Recent content from Lynn Underwood

Old doors – many from western China – get new life as Minnesota-made tables
Pikka Design Co.'s wood tables are repurposed from old Chinese doors.

$3.2M loft in downtown Mpls. boasts rooftop deck, views of the Mississippi
The luxe North Star Lofts was the first warehouse conversion in Minneapolis' Mill District.

Creating a 'timeless' kitchen in a St. Louis Park Cape Cod
A new kitchen brings today's amenities to a 1940s Cape Cod by turning three confining spaces into an open and functional floor plan.
![Renae Keller in her new home in Burnsville . ] Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com Reveal of interior designer Renae Keller's newly-built "timel](https://chorus.stimg.co/21608700/08_1009444866_11KELLER101319_56279489.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Interior design pro calls the shots for new-fashioned farmhouse in Burnsville
After years of helping clients create their dream homes, Renae Keller and her family were eager to build a home "exactly the way we wanted."

Iconic Stillwater B&B from the 1880s hits the market for $1.2M
1880s Sauntry Mansion keeps the Victorian vibe alive, while enhancing it with Swedish steam showers and whirlpool tubs.

'Less is enough' at tiny cabin on edge of BWCA
A Twin Cities couple savor getting off the grid at their 600-square-foot retreat near Ely, designed by a "cabinologist."

HGTV's first giveaway home in Minn. is 'Urban Oasis' near Minnehaha Falls
The winner of the network's annual sweepstakes will own this fully furnished, rehabbed farmhouse with Nordic charm.

These Twin Cities households are run by the sun
Thinking about going solar? Twin Cities homeowners will share their knowledge about their rooftop solar systems.

1950s St. Paul rambler gets a streamlined new kitchen and mudroom
A modern kitchen and mudroom enhance a rambler's midcentury modern style.

Century-old former fire station now one-of-a-kind Mpls. condo priced at $1.1M
The fire pole is long gone — but the renovated Minneapolis firehouse now works as a flexible three-bedroom loft.

Minnesota's first Del Webb community among 385 models on Parade of Homes
A new 55-plus community in Corcoran, with year-round resort-style living, is among the 385 models open during the Parade of Homes.

Judy Erdahl, breast cancer research advocate who fostered gratitude, dies at 57
Judy Erdahl was well known in the Minnetonka area from her years as an Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) coordinator and parent education instructor. When…

In highly coveted neighborhood, $2.49M Edina home gets extreme makeover
A whole-house renovation merges old character with modern essentials.

One-of-a-kind minimalist home in Wayzata melds modern with tradition
Modern melds with tradition in a one-of-a-kind minimalist home.

'50s rambler in St. Louis Park gets sleek modern makeover
Here's how a couple transformed their tired midcentury home in St. Louis Park.

Once a stone horse stable, this home near Lake Minnetonka going for $2.1M
A top-to-bottom renovation of the English Tudor revealed amazing stone walls.

'50s split-level home in Falcon Heights is refreshed for modern living
As with many homes from that era, the kitchen was originally dark and cut off from the rest of the living spaces.

Breezy beach-inspired house offers California dreaming in Edina
Light-filled modern home in Edina lives like a beach house on the West Coast.

Upscale style on Lake Minnetonka is part of Luxury Home Tour
An "organic modern" residence in Mound — built on the foundation of a 1950s rambler — is among the ritzy real estate on the upcoming Luxury Home Tour.

Lavish $4.1M country manor in Medina has hints of Martha Stewart's farm
The genteel New England-style estate includes horse-riding facilities, a swimming pool and a Ralph Lauren-themed home theater.

Twin Cities water garden tour shows off the best of the wet
A tour highlights lush landscapes that all share one key ingredient — the soothing sound of flowing water.

St. Louis Park has become hub for locally owned home furnishing stores
A cluster of locally owned boutique-style home stores offer an alternative to big-box retailers.

Net-zero home on Lake Minnetonka is high-performance retreat
The house produces all its energy, manages rainwater and fits in with neighboring homes on Lake Minnetonka.

Rare steel home in Mpls. is a $350K time capsule with sliding 'spaceship' doors
The Lustron was expected to rock the post-World War II housing boom, but only 22 remain in Minnesota.

