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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

Things You Should Know About Buying & Selling a Home In The Winter

With fewer people actively looking and unique seasonal advantages, Minnesota’s colder months can offer hidden gems for buyers and motivated opportunities for sellers. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your winter real estate journey.

Timeless Textures

With their steady rise in popularity over the past several years, it’s clear that statement walls are here to stay. After all, they’re perfect for giving a space a facelift without the time, effort, and expense of redoing an entire room, and — with endless possibilities available! — loved for their versatility.

Pulling It All Together: Top Hardware Trends

A well-designed home focuseson the details that truly make a difference. Cabinet hardware can pack apowerful punch in your kitchen, bathroom, or closet design. Selecting carefullycurated finishes for your remodel or swapping out old knobs or handles is aquick and cost-effective way to upgrade your space.

So, what’s hot in hardware?Industry experts share the most popular designs with 2024 homeowners.

Move-In Ready Vs. Built-to-Suit: Which Home is Right for You?

Few things are as exciting as purchasing a new home. Whether you're searching for your first house or moving into your dream home, there’s an important decision ahead: should you buy a move-in-ready home or build a custom home? Both options offer unique advantages, but they come with different experiences. So, how do you decide? Keep reading to learn the benefits and what to consider for each option!

Defining Home Types on the Parade of Homes

Every year, home enthusiasts, prospective buyers, and curious neighbors look forward to the Parade of Homes. Taking place in the spring and fall, the Parade of Homes is a chance to explore some of the most beautiful, innovative, and thoughtfully designed homes across the Twin Cities area. Whether hunting for your dream home or gathering inspiration for your own, the Parade of Homes is a can't-miss event.

What the Fed’s Rate Cut Means for Homebuyers

The Federal Reserve announced this week they would make cuts to interest rate levels for the first time since March 2020. It marks a major turning point for homebuyers, particularly, after nearly two years of high mortgage rates and a significant slowdown in housing market activity.

If you're in the market to buy a home or looking to refinance, this rate cut could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

April 28, 2025

Where Design Meets Wellness

Older homes are desirable for their historic charm and established neighborhoods, but when it comes to amenities that promote health and overall wellbeing, your 1930s Tudor may be lacking. Through strategic remodeling, these older homes can be updated to meet contemporary wellness needs, whether it’s more windows to increase natural light, a reimagined kitchen that encourages cooking balanced meals, or smart features that make day-to-day life
a little easier.    

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
April 21, 2025

How to Choose the Perfect Paint Color for Your Home: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Choosing the right paint color for your home can be overwhelming. With endless shades and finishes available, it’s easy to make mistakes that lead to regret later. Here, Jean Haukaas, Hirshfield's Design Resource Showroom manager, shares some of the most common paint color mistakes homeowners make — and how to avoid them.

Design
Home Tips & Tricks
April 16, 2025

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Spring is here, bringing longer days and fresh opportunities to enjoy your home. But with seasonal changes, it’s essential to ensure that your space stays as beautiful and healthy as the day your renovation was completed. Use this checklist to protect your investment and keep your home in tip-top shape this spring.

Home Tips & Tricks
April 8, 2025

A Personal Retreat

If the kitchen is known as the heart of the home, the primary suite should be the mind of the home, serving as a space you can truly unwind and recharge. Read on to learn local home professionals’ advice for designing a primary suite sanctuary that supports your body and mind.

Design
April 2, 2025

Remodeling Done Right

Remodeling your home is an exciting journey, but choosing the right remodeler can make all the difference between a dream realized and a project fraught with headaches. With countless remodeling professionals to choose from in Minnesota, it’s important to find
a partner who aligns with your vision, timeline, and budget.

Home Tips & Tricks
March 31, 2025

4 Ways to Brighten Your Remodel

When planning a remodel, most jump to flooring, cabinetry, or furniture to achieve a dramatic transformation. However, there are other design elements that can make a major impact in how you reimagine and, ultimately, live in your space: windows and doors. They do more than let in light and provide protection — they frame your view, amplify your home’s style, and boost energy efficiency. Here are a few things to consider when it comes to windows and doors — brought to you by Marvin.

Home Tips & Tricks
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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