Explore Minnesota interior design inspiration, local projects, and furniture styling ideas tailored to how we live in the Midwest. From timeless interiors to functional family spaces, these posts reflect our design work throughout Minnesota.
From snowy Minnesota winters to sunshine-filled days in Naples, the connection between the Twin Cities and Southwest Florida runs deep. That relationship was recently highlighted on KSTP’s Twin Cities Live, shining a spotlight on Minnesota businesses that followed their clients south.
If you have visited Traditions’ Minneapolis showroom at 4245 Excelsior Boulevard, you are familiar with the vintage building’s unique layout and style, including the beautiful courtyard surrounded by what appears to be a U-shaped building. In actuality, the building consists of two separate structures, now known as Traditions and The Studio, that flank the courtyard in a U-shape.
The yellow brick building was constructed in 1940 as Miracle Mile was just beginning, and has since been home to many small businesses.
The Joppa Pharmacy was the first drug store to sell TVs when it occupied the left wing of the building from 1948 to 1953. It then became the Warren Pharmacy, which remained until 1970. Meanwhile, the Irish Washerwoman operated in the basement of the same building from 1948 to 1967. The laundry business offered self-service or full-service options with twenty Bendix washers. These businesses also advertised their Soda Grill and TV Lounge, which was located in the basement.
The middle section of the building housed many doctors and dentists over the years, most notably, The Kindy Optical Company. Dr. Richard Kindy, who opened this location in 1954, was renowned for having a mini-golf course in part of what is now the courtyard, offering it as entertainment for patients and fellow Miracle Mile businesspeople (Above Right Image; Tubert, 1982). In the lower-level of this section, the Joppa Beauty Salon and Barber Shop operated from 1942 to 1947 and Deloris Larson’s salon from 1951 to 1961.
On the right, where The Studio is today, housed several businesses over the years, including Arcade Television and Appliances from 1950 to 1972, later renamed Arcade TV and Organ. Northwest Guitar and Accordion also occupied the space, offering instrument sales, rentals, and lessons. Additionally, the Minikahda Barber Shop was located there briefly from 1960 to 1962 before Wayne and Esther’s “Cameo Coiffure” salon moved in for a period of time.
Since then these buildings have been home to a multitude of local ventures including the renowned Jon English Salon from 1999 to 2006. In 2008 Traditions moved in and since then we have greatly appreciated the charm of our beautiful showroom and learning about its history has helped us feel an even deeper connection to it!
Sources
Excelsior and Joppa. St Louis Park Historical Society. (n.d.). https://slphistory.org/joppa/
Tubert, J. (1982, May 6). Zany golfers think small when they putt it there. Star Tribune.
Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on what is important in our daily lives. One of Traditions’ favorite ways to celebrate is with our friends and family; some our fondest memories are shared around the dinner table, and what better way to share our family traditions than to give a peek into what will be on our Thanksgiving dinner plates!
Grand Raspberry Trifle
Recipe Courtesy of: Martha Stewart
Ingredients:
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
4 cups raspberries
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 pounds favorite pound cake
Directions:
1. In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, and lemon juice to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, 1 to 2 minutes. Let cool
2. In a small bowl, combine jam with 3 cups raspberries, mashing slightly. In a large bowl, while cream and 2 tablespoons sugar to stiff peaks.
3. Slice pound cake 3/4 inch thick; brush both sides of slices with lemon syrup.
4. Fit 1/3 of slices snugly in the bottom of a 4-quart trifle dish or other glass bowl, trimming edges if necessary. Gently spread top of layer with 1/3 of raspberry mixture, and then 1/3 of whipped cream. Repeat to make two more layers; garnish with remaining cup raspberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 24 hours.
“There is no Sincere Love than the Love of Food” – George Bernard Shaw
Festive Cheese Log
Ingredients:
1 Goat Cheese Log
1/2 Cup Raspberries
1 Tablespoon Sunflower Seeds
Honey
Cracked Black Pepper
Directions: Let goat cheese sit out to room temperature. Top with fresh, or thawed frozen raspberries, sunflower seeds, and torn up mint leave. Drizzle honey overtop and cracked black pepper to taste. Serve with crackers.
