One lot, endless possibility.
Tucked beside the wetland and creek, Honey Hill’s final 2.5-acre walkout lot was imagined for quiet creativity –a greenhouse, a walking bridge, a view that changes with the seasons.
by
Rendering
JMAD
MICHAEL D. SUNDET
WINTER | KITCHEN 2025
ON THE COVER
As the final flourish in a fabulous renovation by Vujovich Design Build, homeowner Tadji Akhavan Smith gilded the lily with glamorous wallcovering by House of Hackney. Note the original 1937 dairy delivery boxes!
Lakesocietymagazine.com | @lsm_magazine Lakesocietymagazine@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
KAREN T. STOECKEL
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
MELINDA NELSON
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SHEBA CONCEPT & DESIGN, INC.
ART DIRECTION
KAREN T. STOECKEL
SOCIAL MEDIA
PATTY BURLEY
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KELLY CARUSO
ANDRÉA DIXON
ANDREW FLESHER
RICHARD MERCHÁN
JEN ZIEMER
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
SCOTT AMUNDSON
DALLMAN BOHL
JOSH GRUBBS
LAUREN GRYNIEWSKI, ROUND THREE PHOTOGRAPHY
TAYLOR HALL O'BRIEN
AMY JEANCHAIYAPHUM, EYE LOVE PHOTO
CHELSIE LOPEZ, WHITE LABEL VISUALS
SPACECRAFTING // BO CARLOCK, JENNY HERZ
From the Publisher
Dear Friends,
In this season of feasts and festivities, I’d like to make a toast to you, our readers and advertisers. I’m so grateful to you for being part of Lake Society. From our first issue nine years ago, the magazine has grown to become a vibrant chronicle of our design community.
With every issue, I’m proud to showcase the work of so many talented design professionals and create connections between homeowners, real estate agents, architects, interior designers and landscape designers.
In between making your lists, wrapping gifts and entertaining family and friends, I hope you’ll take a moment to savor our Winter issue. We’ve gathered a veritable buffet of inspiring kitchens, conversations with intriguing people and as always, fascinating stories about houses. We’re delighted to share a gracious kitchen renovation by Vujovich Design Build near Bde Maka Ska, a Palm Springs-inspired modern home on Theodore Wirth Park designed and built by David Strand, a modern masterpiece on Lake Harriet designed by Charles Stinson and other delights.
Here’s to the New Year!
Karen
–Karen Stoeckel, Publisher
Contents
WINTER | KITCHEN 2025
30 IMAGINATION STYLE
Inspired by Loring Park in Minneapolis, artist Richard Merchán shares “Winter Park” with a holiday wish for peace and kindness.
58 WHAT’S MODERN NOW
For Christine Frisk, interior designer and founder of InUnison Design and Fuse, modern design is about creating interiors that make life easier and more beautiful for her clients.
32
THE TASTEMAKER DIARIES
In between designing kicky, colorful interiors in Florida and other destinations, our tastemakers Andréa Dixon and Jen Ziemer share their must-haves for a stylish modern kitchen. 34 A
HOUSE STORY
Tadji and Matt Akhavan Smith invited Christina Rymer of Vujovich Design Build to create the kitchen their 1937 home had always deserved.
What better way to celebrate the season of cooking, feasting and entertaining than with our 4th annual showcase of kitchens by architects, interior designers and builders in the Lake Society community.
WHAT’S COOKING AT ROTH LIVING
Our editor Melinda Nelson chats with Angela Prenzlow, Vice President, and Executive Chef Mike Shannon at the all-new Roth Living showroom in Minnetonka.
60
VACATION TIME
Palm Springs meets Golden Valley in an organic modern home designed and built by architectural designer David Strand.
68
ANDREW ON DESIGN
Interior designer Andrew Flesher curated a materials palette for a St. Paul penthouse that reflects the colors and textures of the Mississippi River and the surrounding industrial landscape.
70
DESIGN IS LIFE
When Shane Spencer toured a modern home on Lake Harriet designed by Charles Stinson, he experienced the architecture as a dialogue between light, form and the land.
78 MODERN MOTION
Minneapolis entrepreneur Steve Heckenlaible, founder of Stitch Seating, is reimagining reclining furniture for design-savvy homeowners.
