Home Tours
A Step Inside: The Eden Project by West Bay Homes
As a professional wedding photographer, Janelle Elise Milner has a keen eye for beauty. To realize the vision for her and her husband’s dream home, she turned to celebrated Minnesota designer Kelli Fontana and the team at West Bay Homes. Nestled in a cozy Minneapolis suburb, the new build—dubbed “The Eden Project”—is a luxurious sanctuary for the Twin Cities power couple. Every room offers a sensuous escape, blending lush neutrals and rich natural materials with surprising details that infuse the home with everyday elegance and singular style.
Comparing her process to an artist compiling an album, Kelli Fontana ensures that each unique space remains in conversation with the home as a whole. Featuring exquisite tile throughout, The Eden Project is a masterclass in home design. Read on to tour these picture-perfect spaces and discover the curated choices that brought the dream home to life.
All images: Design by West Bay Homes.
A Pantry Prepped for Perfection
Off the main kitchen (shown in the above photo), the pantry offers a private space that works as hard in the style department as it does for food prep. Continuing the warm, neutral palette of its culinary counterpart—notably the white-beige marble backsplash and blonde wood cabinets—the pantry features cream-colored shelving and Nuovo Riad Bianco and Nuovo Riad Creme wall tile in a freestyle checkerboard-inspired design.
While the tile arrangement feels delightfully spontaneous, this sense of ease required careful planning. The installer meticulously mapped out a 60/40 mix of Bianco (white) and Creme (beige), numbering each shade variation in the handmade-look tile to ensure a precise distribution of color. The thoughtful execution achieves tonal harmony within an ostensibly random layout.
This chic design extends past the upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling, amplifying the height of the hardworking space. The soft tones and glossy finish reflect natural light, filling the room with warmth. It’s almost a shame to hide such a stunning space behind its cleverly concealed pocket door!
Featuring: Nuovo Riad Bianco and Nuovo Riad Creme.
MORE TO EXPLORE: KITCHENS
Elegant & Enchanting: The Twin Stars Bath
On the upper level, the Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects the guest bedroom and playroom and is designed specifically for visiting nieces and nephews. Bursting with personality, this space makes it hard to pinpoint a single “star.” Is it the whimsical, woodsy wallpaper or the charming Kit-Kat Forest tile showcased on the sink backsplash? Perhaps, as they complement each other so wonderfully, they are twin stars—the Jack and Jill, if you will—of this delightful room, providing the perfect balance of playfulness and sophistication.
Through the glass-walled shower, we can see that the gorgeous, undulating green tones of the handmade-look mosaic tile are carried across the room. Creating a sense of organic movement, the tile’s rich shade variation evokes hand-drawn lines—reminiscent of a neatly colored page in a sketchbook, but with precision alignment that lends stylish finesse. A fine DURAL Plus Gold 24K pencil liner outlines the shower niche and the edge of the bench—a refined detail that elevates the space, while maintaining its playful nature.
On the floor, the USA-made Moonstone Off White tile, in 12″ x 24″ large format (main bathroom) and Picket (shower), grounds the space in muted off-white tones. This stone-look porcelain features subtle movement through delicate white veining, while the white grout highlights the shower mosaic’s elongated hex shape and provides essential traction.
Featuring: DURAL Plus Gold 24K, Moonstone Off White, Moonstone Off-White Picket and Home Kit-Kat Forest.
A Laundry Room Awash In Luxury
Lovely enough to make you look forward to laundry, the Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Matador tile (also available in Pointe Dume [blue] and Pescador [white]) transforms this utilitarian space into a standout design moment. The marble mosaic’s vibrant veining and vivid tones continue the upper level’s organic green-and-wood theme, though its distinct, rounded shape offers a beautiful contrast to the linear tiles showcased in the previous room.
When she originally fell in love with this tile in the showroom, Janelle saw it oriented with the wider portion at the bottom. While Kelli confirmed that the tile would look beautiful either way, they ultimately decided to install it wide-end-up to draw the eye toward the ceiling and create a sense of upward movement. The choice of a dark grout enhances the sense of drama and highlights the stone’s natural features (though, if you want to emphasise the unique shape, you could use a white grout).
