Front exterior view of the Modern Sensitivity home at sunset clad in black siding, accented by warm wood in the entryway. The interior windows are lit.
The front entry hallway in the Modern Sensitivity residence with an open staircase on the left leading to the second floor, and an entry table styled with artwork, a small lamp, and a hanging mirror on the right. A red, patterned persian runner rug is laid in the center of the hallway.
The kitchen in the Modern Sensitivity residence featuring a large, central island wrapped in dark stained wood and finished with a white countertop. Four blue barstools line the island. No upper cabinets.
Three floating, open shelves in the Modern Sensitivity kitchen styled with plates, cook books, and glasses.
The main island in the Modern Sensitivity kitchen wrapped in dark stained wood and finished with a white countertop. Four bright blue barstools line the island, and a stove vent hood hangs overhead. No upper cabinets.
Four bright blue barstools pushed up against the island in the kitchen of the Modern Sensitivity residence.
The view from the kitchen into the dining room in the Modern Sensitivity residence. Two large, dark wood-wrapped floor-to-ceiling cabinets line each side of the room. The edge of the stovetop is visible on the right, and the kitchen sink is visible on the left. A brass light fixture hangs in the dining room above a table, and black chairs surround the table. Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper lines the dining room walls.
The dining room table in the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large table, six black chairs surrounding the table, and a modern brass light fixture hanging overhead. Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper lines the dining room walls.
The dining room table in the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large table, six black chairs surrounding the table, and a modern brass light fixture hanging overhead. Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper lines the dining room walls.
Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper on the dining room walls in the Modern Sensitivity residence, accented by a modern, brass light fixture.
The open steel and stringer staircase in the Modern Sensitivity residence.
A view looking down from the second level onto the open steel and stringer staircase in the Modern Sensitivity residence with dark grey and brown variegated wood floors and steps.
A close up view of the steel and stringer staircase in the Modern Sensitivity residence with dark grey and brown variegated wood floors and steps.
Powder room in the Modern Sensitivity residence lined with black patterned wallpaper. A brass faucet, circular hanging mirror, and light fixture match.
A sitting area in the Modern Sensitivity residence lined with large windows on all sides. A navy blue couch sits in the middle of the room with two wood chairs across facing the sofa and a circular glass coffee table in the middle. A large fiddle plant sits near the left wall of the room.
The nursery in the Modern Sensitivity residence with an accent wall covered in a cream and light green wallpaper of flowers and organic shapes. A changing table sits on the left side of the room, and a wood crib to the right. A mid-century book and toy shelf sits in the middle of the room. An orange paper ship hangs from the left corner ceiling.
Detail shot of the sliding black barn door and steel track to the office in the Modern Sensitivity residence.
A large, white soaking tub in the primary bathroom of the Modern Sensitivity residence with a single, framed blue print of a woman sitting at the edge of a diving board hung overhead. A skinny vertical window flanks the tub on the right.
A cozy reading nook on the second level landing of the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large, greenish-yellow reading cushion on the floor. Large windows flank each side of the nook and framed, colorful prints hang on the walls.
A cozy reading nook connecting to the hallway on the second level landing of the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large, greenish-yellow reading cushion on the floor. The adjacent staircase is open on top. Two large oars are displayed on the left wall next to a framed photograph.
The connection between the primary bedroom and the primary ensuite in the Modern Sensitivity residence. A wall-to-wall red, Persian rug takes up all of the floor space, with a small black desk and wood chair on the left hand side, and the corner of a metal bedframe with a blue comforter to the right. A floor wood-trim mirror rests against the wall to the ensuite bathroom.
The white and light wood vanity in the ensuite primary bathroom of the Modern Sensitivity residence. A small red, Persian rug sits below the vanity, and two pendant lights hang from above flanking either side of the vanity's mirror.
Rear exterior view of the Modern Sensitivity home.

Modern Sensitivity

Our clients wanted to find a home on the North side of the Longfellow Neighborhood of Minneapolis, no other location would do. These newlyweds also knew they wanted a home that encapsulated Modern Sensitivity and would fit respectfully within a neighborhood of mostly traditionally styled homes. They approached Shelter to design their new home. Even if they didn’t know where, exactly, it would be; after booking their wedding at Icehouse (because they loved the modern industrial vibe of the place).

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Modern Sensitivity

Our clients wanted to find a home on the North side of the Longfellow Neighborhood of Minneapolis, no other location would do. These newlyweds also knew they wanted a home that encapsulated Modern Sensitivity and would fit respectfully within a neighborhood of mostly traditionally styled homes. They approached Shelter to design their new home. Even if they didn’t know where, exactly, it would be; after booking their wedding at Icehouse (because they loved the modern industrial vibe of the place).

