From a single transformative bathroom to a top-to-bottom remodel of a century-old house, Leigh Hull Designs plans renovations so every selection is made before demolition begins — and the finished home feels cohesive, current and true to its architecture.
Renovations we take on
- Whole-home remodels
- Kitchens and butler’s pantries
- Bathrooms and primary suites
- Lower levels and guest suites
- Older and historic homes
- Layout reconfigurations within the existing footprint
Proof, not promises
The East Isles remodel took a 1910 home that hadn’t been touched in decades — closed-off kitchen, carpeted hardwoods — and rebuilt it around a growing family, with durable materials and a monochromatic palette that carries through the whole house. In Lowry Hill, painted woodwork and a curated mix of furnishings refreshed a 100-year-old home while honoring its architecture. The Cedar-Isles-Dean bath gained square footage from a neighboring closet and a bold wallpaper moment; the Lake Harriet lower level became a light, bright guest suite with custom paneling that hides access to the home’s mechanicals.
How a designed renovation runs
Every renovation follows the studio’s step-by-step process: discovery and measurement, concept, a comprehensive design presentation covering every material and fixture, documentation for your contractor, procurement and installation. Because the design is complete before construction starts, the build phase is about execution — not improvisation.
Renovating on the water? See Lake Minnetonka interior design. Weighing a remodel against building new, or wondering what design costs? Start with the Minnesota cost guide.
Renovation Questions
Do I need an interior designer for a renovation?
If the project involves moving walls, new cabinetry, or more than a handful of coordinated selections, a designer earns their fee many times over. The designer plans the space around how you live, documents every selection before demolition starts, and works with your contractor so decisions are made once — on paper — instead of under time pressure mid-build.
Interior designer vs. architect — who do I need for a remodel?
It depends on the scope. Structural additions and major exterior changes need an architect. Interior remodels — kitchens, baths, layout changes within the existing footprint — are squarely interior-design territory. On large projects the two work together: the architect handles structure and envelope, the designer handles how the interior looks, functions and gets furnished.
How do you renovate an older home without losing its character?
Start by identifying what gives the home its soul — proportions, woodwork, original floors, stained glass — and design around those anchors. Update layouts, kitchens, baths and lighting for modern life, and choose finishes that fit the period of the home rather than fighting it.
Planning a project in Wayzata, on Lake Minnetonka or in Minneapolis? Email Leigh to start the conversation, or view recent projects.