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July 30, 2025

How to Hire a Professional Remodeler (and Why It Matters)

When it comes to remodeling your home, who you choose to work with matters just as much as what you plan to change. A great remodeler will guide you through a complex process with expertise, transparency, and professionalism. And in a world of DIY shows and social media inspiration, it can be tempting to cut corners or rush the hiring process. But a remodel is a major investment in your home — and your peace of mind depends on getting it right from the start.

So, what does hiring a professional remodeler actually look like?

More blog posts

October 30, 2018

Building the Perfect Home for One-Level Living

Why buy new? With a new home, you pick the floor plan and finishes that fit your lifestyle. You choose the community and neighborhood that speak to you. And you can even select just the right energy-saving features that balance your personal philosophy with your budget. We asked this family to share what drove them to new construction.

October 10, 2018

Building a New Home for a Growing Family

Why buy new? With a new home, you pick the floor plan and finishes that fit your lifestyle. You choose the community and neighborhood that speak to you. And you can even select just the right energy-saving features that balance your personal philosophy with your budget. We asked this family to share what drove them to new construction.

October 3, 2018

Wayzata Dreams Times Two | Real Family Homebuilding Story

Brandis and Paris had found a great new homesite in Wayzata, a place they have long loved. They showed their best pals Amy and Bo their chosen site and plans for their soon-to-be new home with Pillar Homes and couldn’t be more excited. That is until Bo and Amy fell in love with the location and decided to build right next door. Now these two besties and their families are thrilled to be next-door neighbors building homes together.

October 3, 2018

Remodelers Showcase Features Two Dream Remodeled Homes

These two stunning whole-house remodels from Black Dog Homes and Frontier Structures are this fall's Dream Remodeled Homes. Your $5 tax-deductible admission to each remodeled home will go to the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation to support their mission of building and remodeling homes and facilities for veterans and the homeless.

They're open for one weekend only, so grab your guidebook and head out to tour Sept. 28-30, 2018!

August 10, 2018

Four Dream Homes Featured on the Fall Parade of Homes

There’s no shortage of incredible residences on the Parade of Homes, but these four amazing homes have been selected by our BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation as this fall’s Dream Homes. These four beauties from Homes By Tradition, Highmark Builders, Carl M. Hansen Companies and Trestle Homes will leave you in awe. Plus, a $5 tax-deductible entry fee to each of these four homes will go to the BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation to support their mission of building and remodeling homes and facilities for veterans and the homeless.

And stay tuned for more details on our two Dream Remodeled Homes, open the final weekend of the tour during the Remodelers Showcase!

Color Revival

For years, the formula was simple: whitewalls, gray cabinetry, and just enough contrast to keep things interesting. But after more than a decade of cool tones dominating interior design, homeowners are beginning to crave something different.

Color, after all, is in constant evolution. Trends come and go. Homeowner preferences ebb and flow. What may have been the defining color of one era can quickly be labeled outdated, drab, or overdone in the next.

Take a trip back to the ’50s, when pastel hues adorned everything from bathroom tile to kitchen appliances. Then came the earthy golds and oranges of the ’70s, followed by the jewel tones and dramatic prints of the ’80s and ’90s. Fast-forward to the last decade, when a more pared-back approach to color dominated interiors. But now, color is making a comeback—not as a passing trend but as a reflection of homeowners’ desire for spaces that feel personal and lived in.

Here, designers and color experts weigh in on the shades, palettes, and applications defining today’s homes—and how to balance boldness with timeless appeal.

Your Guide to Layered Lighting

Fixtures are often the first thing that come to mind when envisioning the lighting in your new build, but a thoughtful lighting plan goes deeper than picking lamps and bulbs. In fact, lighting plays an important role in setting the overall tone of your home. When lighting is too bright, spaces feel harsh and uncomfortable. Dimly lit rooms are no better, often appearing small and uninviting.

Striking that perfect balance of illumination from natural and artificial light is known as layered lighting, an interior design concept that relies on multiple light sources to foster warmth, add visual interest, and make spaces functional for everyday living. As Kyndra Flowers of Robinson Lighting says, “When in doubt, layer your lighting.”

As you start planning your new build, use this as your guide to design an effective, thoughtful lighting plan that makes every space in your home glow.      

Kitchen Couture

The kitchen has long been considered the heart of the home—the place where people come to eat, connect, and enjoy the everyday moments that make a house feel lived in. Whether hosting a holiday soiree or savoring the quiet ritual of making your morning latte, the kitchen is where routines unfold and memories are made. With that in mind, it’s only natural the kitchen’s design should reflect both how we live and how we want to feel at home.

