April 2022 by St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles® The Color Issue

v 27

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Kitchen Design: Christine Paul, chrispaul@glenalspaugh.com Megan Lorenz Photography

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CONTENTS APRIL 2022 – THE COLOR ISSUE

FEATURES

18 28

18.

28.

36.

42.

Dreaming in Color

American Gothic

California Color

Alles Oasis

Fearless homeowners (and seasoned renovators) envision a vivid transformation for their historic Frontenac property.

This Gothic revival Tudor home gets a timeless look full of elegant details.

St. Louis designer Jenny Rapp gives this traditional southern home in Atlanta a fresh facelift with a vibrant color palette and a cool coastal vibe.

Homeowners create their ideal stay-athome getaway. Among Walt and Maryann Vitale Alles family and friends, their landscaping is known as the “Alles Oasis.”

DEPARTMENTS

6 10 16 48 52 58 64 70 76 80

Publisher’s letter Trends Artisian The Dirt Shaws Vision Featurette Snapshot Bright Idea Connect Classic or Craze

On the cover page 27. Pushing the headboard into the wall’s arched opening was inspired by a similar look Cathie Laufketter observed in a French chateau. Photography by Anne Matheis.

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles (ISSN 1524-8755) Vol. 27, No. 3, APRIL ©2022 by Distinctive Lifestyles, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles is published nine times a year, monthly in MARCH, APRIL, MAY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER, and bi-monthly in JANUARY/FEBRUARY, JUNE/JULY and NOVEMBER/DECEMBER by Distinctive Lifestyles, LLC, 255 Lamp & Lantern Village, Town & Country, MO 63017, (636) 230-9700. Periodicals postage paid at Chesterfield, MO 63017 and additional mailing offices.

BRING YOUR VISION TO US The experts at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery are here to help create a home that’s as extraordinary as you are. Any project, any style, any dream—bring your inspiration to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. Visit build.com/ferguson to schedule your personalized showroom experience today.

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HELLO

"Colors are the smiles of nature" —Leigh Hunt Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

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Suzie Osterloh Publisher/Owner

Pag e4 8-5

Suzie

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Enjoy our color issue!

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previous homes, Cathie painted all the walls in her home a shade of off-white only to quickly repaint each room. In her newly renovated Frontenac home, Cathie's color palette was inspired by a painting she found at an estate sale, and by coincidence, the wallpaper in her kitchen is a match for Very Peri (pages 18-27)! Lets not forget that Mother Earth is a genius when it comes to producing beautiful color palettes in nature. In a two-part series, we are covering the National Garden Bureau's selected plants meeting the criteria of being popular, easy to grow, adaptable, genetically diverse and versatile in this issue and the May issue (pages 48-50). It's spring and our world is soon to be bubbling over with color! Don't you just love it?

Someone told me last week that most people do not change home accessories with the seasons. I found that baffling. It was a good thing that I was in a hurry and had to be someplace because I was thinking that was just about the craziest thing that I had heard in quite awhile. Subtle color changes (even tiny ones) can make all the difference in the world. Not only will the home refresh come alive, but it will lift your spirits, too. With guidance from the Pantone Color Institute, the world-renowned authority on color, local interior designers give us their views on the 2022 Pantone Color of the Year, Very Peri. The general consensus being that Very Peri is a great accent color in almost any room in your home. Used as an accent color in bedding, throw pillows, candles, lamps, floral wall coverings and shower curtains, Very Peri can be dressed up or down and it easily complements your existing room colors (page 10). Sounds easy enough! Featured homeowner Cathie Laufketter is wild about color. She "feels that color sets the mood for your home." In one of her

I M A G I N E

L I F E

I N

ALISE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Meet the Designer, JILL BROWN, ALLIED ASID

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PUBLISHER/OWNER: Suzie Osterloh EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Melissa Mauzy MANAGING EDITOR: Molly (Moe) Godat CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kim Dillon COPY EDITOR: Carol Wayne CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Lucyann Boston, Jeanne de Lathouder, Blyhte Dorrian, Kim Hill, Catherine Martin, Michelle Mastro CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: David Cannon Photography, Yichen Ding, Steve Eltinge, TJ Getz, Lucy Hewitt, Imagen Subliminal, Tom Incrocci, Todd Kamp, Anne Matheis, Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton, Cassidy Moody, Mary Lou Olson, Karen Palmer Photography, Dirk Weiblen SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Colleen Poelker DISTRIBUTION MASTER: Barney Osterloh ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: sosterloh@stlouishomesmag.com EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: molly@stlouishomesmag.com FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Email bosterloh@stlouishomesmag.com or visit www.stlouishomesmag.com St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles Magazine 255 Lamp + Lantern Village Town & Country, MO 63017 636-230-9700 www.stlouishomesmag.com ©2022 by Distinctive Lifestyles LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. Printed in U.S.A.

If you are the owner or designer of a brilliant bathroom, enter our BATHS OF THE YEAR (BOTY) contest. Winning baths will be featured in the AUGUST 2022 ISSUE of St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MAY 4, 2022 ABOVE: Youtopia Designs and Home Maintenance Solution, 2021 Gold winner. Photography by Megan Lorenz.

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TRENDS

Pantone announces its 2022 Color of the Year,

VERY PERI

For the first time in the history of Pantone’s color of the year program, Pantone has created a brand new color as its color of the year, Very Peri. Very Peri encompasses the qualities of blues with a violet-red undertone. Pantone says the color evokes a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity.

6 1. Loki lavender dessert plate, available at CB2. 2. 4-light mini chandelier, Naples Collection by AF Lighting, available at Metro Lighting. 3. Seascape, by Natural Curiosities, available at Design & Detail. 4. Large rain vase, by Cyan, available at Metro Lighting. 5. Illumination art, available at Ethan Allen. 6. Ellio plum organic duvet cover, available at Crate and Barrel. 7. Colorful nature art, by Natural Curiosities, available at Design & Detail.

