The challenge: Homeowners Carol Kratzer and Mandy French bought their 1-story Tudor in south Minneapolis more than a dozen years ago, with the long-term goal of remodeling its unfinished attic. We wanted to create an open, functional space there and turn it into a really cool bedroom suite, said Kratzer.

The team: Kratzer and French turned to Iron River Construction (www.ironriver co.com), Chaska, 952-442-1762, with whom they had worked on three previous home-improvement projects, and designer Jessica Cook, JLC Interior Design (www.jlcinterior design.com), Maple Plain, 952-994-1124.

The wish list: In their new suite, Kratzer and French wanted space for a bedroom and a seating area, plenty of storage, and a bathroom with a separate shower and tub. Instead of the typical glass-doored shower, they preferred a large, walk-in tiled shower, similar to ones theyd seen on trips to Mexico. Jessica started to get creative, Kratzer said. They went through several different designs for the shower before landing on a free-standing circular enclosure with a descending arc at the top. The distinctive shape adds architectural interest. There are so many straight lines in this space, said French. The giant curve is a contrast.

Tricky tile: Tiling the circular shower and bathroom floor was a challenge. Kratzer and French had chosen small hexagonal penny tiles, in classic black and white, with turquoise accents. It took four weeks to install all the tile. This was not a standard project, Cook said. In addition to working with thousands of tiny tiles on a curved surface, he [Dave Karp of Tile Fusion] had to set the white tile first, then remove pieces, and hand-set the accent tile. That bathroom is a credit to his patience, skill and professionalism.

Tremendous tub: The 1936-built attic was not designed to support a cast-iron tub, which weighed almost 600 pounds, plus another 20 for each claw foot. There were no trusses, said Rick Tollerud, senior project manager for Iron River. The flooring below the tub had to be beefed up and secure, because we were putting all this weight up there. Getting the massive tub upstairs was another hurdle. It took six guys, Tollerud said. It had a painted exterior, so we couldnt scratch it. If we had to touch it up, it would show. We didnt scratch it.

Built-in functionality. As long as they were remodeling, Kratzer and French chose to make their house more energy-efficient. They made the investment in spray-foam insulation in walls and ceilings, said Tollerud. It had a huge impact on the R-value, and it also has sound-deadening qualities. To get the storage space the couple wanted, the suite includes 25 feet of custom-built cabinets behind the knee walls.

Distinctive finishes: The attics support posts are now clad in vintage Chicago brick, similar to that on the homes chimney. The 80-year-old bricks came from a neighbor who was removing them from his driveway. The flooring in the suite is dark-hued cork. Its earthy and organic, similar to wood, Cook said, but has a softer feel underfoot. We like it a lot, and the look is beautiful, Kratzer said.

Let there be light: The angled-wall space needed more light, but there wasnt enough ceiling depth to add can lights, said Cook. The solution: LED valance lighting, installed where the ceiling meets the knee wall. Its on a dimmer, so it gives a lot of flexibility, Cook said. Its functional and creates a beautiful glow. Period sconces, in a nod to the homes original architecture, and a modern chandelier were the final touches.

The result: Kratzer and Frenchs 850-square-foot suite has become their go-to getaway spot. Theyre enjoying its higher vantage point. Its fun a new perspective on our neighborhood, Kratzer said. Moving upstairs has opened up space downstairs. We travel a lot, and now we have a guest room on the first floor, so the people we visit can visit us, Kratzer said.

But friends also have their eye on the new suite. Theres a waiting list of people who want to stay here, French said. They ask us, When are you going out of town?

Read more:
Before & After: Unfinished attic in Minneapolis is now a distinctive owner's suite

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There was a lot of rubbernecking at the corner of 39th and Vincent Avenue S. last summer. There, perched high on stilt-like supports, sat the second floor of a quaint cottage-style house. Below it, instead of a main floor, was nothing but air.

We got a lot of gawkers driving by, said Jeff Nicholson, owner of Quartersawn, the contractor who oversaw the unusual remodeling project.

Wed see pictures of our house on Facebook and we didnt put them up, said homeowner Peter Ihrig.

The makeover didnt start out so extreme.

Ihrig bought the southwest Minneapolis house in 2013 intending to make modest changes, he said.

We liked the location that was most important, said Starla, his wife since July. The house was just two blocks from Lake Calhoun and conveniently located on a bus line. I work downtown, and I have door-to-door bus service, Peter said.

The house itself was not their dream home. Built as a small cottage in 1913, it had undergone many modifications over the years, including the addition of a second floor in 1994.

It was very segmented, said Peter. We wanted to open it up. To do that, the Ihrigs intended to relocate the basement stairway, which was too narrow to allow carrying a laundry basket, and so low that Peter often hit his head on the ceiling.

But when Quartersawn started excavating, they found a surprise. There were no frost footings under a one-room addition dating back to 1991.

This presented a problem and an opportunity.

Continued here:
Reinventing home: A lofty makeover

Remodeling of the former U.S. post office in downtown Reno is nearly complete and locals will be given the opportunity to see the progress that's been made.

Since ownership of the old post office changed in 2012, the building has been re-purposed as a retail and business work place in the center of downtown Reno.

Bernie Carter, project manager, says they are 95% done with remodeling and they are now entering into the phase where they prepare for tenants.

Right now we've done all of the tear down, we've done the cleaning, we've put the atrium back in, we've put operable windows back in, the skylight's back, we've prepared the building for tenants, says Carter.

Bernie Carter is the developer who initially bought the old post office because he didn't want the city to tear it down and build something new.

He wanted to preserve the local history; including the building's interior and exterior design. He also wants the re-imagined structure to make a bigger impact to the downtown economy.

The building has also been rehabilitated differently for each floor. The second and third floors will be used for tenants to rent out office spaces. For the first year the main floor will be held for special events, including weddings. After that, the goal is to make it one of downtown's premier retail locations. Finally, the basement is being renewed as a marketplace.

With so many additions in store, developer Debbie Day says she is excited to see a place that was once used for collecting mail or buying stamps to become something much greater.

Now there's an opportunity to come in and step back and go wow, look at what we've got here and I think the concept to rehabilitate it back to what it was is phenomenal and we really have a treasure here, says Day.

On Sunday the building will be open to the public from 10 a.m. until p.m.

Read more here:
Re-Purposed Post Office Aims to Help Downtown Economy

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