Lake Okoboji
The goal of this project was to create a natural looking patina on new fitted furniture. We researched a number of historical locations and created custom samples for the homeowner to ensure his vision was being executed correctly. Using a combination of finishing techniques, we were able to deliver a distressed birch built-in bench, curved wall bar, hand painted wood built-ins and custom cabinetry through this unique cottage on Lake Okoboji in Iowa. We executed Jeff Murphy’s architectural design and teamed up with Prospect Refuge Studio who provided interior design for the project. The homeowner played an integral role in bringing his vision to life for this project.
We started out testing finishing techniques to match this antique stool, and then proceeded to do research on how wood naturally ages over time. We looked at the James J. Hill Library, W. A. Frost and the Cathedral of St. Paul for inspiration. From there, we began creating finishes for the Liar’s Club built-in bench and bar lounge area.
This English cottage features many built-in cabinets and shelves fitted for different rooms, including the master bedroom, guest bedroom, kitchen, pantry, cocktail lounge, bathrooms and laundry room. This historic-style cottage used old world techniques to create an authentic look and feel throughout the home.
Pueblo Revival
Designed & Made was brought in to build custom cerused oak cabinetry and fitted furniture throughout this Pueblo Revival style home located in the prestigious Silverleaf community of Scottsdale, Arizona renovated by Shawn Kruidenier.
The designer Catherine Ma found inspiration from the fragmented glass sample and it was incorporated throughout the architectural millwork, including the built-in entertainment wall, the range hood and the bathroom mirrors. The fragmented glass will be installed in the wall panels that act as dividers between the living room and entertainment room.
The cabinetry, kitchen island, dual vanity, and entertainment wall feature a cerused oak finish. The custom island and the A/V cabinet feature curved doors, and the kitchen island features a built-in TV lift.
See below for a photo of the specialty fragmented glass sample that inspired the design.
Dellwood Lake Home
Designed and Made had the privilege to work on a beautiful custom home designed by Andrew Sawn in Dellwood located on White Bear Lake. The home features a custom dining table with inlay and a built-in bar, an oversized center island in the kitchen along with a custom range hood and cabinetry.
This home features architectural details, such as custom archways, as well as a custom upholstered bed in the primary bedroom, layered mirrors in the bathroom, custom bunk beds and much more.
Kansas City Project
This home was purchased as a forever home, but the home’s interior needed extensive work to fit the owner’s lifestyle. After careful planning, we ended up creating custom woodwork throughout the home, including:
- Kitchen Cabinets, Island and Range Hood
- Mud Room Cabinets and a Pair of Benches
- Butler Pantry
- Bar
- Master Vanity
- Powder Room Vanity
Designed & Made was involved early on in the creative process which allowed us to tailor the end product for the homeowner. We manufactured the cabinets at our shop in Minneapolis, and then delivered and installed the finished products in Kansas City.
The custom woodwork in this extensive home remodel was designed in collaboration with Bria Hammel Interiors, and was featured in the newly released design book On Style by Carl Dellatore.
Work in Progress Photos
Here’s what the homeowner had to say…
“I was introduced to Brian Grabski, and Designed and Made, through Bria Hammel. My husband and I bought a house with privacy and outdoor space that we loved but an interior that I literally hated. I immediately called Bria to help knowing that she would be able to see something I wasn’t able to in making this new house our forever home. The combination of Brian alongside Bria, who I knew and trusted already, in transforming this home has been incredible. His vision has been equally impactful as hers which was not something I expected. Bria recommended Brian at the onset because I wanted a kitchen that was truly unique and I was less than impressed with the kitchen designers in our market. We spend the majority of our time in the kitchen/great room and so since we had a blank sheet of paper to make it exactly right for our lifestyle it had to be thoughtfully designed. She knew his creativity and quality was going to give us the wow factor that the home needed. After we started to work together I basically decided he and his team were the best fit to also take on our mudroom, which includes custom built-in dog kennels, our powder bath, laundry room, basement sports bar, and master bath vanity/storage…putting the entire house in his hands! We’re not quite to the finish line but every detail that Brian and his team have put into our home is already making our friends jealous. Working remotely with Brian hasn’t been an issue at all either – frankly given he’s located near Bria it’s been easier for her to be hands on throughout the design process taking that burden off of me. When we’ve needed to work through something Brian’s created videos to visually and verbally explain what questions he has and how he’s envisioning us using a particular space. He’s personally come onsite for every step of the project ensuring that communication hasn’t skipped a beat. He visited our current home to assess some of the features we have today that we don’t want to lose – like a sports bar in our basement – and took his designs in a direction that gave us the functionality and feel we wanted but were still able to align with the design and style that Bria envisioned for our room. I don’t know if I’ll be remodeling or building a home again but if I ever do Brian will be one of my first calls for sure.”
Nolan Mains Art Deco Bar
Designed & Made was hired by Buhl Investors to build a custom bar in the club room at Nolan Mains, a market-rate apartment building located at 50th and France in Edina.
The Art Deco-style walnut bar features integrated LED lighting, brass inlays and details that nod to the brand logo used for the building. The countertop utilizes three-form to allow the lighting to show through the top. This unique piece elevates the amenity space at this new upscale apartment building.