This spring, Quartersawn Design Build celebrates a milestone that fills us with deep pride and gratitude—20 years of transforming houses into homes for families across the Twin Cities.
What began in 2005 as a side project in the basement of our founders, Jeff and Leslie Nicholson’s home, has grown into a dynamic team of 22, now working from a 10,000-square-foot studio that we proudly remodeled ourselves in 2022. The journey from a 10-square-foot desk tucked in a playroom to the vibrant, collaborative space we now call home has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Our story began when Jeff Nicholson, working full-time in the design-build world, started helping friends and family with small remodeling projects on the side. Word spread quickly—first neighbors, then friends of friends, and soon, homeowners from across the metro were reaching out. They weren’t just looking for design help; they wanted a full-service partner to guide them through their remodels with care and expertise. It didn’t take long to realize there was something special happening—and it was time to build something bigger.
That’s when Jeff and Leslie officially launched Quartersawn Design Build. At the time, Leslie was a stay-at-home mom with a background in education and administration. She stepped into the business with energy and vision, quickly becoming its backbone. From teaching herself QuickBooks to managing licenses and developing the systems that would shape our operations, she laid the groundwork for the professional, seamless experience we strive to deliver to every homeowner.
From our humble beginnings in the playroom, we moved to a small studio above the garage, then to a retail storefront on 48th Street, and finally to our current headquarters in Southwest Minneapolis. Each step forward reflected not just growth in size, but in purpose, capability, and the strength of our team.
Through it all, one thing has never changed: Do great work for great people, and the rest will take care of itself. That philosophy still guides every project we take on, every relationship we build, and every home we touch.
At Quartersawn, we lead with relationships, professionalism, creativity, and joy. Whether we’re remodeling a kitchen, reimagining a whole home, or designing a custom addition, we approach each project with care, curiosity, and deep respect for the people who live there.
As we reflect on the past two decades, we’re incredibly thankful—for the homeowners who have trusted us with their spaces, the partners and trades who have worked alongside us, and the community that has supported us from the beginning. We wouldn’t be here without you.
To mark the occasion, we threw a party at our office. There was live music, delicious food, craft cocktails, and most importantly, a room full of great people. It was a night to honor where we’ve been, celebrate where we are, and toast to everything that’s yet to come.
Here’s to 20 years of thoughtful design, lasting relationships, and beautiful transformations—and to many more ahead.