Pillsbury Castle Reveal: Entertaining Spaces

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.

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, including the incredible entertaining spaces!

Lower Level: Billiards Room and Speakeasy

DESIGNER: Shane Spencer, Associate ASID, Spencer Design Associates, and David Wehrspann, Associate ASID, Abitare Design Studio
REMODELER: Vujovich Design Build, Inc.

We begin with the very room that the Pillsbury Castle was built around. Alfred Pillsbury had a taste for history and would settle for nothing but the best for the home he’d spend his life in. Deconstructed in England and shipped over to the United States just for Alfred, this 17th-century Library features original millwork and a hand-carved plaster ceiling. Shane Spencer, Associate ASID, of Spencer Design Associates, and David Wehrspann, Associate ASID of Abitare Design Studio had the unique challenge of designing the space around this iconic structure.

Shane and David also designed the hidden speakeasy that lies behind a security vault door that Alfred used as his private drinking room and gallery for his famous Asian Art. Remodeling efforts were executed by the team Vujovich Design Build Inc. for these rooms. Designers seamlessly merged opulence with comfort for all rooms, including an attached wine cellar.

Before

After

The billiards table from Olhausen Pool Tables and Peters Billiards becomes the centerpiece for friendly games, while intimate seating arrangements by the fireplace provide a cozy retreat. Original artworks adorn the walls, celebrating the legacy of the past with a contemporary flair. This sophisticated haven is designed for convivial gatherings, where the clinking of glasses mingles with the soft crackle of the original fireplace, now cleaned, restored, and enhanced with a gas insert by Ortal North America.

Custom Wide Plank Floors by Carlisle mimic the original flooring but with a fresh update. The designers’ vision redefines the library’s narrative, transcending time to offer a space where friends come together, immersed in the allure of history and the comforts of contemporary indulgence. Remodeling involved restoring the quartered white oak wall panels, all built without the use of nails. This old-world hole and peg mortise and tenon joint system dates back 7,000 years. As needed, wall panels and millwork were repaired or replaced using salvaged materials from the home. Look up and your eyes will be mesmerized by the original ceiling. Notice all the intricate hand-carved details and consider its historic roots dating back to the 1600s. The ceiling was in ill repair and required meticulous attention like patching areas where previous owners drilled into, and replacing missing elements.

Through the Billiards room is a vault door to The Speakeasy, the former Vault Room of Alfred Pillsbury’s magnificent Asian Bronze Collection which now lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. A barrel vault wall was installed for depth and interest setting the tone for this masculine abode. Luxe materials converge to create an ambiance of posh entertaining, inviting guests into a world where each element tells a story. From the Visual Comfort crystal chandelier that cascades panache to the custom furnishings, every detail is a nod to refined taste.

BILLIARDS SOURCES

WOOD FLOORS - Engineered Walnut Signature Grade Wood Floors, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors
BENCH - Steel Plate Bench, Abitare Design Studio
CHANDELIER - Daley LED Large Chandelier, Visual Comfort
VESTIBULE SCONCES - Ellis 5" Solitare Flush Mount Sconce in Brass/Quartz Crystal, Visual Comfort
BOOKCASE WALLCOVERING - Birchbark in Golden Cloud, Innovations, Blended Blue
HALLWAY WALLCOVERING - Realm in W1109, Weitzner, Blended Blue
AREA RUG - Lamis in Ink, INTERSOURCE by STARK
BILLIARDS TABLE - Hampton Billiards Table, Olhausen Pool Tables, Peters Billiards
COPPER SCULPTURE - “Evertide”, Mel Tudisco, Art Girls
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
FIREPLACE INSERT - Ortal North America
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
BERGÉRES - Cocoon Swivel Bergére, Gamma Italy, Fabric in Lagune Tempete, Métaphores
CREDENZA - Brass and Wood Credenza, Inturi Vision Spain
ROOM SCONCES - Savile Large Rectangular Sconce, Restoration Hardware
FLOOR PILLOWS - Panthera in Gold, Catherine Martin for Mokum
PAINTING - “Take It”, Oil on Board, Jeremy Szopinksi

