Spring 2012 Feature Family: It's Our Perfect Home
Category: Newsroom » Parade of HomesSM » Parade Featured Stories - February 14, 2012
Peter & Mary Jo (MJ) knew what they wanted in a home, but they weren’t sure where to find it. For instance, the couple knew that they wanted a three-story house and they knew that they wanted to live in Wayzata where Peter grew up. They wanted a traditional layout with the bedrooms on the top floor and they also wanted an additional bedroom for guests. They loved the expansive feel of an open concept design with the functional amenities of a modern home while still capturing the character and nostalgia of an established abode. They even knew that a large lower level would be a necessary playroom for their two kids, Liam (2) and Gabriella (10 months). They knew a lot. The only thing that they didn’t know about their future home was where to find it.
Locating an ideal place that would please the whole family wasn’t easy. Peter and MJ explained that, “We looked at so many houses it made our heads spin!” Each home that they visited had qualities that they liked coupled with qualities that they really didn’t care for. Because no home could satisfy all of their needs, Peter and MJ were resolved to find their best option and then plan to invest time and money into a future remodel. “Our plan was to buy something a little bit older in an area we liked and then slowly fix it up over the years,” Peter explained. While remodeling an existing home was an acceptable solution for the family, it sure didn’t feel like the most appropriate one. “Something dawned on us,” Peter and MJ said. “Why not build and ensure that the house has everything we are looking for?”
As luck would have it, four lots in their desired neighborhood became available that very summer. What’s more, the couple was familiar with the builder, Pillar Homes, having already toured several of their models in the past and having liked the overall quality and style of homes that they build. The family was “very pleased to learn the featured builder was Pillar Homes! This made it an easy decision and we moved forward immediately.”
Pillar Homes designed and built the exact layout that the family had been looking for all along. And, in addition to what the family wanted in their dream home, they also had the opportunity to add special dream features that “weren’t on the original wish list.” One such addition was the screened-in porch with stone fireplace (Peter’s favorite). Because the cottage-style house is built on a small lot with limited yard space, the couple also opted to add an indoor sports court. Pillar Homes dug under the garage to install this fantastic play area that the kids will grow into. The room will also become like an indoor playground during Minnesota winters. Despite the small yard, the home’s location is more than ideal for summertime as well. They are close to several outdoor playgrounds, and within walking distance of their boat and Wayzata beach.
For a family who had been looking for the ‘perfect home’ even before their son was born, Peter and MJ know the importance of exploring all of their housing options. Yet, even though the family knew the essential features that they wanted in their home,building new can often generate hundreds more options to consider. “We had heard stories of how difficult the process can be as you have to pick out everything,” MJ shared. With help from the Pillar Homes team, however “we found it to be quite easy. KC Chermak and the team at Pillar Homes were fantastic to work with. They listened to what we had to say and then structured a house that met all of our needs.”