Fox Interiors

Surprise, delight and plenty of wallpaper moments!
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That’s how I’d describe the ASID Design Home 2024 at the Pillsbury Castle.
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If you can squeeze in a visit before it closes on Sunday, DO IT!
Tickets are available online and you purchase based on your arrival time.
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The house is massive and each room has so many details packed into it, so there’s lots of inspiration to discover.
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The homeowners love unique boutique hotels and entertaining, and the home reflects that aesthetic with plenty of lounges featuring high style.
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I took SO many pictures it was hard to pick 10 to tease with, so trust me there’s lots more beyond these.
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If you go, I’d love to hear what room(s) and details were your favorite!

Scenes from a summer stroll.

Overflowing raspberries so bountiful I mourn the ones too far to reach.

Summer greenery delights in a concrete parking lot.

Sparkly boats - even fishermen like some bling.

Quintessential MN summer view in f DQ & cloud streaked sky.

So grateful I paused work for a walk to the library & remembered to stay in the moment.

Community that lifts you up, laughs with you, cheers you on, & gets you out of your head is priceless.

A year and a half ago I realized I wanted friends that knew me as Colleen, not a mom, wife, or designer. I wanted new adult friends & and physical challenge.

I’m so grateful I signed up for pickleball lessons through community education in a middle school gym in the dead of winter. I’m grateful Brandon started a group chat and we started playing outside 2-3 times a week when the weather warmed up, growing the group with time, and building a positive, supportive and fun community along the way.

Not everyone made it to our BBQ this weekend as we had to prepare to lose a couple folks to relocations, but it was such a beautiful experience and I’m proud of the friendships we’ve built.

So when I say I play pickleball 2-3 times a week, I have these people to thank for helping me grow as a player and for the smiles on hard days.

When the bones are good, and thoughtful updates make it soo much better.
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We updated this den in phases over 5 years, and now it’s a perfect fit to display the clients’ treasures from their extensive travels.
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You can see in the photo from our pre-move-in day photo, this room was DARK, the paneling was oppressive, and the floors needed love.
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Painting the paneling, refinishing the floors, removing the wood shutters, and then updating the built-ins all added up to a warm and inviting den for curling up in front of a fire or a good movie.
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Change doesn’t have to happen all at once, but it helps to have a plan in place that you can implement in phases.

How do you celebrate the beauty and delights of summer? 

Do you have access to some gorgeous peonies to add life and beauty to your home right now?

I’m making an effort to cut the flowers and enjoy them INSIDE my house, not just in passing in the yard.

Those small moments of delight add so much value.  

And if you don’t have a garden, there are stunning fresh flowers available every week at your local farmers’ market.

In case you need the reminder too, it’s ok to slow down and go the pace of a north woods cabin weekend, even at home.

Rest and Recovery is essential to a life well lived.

Down to the punch list on our bath remodel and I’m so excited for them to get to move in & enjoy it every day.

Scroll back in our feed to see the pink 1950s before and how far we came.

This vacation home is all about getting away from the hustle of downtown living, slowing down, spending time on the water and watching wildlife.
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So of course, the perfect companion is a bar within easy reach for crafting your specialty cocktails!
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The fun story behind this niche is it was originally a dumb-waiter to the lower level! That’s definitely a first for us.

No filter start to the day with a beautiful sunrise over the Catalina Mountains.

What do you know you need to do but are avoiding or resisting? Listen to that clarity within you.

How can you break it down to the ridiculous?

Set a timer for 15 minutes, put on your college party jams playlist, and move the task forward with imperfect action.

This breaks the thought cycles:
“It’s too hard to get started”
“What difference would 15 minutes make?”

I love using this approach when I’m resisting scheduling doctor appointments, clearing off the counter where stuff accumulates each week, or reconciling in YNAB.

Remember, sometimes the first step is 15 minutes of research to determine the next right step.

When you acknowledge the resistance in your mind and body, regulate your nervous system (try butterfly tapping!), and then take action from a regulated state, those challenging tasks will feel easier.

This is the Magic that’s made a big difference in my life.
Timers + nervous system regulations = Forward progress

In honor of my Irish roots & my dad’s St. Patrick’s Day birthday & my name being a legit Irish word (Colleen = girl), I had to share a fun green bathroom where we most definitely did NOT play it safe!
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This is your reminder to have fun with color!
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I love how we were able to incorporate 5 different shades of green in this custom mosaic by

Then we balanced the bold shower with classic finishes and modern touches.