SPEAKEASY SOURCES
DRY BAR COUNTERTOP - Custom Design Steel, Abitare Design Studio
COCKTAIL TABLE TOP - Salud Polished Quartzite, Stone Source
CHANDELIER - Collier in Natural Brass and Crystal, Visual Comfort
SCONCES - Alina Wall Sconce in Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass, Visual Comfort
BAR WALLCOVERING - Birchbark in River, Innovations, Blended Blue
BARREL VAULT WALLCOVERING - Karat in Tungsten, Innovations, Blended Blue
AREA RUG - Felicity in Flint, INTERSOURCE by STARK Custom Shaped by Designers
CURTAINS - Detroit Carbon, Pollack, Blended Blue
COFFEE TABLES - Basket Tables, Gamma Italy
SECTIONAL - Gregory Custom, Gamma Italy
ACCENT CHAIR - Custom Spyder Chair, Gamma Italy with Jolie Josephine Fabric, Casamance, and Misia Custom Pillows
PILLOWS - Extravaganza, Nobilis; Jolie Josephine and Le Train Bleu, Casamance and Misia
OTTOMAN - Spin Ottoman, Thayer Coggin

Click to see the full Billiards Sourcebook and Speakeasy Sourcebook.

Lower Level: Home Theater, Lounge, and Wet Bar

DESIGNER: Julie Tuerk, Allied ASID, Julie Tuerk Interior Design
REMODELER: Vujovich Design Build, Inc.

The Lounge in the lower level of Pillsbury Castle is a perfect blend of tradition and personal style, designed by Julie Tuerk, Allied ASID, of Julie Tuerk Interior Design. Much of the lower level, with the exception of the Billiards Room and Speakeasy, was likely once used as coal storage by the Pillsburys, and largely unused by previous owners. It was a massive space with so much potential.

Renovation, led by Vujovich Design Build Inc., began by removing the 120-year-old concrete floor to allow for new in-floor heat and floor lights, strategically located within the existing granite stone footings. The ceilings were lined with old pipes which were removed or relocated heightening the space, and the original brick was left untouched.

Before

The brick walls, curved hallway, and arched pass-throughs provide an authentic period backdrop to showcase the owners’ sharp design sensibility. The vision was medieval sophistication for the modern era, with an avant-garde touch. A custom asymmetrical round banquette by Randy’s Booth Co. anchors the room, paired with a custom table by Rovan, surrounded by tambour inlaid with antique glass.

The round ceiling medallion highlights the Arteriors waterfall chandelier, flanked by Alexander McQueen-inspired wire ponytail sconces. Visual Comfort crystal fixtures illuminate the hallway and wet bar, complemented by a hanging corner pendant by Sean Lavin. A unique bench in dusty linen sits atop a dramatic abstract perimeter rug from INTERSOURCE by STARK, while original Richard Merchan paintings adorn the walls. The Lounge now features a wallpapered ceiling with LED lighting that creates the illusion that the ceiling is floating within the space.

After

The Home Theater is designed to be both functional and sophisticated, seamlessly connecting to the adjacent Lounge. It serves as a perfect spot for entertaining guests and cozy family movie nights. A custom millwork wall with a concave profile tambour, stained deep ebony, conceals the TV behind sliding doors.

Zippered wall tiles by Keleen Leathers add acoustic support and an edgy aesthetic, complemented by a staggered depth leather design on the ceiling. Arteriors’ sconces from Robinson Lighting provide the perfect low-light ambiance for gatherings or movie-watching. The cherry on top - literally - is the custom candy closet executed by the team and Twin Cities Closet Company complete with a luxe gold cherry chandelier. 

LOUNGE + WET BAR SOURCES

CABINETS (WET BAR) - Custom, Ohana Home & Design
COUNTERTOP (WET BAR) - Grand Antique, Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
CABINET HANDLE (WET BAR) - MIX Plain Cabinet Handle and Backplate in Aged Brass, Armac Martin, Knobbery Minneapolis
SINK (WET BAR) - Ideal BarStation 18", The Galley, Belle Kitchen
FAUCET (WET BAR) - Litze Single-Handle Faucet, Brizio, Ferguson
BANQUETTE (LOUNGE) - Custom, Randy’s Booth Company, Covered in Bouton in Night, Maxwell
DINING TABLE (LOUNGE) - Custom, Rovan Hand Crafted Furniture
SCONCE (LOUNGE) - Aramis Sconce, Arteriors, Robinson Lighting
CHANDELIER (LOUNGE) - Raine Chandelier, Arteriors, Robinson Lighting
HANGING PENDANT (LOUNGE) - Collier 84 Chandelier, Visual Comfort
FLUSH MOUNT (WET BAR) - Trillion Large Flush Mount, Visual Comfort
CEILING COVERING (LOUNGE) - Platinum in Ash, Arte
CEILING FINISH (WET BAR) - Custom, Hand Painted by Laura Margo Murals & Custom Art
TEMPLATE RUG - Elati in Midnight, INTERSOURCE by STARK
DRAPERY - Bouton in Rave, Maxwell
DISHWASHER - Integrated Double DishDrawer, Fisher & Paykel, Warners’ Stellian
REFRIGERATOR - 15" Beverage Center, U-Line, Warners’ Stellian
PAINTING (WET BAR) - Richard Merchan, Sofia, Original Acrylic on Canvas, 30” X 24", Art Girls
PAINTING (LOUNGE) - Richard Merchan, Behind the Curtains, 2023, Original Acrylic on Canvas, 48" X 36”, Art Girls
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
FABRIC UPHOLSTERY AND INSTALL - Seams Like a Good Idea

