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Decorating Guides → Decorating Styles

Houzz Tour: A Minnesota Home Is Loved Back to Life

An industrious family serves unwanted critters an eviction notice, turning their house from run-down to lived in and cherished

Houzz September 21, 2012

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When designer Araya Jensen and her husband, Jordan, saw their house for the first time, weeds and brush overwhelmed the front yard and the backyard, and the interior had become a sanctuary for small animals in the winter and insects in the summer. But "there was just something about the house," Araya says. "We looked at 50 other homes, but in this case, when you know that a home is yours, you just know."

Turning the run-down traditional house into a livable space challenged the Jensens throughout the remodeling period. Despite their ups and downs, the couple are very happy with their revived home — one that now has witnessed the birth of their youngest baby, multiple birthday celebrations and cool evening bonfires with extended family and friends.

"The best feeling is when old neighbors and friends of the original owner stop by to compliment our work on the house," says Araya. "They even go so far as thanking us for working on the home and loving it back to life. We're lucky to be in such a great community."

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Araya and Jordan Jensen and their 2 kids
Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Size: 2,000 square feet, including unfinished basement workshop
Year built: 1968

Transitional by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Transitional Exterior by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

The worn and run-down concrete stairs were begging for an interesting and unique update, so Araya applied a trellis pattern and a greeting on the front steps with stencils and a concrete stain.

When the couple began the tedious task of cleaning up the home, neighbors — who witnessed the home's deterioration from afar — would stop by and share stories about the first owner of the house. "She apparently had a green thumb and took great care of the house. We're thrilled that we've turned this house into a home again," she says.

A patch of fragrant lavender greets the couple's toddler.

Transitional Kids by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Eclectic Kids by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Araya turned the dining room into a kids' playroom and covered an entire wall with chalkboard paint — perfect for scribbles and doodles.

The playroom gives the kids plenty of space for imaginative play and art projects, and gives the entire family a place for their impromptu Saturday-morning dance parties.

Framed prints: Flora Fauna World

Modern Living Room by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Araya and Jordan cleaned and painted every surface in the home and created a starting point of mostly neutrals. The designer challenged herself by staying within a workable budget (she was unexpectedly laid off from her job when they began remodeling the home).

The couple made the large map hangings by gluing a map mural onto plywood with two-part epoxy.

Transitional Living Room by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

"We point to places on the map while watching TV or reading books with the kids. It's important for us to have a house where our children aren't just stimulated but also educated by their surroundings," she says.

Modern Living Room by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Araya bought the living room side table for $3 at a garage sale, then "sanded it down, and when it revealed its beautiful joinery, put a light protective stain on it and called it good," she says.

Transitional Living Room by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

A chest from Araya's parents holds keepsakes and displays a set of antique books and an aerial photo taken by Jordan's grandfather in the late '70s.

Before Photo

Transitional by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

BEFORE: The Jensens inherited a kitchen that hadn't been updated since the early '70s.

Transitional Kitchen by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

AFTER: "Jordan enjoys cooking, and I love to bake, so we spend about 80 percent of our waking hours in the kitchen," Araya says. "The kitchen is the only place where we can talk about our day without any digital distractions."

Transitional Dining Room by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Since Araya converted what used to be the dedicated dining room into the kids' playroom, the small breakfast nook in the kitchen is now the main dining area.

Paint: Celery Green and Ultra Pure White, Behr

Transitional Bathroom by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Araya kept the bathroom's original wall and floor tiles. She spruced up the space with indoor plants and replaced the cabinet pulls with gemstone-hued knobs from Anthropologie.

Transitional Bathroom by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

The designer and maker likes the idea of adding tiny, interesting objects to one's home.

Neon mini planter: Wind and Willow Home

Transitional by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

"Tiny objects are so unexpected. Typically, someone takes a sweeping look at the space for an overall feel, but when they look closer, it's really the tiny details that make a home special: a strip of color, feathers, rocks and tiny plants," Araya says.

Before Photo

Transitional by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

BEFORE: The steps, railing and wainscoting needed refreshing.

Transitional Staircase by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

AFTER: New paint transforms the space, and Araya gave meaning to the wall with framed pictures of her and Jordan as kids, wedding photos and a still that captures their first glance at their eldest child.

Transitional Staircase by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

"Our transition spaces contain as many personalized and interesting details as the rest of the rooms in the house," she says.

Transitional Bedroom by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Transitional Entry by Wind and Willow Home

Wind and Willow Home

Much of the decor and many of the accessories in the house have special meaning and are either heirloom pieces or handmade by the couple.

A vintage military trunk passed down to Araya by her grandfather makes the perfect pairing with a green striped woven planter that she made and sells in her online shop, Wind and Willow Home. She also upcycled a coffee tabletop from a Home Goods purchase almost a decade ago.

"It feels great knowing that we loved this place back to life. My husband did most of the handiwork, painting and refinishing, and the house truly reflects our style," she says. "Every space has a purpose, and nothing is displayed just for show."

Baxton Studio Sparrow Brown and Gravel Wood Modern Dining Chair, Set of 2

Baxton Studio Sparrow Brown and Gravel Wood Modern Dining Chair, Set of 2

$260

Marya 4-Light Black Metal Round Beaded Drum Chandelier Hanging Crystals Glam

Marya 4-Light Black Metal Round Beaded Drum Chandelier Hanging Crystals Glam

$136

Nantucket Sinks 16"x11" Undermount Ceramic Sink, White

Nantucket Sinks 16"x11" Undermount Ceramic Sink, White

$108

Ceiling Fan, Distressed Koa With Frosted Glass

Ceiling Fan, Distressed Koa With Frosted Glass

$360

Ariella Casella Clear Glass Stem Hung Pendant Lamp

Ariella Casella Clear Glass Stem Hung Pendant Lamp

$51

Fogless, Color Temperature Adjustable LED Mirror, 32" Round

Fogless, Color Temperature Adjustable LED Mirror, 32" Round

$321

Comments (47)

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Susie Q Design Studio

I see that in pictures 6 and 16 Ayara has the little, dresser like, shoe storage cabinet from Ikea. I also own this practical little piece of furniture but I've use it in my main bathroom for a hamper. It is surprising how much laundry it will hold. I love using it as a hamper because; 1, I don't like the look of most hampers, 2, my bathroom is narrow and small and a round or rectangle hamper would take up far to much floor space, and 3, it becomes a nice little ledge that I can put a few decorative and useful toiletries on.

1 Like September 25, 2012 at 3:13PM

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PRO

Bowden Carroll Design

I could stare at maps for hours, so I love their use in this comfortable home! And again, we're reminded of how a coat of paint can instantly transform a space. As much as I love wood, sometimes it cries out to be painted, as in the staircase here

Like September 30, 2012 at 11:59AM

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shockjulie

I loved these maps ! Now, I have them in hand and they are beautiful. I wonder if they are having any problems with the plywood warping?

Like October 5, 2012 at 5:42AM

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