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Listen to the Experts This year Pantone has selected Very Peri as their color of the year. A lighthearted, carefree color that will lift your spirits. This color can be wonderful in almost any room in the home. Gold hardware, white or warm wood tones, playful accent hues of orange and turquoise or moody darks such as navy all blend well with this new color. Using this color as an accent in bedding, throw pillows or trims is a great way to update and refresh your home. Janice Bohn, Anne Marie Design Studio. According to Pantone, their newly developed color for 2022 is a “courageous presence that encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” We recommend introducing Very Peri into your home office to improve the Zen vibe of your work space and to help spark new ideas. We all need peace and relaxation in our lives! Small accents of this color such as candles, mugs and notebooks will bring Very Peri into your space without changing the entire color scheme and design. Kim Taylor West, K Taylor Design Group. The color Very Peri gives off a fun, playful, creative and carefree energy that could pair very well with pinks, greens, blues, whites, yellows and even oranges. Use a colorful floral accent wallcovering that has hints of Very Peri in it along with pinks, blues or yellows on a wall in a breakfast nook. Another way this color can be used is in a young child’s bathroom; it can be used on a shower curtain, soap dispensers, shower rugs, loofahs or even wall tile to add a playful environment that is used everyday. Savannah Sells, Youtopia Designs. Pantone's Very Peri is such an amazing, versatile color because of its flexibility between blue and purple on the color wheel. You can dress it up or down, depending on your level of excitement. Very Peri would be a great wall color choice for a powder room with lots of drama, paired with a subtle wallpaper pattern or paint color in a pale gray for the ceiling. Add a mirror framed in gold. In a master bedroom, it takes on a soothing, tranquil vibe. Add a pair of Very Peri inspired table lamps against a wash of lilac wall color, white bedding and pops of blue violet, teal and yellow scattered about. M. Joyce Mathis, MJM Design Company.

Color of the Moment Looking for more color inspiration? Each year the top paint companies in the country also chose their own color of the year, and this year will leave you feeling GREEN with envy.

Behr—Breezeway The silvery green shade with cool undertones is inspired by the earth’s beauty and mimics naturally stunning sea glass found on the shore of salty beaches. Breezeway evokes feelings of coolness and peace while representing a desire to move forward and discover newfound passions. Breezeway naturally harmonizes with shades of white, gray and natural wood tones for effortless style in any room.

Pair it with CRACKED PEPPER

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM APRIL 2022

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TRENDS

Sherwin Williams – Evergreen Fog Evergreen Fog SW 9130 is a versatile and calming hue, a chameleon color of gorgeous green-meets-gray with just a bit of blue. It's a simple but sophisticated wash of beautiful, organic color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade.

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Benjamin Moore – October Mist October Mist is a gently shaded sage that quietly anchors a space while encouraging individual expression through color. Much like the green stem of a flower, October Mist creates a canvas for the 2022 color trends and the imagination to blossom.

PPG – Olive Sprig Olive Sprig is a midtone, neutral, lush green with an organic green undertone. It is a perfect paint color for any interior space. This soft gray-green is soothing, like a fragrant plant, reminiscent of the natural world; it brightens any space with an organic liveliness. Pair it with soft rose tones.

Glidden – Guacamole This spirited yet soothing green brings an organic energy to any space. A great paint color for a bedroom, library or office; also makes a stunning dining room color.

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ARTIST

LIFE IN COLOR A TEXTILE ARTIST channels her inspiration sustainably.

By Blythe Dorrian Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

Every house has a story. Suzanne Miller decided to add to hers by creating her home décor business, The Storied House, a boutique design studio creating textiles in colorful, original designs. Her hope was for it to be a source for design and sustainability in St. Louis. “About four years ago, I was feeling a little burnt out with what I was doing,” Miller says. “I didn’t necessarily want to do interior design, but I knew I wanted to make a product. I took a class at Central St. Martins in London, and it opened up a whole new world.” The Storied House specializes in creating joyful fabric designs that assist customers in expressing their individuality in an environmentally-conscious fashion. Growing up around artists inspired her to see life in a different way. Even though she never took any classes in sewing, she says she did a little work with needlepoint in the past. “My mother is a painter,” says Miller. “She also loves interior design. Whenever we were traveling, we used to visit historical homes or museums. My grandmother liked to sew, and my aunt on my dad’s side was a painter as well.” One way Miller found a way of life was capturing her reality through a camera. Photos helped her develop an eye for color and design in a different way. Capturing what she saw allows her to show design in a tactile way. “My mom was more subtle with color,” she says. “My aunt did very bright colors. I think it’s more of listening to how you feel. Colors kind of pep you up, so I keep going in that direction.”

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A world traveler, Miller has discovered new ways of life and met new people by exploring. For her honeymoon, she spent three weeks in South Africa where she was drawn to the bright colors used there. “They have a very big European influence and a sophisticated design with the Indigenous art,” Miller notes. She uses her travels for inspiration when designing original, colorful fabrics. This year, Miller is opening a design page on Spoonflower, a digital printing company, that will allow her to print designs faster and make them more eco-friendly. “If I have someone order three yards, I can custom order three yards. Before, you had to have a minimum of 50 yards. A lot of fabric would go to waste if you didn’t sell it. You couldn’t do this five or six years ago.” Spoonflower also allows customers to choose a design where they can see what it would look like on other items like pillows, napkins or duvets. “When I was decorating my house on social media, there would be a set design and there wasn’t a lot of variety,” Miller says. “This puts a lot of power to the consumer.” Miller says she is also working on expanding her brand to reach bigger partners and that she would not be where she is today without her experiences over the years. “I doubt I would be as exposed as I am now without all the art, textile and fashion museums I have been to,” she says. See stlouishomesmag.com for more photos and resources.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM APRIL 2022

Dreaming in

COLOR Fearless homeowners (and seasoned renovators) envision a vivid transformation for their historic Frontenac property.

By Kim Hill Photography Anne Matheis Architect FM Design Build Builder Drake Baer Construction Kitchen Design RSI Kitchen & Bath “I feel color sets the mood for your home,” says Cathie Laufketter. “I want my house to feel lighthearted and a place where there is laughter and kids running around and it’s not the end of the world if something gets spilled.” She brings a lighthearted sensitivity to a corner of the living room, pairing fringed green velvet chairs and contemporary lighting with built-ins painted in Benjamin Moore’s joyful hue, Lip Gloss. “It’s an interesting color that changes tone throughout the day.”