Let this be a reminder not to overlook these “workhorse” spaces. Though they aren’t always guest-facing, bringing beauty into the rooms where you spend time on everyday tasks makes every day a little more joyful.
Featuring: Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Matador.
MORE TO EXPLORE | Charming & Cheery Laundry Room Tile Ideas
Only the Best for the Guests
It is a testament to Janelle’s hospitality that she chose her favorite tile for her guest bathroom. Showcasing our best-selling Coco Canvas glossy tile (also available in matte), this sumptuously tranquil space proves that you can create an exquisitely invigorating tableau with a limited neutral palette.
The handmade-look subway tile features lush shade variation, with undulating beige tones that infuse the walls with an exhilarating sense of movement. Installed in a vertical offset, the layout enhances the shower’s height and the tile’s tonal shifts. While Janelle and Kelli originally considered tiling the entire wall, they ultimately decided on a half-wall in the main area to add visual variety. This resulting horizontal line makes the space feel wider, while the solid cream-painted wall above provides a visual reprieve, allowing the tile to remain the true focal point.
White groutlines pull out the tile’s crispest tones and create a visual throughline to the tub and white countertop. To ground the room, neutral medium-brown wood cabinets and accessories echo the beige variations in the stone. Finally, gold fixtures introduce a warm metallic note that—much like the glossy tile—reflects the light to brighten the space. This mix of warm and cool neutrals results in a chic, contemporary design with timeless appeal.
On the floor, Arctic White Large Herringbone mosaic tile zigzags across the room. The creamy white marble features minimal shade variation, though its nuanced veining adds subtle movement. The small-format mosaic provides plenty of grout lines for essential traction, making it as safe as it is beautiful. While the main floor uses the larger herringbone, the shower floor utilizes the Arctic White Small Herringbone, creating a minute visual distinction between the two spaces. Installed with a complementary grout, the floor is elegantly unassuming, yet abundant in natural detail.
Featuring: Coco Canvas Glossy, Arctic White Large Herringbone and Arctic White Small Herringbone.
The Primary Suite: Universal Design, Effortless Style
For her primary bath, Janelle wanted a peaceful retreat to start her mornings with intention and unwind after a long day. This bathroom is a masterclass in universal design—full of smart choices that ensure the space remains as functional as it is beautiful for years to come.
Large format, marble-look porcelain tile paves the walls and bathroom floor, offering a luxurious aesthetic that is easy to maintain. Minimal grout lines make the large space feel even more expansive. The polished Simona White wall tile offers a smooth, slightly reflective surface that brightens the shower, while the matte Livingstone Bianco floor tile provides necessary slip resistance. Inside the shower, the coordinating Livingstone Bianco mosaic (also matte) adds even more grip through a dense web of grout lines. The curbless, walk-in shower is wide enough to accommodate mobility aids if needed, and adjustable showerheads make the bathing experience effortless.
These clever features don’t sacrifice an ounce of style. The crisp white stone-look tiles, with their cool grey and warm taupe veining, create a pleasing, contemporary palette. Gold fixtures pop against the creamy white walls, and a band of Hampton Carrara Somerset trim punctuates the design, caping the half-wall and carrying through to the shower. Using trim is an excellent way to incorporate natural stone details, helping any space feel more finished and elevated.
Featuring: Livingstone Bianco, Livingstone Bianco Mosaic, Hampton Carrara Polished Somerset and Simona White.
Powder Room Haute Couture
Fashion-forward and naturally appealing, the main-floor powder room is brimming with lush, natural details. The Kelli Fontana Chain Reaction Black on Black wall tile features interlocking pieces of polished marble against a matte marble background. These polished marble “chains” catch the overhead light, creating a sense of depth within the small space. Inspired by luxury fashion, the tile evokes high-end, tailored elegance. Installed vertically, the floor-to-ceiling tile pairs with an oversized arched mirror and vertical woodgrain to emphasize the home’s soaring ceilings.
