This Graffunder house in Red Wing, MN definitely has a graceful and calming presence.  Someone or some family is going to be lucky to get this.  Real estate listing.

Here’s a home that Carl Graffunder designed and was built in 1952.  It’s in Minnetonka on a beautiful lot that opens up to trees and a gentle slope down to a marsh.  A wall of windows in the living room provides a wonderful and private view into the trees.  As soon as you walk into the home, you realize there is something comforting and calming about it. 

One of the 6 children that was raised here by the original owners owns and lives in the home currently.  She, her siblings and “the grandchildren” all have a very special place in their heart for this unique place.   Her parents orginally bought a “basement home” on this lot which provided the foundation and basement for this home.  Her parents took a design class at the University of Minnesota where they met Mr. Graffunder. 

The owner is considering selling the home.  It’s clear that it would be a difficult decision but one that would be made easier if the home found a new owner that appreciated it and could provide the care that an original 1952 home needs.   She has all of the original drawings and very little of the home has been changed since it was built.  If you are interested, please drop me a note and I will forward your contact information on to her. 

Here’s one designed  by Carl Graffunder that we found in Minnetonka.  I’m pretty sure the blue tarp on the chimney wasn’t part of the original spec.

Here’s another chance to pick up a Graffunder gem if you’re looking in Red Wing.

http://matrix.northstarmls.com/Matrix/Public/Email.aspx?ID=4848258537

Looks like a beautiful setting that takes full advantage of Graffunder’s large windows.  The staircase, kitchen, fireplace and built-ins look great.

Here’s your chance.  I heard from a Graffunder homeowner that he’s selling their home in St. Anthony park.  This is the original family that built the house.  Here’s all the specifics on the sale and home.  Here’s my original post on the home and I’ve included some additional pictures here. 

Here’s a Graffunder designed home with some fun roof angles set amongst the trees.  It also has vaulted interior ceiling with exposed beams.  Great location, setting and home but looks like it’s been abandoned for a while.  It needs a white knight.

The interior of this Graffunder home is a treat.  We were fortunate enough to get a tour by the incredible gracious owner. 

As with all Graffunder homes that we’ve seen, the great room is well, great.  The windows which stretch from a couple feet off the floor to the vaulted ceiling give a beautiful view out to the park.  The walls were originally paneled in birch which unfortunately had to be replaced.   We especially liked the cork flooring that is still in the great room.  After seeing it, I would seriously consider using it in my home.  The fireplace stands in the middle and is brick with a beautiful tall copper hood.   The angles and views throughout the home are nice. 

And, not surprisingly, another set of happy and proud Graffunder home-owners.

Three more from the list of homes in the 1952 Walker Art Quarterly.  

Thanks to a tip from a Graffunder follower’s friend about an article that listed homes designed by Graffunder in a 1952 publication of the “Walker Art Center Everyday Art Quarterly”, we have 9 more homes on our list of known Graffunder designed homes in the Twin Cities.  That brings the total number of homes to exactly 50.  

This is one of the new ones on the list that we drove by today.  I don’t know the exact year that it was built but it would have been on or prior to 1952 and most likely after 1948.

The picture isn’t great but you can still see some of the basics.  It has a flat roof and a brick chimney which matches the lower level and almost certainly extends into the home.  I hope to get a better look and pics.