Why Adding a Bathroom Is the Twin Cities’ Quiet Power Move

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - June 9, 2026

Bathroom additions don’t get the press that kitchen remodels do. They’re not as dramatic. They don’t photograph the same way. But ask any homeowner who has lived through the before and after, and they’ll tell you the same thing: it changed the house more than they expected.

Three Upgrades That Make Staying Put Feel Like Moving Up

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - March 10, 2026

Here’s the plot twist: nearly 79% of American homeowners are making the same calculation you are, and they’re choosing to invest in the homes they already love rather than trading up to houses that are just okay.

From Heritage to Home: How the Great Wealth Transfer is Shaping St. Paul’s Remodeling Scene

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - January 28, 2026

Some are inheriting the family home and choosing to stay, investing in remodels that honor the past while upgrading for today. Others are receiving inheritance funds while already sitting on mortgages locked in at historically low rates—and they’re using that capital to finally transform the homes they’re already in.

When “Almost” Isn’t Good Enough: Finishing What Others Started

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - December 29, 2025

For these homeowners, that abandoned bathroom project had been haunting their lower level for far too long. When they reached out to Refined Homes, we didn’t just see unfinished business—we saw an opportunity to transform “what went wrong” into “wow, that’s exactly right.”

Let’s Talk About What You’re Really Wondering: Your Remodeling Questions, Answered

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - November 21, 2025

You’re dreaming about that kitchen remodel or how to add another bedroom and bath for the kids, or scrolling through project photos late at night, but there’s one question keeping you from picking up the phone: “What’s this actually going to cost me?”

In Their Own Words: Client Testimonials From Three Refined Homes Project

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - June 2, 2025

From enthusiastic testimonials about a chef’s kitchen renovation in a classic Saint Paul home, to a growing family’s bathroom sanctuary designed for the way they want to live, to heartfelt thanks for rescuing a “slightly slanty” historic porch, our clients’ words reveal what makes Refined Homes special.

Room to Breathe: Expand Your Living Space Without Moving!

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - April 23, 2025

Picture this: You’re standing in your home, arms outstretched, and your fingertips are just grazing the walls. The kids’ sports equipment has claimed the hallway as its permanent territory. Your “home office” is wherever you can balance your laptop between breakfast dishes. Sound familiar?

Kitchen Trends 2025: Where Function Meets Your Family’s Story

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - March 26, 2025

We’re not just following trends—we’re designing spaces for how you want to live. And boy, do we have some exciting kitchen ideas for brewing in 2025! So grab a cup of coffee (or maybe a blueprint), and let’s walk through the innovations that have us thinking outside the box and building inside the lines.

Universal Design: Where Smart Meets Heart (and Everyone’s Welcome!)

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - February 20, 2025

Picture this: You’re hosting a family gathering, and everyone—from your energetic toddler nephew to your grandmother with her new hip—moves through your home as effortlessly as falling in love with a perfect kitchen layout. That’s the magic of universal design.

Your 2025 Home Remodeling Adventure: A Field Guide from Refined Homes

By Tricia Lahti Wiitanen - January 29, 2025

Think of your remodeling journey like crafting the perfect playlist – you want those greatest hits of timeless design mixed with some fresh tracks that make your space uniquely yours. Here’s what’s got us excited to grab our tools in 2025!