Candied Pecans
Ingredients:
2 cups Finely Chopped Pecans
1/2 cup Melted Butter
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
3/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/4 tsp Dry Mustard
2 Egg Whites (beaten until fluffy)
Directions: Melt butter and set aside. Beat egg whites and add other ingredients, with butter added last. Coat pecans and put on cookie sheet and bake @ 325 for 28 mins stirring every 7 mins. Store in sealed container.
“Cut my Pie Into Four Pieces, I Don’t Think I Could Eat Eight” – Yogi Berra
Chiffon Pumpkin Pie
Bourbon Corn Pudding
Whether your day will consist of a Turkey Trot or just a turkey, we sincerely hope that your holiday is full of family, friends and fond memories!
Where Function meets Fabulous Design
Recently, our Naples-based designer Kriss LeCocq wrapped up her Ridge Drive project with the most exciting ending we could have hoped for—the model home sold…fully furnished! It came as no surprise to us, as this new-build home, developed by Pohlmann Properties, in the Pine Ridge Estates neighborhood embodied both style and functionality.
The 6bd/8ba house is great for entertaining and overnight guests. Secluded on an equestrian approved 2.29 acre estate site, the beautifully appointed residence incorporates fine finishes and the distinguishing characteristics of a home built for a modern family. With a spacious outdoor living space and vanishing edge pool, you may find yourself wanting to spend more time outside than in! Kriss envisioned a family moving right in and making themselves at home, and her wish came true!
We are excited that local magazine Home & Design fell in love with the project as much as we did, and are thrilled to share their article >>>.
http://www.homeanddesign.net/sweeping-sophisticate-2018/
This Thanksgiving, we share our warm wishes and hope that your blessings are too plentiful to count. Thank you for being part of who we are as we are very thankful for you.
Our hearts are full of love and these are the things we are especially thankful for this time of year.
Carolynn is most thankful for her family and friends.
Mary DJ appreciates the hours between 10AM and 6PM for her coworker and all the special times, love and laughter.
Mary is thankful for good hair days!
Kathy is thankful for those clients that have become good friends and for the opportunity to play some small part in making their lives more enjoyable.
Suzanne is very thankful for all of us at Traditions! “You have made me (Suzanne) a much better person with your friendship, creativity and never ending support.”
Rhonda is loving her grandchildren and facetime more than ever this time of year. Thank goodness for technology helping us stay connected to our loved ones.
Kriss is thankful for coffee in the morning, good foundation that covers age spots and wine at night! But mostly, she is thankful for her health.
David is thankful for never having a bad hair day, and is most thankful for good health and good friends!
Sharon is thankful for the time to spend with her family and friends this time of year.
Nancy is thankful for her family and friends.
Sarah is thankful for her warm winter coat as we go into the coldest months of the year, her anti-frizz products, but most importantly, her family.
Emma is thankful for her family and friends, especially this time of year.
Kersten is thankful for the quiet minutes of early morning—where she can listen to nature and enjoy the moments before the day really begins.
Lauren is thankful for family and all the support they offer throughout the year.
Our fourth dinner was deliciously simple. The Lynhall is warm and inviting, which is especially surprising for such a large and open space. Each staff member was more welcoming than the next. It’s a fun new concept that definitely impressed.
The Lynhall has mastered the art of the community table as well as family-style cuisine. Rotisserie chicken at its finest, braised short ribs that melt in your mouth. The side red potatoes are what dreams are made of. Every crispy bite had me craving more. Every flavor – from the chicken and potatoes to the collard greens – perfectly complemented one another. The rolls were served warm with melted butter and minced garlic on top. To say they were divine would be an understatement.
The atmosphere was jovial and lively. Families gathering, friends catching up, business meetings running late into the evening. Each table was filled with a mixture of activities. The diverse use of the space was refreshing and different.
In short, we cannot wait to go back!
