Choosing a Custom Home Builder in the Twin Cities
Across the Twin Cities, homeowners are investing in thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces that support entertaining, relaxation, dining, and everyday living.
Across the Twin Cities, homeowners are investing in thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces that support entertaining, relaxation, dining, and everyday living.
Across the Twin Cities, homeowners are investing in thoughtfully designed outdoor living spaces that support entertaining, relaxation, dining, and everyday living.
Homeowners across Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Wayzata, Woodbury, and the greater Twin Cities are investing more intentionally in their homes than ever before.
At Custom One Homes, we believe the kitchen is more than just a place to cook. It’s where mornings begin, conversations happen, friends gather, and everyday moments become meaningful memories.
Join us at 6Smith for The Kitchen Edit: Kitchen Design Trends Worth the Investment, a curated afternoon of conversation, design inspiration, cocktails, lite bites, and connection with leaders in home design and renovation.
June 11 | 4 – 6 pm
6Smith Restaurant
294 Grove Ln E
Wayzata, MN
Admission: $15 per guest
Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged.
This event is designed for homeowners who:
Together, our panel of design experts will explore the trends shaping modern kitchens today, from timeless materials and statement surfaces to functional layouts, entertaining-focused spaces, and thoughtful renovation ideas that support the way we live and gather at home.
President/Owner, Custom One
EVP of Design, Cambria
Emily Anderson Interiors
(previously O’Hara Interiors)
Whether you’re early in the renovation process or simply gathering inspiration for the future, this event is meant to feel approachable, elevated, and inspiring while bringing together homeowners, design lovers, and industry experts for an afternoon focused on great design and the way we live in our homes today.
The afternoon begins at 4:00 PM with welcome drinks, wine, NA beverages, and lite bites, followed by the panel discussion at 4:30 PM and networking to follow.
We’re grateful to our event partners for helping bring the Custom One Homes Design Series to life.
When you’re investing in your home’s exterior, choosing the right exterior contractor in Minnesota matters just as much as selecting the right materials.
April 10 – April 12, 2026
12pm – 6pm
5500 McGuire Road, Edina
And with it comes one of the best ways to kick off the season – the 2026 Spring Remodeler’s Showcase!
We’re thrilled to invite you to explore our Custom One Renovation Entry #R8, a gorgeous Edina kitchen renovation located 5500 McGuire Road, Edina.
Welcome to this beautifully reimagined 1960s single-family home in Edina, Minnesota. Working closely with the homeowners, our Custom One Renovation team set out to complete a kitchen remodel in Edina MN that would transform the kitchen, eat‑in dining area, and overall main‑level flow, creating a space that feels open, intentional, and deeply personal.
The goal was clear: honor the home’s history while updating it for modern living and entertaining through a thoughtful Edina kitchen renovation.
One of the most impactful improvements during this 1960s home kitchen remodel was rethinking how the kitchen connects to the rest of the house.
A new doorway was created to establish a natural flow from the kitchen into a vestibule-style mudroom, forming a seamless walkway to the three-season porch.
This thoughtful reconfiguration allows natural light to pour into the kitchen while creating an effortless connection between indoor and outdoor living—ideal for everyday family routines and hosting guests.
The kitchen was fully gutted and redesigned from the ground up as part of this custom kitchen design in Edina.
At the heart of the space is custom walnut cabinetry, paired with mullion-framed glass upper cabinets that beautifully display décor and meaningful pieces collected during the homeowners’ travels.
Design highlights include:
A dedicated bar area adds both function and personality, creating a natural place for entertaining and gathering.
The backsplash tile, a rich green installed in a herringbone pattern, was intentionally selected to echo the original wood floors near the home’s entry.
This design decision creates a visual bridge between the home’s history and its new modern kitchen renovation in Minnesota.
Dark charcoal cabinetry adds depth and contrast while complementing the warmth of walnut cabinetry and existing hardwood floors.
These homeowners are passionate music lovers, so we incorporated a custom-built record player station complete with a dedicated drawer for storing their vintage vinyl collection.
This thoughtful feature adds personality and transforms the kitchen into a space that truly reflects the homeowners’ lifestyle.
Homes built in the 1960s often have compartmentalized layouts and outdated utilities. Remodeling these kitchens typically focuses on improving flow, modernizing appliances, updating cabinetry, and integrating better lighting.
