Summer is finally in full swing and hopefully the temperature will catch up. Hard to believe the kids are out of school already but here it is — summer! Whether you spend your warm days on a boat up north or at the neighborhood pools across the region there’s plenty of family fun to be had this summer. There are many great art festivals going on this summer as well as the opening of local farmer’s markets. There are some great music festivals taking place this summer too!

June is a great month to see some beautiful homes too. This year is the second annual Artisan Home Tour and NIH Homes is proud to participate.

Artisan Home Tour

When: June 5-7, 12-14, 19-21 | 1-7pm
Where: Various homes throughout the Twin Cities

This year marks the second annual Artisan Home Tour, a tour of stunning executive level homes well designed and well built. The 2015 Artisan Home Tour features 22 of the region’s most exquisite homes. Tour stunning new homes designed and constructed by exceptional homebuilders, and new this year are four amazing remodeled homes by the regions top remodelers (open the final weekend only). Whether new or remodeled, these are all incredible residences which truly combine artistic vision with master craftsmanship, and do it perfectly. Each has been reviewed by our Architectural Review Panel to assure they meet the exacting standards of design, high-level finish, and impeccable craftsmanship, which make them Artisan Homes.

NIH Homes on the Artisan Home Tour

#8 | 16410 – 57th Avenue N., Plymouth, MN 55446
Reflecting the mood of today, this gorgeous Plymouth residence takes gray to a new level.  Cool touches of white and black make a statement against this home’s warmed gray palette in granite, wood, tile and stone.
And it’s all set on a beautiful home site with backyard pond, wooded views and Wayzata schools.
Features of this home include:

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  • 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, 4-car garage, 5,700 square feet
  • Multi-gabled, Hampton-inspired façade is grounded with charcoal and taupe natural stone beneath highly detailed shake siding in true gray and wood corbel accents
  • You’ll delight in the inviting front entry opening to an expanse of dark-gray stained yellow birch flooring offset by refined enameled cabinetry and millwork in softened white
  • The chef-inspired kitchen performs like a dream with Thermador appliances and a truly functional design; and looks just as good with mosaic marble backsplash and deeply grained Cambria countertops in, of course, beautiful shades of gray
  • Welcome family and friends for a sit-down dinner in the formal dining room with a custom butlers serving area, built in buffet cabinet and picture-framed wainscot walls
  • Indulge yourself in opulence in the second-floor owners’ suite with its spa-bath complete with free-standing soaking tub, enameled custom cabinetry and warm floors
  • Three more bedrooms, two baths, laundry and bonus room perfectly align in the private upper-level family living
  • An English-style pub serves the spacious lower-level family room, showing off with stone columns, mirrored backsplash and dark stained cabinetry
  • Your own private sports court (also in gray) lets you stay active all year round, with Snap Sports flooring, adjustable basketball hoop and padded walls
  • And when summer does arrive, relax on your open air deck as you take in the serene views of your fountain pond and wooded backdrop while the kids bike to the neighborhood pool and clubhouse

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Directions: 494 to Bass Lake Road west, turn South on Vicksburg Lane N., turn west on Hwy 47, South on Dunkirk Lane, neighborhood on the left.

 

Minnesota Farmers Markets are open for the season. Spend the morning with a cup of coffee and a stroll through some of the most fragrant booths in the Twin Cities. Find fruits, veggies, meats, crafts and don’t forget balloons for the kids! The Farmers Markets are a great way for people to buy locally grown produce. Buy from the growers and eliminate the middleman. Click here for a list of Farmers Markets around the Twin Cities.

Minnesota Antiques Dealers Association Antiques Show
Where: 1442 Cosgrove St.. St. Paul, MN 55108 (Fine Arts Building of the MN State Fairgrounds)
When: June 6 – 7, 2015

After you seen the stunning homes on the Artisan Home Tour you’ll want to furnish your home with exquisite furnishings. Poke around the Minnesota Antiques Dealers Association Antique Show to find that perfect piece to complement any decor. Admissions is $6 and the event is handicap accessible.

Saint Anthony Park Arts Festival
Where: Como Avenue and Carter Avenue, St. Paul, MN
When: June 6th, 2015 | 10am – 5pm

Now in its 46th year, the Saint Anthony Park Arts Festival brings together artists, musicians, art lovers, families and a supportive community. The festival benefits the historic St. Anthony Park Branch of the St. Paul Public Library. It engages children and adults alike with fun activities for the whole family. Watch in wonder as you learn how to throw a pot! In addition to art activities there is a well stocked used book sale, a plant sale and great music and good food. Click here for more details.

Bike MS: C.H. Robinson MS 150 Ride
Where: Duluth to the Twin Cities
When: June 12 – 14

Bike MS: C.H. Robinson MS 150 Ride 2015 is a two-day, fully supported cycling adventure that starts in Duluth and finishes in the Twin Cities. You’ll enjoy a free bus ride to Duluth Friday, where your bike and friends await. Saturday, you’ll join nearly 4,000 cyclists and travel the scenic Willard Munger Trail to Hinckley where you’ll celebrate your halfway victory at a festive overnight. Sunday, when you cross the finish line, you’ll have helped change the world for people with multiple sclerosis.

This ride is open to cyclists of all levels of expertise. To increase safety and reduce congestion on the Willard Munger Trail, participants may also choose an alternative route option using Highway 61, starting in Carlton. Click here for more information.

Rock Island Swing Bridge Trailhead Grand Opening
Where: 4465 66th St, Inver Grove Heights, MN
When: June 18th | 5pm – 8pm

Swing from past to present and celebrate the opening of the newest addition to the Mississippi River Regional Trail — the Rock Island Swing Bridge Trailhead. Enjoy great food, free swing dance lessons and music by the Minnesota Jazz Orchestra. Click here for more details.

Rock The Garden 2015
Where: Walker Art Center/Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
When: June 20 – 21, 2015 | 2pm – 10pm

The two best days of summer are back! The most picturesque festival in the Twin Cities, Rock the Garden returns for two days of great music in the heart of the city. The 2015 lineup features 10 bands ranging from Minnesota punk legends and stars of Afrobeat to scions of rock-and-roll history. Click here for more information and the full music lineup.