The marble countertop adds another layer of visual texture, its dramatic veining offering a fluid contrast to the linear grain of the wood walls. Together, these elements create a unique twist on biophilic design—a style that celebrates the colors and forms of the natural world. Even without traditional botanicals, this space “blooms” through its masterful use of organic materials, textures and shapes.
Featuring: Kelli Fontana Chain Reaction Black on Black.
I think of myself as an artist, and every home as an album—a new version of my design. —Kelli Fontana
Tonally In Tune: A Moody Basement Escape
Drenched in warm brown tones, the basement provides a cozy escape—perfect for unwinding after a long day or for a lively gathering with friends. The focal point of this chic space is the central fireplace, featuring fluted wood-look Violin Decor tile. The tile’s vertical grooves draw the eye upward, emphasizing the room’s height, while the wrap-around installation unifies the space, echoing the light brown tones of the sofa and built-in wooden bar. A sleek line of DURAL Black Matte metal pencil trim outlines the firebox–a subtle detail that adds a layer of elevated sophistication.
Though this space is considerably darker than the airy spaces on the upper floors, the rich neutral tones and natural textures keep it in conversation with the rest of the home. Chocolate brown walls envelop the room in comforting serenity, making the expansive space feel intimate. The honeyed wood and wood-look tile recall the organic details sprinkled throughout the home, while the cream-colored chairs, illuminated by a gorgeous glass chandelier, echo the ivory and cream tones of the bathrooms and pantry.
Featuring: Violin Decor and DURAL Black Matte.
The Wellness Hall: A Restorative Final Note
Located off the basement lounge, you’ll find one of the most-used spaces in the house. The wellness hall was designed to accommodate a request from Janelle’s husband for an in-home sauna. Providing the couple a place to relax and reconnect after a long day, the sauna and adjoining changing area feature lavish details that both stimulate and soothe the senses.
Mimicking the look of cut agate, the Riyadh Jade wall tile* fills the space with dramatic movement in warm brown, cool grey, and ivory tones. On the floor, the Queen Beige Cobble marble mosaic tile enhances the spa-like experience with organic natural stone details in a smooth cobblestone design. The intricate web of grout lines provides essential traction, while in-floor heat installed beneath the tile keeps the room warm and toes toasty during frigid Minnesota winters.
*This tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Lafaenza Oro Oceano tile.
Rejuvenating and restorative, the in-home spa continues the warm neutrals and natural details that make this home feel cohesive, even as each space remains distinct. If this house is an album, this is the perfect note on which to end. We hope you have enjoyed our tour of The Eden Project and found inspiration to help envision your own dream space.
Featuring: Queen Biege Cobble. The Riyadh Jade wall tile is no longer available. Achieve a similar look with Lafaenza Oro Oceano or select from our expansive selection of marble look tile.
Let’s Create a Space You’ll Love!
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Shop The Look
- Nuovo Riad Creme 4 in. | Ceramic | 485070
- Nuovo Riad Bianco 4 in. | Ceramic | 485069
- Home Kit-Kat Forest 5 x 10 in. | Porcelain | 484274
- DURAL Plus Gold 24KMetal | 329796
- Moonstone Off White12 x 24 in. | Porcelain | 683179
- Moonstone Off-White Picket12 in. | Porcelain | 484336
- Alison Victoria Malibu Edit Matador11 x 12 in. | Marble | 651027
- Coco Canvas Glossy2 x 6 in. | Porcelain | 484214
- Arctic White Large HerringboneBrushed Marble | 650782
- Arctic White Small Herringbone Brushed Marble | 650781
- Livingstone Bianco 24 x 48 in. | Porcelain | 681613
- Livingstone Bianco MosaicPorcelain | 681614
- Hampton Carrara Somerset.375 x 12 in. | Marble | 657362
- Simona White 24 in. | Porcelain | 682077
- Kelli Fontana Chain Reaction Black on BlackMarble | 651023
- Violin Decor12 x 47 in. | Ceramic | 484261
- DURAL Black Matte L1/2 in. | Metal | 329721
- Queen Beige CobbleTumbled Marble | 650461
- Lafaenza Oro Oceano24 in. | Porcelain | 681524