Most kitchen remodels take several weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the project, structural changes, and material selections.
Custom cabinetry, premium appliances, improved layout flow, and durable materials often deliver the greatest long-term value.
Yes. Many successful renovations intentionally blend modern updates with original architectural elements to maintain the home’s character.
Improving circulation between kitchen, dining, and adjacent living areas makes the space more functional for everyday living and entertaining.
This Edina kitchen renovation was about more than updating finishes. It focused on improving flow, honoring the home’s history, and designing a space that will serve the family for years to come.
The result is a kitchen that feels layered, intentional, and timeless, one that feels as though it has always belonged in this Edina home.
The best custom home builders in the Twin Cities don’t start with a floor plan, they start with a conversation.
Experienced custom home builders in the Twin Cities understand that a truly custom home isn’t just about square footage, trending finishes, or architectural style. It’s about designing a space around the way a family actually lives, their routines, traditions, priorities, and the moments that matter most.
At Custom One Homes, we specialize in building a custom home around your lifestyle, not around a template. We believe we don’t just build houses. We build homes around stories, your story.
Leading design-build custom homes Twin Cities teams don’t box clients into pre-set layouts or predefined styles. Instead, they stay flexible.
At Custom One Homes, you can:
Custom building is about evolving ideas into something uniquely yours. Our design team collaborates closely with you to create a home that feels intentional, personal, and lasting.
When a home is created through lifestyle-driven home design, the details look different.
For some families, that means:
For others, it may mean:
The goal isn’t just beauty, it’s alignment between space and daily life.
Our structured yet flexible custom home design process in Minnesota ensures lifestyle stays at the center of every decision:
Discovery Session & Educational Walkthrough
We listen, explore possibilities, and define your goals.
Match Budget With Needs, Wants & Wishes
Transparency early builds confidence later.
Review or Reserve a Homesite
Location shapes design.
Start Designing Your Home
Collaboration between you, our designers, and our team.
Finalize Plan Selections & Pricing
Precision craftsmanship meets clear expectations.
A truly custom home is designed from the ground up around your lifestyle, priorities, and long-term goals. Unlike production homes with fixed layouts, custom home builders in the Twin Cities work through a collaborative design process that allows flexibility in layout, finishes, and structural decisions. The result is a home aligned with how your family lives every day.
The custom home design process typically begins with discovery and goal-setting. From there, builders align budget, homesite, and design vision before developing architectural plans and selections. In Minnesota, climate considerations, such as mudroom design, energy performance, and seasonal transitions, also influence planning.
Lifestyle-driven home design begins with understanding daily routines and future goals. Builders ask how families use kitchens, gather in living spaces, store seasonal gear, or accommodate multigenerational living. These insights shape room placement, storage planning, circulation flow, and overall layout decisions.
Design-build custom homes in the Twin Cities often provide better communication and alignment because the design and construction teams collaborate from the beginning. This reduces surprises, improves budget clarity, and ensures the final home reflects both vision and feasibility.
Timelines vary depending on scope, complexity, and permitting, but most custom home projects involve several months of design followed by construction phases that can extend from 8–14 months. A clear process and early decision-making help maintain momentum and minimize delays.
Designing around lifestyle requires quality and longevity. Materials matter. Craftsmanship matters. Precision matters.
As trusted custom home builders in the Twin Cities, we utilize high-quality, forward-thinking materials and proven construction methods to ensure your home not only looks exceptional on day one, but continues to serve your family for decades.
Because when you build around a story, the home must stand the test of time.
If you’re thinking about updating your home, enhancing your outdoor living space, or planning a future renovation or custom build, we’d love to see you at this year’s Home & Garden Show!
From February 25 through March 1, the Custom One team will be onsite at the Minneapolis Convention Center, ready to connect, share ideas, and help you explore what’s possible for your home—inside and out.
February 25 – March 1, 2026
Minneapolis Convention Center
Find us at Booth #2150
One of the best parts of the Home & Garden Show? You’ll get to speak directly with our renovation general manager, landscaping and exterior design specialists, interior designers and more.
Bring your questions, photos, inspiration boards, or even rough ideas—we’re here to help you:
No pressure. Just honest conversations and expert guidance.
We’re excited to be exhibiting at the MSP Home & Remodeling Show at U.S. Bank Stadium.
