I always tell my clients looking for mid-century moderns, especially those looking for a specific style, to be patient. That patience paid off for this couple when, after looking for about two years, they became the proud owners of the first house that architect David Salmela designed… for his sister!
This house was built in 1970 and is more modernist in design. It makes me think Scandinavian modern, which combines function with inspiration from nature… clean lines, functional furnishings and a neutral palette with open-plan spaces and an emphasis on bringing in light.
Of Finnish descent growing up in rural Minnesota, Salmela came to this design sense naturally. I learned from my Finnish sister-in-law that a sauna is essential in a Finnish home. The small ‘cube’ on the left side of the steps, directly across from the front door… is a sauna!
David Salmela has spent his whole life in Minnesota creating a unique regional style that has won him both Minnesota and National AIA Awards. The Journal of the American Institute of Architects described him like this…
A self-described modernist who admits, with a hint of bewilderment, to being controversial, Salmela routinely creates sophisticated houses that blend his own proclivity for minimalism with a talent for concocting domestic comfort. All this for clients who, by and large, are everyday people—not corporate executives, not art collectors, not style-conscious celebrities.
These buyers were thrilled to learn that Salmela offered a consultation to discuss possible updates to his 50-year-old original design. I can hardly wait to see how they refresh it!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
