Last Home Built in Wedgewood in Woodbury

Location, Location, Location. Anyone who’s ever bought a home knows this phrase; it usually implies the sacrifice that’s made to get the home of your dreams in your dream location. For Woodbury residents Michael and Bridget, finding both was an exercise in patience and thinking out of the box—literally. Last year, through some creativity, the couple built the last new house in the Wedgewood neighborhood.
   
The couple, who have two sons, ages 11 and 7, had been through a long process trying to make Woodbury their dream location. They had plans drawn up for a lot in Dancing Waters, which they sold, then went under contract on a home in Woodbury that fell through. They lived in a rental home in Heritage Park waiting for their hopes to materialize, so when a house in Wedgewood went on the market, they jumped on it. “We were literally sitting with our builder at the model in Stonemill when Kim Ziton, our realtor, called the moment this house came on the market,” Bridget says. “We saw it that afternoon, made an offer and it was accepted later that night.”
   
They were planning to do a major gut renovation to their new purchase, when opportunity met creativity. She says, “We were walking the property with the inspector, who explained that we actually owned a double lot. And the wheels started turning.”
   
The homeowners worked with their builder, Ron Derrick of Derrick Custom Homes, LLC, and discovered they in fact would be able to build their dream home . . . in the yard. Working with city officials to redraw the property lines, the couple sold the existing home and began construction on a new home on the newly-split lot. “It was a challenge to split the lot, requiring a lot of work with the city and then to design the house to include the existing pool within the proper setbacks for the development,” Derrick says. “We also had to cover the pool to protect it during construction.”
   
Completed in July at a little more than 5,400 square feet, the home looks like it was always meant to be there. “We did lose some square feet off the original plan, but our architect, Dale Muhlenpoh, and designers helped us make a smart use of space to incorporate all the features important to us,” Michael says. Having built houses with Derrick before, the couple praise the builder for their attention to quality in every detail. “For example, we know Jerry is their service guy; he’s been with them 20 years, and in a family business they are all about doing things the right way.”
   
The couple worked with interior designer Kristy Conlin and her team from Martha O'Hara Interiors of Minneapolis, selecting all new furnishings to create an airy and fresh space. “We wanted to give the family a style that was comfortable and inviting, yet refined,” says Lacey Ahlbrecht, design associate on the team. “Bridget really knows what she likes, she enjoys going to Parade homes, so gathering all her ideas was very helpful as we were able to help further define and give direction to her vision.” They selected a neutral color palette, using grays and tans with fun pops of corals, pinks and navy found in accent chairs and throw pillows throughout the home.
   
“I had my big binder of everything I’d cut out from magazines that I liked,” the homeowner says. “Ron and Kristy really helped us stay within the budget. Except for my fireplace tile—I had to have it.” The great room fireplace tile is a custom waverly mosaic made from a polished calcutta tia marble and thassos. The main level is centered around a chef’s dream kitchen, pristine and crisp; the kitchen features dove-white custom cabinets, honed super white quartzite countertops, and a large island that is accented by two whimsical crystal pendant lights. “We added fun little bling in the light fixtures throughout the home,” Ahlbrecht says.  
    
“The flow of the space was really important to the homeowners,” Derrick says. “The butler-style pantry serves as a small prep kitchen for entertaining, and is a really unique feature of this home.” Off the kitchen is a four-season porch that includes beamed ceilings which adds architectural interest. The first floor also features an office and a large mudroom with storage. Custom stained wrist-cut white oak flooring is laid throughout.
   
Four bedrooms and three bathrooms are located upstairs, including a marvelous master bath with intricate tile work the in shower. Upstairs also rests one of the wife’s favorite features: the upstairs laundry. “There is nothing better than upstairs laundry,” she says. The second floor also includes custom built-ins for storage and a resource room that the boys can use as a study nook for homework.
   
The lower level features a darker gray color palette with wet bar, accented by unique blown glass knobby globe pendant lights. Off the bar is a wine cellar for Michael’s extensive collection, and the basement also holds a foosball table that the couple bought from the original house, now next door. The basement opens up to the pool area, which was refinished with a new cement patio and the existing pool was re-lined. “We had to go through pool 101,” he says. “Our friends came out and showed us what to do and we are really happy we decided to include it.” The basement also has a toy room and plans for the boys’ “hockey room” where they can slap shot to their hearts’ desire without wrecking any of that fresh paint.
   
“It was a very long and crazy process, but it all worked out in the end,” the homeowners say. “We love our new home and have great neighbors that bought the house next door. We had never met them before and it turns out that their kids go to the same school as ours, and both our boys were on the same hockey teams last year. It feels meant to be.”