The wall material is plywood, routed vertically to look like tongue-and-groove boards. The deeply set, natural wood cabinets create warmth while hiding a television.

The homeowners’ goal of an evening glow was created with carefully selected woodwork, stone and lighting. The essence is of a handmade boat—reflective of Arts & Crafts style, but filled with light.

Old row houses are long and dark, all rooms lined up front to back. This open floor plan expands the space; a large skylight over the stair and variety of strategically placed high windows fill it with light.

New Tudor

Edina Arts & Crafts

Shingle-Style Lake Home, Northern Minnesota

Rustic Retreat

Transformed Traditional

Minnetonka Shingle Style

Historic Georgian

Modern Renovation

Lake Superior Retreat

Park Point Home

East Harriet Addition

Edina Mid-Century

A shallow exterior bay with deep-set windows creates a light, bright nook that opens onto the porch, allowing le petit déjeuner en plein air.

The homeowner needed storage space, and a home for his art. We collaborated with the client in designing unobtrusive cabinetry along the wall, which allows art to be layered in front.

The home was built in the 1940s. Like most homes of that era, rooms were isolated from one another. The homeowners wanted to maintain the original footprint and rough-cut limestone exterior that initially attracted them to the home, while opening it up for modern living. With only one entrance from the main hall, the living room was a dead end. To create a second opening at the rear of the living room that connects to the kitchen, TEA2 moved the central staircase forward several feet.

Strategically perched above the ravine, the breakfast nook enjoys southern sun and a Lake Superior view.

Seamless Neighbor

Italian Villa

Hilldale Addition

Calhoun Contemporary

We designed the dining room around a beloved heirloom cabinet. Graceful stairs enhance the room’s character, as do hand-scraped floors.

Rustic Retreat

Creating detail and character without being slave to an old style can be a challenge. Here, cabinetry and vanities feel historical, yet fresh.

We used inset tile in the master bath to create a mosaic tile “rug.” Built-in glass cabinets provide airiness and balance to the room.

The master vanity area is located within the tower. Even here, the outside world takes precedence: The vanity mirror stands away from the window, view unobstructed.

Equestrian Country House

Italianate Villa

Rustic Bunkhouse

Kenwood Shingle Style Cottage

Tudor Transformation

Italianate Villa

Linden Hills Cottage

Deephaven Revival

Transformed Tudor

Sunny Lake Home

Contemporary Cape Cod

Nautical Shingle Style

A formal entryway was forsaken for a casual, eclectic entry/bead-board mudroom. Guests can head straight to the lake-facing screened porch or turn and step in to the kitchen and great room.

Modern English Country House

Kenwood Shingle Style Cottage

New Tudor

We use features like this curving dormer to create little “moments” both in the home and on the roofline. Here it allowed us to gracefully “cut the corner” between rooms as well as roof gables.

Lake Superior Retreat

Transformed Traditional

A wine cellar becomes a work of art itself, the wine collection framed in an arched doorway.

Cozy Lake Cottage

Italianate Villa

Shingle Style Lake Home

Tangletown Addition

Hometime Autumn Woods

Shingle Style Lake Home

Kenwood Shingle Style Cottage

Linden Hills Cottage

Deephaven Revival

Hilldale Addition

Rustic Bunkhouse

Cozy Lake Cottage

Country Club Addition

Country Club Addition

Italianate Villa

Rolling Green Transformation

Italianate Villa

Orono Poolhouse

Gate & Carriage House

Rolling Green Transformation

English Country House

Lake Carlos Boat House

Wayzata Pool House

Lake Carlos Gate House

Superior Carriage House

Cabin Retreat

Modern Carriage

English Country House

Edina Classical

The terrace of our dreams: partly covered, with columns framing broad and tall views, to combine the best of indoors and nature—creating a magical place.

Such a strong indoor-outdoor connection is rare with “historic” homes, but enhances livability and joy, and is well worth achieving.

Wood columns and flared fieldstone piers create classic yet relaxed architecture, fitting for a casual lake lifestyle. The porch is designed just deep enough to sit in under the rain, but not so deep as to block light from reaching inside the home.

The property didn’t have a sumptuous view, so we gave it one: an inner courtyard bracketed by home and pergola. Walls of glass make the home feel light and open, but the shape creates an outdoor “room” and sense of protection.

Bluffside Home

The rear loggia overlooks a picturesque, Italian garden-inspired landscape. Tall arched openings provide full views into the grand salon. Each traditionally set keystone weighs over a ton.

New construction, Italianate Villa, Landscape, Edina, Minnesota, TEA 2 Architects

We designed a long and shallow porch—to provide distinct living areas with up-close, expansive views of the lake.

Family Heritage Cottage