Medina bungalow harks back

Angela Johansen didn't want a "cookie-cutter house."

So in 2003, she and Jamie Sazama, her partner at the time, bought nearly 10 acres in Medina and designed and built a Craftsman-inspired bungalow themselves.

"We were out of our minds taking this to such a ridiculous DIY level," said Johansen. "But with the help of family and a few very good craftsmen, we learned a lot -- and we got it done."

Johansen, a graphic designer, and Sazama, who owns an excavating business, became the general contractors, hiring electricians, drywall installers, plumbers, carpenters and a stonemason. The rest they did themselves, including installing the insulation, the white oak floors and in-floor radiant heat. If that doesn't sound like much work, consider this: It took them six months just to sand and stain all the cabinets, built-ins and the wood trim around all 65 windows.

"We enjoy doing construction and Jamie is a jack-of-all trades," said Johansen. "And we wanted to build sweat equity into the house."

The two-story home, completed in 2006, replicates the look and feeling of authentic Craftsman bungalows from the early 1900s. Inside are wood built-ins, Douglas fir walls and ceilings, two stone fireplaces and slate tile. Outside, a welcoming front porch is supported by rustic stone pillars and the sidewalk and patios are laid with New York bluestone.

"It has a timeless Arts and Crafts feel," said Johansen. "We love quality raw materials and we focused on quality over square footage."

Johansen admits that she'll miss the house, especially the kitchen, for which she painstakingly planned every detail, from the poured concrete sink to the 20 cabinet drawers.

"Someday I will rebuild that kitchen in another house," she said.

Other features:

• The 3,185-square-foot home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a main-floor office and a loft.

• All of the bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the second floor. "We built it with a young family in mind," said Johansen.

• Wood built-ins include an entertainment center, bench and bookcases.

• The master bath features a double walk-in shower with stone tile and soaking tub.

• There's in-floor radiant heat throughout the house.

• The unfinished basement has a masonry wood-burning fireplace.

Rose Lorsung of Pulse Land Group has the listing; 952-457-7641.