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A Modern Masterpiece LiLu Interiors designs a perfect perch for a couple of empty nesters. | By Josh Anderson
D
esigning a home can be overwhelming. But imagine needing to select every item floor to ceiling in just a few months. Then imagine downsizing from a five-bedroom house to a twobedroom condo. That’s the real-life challenge empty nesters Brad and Diane England faced a couple years ago. “We were moving so fast,” Diane recalls. “In fact, we had to live in the model until our unit was finished.” As the months flew by, the Englands began to lose focus — especially when the couple faced several major decisions a day. Fortunately they tapped Minneapolis-based design firm LiLu Interiors. Owner Lisa Peck and Assistant Designer Christina Winter put their minds at ease. “Lisa had a clear vision from the start,” Diane says. “Whenever I wavered, she would reassure me and keep me on track.” The Englands’ Edina condo was a blank canvas. The main walls couldn’t be moved, but that didn’t stop LiLu and architect Scott Newland from re-imagining the space to better suit an on-the-go lifestyle. “We bought this condo as a shell, knowing that we could design it from scratch,” Diane says. “I had worked with Lisa before, and I was looking forward to working with her again.” Even though the condo was new construction, it would be filled with various antiques, vintage finds and artwork accumulated over the years by these world travelers. LiLu served as curator, accentuating the extensive collections with a
144 Artful Living
| Autumn 2012