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?
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 What may have been the defining color of one era can quickly be labeled outdated, drab, or overdone in the next.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.
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.
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.
Smart home technology is evolving in new construction. Moving beyond standalone gadgets like smart speakers or video doorbells, homeowners are shifting their attention to more meaningful, lifestyle-focused systems that are integrated across the entire home. Fortunately, these technologies are becoming increasingly affordable and accessible. Read onto learn experts’ best practices for installing these smart devices and how they’re benefitting Twin Cities homeowners.
Introducing the Spring 2026 Reggie & Trillium Award winners!
The 2026 Spring Parade of Homes is your chance to see the latest in new home construction from builders across the Twin Cities Metro and Rochester. Here's a roundup of all the press coverage highlighting this year's Spring Parade of Homes.
Don't miss out! Mark your calendars and check out these upcoming specials events during the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase.
The 2025 Fall Parade of Homes Twin Cities is your chance to see the latest in new home construction from builders across Minnesota. Here’s a roundup of all the press coverage highlighting this year’s Fall Parade of Homes.
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When you wander through the Parade of Homes, it is easy to feel like you've stepped into a home-design fairytale. One minute, you're admiring a dreamy chef’s kitchen with a dazzling island, and the next you're captivated by a wall of windows that floods a living room with sunshine. These environments do more than showcase beautiful design. They spark ideas and stir your imagination. But once the tour ends and you’re back home, those “I wish I could have that” moments can feel out of reach. That's where a Home Equity Line of Credit, or HELOC, can help. Think of it as a flexible financing tool that's tied to your home’s value. It's ready to support the projects you care about most, without the stress of high-interest credit cards.
When Jason and Courtney found their 1930s home in 2013, they moved quickly.
Rob and Tamara found the “up north” feeling they were looking for on their wooded lot in Bloomington. Remodeling their home made it fit their family's lifestyle perfectly.
The 2019 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.
New homes built in Minnesota today have better components, better materials, and they’re constructed in a way that is, quite simply, better. They’re more durable, safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly. Plus, you pick the floor plan and neighborhood that fit your lifestyle. We asked one recent homebuyer to share why he decided to build new.
Select builders and remodelers on the Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase are hosting special events that introduce you to new neighborhoods, teach you about the latest building and design trends, and much more! Add these special events to your tour, and join us to learn how to find your dream home or transform your house.
Amanda Whiting, a minister and blogger, and her husband, Josh, a pilot, always knew they wanted to build new, but imagined it would happen closer to retirement.
These four incredible residences have been hand-selected by our BATC-Housing First Minnesota Foundation as the 2019 Spring Parade of Homes Dream Homes. These stunning homes from City Homes, Mark D. Williams Custom Homes, Stonewood, and Sustainable 9 Design + Build 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 transitional housing facilities for Minnesota's homeless, veterans, and others in need.
New year, fresh design. If updating your home is on your list of resolutions—whether it’s one room or the whole house—look to these expert-identified trends to bring your spaces into 2019 in style.
After you’ve found your dream home on the Parade of Homes, it’s time to get your current place ready to sell. One of the keys to getting the best price for your current home? Home staging done right. Focus on your home’s strengths, downplay the weaknesses and appeal to the largest number of buyers with these home staging tips.
Downsizing happened somewhat serendipitously for Chuck and Kelly when he ran into a friend one night at a local restaurant. Chuck had retired recently, and while he loved his shop and the acreage they owned, Kelly had been suggesting a less-encumbered lifestyle might be a good choice for them. A new home was just what they were looking for.
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.
BATC-Housing First Minnesota hosted the annual BIG (Building Industry Gala) Night on Oct. 25, 2018. Over 900 attendees joined together to celebrate the home building and remodeling industry and to find out which homes from the Fall Parade of Homes were judged the best — the best design, construction quality and value.
The Parade of Homes is a great way to see the newest trends in home design and the styles that are continuing to shine. From freestanding bathtubs to statement ceilings, this year’s fall tour had no shortage of details that were sure to leave tour-goers inspired. Here are a few of the trends we spotted from Minnesota homebuilders.
