Discover an 1873 Historic Home in Minnesota Featuring a Sunlit Enclosed Porch, Updated Kitchen and Dream 30×24 Garage

Written By

Mathew Abraham

Updated on

Mathew Abraham

Mathew Abraham, editor of Century Homes America, brings his passion for architectural history to explore the stories behind America’s most iconic homes.

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

This charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath century home captures timeless small-town appeal with modern updates, including new kitchen cabinetry and durable steel siding. Built early 20th century, it features a classic architectural style with an inviting sunlit enclosed porch and terraced backyard oasis ideal for relaxation and entertaining. A standout is the oversized 30×24 garage with a mechanic’s pit and attic storage, perfect for hobbyists. Located near key community spots like the library and Paradise Center for the Arts, this property blends heritage with convenience. Listed at $224,900, it offers a versatile, low-maintenance living experience on a spacious plot, making it an exceptional find.

Back Porch and Yard

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A quaint back porch with wooden railings leads to a green exterior home, displaying classic horizontal siding and a small set of steps. Two mature trees partially shade the yard and porch, while fallen leaves hint at an autumn setting. To the left, a detached garage shares the same green tone as the house, connected by a low wooden handrail. The area suggests a peaceful, private outdoor space framed by lush foliage and neighboring homes. The overall atmosphere conveys a serene, lived-in charm with a touch of rustic simplicity.

Garage and Driveway

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A detached garage painted in soft sage green with white trim and a double white garage door stands prominently on the left side. A concrete driveway leads from the foreground to the garage and the house beyond. The surrounding yard is a mix of patchy grass and fallen leaves, indicating a transition into autumn. The house in the background shares the same muted green hue, with white-framed windows and a small stairway leading to a porch area. Mature trees, some evergreen and others with yellowing leaves, form a dense backdrop behind the structures, providing a natural, rustic setting.

Back Porch Entrance

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A small back porch with a simple wooden railing and stairs leads up to a door, suggesting a secondary entrance to the house. The exterior walls are painted a soft green with horizontal panels, contrasting the white-framed windows of the enclosed porch area. The porch windows are large and divided into multiple sections, allowing ample natural light. The foundation is concrete block, visibly weathered. Surrounding the porch is a grassy yard with scattered fallen leaves and mature trees in the background, contributing to a peaceful and natural suburban setting.

Garage or Workshop

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A spacious, utilitarian garage or workshop area with unfinished concrete flooring exhibiting visible cracks. The walls are constructed of painted white cinder blocks, contributing to a sturdy, industrial atmosphere. Exposed wooden beams and joists form the ceiling, highlighting the rustic structural elements of the space. Small windows with wooden trim allow limited natural light. Functional items including trash bins, a lawn mower, a wheelbarrow, and various tools are positioned around the perimeter. Minimal lighting fixtures are suspended from the ceiling, emphasizing the practical use over decorative aims in this foundational area of the home.

Backyard and Outbuilding

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A sloping backyard covered with fallen leaves from surrounding deciduous trees leads down to a quaint outbuilding with a gray shingled roof and light beige siding. The property is bordered by a mix of tall evergreens and leafy trees, hinting at early autumn. Adjacent to the outbuilding, a pale green main house with a covered porch and rooflines at varying heights adds character. The setting combines rustic charm with serene natural elements. A clothesline stands in the yard space near a quiet suburban street, contributing to the home’s simple, lived-in appeal.

Backyard and Rear Structure

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A modest backyard area slopes gently downward and is covered with dry leaves, indicating autumn. Several mature trees provide a natural, wooded environment surrounding the house. The main structure is painted a muted sage green with white trim on the windows and doors, giving a vintage cottage vibe. At the rear, a small extension or porch with a corrugated roof supported by wooden posts acts as a covered entry or storage area. The roof overhang and white framed screen door add functional charm, blending rustic and practical elements typical of older American homes.

Back Porch Entrance

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A small back porch area with a simple, utilitarian design attached to a single-story house. The exterior walls are clad in horizontal green siding, showing some signs of wear and age. The porch is supported by rough wooden beams stained a dark reddish-brown, with open wooden latticework above. The base walls of the porch are made of painted cinder blocks in a faded green color, some chipped and aged. The ground is a bare concrete slab with visible cracks, extending out to a worn stone pathway. Surrounding the porch is a patchy yard with green grass and scattered dry leaves, with a sloped embankment covered with dried foliage on one side. The overall feel is rustic and functional, with a touch of weathered charm.

