Remodeling portion of project:

This modern home, near Cedar Lake, built in 1900, was originally a corner store. A massive conversion transformed the home into a spacious, multi-level residence in the 1990’s.

However, the home’s lot was unusually steep and overgrown with vegetation. In addition, there were concerns about soil erosion and water intrusion to the house. The homeowners wanted to resolve these issues and create a much more useable outdoor area for family and pets.

Castle, in conjunction with Field Outdoor Spaces, designed and built a large deck area in the back yard of the home, which includes a detached screen porch and a bar & grill area under a cedar pergola.

The previous, small deck was demolished and the sliding door replaced with a window. A new glass sliding door was inserted along a perpendicular wall to connect the home’s interior kitchen to the backyard oasis.

The screen house doors are made from six custom screen panels, attached to a top mount, soft-close track. Inside the screen porch, a patio heater allows the family to enjoy this space much of the year.

Concrete was the material chosen for the outdoor countertops, to ensure it lasts several years in Minnesota’s always-changing climate.

Trex decking was used throughout, along with red cedar porch, pergola and privacy lattice detailing.

The front entry of the home was also updated to include a large, open porch with access to the newly landscaped yard. Cable railings from Loftus Ironadd to the contemporary style of the home, including a gate feature at the top of the front steps to contain the family pets when they’re let out into the yard.

Landscaping portion of project:

A candidate for “most dramatic before and after landscape” – we converted this sloped urban lot from a scrubby, wooded and unusable yard to a generous space for dogs, kids and entertaining. A large yard area was recovered by cutting into the slope and pouring a concrete wall. Trees and masses of ornamental grasses create privacy and visual interest while keeping maintenance low. The irrigation system waters lawn, beds and the two large cor-ten planters (front and back). The landscape lighting makes this landscape captivating at night.

See the full map for the 2019 Castle Home Tour