Bare-bones backyard in northeast Minneapolis is now an inviting outdoor room
Backyard is transformed into a landscaped dining, lounging and grilling getaway.

Judge Tammi Fredrickson was known as caring and fair
As Anoka County judges, Tammi Fredrickson and her colleague Jenny Walker Jasper were attending a state judges conference. Attorney Brock Hunter gave a presentation on…

Irwin Jacobs' Orono mansion back on the market for $12 million
The 20-acre estate on Shoreline Drive is the third most expensive single-family home in Minnesota currently listed on the MLS.

$1.59M island home is a 'hidden treasure' south of St. Paul on Mississippi River
Grey Cloud Island property boasts five bedrooms, swimming pool and serene setting only 13 miles from St. Paul.

Luxe Euro-modern Lake Minnetonka mansion stands out on Artisan Home Tour
A new 12,000-square-foot Orono mansion with an international vibe is on the roster of residences open for the Artisan Home Tour.

Seniors read, then recycle, with Green Books' free used-books outreach
Green Books has given away about 148,000 books so far.

$6 million stone mansion brings a taste of Italy to Lake Minnetonka
Revitalized lakeside home features seven fireplaces, 100 feet of shoreline and a carriage-house apartment.

After a devastating fire, a new eco-friendly farmhouse is born in Central Minnesota
After losing what they thought was their "forever" home, a couple built a new country house in Avon.

A Minnesota expert's guide to unusual herbs
Twin Cities grower shares her cultivating tips, savory recipes and plants that go "Beyond Rosemary, Basil and Thyme."

How to make a creative container garden for your home
Garden designers share recipes for creative containers to bring a mini-garden to your doorstep or deck.

$1.17M penthouse offers sky-high luxury — 27 floors above downtown Mpls.
The condo's luxe urban living includes three bedrooms and two outdoor balconies.

Home in the woods near Stillwater is serene Scandinavian sanctuary
Gables, a thickly wooded site and a Scandinavian sensibility define the design of a sustainable home.

12 one-of-a-kind Minnesota homes from top Twin Cities architects
These homes and more are among this year's Home of the Month selected projects.

Tips for designing 'your ideal home' from top Twin Cities architects
Architects David O'Brien Wagner, Christine Albertsson and Andrea Swan talk about designing for better, not bigger.

How to use 'modern witchcraft' to create a feel-good home
Author of "HausMagick" shares ways to harness positive energy to create a feel-good living environment.

Raina Eberly, PTSD researcher, dies at 66
Raina Eberly and her husband, Brian Engdahl, were professional partners and life partners. Both received doctorates in counseling psychology from the University of Minnesota and…

Private island with log home selling for $1.5M on one of Minn.'s largest lakes
There are no neighbors on the one-owner island in vast Lake Vermilion.

Weekend cabin near Avon, Minn., is transformed into like-new year-round retreat
A 1990s cabin in Central Minnesota has been reconfigured and refreshed.

Minneapolis' Timber & Tulip makes industrial modern furniture with art vibe
Brianne Boettner can take an ugly “tree wart” and transform it into an eye-catching maple cocktail table. “It looks like the shape of a lake…

Edina home makeover was inspired by vacations on Cape Cod
A family put a fresh spin on a traditional Edina home with thoughtful updates and a two-story addition. It's open for touring during the Remodelers Showcase.

Go inside Denny Hecker's former lakeside mansion retreat, now priced at $4M
The lavish compound near Crosslake has been divided into three lots.

Restored prairie pairs perfectly with renovated Lake Minnetonka Craftsman home
Native plantings and tried-and-true perennials surrounding a 1905 Craftsman-style home create a postcard setting on Lake Minnetonka.

Before & After: How to turn your front yard into a popular hangout
Landscaped sitting spot in front yard encourages connecting with neighbors.

5 upcoming home and garden events in the Twin Cities
A freebie at the Arb Escape to the tropics or cross-country ski for free every Wednesday in March at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. There’s no…

Nordic modern home makes the most of small Minneapolis lot
A Minneapolis architect designed his own Nordic-inspired, eco-friendly home.

