Photos by Wing Ho
There are times when a designer loves a challenge, whether it’s blending aesthetics in a home or overcoming distance between the office and project site. For Jackie Ho, principal of Ho & Lacy Architecture, she met both these hurdles head first as she took on the design of a historic Minneapolis home.
Nicknamed the “Endurance House,” the home nods to the project’s entire journey, from when homeowners Micah and Melanie Wickersheim hired Ho & Lacy to transform their California-based Victorian home to when they unexpectedly relocated to Minneapolis for a career opportunity. But while the entire three-level house is a study in style, its three bathrooms shine particularly bright. They feel visually connected to the rest of the home while also standing out on their own.
For instance, the primary bathroom is inspired by the elegance and function of Parisian bathrooms—spaces where daily routines and relaxation rituals coexist. Featuring octagonal marble floor tile, a wire-brushed white oak vanity, and refinished clawfoot tub original to the home, the space connects to an adjoining sunroom, “creating a private retreat bathed in natural light,” Ho says.
Outfitted in a classic ivory square tile punctuated with custom ochre grout, the homeowners’ daughter’s bath communicates “warmth and maturity while maintaining a fun, energetic feel,” Ho adds. The entire design revolved around color.
Then there’s the third-floor apartment bathroom—Melanie’s favorite of the three. Textured charcoal floor tile and jungle-print wallpaper, inspired by the homeowners’ love of bold patterns, communicate a mix of adventure and moodiness.
The tile helps define the tone and identity of each space—from its scale, shape, and color to materiality and character. Meanwhile, the cabinetry, whether left natural or stained, was detailed with similar care—creating a subtle throughline that ties the spaces together. Ho says, “While each bathroom has its own distinct identity, the choices were made to feel natural to the home’s history and architecture.”