This bathroom deserves to be enjoyed with a “shower beer” 🍻

Here’s a little mantra for the sunny weekend for all those perfectionist/ overachievers looking at their to-do list for the weekend (I see you, I am you):
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When I Breathe, I did the Most.
When I Breathe, Purpose is Fulfilled.
When I Relax, I Achieve.
When I Play, I am Worthy.
- Toni Jones “Healing is not my Purpose”
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May this be a reminder to slow down, and make time and space for the rest that is a vital part of your creative and healing cycles.
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We cannot be our fullest, best selves when we are burnt out and always in production mode.

I love seeing kids bring their sense of humor into their personal spaces! Animal butts for the win. 🏆

This shower curtain is a non-negotiable in her bathroom update, rightly so!

How often do we make the “safe” or serious choice? Let’s remember to embrace play & joy in our daily lives. Whimsical details like this remind me how good kids are at doing this.

From heavy and clunky, to intimate and soulful.
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The bones were good, but we knew we could bring in finishes with personalities that better suited this mid-century home nestled in the woods.
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Now it’s a perfect retreat for our nature-loving, world-traveling clients to return to after a full day in the office or on an adventure. Look at the new generous view from the kitchen to the treetops. Doesn’t it make your blood pressure drop?

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window install by

Maybe it’s magic, maybe not, but the Elf was asked to bring the Taylor Swift magic in honor of Taylor’s birthday today.

The kiddo may have a Sephora obsession and a more detailed skincare routine than my 78 year old mom, but she’s still a kid.

So I’ll grumble about the Elf but treasure these memories nonetheless.

Did you catch the Easter eggs in the elf’s message??

From dark and dated to sun drenched and full of personality. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​When clients ask us if they can phase projects, the answer is absolutely. This den was updated in multiple stages over 3 years, and each step we elevated the space until it was perfect for them.

How did we do it?
Step 1: Painting the paneling to brighten the walls, add recessed lighting, add custom area rug and hang art

Step 2: Replace windows for more energy efficiency & light control and remove giant rolling shutters

Step 3: Paint all casing and built-ins, add wallcovering in built-ins, add ceiling fan.

We love how the original stone stands out as a focal point instead of being lost in a sea of dark brown paneling!

Behind the scenes peek at our Lake Harriet project to give you a little inspiration to wrap up the weekend.

Transforming a duplex back into a single family residence is a fun challenge and finding the perfect classic details that honor the architecture of the home was so satisfying.

Those 18” square marble tiles for the checkerboard floor were a challenge to track down but worth the effort.

Design was started by
Finishes and final design details by me,
Installation by A-Squared

Loving the layering of patterns, textures & colors at on Como.

Interiors really set the tone for your dining experience and the menu.

Made me think what our dining rooms say about not just our style but the meals enjoyed there.

I’ve gotta share this proof that I went axe throwing to celebrate my friend’s birthday and I hit the target 3 times all night and 2 of them were bullseyes!

There was much laughing at myself, tips shared, and support as the guys consistently got high scores and the ladies struggled to hit anything other than the wall and floor. 🤣 🪓

What a fun experience but I’m sticking to pickleball moving forward. I slay on the court!

There are literally 2,854,993 photos of bathrooms on Houzz, so it's an honor to have our Ferndale North bathroom featured as the Houzz Bathroom of the Week!
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The real wood balance bars, soft green tile and creative use of the small space are already resonating with readers.
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Follow the link to the article in my bio for the full story about this warm and inviting bathroom in Plymouth. I’d love to hear what you love the most.
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If you love it, let’s give it new life.
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Often our clients have favorite furniture pieces that are so comfortable or funky and they still love them, but they’re ready for an update. We fully support that!
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I was showing a client pictures of this home the other day and she immediately picked up on the vintage chairs we recovered in a bold orange vinyl. She was wowed by the change & impact.
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The homeowners had bought them because they loved their form & history, but never got around to recovering them because they weren’t sure what to do. Decision paralysis is so common!
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The new seating arrangement & pop of color transformed them into a focal point anchoring the fireplace and a great conversation starter.
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New fabric, new location, new life.
Is there a piece you’d love to elevate in your home? I have a MCM chair & ottoman getting reupholstered soon and I can’t wait to love them even more!
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Inspiration Monday: I’m ready to hop in the vintage yellow Bronco and go cruising down these back roads between fields of flowers.

What do you see in this original artwork I spotted at the MN State Fair annual art exhibit in the Fine Arts Center?

This is a required stop for me each year as I love seeing the variety of mediums, styles and perspectives.