After a few months of helping them search they found the perfect location. A quiet lot in the Seward Neighborhood close to the river, bike paths, coffee shops and restaurants. Their sophisticated aesthetics (she has an advanced degree in art) and a confident understanding of what they wanted guided the design. The house was to feel cozy but not small, it should have plenty of wall space for artwork. They wanted a modest kitchen but he had to have an amazing stove. She wanted the suite to have a beautiful tub. There should be a very open and striking staircase. All of this should be wrapped in a very modern looking exterior.

We embraced the wish list and created a home that is bright & breezy with plenty of walls to show off their art collection. The floors, stairs and cabinets are wood to make sure the house always feels warm and inviting. It’s the same reason we clad the exterior walls and ceiling at the front door in wood; to invite you in and make you feel welcome.

Although the overall style is quite contemporary, we were intentional about making sure the home fit well within the neighborhood. As it turned out, the Minneapolis Star Tribune was doing an article on the appropriateness of modern homes in traditional neighborhoods; the home owners and Shelter were interviewed for that article, you can read here.

Completed

2015

Team

Shelter, Erotas Builders

Accolades

2016 AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour

Photographer

Farm Kid Studios

Front exterior view of the Modern Sensitivity home at sunset clad in black siding, accented by warm wood in the entryway. The interior windows are lit.
The front entry hallway in the Modern Sensitivity residence with an open staircase on the left leading to the second floor, and an entry table styled with artwork, a small lamp, and a hanging mirror on the right. A red, patterned persian runner rug is laid in the center of the hallway.
The kitchen in the Modern Sensitivity residence featuring a large, central island wrapped in dark stained wood and finished with a white countertop. Four blue barstools line the island. No upper cabinets.
Three floating, open shelves in the Modern Sensitivity kitchen styled with plates, cook books, and glasses.
The main island in the Modern Sensitivity kitchen wrapped in dark stained wood and finished with a white countertop. Four bright blue barstools line the island, and a stove vent hood hangs overhead. No upper cabinets.
Four bright blue barstools pushed up against the island in the kitchen of the Modern Sensitivity residence.
The view from the kitchen into the dining room in the Modern Sensitivity residence. Two large, dark wood-wrapped floor-to-ceiling cabinets line each side of the room. The edge of the stovetop is visible on the right, and the kitchen sink is visible on the left. A brass light fixture hangs in the dining room above a table, and black chairs surround the table. Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper lines the dining room walls.
The dining room table in the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large table, six black chairs surrounding the table, and a modern brass light fixture hanging overhead. Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper lines the dining room walls.
The dining room table in the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large table, six black chairs surrounding the table, and a modern brass light fixture hanging overhead. Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper lines the dining room walls.
Grey and white cloud-like wallpaper on the dining room walls in the Modern Sensitivity residence, accented by a modern, brass light fixture.
The open steel and stringer staircase in the Modern Sensitivity residence.
A view looking down from the second level onto the open steel and stringer staircase in the Modern Sensitivity residence with dark grey and brown variegated wood floors and steps.
A close up view of the steel and stringer staircase in the Modern Sensitivity residence with dark grey and brown variegated wood floors and steps.
Powder room in the Modern Sensitivity residence lined with black patterned wallpaper. A brass faucet, circular hanging mirror, and light fixture match.
A sitting area in the Modern Sensitivity residence lined with large windows on all sides. A navy blue couch sits in the middle of the room with two wood chairs across facing the sofa and a circular glass coffee table in the middle. A large fiddle plant sits near the left wall of the room.
The nursery in the Modern Sensitivity residence with an accent wall covered in a cream and light green wallpaper of flowers and organic shapes. A changing table sits on the left side of the room, and a wood crib to the right. A mid-century book and toy shelf sits in the middle of the room. An orange paper ship hangs from the left corner ceiling.
Detail shot of the sliding black barn door and steel track to the office in the Modern Sensitivity residence.
A large, white soaking tub in the primary bathroom of the Modern Sensitivity residence with a single, framed blue print of a woman sitting at the edge of a diving board hung overhead. A skinny vertical window flanks the tub on the right.
A cozy reading nook on the second level landing of the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large, greenish-yellow reading cushion on the floor. Large windows flank each side of the nook and framed, colorful prints hang on the walls.
A cozy reading nook connecting to the hallway on the second level landing of the Modern Sensitivity residence with a large, greenish-yellow reading cushion on the floor. The adjacent staircase is open on top. Two large oars are displayed on the left wall next to a framed photograph.
The connection between the primary bedroom and the primary ensuite in the Modern Sensitivity residence. A wall-to-wall red, Persian rug takes up all of the floor space, with a small black desk and wood chair on the left hand side, and the corner of a metal bedframe with a blue comforter to the right. A floor wood-trim mirror rests against the wall to the ensuite bathroom.
The white and light wood vanity in the ensuite primary bathroom of the Modern Sensitivity residence. A small red, Persian rug sits below the vanity, and two pendant lights hang from above flanking either side of the vanity's mirror.
Rear exterior view of the Modern Sensitivity home.