Our website requires the viewer to have at least Flash Player 8.
Get the updated Flash player at Adobe.com or click here to bypass the detection if you wish.



Murphy & Co. Design - Minneapolis Residential Design

Minneapolis residential designers dedicated to creating exceptional homes. Providing full services for new residential construction, and residential remodeling / renovations. Custom design services for homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brainerd Lakes area, western Wisconsin, outstate Minnesota, and other locations.

Murphy & Co. Design: Contact

Murphy & Co. Design
2 Division Street, Suite 203
Buffalo, Minnesota 55313

Murphy & Co. Design
3109 W. 50th St. #133
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55410

Murphy & Co. Design
406 West Washington Street Suite 5
Brainerd, Minnesota 56401

Telephone (763) 682-9294
Facsimile (763) 682-9296

Murphy & Co. Design: About

Vision Statement: To create a dream home of exemplary design and quality with the utmost client delight. \n\nMurphy & Co. Design is a residential design firm specializing in distinctive homes, ranging in size from small lake cottages to large estate residences. We also engage in spirited renovation projects, from minor interior remodels or additions to major whole house transformations and expansions. Murphy & Co. brings a highly refined sense of design to all of our projects, resulting in a residence that distinguishes itself from the ordinary. We are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in design and craftsmanship, while having a passion for details and fine materials.

Being recognized for our strong technical skills, we develop artistic hand-drawn conceptual drawings combined with sophisticated CAD documents to ensure that every detail is well thought out and guesswork is eliminated.  We also employ three dimensional software and computer imaging work to assist in visualization.\n\nWe pride ourselves on the ability to listen to our clients and understand their aesthetic aspirations and functional needs. Our principle of close communication with our clients and contractors ensures a residence that is a highly evolved culmination of creative thinking and artisan level craftsmanship. This approach results in a process that warrants us to work close with our clients during the entire phases of design and construction, leaving no detail left unnoticed. In addition, we strive to create a personal relationship with each client which begins with our enthusiastic and friendly team, and ends with a lasting and enjoyable experience.

Murphy & Co. Design: Services

Zoning review and municipality meetings Site planning and design Site grading design Conceptual building design Colored renderings 3D computer visualization Construction Documentation Interior architectural component design Electrical design and schematic drawings Construction specifications Energy calculations Bidding assistance Contractor selection Collaboration with outside sources Construction observation

Murphy & Co. Design: Process

Murphy & Co. Process
Conceptual Design
The first phase of the design process is the conceptual design phase. This phase explores the overall concept of the project, focusing on the "big picture". Brainstorming sessions of design requirements, spatial relationships, and basic functions are tested. Multiple options may be presented for design consideration, reinforcing the decision to continue onto the next phase.

Murphy & Co. Process
Schematic Design
The schematic design phase involves starting initial design drawings based on the approved conceptual schemes. Rough draft floor plans, exterior elevations, and a conceptual site plan are developed with considerations made to budget, design requirements, and initial material selections. Zoning guidelines can start to be evaluated at this phase for early design compliance.

Murphy & Co. Process
Design Development
Design development focuses on an overall refinement of the design scheme, including detailed floor plans, exterior elevations, and the site plan drawn to scale. Square footage calculations are completed, while colored renderings and 3D modeling can be prepared if requested. Drawings can be delivered to the contractor for preliminary pricing estimates.

Murphy & Co. Process
Construction Documentation
The construction documentation phase includes developing the very detailed documents used to construct the building. Drawings and specifications are prepared, including all items to complete the "shell" of the building, interior architectural elements, and schematic electrical plans. Detailed cost estimates can be prepared by the contractor to assist in starting the construction phase.

Murphy & Co. Process
Construction
This is the phase where the concepts become a reality. Murphy & Co. represents the client's interests during the construction phase. We can assist you with contractor selection, on-site inspections, building component shop drawing reviews, and final interior and exterior material selections.

Murphy & Co. Design: Testimonials

- I hold Murphy & Co in the highest regard. Your firm was an integral part of a four company team that transformed our property, meeting or exceeding all of our expectations. What we have enjoyed particularly is your follow-up service with respect to providing us with the gorgeous book of photographs and other correspondence. Jeff, Thank you again! M.B. - Incredibly professional - Collaborative - FUN! Detailed. Beautiful design aesthetic, beautiful hand drawings. Thoughtful. Open to new ideas. Jeff truly listens to his client. S.H.B. - We are thrilled we made such an excellent choice for this home. We loved developing a personal friendship with Jeff. Jeff 'got it' from start to finish. Jeff is modest and humble, but his talent is incredible. N.L. - We found that Jeff Murphy is gifted as an extraordinary listener and he intuitively has the visual skills to put pen to paper. His drawings of what he heard us say were amazingly accurate. Attention to detail and specifics allowed for easy deciphering for both the subs and our interior designer. Great experience for everyone! B.E., C.E.