This piece is by and I ❤️ her use of color & texture & how the bending road pulls you in and through the piece.

Go get inspired! And be sure to check out the K-12 art submissions in the Education Building nearby. They blow me away with their creativity and skill every year.

Now you see it, now you don’t!
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We maximized this thin sliver of cabinetry to catch all the papers, mail, keys, sunscreen, scotch tape, and other odds and ends this family needed a drop zone for, while keeping the chaos out of sight.
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If you’d like to learn about creative solutions for your home, book your free Discovery Call using the link in bio or text CALL for a direct link in your DMs.
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I love finding the right solutions for how each family lives & can’t wait to hear about all the things driving you crazy we can fix 😉
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It's International Self-Care Day, which I full celebrate. But what does that even mean?
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I don't think it's about bubble baths, manicures, and massages. Those those are a form of self-care. I think it's about the small ways we care for ourselves day in and out.
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Putting ourselves first so we have capacity to be of service.
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Getting time in nature to recharge. Ideally tuning into our senses to really be present. Moving your energy helps clear out the crud.
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A daily gratitude and values practice. I've used the for years and it's a beautiful way to check in with myself and recognize the beauty in small moments.
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Journaling and/or therapy and/ or coaching to help manage your mind and be aware of the stories you're telling yourself so you can intentionally choose new thoughts to feel better.
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Take a break from your to-do list. We are human beings, not human doings (credit to and for this A-ha). Treat yourself accordingly.
Try out Niksen, the dutch art of doing nothing (another book recommendation).
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This image is from an experience I had picking bits of nature with my family, tuning into the tiny details around me, and then slowly, artfully and imperfectly, turning them into resin jewelry.
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Take care of yourself today, and every day.

Proud to announce this recent St. Paul kitchen remodel project is featured in Designers Today magazine's July/Aug issue, highlighting designers in the Midwest.
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Click the link in my bio to see the blog version of this article.
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THEN click the link to my website to see the full project breakdown, including powerful before & afters, for this Japandi inspired project.
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To grasp how we changed the footprint, you should know there used to be a closet behind that front door and the refrigerator is now in what used to be the breakfast nook.

   
   

Reading in bed is a delight when you have an adjustable lamp within easy reach that tucks away when you're done.
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These shallow shelves were built to wrap around their bed and provide an easy-to-access spot to tuck their favorite books and charge their devices. And they take up less space than a nightstand would.
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Love that the lights are adjustable by tapping on the round base.

In case you were curious, the light switch controls LED lights recessed into the section of shelving that runs over the bed. Gotta have accent, task and general lighting in a room!
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Peek-a-boo! Which appliances do you use daily and wish you didn't have to look at when they aren't in use?
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Here we were able to tuck the toaster and Instant Pot out of sight while plugged in and ready to use. Keep in mind, the Instant Pot shouldn't be used INSIDE the appliance garage since it vents steam. But a coffee maker would be perfect!
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There are multiple door styles for appliance garages; this is a roll-up wood door, fyi.
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photos by

   
   

Sweet little nook and inset cabinets for display and functional storage were carved out under the eaves in this guest suite redesign and add character appropriate for this 1922 home in Mac-Groveland.
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When we design for older homes we have hopes of what we'll find behind the walls, and then we adjust the design details on the fly once the demo happens.

 

Kick off your shoes and take a seat in this sun-drenched Japandi-inspired kitchen.
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Removing the entry closet, built-in cabinet, and archway to the breakfast nook allowed us to open up this kitchen and make it truly functional. Now they have actual counter space on either side of their range and a place to eat breakfast!
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Modern finishes were balanced with classic details like the light fixtures and arched openings we recreated into adjacent rooms.
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Photo by
Design by (of course)
Construction by
Counters by and
Cabinets by
Backsplash tile by

   
   

Ready for a quick spring refresh tip?

Evaluate all the art on your walls. When was the last time you updated it?

Do you still like it? Seriously, so often the answer is, ”meh.”

Is there a better place for it?

Behind the scenes peak at a recent art installation after refreshing paint and window treatments in a few rooms. While we had the art installer on site, we took the opportunity to walk around and find multiple other places where the art could be hung in a new location or released.

On their three season porch we swapped a gorgeous large abstract with two smaller prints that had previously been off-center above the couch.

The art shines in its new location and compliments the throw pillows. (Clearly didn’t worry about adjusting the pillows before the photo. I did afterwards, I promise.😉)

I love working with a professional art installer because it’s so much faster, more efficient, and he can ensure large pieces are properly supported.