80 REGARDING TRAVEL WITH KELLY CARUSO
Interior designer and travel correspondent Kelly Caruso traveled to Japan and discovered a country where heritage and modernity share the same space.
photo by lauren gryniewski, round three photography courtesy of tea2 architects
IMAGINATION
Style
SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Snowflakes in December, Christmas carols, holiday shopping. Lefsa, lutefisk and red cabbage - all those Scandinavian fixins’. Gift wrapping paper and ribbons and bows. Cranberries, woodsy pine scents, mistletoe and mulled wine. Vikings, The Wild, chips and beer to go. These are a few of my favorite things.
When it comes to the Holidays and the end of a year, there are so many things to be grateful for. Whether it’s Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza or New Year’s eve, this is when family and friends come together. We break bread, we drink and we shop a lot.
While we prepare our homes to accommodate the tribe, let’s face it, the kitchen is the hub where most of the action takes place. The kitchen is the true heart of the home and the best place to congregate while catching up on family gossip.
If we are lucky, we are blessed with pretty fresh snow on the ground. We can bundle up and experience all the events around the city: a visit to the Basilica, the Holidazzle events, a stroll through the Christkindl Markets, or maybe stop at a pop-up frozen ice bar to work up an appetite.
This brings me to Loring Park and the inspiration for “Winter Park,” a 16 x 20-inch acrylic on canvas I created several Winter’s ago. This scene always reminds me of walking through city parks. In this painting I introduce a city’s skyline hovering in the distance like giant ghosts and trees that muffle the traffic’s noise. The woman in the red coat draws attention by interrupting the monochromatic feeling often associated with a Winter city escape.
So as another year passes us by, we hope for peace and kindness.
When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad I simply remember my favorite things And then I don't feel so bad
Richard Merchán is a painter and sculptor creating in Minnesota and California. Learn more @ richardmerchan.com
Merchán is represented by Hollie Blanchard hollie@artgirlsmpls.com 612.834.6565
A HOUSE
Story
Tadji and Matt Akhavan Smith invited Christina Rymer of Vujovich to create the kitchen their 1937 home had always deserved. written by melinda
photography by chelsie
white label visuals and bo carlock // spacecrafting
nelson,
lopez,
“This special space embodies everything that Vujovich Design Build stands for.”
–CHRISTINA RYMER
WWhen Tadji and Matt Akhavan Smith decided to move from L.A. to Minneapolis in 2021, everything unfolded in a seemingly miraculous and uniquely Minnesotan way. Tadji had grown up in the Twin Cities, so she called Lauren Neal, a real estate agent and designer in Minneapolis. Neal had helped Tadji design a wedding band for Matt so she understood the couple’s refined aesthetic. When she sent a listing for an unusual and very cosmopolitan home near Bde Maka Ska, they were intrigued. Designed in 1937 by architect Carl Gage for Frank and Alice Warren, it looked like a house from Ludwig Bemelman’s Madeline books, with a French mansard roof, tall windows and a romantic, wrought iron front door. Tadji booked a redeye flight from L.A., toured the house with Neal and made an offer.
In addition to the house keys, the couple received a warm, Minnesota-style welcome letter from the sellers. “…There is truly no other home like it in the city, or possibly this part of the country…We wish you all the best in your new home and hope you get to make countless great memories to add to the story of this house.”
Matt and Tadji took their time getting to know the house. They loved the intimacy, easy flow and views of the lake, but the original horseshoe-shaped kitchen was another story. It had been designed for a solo cook, so while Matt was making dinners and Tadji was baking cakes, they were constantly bumping into each other. After two years of culinary challenges, Tadji called Christina Rymer, a high school friend and senior design director with Vujovich Design Build.
Rymer and her team were impressed by the couple’s vision of a well-designed, highly functional kitchen that appeared to have always belonged to the house. “I loved how much Tadji and Matt cared for their home and how deeply they wanted to honor its history and bones,” says Rymer. “They’re both very creative, and their enthusiasm was contagious and gratifying.” Over the next two years, the Vujovich team worked with the couple to plan, design and build the new kitchen, which required removing a wall and reengineering the small space to accommodate two cooks, two dogs, two cats, a six-burner La Cornue range, a large center island and an original radiator.
