The holidays are right around the corner, and besides visions of sugarplums dancing through our heads, we’re thinking a lot about hosting lately. When it comes to celebrating Christmas and the New Year, most of us picture gathering at home with our nearest and dearest.

There’s a reason so many famous Christmas songs mention being home for the holidays. Who doesn’t want to be somewhere warm, familiar, and welcoming during this time of year? The weather outside does get mightly frightful in the Midwest; we need cozy places where we can retreat and recharge our batteries!

One of the reasons we love helping families build homes is because we get to design around their values. More and more these days, our clients’ create spaces made for hospitality. Hosting people with comfort and elegance is an art, and it’s become a significant trend in home design.

Want a better idea of the kind of spaces we’re talking about? Scroll below for a few of our favorite examples of client’s hosting-friendly homes. From rocking around the Christmas tree to silent nights, these spaces will have you ready to deck the halls with the people you love!

Open Concept Main Floors

Elegant Traditional Dining Rooms

Party-Ready Lower Levels

Buffet, Baking, and Happy Hour-Friendly Kitchens

We are so proud to announce that this lovely Autumn Ridge traditional home recently won a 2018 Reggie Award from BATC Housing First Minnesota! Thank you to BATC for the recognition – we love seeing our team’s hard work get acknowledged, they’re the best in the business!

Building any home is a group effort, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t recognize all of our talented partners. Thank you to our architectural and interior design collaborators, David Charlez Designs and Design Creatif, and all the Trillium winners who support our crew: All, Inc., Andersen Windows + Doors, Cambria, Contract Interiors, Inc., Glowing Hearth & Home Inc, In-Focus Systems, LLC, James Hardie, Scherer Bros. Lumber Co., and Southern Lights!

Want a closer glimpse of this award-winning home? We’ve pulled together a quick virtual tour of our favorite spaces and design details to browse below. Thanks again to everyone at BATC for this incredible honor!

This week, we’re highlighting one of our newest Twin Cities lifestyle communities, Woodbury’s Autumn Bluff. A sister development of Woodbury’s established Autumn Ridge neighborhood, Autumn Bluff is a cozy, secluded cul-de-sac surrounded by rolling hills, ponds, and trees.

These 1.5-3 acre lots are spacious and ideal for families looking to build an exclusive backyard oasis. From pools to sport courts to stunning outdoor entertaining spaces – there’s plenty of room to get creative!

Located just a mile away from Woodbury’s newest high school, East Ridge, this neighborhood is perfect for families building their first, second, or even third home! Not only do you have access to everything Woodbury has to offer, but you’re also just twenty minutes from downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Whether you prefer a slow or fast pace of life, Autumn Bluff can accommodate your lifestyle. Spend your weekends hunkering down in your private acreage, hosting friends for a bonfire or pool party, or out on the town taking in a show in the heart of Minneapolis.

Interested in learning more about this stunning Woodbury neighborhood? Get in touch with us anytime – we’d love to give you a tour of our model home!

Want more information about Autumn Bluff? Watch the video below to get an overview of the community:

Today, we’re featuring more of the extraordinary neighborhoods our models call home. We’d like to introduce you to one of Woodbury’s most beautiful lifestyle communities, The Cottages of Stonemill Farms.

If you’re a rightsizing adult who’s searching for the perfect place to design your next home and phase of life, then this neighborhood was built for you. Located in the heart of busy Woodbury, this master-planned community is all about being close to the action!

From enjoying nearby parks and trails to shopping in downtown Woodbury, everything you’d want is right outside your door. Not to mention, downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis are both only 15-20 minutes away if you’re ready for a night on the town!

Another huge benefit of planting your roots in The Cottages of Stonemill Farms? The amenities. Community members have access available to a la carte features like the Jr Olympic size swimming pool, nearby golf courses, and the Stonemill Farms workout facilities, gathering room, and movie theater.

You can also say goodbye to summer yard work and winter snow shoveling with our maintenance free living options! Unlike some planned neighborhoods, many of our lots additionally have room for three car garages and optional walkout or one-level layouts choices.

When it comes down to it, The Cottages of Stonemill Farms is for people who are ready to start fresh in an established community. We’ve already scouted out an amazing location; you just tell our team how to create your version of home!

Want more information about The Cottages of Stonemill Farms, our parade model, or other photos and visiting details? Follow the links below for everything you need!

The Cottages of Stonemill Farms + Modern Farmhouse Details

The Fall Parade of Homes is here, and we decided to spotlight not just our models but also the neighborhoods surrounding them. After all, building a home involves more than floor plans and features, it’s about joining a community.