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any of us hesitate to boldly use color in our homes, particularly when it comes to big-ticket items like sofas or appliances. Audacious wallpaper or vivid paint hues? Forget about it. We’re afraid of making expensive mistakes, fearful a trendy shade will come and go before the paint dries or the sofa gets its first spill. Cathie Laufketter is the exact opposite. “I feel color sets the mood for your home,” she says. “I want my house to feel lighthearted.” In fact, she pauses to make any major purchase or design decision in a neutral. She learned her lesson, she says, in her previous home, when she made a 180-degree turn and painted all the walls a shade of off-white. “It did not feel like a home to me,” Cathie says of her decision. “Pretty quickly after that, we went through the rooms one-by-one and repainted them.” “Sometimes I have to talk myself into doing something neutral,” she adds. “That’s a lot harder for me, because I learned at the last house I just do not like white or off-white. I need color.” And color she has, in the newly renovated home she shares with her husband, Matt, and the youngest of their three children. This is the sixth home in the past 15 years the Laufketters have renovated and updated, and all of them were older structures with considerable character. “We love historic homes and have so much fun reimagining them for modern living, while retaining as much of the original character of the home as possible,” says Cathie. “But when they’re done, I don’t know if we get bored or what, but something just moves us to start looking for another house.” So it was for this home in Frontenac. The major appeal? It sat on two acres with room for a pool. The Laufketters have a large extended family. They like to spread out, especially during outdoor gatherings. In addition, the home had a three-car garage that had been added by previous owners—perfect for housing Matt’s love of old cars. The square footage also fit their family, with room for extended stays when adult daughters living out of town come home. The home’s exteriors of painted brick, stone and James Hardie siding oozed cottage charm. The downside? The original home, built in 1936, had not been updated in years, although

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“It does not give me pause to order a teal sofa,” says Cathie Laufketter. “I pause to do anything white or neutral.” The Anthropologie sofas are actually portions of two sectionals purchased for the Laufketters’ previous home.

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The La Cornue range in Roquefort and matching range hood are the focal points of the kitchen. Lumen, an exotic light blue marble with hints of gray, green and white veining forms the backsplash and tumbles from the island in a waterfall edge.

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previous owners had added a functional addition less than a decade ago. Cathie could imagine reworking the home’s floor plan to provide better flow for their family. She could also envision adding en suite baths to each bedroom. “We wanted a home that could comfortably handle it when our kids are home at the same time,” Cathie says. They purchased the home in June 2020 and immediately began renovating the original portion of the house while living in the addition, which held a living room, office, full bath and a mudroom, plus the three-car garage. The most significant renovation involved the kitchen and butler’s pantry. By removing walls and reconfiguring existing spaces, the home’s original kitchen now houses an expansive butler’s pantry, which was a must-have for the Laufketters. “In our previous house we had a butler’s pantry and I put our fridge and all food storage in there,” Cathie explains. “I wanted the same thing for this house because I prefer to have those defined spaces when I cook.” Cathie had visited RSI Kitchen and Bath, where a mirrored front-paneled refrigerator caught her eye. With this fridge planned for the butler’s pantry, Hollie Cunningham, senior designer at RSI, suggested mimicking the fridge’s mirrored, diamond-shaped wood insets in the base of the kitchen island. Opposite the island, a La Cornue range in Roquefort with range hood painted to match stands as the kitchen’s focal point. “We had a La Cornue at our previous house and I am hooked,” says Cathie. The color palette was inspired by the blue and pink hues in a painting Cathie found at an estate sale. She

Above: A spacious butler’s pantry was a must-have. A mirrored front-paneled refrigerator, inspired from a model at the RSI Kitchen and Bath showroom, provides a polished look alongside walnut cabinetry from Omega. The shimmering Wow tile in mint gloss is from the Fez collection. Right: “Cathie has amazing taste and an eclectic sensibility,” says RSI Kitchen and Bath senior designer Hollie Cunningham. “She’s willing to go for color and she’s not concerned about playing it safe.” Tenue de Ville wallpaper in cobalt blue packs a punch.

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Bottom: Inspired by the Fox and Hounds pub at The Cheshire hotel, Matt Laufketter took the lead in design ideas for the dining room. Benjamin Moore Timson Green gives the walls a classic earthiness. The walnut table was recently acquired at the Original Round Top (Texas) Antiques Fair. “We were told the table is 17th century from a monastery in Italy,” says Cathie Laufketter. “It’s one 13 ½ foot slab of walnut which was a lot of fun to get into our house.” The hardwood floors were refinished in Early American. Middle: Wherever there were slanted walls in the secondary bedrooms, the Laufketters added charming book nooks (or sleepover beds). “I also added sconces to the book nooks,” says Cathie Laufketter. “I love coziness. It must be my Danish roots.”

says the painting reminds her a trip she took following the path from one of her favorite books, All the Light We Cannot See. “My daughter and I went all over Normandy, France, and ended up in Saint-Malo, where this book is set,” explains Cathie. “This painting just reminds me of everything in Saint-Malo.” The painting is nearly as well traveled, as it went along to every cabinet, appliance and countertop appointment Cathie made during the design phase. “I probably drove everyone crazy with it.” In the nearby breakfast area, the Laufketters removed a bay window and installed double doors. “On pool days we open them up and everything just flows to the pool area,” says Cathie. She went bold and bright with a Tenue de Ville wallpaper in cobalt blue; it blends with pink chairs at the breakfast table and island barstools in the happy hhue. In the living room, the built-in cabinetry was painted in Benjamin Moore Lip Gloss. Cathie’s teal sofas were originally sectionals purchased for their previous home. “The sectionals were too big for this space, so we took off the smaller section of each,” says Cathie. Whether teal sofas, cobalt blue walls or built-ins painted in a shade for lips, color creates a mood, says Cathie, who says she first ventured into interior design at the age of 12, when she redesigned her bedroom in red. “Cathie has amazing taste and knows what she wants,” says Cunningham. “It was very much a collaboration working with her, and I think her spaces turned out beautiful and unique.” While Cathie says she won’t redo her bedroom in red again, she does understand the bold use of color is very difficult for people. “I have cousins who want my help picking a paint color, and they love it on the swatch, but then they just can’t do it,” Cathie says. “I always say to them, ‘it will look great, I promise you. Just do it.’ Color creates a happier mood. We all need it.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.

