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October 31, 2024

Minnesota Home & Design Events | November 2024

Calling all Parade of Homes fans! If you’re looking for something to do this month, check out these local home and design events near you.

More blog posts

December 24, 2019

Fall 2019 Calendar of Events

Add these Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase events from select builders and remodelers to your tour! These are the events that introduce you to new neighborhoods, the latest trends, and much more. Join us to learn how to find your dream home or transform your current house.

December 24, 2019

Benefits of Living in a Community

Humans have long gravitated toward communal living. From our earliest beginnings, we’ve been social creatures, gaining strength and security by sharing resources. In those days, most people stayed their whole lives within about 50 miles of where they were born; relying upon family and neighbors for help was a given.

December 24, 2019

7 Tips for Creating a Welcoming Entryway

As the first space guests see when they walk through your front door, an entryway is arguably the most important room in your house. “It really sets the tone for the entire home,” says Carrie Ingalls of Ambiance Home Staging. Whether you’re throwing a party, hosting out-of-town guests, or conducting a showing, make a good first impression with these seven tips for creating a welcoming foyer.

December 24, 2019

Now Trending in Lighting

Lighting is like the jewelry on your home, and similar to how the latest necklace trends inform how we dress our décolletage, what’s in vogue for chandeliers and pendants determines how we decorate our spaces. “It’s what lights up your home,” says Kyndra Roth, a lighting specialist at St. Paul–based Creative Lighting. “You might have beautiful finishes, but if they’re not appropriately illuminated, you’ve wasted your money. Lighting is what creates the most ambiance in a space.” Here, she dishes on what we can expect to see in Minnesota homes—from fixture finishes and materials to new shapes and designs.

December 24, 2019

2019 Home Design Trends

New year, fresh design. If updating your home is on your list of resolutions—whether it’s one room or the whole house—look to these expert-identified trends to bring your spaces into 2019 in style.

December 24, 2019

Home Staging Tips: Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

After you’ve found your dream home on the Parade of Homes, it’s time to get your current place ready to sell. One of the keys to getting the best price for your current home? Home staging done right. Focus on your home’s strengths, downplay the weaknesses and appeal to the largest number of buyers with these home staging tips.

December 24, 2019

Home Trends to Love From Kohler

One of our favorite things is sharing what’s trending in home colors and finishes. We checked in with our friends at Kohler Co. to see what home trends are on tap to turn heads this year in display models and renovated homes all across the nation. Here are some of the concepts they’ll be incorporating into their new products — ideas you’re sure to love.

December 24, 2019

A Lifestyle Change to Love

Downsizing happened somewhat serendipitously for Chuck and Kelly when he ran into a friend one night at a local restaurant. Chuck had retired recently, and while he loved his shop and the acreage they owned, Kelly had been suggesting a less-encumbered lifestyle might be a good choice for them. A new home was just what they were looking for.

December 16, 2018

Home Trends to Love From Kohler

One of our favorite things is sharing what’s trending in home colors and finishes. We checked in with our friends at Kohler Co. to see what home trends are on tap to turn heads this year in display models and renovated homes all across the nation. Here are some of the concepts they’ll be incorporating into their new products — ideas you’re sure to love.

Design
December 3, 2018

5 Winter Renovation Projects to Tackle

It’s cold, the snow is flying, and you’re getting cabin fever…so maybe now is just the right time to call your remodeler. It may seem counter-intuitive, but there are plenty of reasons to give your home a refresh in the dead of winter. Here are five winter renovation projects to consider when the temperature drops.

Builders & Remodelers
Home Tips & Tricks
November 30, 2018

Home Staging Tips: Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

After you’ve found your dream home on the Parade of Homes, it’s time to get your current place ready to sell. One of the keys to getting the best price for your current home? Home staging done right. Focus on your home’s strengths, downplay the weaknesses and appeal to the largest number of buyers with these home staging tips.

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November 19, 2018

6 Steps for Styling Your Bookshelf

Make your shelves feel curated—not cluttered—with this expert guide.

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November 16, 2018

10 Questions to Ask When Considering New Construction

You’ve toured the Parade of Homes and fallen in love with the benefits and choices available in a new home. You’ve seen lots of gorgeous homes that speak to your style and lifestyle. You’ve discovered a couple neighborhoods that feel just right. So, what’s next? How do you make sure you choose the right builder to make your dream home come true?

Home Tips & Tricks
November 8, 2018

A Lifestyle Change to Love

Downsizing happened somewhat serendipitously for Chuck and Kelly when he ran into a friend one night at a local restaurant. Chuck had retired recently, and while he loved his shop and the acreage they owned, Kelly had been suggesting a less-encumbered lifestyle might be a good choice for them. A new home was just what they were looking for.

Real Stories
October 30, 2018

Building the Perfect Home for One-Level Living

Why buy new? With a new home, you pick the floor plan and finishes that fit your lifestyle. You choose the community and neighborhood that speak to you. And you can even select just the right energy-saving features that balance your personal philosophy with your budget. We asked this family to share what drove them to new construction.

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October 29, 2018

Twin Cities Best New Homes Win 2018 Reggie Awards

BATC-Housing First Minnesota hosted the annual BIG (Building Industry Gala) Night on Oct. 25, 2018. Over 900 attendees joined together to celebrate the home building and remodeling industry and to find out which homes from the Fall Parade of Homes were judged the best — the best design, construction quality and value.

Builders & Remodelers
Home Tours
October 27, 2018

Design Trends From the Fall Parade of Homes

The Parade of Homes is a great way to see the newest trends in home design and the styles that are continuing to shine. From freestanding bathtubs to statement ceilings, this year’s fall tour had no shortage of details that were sure to leave tour-goers inspired. Here are a few of the trends we spotted from Minnesota homebuilders.

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October 10, 2018

Building a New Home for a Growing Family

Why buy new? With a new home, you pick the floor plan and finishes that fit your lifestyle. You choose the community and neighborhood that speak to you. And you can even select just the right energy-saving features that balance your personal philosophy with your budget. We asked this family to share what drove them to new construction.

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September 24, 2018

A Radical Change: A Real Family's Remodeling Story

Lisa and Eric have lived in their traditional Colonial home in Minnetonka for over a decade, but the segmented layout felt dated. They dreamt of a sun-drenched kitchen and a warm, inviting space to make lasting memories with their family — so they made their dreams a reality.

Home Tours
Real Stories
September 23, 2018

Remodelers Showcase Features Two Dream Remodeled Homes

These two stunning whole-house remodels from Black Dog Homes and Frontier Structures are this fall's Dream Remodeled Homes. Your $5 tax-deductible admission to each remodeled home will go to the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation to support their mission of building and remodeling homes and facilities for veterans and the homeless.

They're open for one weekend only, so grab your guidebook and head out to tour Sept. 28-30, 2018!

Home Tours
September 18, 2018

Wayzata Dreams Times Two | Real Family Homebuilding Story

Brandis and Paris had found a great new homesite in Wayzata, a place they have long loved. They showed their best pals Amy and Bo their chosen site and plans for their soon-to-be new home with Pillar Homes and couldn’t be more excited. That is until Bo and Amy fell in love with the location and decided to build right next door. Now these two besties and their families are thrilled to be next-door neighbors building homes together.

Home Tours
Real Stories