My sense is that while Ian and Tricia share common values, their personalities and strengths are complementary. Ian is an avid outdoorsman with lifelong enjoyment of water skiing, scuba diving and boating. Although he spends much of his life improving homes, he prefers to bond with family and friends outdoors and when traveling. Lisa Stoll, Designer So, you’ve found the perfect plot of land, and you’re ready to realise your dreams of building your very own home from the ground up. But with all of the choices now available to you, from construction materials to the perfect layout to the finishes, your mind is likely whirring with information and more questions than you had before. We initially consulted another contractor to remodel our basement. He looked at the job and referred us to Refined Homes. He explained that Ian was an expert at remodeling hundred-year-old homes like ours. The fact that another contractor was willing to give up a job to Ian says a lot about his reputation in the industry.

A popular trend in recent years, and one that isn’t looking like it’s going anywhere, is an open plan layout. Gone are the days when our home’s shared spaces were all boxed in, kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and the like are being opened up to create a contemporary aesthetic and a calming flow with zones sectioning areas off by way of subtle differences to lighting and the use of different flooring and rugs. The wellness factor Many of the Wiitanens’ clients are families like their own who want to get the most out of their urban home lifestyles. For Tricia, the connection is personal. “If the clients are happy, I am happy. If not, I’m not. So we work very hard to please,” she smiled.Yes, it provides more ownership and consistency in the work that is being done. There is something to be said about talking to Ian and Tricia about what I want done and knowing that they are the ones who do or at least supervise the work. Nothing is lost in translation. With that in mind we take a look below at six trends luxury homeowners are utilising for their new builds this year to create the refined home they’ve always dreamed of. Smart homes Building your luxurious dream home is a monumental task, if you don’t get everything exactly as you’d hoped, will you be disappointed at the end of it? What if, when you’re done, you think of something that you wish you had known of before? Don’t let the doubt creep in before you’ve even started the project, instead, make sure that you’re well informed from the outset so that you are free to consider every possibility and make the best choices for your luxurious new abode. Sustainability is a big topic and, when you have the responsibility of building your home from the ground up, you have the option to create a home that you’re proud of, from the moment you begin. Whether through the use of sustainable and locally sourced materials, the practices used when crafting your brand-new home, to the energy efficiency when it’s ready to live in such as the use of LED lighting and solar panels, there’s plenty to bear in mind here. Natural materials

Natural and in-ceiling lighting combine to radiate light in the ADU’s upper level throughout the day. Skylights and large windows provide the natural light needed for a calm workspace, while in-ceiling lights provide additional lighting for client meetings or evening entertainment. From sunrise to nightcap, the mood is set automatically through automated blinds and smart lighting. The project is an “accessory,” so the lines, continuity, repetition, color, and symmetry of the ADU enhance the primary residence. Stucco, trim, and hardware were all sourced to match the home’s interior and exterior. At the same time, the homeowner selected upgraded doors and windows for efficiency, durability, and low maintenance to complement the home’s design. The complementary design of the ADU adds to the overall appeal of the residence and, with less-restrictive local ADU codes, has become an inspiration to the neighborhood. Through the discovery phase, we’ve listened to your thoughts and inspirations for your project and discussed “what” your desired build or remodel project is and its feasibility. Even though the final output of the design phase is form-focused, like a floorplan, elevation, and rendering, the design phase also focuses on the function of your build or remodel. With function comes the genuine refinements and modern conveniences Refined Homes delivers. During the design phase, we’ll ask, “Why did you decide to do this build or remodel now?” and “How do you want to live in the house?” Our collaboration throughout the design process is the most effective way to build a new space precisely how you want it. Puustelli cabinets in the kitchen offer a modern look with a nod to tradition that still provides a warm, earthy environment. Since they’re completely void of formaldehyde-based glues, the cabinets give the homeowner peace of mind their office air is toxin-free. Custom slide-out drawers are built into knee-walls to conceal office equipment, supplies, essentials, and even the refrigerator.

Tricia is the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI’s) 2020 Minnesota Member of the Year. Tricia manages the business with a true heart for customer service that complements Ian’s attention to detail and old-world craftsmanship. While he cares for the projects, she serves the clients. The result is a concierge-level building and remodeling team that partners with homeowners to produce outstanding projects. Tricia has expanded her design and construction knowledge by getting certified as a Universal Design Professional, serving on the National Association Remodeling Industry’s NARI Cares nonprofit board, and joining industry roundtables that include veterans in the remodeling industry who have become mentors. Tricia’s contribution is a systems-level understanding of business management and a true heart for customer service that meshes beautifully with Ian’s attention to detail and old-world craftsmanship. While he cares for the projects, she minds the business and the clients. The result is a concierge-level remodeling team that partners with homeowners to produce outstanding projects. Tricia has expanded her design and construction knowledge by getting certified as a Universal Design Professional, serving on the National Association Remodeling Industry’s NARI Cares nonprofit board and joining industry roundtables that include veterans in the remodeling industry who have become mentors. Ian’s skills are broad and eclectic. He loves to pass on his interests to his daughters. That includes teaching them to design and build their own desks and to make jam from the cherry trees in the yard. He’s also known to bake bread from scratch and always makes an extra loaf to share with a neighbor. Lisa Stoll of Sparrow & Stoll is one of the award-winning designers Refined Homes works with to remodel Twin Cities area homes. She is responsible for learning how clients want their living environments to look and function. Then she blends these insights with decades of design experience to create space planning solutions and guide clients on selections. Lisa’s drawings will enable you to visualize your completed project before you commit to construction.