Image above is of Artisan Home #16 in Edina by Wooddale Builders, photographed by Landmark Photography.
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) ticketed, high-end home event, the Artisan Home Tour, is set to open for its second season on June 5th. In its second year, the Tour features 18 artisan-quality new homes open from 1:00 to 7:00 pm on June 5-6-7; 12-13-14; and 19-20-21st. And, new in 2015, four artisan-quality remodeled homes will be open the final weekend, June 19-20-21.
Homes that are showcased on the Artisan Home Tour have each been designed and constructed with the highest level of architectural integrity, top quality craftsmanship, and exceptionally high finish level. The Artisan Home Tour Architectural Review Panel reviewed all home plans prior to acceptance into the tour.
Tickets
A TourTicket (good for all homes) or a single-visit ticket is required for entry into the homes. TourTickets can be purchased at area Bachman’s and Patina Stores at a discounted rate of $20. TourTickets can also be purchased online at ArtisanHomeTour.org for $25, or at the door of any home on the tour for $30. For those interested in just visiting one or two individual homes, single-visit tickets are available for $5 at the door.
For every ticket sold, $10 (TourTickets) and $2 (single-visit tickets) will be donated to the BATC Foundation. This amount is tax-deductible for visitors, and will help the Foundation complete several projects in 2016, including an accessible new home for a wounded soldier and remodeling Bluebird House, a Homeward Bound home for four men who need daily medical assistance.
Details, Photos, Maps
All of the homes on tour are featured online at ArtisanHomeTour.org, in the accompanying mobile app, Parade Craze, and in the comprehensive Artisan Home Tour Guidebook.
The Artisan Home Tour Guidebook is direct mailed to high-income households in the Twin Cities region, included with the Summer issue of *Artful Living Magazine,* and can be picked up at Bachman’s and Patina ticket locations. An e-book version is viewable online at ArtisanHomeTour.org.
In addition to providing an easy-to-use, online ticketing application, our mobile app, Parade Craze, allows visitors to review homes (including photos when completed), map out their tour route, plus rate and comment on the homes they tour.
Homes Located Across the Region
Homes are located across the region, with five new homes located in Edina; four new homes and one remodeled home in Plymouth; two new homes each in North Oaks and Minnetonka; one new and one remodeled home in Minneapolis; one new home each in Chaska, Excelsior, Wayzata, Gem Lake, Woodbury; and one remodeled home each in Buffalo and Afton.
Homes in a Variety of Styles
While exterior gables continue to be a popular feature, this year’s Artisan Homes range from sleek to rustic, and everything in between. Many are inspired by classic architectural styles — farmhouse, bungalow, cottage, Country French, Arts and Crafts.
Designed with lifestyle in mind, Artisan Homes include details and features that make family living more comfortable, more convenient, and more fun. Eight of the homes include indoor sports courts while another has a built-in golf simulator, ensuring family members stay active and healthy year round.
Rustic, natural finishes are also hot in this summer’s tour. Big wood beams (reclaimed, refinished and distressed) make an appearance in six homes, with more reclaimed and distressed wood appearing in floors, screen porches, and still popular barn doors.
All of the Artisan Homes boast open floor plans with the fully equipped kitchen serving as a hub, speaking to the way families live today. But that’s just for starters. These homes also include a variety of spaces designed to optimize family living, from screen porches to libraries and music rooms, from family lofts to nanny suites, passion rooms, even a hidden children’s play room.
Outdoor spaces aren’t forgotten, either. All of these homes are beautifully landscaped, but some have gone the extra mile, like the Great Neighborhood’s Edina home #18 which includes a full outdoor kitchen with pizza oven and a waterfall.
Wine and Beer Tasting
Every Friday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, visitors will be able to taste wines from Artisan beverage partners Johnson Brothers Liquor Company (June 5th) and Wirtz Beverage Group (June 19th) or beer from Flat Earth Brewing Company (June 12th).
Art Displays
Two homes on the tour will include a craft display from regional Artisans. Visitors can see several art glass pieces from Fred Kaemmer (Fred’s Glass) at Swanson Home #3 in Wayzata. They’ll also be treated to hand-thrown and hand-decorated pottery from Elisabeth Maurland at the Custom One Home #13 in Woodbury. We found these artists during the American Craft Council show in April.
Limousine Packages
Another way visitors can enhance their visits is by taking the tour in style. With partner, Black Tie Limousine, the Artisan Home Tour also offers six-hour limousine packages during the tour. Pricing and information is available online at ArtisanHomeTour.org.
Produced by BATC
As with all Parade of Homes events, every home on the tour has been built by a member of BATC. Each BATC member must sign a code of ethics and has access to valuable resources and information from BATC and its state and national affiliates.
Sponsors and Partners
Thanks to our Master sponsors: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Marvin Design Gallery by Shaw/Stewart. Thanks to our Journeyman sponsors: JamesHardie, Marvin Windows and Doors, Warners’ Stellian, Granite-Tops, and Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supply.
LookBook Coming
During the tour, all of the Artisan Homes will be professionally photographed by Landmark Photography. Photos will be included in an Artisan Home Tour LookBook published this fall, and distributed in the Fall issue of partner, *Artful Living Magazine*.
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