A beautiful Minnesota house inspired by California wine country architecture

Stone and stucco exterior with dark metal roof and courtyard wall

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This luxurious house by James McNeal Architecture, in collaboration with Hendel Homes, was designed to evoke the feeling of Napa Valley and is nestled on a charming lot in Orono, Minnesota. The owners fell in love with the architect’s Modern European home and wanted to emulate that while mixing in a California Ranch look.

Their lot came with some challenges, with views out the front of the home overlooking the road rather than toward the back. At the front of the home, a stone landscaping wall not only grounds the home but also directs views from inside the home out toward the front pond, rather than toward traffic on the streets or parked cars in the driveway. The stone landscaping wall creates a private indoor/outdoor living space surrounded by nature and screens the neighboring homes.

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE James McNeal Architecture
INTERIOR DESIGN James McNeal Architecture
BUILDER Hendel Homes
MASONRY Orijin Stone

Stone Facade and Entryway

Stone gable entryway with wood door and iron handrail steps

The homeowners’ extensive art collection was another design consideration. We designed spaces for the collection in the entryway, the home theater room, a gallery hallway, the great room, and the dining room.

Side exterior view with stone chimney and covered patio fireplace

Earth-toned materials were used consistently throughout the home; in contrast, our clients’ love for unique beam work shows up differently across the spaces, from dark-painted coffered ceilings to a vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams.

Elevated view of stone courtyard with outdoor dining and seating

ACCOLADES

1st place for Use of Color in Midwest Design Awards
3rd place for Interior Use of Stone in Midwest Design Awards
3rd place for Millwork in Midwest Design Awards

Aerial view of gravel terrace with fire pit and chimney

What We Love About This Home

The stone landscaping wall plays double duty, grounding the entrance while gently redirecting sightlines toward the pond rather than the driveway and street. Beam work carries the whole home’s persona, shifting from a dark coffered ceiling in the media room to soaring exposed wood trusses in the great room. Most visually striking is how the kitchen’s low, cozy beam ceiling opens into the vaulted living space beyond, making the entertaining areas feel even grander by contrast.

Tell Us: What details do you find most inspiring in the design of this home? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below; we love reading your feedback!

Note: Check out a couple of other spectacular home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Minnesota: Dream House Tour: A European style home with timeless details in Minnesota and Tour a charming country cottage in Minnesota with the most gorgeous gardens.

Rear exterior with covered porch and gabled glass window wall

Distant dusk view of home framed by mature pine trees

Afternoon exterior entryway with round black pendant light fixture

The entry sequence is defined by a striking limestone gable portal that creates a sense of arrival. Layered stone walls, integrated planting, and tiered concrete steps guide visitors toward a recessed glass entry, enhancing both privacy and visual depth. The combination of natural stone masonry, modern lighting, and clean rooflines reflects a refined approach to modern European home design.

Covered stone breezeway with wood ceiling and ring pendant lights

Stone entry hallway with colorful folk art triptych and console

Doorway view into vaulted living room with stone fireplace column

Great Room with Vaulted Wood Beams

Vaulted living room with wood beams and stone fireplace art

Above: This inviting great room showcases the beauty of vaulted ceilings and exposed wood beams, creating a warm, expansive gathering space. A central limestone fireplace anchors the room, while large steel-framed glass doors flood the interior with natural light and connect seamlessly to the outdoor patio.

Living room with glass doors and colorful woven wall art

Open living room and kitchen with vaulted wood beam ceiling

Living room with glass doors opening to stone archway hall

Living room with stone fireplace and kitchen island beyond

Living room with glass doors leading out to stone patio

Kitchen island with marble backsplash and view to living room

Above: In the kitchen, a lower, exposed parallel wood-beam ceiling creates a sense of cozy compression, then releases you into the expansive great room living space – the place for entertaining.

Living room facing open kitchen with wood beam ceiling

Dining Room and Stone Fireplace

Dining room with velvet chairs, patterned rug, and vintage wine poster

Above: A stone-surround, double-sided fireplace separates yet connects the dining area and the living room. The dining and great room look out onto and have access to the front courtyard. Between the dining room and covered porch is a bi-fold door that fully opens, further connecting the indoors to the outdoors.

Dining room opening to covered porch with stone fireplace beyond

Covered porch with stone fireplace and wicker seating overlooking woods

Above: This covered outdoor living space is designed for year-round comfort, featuring a vaulted wood ceiling with exposed beams and a central limestone fireplace that anchors the seating area.

Kitchen with Marble Island and Wood Beams

Kitchen island with woven leather stools and glass pendant lighting

Above: This kitchen combines warm wood cabinetry, natural stone, and modern detailing to create a timeless yet functional centerpiece of the home. A large waterfall-edge island anchors the space, offering generous seating and workspace, while sculptural glass pendants add a soft, contemporary touch. The coffered wood ceiling introduces depth and warmth, complementing the clean lines of the cabinetry and integrated appliances.

Kitchen with marble backsplash and glass bubble pendant lights

Kitchen island with marble countertop opening to living room fireplace

Living room seating area framed by stone columns and glass doors

Butler’s Pantry and Wet Bar

Wet bar nook with glass shelving and mosaic tile backsplash

Above: This custom bar and pantry blends functional storage with elevated design, featuring warm wood cabinetry, integrated lighting, and glass-front display cases.

Butler's pantry hallway with lit glass cabinetry and stone archway

Butler's pantry with glass display cabinets and marble countertop

Dark kitchen with green ceiling and brass dome pendant lights

Media room with leather sectional and coffered mahogany ceiling

Above: This media lounge embraces bold design with a rich, monochromatic palette and a striking high-gloss coffered ceiling that reflects light and enhances depth.

Media room with leather sofa and long bar-height table

Powder room with textured wallpaper and fluted stone vanity

Bedroom with patterned wallpaper and teal area rug

Above: This serene bedroom is designed to maximize natural light and connection to the outdoors, with expansive black-framed windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape.

Bedroom with woven pendant light and teal area rug

Bathroom with checkerboard marble floor and fluted wood vanity

Bathroom with bird print wallpaper and dual arched mirrors

Staircase and Gallery Hallway

Vaulted stairwell with tiered paper pendant lights and glass wall

Vaulted hallway with tiered pendant light and floor to ceiling windows

Gallery hallway with vintage art and patterned runner rug

Above: This light-filled gallery hallway transforms circulation space into a curated design moment.

Two story stairwell with charcoal runner and iron railing

Above: This striking staircase is flooded with natural light thanks to expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape.

Mudroom with Terracotta Tile

Mudroom entry with terracotta tile floor and built-in bench

Above: This mudroom combines custom built-in storage with durable materials for everyday functionality. Patterned terracotta tile flooring adds warmth while withstanding heavy use, and integrated cabinetry with a built-in bench creates a practical drop zone for shoes, bags, and outerwear.

Mudroom sink with patterned wallpaper and hanging linen shirt

Gravel patio seating with stone chimney and covered porch beyond

Courtyard walkway with birch trees and paver stone path

Above: This courtyard entry showcases a refined approach to landscape architecture and exterior detailing.

Exterior corner detail with dark standing seam roof and stone chimney

Gravel patio with dining table and stone chimney backdrop

Above: This intimate outdoor dining area is set within a gravel courtyard and framed by natural stone walls and planting beds. The space offers a relaxed setting for outdoor meals and gathering.

Modern rear addition with hot tub and gabled stone entr

Above: This outdoor terrace features tiered planting beds, and integrated stone walls define the space, while clean-lined steps guide circulation between levels.

Elevated view of covered porch and second story balcony