Pillsbury Castle Reveal: Bathrooms
All images by Spacecrafting
In July of 2024, the Pillsbury Castle Project opened its doors to the public for three weeks serving as the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Design Home 2024 in collaboration with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Between September 2023 and July 2024, 30 designers and eight remodelers transformed the home, culminating in a public tour that showcased the best in remodeling inspiration, interior design, and preservation craft.
This 12,000-square-foot historic Tudor Revival, built in 1903 for Alfred Fiske Pillsbury, the son of Pillsbury Co-Founder John S. Pillsbury, was once the site of lavish parties, an expansive art collection, and plans that helped shape the beauty of Minneapolis.
Matthew Trettel and Ryan Hanson purchased the home in March of 2023 with the goal of preserving it and preventing it from becoming another of the period mansions being demolished in and around Minneapolis. They intend to raise their family, gather the community, and honor the Pillsburys by serving as stewards of the property, ensuring it stands for another 120 years.
From expansive en suites to hidden gem powder rooms, there are nine breathtaking bathrooms throughout the Castle. Below you’ll see before and after images and discover the remodeling process behind each of them.
Main Floor: Powder Room
DESIGNERS: Terry Gustafson, Allied ASID, Terry Gustafson Interior Design LLC, and Sarah Conti, Allied ASID, SKC Designs LLC
REMODELER: J3 Renovation & Design
Tucked away behind the scullery is a darling powder room designed by Terry Gustafson, Allied ASID, of Terry Gustafson Interior Design LLC, and Sarah Conti, Allied ASID, of SKC Designs LLC. The goal was to honor the home's history while reflecting the contemporary tastes of the owners, creating a cohesive design that melded with the concepts of fellow designers and remodeling partners.
This room was stripped to the bones by J3 Renovation & Design. They incorporated in-floor heating beneath all-new tile floors that replicated the original design. Remodelers also installed new New quartersawn white oak trim matched the original trim and door.
Before
After
A dramatic wallcovering flanks on either side of the back wall adorned with copper tile. This tile set the overall design in motion for Terry and Sarah. Designers improved the functionality of the powder room by reversing the door swing, pulling the tiny sink out of the corner, and installing a floating vanity with a Kohler vessel sink from Ferguson. Moving the toilet to the adjacent wall enhanced usability as well.
FIXTURES - Kohler, Ferguson
WINDOW - Custom Down Home Stained Glass Ed Hoy’s VanGogh, Aurora Decorative Finishes
FLOATING VANITY - Silestone Romantic Ash Polished, Stone Source
VANITY LIGHT - Occasion Two-Light Wall Sconce in Brushed Nickel, Kohler, Ferguson
FLUSH MOUNT - Cascade Faceted 6" Flush Mount Fixture, Modern Forms, Robinson Lighting
CEILING PAINT - Tricorn Black, Sherwin Williams
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
VANITY MIRROR - Beveled Edge, Home Depot
WALLPAPER (POWDER ROOM) - W3927.8 Wallcovering in Black/Gold, Kravet
FLOOR TILE - Sterlina Asphalt Custom Hexagon and 3" X 6" Rectangle Tiles, Emser Tile
WALL TILES - Antique Copper in 3" X 6" Beveled, 1" X 4" and 1/2" X 12", Emser Tile
Click to read the Powder Room Sourcebook.
Main Floor: Music Room Powder Bath
DESIGNERS: Jennifer Ball, Allied ASID, Jennifer Ball Interiors
Jennifer Austin McGrath, Allied ASID, Fine House Interiors + Design
REMODELER: Quality Cut Design | Remodel
Truly a jewel inside the home, the powder room inside the music room is a hidden gem. Jennifer Ball, Allied ASID, of Jennifer Ball Interiors and Jennifer Austin McGrath, Allied ASID, of Fine House Interiors + Design collaborated to design a functional space that would surprise and delight.
A former back hallway was transformed into a powder room with careful planning by the remodelers at Quality Cut Design | Remodel. They created a separate water closet, installed custom molding, and matched the nine-piece crown molding to the adjacent Music Room.
After
The powder room, inspired by Alfred Pillsbury’s love of Chinese art, features a spectacular hand-painted Koi fish mural, gorgeous green paneled walls, and a breathtaking Stone Source Marina Quartzite vanity, with Visual Comfort sconces enhancing the design. New oak flooring was also added to coordinate with the rest of the home.
