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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

March 7, 2019

Building New To Fit His Lifestyle

New homes built in Minnesota today have better components, better materials, and they’re constructed in a way that is, quite simply, better. They’re more durable, safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly. Plus, you pick the floor plan and neighborhood that fit your lifestyle. We asked one recent homebuyer to share why he decided to build new.

March 2, 2019

Four Dream Homes Set To Impress on the Parade of Homes

These four incredible residences have been hand-selected by our BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation as the 2019 Spring Parade of Homes Dream Homes. These stunning homes from City Homes, Mark D. Williams Custom Homes, Stonewood, and Sustainable 9 Design + Build will leave you in awe. Plus, a $5 tax-deductible entry fee to each of these four homes will go to the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation to support their mission of building and remodeling transitional housing facilities for Minnesota's homeless, veterans, and others in need.

February 4, 2019

How to Boost Your Curb Appeal

Your home is your castle, your haven, your retreat. But if you’ve been less than impressed when you arrive home after a hard day, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look … from the curb. Go ahead. Step outside and give your home’s façade a critical once over. Does it say ‘welcome?’ If not, here are four great ideas to enhance your curb appeal and make coming home the best part of your day.

December 29, 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.

December 2, 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?

November 20, 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.

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.

August 9, 2019

Now Trending: Smart Home & Tech

From automation and voice control to real-time monitoring, today’s home technology has made incredible strides over the past decade, and even the last couple of years. “I believe [smart technology] is becoming the norm in newer homes these days,” says Kevin Clancy, system designer for Lelch Audio Video in St. Louis Park. “It doesn’t take away from the design of the space, and it adds a lot of convenience.” Ready to improve your home’s IQ? Read on for his roundup of what’s trending in residential tech.

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
August 5, 2019

Nine Dream Homes Featured on the Fall Parade of Homes & Remodelers Showcase

The selections are in, and you won’t want to miss the Fall 2019 Dream Homes! These are the homes that are ready to WOW you. The ones you’re pinning on Pinterest and ogling over in magazines. And they’re the perfect place to grab inspiration for your home. This year, there are five new homes and four remodeled homes hand-selected as Dream Homes. Plus, each time you visit a Dream Home, your $5 admission supports the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s work as it builds and renovates transitional housing facilities for Minnesota’s homeless, veterans, and others in need.

Home Tours
July 29, 2019

Now Trending: Paint and Wallcoverings

Painting or papering the walls of your home is one of the simplest, most cost-effective changes to make when you’re craving a refresh of your spaces. And thanks to new techniques, materials, and designs, you are only limited by your imagination—or the height of your walls. “Now is the time to express yourself,” says Kathy Basil of Hirshfield’s. “There has never been a better variety.” Here, the manager of the Minneapolis family-owned design shop talks top trends that will add “wow” to your walls.

Design
June 27, 2019

Now Trending: Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances

From nightly dinners to annual holiday parties, you and your family spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Make it a space you’re excited to step into every day with gadgets and appliances that help you work smarter, not harder, and infuse the heart of your home with a dose of personality.

Design
June 17, 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.

Design
June 5, 2019

Inspiring the Art of Shopping

Galleria is the place for home furnishings & decor. Shop 11 home furnishing and decor options all under one roof.

Design
June 2, 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.

Home Tours
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.

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
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.

Home Tips & Tricks
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.

Home Tips & Tricks
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.

Builders & Remodelers
Real Stories
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.

Design
March 28, 2019

A New Look

When Jason and Courtney found their 1930s home in 2013, they moved quickly.

Home Tours
Real Stories