- I was so impressed with your company. It was nice to work with someone so dedicated to getting things done correctly, yet so easy to work with. Your staff was always willing to answer any questions and explain things. Also - our building turned out beautiful - thanks for designing the layout so we could fit in everything we wanted while still meeting the cities 'codes'! H.E.Z.,DC - Great thoughts and ideas were brought forward, along with a great follow up procedure on the project. J.C. - You understood the goals and exceeded expectations with your designs! T.S. - I think Jeff has an incredible gift to use functionality incorporated with exquisite design to make your house a home. D.S.

Work Portfolio: New Construction

The Gatehouse
{ Deephaven, Minnesota }
Once the site of an early 1900's camp, this wooded site on Lake Minnetonka was the perfect setting for this humble 860 SF residence steeped in architectural history. With a myriad of reclaimed building materials and architectural antiques to use for the construction (as noted in the captions), this cottage feels as if it were taken right from the Loire Valley of France. The open plan differentiates it's "rooms" with the use of ceiling beams, posts, and ceiling changes, with rooms that share spaces while being functionally efficient.

Tudor on The Point
{ Tonka Bay, Minnesota }
Located on a peninsula between Echo Bay and Lafayette Bay on Lake Minnetonka, the owners of this property desired to remove their existing lake house and construct a new residence to capture the multiple views offered by their unique site. Murphy & Co. developed a layout that would not only increase the view, but also work within the tight setback and impervious surface requirements. The result is a timeless design based on the English half-timber style, with most every room capturing lake views.

Highcroft Residence
{ Wayzata, Minnesota }
Situated on a serene two-acre site, this family home is a synthesis of northern European architecture and refined rustic domestic influences. Creating a timeless design to accommodate the enjoyment of a contemporary lifestyle was a strong goal. The heart of the home is a combined dining, hearth, kitchen, and porch area. The reclaimed posts, beams, and plaster interiors were designed to remain cozy, yet provide ample room for entertaining & family gatherings.

Highcroft Hunting Barn
{ Wayzata, Minnesota }
This rustic barn serves as a multi-functional companion to the main house, and is serviced by a meandering stone drive path between mature ash trees. A rusted steel roof provides deep shelter over a reclaimed wood and battered stone exterior. The cozy sitting room includes a large stone fireplace with authentic iron cooking hardware, and a desk alcove surrounded by glass. The "Hunting Shop" includes a track mounted ceiling hoist, ammo loading bench, washer & dryer, and a modern day outhouse.

English Country in Northome
{ Deephaven, Minnesota }
Designed as a classic interpretation of a traditional English country cottage, this home for a young family embodies a modern day interior layout for casual, comfortable everyday living. Taking stock of the owners' exquisite collection of architectural antiques and furnishings, a plan evolved to make prominent use of these historic treasures. Exterior features include reclaimed platteville limestone walls, recessed plaster windows, and a timber entry arch.

Harrington Road Residence
{ Wayzata, Minnesota }
Inspired by classic Normandy style architecture, this residence on an infill lot in Wayzata blends seamlessly into its historic neighborhood. Hand-hewn white oak beams, heavy iron strapped plank doors, and capistrano heart pine floors add a French farmhouse quality to this home. The owners' desire for a residence that feels as if it's been on the site for a century was achieved with low roof massing, intimate interior spaces, and period details.

Mill Creek Ridge Farmhouse
{ Chatham Township, Minnesota }
The owners' love for Minnesota's farmhouse vernacular is evident throughout this meandering rambler, including exposed timber barn rafters, quarter-pane windows, and farmhouse inspired cabinetry. The large country kitchen plays host to gourmet meals, while the theater is the gathering spot for sports events and movies. A barn with basketball court and game loft, along with a full exterior baseball diamond, is part of the property's master plan.

Pulaski Lake Cottage
{ Buffalo, Minnesota }
This cottage combines the look of a lakeside cabin, coupled with the simple detailing of a craftsman style lodge. The property is narrow and deep, with a beautiful westerly facing view of the lake. The site was once home to a cabin owned by the family's grandparents, constructed in the 1940s. Cedar and timbers form the casual, rustic feel of the exterior. Fir, birch, and maple compliment the bungalow inspired colors of the interiors.

Pulaski Carriage House
{ Buffalo, Minnesota }
As a companion building to the main cottage, this carriage house includes a billiards room, media room, bar, arcade zones, and a main level motor shop complete with automotive lifts. An art wall flanking the stairs is a favorite spot for the kids to display new masterpieces. Used to host anything from birthday parties to pizza & movie nights, this building is enjoyed by the entire family.

