Exterior view of the Flower Valley Homestead residence at dusk in the summer, surrounded by fields of soybeans. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the home with the bottom lower walkout area covered in limestone.

Exterior view of the Flower Valley Homestead residence from the front at dusk in the summer. The house sits on top of a knoll surrounded by the valley. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the home with the bottom lower walkout area covered in limestone.

A straight-on exterior view of the Flower Valley Homestead residence at dusk in the summer. The house sits on top of a knoll, surrounded by the valley. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the home with the bottom lower walkout area covered in limestone.

Exterior, close-up view of the lower level walkout, and main level screen porch in the Flower Valley Homestead residence at dusk in the summer. Black siding covers the majority of the home with the bottom lower walkout area covered in limestone.

Exterior view of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just before dusk in the summer, surrounded by fields of soybeans. Black siding covers the majority of the home with the bottom lower walkout area covered in limestone.

Exterior front view of the Flower Valley Homestead residence in the summer at dusk. Black siding covers the majority of the home with the bottom lower walkout area covered in limestone.

Front exterior view of the full Flower Valley Homestead residence in summer at dusk. The driveway and main entry are the main focus. Black siding covers all of the home that's in view.

A close-up exterior view of the front entrance to Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the summer. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the entirety of the home in view.

A close-up exterior view of the back of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the summer. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone.

A close-up exterior view of the back of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the summer. The interior windows are lit up, including the large floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room overlooking the valley. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the back porch is covered in limestone.

An aerial view of the Flower Valley Homestead at dusk in the summer.

A far-out view of the Flower Valley Homestead at dusk in the summer, surrounded by lush green trees and a field of soybeans.

An aerial view of the Flower Valley Homestead flower field adjacent to the residence at dusk in summer.

An aerial view of the Flower Valley Homestead at dusk in the summer, including the full driveway, surrounded by lush green trees and a field of soybeans.

The main entrance of the Flower Valley Homestead residence from the interior. A black front door with (almost) floor-to-ceiling windows welcomes in natural light. Built in shelves flanking either side of the front door are decorated with vases, pots, and baskets. A cat is walking in front of the door.

The owner of the Flower Valley Homestead residence reading in her living room chair next to nine foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a valley.

The owner of the Flower Valley Homestead residence standing her living room next to nine foot floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush, green valley. A wicker basket with a blanket sits on the floor off to the side.

A framed, hand-drawn sketch by Shelter designer Kurt Gough of the Flower Valley Homestead residence displayed on top of the home's fireplace.

The Flower Valley Homestead kitchen, featuring a large central island with a wood butcher block countertop and a base painted dark green. Three caramel-colored leather barstools sit under the island's overhand. Two sets of three-paned windows frame the corner of the kitchen and provide a view of the surrounding valley.

A three-paned window above the sink in the Flower Valley Homestead kitchen with a view of the surrounding valley.

A close-up of the Flower Valley Homestead kitchen island butcher block countertop and dark green painted millwork below. Two shelves inside the side of the island hold cook books.

A close-up view of the Flower Valley Homestead kitchen countertops which are a deep, marbled green stone.

A close-up of the cylindrical light fixtures with exposed bulbs hanging overhead the kitchen island in the Flower Valley Homestead.

The screen porch in the Flower Valley Homestead residence surrounded by valley views on three sides with a circular table in the center.

The screen porch in the Flower Valley Homestead residence surrounded by valley views on three sides with a circular table in the center. The ceiling is lined with wood panelling. A cat sun bathes.

Two twin beds stacked in bunk beds and connected by a ladder with a blanket draped on one of the rungs on the lower level of the Flower Valley Homestead. A vintage suitcase is tucked under the bottom bed.

Two built in bunk beds on either side of a TV console on the lower level of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

A close-up of the TV console with built in overhead shelves that hold baskets and books in the lower level of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

Close up of a coffee mug and vintage book on a lap tray resting on one of the bunk beds in the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

Close up of shelves styled with vintage books and plants in the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

The mudroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence with a washer and dryer stacked on the right side, and a built in bench below a picture window on the left wall. Pillows and a basket of flowers sit on top of the bench, and a pair of boots is tucked beneath.

