Pillsbury Castle Reveal: Kitchen and Laundry
All images by Spacecrafting
After 10 months of renovation, the Pillsbury Castle Project opened its doors to the public for three weeks in July of 2024 as the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Design Home 2024 in collaboration with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). 30 designers and eight remodelers transformed this home between September 2023 and July 2024 culminating with a public tour celebrating the best of remodeling inspiration, interior design, and preservation craft.
This 12,000-square-foot historic Tudor Revival was built in 1903 for Alfred Fiske Pillsbury, son of Pillsbury Co-Founder John S Pillsbury. He shared this home with his wife Eleanor Pillsbury where they hosted lavish parties, housed their expansive art collection, and devised plans to make Minneapolis the beautiful city it is today.
Alfred and Eleanor lived in the mansion until they died in 1946 and 1950, respectively. Since then, the home has served as housing for seminary students, the offices of an architectural firm, an advertising agency, an Airbnb and a private home.
In March of 2023, Matthew Trettel and Ryan Hanson purchased the home with the intention of saving it from being one of many period mansions now being torn down in and around Minneapolis. This is where they will raise their family, gather community, and honor the Pillsburys by serving as stewards of the property, ensuring it stands tall for another 120 years.
We are delighted to share the story behind each of these rooms with you as we reveal the “before” and “after” images of more than 30 rooms with you, beginning with the spectacular Kitchen and Laundry spaces.
Main Floor: Kitchen & Scullery
DESIGNER: Kate Roos, Allied ASID, and Leah Dunne, Kate Roos Design | Nicole Sirek, ASID, CID, NCIDQ, and Nancy Baker, Allied ASID, Partners 4, Design
REMODELER: Partners 4, Design
What was once the exterior porch is now the extraordinary Kitchen and Scullery designed by Kate Roos, Allied ASID, and Leah Dunne of Kate Roos Design in partnership with Nancy Baker, Allied ASID, and Nicole Sirek, ASID, CID, NCIDQ of Partners 4, Design. Partners 4, Design also took on the role of remodeler for these areas.
With the perimeter walls literally "set in stone," careful planning was essential to create a functional layout for both entertaining and daily tasks in the Kitchen and Scullery. The talented design teams aimed to transform this simple porch into a kitchen that matches the grandeur of the rest of the home. They incorporated expansive work surfaces with Galley sinks and multi-functional cooking capabilities.
Before
After
An enviable suite of Gaggenau appliances from Warners’ Stellian caters to every culinary need. Floor-to-ceiling Crystal Cabinets maximize storage and create an intentional divide between the spaces. Decorative details and unique finishes blend old and new aesthetics. Traditional molding profiles, rich oak and green-gray cabinetry with walnut drawer boxes, solid brass hardware, and hand-gilded antique mirrors elevate the design.
On the ceiling of the kitchen, you’ll see a spectacular leaf motif wallpaper in rich golds and deep reds inspired by Alfred Pillsbury’s devotion to Asian art. These warm tones are echoed in the cinnamon-colored interiors of the scullery’s display cabinets, showcasing the homeowners’ collections. Reconfiguring and building out the space took creativity and careful planning.
APPLIANCES - Gaggenau from Warners’ Stellian
CABINETRY - Crystal Cabinets
TRIM PAINT - Sealskin, Sherwin Williams
COUNTERTOP AND BACKSPLASH - Artistic Tile from Fantasia Showroom
CABINET PULLS AND KNOBS - Armac Martin from Knobbery Minneapolis
FLOORING - Rubble Tile
SINKS - The Galley from Belle Kitchen
FAUCETS - Ferguson
COUNTER STOOLS - Arhaus
PENDANTS - Visual Comfort
CEILING WALLPAPER - Zoffany by Sanderson from AJ Maison installed by Cutting Edge, Inc.
MIRROR - Aurora Decorative Finishes
HOME AUTOMATION - Northstar Home Technologies
HOOD - Custom Brass, Fumed Finish, Form From Form
END CAP COUNTERTOP - 3" Walnut End Grain Butcher Block, Butcher Block Furniture
Click to see the full Kitchen Sourcebook and Scullery Sourcebook
Second Floor: Laundry Room
DESIGNER: Lindy Haglund, Allied ASID, Designer Lindy Haglund, LLC
REMODELER: J3 Renovation & Design
In a tucked away nook behind the hallway on the second floor lies the Laundry Room with every corner covered in an energizing shade of teal. Designer Lindy Haglund, LLC’s vision was brought to life with the attentive talent of J3 Renovation and Design.