Today, we’re giving the scoop on Lake Elmo’s newest lifestyle community, The Royal Club! Formerly Tartan Park Golf Course, this family-focused neighborhood has a distinguished pedigree.

The front nine holes were designed by the great Annika Sorenstam, while the back nine holes are the last created by the one and only, Arnold Palmer. The neighborhood was renamed The Royal Club to honor its legendary golf history.

If golf isn’t your passion, there are plenty of other things to love about this private community. Residents can enjoy access to the remodeled, modern clubhouse and restaurant (with plans for a future pool and fitness center).

Additional overnight guest cottages are also being built for homeowners to host their family and friends with class!

This family-friendly neighborhood’s ethos is offering first class services and amenities in an informal environment. The Royal Club aspires to be a welcoming place where people feel at home sharing activities and making memories together.

Interested in learning more about this Lake Elmo neighborhood gem? Please, visit us during the Fall Parade of Homes – we’d love to give you a tour of our rustic rambler on Annika Drive!

Want more information about The Royal Club, our parade model, or other photos and visiting details? Follow the links below for everything you need!

The Royal Club + Parade Homes + Rustic Rambler Details + Video

The Luxury Home Tour may have wrapped up last weekend, but we still only have eyes for this Lake Elmo rambler! As always, our team had a fantastic time meeting everyone who stopped in to visit and take a look around.

If you didn’t make it out and still hope to explore this rustic beauty or get a closer glimpse of The Royal Club, then we have good news. We will also be featuring this model during the upcoming Fall Parade of Homes!

The Royal Club is a new Lake Elmo lifestyle community nestled among a state-of-the-art golf course. Amenities include access to the modern clubhouse, future fitness center, and charming overnight cottages. Interested in building your next home in The Royal Club? We still have a few lots available – just get in touch with our team!

Of course, we’d be foolish if we didn’t also acknowledge our incredible team and partners. Building and furnishing an entirely new home is no small feat – we couldn’t do it without our professional village!

Can’t wait until September to see all of the design details? Scroll below for all of our favorite features and finishes.

Our team had the distinct pleasure of hosting our annual golf tournament fundraiser in July. It was a beautiful summer afternoon for a little healthy competition and team bonding for a good cause!

We’re thrilled to report that alongside our dedicated crew of volunteers, fantastic trade partners, and generous presenting sponsors, Contract Interiors, and Twin City Fireplace & Stone Co, we raised $45,000 for Custom One Charities in support of Make-A-Wish!

So far, we’ve helped grant wishes for four wonderful young people and their families in our community. We’ve had the true honor of meeting and surprising Andy, Caden, Matt, and Kelly.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every sponsor, volunteer, raffle and silent auction donator, and golfer who supported this event. Our team is deeply grateful to work for a company that values giving back to our community – thank you for joining us.

Want to see another glimpse of the day or grab a photo of your golf group? Scroll below to see each crew of golfers!

Luxury Home Tour
1872 Annika Drive North, Lake Elmo
August 10-12 and 17-19 from 12-6 pm

Believe it or not, July is almost over, which means it’s nearly time for Midwest Home Magazine’s Luxury Home Tour! Fridays through Sundays, from noon to six, August 10-12 and 17-19, consider yourself invited to visit us and explore this Lake Elmo modern rustic rambler.

Highlights of this stunning family home include:

• Architecture and design inspired by mountain lodges of the western U.S. – think oversized windows, reclaimed wood, and metal accents!
• Views of the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes of the Royal Club Golf Club (designed by golf legends, Arnold Palmer, and Annika Sorenstam)
• Access to one of Lake Elmo’s newest lifestyle communities with recreational activities and amenities
• A scenic outdoor setting close to the many conveniences of nearby Woodbury
• 4,115 finished square feet, 4 bedrooms, and 4 bathrooms
• The perfect blend of modern trends with cozy and rustic style
• Classic mid-century furniture paired with neutral fabrics, simple leather, and clean lines
• A state-of-the-art kitchen outfitted with Cambria countertops, designer cabinets, and high-end Miele appliances
• Lower level entertaining space with a fun pub setting
• An HD Swing virtual golf simulator

Ready to explore this modern marvel in person? Just a few more finishing touches and we’ll be really to open during the SECOND weekend of the Luxury Home Tour. So, plan to visit us August 10-12 or 17-19 as we will not be open this coming weekend. We can’t wait to give you the grand tour!

P.S. Look for photos of this home on our website in the coming weeks!

Royal Club Community Photos