Rustic-Inspired Eagan Basement Remodel

 

One of the best parts of remodeling is sharing your refreshed home with guests - it’s the light at the end of the tunnel! Hosting with renewed ease and enthusiasm is the motivation behind many of our clients. This rustic-inspired Eagan basement remodel is a perfect example; after a design update, it’s bright, cozy, and gathering-ready.

Whether this family is hosting holidays, parties, game nights, watch parties, sleepovers, book clubs, or fantasy drafts, everything you need is there and ready to go!

There are so many elements we love about the design, but here’s a short list:

  • The relaxed, modern, rustic-inspired style

  • Ample built-in storage, cabinets, and shelving

  • The gorgeous stone fireplace centerpiece

  • A full bar area with serving space and seating

  • Double fridges: one for wine and one for drinks

  • Sprawling Quartz countertops + a waterfall edge

  • The mix of natural wood grains and stain colors

  • A splash of contrast with gold hardware

Want to see more of this stunning lower level remodel? Scroll below to explore all of the project photos - it’s such a beautiful and inspiring space! Ready to begin planning your own basement remodel? Please, connect with our team anytime - we’d love to help you get the ball rolling!

Cabinets & Countertops: The Cabinet Store & Culina Design

 

Eagan Kitchen and Main Floor Renovation

 

As we jump into the new collaborations 2026 will bring, we’re excited to share this Eagan kitchen and main floor renovation. Before remodeling, the owners felt their home was looking dated, closed off, and mismatched. After discussing their vision, our mission was to open up the floor plan to better host family hangouts and gatherings.

During this remodel, our primary tasks included removing walls and relocating plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems. By opening up the layout and making it accessible from every entry, the kitchen became the main floor’s new focal point. The greatest challenges we faced on this project were the intricacies of rerouting multiple utilities and matching up the flooring transitions.

Overall, we loved collaborating with this awesome family. Their reimagined home is beautifully suited for daily life and hosting special occasions. We hope these clients enjoy their new space for many years to come! Want to see more before-and-after photos from this project? Scroll below to take a look! Ready to execute a new vision for your home? Please, connect with our team today!

  

Before Photos

During Photos

After Photos

 

Eagan Basement Speakeasy Remodel

 

We’re so excited to share a modern, unique, and stylish project today! This Eagan basement speakeasy remodel is truly in a league of its own; it’s a comfortable, chic space for hosting family and friends.

Before remodeling, this was a fairly standard basement: no bar, no frills, no character. The homeowners wanted to transform the space into a one-of-a-kind speakeasy, a memorable hosting hub. The design of this project originated with the clients years ago. Every New Year’s, they have a long-standing tradition of visiting different speakeasies with close friends.

After partnering with our talented friends at The Cabinet Store, we got down to business! A few of our design highlights from this project include:

  • The stunning floating bar shelves display

  • A fun custom approach to finishes, from light switches to outlets

  • The bespoke bar faucet and custom light fixtures

  • Custom panelled appliances that blend into the bar

  • A reflective tile backsplash that embodies the speakeasy vibe

  • The lit-up bar shelves that provide an extra splash of glamor

  • Ceiling paint that reflects different lighting textures


From start to finish, we loved being part of this remodel! It’s always a pleasure to collaborate with clients who understand the process and have a unique vision for their space. Bringing our knowledge to the table and translating their plans into reality is our favorite thing!

Ready for a closer look at this gorgeous remodel? Scroll below for the full photo gallery. Want to start planning your own dream home project? Please, reach out to our team when you’re ready to get the ball rolling!

Before Photo

Process Photos

After Photos

 

Why Hire a Design-Build Remodeling Contractor? 

 

Are you thinking about remodeling your home? Whether you have lived there for years or are a new homeowner, taking on a remodel can be daunting. You may be wondering, where do I even start? How do you plan a major home remodel? What sort of company should I work with? All of these are good, important questions!

However, we’d like to begin with a piece of advice: find a design-build contractor. So, why hire a design-build remodeling contractor? We thought you’d never ask! 😉 Keep reading below for an overview of the benefits of working with a design-build remodeling contractor and our process at Shaeffer Design Build.

What Is a Design-Build Contractor?

According to the Design-Build Institute of America, “The single contact for both design and construction is the fundamental difference between design-build and other project delivery systems.” In other words, instead of finding a separate designer/architect for your remodel and then taking those plans to a contractor, one qualified person guides your entire project. Sounds nice, right?

DBIA also says, “design-build is now the fastest growing and most commonly used project delivery method in the United States.” So, why are a significant number of homeowners opting for this method over traditional routes? In a word, ease - it’s a lot easier!

Streamlined Process

One of the great advantages of hiring a design-build remodeling contractor is having a single point of contact. We all have busy enough lives as it is; who wants to run things through more people? From start to finish, one person plans and guides your remodel - no extra hassles or middlemen. Because they’re familiar with the nuts and bolts of your project from the start, there are also fewer surprises along the way and streamlined problem-solving.

Your Vision, Our Expertise

Knowing what you want, but not how to get there, is beyond frustrating. Like any other craft, design has its own language. Translating your ideas and needs into concrete plans is our job. You describe your vision for your space, and our expertise will bring it to life. On the other hand, maybe all you know is that your space isn’t working? No problem! We’ll help you discover your style, walk you through different options, and dream up a plan you’ll feel excited about.

