MA Peterson offers 43 years of experience, craftsmanship and creativity.

Our homes are sanctuaries places of respite and renewal. Today, homes are fulfilling expanding notions of how we utilize our spaces. Since 1979, MA Peterson has been committed to building a heartfelt connection with its clients, who have trusted the team with an impressive breadth of design, build and renew projects.

“We’re an industry-leading expert in the Twin Cities for award-winning residential design, new custom homes and high-quality custom remodeling and additions,” says owner Mark Peterson. “Our focus is on true excellence and craftsmanship, and we bring our decades of experience to homeowners, who desire exceptional results and great value. We’re a collaborative, creative team, who strives to bring clients’ dreams to life.”

Homeowners’ space needs are changing. “More people are working at their home, so creating spaces that fit this lifestyle is very popular, and I believe will continue to be the case,” Peterson says. “This is not just the office area, but the entire home. The home environment is more important than it has ever been, and our clients are looking for spaces that serve many functions and feelings.”

Satisfaction with MA Peterson’s work is evident. “Their work is superb in quality and construction. They work with you and advise when asked to do so on your specific project,” say Charlie and Emily of Plymouth. “We have used MA Peterson twice and recommended them to many who have admired the end result of the work done for us.” Edina’s Mike and Paige are longtime clients. “The quality of workmanship performed by MA Peterson is phenomenal. They are true craftsmen in all aspects of work, including communication, quality and timeliness.”

MA Peterson has also received the respect of the industry by receiving the 2022 NARI CotY Gold MN Award (Entire House $750,000 to $1 million; the 2022 NARI CotY Silver MN Award (Entire House over $1 million); and the 2022 Chrysalis Regional Awards (Addition over $250,000, Whole House Remodel $400,000-$700,000, and Whole House Remodel over $1 million).

Taste

A Delicious Brunch Staple

Every year when winter starts to let up and we get the slightest taste of spring, I start craving bright and cheery flavors in my food. Lemon and strawberries are my favorite spring flavors when baking, and these Strawberry Lemon Scones are my go-to for a spring brunch. They’re light, flaky and bursting with lemon flavor. These are perfect for serving on Easter morning or for a fun baking project with your kids!.

Ready to get baking? Find the recipe online at edinamag.com.

Contributed by Taylor Ellingson, a local cookbook author and food blogger at greensnchocolate.com. Find her @greensnchocolate on Instagram.

Read Finding Beauty In A Midwest Spring

Is there anything beautiful in this early part of spring, when everything is gray and pale and mucky and melty?

In Molly Beth Griffin’s 2021 picture book, Ten Beautiful Things, a 2022 Minnesota Book Award Finalist, a young girl and her grandmother, Gram, take a stab at this question.

Lily is feeling unsure and uneasy as she begins the journey to her new home with Gram, traveling across Iowa in April. As they set out, Gram suggests that they try to find 10 beautiful things along the way.

“There’s nothing beautiful here,” says Lily. But slowly, she begins to spot one beautiful thing, then another. And Gram contributes, too—the sunrise, a wind farm, a red-winged blackbird, even “the smell of mud.”

Maribel Lechuga’s illustrations capture the Midwest in spring, with hues of gray and beige punctuated with pops of green, red and pink. This cozy story may also encourage parents, caregivers and children to play “10 Beautiful Things” themselves.

Contributed by Megan Maynor, children’s book author, Minnesota Book Award finalist and Edina resident. You can find her books at meganmaynor.com.

Head to Arizona for a Dreamy Spa Getaway

My girlfriends and I love a spa getaway, and since we’re scattered across the country, we typically choose to visit a destination spa. We often choose Arizona for its amazing spas, and it’s an easy destination to travel to from almost anywhere in the country. (There are 13 daily nonstop flights from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to Phoenix!)

Last summer, we discovered a gem nestled high in the Sonoran Desert just outside of Scottsdale, Arizona: Civana Wellness Resort & Spa. It’s located 30 minutes away from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the charming and quaint town of Carefree, Arizona. We enjoyed a lot of quality time outside, from hiking in the morning to walking around Civana’s beautiful grounds and soaking up time at the pool. We’ve also visited Sedona, Arizona, which is two hours north of Phoenix and known for its beautiful red rock formations and vortexes. During our trip to Sedona, we stayed at the Amara Resort and Spa. Highlights included the rugged, bumpy and fun Pink Jeep Tour; lighting prayer candles in Chapel of the Holy Cross and hiking Baldwin Trail. Tucson is two hours south of Phoenix and is the home of some of the country’s most well-known spas. Miraval Arizona has been touted as one of Oprah’s favorite spas, and after a few visits myself, I can see why. No matter what type of spa experience you’re seeking, Arizona is my recommended destination for a relaxing and epic girls weekend!

Contributed by Edina resident Jasmine Brett Stringer, a professional speaker, on-air lifestyle expert, author, consultant and founder of Carpe Diem with Jasmine and #ShareTheMicMN.

Finding The Perfect Houseplant For Your Home

When it comes to our indoor spaces, we paint walls, select furniture, hang art and add blankets and throw pillows to create the perfect environment. Interior design elements mirror our personality—and, not surprisingly, so do the plants we choose to incorporate into those spaces.

Indoor plants come in thousands of unique colors, shapes and sizes. You’ll notice some plants have leaves that look sleek and edgy while others look long, curvy and wild. Want to pick out some new plants for your home? Keep reading for some classic varieties.

The sculptural dracaena, with its upright growth and straight-edged leaves, is a fantastic option for modern rooms that need a plant with some height. It should be watered thoroughly every week and requires bright light.

The graceful and timeless spathiphyllum, or peace lily, has large, dark green leaves and pure white, long-blooming flowers. This bushy plant adds elegance to dark corners or the tops of accent tables. It prefers lower light and should be watered every few days.

Philodendron varieties such as “prince of orange” or “imperial red” have beautiful leaf colors, ranging from dark green and yellows to oranges and reds, on a bushy plant. Its large leaves contribute a pop of color to any room with a midcentury theme. Philodendrons prefer indirect light and being regularly watered.

If you’ve ever longed to grow a tree indoors, the sun-loving, iconic fiddle leaf fig, a ficus, is fantastic for some stately drama. This plant requires very bright light and thorough weekly waterings.

Matching a houseplant to reflect your own style can feel special and accomplish that final decorating touch that no coat of paint can achieve.

Contributed by Sarah Davis, general manager at Sunnyside Gardens, and Matt Holden, Sunnyside Gardens’ perennial captain. They both enjoy helping people find success with gardening.