Last summer, Rymer and her team showcased the kitchen transformation on the Artisan Home Tour and the MSP Home Tour. As guests walked through the cozy walnut-paneled library, the gracious living room and light-filled dining room into the elegant kitchen, many people couldn’t believe the glamorous terrazzo floors, timeless cabinetry with burnished brass hardware, opulent marble backsplash and countertops, and vintage light fixtures weren’t original to the house. “This special space embodies everything that Vujovich Design Build stands for,” says Rymer. “I'm incredibly proud of our entire team for bringing Matt and Tadji’s vision to life, and we’re honored to have helped them add to the story of the house by creating the kitchen it’s always deserved.”
7 SENSATIONAL KITCHENS
What better way to celebrate the season of cooking, feasting and entertaining than our 4th annual kitchens showcase, featuring culinary environments by Fiddlehead Design Group, Regarding Design, TEA2 Architects, Charlie & Co. Design, Mark D. Williams Custom Homes, Rehkamp Larson Architects, InUnison Design and their partners. Bon appetit!
vujovich design build | photography: chelsie lopez, white label visuals
TEA2 ARCHITECTS
“By reworking a disjointed 1980s addition, we imbued the kitchen with character and charm befitting the original 1930s Tudor house.” –
MICHAEL HANSLICK
TThis 1930s Tudor had a great deal of character until a 1980s addition compromised its charm and layout. The homeowners wanted to restore the kitchen’s historic character. Though the space is fairly small, our design makes the space feel very open, with large windows that provide views in three directions.
Inspired by the home’s historic Tudor arched motifs, we transformed cabinetry into architecture with full-height functional storage built into the corners.
We designed the banquette with an interior window to provide depth and lightness all the way from the kitchen through to the central passage and mural-covered doors that conceal the pantry and mudroom.
project credits:
· architect: tea2 architects: dan nepp, principal & michael hanslick, senior project manager
· builder: über built
· interior designer: heather peterson design
· photography: lauren gryniewski, round three photography
MARK D. WILLIAMS CUSTOM HOMES
“This
home proves color is timeless — from bold pantry hues to moody layers, every shade was chosen to spark joy and warmth.”
– MARK D. WILLIAMS
TTransforming a traditional Colonial into an awardwinning, color-rich home, this remodel blends heritage, modern sensibility, and playful detail for a family-friendly design statement.
Moody, saturated tones layered throughout the kitchen depart from expected neutrals, celebrating individuality and redefining timeless charm with warmth and vibrancy.
A custom plaster hood pairs subtle texture with timeless form, which grounds the kitchen’s colorful palette while maintaining architectural integrity. The backsplash’s varying marble thicknesses create sculptural depth and shadow, elevating traditional stone into a standout feature within the updated colonial aesthetic.
project credits:
· architecture: karl adalbert, ka design
· interior designer: yond interiors
· builder: mark d. williams custom homes
· photographer: taylor hall o’brien
FIDDLEHEAD DESIGN GROUP
“This colorful kitchen is a true reflection of our mantra,
‘Serious about style, fanatic about function’.”
– ANDREA DIXON AND JEN ZIEMER
WWhen our clients bought a traditional home in Cincinnati, the kitchen was neither functional nor fun enough for their busy family. We’re equally serious about style and fanatic about function, so we reimagined the kitchen with an eye-catching color palette and classic design elements that feel right at home.
Mixing formality with fun, we chose a beautiful blue La Cornue range and Citrus Garden, a playful wallcovering originally designed in 1947 by Josef Frank.
What better place to begin the day than this breakfast nook we designed with coordinating finishes and a whimsical round table with French bistro chairs.
project credits:
· interior designer: fiddlehead design group
· builder: dallman bohl
INUNISON DESIGN
“
...We built the kitchen color palette to play off the warmth of the stone and metal.”
– CHRISTINE FRISK
OOur clients have a large extended family, so they wanted a beautiful, highly functional modern kitchen for indoor-outdoor entertaining. Taking our cues from the stunning architectural design of the main level, we built the kitchen color palette to play off the warmth of the stone and metal.
The scullery does all the heavy lifting for day to day living, baking and entertaining. Every functional element, even the Roomba, is within easy reach behind a door or inside a drawer.
Custom cabinetry with a warm, velvety veneer accentuates the ten-foot ceilings, while the center island is illuminated with simple surface mounts, allowing the adjacent dining room chandelier to take center stage.
project credits:
· interiors: inunison design
· architecture: pka architecture
· builder: trestle homes
REGARDING DESIGN
“
The Myrtle House kitchen reflects my appreciation of gracious homes inspired by my travels.”