January 30 – February 1, 2026
Find us at Booth #937
Whether you’re just starting to explore a renovation or ready to move forward, our team will be onsite to help you take the next step.
Stop by our booth to connect with the Custom One design and remodeling team. Our experts will be available throughout the show to:
Join us for short, educational presentations each day focused on helping homeowners make smarter remodeling decisions:
Where to Splurge & Where to Save
Learn how to prioritize your budget for the biggest visual and functional impact.
How to Maximize Your Remodeling ROI
Understand which upgrades deliver long-term value and which ones move the needle when it comes to resale.
No pressure, just expert insights you can actually use.
Using energy efficient windows in Minnesota plays a significant role in keeping your home warm and comfortable. At Custom One, we install Andersen® windows in all our exterior remodels, renovations, and new homes. Using Andersen Windows in Minnesota homes provides the performance our climate needs.
Here’s why windows are important, the design trends we see, and how Andersen products can improve your home’s comfort and energy use.
One of the most exciting changes in home design today involves the placement of windows. They are not just used for natural light, but also to change how homeowners feel in their spaces.
Designers and homeowners alike are embracing:
The goal is to bring character, warmth, and purpose into a home by using windows to capture moments, sunrise in the kitchen, a quiet backyard view from the hallway, or a perfectly framed reading nook.
It’s a design-forward trend that also reinforces the importance of choosing windows that maximize efficiency without sacrificing aesthetics.
A major trend in today’s exterior design is the renewed interest in classic window styles. This is especially true for double-hung windows. Andersen® has highlighted this trend across their product lines, and it’s one we expect to see even more of in 2026.
Double-hung windows have a timeless profile and a familiar charm that suits both historic homes and new builds designed with a heritage-inspired feel. They bring:
Andersen’s 100 Series double-hung windows offer a fresh take on this classic style with durable, low-maintenance materials and energy-efficient performance built for Minnesota’s seasons.
Replacing outdated windows is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to improve comfort and reduce energy costs, especially during Minnesota’s extreme winters. High-performance windows can help:
And since windows and doors can be installed year-round, you don’t have to wait for summer to make the change.
Planning your project early ensures you secure your preferred timeline and get ahead of peak season.
Energy-efficient windows play a critical role in protecting Minnesota homes from extreme cold, wind, and temperature swings. Older or poorly insulated windows allow heat to escape, creating drafts and forcing heating systems to work harder.
To ensure winter window performance in Minnesota, Andersen uses features like special glass coatings, insulated frames, and tight seals. These features help reduce heat loss. They also improve indoor comfort and keep temperatures steady, even during long cold spells.
Andersen windows are engineered for regions with harsh seasonal weather, including Minnesota. Their products feature insulated glass options, durable frame materials, and weather-resistant construction that help prevent drafts and condensation. Andersen focuses on long-term performance. This helps windows stay energy efficient, and easy to use, even in freezing temperatures.
Modern double-hung windows can be highly energy efficient when built with today’s materials and technology. Andersen’s updated double-hung designs combine classic aesthetics with improved insulation, advanced weatherstripping, and energy-efficient glass packages. This allows homeowners to enjoy a traditional window style without sacrificing comfort or increasing heating costs during winter.
Yes, window replacement for cold climates can significantly reduce heating costs. Energy-efficient windows minimize air leakage and heat transfer, helping your home retain warmth longer. Over time, this reduces how often your furnace runs, leading to lower monthly energy bills and less strain on HVAC systems, especially during long Minnesota winters.
You can replace windows year-round, including during winter. Professional installers use techniques that limit heat loss during installation. In fact, replacing windows before or during winter allows homeowners to immediately experience improved comfort, fewer drafts, and better energy efficiency when it matters most.
When choosing new windows, consider several factors. These include materials, glass performance, operation style, and accessory choices. Each of these will affect how well your home handles Minnesota’s extreme seasons. That’s why working with the right team matters.
When you work with Custom One Exteriors, our specialists help you with every decision. They assist you in choosing the type of windows that best fit your home’s needs and your design style.
Whether you’re replacing a few windows or planning a full exterior transformation, high-performance windows paired with expert installation can dramatically improve comfort and reduce energy costs.
Every Custom One project is designed with Minnesota’s climate in mind, ensuring your home stays comfortable, efficient, and beautiful in every season.
We are here to answer your question so you can make an informed decision.
We are here to answer your question so you can make an informed decision.









