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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

June 18, 2019

Artisan Home Décor and Design Trends From Galleria

The 32 homes on the Artisan Home Tour are overflowing with design inspiration, so we know that after you finish touring, you'll be itching to incorporate some of the trends and styles into your home. That's why Galleria put together this decor guide to help you transform your home and bring the artisan styles you see on the tour into your own space! Find your favorite styles here, then shop the 11 home furnishing and decor options all under one roof at Galleria.

May 31, 2019

How to Design a Productive Home Office

Imagine the beginning of your workday starts like this: You wake up, shower, brew a cup of coffee, and walk to your office—less than 10 feet away from your bedroom (yoga pants optional but encouraged). It sounds too good to be true, but this scenario isn’t far from reality for the increasing number of people who choose to freelance or telecommute, meaning home offices are becoming a “must have” rather than a “nice to have” on the checklists of today’s homeowners. “If it’s designed well and if it’s designed in a way that’s going to make you productive, you are probably working less and getting more done,” says Maggie Tarr, owner of Margaret Jane Design Group. Here, the interior designer and architect shares her tips for creating a space that makes you feel inspired and excited to get down to business.

May 31, 2019

2019 Artisan Home Tour Opens June 7

Ready to be wowed? The sixth annual Artisan Home Tour starts June 7! This year you have the chance to tour 21 spectacular new homes and 11 incredible remodeled homes on the Artisan Home Tour by Parade of Homes. You’ll see innovative technology, high-end finishes, and the latest home inspiration from the region’s most exclusive builders and remodelers.

May 21, 2019

Top Spring Home Maintenance Tips

With the snow melted, now is the time to plan your spring home maintenance chores. It’s especially important in Minnesota where our dry winters bring plenty of snow, ice, and cold followed by hot and humid summers. If you took care of your home last fall, then your springtime efforts will be primarily looking for problems brought on by winter weather. Here’s a handy checklist to get you started.

April 24, 2019

Debunked: Myths About Building New Construction

Myths and misconceptions are as commonplace as mosquitos in Minnesota. You’ve probably heard a few about buying a newly built home, too. But don’t let those scare you away, building a new home is one of the most exciting and rewarding things you can do. Here are five of the most common myths that we’re ready to debunk.

April 22, 2019

A Place for Everything in this Remodeled Kitchen

Amanda and Craig have moved around a bit with their careers, but with two young boys, Drennen and Garrett (now 12 and 8), they decided it was time to settle down in one place. They knew their current home in Alabama wasn’t quite where they wanted to be. They discussed the West Coast, where they had lived for a while, and Craig was pushing for Chicago. But Amanda wasn’t convinced until she discovered Minnesota. “I visited Minneapolis for a work convention and fell in love,” she exclaims.

April 7, 2019

Now Trending in Tile

Tile is essential to many a bathroom, kitchen, or mudroom project, and with so many options on the market today, there’s no reason to settle for bland designs. Whether you’re pining for a new backsplash, ready to cozy up in front of a reimagined fireplace, or dreaming of a laundry room that’s both functional and stylish, these seven trends will elevate your indoor and outdoor spaces.

April 7, 2019

Calendar of Events: Spring 2019 Parade of Homes

Select builders and remodelers on the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase are hosting special events that introduce you to new neighborhoods, teach you about the latest building and design trends, and much more! Add these special events to your tour, and join us to learn how to find your dream home or transform your house.

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