A short, opinionated list. These aren't paid placements — they're the trades, materials, and reference points that show up on our jobs because they hold up. We update this page when something earns it.
Categories
These are starting points, not requirements. Every project gets the right product for the room, the budget, and the homeowner.
For projects where the kitchen or built-ins need to read as one carefully made room rather than off-the-shelf, we work with local cabinet shops who can match historic profiles, run integrated panels, and finish in the spray booth instead of on site.
Cold Spring Granite for natural stone, regional yards for marble and quartzite slabs, and a small set of tile suppliers who actually walk our jobs to set expectations on lippage, grout, and large-format installs.
Marvin is built down the road in Warroad, holds up in Minnesota winters, and gives us proper service when something needs warranty work three years in. We'll specify alternates when the project warrants — never to win on price.
Showroom selections happen at trusted local reps where the rough-in lead times are honest and replacement parts are still stocked ten years later.
Cabinet pulls and door hardware are quiet decisions you live with every day. We err toward solid materials in finishes that age well: living bronze, satin brass, oil-rubbed surfaces.
Decorative fixtures from showrooms with real returns policies. Recessed and architectural cans speced to a real lighting plan, not a per-square-foot rule of thumb.
Reference reading
Three pieces of writing that consistently make a first conversation easier — ours and the city's.
The kitchen, bath, addition, and basement cost guides break down what actually moves the budget on Twin Cities projects.
Read the cost guidesThe plain-language guide to which projects need a permit and which inspections matter on older-home work.
Open city permits pageIf you're vetting any builder — including us — the license lookup at the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry is the right starting point.
Verify a licenseLet's talk
If you've worked with a fabricator, supplier, or trade you'd like us to know about, send a note. We update the library when something earns it — not before.