– KELLY CARUSO
IInspired by historic architecture and streamlined with a contemporary approach, Myrtle House harmonizes tradition and present-day life. Earthy materials, sculptural accents, and an elevated palette define the atmosphere.
With open shelving, generous counters and hidden storage, this scullery quietly powers daily routines and dinner parties without disrupting the main kitchen space.
project credits:
· interior design: kelly caruso, regarding design
· builder: kerry and kate hage, hage homes
· photography: jenny herz // spacecrafting
Dappled with filtered light and pattern, this charming bay nook does double-duty as a peaceful perch or a stylish dining space.
REHKAMP LARSEN
“ This inviting kitchen, with its eclectic blend of traditional details and couture-quality finishes, was inspired by the homeowner’s love of travel and time spent on the East Coast.”
– JEAN REHKAMP LARSON
GGrounded in history with modern sensibilities and dramatic finishes, this putty-colored kitchen honors the design and craftsmanship of the past. Adorned with elegant millwork and unlacquered brass detailing, the understated palette gives way to a hidden, color-drenched butler’s pantry with a brass porthole that offers a peek into the hallway.
Glass-paneled countertop cabinets create an airy, open look and the side-to-side window ledge is perfect for herbs and plants.
A pull-down world map behind the kitchen banquette makes a colorful and useful backdrop for family meals and games.
project credits:
· architecture: rehkamp larson architects
· builder: streeter custom builder
· interior design: harris weldon interiors
· photography: scott amundson
CHARLIE & CO. DESIGN
“ Within a city neighborhood, we created a calm, light-filled kitchen for quiet mornings and casual dinner parties.”
– COLBY MATTSON
OOur clients envisioned a kitchen that felt like a calm, quiet oasis in the city. Designed to make the most of the light, the space features a range, hearth and pantry with privacy from the adjacent homes, and a casual dining area overlooking the south-facing backyard for abundant morning sunlight.
A gleaming tiled backsplash with burnished copper pans, a wood-topped round table and upholstered furniture add warmth and texture to the refined neutral palette.
When the neighbors stop by for a glass of wine, a two-sided fireplace creates natural flow between the kitchen and the living room.
project credits:
· architectural design: charlie & co. design, ltd.
· interior designer: ellington & co. design
· contractor: streeter custom builder
· photography: spacecrafting
WHAT’S
mike shannon, executive chef
angela prenzlow, vice president
COOKING AT ROTH LIVING
written by melinda nelson, photography by rachael larson, mira visual media
jackie gorman, showroom manager
LSM: Roth Living’s grand reopening last spring was one of 2025’s most exciting local design events. What inspired you to redesign the showroom?
Angela Prenzlow, Vice President: As the regional distributor for Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove appliances, Roth Living leads the industry with our unique showroom concept, and no other space in the Twin Cities offers our immersive, luxury appliance experience. Since 1996, our Minnetonka showroom has been a go-to resource for homeowners, top architects, interior and kitchen designers, home builders and our retail partners. Our last major remodel was in 2007, so it was time. As curators of innovation, we wanted to reimagine the showroom as an elevated, immersive environment that showcases luxury design, culinary excellence and cuttingedge technology, and the response has been incredible. In the same way that guests love congregating in the kitchen, our showroom is always abuzz with homeowners and design professionals. In addition to monthly Chef’s Table and ownership experiences for homeowners, we also love hosting all kinds of industry events.
LSM: What are some highlights of the Roth Living experience for homeowners?
Angela: Cooking, dining and entertaining are at the heart of our brands. Our showroom consultants curate personal tours based on the homeowners’ design and culinary goals. We have modern, transitional and traditional kitchen vignettes with custom cabinetry and appliance displays that make it easy to compare products, models, finishes and configurations. Once the homeowners have made their initial product selections, our Digital Wall Configurator helps them visualize their ideal suite of appliances. And, of course, the pièce de résistance is the Chef’s Table with Chef Mike, a dinner theater-style evening of inspiration and education to ease the decision making process and ensure the selection of perfect appliances for their specific needs. It’s that simple.
LSM: What happens at the Chef’s Table?