A close up of the bronze sink faucet and black painted brick backsplash in the mudroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

A close up of the black painted brick backsplash in the mudroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

A close up of the grey cabinetry and gold, leaf-like drawer pulls in the mudroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

A close up of the bronze sink faucet and black painted brick backsplash in the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

A black mirror and faucet alongside a white sink with a large eucalyptus plant in a glass vase in the powder room of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

The primary bathroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence with white walls and matching white tile on the floor, a curb-less shower with a pebble floor, open shelving flanking beside the shower, and a wood vanity.

A close up of the pebble floor in the curb-less shower in the primary bathroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

A close up of the black light fixture with exposed bulbs in the primary bathroom of the Flower Valley Homestead residence.

An aerial view of the exterior of the Flower Valley Homestead in the daytime in winter. The home is surrounded by a valley covered in snow. The exterior of the home is black.

An exterior view of the Flower Valley Homestead residence from the bottom of the driveway just after sun down in the winter. The interior windows are dimly lit. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone. The roof is covered in snow, and so is the surrounding landscape.

An exterior view of the back of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the winter. The interior windows are dimly lit. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone. The roof is covered in snow, and so is the surrounding landscape.

A exterior view of the back of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the winter. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone. The roof is covered in snow, and so is the surrounding landscape.

An exterior view of the back of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the winter. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone. The roof is covered in snow, and so is the surrounding landscape.

A wide angle, exterior view of the back of the entire Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the winter. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone. The roof is covered in snow, and so is the surrounding landscape.

An exterior view of the back of the Flower Valley Homestead residence just after sun down in the winter, primarily the nine foot floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room overlooking the valley. The interior windows are lit up. Black siding covers the majority of the house in view, but the lower level walkout is covered in limestone. The roof is covered in snow, and so is the surrounding landscape.

Flower Valley Homestead

The client, an active and outdoorsy empty-nester, decided it was time to move back to her childhood farm to start the next chapter in her story. She wanted a home that would feel cozy when alone, but also remain functional when accommodating family and guests. She also sought a home with aging in place considerations and unobstructed views of the beautiful valley she grew up in. Intended to be a modern country home, the Flower Valley Homestead is designed to fit, and frame, its stunning natural surroundings and provide captivating views inside and out.

Flower Valley Homestead

Set on a former apple orchard in southern Minnesota, the residence is a forever home designed with long-term accessibility in mind. All the owner’s living spaces are on the main floor, while the walk-out lower level accommodates guests with both a fun and functional bunk room and an accommodating bedroom suite.

We oriented the house on the site and tailored the proportions of the entryway and living space to accentuate spectacular views that transform with the changing seasons. As you move into the hub of activity on the main floor, the priorities for the kitchen design were to provide panoramic views of the changing valley landscape while accommodating multiple cooks in the kitchen. We placed windows above the sink and the stove, left upper-level cabinets out — and opted for a downdraft cooktop vent— to ensure the pristine sight-lines were unobstructed. The kitchen’s vantage point allows the homeowner to spot approaching guests as well. The room’s floor plan encourages family activity. Three workstations accommodate communal cooking sessions when the homeowner’s adult children come to visit.

In warm weather, dining on the main-level screen porch just off the kitchen is a must. Open to the landscape on three sides and easy access from the kitchen and living room, the screen porch is the perfect calm spot for morning tea, lively lunches, breezy afternoons and sunset dinners.

But, living and visiting here isn’t all about staying inside. Active and outdoorsy, the homeowner and her family find this sanctuary a perfect launching point for year-round outdoor activities from snowmobiling and snowshoeing to hiking and biking – the home’s spacious garage affords ample space for toys for all ages. When the day’s activities are done, a soaring living room with a fireplace and 13 foot high windows overlooking the valley lull the homeowner and her guests into calm reflection on the day’s activities and anticipation of more of the same on the Flower Valley Homestead tomorrow.

Take a virtual tour:

Watch a virtual walkthrough with one of the designers and the homeowner: