Terrace Oaks Transformation

Burnsville, Minnesota

After 14 years in their secluded 1990s home, the owners—now empty nesters—found themselves at a crossroads. Do they snowbird, downsize, or stay? The answer came easily; they loved their home. It just needed a reinvention. What began as a modest kitchen and bath update evolved into a sweeping transformation of the main floor and much of the second. After some inquisitive questions from our design team. The couple quickly realized they weren’t using half of their first floor. By relocating the kitchen to what was once the formal dining room, the heart of the house shifted—and suddenly, the entire functionality of the home shifted.

Hear from the Homeowner

An Empty Nester’s Renewal

Homeowner Story

A Staircase Solution

The original staircase featured plexiglass railings. A design choice the homeowners loved because it let them see straight through the large living room windows from their bedroom. Maintaining that sense of openness was essential. Quartersawn designed a solution that paired updated railings on the stairs with new plexiglass panels on the upstairs landing, honoring the homeowners’ vision while providing the modern design the homeowners craved.

Living Room Leveling

The formerly sunken living room, once broken up by a small post holding the upstairs landing, was leveled into a seamless floor plane, dissolving barriers and expanding the sense of openness. The result is a gracious, light-filled living area where the new kitchen, central island, and gathering space now flow together.

Dining Room Turned Kitchen

Because the homeowners no longer needed a formal dining room, Quartersawn relocated the kitchen to this space instead. The new design features a central island and updated cabinetry, with thoughtful details like hidden storage for small appliances and a carbonated water tap — a favorite feature of the homeowners.

Mudroom Addition

A former closet was reimagined into custom-built-in cubbies, creating a welcoming mudroom with smart storage for coats, shoes, and everyday essentials.

Primary Bath Refresh

Upstairs, the renovation continued with reimagining the primary suite. An oversized soaking tub that consumed the bathroom footprint was removed in favor of a more intuitive, spa-like layout with a generous shower and modern finishes.

Now, with its tailored details and warm modern palette, the house tells a new story. It’s a home designed not for the past but for the next chapter—one that celebrates functionality, connection, and the simple joy of being fully lived in.

We didn’t worry about a thing. And that was probably what was most enjoyable. Watching our house come to life, but not worrying about who was in our house or what they were doing.

SCOTT CALVERT

Tell us about your project.