GLASS PANELS - Custom Hand-Painted Panels, Aurora Finishes
FAUCET - Purist in Vibrant Brushed Modern Brass, Kohler, Ferguson
TOILET - Reach, Kohler, Ferguson
COUNTERTOP - Granite, Marina, Stone Source
CHANDELIER - Keira Medium Chandelier by Thomas O’Brien, Visual Comfort
SCONCES - Claymore Sconces in Gilded Iron, Visual Comfort
FLUSH MOUNT - Claymore Large Flush Mount in Gilded Iron, Visual Comfort
PANELED WALLS PAINT - Shade Grown, Sherwin Williams
CEILING WALLPAPER - Oculaire in 80602, Arte
Click to read the Music Powder Room Sourcebook.
Second Floor: Primary Bathroom
DESIGNER: Mike Rataczak, Allied ASID, Mike Rataczak Studios
REMODELER: Quality Cut Design | Remodel
Eleanor’s personal closet and bathroom functioned well for her needs in the early 1900s but needed to be rethought for today. Mike Rataczak, Allied ASID, of Mike Rataczak Studios was in for the job of designing both the Primary Closet and Primary Bathroom. The team at Quality Cut Design | Remodel worked closely with Mike to devise the perfect layout.
Restoration of the Primary Bathroom began by swapping it with the Primary Closet and relocating hallway doors and windows for a better layout. Plumbing and electrical systems were reinstalled to fit the redesign.
Before
After
In the Primary Bathroom, the aim was to create a luxurious spa-like retreat that honors the house’s original aesthetic. The design features classic black and white Carrara marble from Rubble Tile, black and deep green veined marble from Stone Source, and antique brass fixtures from Kohler. A dramatic oversized amber glass chandelier adds to the opulent feel.
The new bathroom includes a colossal walk-in steam shower with custom stone walls and an arched tiled ceiling, a separate water closet, custom arched doorways framing the view of the windows, and a new freestanding tub. Marble wainscoting and floor tile were installed throughout, with hydronic in-floor heating added. The entry door was repositioned to align with the center of the large windows, creating gratifying symmetry. Graceful, arched doorways guide you through the space, and a black granite barrel-vaulted ceiling in the shower mirrors the house's original architectural elements.
FIXTURES - Kohler, Ferguson
ESPRESSO MACHINE - 24" 400 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine, Gaggenau, Warners’ Stellian
TILE - Rubble Tile
VANITY CABINETRY - Custom in Espresso on Walnut in Pearl Sheen, Plato Woodwork, Ohana Home & Design
STONE SLAB - Emerald Nights Book Matched Marble, Stone Source
PICTURE LIGHT - Dessau 18" Picture Lights in Natural Brass, Visual Comfort
WALL PAINT - Ripe Olive in Eggshell Finish, Sherwin Williams
TRIM PAINT - Ripe Olive in Satin Finish, Sherwin Williams
RUNNER - Margate Floor Runner in Charcoal, INTERSOURCE by STARK
BLINDS - Amalfi Fabric in Crow, HunterDouglas, Total Window Design
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
PAINTING - “Demonstrating a Dive”, Bruce Sargeant
SCULPTURE - Torso Sculpture, Restoration Hardware
PRINT - “Wire on Paper”, Eric Rhein
CHANDELIER - Chiara 54" Smoked Glass Tiered Rectangular Chandelier, Restoration Hardware
PULLS - Grafton Metal Pull in Lacquered Burnished Brass, Restoration Hardware
Click to read the Primary Bathroom Sourcebook.
Second Floor: Guest Suite 1 Bathroom
REMODELER: Quality Cut Design | Remodel
When the owners purchased the home, this bathroom was one long space with a layout that was not super functional as an en suite. They decided to cut the length of the bathroom and take the extra space to use as a gift-wrapping closet.
Before
After
The design was inspired by elements in the bedroom area of the guest suite while adding in more saturated tones. The vanity was original to the room, and it was important to the owners that this piece stay. New fixtures and a new location make it appear like it has always been there.
