Launching the Craftsman Bungalow into Orbit: Re-Design Honoring 1921 Bespoke Arts & Crafts

Steph & Shawn are legacy champions of originality, their all-encompassing revival of a Garfield jewel depicts the class and prowess that results when honoring originality through a modern reworking ensuring this example of craftsman architecture

This is the story of their outstanding renovation, one that we sadly will be presenting for torch pass this coming May, it will be monumental one, as you can see the immense period correct renovations that occurred resulting in this scarcity of old and new, a true northstar example of the Rare Form aesthetic.

Design was completed by Deidre Webster of Design in Rare Form in early 2018: a lifetime achievement of scope in one swing- kitchen // main floor bath // owners suite. The renovation was managed by Ring Construction and underwent craft details by several of our trades from Blackelm Cabinetry to Waldo Tile.

Shawn & Steph’s ‘21 Craft Bungalow-this owner of record story highlights their incredible remodel on three floors with Design in Rare Form.

Shawn & Steph, spirited humans who reside in a world dominated by precision, true 80’s babies that became modern day “math-masters”... an actuary power-couple that formed the basis for probability, while falling in love in the infancy of their careers entrenched in statistical modeling. (a craft skill that would be incredible at determining an algorithm for winning S.mpls bidding war in 2021) We met at a somewhat frumpy open house in the fall of 2015, our fast friend's moment occurred naturally, as OCD aspiring classic-home owners: meet OCD bungalow broker.

Our relationship began on sound footing, bonding by our mutual drive for scarcity, discerning musketeers saddled up on the open markets of 2016, back when originality and feverish demand did not coincide as prominently as they do in our present culture for nostalgia.

Journey to 1921, and her Prairie influence.

Our search began as many do, full of vigor & all over the map: Duplexes in St Paul, MCM ranches in Highland Park, until I walked Steph & Shawn through a couple ‘doors of Tangletown’, and that was all it took. When your brain is wired with actuary precision, its first-grade-math at first witness of the emotion and depth of soul within the survivor stock of craftsman & tudor eras.

The architectural direction was not predicated on any prior experience, Shawn & Steph were young lovers with the desire to create a sanctuary with one another, the arts & crafts era Craftsman became the flavor du jour, of the time period at RFP. This direction was our lead question when sitting down with S & S:

When you landed Garfield in 2016, were you seeking a craftsman era specifically?

Steph: “We didn't want a bastardized house”. I wanted something with original character. I didn't need a craftsman specifically, but I knew I wanted to have some of the original detail. We liked this house because “it wasn't messed up yet”

Shawn: I just wanted a big garage. Now I don't really care about a garage.

(this is such a purely joyous-agro late 20’s honest answer- love you Shawn)

At the time I was fresh off a ridiculous left for dead restoration of a 1922 craftsman bungalow.

(4231 Blaisdell, ‘Project bungalow’ was an all-facets full-on neglected estate revival, starting as a water & heat-less shed to polished-posh abode of design and craftsmanship, AV audio to heated tile to Chris Craft millwork)

The intensity of this four year renovation was finishing upon meeting the Stenders, following 200k and 5 years of my life, needless to say I was extremely opinionated about the correct way to restore & execute a modern-retrofit of a craftsman bungalow.

The craftsman is the ultimate sleeper---humble from the curb as her early architects never intended finished footage below or above, which made for sprawling footprints on the foundation. This was a little known statistic- the footprint of bungalows in the craftsman era were typically 30-40 percent larger foundations than similar two stories. Following a pass through of 4-5 classics, the math-masters understood the significance of this statistic. (inside the minds of purveyors era deep-cuts)

We toured a gem tudor on Valleyview in Tangletown, which cemented the estate originality they were seeking, however this home had a small 740 square footprint, and following this tour the focus became bungalows of stoic-sprawling footprints.

Upon entering 4400 it was for real OVER, as S & S reached for their excalibur swords--- a legit douglas fir lined porch for mudroom entry, creating a formality to a fireboxed living room that was rarely witnessed in Kingfield. The scarcities of 4400 were obvious by my enthusiasm at our first pass- birch millwork over oak hardwoods, 9’ ceilings on the main, period original shaker kitchen, large scale bedrooms on the main and upper level attic with intense finishing potential.

