Collection by Michael Fackelmann
The 6,540-square-foot, hillside home is set on 8.39 acres bordering a wetland in Orono, Minnesota, and is part of an exclusive residential development by Gordon James Construction & Development. It features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an indoor sports court, wellness zones, a chef-quality kitchen, and resort-style pool.
The 6,540-square-foot, hillside home is set on 8.39 acres bordering a wetland in Orono, Minnesota, and is part of an exclusive residential development by Gordon James Construction & Development. It features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, an indoor sports court, wellness zones, a chef-quality kitchen, and resort-style pool.
The entry leads to the large great room, which boasts a 15-foot-tall “window wall” that offers panoramic views of the surrounding wetlands and the pool below. “Where the lower level’s views draw you outside to the pool, the main floor is more about the long views,” says architect Tommy Everson. “The windows and doors subtly frame views of the landscape and beyond into the wilderness. When the light is just right outside, you can see a reflection of the house mirrored in the pool from the backyard.”
The entry leads to the large great room, which boasts a 15-foot-tall “window wall” that offers panoramic views of the surrounding wetlands and the pool below. “Where the lower level’s views draw you outside to the pool, the main floor is more about the long views,” says architect Tommy Everson. “The windows and doors subtly frame views of the landscape and beyond into the wilderness. When the light is just right outside, you can see a reflection of the house mirrored in the pool from the backyard.”
The family bedrooms are arranged in two wings on the main floor, with three children’s bedrooms on one side of the great room and the primary on the other. Operable glass doors in the primary bedroom open out to a large terrace for entertaining.
The family bedrooms are arranged in two wings on the main floor, with three children’s bedrooms on one side of the great room and the primary on the other. Operable glass doors in the primary bedroom open out to a large terrace for entertaining.
The pine wood trim on the interior of the Kolbe windows is painted to match the home’s neutral color palette, while the extruded aluminum on the exterior frame is finished in onyx black.
The pine wood trim on the interior of the Kolbe windows is painted to match the home’s neutral color palette, while the extruded aluminum on the exterior frame is finished in onyx black.
The kitchen features a glass window backsplash that invites abundant light into the interior.
The kitchen features a glass window backsplash that invites abundant light into the interior.
The Kolbe VistaLuxe AL multi-slide door—which leads from the downstairs living and kitchen space out to the pool area—is described by Everson as “a critical design element”.
The Kolbe VistaLuxe AL multi-slide door—which leads from the downstairs living and kitchen space out to the pool area—is described by Everson as “a critical design element”.
“It was really important to the homeowners to have thin frame profiles in order to achieve as streamlined of a look as possible,” says Everson on the decision to specify the Kolbe VistaLuxe AL multi-slide door on the ground floor. “Kolbe’s VistaLuxe lines have such a clean aesthetic—you can tell they were designed in collaboration with architects.”
“It was really important to the homeowners to have thin frame profiles in order to achieve as streamlined of a look as possible,” says Everson on the decision to specify the Kolbe VistaLuxe AL multi-slide door on the ground floor. “Kolbe’s VistaLuxe lines have such a clean aesthetic—you can tell they were designed in collaboration with architects.”
The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the home are proportionally scaled with reference to the Kolbe VistaLuxe AL multi-slide door on the lower level, creating a pleasing sense of continuity and rhythm.
The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the home are proportionally scaled with reference to the Kolbe VistaLuxe AL multi-slide door on the lower level, creating a pleasing sense of continuity and rhythm.
The front door—which was crafted by Kolbe from walnut timber—blends seamlessly into the walnut cladding of the entrance hall, creating an elegantly understated first impression. The nine-foot-tall window frames the view, and allows abundant natural light into the interior.
The front door—which was crafted by Kolbe from walnut timber—blends seamlessly into the walnut cladding of the entrance hall, creating an elegantly understated first impression. The nine-foot-tall window frames the view, and allows abundant natural light into the interior.
The south-facing floating glass staircase is anchored by a two-story chimney, connecting both levels.
The south-facing floating glass staircase is anchored by a two-story chimney, connecting both levels.
An aerial view of the property showcasing its lush setting and wide backyard terrace—an idyllic hub for lounging, dining, and entertaining. The structure behind the main residence is the three-bedroom guest house.
An aerial view of the property showcasing its lush setting and wide backyard terrace—an idyllic hub for lounging, dining, and entertaining. The structure behind the main residence is the three-bedroom guest house.
The Lofthouse is built one of the many hills separating it from the couple’s main residence. "Excavation was a challenge, as we wanted to maintain as much of the existing landscape as possible, but needed to clear out trees for the foundation," says Tarah.
The Lofthouse is built one of the many hills separating it from the couple’s main residence. "Excavation was a challenge, as we wanted to maintain as much of the existing landscape as possible, but needed to clear out trees for the foundation," says Tarah.
Another view of the kitchen shows the island's curvy shape. The high-end space also features a <span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;">Wolf range, along with other Miele and </span><span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;">Liebherr </span><span style="font-family: Theinhardt, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif;">appliances. </span>
Wolf range, along with other Miele and