P.S. You should also follow The Lynhall on Instagram, @thelynhall! They’ll make you hungry even when you just ate!
See the list below of our favorite Fall must-haves!
1. Late Summer Lobster Corn Chowder
2. Eileen Fisher Peruvian High-Low Sweater
4. Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Ever wonder what goes into one of our interior design projects? Curious about what goes on behind the scenes to pull off and put together a whole home before the photographer comes in to capture those picture-perfect vignettes?
While most projects begin the same way, each new installation provides unique challenges and opportunities that keep our designers well engaged and coming back for more! Typically, our talented Design Consultants meet with the client, going over project details and parameters and pull together a storyboard of ideas. Depending on the scope of the project, this process can take a few days, weeks or even months. Once our Design Consultants have picked out the perfect pieces for a project, they generate a Sales Order—utilizing the same process for accessories and case goods alike—and itemize each unique piece to be ordered. Once the Sales Order is generated, we hand it off to our Logistics Coordinators, Sharon and Nancy. These ladies submit orders to each manufacturer individually and track the purchases through to delivery to our local warehouses. Meanwhile, our Design Consultants are busy on-the-ground, coordinating delivery to the project and often times, helping to make other design decisions along the way.
We caught up with David and Kriss from our Naples Team, who shed some light on their recent installs and how they transform paper plans into spectacular spaces. Without further ado, our quick Project Install Q&A!
1. What is the first step to an entire home install?
D– Double checking the orders prior to initial install, making sure we have the correct pieces, and that all the dates are organized with everyone involved—this includes the movers, the warehouse, designers and owners of the property.
K– The first step for my recent install was to meet with the builder to get his vision, and walk the house to get the feel and flow.
2. How many months of planning are typically required before the installation?
D– It depends on the size of the home, but typically four to five months of planning.
K– For the 10,000sq ft home I just installed, I began planning about six to eight months prior to the install date.
3. Do you start with the big picture and progress to the smaller details, or pick the elements out all at once?
D– The answer depends on whether or not it is a builder or a walk-in customer and what the project entails. For any project, you have to take in to account the ‘look’ the buyer wants, their budget, the layout, and how quickly they want everything. A large install requires a lot of communication and double checking…measurements, dates, style numbers.
K– For my recent install, I started with the over all look and then planned the detail down to bars of soap for the powder room and bath sheets for the pool area. Everything that is in the house and in the outside living space—beds, bedding, tables, rugs, art, dishes, pool towels—was picked for the space! I also learned to measure multiple times. Eye-balling does not always work!
4. How many people involved?
D– Depending on the size of the project, it varies.
K– There are many people involved with the process – I did the product picking with input from everyone that was working on the project and had help pulling together the product quotes and look-book. I met with the builder often to show and get approval, met with his designer that picked counter tops, flooring, paint, lighting, wallpaper – to make sure we were on the same page. There was help from the MN stores in sending fabric cuttings, and from the business office to fine tune the Sales Order and submit to the manufacturers. The install—the final step—really was an all-hands-on-deck effort. It’s helpful to have another set of eyes (and hands) to help when finally staging things up and moving product around the house. Movers, electricians, picture hangers…the numbers really add up!
5. Creative process?
D– Determining the look, the style, the layout and the colors. There are quite a few different details not to be overlooked.
K– The creative process is the best part – especially when the install is for a ‘spec home.’ The builder has the initial idea or look that he or she is going for and after that, my job is to pull together a couple of options for approval, and then go for it. I present to both the builder and designer the proposed plan, and take in to account their input. The actual install the most creative time for me, as I get to accessorize and stage the whole home before pictures are taken and the house goes on the market for sale. The smallest details make the biggest impact, and I think that those details transform a staging project to a home that buyers can picture themselves living in.
6. How to achieve end result for photographs?
D– The lighting and accessories are key to helping achieve the polished end result for photographs.