Mike Shannon, Executive Chef: We believe the kitchen is the most important room in the home, since it’s where people nourish their families, gather with friends and celebrate holidays. And, since Sub Zero, Wolf and Cove appliances are designed to last for 20 years or more, we want to make sure homeowners choose the right products for their lifestyle. So, before they make their final decision, we invite them into our kitchen for a multi-course meal prepared in front of them on our Wolf range, induction cooktop, infrared griddle, and convection steam and wall ovens so they can see how each product works. I love cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, so our current menu includes roasted delicata squash salad with apple vinaigrette, seared scallops with creamy polenta, slow-roasted beef tenderloin with steam-roasted potatoes and marchand de vin sauce, and warm apple crisp with Frangelico cream. It’s a really fun experience because our guests can see our appliances in action and ask questions, including “Will you share these recipes?” which I’m always happy to do!
WHAT ’S MODERN NOW
Christine Frisk, interior designer and founder of InUnison Design and Fuse in International Market Square, talks all things modern with editor Melinda Nelson. photography by rachael larson, mira visual media
LSM: As an interior designer and showroom owner, you’re known for creating elevated modern interiors with a well-defined point of view. How do you describe your aesthetic?
CF: For me, modern design is about creating interiors that make life easier and more beautiful for my clients while reflecting their authentic selves. The client’s preferences drive our design, whether modern or transitional, with expertly executed details that deliver elegance, comfort and style. I enjoy mixing in modern furnishings from Fuse such as a classic Jean Prouvé chair or an iconic Thonet cantilever armchair, as they bring complementary tension and timeless relevance to a well-thought out interior.
LSM: Where did your passion for modern design start?
CF: My career kicked off in the commercial interior design industry, which continues to inform and influence every facet of my work, from my design approach to the lines we showcase at Fuse. I love the innovation that comes from the blending of commercial and residential design. Each makes the other better – aesthetically, environmentally and in business practices.
LSM: What’s modern now in interior design?
CF: I’m attracted to calming, almost retreatlike environments, seamlessly allowing for layers of art, sculpture and signature furnishings. The best environments are integrated into the landscape, serving as quiet additions to the natural environment and often creating a strong biophilic experience for the occupants.
LSM: What’s modern now at Fuse?
CF: Our three tenets are beauty, honesty and sustainability and we evaluate every line through these lenses. We seek out manufacturers who work with design professionals and engineers to create beautiful products that last a lifetime. Among our favorites are Flexform, a luxury Italian brand that’s focused on craftsmanship, comfort and beauty; Andreu World, an innovative company that continues to advance sustainability in materials and processes; and Boyd Lighting, an American company under the guidance of fourth-generation leadership that’s pushing the advancement of design and customization. I’m also really excited about Vitra for their iconic, timeless designs that continue to be sought after and collected by enthusiasts, and Eikund, a rebirth of classic Norwegian furniture designs.
Vacation TIME
Palm Springs meets Golden Valley in an organic modern home designed and built by David Strand.
written by melinda nelson, photography by spacecrafting photo this page by josh grubbs
WWhen David Strand was drawing elaborate floor plans in high school in Hawkins, Wisconsin, he never imagined he’d become one of the Twin Cities’ most prolific architectural designers with projects from the Pacific Northwest to the Bahamas. “I grew up pretty simply,” says Strand. “My grandfather had a small sawmill and my parents were teachers and artists, so I had a creative and technical childhood. I got a table saw for my 13th birthday and I designed and built complex tree forts and custom wood furniture.”
When Strand was 18, he moved to Minneapolis to study architectural design. One of his professors was Geoffrey Childs, an architect who’d apprenticed for John Howe, architect and chief draftsman for Frank Lloyd Wright. “Geoffrey had inherited Howe’s library of work and he taught me so much about hand detailing, which I still use in my designs,” says Strand.
After a stint at a commercial architecture firm in St. Paul, an apprenticeship at a residential architecture firm in River Falls and a highprofile construction project in New York City, Strand started his own firm in Minneapolis. “I did anything related to a house—real estate, architectural design, construction and custom furniture,” he says. In 2011, a client commissioned an oval dining table crafted of white oak. He enjoyed the collaboration so much, he called Strand again a year later and invited him to design and build a new home on Theodore Wirth Park in Golden Valley. “My client loves Palm Springs, so the question was how to combine a crisp, bright, mid-century modern rambler with Minnesota vernacular to create a house that lived like a vacation home all year round,” he says.
While Strand was drawing a modern ranch house nestled into the hillside with a cantilevered roof, a swimming pool, a pool house, a sauna and an outdoor kitchen, he never imagined it would garner so much interest and become a calling card for his firm. “I was very honored to be entrusted to design, engineer and build the house, so I wore the project on my sleeve,” he says. “I wouldn’t allow a single mistake, so I was on site every day, making sure the lines were clean and every transition was perfect.”