MARBLE STOOL - L’Homme Stool, Global Views, Abitare Design Studio
WIRE STOOLS - Woven Wire Stools, Global Views
DAYBED - Tacchini 5 to 9 Daybed, ROAM
GLASS RINSER (WET BAR) - Metal Glass Rinser in Arctic Stainless, Delta
MIRROR INLAY IN WALL PANELS (LOUNGE) - Antique Glass, Glass Art

HOME THEATER SOURCES

WALL SLAB (CANDY CLOSET) - Monaco Quartzite, Stone Source with Fabrication by Aztek Countertops
COFFEE TABLE - Custom, Rovan Hand Crafted Furniture
SECTIONAL - Thayer Coggin Two Big Sectional, Abitare Design Studio, Fabric in Bouton in Grease, Maxwell
SCONCE - Gemma Sconce, Arteriors, Robinson Lighting
LEATHER CEILING & WALL TILES - KLAD Leather Tiles, Keleen Leathers
AREA RUG - Chillum, INTERSOURCE by STARK
PILLOWS - Fabric in Bolzano in Nightfall, Maxwell
DRAPERY - Unicycle in Moss, Maxwell
CANDY CLOSET - Twin Cities Closet Company
PENDANT (CANDY CLOSET) - Cherry Lamp, Qeeboo

Click to see full Lounge Sourcebook and Home Theater Sourcebook.

Main Floor: Grand Salon

DESIGNER: Kim Niosi, Allied ASID, Niosi Design
REMODELER: OA Design + Build

Entering The Grand Salon offers a true blend of past and present. The room was designed by Kimberly Niosi, Allied ASID, of Niosi Design with remodeling by OA Design and Build. According to historic images, the Pillsburys utilized this room for guests to lounge amidst plush furnishings and a stately fireplace. Design for this room was about more than just restoration; it's a reimagining of the past through modern creativity. The designer took this opportunity to blend heritage with innovation, honoring Alfred Pillsbury’s legacy while embracing future possibilities.

Restoration began with the meticulous removal of the original wood finish and layers of previous stains. Skilled hands hand-scraped intricate carvings and scrollwork. A blend of white and blue micro-pigments muted the orange tones of the Honduran Mahogany, resulting in a soft brown hue. After applying a dozen thin layers of finish, the room now radiates a warm, inviting glow. Brand new hardwood floors were also installed featuring a textural herringbone pattern.

The doorway to the kitchen was elevated to match the full height of the windows above, requiring a new jamb with 17 intricately crafted parts. Relocated and modified windows now mirror those on the front facade. Numerous repairs replaced missing and damaged millwork, preserving the home’s historic integrity.

Before

After

Niosis approached the project with reverence for the original owners and the home's architectural heritage, considering every detail from ornate moldings to the meticulously restored mahogany and marble fireplace. Arte and Thibaut’s lifelike wallcoverings perfectly complement the restored mahogany. She integrated contemporary elements like expressive furnishings from Piegatto and Arhaus, bringing new life to the living and dining area.

The design aims to surprise and engage visitors, creating a narrative journey through time and sparking dialogue about the evolution of design and culture. The vision for The Grand Salon was to create a space that transcends time, using the past as a springboard for future creativity. Through respectful restoration and contemporary fusion, visitors embark on a captivating adventure.