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Pushing the headboard into the wall’s arched opening was inspired by a similar look Cathie Laufketter observed in a French chateau. The vintage fan sconces were purchased years ago at the Randolph Street Market in Chicago.

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AMERICAN GOTHIC This Gothic revival Tudor home gets a timeless look full of elegant details.

By Michelle Mastro Photography Anne Matheis Designer/Builder Lang Building Solutions

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Loren painted the window trim a matte black to give an additional pop. The leaded windows are original to the home and offer so much natural light that the black cabinetry from Starmark is further illuminated against the creams and whites used in the kitchen.

ealtor Christa Edelen (Jackson) of Lou Realty Group always loved old houses. But when she and husband J.T. Edelen came across what would eventually become their forever home, Christa never imagined she would fall in love with a Gothic revival Tudor house. The abode’s construction began in 1926 and ended around 1932, a period known for its elegance. “One of the reasons we love this home so much is because it’s almost all original,” says Christa. “I love good architecture, and this Tudor home called to me—the woodwork in the doors, the high arched windows—it looks like a castle inside, especially in the foyer.” However, stepping inside the house during the initial lookaround, Christa thought to herself that the wall separating

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the kitchen from the foyer had to go. So did the original kitchen’s egg yolk yellow wallpaper with frilly floral motifs. “What we really wanted was a Gothic apothecary castle, 1930s-style kitchen,” she says, listing off all the space’s rich vibes. Thus far, the kitchen has received the most updates, but its changes have been impacted by the rest of the home’s unique look. “When we bought the property and started talking about what we wanted for the kitchen, we both knew that we wanted it to be period-specific. We wanted to get everything as close as possible to the kitchen as it should have been originally.” The challenge was making the kitchen look like it had always been that way, like the rest of the home. The couple turned to Loren Lang of Lang Building Solutions

The smaller pendant light fixture is composed of opal milk glass made in America. These types of lights would only have been found in the most elegant of spaces during the 1920s and '30s, says Christa.

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and Ginger Fridley, lead designer, for help making their vision a reality. Loren helped disguise a series of pipes within one of the kitchen cabinets and worked in other ways to keep the project on track. “We general-contracted the whole kitchen,” says Loren. “We supplied the designer and everyone that had their hands on it, from the electricians to the plumbers, and brought in Ginger who worked with Christa on the designs.” Ginger was eager to work on a period-inspired home. “I love clients who know what they want. It helps me channel my energy into their vision. Christa is a strong, confident decision maker, and together we were able to make everything fit the period,” says Ginger. The easiest way to begin shifting the home back to the 1920s and 1930s was to seek inspiration in the space’s existing features. Thus, the diamond shape of the leaded windows throughout the home is echoed in the kitchen’s porcelain floor that mocks the glitter of terrazzo material, something befitting the glitz and glamor of the roaring ‘20s. Next, the women found inspiration in the heavily fluted columns and the archways in the foyer. “We had the arch in the kitchen above the refrigerator built to tie it in with the arched windows recurring throughout the home. The amount of detail in the home is incredible,” says Ginger. At first, Ginger thought perhaps the amount of details Christa and her husband craved might clutter the house. “As a designer, you might think, ‘Oh no, this seems a little too much,’” Ginger reveals, “but I knew that as I was designing the cabinetry layout that if I stuck with symmetry and repetition, those basic design principles, everything would feel clean and restful, offering viewers a real wow factor.” As a result, everything they did had the amount of details Christa wanted. “In other words,” Ginger adds, “there’s a lot going on, but nothing ever feels overdone or stuffy.” To balance the newly renovated kitchen with the rest of the home,

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Christa wanted to repeat some of its key elements. In the master bedroom, for example, she ensured that the accent wall behind the bed reflected the kitchen’s whites, rich browns and blacks by way of the wallpaper from Graham and Brown customized to offer a textured, fabric feel. The bedroom also has pops of wood in her choice of furniture and bamboo drapes. “I wanted to walk in the home and see a play of colors in the house with lots of blacks, clays, creams and nudes,” says Christa. These exact colors hail from the main room’s mock terrazzo floor. Used by the family as a living room, the main room is sunken, allowing the lofty antique black and gold chandeliers above to cast a kaleidoscope of shimmering speckles. The pigments underscore the vividly hued stained-glass window nearby. Thus, pops of color wind their way inside the house from the oversized rug in the living room to the peppering of gold hardware in the kitchen. “One of the first things I did was wallpaper the powder room off the foyer. And I did it in bold black and gold using a large waterfall deco wallpaper,” Christa says. Another example of standout color occurs in the little inlays of gold acanthus leaf in some of the kitchen’s wall fixtures. “These symbolize enduring life in ancient Greece,” Ginger explains. “Isn’t that great for a kitchen you want to endure?” Without a doubt, Christa wanted her home to look gorgeous well into the future. “We wanted something

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that wouldn’t just be timeless because it reflects the past,” she says. “We want people in the future to still think our home is gorgeous.” The attention to age-specific details makes the home transcend any modern touches. “The lighting specifically was something that I was super diligent about,” Christa says. For her, the magnificent light fixtures ultimately transformed the house into a richly adorned period home. In fact, she had collected so many light fixtures that her basement was filled with them. Looking for the perfect one to fit her hallway, she finally settled on an antique light on Facebook Marketplace. “We thought, ‘That’s the light we need.’ And when we later showed it to our friends who live down the street they said, ‘We have that same exact light in our hallway, too. It’s original to our home!’” she says with a giggle. It turns out, the light Christa had scoured over the internet for might actually have been the original light fixture from her home’s hallway. “It’s these little touches, all the added details, that make a space feel period specific,” Christa explains. “The lighting is really the most important part. That was the icing on the historical touch.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.

