In the picturesque lakeside community of Mound, where time seems to slow down to match the serene rhythm of Lake Minnetonka, Christine Niven, the co-owner of Excel Builders, has been hard at work, remodeling Kate and Nick Holden’s home. Her mission: to transform existing spaces into dream homes.
“You have to trust who you hire and their process,” Christine says. Christine prioritizes personal connection and client collaboration to create truly custom homes that meet families’ needs and tell the family’s story.
She wants to meet every member of the family, including the pets. “You can learn a lot about people when you come over, and they comment on what they did and didn’t do to prepare the house,” Christine notes. “I don’t expect perfection. In fact, it helps to understand their reality and the unique needs of each family member.”
Transforming Kate and Nick Holden’s home was a remodeling project two years in the making. “When we moved in, we immediately knew we wanted to have work done in the home, and working with Christine was amazing from the beginning,” shares Kate.
Kate and her husband Nick instantly fell in love with Christine’s designs and aesthetic. “Christine has this incredible vision,” says Nick. “I trusted her completely. She made the process really smooth and easy.” Kate adds, “Christine made a genuine connection with everyone in the family, making each of our spaces uniquely our own. It felt like it was my friend and I redoing the house.”
During each remodel, Christine strives to keep her clients engaged in the process. She provides multiple options for them to consider and doesn’t hesitate to push them outside their comfort zone if the situation calls for it. She wants her clients excited during their remodel and creates opportunities to keep them engaged throughout the construction process.
For this particular remodel, there was an opportunity to make a huge impact with color. A blue-gray paint color showcases the kitchen and accents other areas of the home. Christine started with white, but it wasn’t the right aesthetic for this client’s home. The rich blue shade allowed her to refresh existing features in the home, like woodwork by the front door, for a cohesive design.
Refinishing the existing hardwood floors, a warm birch wood in a neutral finish balances the rich cabinetry color choice. The wood flooring is also seamlessly tied in the existing upper-level railings. What once felt dated and uninspired was now a warm and grounding feature of the design.
The fireplace was another feature that needed attention. While grand in its design now and a true focal point in the home, its previous scale and style didn’t fit the home’s aesthetic. Instead of removing it completely, Christine changed the structure and wrapped it from floor to ceiling in stone, and the effect speaks for itself.
Finally, in the main living area, Christine wanted to balance the scale of the larger fireplace and optimize the view. This meant reworking the window trim and framing to maximize natural light and make the most of those stunning lake views.
“Before, the layout didn’t fit us all. Nothing had a flow,” reflects Kate. “After Christine’s remodel, everything just felt right; it felt like we were finally home.”
Christine prides herself on her ability to read people quickly, allowing her to establish a deep connection right from the start. “I want my clients to know who I am, how I work, and that I design for them.”
Designing for families is at the core of Christine’s philosophy. She even brought along a 13-year-old family member shopping to ensure that the home reflected everyone’s needs and desires. “If I stay true to what I know, my instincts – things work out very well,” she explains with a smile.
Christine Niven stands out for her steadfast commitment to remodeling more than just houses. She creates homes that are an extension of the families that live in them, forging connections that last long after the final nail is hammered in.
Christine’s work spans the lakeside communities near Mound, including Excelsior and Shorewood, and with her next project on Lotus Lake in Chanhassen. Her business partner holds a general contractor’s license, allowing her to lead projects fully and effectively. With her patient and personal approach, she has earned the trust of every client she has had the privilege to work with.
No matter the project, Christine knows her unique approach, which centers around connecting with each family, is what sets her apart in the world of home remodeling. For her, it’s not about impressing people; it’s about creating spaces where families can enjoy their lives to the fullest, one custom home or remodel at a time. www.excelbuildersmn.com