Laura Sima, Twin Cities MN Realtor

06/21/2026

He can renovate a house, fix a car, cook an amazing meal, and navigate the wilderness, but watching him be a dad is truly the best thing ever 💕 what a gift to navigate this crazy journey called parenthood with him by my side. To Beau’s dada, my amazing husband Josh- happy Father’s Day! We love you so much 🫶

06/17/2026

Most people walk into a space and see it for what it is. There might be a feeling they’ll get from it. There might be a mood, a vibe, an ambience- or a lack thereof. It might feel expensive, it might feel cheap, it might feel luxurious, it might feel “right”, it might feel “off.”

Where those feelings come from, and where the difference lies in spaces is in the DETAILS. What makes a space feel luxurious, well-designed, intentional, & expertly curated? It’s the design details you don’t necessarily notice at first glance. The expertly crafted millwork and casement, the high quality hardware, the hidden and layered lighting, the specialty outlets and switches, the HVAC vents & returns that are incorporated into the millwork or wallpapered over to blend into the wall, inset tile drains, even the temperature and output of lightbulbs used.

I can’t help but to be drawn to these things, after years of designing and touring homes. (Yes, unfortunately I’m also drawn to the oversights- poor tilework or millwork, poorly placed lighting, the wrong color lightbulbs, awkward furniture layouts… I’ve seen it all, at almost every price point.😆)

These homes on the Artisan Tour all absolutely nailed the details. It was so fun to take in the big picture AND the “hidden” features. The craftsmanship was impeccable and the details were perfectly executed.

So next time you step into a home, hotel, restaurant, or any space that makes you go “wow”- pay a little attention to the details. Great design isn’t just about what you see at first glance. It’s about all the details working together to create a feeling.

You can still tour all of these homes this weekend on the Artisan Home Tour by Parade of Homes Artisan tour, running through 6/21!
Builders featured here: Hendel Homes, Mark D Williams Custom Homes | Minnetonka Custom Home Builder, Swanson Homes

If you’re looking to build a home with builders & designers who pay attention to these details, I’d love to be your matchmaker- DM me to get started.

_______________________________
Laura Sima, Twin Cities, MN Realtor
Engel & Völkers Lake Minnetonka
[email protected]
612.695.8698

06/13/2026

06/09/2026

Not all new construction is the same- and the type you choose affects your timeline, your budget, and how much say you actually have in the final product.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the four types of new construction homes, what each one costs per square foot here in Minnesota, and who builds them. Whether you want something brand new and move-in ready or design your fully custom dream home, this is a good place to start.

Save this for later and send me a message if you want to talk through which one makes sense for where you and get the process started! And comment BUILD to download my new construction guide 🏡

I’m Laura - Edina local, Realtor®, design lover, home renovator, and your go-to for all things home + local living in the Twin Cities. Follow along for more projects, local recs, real estate, and Minnesota lifestyle content ✨
_______________________________
Laura Sima, Twin Cities, MN Realtor
Engel & Völkers Lake Minnetonka
[email protected]
612.695.8698

06/09/2026

Not all new construction is the same- the type you choose affects your timeline, your budget, and how much say you actually have in the final product.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the four types of new construction homes, what each one costs per square foot here in the Twin Cities, and considerations for each. Whether you want something brand new and move-in ready or design your fully custom dream home, this is a good place to start.

Save this for later and send me a message if you want to talk through which one makes sense for where you and get the process started!

I’m Laura - Edina local, Realtor®, design lover, home renovator, and your go-to for all things home + local living in the Twin Cities. Follow along for more projects, local recs, real estate, and Minnesota lifestyle content ✨
_______________________________
Laura Sima, Twin Cities, MN Realtor
Engel & Völkers Lake Minnetonka
[email protected]
612.695.8698

06/08/2026

Outdoor dining table refresh! Minnesota weather doesn’t go easy on wood outdoor furniture, that’s for sure. Josh built this table 3 years ago (it was my most viral post ever and still gets engagement!) and the cedar stain has now faded. I was never a huge fan of the orangey tone. This time, I wanted something darker and more modern to match our updated exterior.

The best part: the stain I chose required NO stripping 🙌

I gave it a good cleaning with water & a scrub brush, sanded it down, blew off the dust, and got to work with a black stain + sealer by (not sponsored!).

Two coats and about two hours of staining later, it looks like as good as new!

I’m obsessed with how crisp and fresh it looks now. It’s ready for a few more years of Minnesota weather, backyard dinners, and summer gatherings.

DIY projects don’t always need to be complicated to make a big impact!!!

And because I know you’ll ask: this table was built via plans we modified to fit our space by !

I’m Laura - Edina local, Realtor®, design lover, home renovator, and your go-to for all things home + local living in the Twin Cities. Follow along for more home projects, local recs, real estate, and Minnesota lifestyle content ✨

06/06/2026

The Artisan Home Tour is happening NOW in the Twin Cities through 6/21. If you’re a home design lover you’ll enjoy getting to tour these absolutely stunning homes!

This one took my breath away. The design details were incredible- floor to ceiling windows, perfectly placed uplighting, curved vanity edges, curbless showers with perfectly placed inset drains to blend into the tile grout, backlit stone in the bar, Venetian plaster, a subterranean basement that felt anything but- with massive windows and window wells, a golf simulator, fitness area and 3 bedrooms, and a main floor that is truly designed to maximize indoor-outdoor living.

Builder:
Interior design:
Architecture:

#8 on the tour: 12743 Elevare Court, Minnetonka

It’s for sale, or you can build your own custom home on the 0.8-1 acre lots in this beautiful community. DM me for more info.

I’m Laura - Edina local, Realtor®, design lover, and your go-to for all things home + local living in the Twin Cities. Follow along for more projects, local recs, real estate, and Minnesota lifestyle content ✨
_______________________________
Laura Sima, Twin Cities, MN Realtor
Engel & Völkers Lake Minnetonka
[email protected]
612.695.8698

05/20/2026

If you have your eye on a neighborhood but your budget doesn’t approve of your dream home, buy the ugliest house and make it your own 🪄🔨🏡

We bought an essentially untouched 1962 home (not the “cool” midcentury style, I promise), have spent the last 5 years renovating it, and now we have a “custom” home in an amazing neighborhood. Bonus: we’ve doubled our home’s value through these renovations & market appreciation.

If you’re looking for your diamond in the rough in Edina or the Twin Cities, reach out. I’ve got the experience and endless ideas to help you envision a whole new home 😉

👋 hi, I’m Laura- your Edina & Twin Cities Realtor! Follow me for all things real estate, local happenings, design, & renovation, with plenty of “real life” mixed in.
_______________________________
Laura Sima, Twin Cities, MN Realtor
Engel & Völkers Lake Minnetonka
[email protected]
612.695.8698

05/15/2026

One of the many benefits of homeownership is building equity: aka investing into your own future.

There are so many different ways to leverage real estate to build long-term wealth, and you don’t have to be an “investor” to make it happen. Some simple strategies of buy low/sell high, buy the ugly home in the best neighborhood, putting in “sweat equity”, and having someone else pay your mortgage are longstanding techniques that will never fail.

Save this one for later, and reach out when you’re ready to discuss your own strategy 🙌

👋 hi, I’m Laura- your Edina & Twin Cities Realtor! Follow me for all things real estate, local happenings, design, & renovation, with plenty of “real life” mixed in.
_______________________________
Laura Sima, Twin Cities, MN Realtor
Engel & Völkers Lake Minnetonka
[email protected]
612.695.8698