Enclosed Porch

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A small enclosed porch area with muted green wood-paneled walls creates a cozy, rustic atmosphere. Large windows on two sides provide abundant natural light and offer a clear view of the outdoors, including trees and street activity. The ceiling is white with simple molding details, enhancing brightness and contrast with the walls. The floor is covered with medium-gray carpet, softening the space. An older style door with a screen adds to the vintage charm while providing access to the outside. The overall design feels peaceful, functional, and well-suited for enjoying an outdoor view in any weather.

Entryway Door and Window

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A simple indoor space with muted seafoam green walls and soft light gray carpet flooring creates a calm atmosphere. Centered is a wooden interior door with three small rectangular window cutouts aligned diagonally on its upper half, allowing partial light transmission. To the right, a single window is framed by off-white curtains with a gathered top, adding a gentle fabric texture against the smooth wall. Both the door and window frames are painted bright white, providing a crisp contrast to the walls. A white floor vent sits beneath the window, and a light switch plate is mounted beside the door.

Living Room Seating Area

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Soft, muted sage-green walls create a calming backdrop complemented by neutral-toned carpet flooring. A mid-century modern style dominates the furniture with two light green cushioned wooden armchairs paired with a simple, round wooden coffee table. Across from the chairs, a pristine white sofa adorned with an assortment of green, beige, and striped throw pillows provides a cozy seating arrangement. Light beige curtains frame the two windows, allowing natural light to filter gently into the room. A large, black-framed clock with Roman numerals hangs on the wall, while a floral artwork adds a delicate touch. The ceiling fan with wooden blades enhances functionality while maintaining a classic look.

Dining Room Entry

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Light grey painted walls with white baseboards create a calm, neutral backdrop in this small room, likely designed as a dining area. A single narrow window is dressed with sheer beige curtains, allowing soft natural light to enter. The ceiling is covered with white square panels, and a semi-flush decorative light fixture hangs centrally, adding subtle character. The flooring resembles weathered wood planks with warm taupe and grey tones, providing a rustic, yet contemporary feel. Two large doorways lead into an adjacent room with wood-paneled walls and incorporate a pass-through window, reinforcing an open, functional layout connecting to the kitchen.

Dining Area

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A small formal dining area characterized by light gray vertical paneling on the walls, capturing a minimalist yet classic look. The ceiling is composed of white square tiles, adding subtle texture without overpowering the space. The flooring is a warm-toned wood laminate with a distinct staggered edge design separating it from the adjacent carpeted living room. A single window with soft white curtains allows natural light to filter in, brightening the room. A compact, decorative ceiling light fixture provides illumination. The space is connected to the living room via an open doorway, enhancing flow and visibility between the rooms.

Dining Room

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A spacious dining area with soft gray painted panel walls sets a calm and modern tone. A warm wood dining table surrounded by six matching chairs with light cushions creates a cozy gathering spot. The floor is decorated with a patterned woven rug that adds subtle texture and comfort. Framed botanical and landscape prints artfully arranged on the walls introduce an organic theme, enhancing the serene ambiance. The ceiling is finished with a clean white design and features a decorative light fixture that adds soft illumination to the space, while natural light flows from an adjoining room.

Kitchen Area

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

The kitchen presents a combination of traditional and updated elements with wood panel walls in a warm medium brown tone contrasting against modern, matte gray cabinetry. The L-shaped counter includes a double sink with a light speckled countertop that complements the gray cabinetry. Flooring resembles wood-look vinyl in cool gray tones, adding a contemporary touch. A white refrigerator and matching white gas stove align with the vintage feel. A pass-through window with a decorative scalloped wood trim opens into an adjoining room, providing a sense of openness. The ceiling has simple white tiles with a rectangular fluorescent light fixture, emphasizing functional design.

Kitchen Sink Area

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Centered around a double stainless steel sink, this kitchen area features modern gray cabinetry with simple silver knobs, emphasizing clean, functional design. The countertop is a light-colored, speckled surface that contrasts subtly against the gray cabinets. Wood-paneled walls surrounding the space introduce a rustic, vintage charm, enhanced by the stained glass on the left window cabinet, adding character and texture. Above the sink, a framed opening connects this area visually to the adjoining room, while the floor has a stone-like tile appearance in neutral tones, blending practicality with classic mid-century style elements.