Better Budgeting

Setting and sticking to a budget is a complex aspect of any remodel; even with the best-laid plans, construction surprises or delays can occur. However, if there’s one thing we know, it’s that more opinions don’t necessarily keep a budget in check! What does help, though, is working with one person who has clarity on your ideas from the start. Because a design-build contractor collaborates with you every step of the way, they’re able to negotiate budget concerns quickly as they arise - no middlemen or phone tag headaches!

FASTER TIMELINE

Along the same line as budget management, remodeling timelines are easier to negotiate with fewer parties involved. By combining the design and construction process, we’re able to eliminate decision-making and task redundancy. This streamlined method increases project efficiency and expedience. While remodeling may be worth it in the end, we don’t think anyone enjoys having their home transformed into a construction zone. A design-builder remodeler’s priority is getting your project finished ASAP so you can get back to everyday life in your home.

Problem-solving efficiency

The last significant benefit of working with a design-build remodeler is their efficiency in problem-solving. As stated above, fewer people making decisions means fewer decisions to make! Your design team and construction crew are collaborators from day one, which means when challenges do arise, the team’s already assembled and ready to find a solution. A one-stop shop means more transparent communication and the ease of pre-existing partnerships; no need to stress about your architect and contract butting heads, they’re already on the same page because they’re one and the same! Pretty amazing, right?

Our process

Our design-build process begins the first time we sit down with you to discuss your ideas, and continues all the way through project completion. We know above all that this is your home, your investment; we turn your dreams into reality.

Would you like to learn more about our approach or our previous work? Click here!

Why ShAEffer design-build?

From beginning to end and every step of the way, our owner, Juke, will guide you through your project. Juke’s passion is walking people through the design-build process with the utmost intention and care. He enjoys getting to know clients, listening to their dreams, and collaborating with other expert craftspeople to turn houses into homes.

Whether your style preference is traditional elegance or modern trends, high-end finishes to budget-friendly design, he will work tirelessly to make your vision a reality. When needed, Juke enlists the input and expertise of other quality professionals who share his passion for their work. Juke only works with tradespeople he trusts – those with valuable ideas and a practiced industry perspective. He believes the cornerstone of a successful design-build business is solid communication, with both clients and his team.

Let’s Get Started!

Are you ready to start planning your next home project? We would be happy to help you get started and address any questions you may have about remodeling or the design-build approach. Please, contact Juke to set up a free consultation!

 

Main Level Transformation in Bloomington

 

Sometimes a home just needs a fresh start — and that’s precisely what these Bloomington homeowners had in mind when they called us. Their 1980s single-family home had good bones but was weighed down by an outdated, closed-off layout. With that in mind, the goal was straightforward: to open up the main floor and create a welcoming space that is perfect for both everyday living and hosting.

Before the remodel, the main floor felt disconnected. The kitchen was cramped and enclosed, old carpeting and flooring were falling apart, and the powder room was showing its age. To bring the homeowners' vision to life, we removed walls, relocated plumbing and electrical, leveled the uneven floors, and completely reimagined the space.

The result is a main level that feels cohesive, modern, and truly built for connection. One of our favorite features? The big, beautiful kitchen island — thoughtfully designed to host everything from casual family dinners to gatherings with friends.

Working with this family was a true pleasure. Thoughtful, kind, and engaged throughout the entire process, they trusted our expertise while bringing their own energy and a clear vision for their home. Their enthusiasm made it easy to create a space that feels exactly right for them.

Ready for a peek inside? Scroll below to see photos of the completed remodel!

And when you’re ready to start planning your renovation, reach out to our team. We’d love to help you reimagine your home!

 

Modern Craftsman Basement Remodel in Lakeville

 

Ready for another exciting project feature? Keep reading to get the scoop on a stunning basement remodel our team recently completed in Lakeville, Minnesota.

Originally built in 2018, the unfinished lower level of this Modern Craftsman had a lot of potential — and the homeowners knew it! They had a clear vision for their basement from the start: to create a warm, welcoming space where family and friends could gather and relax.

The unfinished basement gave our team the perfect blank slate to bring their dream basement to life. Key features include a custom entertainment center, a stylish wet bar, and a beautifully crafted bathroom. Careful attention was given to each element to ensure the basement felt like a natural extension of the home’s upper levels, creating a smooth flow from one floor to the next.

One of the project’s unique challenges was incorporating soffits for plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. Rather than letting them feel like an afterthought, we integrated the soffits into the entertainment center design. The result? A unified, intentional look that makes the space feel thoughtfully planned and naturally inviting.

However, what truly brings this basement to life is its open, flexible layout and carefully designed lighting. Whether hosting a lively gathering or settling in for a cozy movie night, the space feels welcoming and connected, allowing easy conversation and comfort throughout the room.

Working with the homeowners to bring this remodel to life was a true joy. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and trust in our process allowed us to design and build a basement they can be proud of — one ready to make new memories for years.

Scroll below for a peek inside this newly remodeled space. And, when you’re ready to start planning your remodel, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!

Before & During

After