Brost Residence
Soaking Tub Room
Who would’ve thought a home office could be the perfect space for a soaking tub? Turns out it was exactly what Dr. Barbro Brost was hoping for, after seeing this inspirational photo in a magazine:
In fact, Dr. Brost’s son saw this photo and pointed out to his mom that she had the perfect spot in her home office on the main level of the house. Since she was often using the kitchen counter to work, and has an office at her chiropractic clinic in Wayzata, The Brost Clinic, she wasn’t using her home office anymore. The best part? The office was right off the master bathroom, so it was easy to use the plumbing to convert the room. This bathroom (a his-and-hers design concept) only had showers, no tub. In regard to the soaking tub room, Dr. Brost said, “This is what I would love. This is my dream.”
I loved working on this space with Dr. Brost. She and her family wanted a clean look with elegance, and I helped them achieve just that. “It’s very fun to work with Julie Ann. She’s a really positive person and full of great ideas. She’s always attentive and gets things done in a timely manner,” said Brost. And I feel very grateful for Dr. Brost; their clinic has helped me prevent disease. I’ve personally benefitted from their spinal adjustments, acupuncture, and massage. It’s no wonder this family of health aficionados who’ve helped over 20,000 people over 35 years would want a place like this room to wind down each day. When asked about her favorite part of the room, Dr. Brost said, “I love the tub, the chandelier, the heated floors…I love it all!” Let’s take a look at some of the details:
- The deep, top-of-the-line Kohler tub with a filler faucet makes for a perfect space to relax and soak after a long day.
- We left the built-in bookcase but removed the desk with the help of an excellent carpenter. A beautiful crystal chandelier was added, but couldn’t be dangling – the ceiling height is not very high and Dr. Brost didn’t want anyone hitting their head!
- The floors are heated marble, and the towel rack is heated too–complete with robe rack.
- The walls were lightened to a paler shade of gray and accessories were carefully placed. Dr. Brost purchased the crystals from my collection; here’s the meaning behind each one:
- Clear Quartz Crystal Cluster
Master healer, amplifies energy, aids in concentration and memory,
enhances psychic ability, brings the body into balance. - Amethyst
Opens the 3rd eye – the source of power and wisdom, sharpens spiritual
vision and enlightenment, can assist with addiction, Feng Shui- wealth
enhancement, calms the mind and spirit. - Rose Quartz
Opens the heart chakra, releases tension and stress, draws in love. - The marble of the flooring was pulled into the new countertop (Carrara marble).
Sun porch refresh
Sometimes, it’s the simplest updates that make the biggest impact. For client Barbro Brost, Julie Ann Seagal of Metro Interiors transformed a sun porch into a cozy, vibrant retreat perfect for relaxing by the pool.
By introducing a fresh area rug and updated chair cushions, the space was instantly elevated—adding warmth, texture, and a splash of color. These thoughtful touches not only refreshed the look but also created a welcoming atmosphere ideal for summer lounging or hosting guests.
It’s a beautiful reminder that you don’t need a full renovation to bring new life to your home—just a few well-chosen elements can completely shift the energy of a space.
Now that’s what we call effortless, joyful summer living!
Partial Kitchen Remodel
In with the new, out with the old…unless the old has sentimental value. You don’t always have to jump into a full-scale remodel; updating only what’s necessary will raise the energy of the room. Who doesn’t want that fresh and clean feeling in their home, especially the kitchen?
My client, Barbro Brost, wanted to freshen up the kitchen in her Wayzata home of three years. She felt the kitchen was functional but outdated. But the Mexican tile floors had to stay—they remind Brost of being on vacation.
I helped her pick out new Cambria countertops (Brost’s favorite part of the remodel), a sink, cooktop, and backsplash. The sink, a Blanco, is a highly recommended brand; I have one in my own home. The material is easier to maintain a cleaner appearance and is very durable I installed a hot water spigot as well. The backsplash was made-to-order and gives the kitchen a whole new look.
“It’s very fun to work with Julie Ann,” Brost said about the partial remodel. “She’s a really positive person and full of great ideas.”
