Dream House Tour: This luxurious home in Minnesota offers a sanctuary

By One Kindesign | Published on September 4, 2026

Filed Under: Architecture

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Transitional stone and stucco exterior with dark wood garage doors

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James McNeal Architecture, together with Hendel Homes, has designed this luxurious, modern European transitional-style home that commands a striking presence in the heart of Wayzata, Minnesota. The exterior blends stone and stucco with a slate roof, creating a classic silhouette that feels both classic and enduring. Situated within walking distance of downtown, this 6,458-square-foot, four-bedroom, seven-bath home offers a blend of privacy and convenience.

Called “The Sanctuary”, this home’s architecture is focused on creating a private backyard oasis centered around a reflecting pool. Because the homeowners love entertaining, the project team designed an open flow between the gathering spaces and the outdoor areas. They carefully oriented views from the entry and main living spaces to draw attention to the oasis.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE James McNeal Architecture
INTERIOR DESIGN James McNeal Architecture
BUILDER Hendel Homes
LANDSCAPING Pebl Design
AV Admit One Home Systems⁠
LIGHTING Aurora One Lighting ⁠

Stone gabled facade with dark trim and covered entry walkway

This home was designed for owners seeking one-level living paired with the ease of a refined summer retreat. Their vision centered on simplicity in both lifestyle and maintenance, while still creating a welcoming environment for entertaining family and friends.

Symmetrical stone entry gable framed by covered side porches

Interesting Fact: The Sanctuary was selected as Home #1 on the Artisan Home Tour 2026.

Covered stone entryway with wood door and stacked step lighting

Backyard Oasis with a Reflecting Pool

Rear elevation showing stone gables, covered patio, and infinity-edge pool

Outside, the backyard offers a resort-like atmosphere. While most of the home is on the main level, there are bedrooms designed above the garage, with a link and stairway leading to an exercise/entertainment area above a full guest suite below. Because of the link and the way the massing of the exercise/entertainment area is architecturally designed, it creates the look of a casita.

Backyard facade with twin chimneys overlooking raised pool and lawn

What We Love About This Home

What we love most is how every sightline in this home bends toward the reflecting pool, turning the backyard into the true center of the property. The primary suite carries that same resort feeling indoors, combining a vaulted ceiling, a private patio for morning coffee, and a bathroom centered on a full-size olive tree instead of a soaking tub. Even the guest quarters above the garage borrow the massing of a separate casita, giving visitors the sense of checking into their own private retreat.

Tell Us: Would this luxurious home in Minnesota be your idea of the ultimate dream house? Let us know why or why not in the Comments below!

Note: Check out a couple of other incredible home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of Minnesota: 1927 Tudor revival style house gets remarkable makeover on Minnehaha Creek and Step inside this peaceful retreat on a remote lake in northern Minnesota.

Side yard view of pool, covered patio, and glass-walled addition

Stone gable framing open-air covered patio and dining space

Covered patio with outdoor seating beside dark reflecting pool

Stone chimney rising above covered patio with lounge seating

Stone gable and chimney reflected in glassy raised pool

Two-story addition with balcony overlooking raised pool and gardens

Upper balcony and bar area above tiered reflecting pool

Covered patio lounge reflected in dark infinity-edge pool

Outdoor living room with stone fireplace and wood-beam ceiling

Covered patio seating area with stone fireplace and wood cabinetry

Entry foyer with open staircase and reclaimed wood console table

Warmth and craftsmanship define the interiors. Custom white oak flooring, exposed wood beams, and beautifully detailed white oak ceilings add texture and richness throughout.

Staircase landing with abstract art above weathered wood console

Living room with stone fireplace opening to covered outdoor patio

Above: The living room’s high ceilings, clerestory windows, and wood ceilings create a bright, warm, and spacious atmosphere.

Living room with double sofas facing stone fireplace and art

Dining Room with Vaulted Ceilings

Dining room with wood ceiling beams and floor-to-ceiling black windows

Dining table with sculptural pendant light beneath vaulted wood ceiling

Kitchen, Scullery, and Butler’s Pantry

Hidden coffee station with walnut interior behind folding cabinet doors

Dark moody butler's pantry with brass hardware and wine storage

Kitchen island with waterfall marble and glass pendant lighting

Above: The kitchen is equipped for both everyday living and entertaining, featuring Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, a Gaggenau range, and a fully stocked scullery that keeps the main kitchen pristine.