Fortunately, luxury, comfort, and practicality are no longer mutually exclusive. With the kitchen playing such a central role in daily life, thoughtful, personalized upgrades are sure to be worth the investment to transform it into a true sanctuary. So, if you’re ready to dream up your ideal kitchen, industry experts share fresh, inspiring—and most importantly, achievable—ideas for creating a space as beautiful as it is functional.

March 18, 2025

The Parade of Homes Heads to Rochester

For more than 75 years, the Parade of Homes has been Minnesotans' trusted guide to exploring the best in new home design, innovation, and craftsmanship. Twice a year, we invite you to step inside beautifully crafted homes, gather inspiration, and connect with the talented builders shaping our communities.

This spring, the Parade of Homes is proud to head to Rochester and feature seven homes!

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March 13, 2025

Hue Got This: Home Color Guide

When it comes to designing a home that fosters health, happiness, and wellbeing, color is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. The colors we choose for our walls influence how we feel, think, and interact in our spaces. By tapping into the principles of color psychology, you can curate a home that nurtures calmness, sparks energy, or inspires joy.

“Choose colors based on the mood you want to evoke,” says Jean Haukaas, Hirshfield’s Design Resource showroom manager. “Calm, neutral tones like soft blues and grays work well in bedrooms, while brighter, more energetic hues can suit kitchens or playrooms.”

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
March 6, 2025

2025 Spring Parade of Homes | In the News

The 2025 Spring Parade of Homes Twin Cities is your chance to see the latest in new home construction from builders across Minnesota. Here are all the places the spring tour has been covered in the press.

Home Tours
March 4, 2025

Building Hope For Minnesota’s Veteran in Need

Each year, the Parade of Homes inspires thousands and helps Minnesotans find a place to call home. But this beloved event is more than a home tour; it’s an opportunity to support life-changing initiatives through the Housing First Minnesota Foundation. This year, the Foundation’s work is highlighted by a deeply impactful project: the Veteran Village, a first-of-its-kind initiative to create a townhome-style community for veterans experiencing homelessness.

Housing News
February 27, 2025

A Space of Their Own

Newlyweds Gina Wolleat-Zorn and Darrell Zorn built their dream home in Ham Lake to accommodate her interior design business, his love for cooking, and their blended family of adult children.

Home Tours
Design
February 24, 2025

Induction Cooking: Pros & Cons

Induction cooking combines the speed and precision of gas with the easy cleanup and eco-friendly benefits of electric appliances. These stoves heat water more quickly, activate only when cookware is present, and consistently outperform other cooktops according to consumer evaluations. Moreover, you may be eligible for financial incentives when you purchase an induction range under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Technology
February 21, 2025

Spring 2025 | Calendar of Events

Check out these upcoming special events during the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase.

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February 14, 2025

Connected Living: How Technology is Redefining Healthy Living at Home

In today’s fast-paced world, creating a home centered around your health and well-being is more important than ever. Homebuyers are increasingly seeking ways to integrate wellness into their living spaces, and smart home technology is stepping up to meet the challenge. From air purification systems to circadian lighting and advanced water monitoring, experts share how health-focused smart tech is reshaping how we think about our homes.

Technology
January 30, 2025

Your Guide to Inver Grove Heights, MN

Welcome to Inver Grove Heights — a city that’s as charming as it is convenient! Located just south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, this suburban gem offers the best of both worlds: small-town living with easy access to the excitement of the Twin Cities. Whether you’re considering moving here or just visiting, Inver Grove Heights has plenty to offer, from lush parks and trails to delicious dining spots and unique local businesses.

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January 10, 2025

Staff Picks: The Best Twin Cities Pizza Joints

From gooey classics to gourmet creations, pizza is a universal love language. We've scoured the Twin Cities and beyond for the best pizza spots, handpicked by our staff. Whether you’re craving wood-fired wonders or bold, inventive toppings, these spots deliver the perfect slice every time.

Community Guide
January 2, 2025

Discover Minnesota’s Home Tour Events: The Parade of Homes, Remodelers Showcase, and Artisan Home Tour

Minnesota home tours are the can't-miss events of the year for home design enthusiasts, with not just one but three styles of tours to explore, dream, and gather inspiration. The Parade of Homes, Remodelers Showcase, and Artisan Home Tour each provide a unique glimpse into the world of home buying, design, and renovating. Whether you’re building, remodeling, or just curious, these events have something special to offer. Save the dates for the 2025 events!

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December 16, 2024

Staff Picks: The Best Twin Cities Coffee Shops

Explore the best local coffee spots recommended by the Parade of Homes staff. From cozy neighborhood cafes to trendy urban roasters, these are the places we keep coming back to for a perfect cup of coffee (or tea!).

Community Guide
December 11, 2024

Minnesota Home & Design Events | December 2024

Calling all Parade of Homes fans! If you’re looking for something to do this month, check out these local home and design events near you.

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