, but for the cold winter months, a sleek fireplace adds a sense of coziness.
The design is echoed in the adjoining master suite, which is located off the main level for aging-in-place convenience. The bedroom also features a vaulted ceiling and fireplace, but it’s the rich master bath and closet that really make the suite stand out. Decked out in gleaming white marble, the bath boasts amenities like dual sinks divided by an extra-deep tub, a separate vanity area, and a walk-in shower, while the roomy closet features a striking mix of black and white cabinetry.
Other elegant touches include a blend of natural hardwood and tiled floors, double-laminate granite countertops on the kitchen and downstairs bar islands, and sparkling crystal and chrome fixtures that range from drop chandeliers and hanging pendant lights to doorknobs and cabinet pulls. While elements like the dining area’s built-in buffet with an antique mirror backsplash speak to the home’s tendency towards traditional design, modern convenience is not forgotten with lighting, fans, and motorized window shades easily adjusted from unobtrusive control panels.
An emphasis was placed on entertainment, from the extra-deep closets flanking the front door (perfect for storing bulky winter coats and piles of Christmas presents) to the mirror-paneled space in the lower level that was specifically designed to showcase entertainment like hired musicians. In fact, the deck located off the main level’s sunroom actually doubled in size during construction and can now accommodate nearly 30 people for barbecues and grilling get-togethers.
Throughout the construction process, the family visited the property nearly every day. “There was always something new each week, so it was fun to see it all come together over the months,” says Dora Rivas, one of the homeowners. “After we move in, we’re going to take two weeks off and pretend like we’re staying in a dream vacation home…except it’s one we never have to leave!”
Home Details
- Builder: Charles Cudd Co.
- Home Location: Grant
- Square Footage: 4,810
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 5
- Style: Traditional walkout
Enjoy a virtual tour of this home here.