The accent wall behind the bed in the master bedroom is wallpaper from Graham and Brown that Christa customized to render a fabric feel. Combining several different colors running throughout the home, Christa chose pops of warm wood with the bamboo drapes and trim in the door and windows.

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OUT OF TOWN

CALIFORNIACOLOR

St. Louis designer Jenny Rapp gives this traditional southern home in Atlanta a fresh facelift with a vibrant color palette and a cool California vibe. By Jeanne de Lathouder Photography by David Cannon Photography Interior Design JCR Design Group

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Set against a splendid green landscape in Atlanta’s posh Buckhead neighborhood, a newly renovated home embodied the perfect feel for a California couple relocating to the South. Rooted in classic elegance yet updated with smart modern touches, the home’s soaring ceilings, expansive windows and spacious family room outfitted with a stacked-stone fireplace and stylish built-ins seemed to speak to their preferred West Coast aesthetic. “The couple had relocated to Buckhead from San Francisco and very much wanted to bring with them the casual, laid-back California feel,” says interior designer Jenny Rapp of JCR Design Group in St. Louis, who was asked by the family to take on the project. “This translated into light colors, neutral furnishings and lots of wood, stone and natural materials,” she adds. Located in Garden Hills, the house has a compelling history because it was originally built in 1943 as a single-story two-bedroom home. An addition that was built nearly 30 years ago seemed very much ahead of its time; a huge kitchen and great room were added onto the back of the house in addition to a large second story with five bedrooms. Both floors were built with 10-foot ceilings, giving the home a grand and spacious feel, and the total square footage expanded from under 2,000 square feet to just over 7,000. Today, the main floor comprises an adjoining kitchen and breakfast area, family room, living room, formal dining room, den, powder room, guest room and mudroom. Upstairs,

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OUT OF TOWN

a luxurious oversize main suite boasts a fireplace and roomy walk-in closets in addition to its four other bedrooms. A rear deck just off the family room offers gorgeous views of a private back yard, and two drive-under garages plus a front turn-around provide generous parking space for family and guests. The current homeowners bought the house in early 2019, well-timed before the pandemic. They updated the décor and lighting but didn’t need to do much structural work. The one renovation they required was converting an unused first-floor full bath, which happened to be right next to the powder room, into a sizable mudroom with handy locker cubbies for storage and a charming wraparound bench. The great room’s natural stone fireplace was the top selling feature for the couple, and they fell in love with this room immediately for its high-beamed ceiling and an abundance of windows. They knew this space would be the perfect family hangout and wanted to make it as cozy, inviting and comfortable as possible. “They had a vision for the layout of this room, and we were able to execute it perfectly, even including a blue-and-white striped rug. They love blue and white stripes,” recalls Jenny. “The first thing they did was wire and install a Samsung Framed TV above the fireplace, and we updated all the lighting throughout as well. Deep-seated sofas, comfy swivel rocker chairs and an oversized coffee table make for easy lounging, and a navy-striped wool rug grounds the furniture and anchors the vast space,” she notes. An antique console table and a wonderfully worn chest under the mirror both came from Scott Antique Markets—a fabulous local haven of heirloom furniture, antiques and collectibles. A foursome of quaint botanical prints came from Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts, a favorite and much-visited home décor shop on East Andrews Drive in Atlanta. The game table can be easily pulled into service for casual dining as well as games and puzzles. “Most of the furniture was sourced through our direct accounts, KDR Designer Showrooms and Atlanta’s fantastic antique markets,” says Jenny.

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“We took great advantage to uncover some beautiful antique furniture as well as art and decorative accents, and these trips turned into wonderful weekend jaunts,” she sums. Both pale and rich blue hues flow from room to room, creating pleasing continuity throughout the entire home. Awash in a glossy navy blue, the dining room emits a polished traditional vibe and lends a look of elegant sophistication. The stunning burnished gold chandelier overhead and a patterned flat-weave wool rug complement the well-worn and lustrous patina of a farmhouse-style trestle table. Plush upholstered dining chairs embellished with nail-head trim and sumptuous full-length blue and white patterned draperies bring stylish dressmaker details to this warm and inviting space. “Much of the art throughout the home, including paintings and photography, was reminiscent of vacations or places meaningful to the couple,” says Jenny. “It was important that everything tells a story and not be there just for show. The wife loves blue and white stripes, so it was easy to bring blue throughout the entire house and create a wonderful flow. I did have to rein them in on the stripes and limit the applications in locations, or we would have had blue and white stripes on everything and in every room,” she laughs. “This became a running joke between us.” The soft blues and creams in the formal living room, along with a glass-topped rattan coffee table from Universal Furniture, exude an air of California casual. A serene seascape painting over the mantel reiterates the theme and creates a captivating focal point. Even the powder room gets a splash of blue and white via a lovely Serena and Lily wallpaper that is delicately adorned with gold wall sconces topped with petite white shades. “The homeowners and I had a special relationship before we started this project,” says Jenny, “so it was easy, natural and tons of fun to work with them to update this house,” she adds. “From the wonderful artwork and fresh color palette to the unique furnishings and meaningful finds, we turned their home into something that truly reflects who they are.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

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ALLES OASIS By Lucyann Boston Photography by Kim Dillon

Homeowners create their ideal STAY-AT-HOME getaway. Among Walt and Maryann Vitale Alles family and friends, their landscaping is known as the “Alles Oasis.”

