Bespoke Design Journey

The team from Style & Structure, a design-build firm in Stillwater, MN, had to tick a lot of boxes to get the style of this new house just right for their clients. “They came to us because they saw our work in a Parade of Homes,” says brand and design manager Lindsey Wojski. “They visited that model home several times, then reached out to work together building a house on a large parcel of land in Bolton, WI.” The clients were smitten with Style & Structure’s design vibe but had some specific requests. First, they needed a large house that was comfortable for their outdoorsy family of four and for frequent entertaining. But they didn’t need a lot of extra bedrooms. “Their entire family lives nearby in Wisconsin, so they don’t have overnight guests,” says Wojski. And they wanted to combine a fresh, modern feel with rustic touches that reflected their love of the outdoors and the home’s beautiful, natural setting.

The floor plan satisfied the first set of goals. In addition to wide-open, flowing gathering spaces, this new house also has enviable kid-hangout and entertaining spaces, including a huge basement with a bar, a sport court, and an arcade. “There’s also a fun pass-through in the kitchen, where you can see down into the basement and call the kids up for dinner or homework,” says marketing and project manager Heather Wimberger. Other special touches include a “secret” door in one of the son’s bedrooms—a mirror disguises a hidden entry to a gaming room.

Then, the design team turned to the home’s style, creating a modern-rustic look by layering natural materials over a clean backdrop of black and white. In the kitchen, for example, an oak island base, oak floors, and a weathered beam accenting the range hood provide contrast to white walls and black cabinets and trim. Cambria’s Everleigh on all the kitchen surfaces and backsplash adds subtle movement and a sleek, cohesive look. Mixing metallic finishes—black, gold—lends another layer of interest.

This approach continues throughout the house: Most rooms feature white walls with black trim, enlivened by a cozy mix of natural materials and soft textures. The two-story living room features a dramatic floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace surround with a reclaimed barn beam as a mantel. “We kept adding more and more beams as the design process went along,” says Wojski. We source them from Manomin Resawn Timbers in Hugo, MN. They’re all reclaimed and add a great layer of personality and warmth.”

Another personalized accent comes in an unexpected place—the railings on the second-floor overlook and on the staircases are black steel, chosen not just because they suit the style and color scheme, but because they’re made in the family’s business, a steel mill. “It’s really important to add details like that when you’re designing a modern space,” says Wimberger. “They’re not fussy, but they keep “simple” from becoming cold or boring.”

Q&A with Style and Structure

Cambria Style: How do you approach selecting materials and textures, and what are some of your go-to sources for unique materials?
Style + Structure: We love to use Manomin Resawn Timbers, a local company that provides reclaimed wood sourced from barns and other old buildings. They can make things custom—or you can go in and hand-select timbers. Our team does a really good job of thinking outside the box about how to make a space exciting. It’s always about finding what the clients are looking for and then taking it to the next level. We take their idea and amplify it and give it a unique twist.

CS: Are there any emerging trends or design philosophies that are currently inspiring your work?
S+S: We’ve been playing with more colorful stone designs. People can be a little nervous about them, but they are becoming more trendy. One of our clients might be going with a blue Cambria in a kids’ bathroom, and we’re also loving the burgundy. 

CS: Favorite design tip or trick?
S+S: Pick a focal point—a permanent element that you won’t be replacing for a long time, like a Cambria countertop—and work around it. Everyone has a budget, whether it’s large or small. Those really special pieces like countertops—that’s what you spend your money on because you won’t be switching those out, and they really matter. So, layer on smaller items later, and spend less on those.

CS: What’s something you can’t live without at work?
S+S: Our computers and coffee! We’re all coffee addicts. Also, each other. We have such an amazing team—we feed off of each other so well. 

CS: What are some ways you’ve customized quartz surfaces, like edge profiles or integrated features, to enhance a design?
S+S: The waterfall edge will never get old. We love it. Sometimes we’ll add a fun detail, like a scalloped edge on a backsplash. We’ll also play with the thickness of countertops. It looks so beautiful and custom when you go a little thicker than normal.

CS: What are your thoughts on the evolution of quartz surfaces—are there new patterns, finishes, or innovations you’re excited about?
S+S: We’re obsessed with Cambria’s burgundy [Hailey™] right now—and gold tones are so pretty and sexy. We’re seeing a lot of interest in really heavy veining: people are tired of the neutrals. They want something fun!

CS: When working with clients, how do you position quartz as a worthwhile investment compared to other materials?
S+S: A lot of the people we build homes for have families or grandchildren. It’s usually not a first-time builder—this is their forever home. They’ve had all the different kinds of surfaces over the years and they’re done. Now they want something maintenance free, that they can put a glass of wine down on and not worry about stains. In terms of Cambria specifically, it’s a huge selling point to tell our clients what a great trade partner we’re working with. During our tour of Cambria, we were so impressed with the company’s background, the way employees are treated, and all the programs Cambria supports. Our clients love that, and it’s really important to a lot of people to support local businesses, so they like that Cambria is Minnesota-based, too.