West shore Kingfield at this stage in the market was a screaming value, diverse architecture, tight knit blocks, and 4-5 block access to Lake Harriet, 3-4 restaurant corners made for an incredible urban environment, 4400 was increasingly regal as her nearly 1200’ footprint placed her in rare air for Kingfield and all of Mpls for that matter.

Steph & Shawn were dialed on the bungalow ownership front from onset, ‘Walkabout outdoor’ was hired to install a contemporary artists stone patio amongst native gardens throughout the fenced rear lot and prairie perennial garden boulevard. It was clear in this early juncture that that S & S placed a high value on presenting a stately bungalow to the community in Kingfield.

Didn't you guys begin with the exterior development, prior to inside? Tell us about the garden space and how the creative evolved on outdoor

We hated the curb appeal, it was a horrible color.
We wanted to have the landscaping done right away because we know that it takes a few years to look full
Everyone can see the outside of our house so we wanted it to look good. People judge it by the outside

Design in Rare Form: Renovation Planning 2019

Following the completion of the native walkabout gardens, S & S reached out about executing a major scale remodel. Deidre Webster crafts a prowess for period original interiors, and a passion for this element of incorporating functionality while ensuring the stage lights burn brightest on the interiors oldest details. She was an incredible fit for this period correct renovation of the kitchen, while emphasizing S&S’s love of MCM cleanliness in the owner suite and tying it all together with a classic bungalow main floor bath and lighting throughout.

The scope of work is something that few humans attempt in a lifetime, much less one concentrated time period of a remodel: Kitchen Restoration with original shaker & freshly milled birch to fool the viewer into what is old & new, main floor bath and entry mudroom//porch, attic renovation with owner’s suite moderne’ bath and walk-in closet, lower level refresh carpet & lighting & laundry update.

This was essentially a three floor scope, with extremely intricate original detail that made for cumbersome and craft laden retrofits in kitchen and upper level, the ‘budget’ was attempted by owners, designer and project manager, and like all projects of this scale and scope, it definitely triggered the 15 percent 'construction-contingency’ that are required in all quality forward period correct remodels.

Steph & Shawn were champions of execution, departing to the parents' off season home in Rochester for 6 solid months, while 4400 was given a nip//tuck never witnessed by Kingfield area craftsmans to date. The end product was unicorn like, much to the credit of Deidre Webster, Ring Construction and Steph & Shawns true grit, for enduring this intense and rewarding revival of one of Kingfields truest classic era bungalows.

The soaring galley was modernized. original shakers served as the blueprint for a timeless end result.

You have restored and modernized the entire bungalow- lets get into the big remodel. Kitchen, Owners Suite, Main floor bath & basement- thats a huge scope:

“The upstairs was unlivable. We used the shower once and never tried it again.“ -Shawn

In the kitchen it was ok but had some functionality and layout issues. All the appliances were crowded to one side and the existing cabinets were below standard. I would lean over while chopping and it just didn’t work.

Walk us through how the scope got that broad, and how you adjusted your lives to execute it on such a cohesive level?

We ended up adding the main floor bath because we knew we wanted to update it and didnt want to pay a contractor twice. We thought it would be more of a value.
We wanted to have all the work done at once so we wouldn’t have to uproot our life again in the future.
We knew from watching a lot of HGTV that adding the bathroom would only be about $5k-$8k more.
We expected to be in Rochester for 8 weeks and ended up being there for 4 months
The first night we came home we spent 4 hours cleaning. We didn't have electrical so Joe (the contractor) gave us a big flashlight to use.

The kitchen was modernized while working with the period arts & crafts finishes, talk about the inspiration and challenges with that, and how it turned out for a chef couple?

We knew we wanted to adjust the layout to accommodate better functionality.
We had to move the counters up and out to get normal counter depth and height.
We had the cabinets designed to match the existing cabinets in both the profile and stain color.
The kitchen was already kind of modernized and we kind of went backwards to bring it back.
“Even if it’s easier, we didn’t want to strip away the charm” - shawn

Primary suite- the getaway in the attic- whats the best part of adding that space to function in your daily lives? Has it impacted your well-being?

We are so glad we finished the remodel when we did. We wrapped up right before the pandemic.
The attic space is a getaway where we can step away from our at home work areas and relax, read, listen to records etc.
We now have two bathrooms which is really nice too.