It is easy to see why. From a wide terrace spanning multiple rooms in their red brick ranch home in Des Peres, two staircases descend to a jewel-like swimming pool that glitters sapphire blue. Although the space is small, it is picture-perfect. Stands of columnar DeGroot’s Spire and Emerald Green arborvitae, interspersed with burning bush for fall color, provide a buffer from neighboring property. Graceful, billowing Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass and pyramid-like Golden Threadleaf false cypress soften a wooden privacy fence. Throughout the year evergreen boxwoods and hollies blend terrace edges. Slender, sculptural Hinoke cypress add height and landscape drama. In summer, the conical white blossoms of Limelight hydrangeas explode amidst the evergreens. Long-flowering, white Rose of Sharon shrubs provide an additional floral accent. Window boxes and containers add splashes of more brilliant color and can be changed seasonally. It was hard to imagine such an oasis could exist when the Alles first viewed the property in 2011. The yard was a wasteland. Eleven trash cans cluttered the unkempt space. The hard, spiky balls from three sweet gum trees littered the ground. A chain-link fence and a line of overgrown yews spanned the space where terrace steps now descend to the pool. “When I looked at the yard, I didn’t even realize there was a pool,” Maryann recalls. The couple knew the house was a rehab project and they looked forward to transforming it to suit their lifestyle. They were ambivalent about the pool. “We never wanted to buy a house with a pool,” Walt says. “We thought about taking it out but it turned out it was in great shape.” With enough on their plate renovating the house, the couple decided the pool would stay. It has turned into an important part of their life together. STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

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Both Maryann and Walt had been married previously. With six children between them, they knew they needed space for their children and grandchildren to informally gather and mingle. Once they made a decision to keep the pool, they were determined to turn it into a welcoming outdoor space that everyone could enjoy. Maryann, who co-owns Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties, is accustomed to looking at houses and she had a

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vision of the back yard as a two-level space. The top would connect with the house and provide an informal, covered gathering space where guests could visit and watch television. She also wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and fireplace near the pool. Both spaces needed to blend seamlessly with each other and with the house. Privacy was extremely important. “We talked with several contractors and they wanted to give us what everyone else had,” Maryann recalls. “I wanted something

that looked like it was original to the house.” Then, they met with Dan French of Dan French Masonry. “I told him about my vision and he said, ‘Lady, if you can draw it, I can build it.” While originally the couple had planned to work first on the house and then on the outdoor space, a hold up with the master bathroom turned their attention outside. “We knew we were eventually going to have to do something with the outdoors, so we finally decided we should go big or go home,”

Maryann recalls with a laugh. “It just snowballed. We were doing the stonework outside at the same time we were working on the interior of the house. Even though it was not our intention, it turned out to be great. When Dan finished the stonework, we had a place we could sit outside and have a drink.” The hardscape and stone work were only half of the vision, however. Any oasis needs lush green plants. Walt jumped into that part of the design. Recently retired from a career in

heavy equipment sales, Walt had gone from living on a farm in Union, MO, to moving into Maryann’s high-rise Clayton condo when the two married. With time on his hands and a background that included growing up in a construction-oriented family, he was actively involved in renovating the home he and Maryann had bought together. He had no qualms about taking over the landscaping. “I love being outdoors, and I can dig a hole as well as the next guy,” he quips.

He was not without professional advice, however. The knowledgeable horticulturists at Timberwinds Nursery in Ellisville became his go-to experts. “I would visualize what I wanted to do. I would go out there and talk to them and ask them what do you think about this plant. We would talk about the height and width and they would give me suggestions. Low maintenance was always an important factor.” While Walt specializes in planting trees

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and shrubs, Maryann takes over when it comes to selecting the flowers that go into the two pots that frame the oasis entrance, the five window boxes and four poolside containers. Beginning with pansies in the spring, around Mother’s Day she switches out the containers with brilliant flowers that flourish in the bright sunlight around the pool and thrive in the heat of summer. Favorite plants include geraniums because “they are so easy and colorful,” marigolds and sun coleus. “I always use spikes and vinca vine and asparagus fern to trail. Every year they are a little bit different. Sometimes I take a picture with me.” One of her favorite places to shop is Greenscape Gardens in Des Peres. “I usually have to make two trips to get everything in the car,” she says, laughing. Each year, to cover the unattractive meters attached to the side of the house, Maryann plants mandevilla vine at the base of a trellis. To keep her containers flourishing throughout the summer, she adds chicken manure to the potting mix. “I have learned through the years to buy smaller plants; they grow so fast and I don’t want the containers overcrowded.” The blend of Maryann’s design and Walt’s plantings has harmonized into a gem-like garden neither one envisioned when they first viewed the trash-filled, overgrown yard. “People are always surprised when they come over and walk into the back yard,” says Walt. “It is not very big but it has turned into our oasis.”” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.

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THE DIRT

GLADIOLUS

YEAR OF PLANTS Each year, the National Garden Bureau selects one annual, one perennial, one bulb crop, one edible and one shrub as our “Year of the” crops. Plants are chosen because they are popular, easy-to-grow, widely adaptable, genetically diverse and versatile. Edited by Moe Godat

PART ONE

Gladiolus are summer blooming bulbs planted in spring. While they seem to be an American flower staple, most varieties are actually native to Africa and countries in the Mediterranean that have arid climates. Their long stems and gorgeous colorings make them a perfect addition to your garden and flower arrangements. TIPS • Start planting the bulbs in mid-to-late May and continue every two weeks through early July to create a succession of blooms. • Gladiolus are prone to leaning or toppling due to heavy rains or strong gusts of wind. Tie stems to bamboo canes to help keep them upright. • Instead of planting fresh gladiolus each spring, you can also choose to overwinter the corms indoors. Dig them up in the fall and cut off the stems and leaves to about an inch. Dry them out for 2-3 weeks in a warm place with good airflow, then store in a cool, dry area at around 50 degrees.

Left: Sunset Mix, photography courtesy of Longfield Gardens. Middle: Vista, photography courtesy of Longfield Gardens. Right: Purple Flora, photography courtesy of Harris Seeds.

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LILAC SHRUB While the word “lilac” has come to mean a soft, light shade of purple, the plant itself comes in a variety of tints from dark to light! Identifiable by their conical clusters of small, four-lobed flowers, their shades can change from bud to bloom as the plant matures. TIPS • Lilacs need more frequent watering for the first couple of years; the National Garden Bureau suggests at least 1 inch of water a week. • If your lilac forms powdery mildew, don’t worry! It doesn’t harm the plant. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a gallon of water and add a drop or two of dish soap and spray on the leaves if the temperature outside is less than 80 degrees. • Lilacs do not require annual pruning, but cutting off spent flower heads within a month after bloom helps the plant produce more the next year.