French Country Estate
{ Silver Creek, Minnesota }
An elevated peninsula on this eighty acre property was the starting point for this French Country Estate. Set amidst dense hardwoods, natural wetlands, and a private lake, this residence takes full advantages of its surroundings. A palette of rich millwork, plaster, and stone creates an understated elegance throughout the home, while the lower level sport court provides a multi-use recreational space for the kids during all seasons.

Schmidt Lake Stone Lodge
{ Buffalo Township, Minnesota }
Situated on an idyllic point of Schmidt Lake, this lodge style house takes advantage of its position by locating main living spaces on different view corridors of the lake. The owners' love of outdoors is reflected by the "refined rustic" elements, including a combination of stone, brick and iron-pegged timbers. Hand-carved wood elements include a lower Bar with the lake bottom, house location, and neighboring roads carved into the curved five inch thick cedar top.

Schmidt Lake Timber Lodge
{ Buffalo Township, Minnesota }
Nestled on the fringe of a forest and Schmidt lake, this residence incorporates exposed gusseted timber-framed trusses and masonry columns. Indiana limestone, tumbled brick, and wood pegged half-timbers comprise the exterior, while the desire for a casual interior is achieved with hand-scraped hickory floors, cedar timbers and alder millwork.

Work Portfolio: Renovations

Work Portfolio: In Progress

Mirror Lake Shingle Style
{ Edina, Minnesota }
Focused on an authentic shingle style house that would fit well within this established Edina neighborhood, our clients were adamant about designing a new house that would retain the charm, scale, and detail of a timeless east coast inspired residence. The house includes a custom Georgian inspired Living Room mantelpiece, doric columns throughout, paneled walls, a coffered ceiling, and fluted cabinetry details.

Tuckborough Kitchen
{ Orono, Minnesota }
A stong sense of architectural detail was the beginning requirement from our clients for this Kitchen remodel. These details include Tudor arches, guilloche coves, fluted pilasters, hand-carved rosettes, a coffered ceiling, and a carved limestone rangetop hood. A bar alcove and breakfast nook anchor the end of the room, while new "taller" glass will help bring much needed natural light inside.

Crooked Lake Carriage House
{ Deerwood, Minnesota }
Our discerning clients came to us looking for a new English Cotswold cabin & carriage house on a spectacular lot overlooking Crooked Lake in Deerwood, MN. The Carriage House not only functions as a storage building for all the lake items, but also includes a winding staircase to an upper level Bar, Lake Room {with balcony overlooking the lake}, and 2 separate Bunk Rooms for guests.

Aspen Retreat
{ Aspen, Colorado }
This mountain getaway is located at the base of Aspen Highlands ski resort. A large wall of windows and a spacious roof deck over the garage provide majestic views up the hill while relaxing after a day of skiing. The stone is supported by steel lintels, while the five foot overhangs shed the large amounts of snowfall. A spacious vaulted kitchen and dining space are anchored by a massive stone fireplace, while the Master Suite enjoys its own terrace and outdoor hot tub for those cool winter nights.

Hanover Bottle Shoppe
{ Hanover, Minnesota }
Our client came to us looking to create a small new retail complex that would evoke the charm of late 19th century downtown buildings, complete with intricate brick detailing and parapets. The first building is this Bottle Shoppe, which is a single building designed to appear as two, and includes a water tower and Minnesota brewery insignia.

Minnetonka Modern
{ Lake Minnetonka area }
This artist's home on a suburban infill lot was modeled in three-dimension to convey the simple yet interesting massing of this home. View of Lake Minnetonka from the upper level terrace & studio serve as daily inspirations to the creativity inside. The exterior material pallette is prefinished steel siding/roofing in a variety of profiles and colors.

Devils Lake Cabin
{ Webster, Wisconsin }
Tucked into a dense forest of mature white & red pines, this family cabin will enjoy spectacular lake views perched over an elevated bluff. The design concept of sharing spaces keeps rooms cozy, yet offers the ability to open to one another for large family gatherings. Sliding glass walls between the Kitchen, Lake Room, and Screen Porch enlarges the floor area while bringing the exterior openness in. Exterior elements will include five foot overhangs, reclaimed hand-hewn siding with chinking, and rustic timber rafter tails.

Chippewa River Normandy
{ Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin }
Inspired by an eclectic blend of French architecture, including French Normandy & French Provincial, this stately residence will be sited high above the Chippewa River on a densely wooded site. A stone exterior balcony will offer incredible panoramic river valley views, while the interior will enjoy historic detailing with modern day conveniences for an active family. Juliet balconies, a stone stair turret, and corbelled entablatures are among the exterior features.