Once a kitchenette from when the home served as a vacation rental with previous ownership, the Laundry Room has been transformed into a rich and functional space. Honoring the grandeur of the home’s original architecture, historic materials like a Quartzite counter and backsplash from Stone Source blend beautifully with the homeowners’ modern design aesthetic.
Renovations started by removing the entry door and reframing the opening to align perfectly with the new cabinets, creating a centered focal point. This was followed by a comprehensive update of the plumbing and electrical systems to accommodate the revised layout and new appliances.
Before
After
Ample storage solutions were incorporated into the custom cabinetry by Plato Woodwork, including hamper drawers, a pullout ironing board, and even a pet feeding station. Contribution to the superior functionality, custom drains were installed to seamlessly integrate the washer and dryer into the cabinetry while ensuring proper protection underneath.
Inspiration for the colors began with the thin green veining in the natural stone Quartzite countertop. This bold, saturated tone breathes new life into the room without compromising its historical charm. This reinvented space not only streamlines the chore of doing laundry but also becomes a vibrant and beautiful extension of the home.
Whether it's stylish wall tile, patterned wall covering, gorgeous cabinetry, or an opulent chandelier, each corner of this room offers something new to see.
WASHTOWER - LG from Warners’ Stellian
CABINETS - Plato Woodwork, Ohana Home & Design
COUNTERTOP, SINK, BACKSPLASH, LEDGE - Stone Source
WALL AND FLOOR TILE - Rubble Tile
FIXTURES - Kohler from Ferguson
CABINET HARDWARE and CABINET GRATES - Armac Martin from Knobbery Minneapolis
CHANDELIER - Robinson Lighting
CABINETRY AND TRIM PAINT - Sherwin Williams
CEILING WALLPAPER - Tapis Décor
HOME AUTOMATION - Northstar Home Technologies
Art Prints - “The New Ringleader” and “Neon David” - Mary Catherine Solberg
Click to see full Laundry Room Sourcebook
Third Floor: Kitchenette
REMODELER: Ohana Home & Design
Next to the Family Room on the third level is a perfectly functional kitchenette ideal for busy families. Contractors borrowed space from what was once an awkward bathroom to build out a barrel ceiling under which the kitchenette and wet bar would lie.
Before
After
PIZZA OVEN AND APPLIANCES - Warners’ Stellian
BUILT-INS - Ohana Home & Design
WET BAR SLAB - Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
FAUCET - Kohler from Ferguson
SINK - The Galley, Belle Kitchen
BAR STOOLS - Arhaus
SCONCES - Arhaus
CABINET PULLS - Atelier Collection, Restoration Hardware
Click to see full Family Room Sourcebook.
Third Floor: Apartment Kitchen
DESIGNER: Sarah Hughes, Allied ASID, Albertsson Hansen Architecture and Design Ltd.
REMODELER: Holly Home Renovations
Previously used as a short-term rental by past homeowners, Albertsson Hansen Architecture and Design reconfigured the space into three distinct zones: the bedroom, the bathroom, and a living area complete with a kitchenette. Holly Home Renovations led the thorough remodeling efforts in the Apartment.
Inspired by the idea of a Secret Garden — a “gardener’s garden” that feels a bit wild and unrestrained, the designer aimed to create a space that feels separate from the rest of the home, as if you’re stepping into another world. The colors and patterns evoke a connection to nature, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. This vision comes to life with custom tile from Mercury Mosaics, chic pieces from Contemporary Furnishings by Granby, and bold Thibaut wallpaper installed by Cutting Edge, Inc.
Before
After
The layout of this space was completely reworked down to the studs. Many of the original doors were stripped and refinished, preserving the home’s historical integrity. Extensive structural rot repair was done behind the walls, addressing years of water damage from the roof valleys, ensuring the space’s longevity and safety.