Kitchen galley with white oak cabinetry and marble backsplash

Above: The kitchen incorporates a sleek, integrated cooktop design for a cleaner appearance.

Kitchen island with hidden coffee nook and navy cabinetry beyond

Open kitchen and living area beneath coffered wood ceiling

Living room with stone fireplace opening to entry and kitchen

Dark teal cabinetry with brass hardware beside black-framed window

Other entertainment-focused design features in this home include a wine room and a large, separate scullery kitchen that keeps appliances and prep work hidden from the main kitchen.

Teal scullery with marble counters and gooseneck brass faucet

Teal cabinetry with brass pulls flanking built-in wall oven

Media Room and Home Office

Dark moody media room with abstract art and gray sectional

Home office with black marble desk and leather chair

Additional highlights of this home include a striking solid-slab stone wall office, curated lighting from around the world, and an open porch overlooking the pool.

Home office desk with sculptural table lamp and stone bust

Laundry Room with Patterned Tile

Navy laundry room with patterned tile floor and floral wallpaper

Wine Room and Wood-Paneled Bar

Wood-paneled lounge with crystal chandelier and swivel accent chairs

Wood-paneled sitting room with glass doors framing backyard pool

Wood-paneled lounge with garden view through black-framed doors

Staircase landing with brass chandelier and floor-length mirror

Owner’s Bedroom Suite and Bathroom

Primary bedroom with vaulted wood beams and mosaic accent wall

Above: In the owner’s bedroom suite, the bedroom features a vaulted ceiling, a private patio for morning coffee, and a spa-like bathroom with a vaulted ceiling and an olive tree in place of a freestanding tub. Clerestory windows throughout the hallway bring in additional natural light.

Bedroom chaise lounge framed by tall black steel windows

Vaulted hallway with potted olive tree and black windows

Primary bathroom vanity hallway with olive tree and steel window

Bathroom vanity with fluted wood cabinetry and backlit mirror

Fluted wood vanity with backlit mirror and infinity reflection

Closet vestibule with glass-front cabinets and mosaic wall beyond

Guest Bedrooms and Bonus Room

Bedroom with pink grasscloth walls and black steel doors

Blue laundry nook with scalloped wallpaper and woven basket

Guest bedroom with canopy bed and colorful woven pillows

Bonus room with vaulted beams opening to balcony and pool

Glass-enclosed gym loft with peaked wood beam ceiling

Glass gym loft with striped rug and leather sectional

Primary bedroom with striped rug and juliet balcony doors

Stone and stucco facade glowing at dusk with lit windows

Stone gabled entry porch lit warmly at dusk

Symmetrical stone entry gable with covered walkway at twilight

Dark wood garage doors and black paneled upper story at dusk

Aerial-angle view of stone and stucco exterior at sunset

Aerial view of full estate with pool and mature trees

Rear elevation with twin chimneys and raised infinity pool at dusk

Covered Outdoor Living Room with Fireplace

Covered patio with stone chimney opening to lit living room

Covered stone patio framing living room with stacked stone fireplace

Covered patio and gabled facade glowing warmly at twilight

Second-story bar room framed by open black steel doors

Great room with coffered ceiling and carved wood cabinet

Living room with stone fireplace and layered chandeliers overhead

Kitchen island glowing warmly under pendant lights at dusk

Primary bedroom with vaulted beams and geometric accent wall

Dark paneled lounge with amber chandelier and built-in bar

Corner wine bar shelving with glassware and mirrored backing

Home office desk with sculptural lamp and marble accent wall

Outdoor living room with stone fireplace and dual ceiling fans

Stone fireplace with mounted television and adjacent outdoor grill

Outdoor living area with herringbone fireplace and coffered ceiling

Outdoor fireplace nook with radiant heaters and ceiling fan

Covered patio seating with stone fireplace and coffered wood ceiling

Outdoor lounge with woven chairs facing stone fireplace

Covered patio sectional facing fireplace beside glass-walled interior

Outdoor seating area facing stone fireplace beneath wood beams

Covered patio opening to illuminated backyard pool at night

Rear facade with twin chimneys and pool glowing at sunset

Aerial-angle rear view of home with illuminated pool at dusk

Backyard exterior glowing at dusk with pool and lit rooms

Rear facade at dusk with reflecting pool and lit bar room

Gabled facade at twilight with lit bar room and pool

Stone gabled entry porch glowing warmly at dusk

PHOTOGRAPHER Spacecrafting Photography