Timeless Modern Main Floor Remodel
When the homeowners first discovered this 1942 Bloomington, Minnesota property, they weren’t in the market for a new home. What drew them in wasn’t the house alone, it was the setting. Perched above the Minnesota River Valley, the lot and the view offered something undeniable. The potential was there. What required vision, and a bit of courage, was seeing beyond what currently stood there and knowing that it would take a major main floor remodel to make it what they wanted. By removing what no longer worked and rebuilding with a great design, the main floor now feels open, connected, and grounded its remarkable setting. Modern living meets classic charm in every detail.
The Hidden Potential
Built in the 1940s and largely untouched for decades, the home showed its age. A dated addition disrupted the original architecture and the layout felt compartmentalized and choppy. Dark tile anchored the kitchen, while mismatched wood floors ran in different directions throughout the rest of the home. Natural light was limited, and the home’s setting wasn’t fully embraced from the inside. Nothing truly connected. Still, there was something worth building on.
A Home Reclaimed
Rather than applying surface updates, the plan was to start fresh. The design reimagined the home from the inside out, improving the flow, and creating spaces that felt livable. The ease of main-floor living appealed to the homeowners.
Removing the dated addition was the first step in this remodel, unlocking the home’s potential. Once it came down, we rebuilt the addition in a way that opened up the main floor, allowing the kitchen, dining, and living areas to move together naturally.
The kitchen is the true heart of the home. Exquisite sage-painted custom cabinetry was designed to maximize storage while maintaining clean, timeless lines. Corian Quartz countertops provide durability and a seamless, contemporary finish that complements the cabinetry without overwhelming it. The result is a kitchen built for everyday living.
The new family room addition establishes a strong visual and structural presence. Vaulted ceilings open up the space, while expansive windows capture the wooded setting and views of the Minnesota River Valley. The fireplace and television were intentionally positioned to the side of the room and integrated into a dramatic wall feature, allowing the uninterrupted bank of windows to remain the focal point. It’s an incredible place to sit and watch the world go by.
In the adjacent dining area, we drew inspiration from the existing fireplace brick and surround. The new integrated custom bookshelves, finished in a deep terracotta with a charcoal-painted backing, take their cue from the fireplace, tying the space together. Throughout the main level, 3¼-inch red oak flooring creates consistency and warmth.
To further strengthen the home’s connection to its surroundings, high-performance Marvin windows and patio doors were installed. At the rear of the home, dual decks flank the addition, one suited for morning coffee, the other designed to accommodate the grill. Both extend the usability of the home’s outdoor space.
Every detail of this renovation was curated to balance classic 1940s charm with high-end finishes and open functionality required for today’s lifestyle. The home feels settled again, now only better.
Ready to Start Planning?
If this project sparked your interest, or if there’s a space in your own home you’ve been thinking about, let’s connect. McDonald Remodeling is a design-driven, award-winning, full-service remodeling contractor, specializing in whole-home remodels, exteriors and outdoor remodels and individual room remodels including kitchens, bathrooms, lower levels, living spaces and specialty spaces. We celebrate design down to the last detail and relish the chance to dig into our rich knowledge base to come up with a creative and finely crafted transformation for your home.