For our recent project on Toledo Ave in St. Louis Park, our mission was to transform an unfinished story-and-a-half space into individual bedrooms for two girls, complete with a full bath on the second floor.

Our first challenge stemmed from the sloped ceilings in the area. This presented a puzzle in effectively incorporating a bathroom while adhering to building code minimums. With an angled ceiling constituting much of the vanity wall, the vanity could fit, but the mirror placement became problematic due to the low height.

Having encountered this challenge in the past, we had a solution ready - a vanity soffit. By building a tall soffit that spans from a higher point on the angled portion down to a comfortable height above the faucet, we created an illusion of a flat wall forward. The width of the soffit typically depends on the lighting requirements and other spatial considerations. This solution allowed us to recess the vanity back to the original wall, maintaining floor space and clearances, while also providing adequate height for a practical mirror. For added convenience, we usually suggest a pivoting mirror.

Our second challenge arose when it was revealed that the first-floor ceiling joists did not meet the requirements to serve as second-floor joists, contrary to what the homeowners had been told. They could not structurally support the new living space due to the spans.

To overcome this, we sought the advice of our trusted engineer. It was determined that the existing 2x6 members spanned beyond the distance they could support for the new living space. To rectify this, we added two additional 2x6 joists between the existing joists – a technique commonly known as "sistering".

This project took place during an unusually warm June, adding an extra layer of challenge. But true to our values at Prima Construction, my dedicated team persevered. As the owner of this woman-led company, I am in the field with my team, and I am incredibly proud of our hard-working crew for their unwavering commitment to delivering quality, regardless of the circumstances. They are the backbone of every successful project, and their dedication turns challenges into beautifully finished spaces.