The jury loved the fun and affordability that infuses the Red Cottage and its open kitchen, which sports IKEA cabinets, countertops, and IKEA-brand appliances, too. The room also features glulam beams and exposed industrial hardware, natural-tone walls and ceilings, and a red-and-teal color scheme inspired by traditional Norwegian pottery.
In this open living space, the materials are allowed to announce themselves. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are united and sit under a paneled vault made of basswood. The home’s more private spaces are set below an open loft.
The Red Cottage is built as a slab on grade, and its polished concrete floors produce radiant heat. SIPs were used for the roof and walls, ensuring low utility bills, not to mention an energy-wise shell that’s tightly sealed against Northern Minnesota winters.
