BEFORE IMAGES by Spacecrafting

You are now entering the very room that the Pillsbury Castle was built around. Alfred Pillsbury had a taste for history and would settle for nothing but the best for the home he’d spend his life in. Deconstructed in England and shipped over to the United States just for Alfred, this 17th-century Library features original millwork and a hand-carved plaster ceiling. Shane Spencer, Associate ASID, of Spencer Design Associates, and David Wehrspann, Associate ASID of Abitare Design Studio had the unique challenge of designing the space around this iconic structure.

They also designed the hidden speakeasy that lies behind a security vault door that Alfred used as his private drinking room and gallery for his famous Asian Art. Remodeling efforts were executed by the team Vujovich Design Build Inc. for these rooms. Transforming the historic 17th-century English library into a modern Billiards Room, designers seamlessly merged opulence with comfort. Luxurious furnishings and custom fittings breathe new life into this timeless space, creating an inviting ambiance for entertaining.

The billiards table from Olhausen Pool Tables and Peters Billiards becomes the centerpiece for friendly games, while intimate seating arrangements by the fireplace provide a cozy retreat. Original artworks adorn the walls, celebrating the legacy of the past with a contemporary flair. This sophisticated haven is designed for convivial gatherings, where the clinking of glasses mingles with the soft crackle of the original fireplace, now cleaned, restored, and enhanced with a gas insert by Ortal North America.

Custom Wide Plank Floors by Carlisle mimic the original flooring but with a fresh update. The melding of heritage and modernity, enriched by sumptuous textures and bespoke elements, shapes an atmosphere of refined elegance. The designers’ vision redefines the library’s narrative, transcending time to offer a space where friends come together, immersed in the allure of history and the comforts of contemporary indulgence. Remodeling involved restoring the quartered white oak wall panels, all built without the use of nails. This old-world hole and peg mortise and tenon joint system dates back 7,000 years. As needed, wall panels and millwork were repaired or replaced using salvaged materials from the home. Look up and your eyes will be mesmerized by the original ceiling. Notice all the intricate hand-carved details and consider its historic roots dating back to the 1600s.

The ceiling was in ill repair and required meticulous attention like patching areas where previous owners drilled into, and replacing missing elements. Continue to your right through the security vault to uncover another one of the Castle’s secrets. The Speakeasy reinvigorates the former Vault Room of Alfred Pillsbury’s magnificent Asian Bronze Collection which now lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. A breathtaking barrel vault wall was installed for depth and interest setting the tone for this masculine abode. Oak and stone flooring were carefully restored beneath the bespoke furnishings. This opulent lounge exudes sophistication with a stunning dry bar, an elegant crystal chain chandelier, and luxurious Italian furnishings. The space is a harmonious blend of global allure, featuring custom-designed items produced locally. 

Luxe materials converge to create an ambiance of posh entertaining, inviting guests into a world where each element tells a story. From the Visual Comfort crystal chandelier that cascades panache to the custom furnishings, every detail is a nod to refined taste. The designers’ vision transforms this historic vault into a haven for spirited evenings, celebrating the fusion of heritage and contemporary extravagance. The Speakeasy beckons, promising not only a glimpse into the past but a journey into a lavish present where every moment is an artful celebration.

These rooms were made possible by the contributions of Visual Comfort & Co, Stone Source, Plato Woodwork, Ohana Home & Design, INTERSOURCE by STARK, The Knobbery Minneapolis, Armac Martin, Cutting Edge, Sherwin Williams, Abitare Design Studio, Ortal Heat, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, Northstar Home Technologies, Olhausen Pool Tables, Peters Billiards, Art Girls, Innovations, Pollack & Weitzner, and Blended Blue.