Ultra-modern home in Golden Valley houses three generations of family
Multigenerational living in a cube-shaped home composed of glass, wood and steel, with dramatic geometric lines.

$2.99M brick mansion is a Lake Harriet landmark
Elegant 1930s home preserves the past, while adding upgrades such as a stone terrace and saltwater swimming pool.

'Property Brothers' dish on what it'll take for them to do makeover show in Minn.
The superstar twins bring their renovation expertise and sibling snark to the Minneapolis Home + Garden Show.

Childhood friends from Edina recycle flowers into bouquets of beauty for seniors
Their simple mission of giving a gift of recycled flowers has sprouted into a flourishing enterprise.

Minnesotan wrote the book on how to build a 'green' dream home
Minneapolis homeowner shares her hands-on experience of "Building a Sustainable Home."

$1.8M condo in Minnesota's tallest residential tower boasts bird's-eye views
Corner unit in the Carlyle offers sweeping vistas of downtown Minneapolis' skyscrapers and stadiums.

Century-old Linden Hills farmhouse is reincarnated for family life today
A family outgrew their 1907 home in Linden Hills — so they remade it for today.

Leland Krebs Jr., Great River B& B owner, dies at 88
Lydia Gnos met Leland Krebs Jr. when she was waiting tables and he was tending bar in 1987 at the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin,…

$1.2M Queen Anne mansion on Summit Avenue is postcard from the past
The well-preserved Victorian brownstone was designed by a renowned architect.

What's hot in kitchen renovations right now
Quartz is king, white rules and black stainless steel is ascending, according to uber-popular 2019 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study.

How to transform an unheated Minnesota porch into a comfortable home office
A Roseville telecommuter converted an unheated porch into a comfortable office.

Twin Cities designers forecast home decor for 2019
Kitchens with color, herringbone patterns for tile and flooring, and dark and moody hues are trends to look for.

Cozy 'little gem' cabin shows off dramatic views of Lake Superior
This hygge heaven creates an intimate connection to Lake Superior.

Minneapolis woodworker crafts custom furniture inspired by art
Minneapolis artisan crafts one-of-a-kind custom furniture inspired by art and architecture.

Architecture book, final Glögg tour, butterfly gardens, apple tree tips
Universal connections to ‘home’ Architect Charles Stinson’s “Connections” ($70, Wise Ink Creative Publishing) is more than a showy cocktail table book packed with pretty pictures…

Twin Cities designers weigh in on Color of the Year
Twin Cities design pros are either big fans or unimpressed by Pantone's audacious Living Coral.

$2.6M cabin on Gull Lake features luxury boathouse
Up North getaway home on the water comes with easy, remote-controlled mechanical boat-launch system.

Edina couple fine-tuned their modest rambler for modern living
They transformed their modest midcentury home to maximize a prime corner lot.

Inside $3.45M mansion where Mark Dayton and Dean Phillips once lived
The 1913 Georgian Revival in Minneapolis boasts a huge family room addition, multiple office spaces and backyard swimming pool.

Where to find bargain-priced, secondhand holiday decor in the Twin Cities
Castoff holiday trees, ornaments and home accents are available at bargain prices at Twin Cities resale shops.

S. Scott Nicholas, allergist and respiratory disease advocate, dies at 81
In 1966, he joined Eisenstadt Allergy & Asthma in Minneapolis, where he treated children and adult allergy sufferers for 52 years.

St. Paul garden features landscaped living rooms – one in the center of a pond
A small St. Paul backyard boasts various spots for relaxing — including one in the center of a pond.

St. Paul couple transformed condemned industrial building into modern loft-style home
Outside, it looks like an old industrial building, but inside is a comfortable loft-style home in St. Paul's Dayton's Bluff neighborhood.

Twin Cities designers share tips on adding pizazz to spruce-tip pots
Two design pros offer tips for creating seasonal containers that will brighten your door all winter long.

A Minneapolis architect fine-tunes his own Arts and Crafts gem
This Craftsman-style home has been updated for 21st-century living.

Futuristic earth-sheltered home in River Falls is '70s blast from the past
Five skylights and three wood-burning fireplaces brighten the house built into a hill in western Wisconsin.