Strand finished the home in 2014 and since then, he’s designed dozens of modern homes for his clients from Venice Beach to Lake Superior. While he no longer builds the homes he designs, he works closely with select custom builders to ensure every detail is on point. Each house is as distinctive as the homeowners and tailored to the site, but they all reflect his ethos. “Design is about creating places where people want to be,” says Strand. “I love designing houses that make people happy to stay home instead of going to the cabin in the summer and heading south for the winter.”
“I
was very honored to be entrusted to design, engineer and build the house, so
I wore the project on my sleeve.”
–DAVID STRAND
“Design is about creating places where people want to be.”
–DAVID STRAND
project credits: · architectural design, interior design and construction: david strand, strand design · landscape design: landscape love
ANDREW DESIGN on
photography by bo carlock // spacecrafting
“Whether my clients live on the lake, in the mountains or by a vineyard, I’m always inspired by the landscape that surrounds their home. With nature as my muse, I love choosing colors and textures to ground the interiors and create a connection to the outdoors. But, when my clients bought a penthouse aerie with double-height windows in St. Paul, the surrounding landscape was the sky, the Mississippi River and the mix of century-old industrial warehouses and steel and glass buildings. Working with architect David Miller of UrbanWorks Architecture and Streeter Custom Builder, I paired white walls with natural wood floors, a floating staircase and modern furniture in muted hues of river, brick, stone and iron, allowing the city to be the art.” –Andrew Flesher, Interior Designer
“The penthouse floats high above the city, so I used natural wood floors to ground the space.”
“ The palette of this penthouse was inspired by the sky, the Mississippi
River and the mix of industrial warehouses and steel and glass buildings.”
–Andrew Flesher
“I love how the muted hues of river, brick, stone and iron set a quiet stage, allowing the city skyline to be the art.”
“This simple modern daybed makes a great place for reading, relaxing and keeping an eye on the weather.”
“I chose a bed with a gentle, rounded silhouette to balance the crisp vertical lines of the architecture.”
“I love the conversation between this iconic mid-century chair and the modern floating staircase.”
DesignIS LIFE
When real estate agent Shane Spencer toured a Lake Harriet home by Charles Stinson, he experienced the architecture as a dialogue between light, form and the land. written by
melinda nelson, photography by taylor hall o'brien
“This home radiates light and warmth with a strong connection to nature and the
–RUTH JOHNSON
FFor real estate agent Shane Spencer, design is life and life is design. Known for his refined aesthetic, impeccable discretion and very cinematic name, Spencer moves easily between the worlds of real estate, interior design and fashion in Minneapolis, New York and Southern California. He grew up in the Midwest, but his adventurous spirit took him all over the country. After spending more than a decade leading brand creative, visual design and strategic marketing efforts for a high-profile fashion brand, family and friends brought him back to Minneapolis, where he lives in a Mill District loft he recently renovated.
In between working with private clients, designing award-winning interiors and lending his talents to ASID Minnesota, Spencer decamps to Palm Springs, a place that nourishes his creativity. “I love modern architecture against a dramatic backdrop of nature, which is why I feel equally at home in Minneapolis and southern California,” he says. “My perfect Palm Springs weekend begins with breakfast at Cheeky’s on North Palm Canyon Drive, followed by an inspiring walk around the mid-century homes or a behind-the-scenes tour of an architectural icon. I recently visited Richard Neutra’s Kaufmann Desert House, a stunning modernist gem that’s starred in Julius Schulman and Slim Aarons’ photos. It was incredible to be in the space and let the architecture speak to my soul.”
Recently, a homeowner invited Spencer to tour one of Minneapolis’s most iconic modern masterpieces. Situated on a prized lot on the south edge of Lake Harriet, the house was designed in 2003 by architect Charles Stinson with interiors by Ruth Johnson. “As an architecture aficionado, I’ve always admired Charles’s work,” says Spencer. “He has an incredible talent for marrying the joie de vivre of Southern California with Minnesota warmth and intimacy to create a unique spirit of place.”
