Writings

Restoration Heather Strommen Restoration Heather Strommen

We finally live here!!

That's the Minnehaha floating by my house!
That's the Minnehaha floating by my house!

It's hard to believe that it has been two months since my last post! Today happens to be the first day of school and I am finely feeling like I have the chance to update my blog and take a deep breath! I guess you could say that I have been pretty busy moving in and getting settled! Whoa...Moving is not easy! There has been so much to do at 980 to get it up and running that I swear, there have been days were I don't sit down until I lay down to sleep!

Aside from the movers delivering items that I hadn't seen in almost two years, our college kids came bounding in the house along with a few significant others. So, before I knew it, we had a house full of teenagers and twenty-plus year olds ready to hit the lake and start up their summer fun! So, you can imagine that settling in was a bit of a challenge with that much excitement happening! Our summer days have been filled with boat rides, jet skis, fishing off the dock, lunch on the porch and lots and lots of laundry!!

I wish I could say that the house was all planned out and decorated way in advance, but unfortunately, that is not how I work. I tend to have to live in spaces before I can truly decorate them. And although furniture has been ordered, chairs are being recovered, rugs are coming, etc. I am still in the process of figuring what goes where and doing my best to make it all come together in a thoughtful and emotional way.

Needless to say, I am beyond excited to share all the fun that I have been having and now that summer has slowed down, I will be able to do just that!

Me and Buster on a boat ride!
Me and Buster on a boat ride!

Get ready for some fun decor...I can't wait to show you!!

Read More
Restoration Heather Strommen Restoration Heather Strommen

Before and After!

Stonewall before
Stonewall before

Landschute  has been feverishly working on finishing the outside details of 980 Shady! Right now, it's a race against old man Winter and I think Landschute is in the lead!  Here's what's going on...The exterior of the home is trimmed out and painted, landscaping is almost done (believe it or not, sod is still going in) and  I have already picked out window and door trim, bathroom tiles, wood flooring and next week is lighting (I can hardly wait!!) I never thought I would say, "I can't wait for winter," but I am looking forward to the team making the inside of this historic home come to life!   I promise to take pictures! I hope you enjoy these before and after shots! My favorite one is the turn-about (stone-wall) now hidden by evergreens!

Stonewall after plantings
Stonewall after plantings
980 Shady is finally getting a driveway!
Driveway BEFORE bricks.
Driveway AFTER...Along with some sod!! :)
Driveway AFTER...Along with some sod!! :)
Backside BEFORE
Backside BEFORE
Backside AFTER
Backside AFTER
Read More
Restoration Heather Strommen Restoration Heather Strommen

It's all in the details!

The charming details that make Jon Monson's homes so special are finally being added to 980 Shady! I am head over heals for the beautiful lattice-work that now borders the porte-cochere and the screened porch and I love how the lattice-work compliments the diamond windows and gives the home a lot of curb appeal. The detailed porch railing above the front door now helps to balance out the stature of the front entrance, creating a warm and inviting entry. I can't wait for the front door to arrive! Landschute is working feverishly to finish the outside work on 980 Shady which includes landscape (sod is going in) and paint yet this Fall (house will go back to its original white.) The biggest news from 980 Shady Lane is that our driveway is finally being put in!! Lots of trucks, dirt, rocks, sand etc. It is a HUGE job and it will still be a couple of weeks before it is complete and I cannot wait to share the final image of the finished paved driveway! After that, we will move inside and start the elaborate mill work...I can hardly stand the wait! It's coming together so beautifully!

Porch above front door!
Porch above front door!
Detailed lattice-work above Porte-cochere.
Detailed lattice-work above Porte-cochere.
980 Shady is finally getting a driveway!
980 Shady is finally getting a driveway!
Read More
Restoration Heather Strommen Restoration Heather Strommen

Sail away with me...

Wayzata Yacht Club Sail boats
Wayzata Yacht Club Sail boats
Siding is going up!
Siding is going up!

I have to pinch myself to believe this picture before me is real and that my eyes are not betraying me. Thursday nights we get to watch from our new porch as the Wayzata Yacht Club holds their weekly regattas—and what a sight to behold. It looks like a hundred sail boats floating on the water and I love that we can even hear the crews voices echoing off the water, while the sails flap gently in the wind. There is a give and take effect with the sails...a fight and a surrender that echoes life and makes the lake come to life.  

Jay and I love to sit and watch the boats come in after the light of the sun is almost lost. There are no words as the boats drift, one by one into their resting spots. Watching it all, I make a mental note that if I ever hold a dinner party, that Thursday night is the night to do so! But in order for me to start planning my Thursday night dinner parties, a "few things" need to be finished up at the house!:)

As I write, the siding is going up, sheet rock has been delivered, landscaping is happening on the lakeside, the driveway is being prepped and the details that make a Landschute home so unique are being designed and prepped daily! I can hardly wait!!

Read More