Favorite room: Outdoor theater/bar.
Created by: Natthan and Jessie Osterberg, St. Louis Park.
The back story: For years, a large section of the Osterbergs' backyard sat empty. It was time to make use of the space.
It "once housed a playset for our daughters when they were younger and, as they outgrew it, it was basically an empty wasteland," Natthan said. "As a family, we have always enjoyed setting up a portable screen to watch movies outside, so we thought we could do something a little more permanent."
How it was created: First, the Osterbergs designed a gazebo. "It's got two full walls and the front is wide open and the other side is a half wall where the bar top is," Natthan said. "We wanted to figure out a way to make it so you could protect from the elements if need be, but we also wanted it to be open because that's the whole point of being outside — to have the sun and the breeze."
The Osterbergs sourced materials — including a tin roof, reclaimed barn wood walls and granite bar top — on their own and enlisted Telos of Eden Prairie to build the 12-by-12-foot structure.
Costs: $16,000.
Finishing touches: The Osterbergs outfitted the room with loveseats and chairs. They had audio and visual equipment installed. Design splurges include having Canvas Craft of Otsego create and install curtains ($1,200) made out of the same rolldown tarp material used for boat covers.