Bay Lake Cabin
{ Deerwood, Minnesota }
Nestled into a beautiful west facing lot, this cozy cabin on Bay Lake lives large for a footprint of only 1260 square feet. The owner's desire for an efficient house with no wasted space resulted in intimate areas differentiated by seating alcoves, suspended log collar ties, a built-in banquette dining area, and a large central fireplace. Designed in the alpine chalet style, the exterior features deep overhangs with tapered log ends, and a log & tree supported deck to relax after a day of playing on the lake.

Villa Concetto
{ Your Site }
Envision yourself in this new concept villa designed for your site. From its warm inviting spaces to its abundance of natural light, this home sets a new standard in Minnesota living. Featured spaces include an Entry Loggia, Inglenook, Porch with eating nook and fireplace, and Rear Terrace with outdoor cooking fireplace. Careful attention was placed in creating a home that is a blend of European & Spanish Colonial Revival influences of the early 20th century. Please call for details & options.

Bohn's Point Mediterranean
{ Orono, Minnesota }
This graceful, time-tempered home was inspired by the rustic Mediterranean architecture of early 1900s Southern California dwellings, as well as the Spanish region of Andalusia. Situated on an elevated ridge of Bohn's Point on Lake Minnetonka, stunning views can be seen from the hand-forged juliet balconies, dining loggia, and upper-level covered terrace with hand-carved stone columns. Rich interior textures reflects the owners' love of Mediterranean, Moroccan and Italian houses.

Medina Shingle Style
{ Medina, Minnesota }
Inspired by classic East coast shingle style architecture, this family home is situated on the former site of a 19th century farmstead. Simple and understated, the weathered cedar shingle exterior recalls the seaside houses seen on Martha's Vineyard. Elegant enameled millwork and long leaf heart pine flooring contribute to the casual feel of the interior spaces.

Upper Peninsula Camp
{ Portage Charter Township, Michigan }
Surrounded by beautiful towering pines, this Adirondack inspired home in the U.P. is reminiscent of early 1900s camps as seen on the shores of Saranac and Upper St. Regis lakes in upstate New York. A study in maximizing the most of a small footprint, this home boasts five upper level bedrooms, including an open catwalk centered over a great dining hall. Large tree trunks form the front porch columns, while lodgepole pine logs compose the structural columns, ridge beam, and collar ties of the interior.

Laguna Beach Villa
{ Laguna Beach, California }
With stunning Pacific Ocean views, the owners of this Laguna Beach property realized the hidden potential of this house on the hill. With a penchant for detail, the owners began the process with an extensive interior renovation, followed with an exterior renovation based on an Italian villa aesthetic. Living spaces facing the ocean were increased with the addition of a roof terrace, covered balconies, and an entrance loggia.

Marysville Four-Square
{ Marysville Township, Minnesota }
Perched on a highly elevated ridge overlooking the tranquil rolling countryside of Marysville Township, this classically designed foursquare was to appear as though its been added onto over the years to accommodate a growing household. The home's activity is centered on its massive stone fireplace, which is open to the country kitchen, dining room, and upper loft. A large porch with a pass-through to the kitchen is the ideal place to enjoy lazy summer days.

Locust Hills Residence
{ Wayzata, Minnesota }
Located in the distinguished Locust Hills community on Gray's Bay, this home is designed as a blend of early 1900s Lake Minnetonka and classic European lodges. Developed as a virtual speculation home for a prominent builder, this home is currently for sale and can be custom tailored to your desire. This ideal cul-de-sac location includes views facing the lagoon, boardwalk, and the stone arch bridge.

Alpine Style Lake Lodge
{ Buffalo, Minnesota }
From its battered stone walls to its broad sheltering overhangs, this combination garage and guest house is the first phase in a family's lakeside retreat. The main level features a two-car deep garage complete with service lift to showcase the owners' collection of classic and current vehicles, while the upper level carries on the automotive theme in a contemporary setting. As the main house is constructed, this structure will serve as living quarters until its connection to the main residence.

Albertville Body Shop
{ Albertville, Minnesota }
With a steady increase of business over the years, the owners of this auto body shop on main street Albertville have acquired neighboring buildings and constructed additions to keep up with the demanding workloads. A design scheme was implemented to create a single cohesive look reminiscent of a 1930s service garage, complete with hand-made wood and iron service doors, double hung wood windows, gooseneck light fixtures, and antique paint manufacturers signs.

Lake Pulaski Prairie Style
{ Buffalo, Minnesota }
This modern interpretation of prairie style architecture will be nestled into a beautiful hillside site on the north shore of Lake Pulaski. Broad six feet overhangs, minimalist detailing, and a steel framed cantilevered deck all enforce the contemporary presence of the structure.