VANITY - Original to the Home
TILE - Studio Graystone Field Tile, Rubble Tile
FAUCET - Artifacts Faucet, Kohler, Ferguson
TOILET - Reach, Kohler, Ferguson
TISSUE HOLDER - Purist, Kohler, Ferguson
SHOWERHEAD - Statement, Kohler, Ferguson
SHOWER GLASS - American Glass
SHOWER SYSTEM - Schluter
Flush Electrical System - 22 System
PAINT - Warm Pewter, Sherwin Williams
TOILET ROOM WALLCOVERING - Kienze in Graphite/Gilver by Harlequin, Sanderson, AJ Maison
VANITY MIRROR - Vacquaro Mirror, Arteriors
SCONCE LIGHTS - Allen Mini Pendant, Visual Comfort
VANITY WALLPAPER - Blossom Fling Steel in EV3971, York
Click here to see the Guest Suite 1 Bathroom Sourcebook.
Second Floor: Kids’ Bathroom
DESIGNER: Kristen Mengelkoch, Allied ASID, Daybreak Interiors
REMODELER: J3 Renovation & Design
One of the homeowners’ goals in updating the Pillsbury Castle for today’s living was to place an en suite bathroom into every bedroom. So, the remodelers at J3 Renovation & Design carefully took PKA Architecture’s plans to build out a bathroom fit for a prince and/or princess. Kristen Mengelkoch, Allied ASID, of Daybreak Interiors created a delightful gem with an endearing aesthetic and the right functionality for children.
Originally accessed from the hallway, this bathroom underwent significant changes to become part of the kids’ suite. The transformation involved completely reframing the bathroom and creating new access through a previous closet, with the original doors repurposed for the new entrance. The design of the Kids’ Bathroom is a lively update of the original space.
Before
After
New lighting and Kohler plumbing fixtures from Ferguson echo the home’s historical period. New subfloors were installed over repaired floor framing, providing a sturdy foundation for the marble floor tile. This marble extends onto the walls, serving as window and door casings, as well as trim around the built-in cabinet. The renovation also included all-new plumbing and electrical systems, along with in-floor heating, bringing the space up to modern standards.
Despite these updates, the finishes maintain a respectful nod to the bathroom’s original character. Carrara marble from Rubble Tile is used on the floor, providing a subtle backdrop for the vibrant finishes. Jade green wall tiles, a fresh take on other green tones seen in the home, add a pop of color. Whimsical wallpaper featuring hand-drawn trees in pen and ink, washed with watercolor blues and greens, brings an imaginative touch to the room. The shower curtain, with its multi-colored shapes on a white background, adds a playful element to this charming and updated bathroom.
FLOOR TILE - White Carrara Marble Hexagon, Rubble Tile
WALL TILE - Half Tile 6" X 3", Albert Moulding, Omega Moulding, and Skirting Tile in Jade Breeze, Rubble Tile
WINDOW CASING, MULLION, SILL, AND APRON - Carrara Marble Slab - Rubble Tile
FIXTURES - Kohler, Ferguson
PENDANT - Xavier Small Pendant, Visual Comfort
DOUBLE LIGHT - New York Subway Double Light, Visual Comfort
SHOWER SYSTEM - Schluter Systems
PAINT - Windchill, Sherwin Williams
RUG - Alinae, INTERSOURCE by STARK
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
HOME AUTOMATION - Northstar Home Technologies
OUTLETS - 22 System
SHOWER CURTAIN - Badden-LAPIS, Pindler
MIRROR - Tolson Oval Pivot Mirror, Rejuvenation
WALLPAPER - Broceliande, Pierre Frey Wallpapers
EXHAUST MOUNT - Exhaust Mount [Luxe] - Fittes
CABINET LATCH - Cabinet Latch in Polished Nickel, Top Knobs
Click to read the Kids’ Bathroom Sourcebook.
Third Floor: Guest Suite 2 Bathroom
REMODELER: EdgeWork Design Build
Guest Suite 2 was originally one large open space and has been transformed into a plush bedroom with a luxurious en suite bathroom. EdgeWork Design Build expertly split the room while working within the slanted ceiling lines on all sides, creating a perfect blend of comfort and elegance.
Before
After
As you make your way to the fully reworked en suite bathroom, you’ll notice that it’s designed for ultimate convenience and comfort. It features dedicated spaces for a free-standing tub, a shower enclave, and a water closet. In the center of the room, period seating is positioned elegantly before the vanity, surrounded by luxurious marble wall panels and large-format tile wainscoting. Every detail in this space reflects meticulous attention, from the new doors and cased openings finished to seamlessly match the existing woodwork. The seven-part head casings and built-up side casings highlight the craftsmanship that enhances the bathroom's timeless elegance.