Top: Pinktini™ lilac, photography courtesy of Bailey Nurseries. Bottom: Flowerfesta purple dwarf lilac, photography courtesy of Concept Plants.

The Bloomerang® Dark Purple Reblooming Lilac, also called syringa x, will rebloom several times during the spring season unlike other common lilacs. The Bloomerang Lilac is a proven winner available in tree or shrub form with beautiful fragrant purple flowers. It is a medium-sized plant that grows in full sun to partial shade. Be sure to prune when flowers are finished, and you can expect more blooms later in the season. This lilac is best planted in a well-drained, loamy soil. Keep soil evenly moist and avoid spraying water on the foliage. Bloomerang lilacs are disease resistant and require yearly feeding only. David Sherwood, Sherwood’s Forest Nursery.

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PHLOX 1

The long-lasting and colorful nature of the Phlox makes it a North American favorite. It is a native, perennial wildflower found across the continent from Florida all the way to Alaska. Its blooms are known to last for several weeks, and it comes in a variety of vibrant colors. TIPS • Make sure to divide the Phlox every 3 to 5 years to reinvigorate the plant and increase its performance.

• Overwatering without letting the soil dry out can lead to powdery mildew. • They love the sun! Keep them in a sunny location for more blooms.

One: Popstars™ purple with Eye, photography courtesy of Syngenta flowers. Two: Sweet Summer® Sensation soft pink, photography courtesy of Syngenta flowers. Three: Sweet Summer Fantasy® purple bicolor, photography courtesy of Syngenta flowers. Four: Luminary™ "Backlight" Tall Garden Phlox, photography courtesy of Spring Meadow.

Jeana Phlox brings months of beautiful color and great disease resistance. Its many sweetly fragrant flower heads are made up of hundreds of petals in lovely shades of rosy-pink. If you love Phlox but have steered away from them due to their finicky behavior, this plant is for you. It works beautifully in cottage gardens, mass plantings and containers. Its exceptional flowers are outstandingly cut and delightfully fragrant. It’s also a favorite of Swallowtail butterflies, Skippers, Sphinx months, Hummingbirds moths, hummingbird and other butterflies. Plant in full sun to light shade in soil that has been amended with organic matter. Keep the plant well watered, especially when the plant is blooming and setting up buds. For best results, apply an all-purpose fertilizer following the manufacturer's instructions. Ann Lapides, Sugar Creek Gardens.

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BAUER FALLS Videos at BauerFalls.com • 636-357-3495

We build Luxury Waterfalls, Koi Ponds and Water Gardens

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Tiptoe through the TULIPS By Catherine Martin, Missouri Botanical Garden.

Photography by Cassidy Moody

The Missouri Botanical Garden staff planted more than 45,000 tulips in the fall of 2021 in preparation for their spring 2022 seasonal display, including 105 varieties.

One in Every Color Tulips have a wide range of hues encompassing every color of the rainbow except a true blue. Spring colors like pink, yellow and purple tend to be the most popular, but tulips also come in shades like green and peach. “Queen of Night,” is a deep-burgundy variety that appears almost black and is striking in the Garden's bright landscapes. The Garden is experimenting with using species tulips, the wild relatives of tulips traditionally found in landscapes that have been bred for large, colorful blooms. Species tulips tend to be shorter, with more petite flowers and come in a wider range of colors. Photography by Mary Lou Olson

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20%off

Customer Appreciation Days! April 28th - 30th

Special Event Day April 30th

Trees & Shrubs

10%off

Annuals, Perennials & Houseplants

636-532-9307 | www.ChesterfieldValleyNursery.com

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WHERE TO FIND THEM Photography by Tom Incrocci

The front entrance will be bold, eye-catching reds, yellows, oranges and whites (accented with orange Fritillaria for height). The Swift Family Garden will be all different shades of pink, early-flowering tulips ranging from pale pink to bright fuchsia, accented with white tulips. The Sensory Garden will feature double and parrot tulips for texture so they can be used in the Therapeutic Horticulture programs. The Sachs Museum will be a mix of subtle peaches, mauves, apricots and maroons in single and double flowering forms. Unique Species Tulipa acuminata: This historic tulip with long, slender, pointed petals and flame-like coloring dates back to at least the 19th century. They are reminiscent of the pointy-petalled tulips that were popular in the Ottoman Empire. Tulipa clusiana is one of the oldest tulip species to be recognized in the early 1600s. It has red and white petals and a slender form. Tulipa “Red Riding Hood” is named for its stunning red blooms but its purple-red streaked foliage is beautiful on its own.

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BEFORE & AFTER BEFORE

AFTER

Goal: Make a very small kitchen nook more functional for tall people. Challenge: The space was unforgivingly small, yet the family needed comfort and function for their eat-in kitchen nook. Summary: Benches and table-top were wall-mounted, suspended in air to provide maximum leg room. Cleaning under the table is a breeze with no table or bench legs to block the broom or Roomba!

See our work on pages 58-61.

www.Danaking.com • 314-914-2840

BEFORE

AFTER

Goal: Turn an uninspired space into a “luxurious master bathroom” resplendent with soaking tub, radiant heat floor, and crystal chandeliers—while applying “universal design” principles. Challenge: Incorporate all of the wants/ needs of the homeowner—while completing it on budget and on time. Summary: The successful completion of this remodel project required a high level of communication with our client and our team—and delivered a superior product on budget and on time.

See our work on pages 64-67.

LORRIEN

HOMES

A Remodeling Company Photography by Alise O’Brien

www.lorrienhomes.com • 314-809-4057 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM APRIL 2022

Beautiful Homes world-class care

Our compassionate staff provides the highest-quality Alzheimer’s and dementia care, so you can rest easy knowing your loved ones are in the best hands.

