What Makes an Artisan Home Different?

Twice annually, Minnesota home enthusiasts, designers, and prospective homeowners from across Minnesota look forward to one of the state’s most anticipated home events: the Artisan Home Tour. Presented by Housing First Minnesota, the tour offers a rare opportunity to step inside some of the region’s most exceptional homes and experience the highest levels of craftsmanship, architecture, and design.

But what exactly makes a home an “Artisan Home”?

At its core, an Artisan home is crafted by the region’s top builders, showcasing their artistic vision and exceptional craftsmanship. These are not production homes built from a standard set of plans. Instead, they are carefully curated residences that reflect the lifestyle, vision, and priorities of the families who call them home. These exclusive homes feature today’s most popular designs, materials, accessories and colors.

The Artisan Home Tour

The Artisan Home Tour was created to highlight homes that represent the finest examples of luxury homebuilding and remodeling in Minnesota. These homes are gorgeous but they also demonstrate a commitment to exceptional design, innovative construction techniques, and meticulous attention to detail. Visitors often discover unique spaces that go beyond traditional expectations, such as additional wellness rooms, indoor golf simulators, expansive indoor-outdoor living areas, outdoor sports additions, custom entertaining spaces, and personalized retreats throughout the home. No two are alike – and from their unique designs to their expansive size, that’s what makes them truly amazing.

Beyond impressive features and details, Artisan homes are set apart by layers of collaboration behind them. Builders, architects, interior designs, craftsman, and homeowners work together to create special spaces that balance beauty, function and lasting quality. For visitors, the Artisan Home Tour provides more than design inspiration. It offers a glimpse into emerging trends, innovative materials, and showcases the very best of what modern homebuilding can achieve. Whether someone is planning a custom build or simply appreciates exceptional design The Artisan Home Tour can spark ideas and push the ideas of what is possible.

Ultimately, an Artisan home is about more than luxury – it’s the artisans that create unique and beautiful homes. It is a celebration expert craftsmanship and the belief that a home should be as unique as the people who live in it. That commitment to quality and individuality is what continues to make the Artisan Home Tour one of Minnesota’s most inspiring home events year after year.

Please join us on the tour at house No. 5 – The Hawthorne at 3602 William Way in Independence. You can find our Summer 2026 Artisan Home here. You can find all our Artisan homes here. We’ll see you on the tour.