AREA RUG - Cozza, INTERSOURCE by STARK
ALCOVE ACCENT WALL - Antique Mirror Tile, Daltile
SOFAS - Adalynn Sofa, Arhaus in fabric from Thibaut and Highland House
LOUNGE COFFEE TABLE - Free Form Silver Leaf Coffee Table, Phillips Collection
ALCOVE DRINK TABLE - Beaufort Martini Table in Brass, Arhaus
DINING CHAIRS - Bottoni Dining Chair in Vanni Olive, Arhaus
DINING TABLE - Ghost Table in Dark Walnut, Piegatto
SIDE CHAIR IN ALCOVE- Soave Rest Chair in Dark Walnut, Piegatto
LOUNGE CONSOLE TABLE - Natural Console Table, Phillips Collection
CLUSTER IN ALCOVE - Caviar Cluster Light, Arteriors, Robinson Lighting
FLOOR LAMP IN ALCOVE - Karson Task Floor Lamp, Arhaus
FIREPLACE ACCENT WALLCOVERING - Diore Wallcovering in Mustard, Arte
LOUNGE ACCENT WALLCOVERING - Savery Mural in Grey, Thibaut
WALLCOVERING - Alentejo Cork Glazed Eucalyptus, Arte
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
FIREPLACE INSERT - Ortal North America
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
DINING TABLE CHANDELIER - Harlow Crystal Round Chandelier in Lacquered Burnished Brass, Restoration Hardware
BUFFET IN ALCOVE - Gatsby Black Acacia Wood Buffet, TOV
LOUNGE ACCENT CHAIR - Sofia Swivel in Lustrous Velvet Burnt Caramel, Restoration Hardware
SIDE WALLS - French Casement 4-Door Cabinet in Antiqued Grey Oak, Restoration Hardware

Click to see the Grand Salon Sourcebook.

Main Floor: Peacock Lounge

DESIGNER: Rob Edman, Allied ASID, edman hill Interior Design
REMODELER: OA Design + Build

The Peacock Lounge was designed by Rob Edman, Allied ASID, of edmanhill Interior Design with remodeling by OA Design and Build. Alfred and Eleanor would have used this room as a parlor to receive and welcome their guests, and the new homeowners will do the same. The designer faced an exciting challenge in blending the homeowners' modern aesthetic with the existing Tudor style. He aimed to create an intimate space that honored the Gothic architecture while incorporating contemporary elements.

Much of the room was kept intact and restored with minimal construction required, with the exception of new flooring. To accommodate new wiring and repair holes from previous devices, moldings were removed and damaged panels and millwork were replaced with new quartersawn white oak. The grain was carefully matched so the refinished additions would be indistinguishable from the original.

Before

After

Preserving the original structure, a custom floating quartersawn oak bar from Plato Woodwork and Ohana Home & Design was installed. This bar includes a Thermador combination fridge and freezer drawer and a double-drawer dishwasher from Warners’ Stellian. Master craftsmen designed custom windows and cantilevered bar shelving, featuring natural Nero stone and a curved reeded front to soften the modern look. Bold wallcoverings were a high priority, selecting Arte Lotus grass-cloth with a pond scene featuring peacocks and herons—a choice Alfred Pillsbury would have appreciated.

Channel-back banquettes and groupings of brass and marble tables surrounded by swivel chairs create a stylish gathering area. An Arteriors chandelier from Robinson Lighting adds a swanky atmosphere to the room.

DISHWASHER - Integrated Double DishDrawer™ Dishwasher, Fisher & Paykel, Warners’ Stellian
FRIDGE AND FREEZER - Freedom 24" UC Refrigerator Freezer, Thermador, Warners’ Stellian
WINDOW PANELS AND SHELF MIRROR - Aurora Decorative Finishes
BAR - Custom, Plato Woodwork, Ohana Home & Design
COUNTERTOP - Nero Da’ Blue, Stone Source fabricated by Aztek Countertops
FAUCET - Litze Single-Handle Faucet, Brizio, Ferguson
SINK - Ideal BarStation 18, The Galley, Belle Kitchen
BANQUETTE - Augustine Banquette in Charcoal, Four Hands
SIDE TABLE - Helen End Table, Four Hands
CHANDELIER - Savo Light, Arteriors, Robinson Lighting
WALLCOVERING - Lotus in 13500, Arte
TABLE LAMP - Zanda Table Lamp, Four Hands
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
DRAPERY FABRICATION - Drapes, Etc.
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
PULLS - Grafton Metal Pull, Restoration Hardware
BRASS SHELVING - Custom, Forsyth Metal Works
ACCENT CHAIR - Jessa Dining Chair, Skyline Furniture
DRAPERY FABRIC - Pindler
ACCENT MIRROR - Pali Mirror, Uttermost
PILLOWS - Old Cairo, Custom
PILLOWS - Textured Linen Navy Pillow and Eco Tweed Ocre Pillow, Skyline Studio

Click to see the Peacock Lounge Sourcebook.