Laundry Room Details

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Two modern washing machines are placed side-by-side against walls covered in vertical wood paneling with a vintage feel. A small white curtain frames a window on the left, softening the utilitarian nature of the space. The floor is finished with grayish wood-look vinyl planks that contrast subtly against the warm-toned walls. Electrical outlets and vents are visible, adding to the room’s functional simplicity. The corner location and modest size emphasize efficiency, while the combination of wood tones and clean white appliances creates a nostalgic yet practical laundry area.

Bathroom Vanity and Doorways

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A compact bathroom area with a wooden vanity featuring multiple drawers and cabinet doors beneath a white countertop with a built-in sink. Above it, a large framed mirror is flanked by a row of exposed globe bulbs, providing bright vanity lighting. The floor has a textured, wood-like finish in neutral tones, complementing the medium wood trim around the doorways, connecting to adjacent rooms. On the right, a shower curtain with a minimalist tree branch design hangs, introducing a natural motif to the otherwise simple, clean white walls. Adjacent rooms have muted tones and natural light filtering through modest window treatments.

Cozy Bedroom Corner

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Soft carpeting extends across the floor, blending well with a subtle light beige area rug under the bed. One wall consists of warm honey-toned wood paneling, including a wooden door that brings a vintage, rustic feel. The adjacent walls are painted a soothing muted sage green. A modern upholstered bed with a white frame and an array of neutral-toned pillows and layered blankets creates a cozy sleeping area. Matching wooden nightstands flank the bed, each topped with an earthy ceramic lamp. Above the headboard, an abstract, pastel-colored painting adds a minimalist artistic touch to the calming space.

Bedroom Window Wall

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Light gray carpeting covers the floor beneath a white textured ceiling adorned with a ceiling fan featuring wooden blades and incandescent bulb lighting. One wall is paneled with vertical dark wood grains, creating a warm, vintage atmosphere, complemented by three tall windows dressed with softly draped cream-colored curtains. Opposite this, a muted blue-gray painted wall hosts another window with matching curtains, allowing natural light to filter through all four windows, brightening the room. The room’s understated decor and retro wood paneling suggest a mid-20th century design aesthetic.

Home Office Nook

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

A compact home office area under a sloping ceiling is furnished with a light wooden desk featuring multiple drawers and a matching cushioned rolling chair upholstered in white fabric with nailhead trim. A pale gray geometric rug anchors the workspace, complementing the light gray carpet. The walls are painted a soft white, creating a calm and neutral backdrop. A series of vintage-style world map prints hang on the wall, adding a historic, scholarly touch. A rustic dark wooden door adds warmth and contrast, while the adjacent open doorway suggests continuity with the adjacent room, which has a window dressed with blue curtains.

Upstairs Bedroom

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Sloped ceilings angle down toward the walls, creating a cozy attic bedroom ambiance. Walls and ceiling are painted white, reflecting natural light from a single rectangular window dressed in simple dark blue curtains. The floor is covered in light gray carpet, contrasting subtly with the black baseboards that outline the room’s perimeter. A small, flush-mounted ceiling light brightens the space evenly. Room corners are sharp and clean, with minimal decoration. The window provides a view of the outside street, adding a sense of openness to this otherwise compact and simple sleeping area.

Basement Area

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

The space appears to be an unfinished basement or utility room with exposed wooden ceiling beams and visible plumbing pipes. The walls are constructed of painted concrete blocks in a light gray tone, lending an austere and utilitarian vibe. A simple white wooden table supports a double basin metal sink with faucets above, suggesting functionality for laundry or cleaning tasks. The floor is bare concrete with some signs of wear. Small horizontal windows near ceiling level allow minimal natural light, while an exposed light bulb hangs from the ceiling providing illumination. The room’s design is practical and minimal, emphasizing usage over aesthetics.

Utility Space

Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc.

Exposed wooden beams and joists form the ceiling structure above a concrete floor that shows signs of age and use. Metal and wooden support columns reinforce the ceiling, suggesting the space carries important structural loads. White-painted cinder block walls enclose the area, giving it a utilitarian and unfinished feel. Various mechanicals are present including a water heater, ductwork, pipes, and two portable dehumidifiers. There is an old curved wooden bar counter to one side, introducing an unexpected vintage touch amidst the industrial elements. The lighting is minimal with exposed bulbs, creating an austere ambiance.

Listing Agent: Kathy Kalow of Edina Realty, Inc. via Zillow 

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