When Joanna and Matt Goldstein first came across a 1960s home on a half-acre lot in Eden Prairie, they knew it would be a labor of love.
The house would need updates. But it had good bones with dark cherry beams in the center of the living room, and it was clear the home had been well-loved, Joanna said.
Besides, the couple, who run Evoke Homes remodeling, had a passion for giving older homes new life while preserving their original character. So they purchased it a year ago, with plans to spruce it up and put it back on the market.
"It's sad to see a lot of these beautiful older homes with tons of history and character be torn down," Joanna said. "That was part of our inspiration and reason for getting into this field."
A redesign and loads of updates later, Joanna said, she is proud that the remodeling gives off a lavish feel while keeping the two-story home's midcentury charm.
Work included converting two rooms into an owners' suite, adding a bathroom and building a bedroom in the basement. The couple also created an entrance to the backyard featuring French doors and installed a composite deck. And after removing a load-bearing wall on the main floor, the house now lends itself better to entertaining.
"It used to be dim inside, but we opened up the space between the living room and kitchen, added new windows — giving it the warm touches it needed," Joanna said.
The kitchen was redone with new cabinets, white quartz counters, an oversized refrigerator, a wide sink and a gas stove.