FIXTURES - Kohler, Ferguson
PAINT COLOR - Forged Steel, Sherwin Williams
STONE SLABS - Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
FLOOR TILE - Gamma Marble Mosaic, Daltile
WALL TILE - Carrara White Marble, Daltile
VANITY CABINET - Custom, Ohana Home & Design
SCONCES - Amaya Brass Sconce, Arhaus
SHOWER SYSTEM - Schluter
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
CABINET PULLS - Grafton Pull, Restoration Hardware
Click here to see the Guest Suite 2 Bathroom Sourcebook.
Third Floor: Guest Suite 3 Bathroom
DESIGNER: April Goodman, Allied ASID, April Star Interiors
REMODELER: Holly Home Renovations
Just like Guest Suite 2, Guest Suite 3 was also remodeled from one room into two spaces allowing for the addition of a vibrant en suite bathroom. A wall was built in the middle creating a dedicated area for the bedroom on the right, and a bathroom on the left. All new plumbing and electrical were also installed.
Before
After
This energetic space immerses visitors in a world of global influences, where rich colors and travel-inspired decor create a truly captivating atmosphere. A Gothic arch entrance into the shower highlights the amazing Stone Source Quartzite slab wall, complemented with a luxurious rain head fixture. The bathroom also includes a vanity crafted to emulate fine furniture, paying homage to the home’s historical allure.
VANITY CABINET - Custom, Plato Woodwork, Ohana Home & Design
VANITY TOP AND TRIM SLAB - Quartzite in Natron, Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
KNOBS - Cotswold Ball Cabinet Knob in Satin Brass Unlacquered, Armac Martin, Knobbery Minneapolis
PULLS - Cotswold Drawer Pull in Satin Brass Unlacquered, Armac Martin, Knobbery Minneapolis
SHOWER SLAB - Quartzite in Natron, Stone Source
TILE FLOOR RUG INLAY - Marble Honed Elongated Hexagon 2" X 4" with 12" X 24" Trim in Antico Scuro, Daltile
PERIMETER TILE - Marble Honed Square 12" X 12" in Antico Scuro, Daltile
WALL TILE - Remedy 2" X 10" in Hydro Glossy, Daltile
FIXTURES - Kohler, Ferguson
SCONCES - Calliope Tall Bath Light in Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass, Visual Comfort
FLUSH MOUNT - Calliope Flush Mount in Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass, Visual Comfort
CEILING PAINT COLOR - Dover White in Flat Finish, Sherwin Williams
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
SHOWER SYSTEM - Schluter
BEVELED WALL MIRROR - Minimalist Metal-Wrapped Octagon Mirror, Restoration Hardware
Click to read the Guest Suite 3 Sourcebook.
Third Floor: Apartment Bathroom
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.
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. This Apartment truly embodies a harmonious blend of past and present, offering a unique and inspiring retreat for its guests.
Before
After
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 and bold Thibaut wallpaper installed by Cutting Edge, Inc.
VANITY - Custom, Ohana Home & Design
COUNTERTOP - Twilight Silk X Granite, Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
FLOOR TILE - Asanoha Pattern, Custom Blend in Historic White, Blue Velvet, Avocado, Espresso, Evening Shadow, and Navy, Mercury Mosaics
SHOWER FLOOR TILE - 2" X 2" Stacked in Denim, Mercury Mosaics
WALL TILE - Rectangle 3" X 6" Subway in Denim and 4" X 4" in Avocado, Pencil Trim Avocado, Mercury Mosaics
FAUCET - Purist Widespread Faucet with Cross Handles in Vibrant Brushed Nickel, Kohler, Ferguson
SINK - Caxton 17" Undermount Oval, Kohler, Ferguson
SHOWERHEAD - HydroRail with Purist Showerhead and Handheld, Kohler, Ferguson
TOILET - Reach, Kohler, Ferguson
SCONCE - Covington Shield Sconce, Visual Comfort
WALLPAPER - Bethany in Navy on White, Thibaut
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
MIRROR - Rounded Rectangle Framed Mirror, Oil-Rubbed Bronze, Rejuvenation
Click to see the Apartment Bathroom Sourcebook.
Second Floor: Powder Bath
Remodeler: Quality Cut Design | Remodel
The final bathroom is the powder room on the 2nd level, just at the base of the stairway going up to the 3rd level. Once a compact closet, the owners wanted to add a powder room on this floor as the rest of the bathrooms were all converted to en suites. The walls are covered in stunning stone by Stone Source blending beautifully in with the modern decor and fixtures from Ferguson.
