Urban Style Embraces Nature

When a couple and their two children were ready to move to a home with more outdoor space, they gravitated to Highland Bridge, a large community set on the grounds of a former Ford Motor factory in St. Paul, MN. The new development felt like an easy next step away from their Minneapolis loft, thanks to its balance of urban conveniences—you can walk to stores and restaurants—and more natural surroundings—walking and bike paths, and beautiful Mississippi River views.

For their new home, the couple wanted a sense of balance between urban and natural settings, so they turned to architect David Strand of Strand Design and home builder Chris Van Klei of Detail Homes to help create it. “They wanted something fun and progressive, that fit in with the surrounding neighborhood and took advantage of the setting, bringing in the trees and sunshine outside,” says Strand.

Because the lots in the development are narrow, the team came up with a shotgun-style home design plan, long and linear with one room leading to another. Then, they chose a design scheme to help the flowing spaces feel coherent and connected.

“In the kitchen, for example, we know that it’s where everyone gathers. We just accepted that it’s the heart of the home, then drew connections to the dining area, living room, and the big window at the end of the space,” says Strand. Choosing Cambria’s Blackbrook for all the kitchen counters and backsplash, and a long run of cabinetry that connects the living spaces helped achieve that goal and created a sleek, modern look. 

Cambria made sense for other reasons, as well. “I would say about 80 percent of our clients want quartz for its durability,” says Van Klei. “This family has young kids, so they wanted easy care.” From this pro’s perspective, choosing quartz made achieving a cohesive look much easier. “To use another type of stone in a kitchen of this size, we would have needed about six slabs. So, you have to go to a stone yard, pick them out, and figure out how to match them. [Selecting quartz] just cuts out all of that hassle. Cambria gives you consistency—you know exactly what you’re getting,” says Strand.

White oak cabinets, open shelves, and floors balance the dramatic expanses of Cambria’s Blackbrook quartz design with a soft, natural warmth. Large windows provide cascades of natural light in the kitchen and also give the eye a destination point at the end of the living room. The combination feels cool and modern but connected to the home’s beautiful natural setting at every turn—exactly what this growing city family needed.

We asked Van Klei for more insight into the ins and outs of home design, from selecting foundational materials to choosing the perfect finishing touches.

What role does technology play in your work, from project management to design visualization?
At Detail Homes we run everything through Buildertrend software. It lets us organize all of our projects—both client facing and subcontractor—everything from bookkeeping to selection to scheduling. We also use tools to help clients visualize the project—they see a 3D rendering of the house, inside and out.

What is one piece of advice you think every homeowner should hear before they begin a design project?
Be patient. Find a great team you like and trust them. The relationship is very important because building a house can take a couple of years, so you need to work together well.

Are there any emerging trends or design philosophies that are currently inspiring your work?
Quality is back to the top of the list over home size. We’re really focused on great materials here. We actually try to avoid trends and focus on what we know is good design and high quality. We always want to create a jewel box before a mega-mansion.

How do you approach selecting the color and pattern of surfaces to suit different design aesthetics?
We start with the basics: light or dark? We ask the clients, “What world do you live in? Do you want a bold aesthetic or a soft look?” It’s an important decision because what you’re building is going to stay there for a long time, and you’re going to work the rest of your design around it. 

What are your thoughts on the evolution of quartz surfaces—are there new patterns, finishes, or innovations you’re excited about?
In the last 10 years, they’ve really improved. The patterns are far more realistic today—people question if they’re real marble, for example. Matte finishes have drawn more people, too. Thickness options are a positive thing when you think about returning the countertop up the backsplash. Thinner slabs are lighter and easier to work with and have less structural implications.

When working with clients who may have budget constraints, how do you position quartz as a worthwhile investment compared to other materials?
With Cambria, the quality of the installation is top-notch—on top of a material that is going to last. It’s the workhouse in your house; it can take anything. [In this market, Cambria handles everything]—layout, fabrication, and installation versus picking slabs, shipping to a fabricator, and installation if you go with other types of stone. It’s just a streamlined process that’s easy to recommend.