K– The days before photographing, I like to find as many fresh pieces as I can—from flowers to plants and fruit— I love what they can add to the freshness of a space. I love to set the table, leave books open, and games unfinished so it looks like they may have been called it dinner in the middle of what they were doing. My goal with my recent install was to make it feel “homey,” and at 10,000 square feet, it was challenging but very rewarding to see it all come together. I could envision a family living there, and that’s what sells a property to potential buyers.
Each install is as unique as the home itself and that’s what makes it so fun! No project scope is the same which gives our Design Consultants the opportunity to really listen to the client and hone in on what works for the individual space. The challenge of bringing a home to life through furnishings keeps David and Kriss, and our Traditions team, going back for more! To view some of the after install pictures—the beautiful vignettes captured by photographers—head over to our portfolio page.
Tommy Bahama
Making Life One Long Weekend at a Time
Tommy Bahama, the iconic menswear known for loose-fitting silks and island-inspired graphics, and Traditions have a few commonalities, and can add one more to the list—our partnership with the Tommy Bahama store in the Mall of America!
Believe it or not, the brand of Tommy Bahama was conceptualized by Minnesota clothing executive Bob Emfield. He took out his yellow legal pad with a colleague, and together created a fictional grey-haired character, discerning everything this type of man would do, wear, eat, shop, etc. Tommy Bahama, the fictitious island guy who never had to go back to work, quickly turned into a $500 million business. With the help of two additional founders, Tommy Bahama opened its first store and restaurant in Naples, Florida! (Hey—we know a thing or two about Minnesota and Naples!)
Next to Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama became one of the first modern brands to enter the lifestyle market and be successful at it! Part of the lifestyle collection, which ranges from indoor and outdoor furniture, to rum and bedding can be found at the Mall of America store! While you’re shopping for your island-inspired gear, look no further for some outdoor digs, too! We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Tommy Bahama clothing store in the Mall of America—any furniture you see in the store or in their catalog can be purchased directly through either of our Minnesota stores!
The Tommy Bahama collections feature unique indoor and outdoor designs, whose casual elegance evokes the essence of what founder Bob Emfield originally set out to do—demonstrate how one would live a comfortable and relaxed life. Tommy Bahama has become widely known for its casual elegance portrayed in a relaxed manner. The Tommy Bahama furniture lines offer custom finishes and unique fabric options, like weather tolerant, Sunbrella! Choose from contemporary, West Indies, modern or classic traditional in durable outdoor materials to complement any space.
Visit tbfurniture.com for more information, or stop in to any of our three location to browse the catalog! We’re happy to help!
The Lynhall
“Wisdom not silver; knowledge rather than gold”
Aside from furniture and turning houses into beautiful homes, something we are fond of is testing out the new food spots in town! Now, we aren’t trained critics here, but we like good food and praising it! Last week we had the pleasure of trying The Lynhall. Located on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis, we were excited to visit the new locale after reading the fantastic articles and wanted to show support to our fellow Design District member, Ciel Loft & Home, who furnished the interior. Our reviews are in……drumroll……we loved it!
Upon entering the newly opened restaurant, you are immediately greeted by the friendly staff. What seemed to be a team mentality for success allowed for prompt service and inclusion in the fun, new concept.
Referred to as the Culinary Community, The Lynhall offers a vast assortment ranging from exceptional coffee and perfected cocktails to delectable delights. We enjoyed sweet and savory pastries and had dreams about the brioche French toast that night. The array of offerings is as fun as the decor, and all together, it made for a charming experience!
“We are a collective of passionate educators, chefs, bakers, craftspeople, storytellers and entrepreneurs. We believe in the importance of food and its power of strengthening families, friends and communities. At The Lynhall, we entertain, engage and invite people in as we celebrate taste, teaching and togetherness.”
“At The Lynhall, we continuously strive to create a space which inspires our employees, customers, and makers to gather around great food experiences.”
We are excited to have this new concept in our neighborhood and foresee more visits in the near future. Until then, a lesson to keep in mind a la The Lynhall:
Eat
Drink
Gather
Grow
P.S. You should also follow The Lynhall on Instagram, @thelynhall!