As Spencer pulled into the motor court, a magnificent maple tree punctuated the composition of horizontal planes, its blazing red leaves echoing the warmth inside. He walked through the foyer into the soaring living room, experiencing the sense of contraction and expansion created by Charles’s careful geometry. Clerestory windows and walls of glass filled the rooms with light, inviting nature to be the art, while a curving bluestone patio offered an extraordinary vantage point for watching regattas and listening to concerts in the bandshell, the notes floating over the water. “Feeling what an architect intended is one of life’s greatest pleasures,” says Spencer. “As I stood on the staircase, watching the sun as it moved through the house, I experienced Charles’s architecture as a dialogue between light, form and this beautiful piece of land.”
“I love the way Charles Stinson marries the joie de vivre of Southern California with
Minnesota warmth and intimacy...”
project credits:
· architecture: charles r. stinson architecture + design
· landscape design: landscape renovations
· builder: streeter custom builder
· interior design: ruth johnson interiors
–SHANE SPENCER
Modern MOTION
Steve Heckenlaible, founder of Stitch Seating, reimagines reclining furnishings for design-savvy homeowners.
written by melinda nelson, photography by amy jeanchaiyaphum, eye love photo
LSM: What inspired you to modernize the look of motion furniture?
SH: I’ve worked in the furniture industry for more than 35 years and I saw an opportunity hiding in plain sight. Motion furniture, also known as reclining furniture, is the biggest-selling category in the industry, yet nobody was designing with women and other sophisticated, design-savvy consumers in mind. Homeowners would invest countless thousands of dollars in their kitchen and adjacent family room. The kitchen would have beautiful countertops, top of the line appliances and hardwood floors, but the centerpiece of the family room was a big reclining chair or sectional upholstered in outdated fabric or faux leather that didn’t match the homeowners’ aesthetic.
LSM: You just returned from High Point Furniture Market. How does the trade feel about Stitch?
SH: It’s exciting, because we’ve given furniture buyers a new way to think about motion furniture, so Stitch Seating is being carried by many of the top retailers in the country, including Slumberland Furniture and HOM Furniture here in Minnesota. Our clean, modern lines, trend-forward fabrics and classic leather make it easy for them to inspire their customers and interior design clients with reclining chairs and sectionals that are both beautiful and comfortable.
LSM: What’s new for 2026 from Stitch Seating?
SH: We just debuted an unstructured 5-piece modular sectional. It’s filled with down for comfort and the cotton canvas upholstery gives it the look and feel of a great pair of jeans. We’ve also launched a 7-piece sectional with a power reclining chair on one end, a chaise with storage and two stationary power chairs that slide out into chaises. The lounging area is equivalent to a full-sized bed, making it a great piece for a living room, family room or bunk room.
Regarding Travel
In Japan, priorities come into focus. For our travel correspondent, interior designer Kelly Caruso, the country became more than a destination—it became a lens where heritage and modernity share the same space. Its architectural language—wood, stone, tatami, paper—shows that restraint isn’t minimalism; it’s precision. Every detail matters.
Textiles add their own narrative: saturated dyes, exacting weaves, sumptuous handwork that insists on touch. Watching artisans—loom weavers, jewelers, chefs, geiko, and even sumo wrestlers—reveals the quiet power of mastery. Craft matters. Process matters.
Onsens, especially in Hakone, offered more than rest. Steam, cedar, and mountain air created space to release, recalibrate, and see clearly. Kelly brings that intention into every project—materials with integrity, rooms that breathe, choices made on purpose. The result is work that’s more thoughtful, present, and attuned to the soul of a space.
with KELLY CARUSO
Where to rest, splurge, and wander in Japan
~Tokyo Hoshinoya
Serene, luxury ryokan-style hotel blending traditional Japanese hospitality with sleek, modern design.
~Kyoto Six Senses spa
Wellness retreat that fuses ancient Japanese healing traditions with modern holistic treatments, all set in a minimalist sanctuary.
~Hakone Gora
High-end ryokan nestled in the mountains, offering private onsen baths, refined kaiseki meals, and sweeping views of nature in every season.
~Hakone Open Air Museum
Expansive sculpture park where art and nature meet, featuring works by Picasso, Henry Moore, and more.
~TeamLab Borderless Tokyo
Mind-bending digital art museum where immersive, interactive installations flow freely across rooms, dissolving the lines between art, technology, and the senses.
~D&DEPARTMENT Kyoto
A standout for curated, design-forward Japanese homeware and vintage finds.
~Dover Street Market Tokyo
Cutting-edge fashion hub where high fashion, streetwear, and art collide across curated, ever-evolving installations that feel more like a gallery than a store.
