Photo by Spacecrafting
The year of 2021 was a special one for Midwest Home: We celebrated our 20th anniversary Luxury Home Tour, kicked off the inaugural Midwest Home Design Awards, and showcased the very best of our incredible design-build community across our website and social media platforms. In fact, our loyal Instagram audience loved the projects as much as we did—made evident in the thousands of likes, re-posts, and comments accumulated throughout the year. Here, we show off the top 10 spaces—determined by the highest number of likes—our followers fell head over heels with in 2021.
10. Boyer Building Corp.’s Farmhouse-Style Garage
Photo by Mark Ehlen
Snagging the 10th spot on the list is a massive farmhouse-style garage by Boyer Building Corp. Once a dilapidated barn, the space was designed to match the homeowners’ adjacent private residence—one also crafted by Boyer 13 years ago. Read the full story here.
9. Kate Roos Design’s Simply Sophisticated Kitchen
Photo by Andrea Rugg
Kate Roos decided to banish black countertops in favor of white and introduce new cabinetry (a fresh, white aesthetic above with period-perfect dark wood below) to renew this 1918 home’s original kitchen. Read the full story here.
8. TEA2 Architect’s Modern, Agrarian Farmhouse in Pepin, Wisconsin
Photo by Corey Gaffer
Featuring wildflowers, acres of restored prairie, and breathtaking views of the surrounding treescape, this Pepin, Wisconsin, property (which scored a respective 8th position on our 2021 list) is made perfect with a modern yet agrarian home by Minneapolis-based TEA2 Architects. Read the full story here.
7. City Homes & The Sitting Room’s Bold, Colorful Family-Focused Home
Photo by Spacecrafting
Vibrant yet refined, distinct yet cohesive, Persian yet Swedish—the rooms of this family-focused home featured in our Jan/Feb 2021 issue tell one couple’s story of love and triumph. The dining room (which features a floral mural by Abbey Holden) paints a lasting impression with its rich colors. Read the full story here.
6. JMAD & Hendel Homes’ Montana Modern Lodge in Afton
Photo by Spacecrafting
Everything from this home’s site to its stone landscaping was meant to bring a little bit of the west to Minnesota. With reclaimed wood from Wisconsin and stones hand-selected from Montana, the exterior and landscaping of this home would fit right into a western setting, just as its homeowner wanted. Read the full story here.
5. Now Open: The Market Home + Design
Photo by Hayley Bodin Photography
The only post on this 2021 list that isn’t a new build or remodel project, The Market Home + Design is Red Wing’s newest furniture shop. It features curated selections of furnishings and home accessories—from plants, finishes, and furniture to artwork, textiles, and lamps. Read the full story here.
4. Trestle Homes’ Danish-Inspired Abode Near Lake Harriet
Photo by Spacecrafting
Alongside InUnison Design and PKA Architecture, Peter Crain, owner of Trestle Homes, built a technology-filled, Danish-inspired abode in Minneapolis. The project was also featured on our 2021 Luxury Home Tour. Read the full story here.
3. Aulik Design Build’s Bespoke Beauty on Robinson Bay
Photo by Spacecrafting
This extraordinary home on the shores of Robinson Bay stuns with its architecture, amenities, and personalization. For example, a gingko tree (a symbol of longevity) perfectly defines the home’s intention: to be seen and felt for generations to come. Read the full story here.
2. Aspect Design Build’s Bohemian-Style Remodel
Photo by Spacecrafting
After a full facelift, this Los Angeles fashion executive’s split-level home—which was uber popular on social media—has flow, function, and a fresh midcentury feel. The foyer shows off a pink brick wall that inspired the remodel’s color palette. Read the full story here.
1. Anne McDonald Design’s Revived Mediterranean in Minneapolis
Photo by Amanda Marie Studio
Last but not least is our most-loved space in 2021: A Mediterranean revival of a 1926 Minneapolis abode. There’s no shortage of pattern or texture throughout the home, which is beautifully balanced with cozy, neutral selections and dark, dramatic details around every corner. An inky black color in the butler’s pantry (including on the ceiling), on the kitchen island, and on a glamorous La Cornue range speaks to a more daring aesthetic. Read the full story here.