A beautiful home, much like a beautiful piece of art, is a direct reflection of the person who created it. And nowhere is this more apparent than when you step through the doors of Edina’s own decorator extraordinaire, Brian Ellingson.
I learned this first-hand when I inquired as to if he prefers if one should remove their shoes before entering; he, very quickly said, “No; it isn’t that kind of a house.” Ellingson, as does his European-inspired home, instantly puts one at ease.
Ellingson’s cachet of putting one at ease is matched by his love of all-things-design. Which, as it turns out, comes rather naturally. “On the farms where I grew up, my mother moved the kitchen three times,” he says with a laugh. “A fourth time we built an addition to accommodate a new kitchen; she’d tear down walls if they were in the way.”
Not surprisingly, Ellingson, who earned an Interior Design degree from Mankato State and spent 24 years with Gabbert’s before venturing out on his own in 2006, is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and tear down some walls of his own.
In 2004, after growing tired of a downtown condo he completely renovated (yes, he knocked down a lot of walls: he purchased three condominiums and combined them into one living space), he and his partner, Gary Domann, were in the market for a new challenge, a new home.
“We knew we wanted a high view of some sort, and no one behind us,” says Ellingson. “So when I saw this one on the lake, we put in an offer two days later.”
They closed early fall of 2003; January 2004, the crane showed up and took the roof off. “It was that quick,” says Ellingson. “I only had three months to design the whole house.”
Maybe it’s best to point out that the original house was a three-bedroom, two-bath, mid-century American rambler; what they wanted was a six-bedroom, three-bath, European-inspired two-story.
No problem.
Using his love of European architecture and sensibilities as inspiration, Ellingson included those special touches that make the house seem like it could have been plucked from some picturesque countryside “across the pond,” like low-set windows with larger-than-average panes, oversized doors, antique mantles, built-ins and different decorative ceiling treatments in each room, just to name a few.
A self-professed pragmatist, Ellingson was hands-on with the renovation; he and his brother completed all of the interior demolition. He laid floors and helped hang the beams.
But as with most things in life, it’s all about the details. Ellingson shopped estate sales, flea markets and antique shops for items that he really loved. When he traveled, he thought of purchasing items for the home that would be a constant reminder of where he had been.
“What I tried to accomplish was to bring architectural detail and interest into each and every space. It’s not boring sheetrock walls or filled with miles of beige carpeting,” says Ellingson. “Decorating is about using items that you love, and having your home tell your story. And that’s what makes a home interesting and unique.”
The Pink Room
Inspired by a room in the authentic reproduction French Normandy farm house of one of his favorite clients, Ellingson created a two-part bedroom that boasts soaring ceilings accented by a charming French toile wallpaper, a sitting area complete with a loveseat covered in the perfect shade of Napolean red matelasse (one of Ellingson’s favorite colors), gothic-inspired enameled bookcases, a WWII-era coal-burning fireplace, and a cozy sleeping alcove. A quilt from his great-great-grandmother and a collection of ceramic lambs and chickens artfully arranged just so, keep Ellingson deeply connected to his roots. “My job was to feed the baby lambs on the farm,” he says with a smile.
The Kitchen
Nineteen-foot ceilings with hand-made beams that were inspired by a book entitled, French Influences by Betty Lou Phillips, sets the stage for what Brian deems the “most lived-in area of the house.” But it wasn’t easy. “The beams were made off-site,” he says. “I was a wreck the whole time worrying if they were going to fit.”
A tall painted armoire deftly hides a flat screen television, and an ivory-colored sofa paired with an iron and stone cocktail table, offer a perfect area to sit and relax with friends.
Jean Pierre Jacquet, a local Master Stone carver who hails from France and spent ten years in an apprenticeship program working on some of the most esteemed stone structures such as the Arc de Triumph and castles in the Loire Valley before coming to the United States, hand-carved the magnificent limestone fireplace. Large-paned windows flank the fireplace and boasts stunning views of the picturesque Melody Lake.
The Library
What began as a master bedroom when the home was built in 1954 is now the library or “winter room,” perfect for cocooning in on those long, frigid Minnesota nights. Ellingson added leaded panes to the only original window remaining on the property, while box-beam ceiling, cherry wood, and a deep-red rug given to Brian by his mother enhance the look. A lovely cow picture (“That’s probably my best cow picture,” says Ellingson) framed in gold is the perfect accent to the black slate fireplace surround.
Collections
“It’s not like I go to a store and load up on accessories—I just use all of my collections,” says Ellingson.
John Gould Prints
Dozens of stunning antique bird prints in matching gold frames grace the five-foot steamed beech staircase as it elegantly wends its way up to the second floor.
Inkwells
A collection of Ellingson’s antique crystal inkwells serves as a lovely accoutrement in the salon/living room.
Military Epaulettes and Metals
Ellingson’s collection of antique military epaulettes and metals adorn the walls of his French-inspired master bedroom.
The Backyard
It’s hard to believe that Ellingson’s lovely backyard was once a lowly run-of-the-mill hill. Since the first summer he moved in and added three large retaining walls to “try and straighten out the hill,” Ellingson has been working little by little to create his outdoor oasis.
“Creating this was as important to me as anything inside because when you look out, this is what you see,” says Ellingson. “And I like to looking at pretty things, so I really poured myself into the landscaping part of it.”
European formality is key to Ellingson’s garden aesthetic: symmetrical Arborvitaes, aromatic roses, and a variety of urns and columns fits the bill.
A life-size reproduction of an ancient Greek warrior purchased at an estate sale stands watch in a lovely pavilion, while other garden statues, including a flute player Ellingson procured from the English stone company, Haddonstone, add to the ambience.
Ellingson and his guests dine al-fresco on those perfect summer evenings; a well-used vegetable garden proffers in-season delectable fare.