APPLIANCES - Bosch and Gaggenau by Warners’ Stellian
KITCHENETTE CABINETRY - Plato Woodwork & Ohana Home & Design
CABINET PULLS - Armac Martin from Knobbery Minneapolis
BACKSPLASH - Mercury Mosaics
COUNTERTOP - Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
SINK - The Galley from Belle Kitchen
FAUCET - Kohler from Ferguson
DINING TABLE and CHAIRS - Contemporary Furnishings by Granby
PAINT - Sherwin Williams
WALLPAPER - Thibaut installed by Cutting Edge, Inc.
HOME AUTOMATION - Northstar Home Technologies
Click to see Apartment Living Area Sourcebook
All Floors: Secondary Stairs
DESIGNER: Kristen Sheikh, ASID, Bruit de la Mode, Inc.
REMODELER: VUJOVICH Design Build Inc. (Lower Level) and J3 Renovation & Design (Main & 3rd Floors)
The back staircase spans all four levels of the home, each floor with its own flair thanks to Kristen Sheikh from Bruit de la Mode Inc. Once used as the back staircase for employees of the Pillsburys, it is now reimagined as another access point for the homeowners and guests to navigate from floor to floor. Two remodelers were involved in the staircase including Vujovich Design Build, Inc. on the Lower Level and J3 Renovation and Design on the main and third levels.
Honoring Alfred and Eleanor Pillsbury’s love for Chinese bronzes and jade art, the designer drew inspiration from a Chinoiserie mural. Collaborating with Hygge & West, a serene water-lily scene with tones of muted green, blue, and charcoal serves as the primary focus of the secondary hallways and stairs throughout the Castle. For a modern twist, she paired this mural with a carpet from INTERSOURCE by STARK, cut as a stair runner.
Before
After
The eclectic collection of art and design in these areas pays tribute to the vast array of Archaic Art the Pillsburys collected and donated to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Transitioning from the traditional upper-level hallways, the lower-level stairway and hall shift to a darker, moodier vibe. Here, the Castle stone brings in a natural, homey feel. The design features rich grays, blacks, and golds, with wallpaper showcasing sharp, graphic shapes reminiscent of the forests in northern Minnesota.
Much like the Pillsburys’ fascination with diverse art, you’ll see curated a collection from local artists like Mary Jo Hoffman, Lisa Roy, and Saintly Sisters, adding wit and nostalgia to the design. Restoration of the Secondary Staircase included refinishing the stair treads and painting all of the existing and new millwork. As a glimpse into the past, the original finish was maintained at the handrail, newel and balusters.
WASHER + DRYER - GE by Warners’ Stellian
CABINETS - Plato Woodwork & Ohana Home & Design
CARPET - INTERSOURCE by STARK
LAUNDRY COUNTERTOP - Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
WALLPAPER - Hygge & West installed by Cutting Edge, Inc.
PAINT - Sherwin Williams
DOORS - Bayer Built
HOME AUTOMATION - Northstar Home Technologies
CABINET HARDWARE - Atelier Collection, Restoration Hardware
WALL LAMP - Giraffe in Love Wall Lamp by Marcantonio, Qeeboo
CHANDELIER - Aquitaine Chandelier, Restoration Hardware
WALL ART - Still: The Art of Noticing Collection, MaryJo Hoffman
LOWER LEVEL PRINTS - Saintly Sisters
MAIN FLOOR SCULPTURE - “Woodpecker Wedge” in Copper, Brass and Concrete, Peter Vanni, Sculptor ARCHIPELAGO METALWORKS
TABLE SCULPTURE - “Mal d’Testa” in Ordinario Italian Marble, Peter Vanni, Sculptor ARCHIPELAGO METALWORKS
MAIN FLOOR TABLE - “Neo-Brutal Concrete Table” in Concrete, Steel, and Glass, Peter Vanni, Sculptor ARCHIPELAGO METALWORKS
2ND LEVEL FLOOR SCULPTURE - “Whirlwind” in Brass, Peter Vanni, Sculptor ARCHIPELAGO METALWORKS
2ND LEVEL SCULPTURE - “Forbidden Fruit”, Dennis Kalow
Click for full Secondary Stairs Sourcebook