Main Floor: Music Room

DESIGNERS: Jennifer Ball, Allied ASID, Jennifer Ball Interiors, and Jennifer Austin McGrath, Allied ASID, Fine House Interiors + Design
REMODELER: OA Design+Build

Just to the right inside the main entrance is the Music Room, a gorgeous abode to kick back, enjoy a drink, and listen to the baby grand piano fill the air. Carefully designed by Jennifer Ball, Allied ASID, of Jennifer Ball Interiors, and Jennifer Austin McGrath, Allied ASID, of Fine House Interiors + Design, they wished to honor the original finishes while bringing back pieces that the Pillsburys would appreciate with contemporary methods. Alfred and Eleanor Pillsbury used this room to entertain family and friends. They would likely gather around the piano to sing festive tunes for all occasions.

Featuring 11-foot ceilings and exquisite Tudor Revival mahogany wainscoting, remodelers carefully restored the original millwork and replaced the quartersawn oak flooring in a stunning herringbone pattern. The original fireplace boasts a spectacular green marble hearth and surround.

Before

The Music Room’s majestic Honduran Mahogany millwork had lost its luster, developing a dull and alligatored finish. To restore its splendor, rare mahogany was meticulously sourced to replace some exquisite crotch grain panels, and over 340 pieces of African Mahogany were carefully milled. Each dentil in the dentil moldings was hand-cut and precisely placed. Original millwork was revitalized to blend seamlessly with the structure. The existing shellac was re-amalgamated with 8-10 coats of denatured alcohol. After cleaning and flattening, the surface was sanded and multiple coats of dewaxed shellac from imported flakes were meticulously applied, resulting in a brilliant mirror finish.

Designers enriched the surrounds with a rich palette of soft natural materials. They chose a custom landscape wallcovering by Area Environments above the wainscoting, enhancing the room’s architectural features.

Green velvet channel-back sofas and walnut swivel chairs upholstered in Minako velvet fabric create cozy conversation areas. Modern touches, like the organic metal coffee and end tables, add a contemporary flair, complemented by Art Deco-inspired Visual Comfort lighting. The homeowners’ baby grand piano stands in the bay, where metallic Arte wallpapers grace the ceiling. The powder room, inspired by Alfred Pillsbury’s love of Chinese art, features a Koi fish mural, green paneled walls, and a Stone Source Marina Quartzite vanity, with Visual Comfort sconces enhancing the design.

AREA RUG - Mikoh in Gold, INTERSOURCE by STARK
CHANDELIER - Vacarro Medium Chandelier in Antique Gold Leaf, Visual Comfort
SCONCE - Kiera Triple Sconce in Antique Brass, Visual Comfort
WALLCOVERING MURAL- This Still Nook, Area Environments
CEILING WALLPAPER - Quilt in Pale Gold, Arte
PIANO NOOK CEILING WALLPAPER - Stellar in 37510, Arte
CLOSETS - Twin Cities Closet Company
WALLPAPER INSTALL - Cutting Edge, Inc.
FABRICATION - Drapes, Etc.
FIREPLACE INSERT - Ortal North America
HOME AUTOMATION - NorthStar Home Technologies
Tapis Decor
FLOOR LAMPS - Cylindrical Column Floor Lamp, Restoration Hardware
ACCENT MIRROR - Convex Mirror I-062136, Uttermost
COFFEE TABLES - Meadow Coffee Tables in Antique Brass and Antique Bronze, Arteriors
SOFA - Opera 1390, O. Henry House in Bellagio Olive Fabric, Pindler
PILLOWS - Fabric in AF72991, Anna French and Cumulus Brass, Jim Thompson
SWIVEL CHAIR - Ella, Century in Minako Gold/Charcoal Fabric, Harlequin
ACCENT CHAIR - Brachisto Chair, Modern History in 3852/06, Jim Thompson
OTTOMAN - Corbin Ottoman in Black Fabric, Highland House

Click to see Music Room Sourcebook.