314-993-9500 | dolancare.com

Live Your Most Comfortable Summer Ever! 3Repair and Maintenance: All Makes and Models of HVAC Equipment

3 System Installation and Replacement

3 Resolve Your Comfort

Issues: 2nd Floor/Sunroom/ Corner Rooms

314-293-4490 56

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callsmarthouse.com info@callsmarthouse.com

DISTINGUISHED BY DESIGN

Driven by creativity, functionality and sustainability

INSPIRE

DESIGN

LIVE

314.626.4555 | SchaubProjects.com

Fueled by passion, Youtopia Designs is a human-centered design firm that pioneers. We brought together smart, talented thinkers and unleashed their creativity on the world. We pride ourselves on our process, craft and attention to detail. We believe in the power of “What if?” by combining our expertise to help clients think beyond the ordinary. We’re fully aware we’re rattling some cages but know the best work comes from and the people behind it.

@youtopiadesigns youtopiadesigns.com 314-556-9811

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FEATURETTE

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At-Home CURATION These homeowners blend their tastes in a home filled with LOCAL ART and STRIKING DESIGN decisions. By Moe Godat Photography by Karen Palmer Designer/Builder KingPalmer Design Build Remodeling By Moe Godat Photography Dana by Karen

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hen Jeff and Dave decided to move into a larger unit together in The Crescent, they needed to find a way to merge both of their distinctive tastes. Jeff Kapfer, a well-known local artist, loves bright colors and whimsical touches while Dave, a cardiologist, prefers a more tailored and classic design style. Realtor and friend Ted Wight introduced the pair to Dana King of Dana King Design Build Remodeling to make their shared vision come to life. “When they came to me initially with this project, I knew it was all about collaboration,” says Dana King. “The main focus of this project was giving the home a clean, contemporary feel while adding in plenty of fun, whimsical accents. They both wanted the space to feel sophisticated.” The living room is an elegant but casual space to enjoy time with friends in front of the fireplace. Two large couches anchor the room, and a large, durable coffee table sits between them. Jeff’s piece “Pigeons in Flight” and ceramics by artist Justin Teilhet are displayed to the left while a painting by Michael Hoffman and more Justin Teilhet ceramics sit on the right, creating a contemporary display instead of the traditional mantel decoration. Custom electronic window treatments by Integration Controls make transitioning from night to day simple. A small, vibrant sitting area to the right holds plenty of conversation starters. Dark blue walls and artwork by Alicia LaChance complement the space’s four orange velvet swivel chairs from Design & Detail, giving the room the vibe of a midcentury modern lounge. The coffee table holds some of the homeowners’ favorite bird decorations and assorted trinkets. When they started working on the kitchen area, everyone tried to think of ways to

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bring light into the space. However, they eventually decided to work with the dark cabinets and countertops, shifting the design’s vision from light and airy to dark and dramatic. “When it came to the kitchen, our attitude was ‘If you can’t beat it, join it,’” Dana laughs. “It turned out to be one of the most stunning areas of the condo, and it’s surprising how fresh and enlivened it was compared to other, mostly white kitchens.” For their bedroom, they wanted the space to be a place to relax with a masculine vibe. Perhaps the most eye-catching element in the room is the handcrafted Mulberry wallpaper that looks like leather. John Beck of John Beck Steel in Belleville, IL, made the chandelier. Edison bulbs shed a warm glow across the room both day and night. To keep the bathroom cohesive with the rest of the home, they chose a shade of gray that shows throughout each space in the flooring, marble and trimwork. To make it feel like their own, they selected a large, statement art piece from Houska Gallery above the tub, which brings color into the largely marble room. “We wanted to work together to create a new space that reflected our individual style, but also our style as a couple,” Jeff says. “Dana King’s knowledge and experience helped guide us through the project while respecting our ideas and challenging us to look at other potential solutions.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

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DESIGNERS IN DEMAND The Great Cover-up Teddy Karl, Allied ASID 9708 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124 314-995-5701 • greatcoverupdesign.com

Beautiful Spaces Designed Just For You Your home is a haven and a place for personal expression. We are inspired by this notion and ready to help you create a space that is truly yours. We are a client-focused team, partnering with you to create special spaces for you to enjoy for years to come. Our passion lies in providing thoughtful solutions and remarkable results. Each of our designer's distinct personality and source of inspiration allows for a perfect system of checks and balances. We love working in a variety of decorating styles and strive to make each client experience both time-honored and unique. Visit us today!

KH Interiors, LLC Krista Howard, Allied ASID, interiorsbykh@gmail.com khinteriorsstl.com • 314-517-5502

KH Interiors, is an award winning design-remodel collaborative. We create interiors that are comfortably classic, rich and relaxed. Interiors that reflect your spirit and give you a place to call home.It begins with listening to our clients about their dreams of how they see themselves in their surroundings. We share how design can make their home flow more beautifully and give meaning to their space. Our team then gets to work instinctively to recreate the home they once knew into a haven that reflects their true essence. At KH Interiors, we ensure that every detail, every decision, and every moment is meaningful, intentional and gorgeous!

Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath 9808 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124 314-993-6644 • glenalspaughkitchens.com

Ken Henry is a senior designer at Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath and has been designing and selling projects for Alspaugh for 35 years. His art and architecture education, coupled with his work experience, has allowed Ken to express his creativity through his high-end kitchen and bath designs — always with fastidious attention to detail and exceptional organization. He has designed many other spaces in the home besides the kitchen and bath: closets, family rooms, complete lower levels, study’s, bars and more. Ken’s construction experience is an added benefit to builders, homeowners and interior designers he works with to complete projects that meet the highest expectations of the clients he serves.

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DESIGNERS IN DEMAND

MJM DESIGN COMPANY mjmathis.design@gmail.com 636-288-1001 mjmdesignco.com

ANNE MARIE DESIGN STUDIO 17014 New College Avenue, Suite E Wildwood, Missouri 63040 annemariestudio.com 636-821-3395

s a well established interior design firm in St. Louis, with over 25 years in the industry, MJM Design Company delivers a full line of services to residential and commercial clients, from remodels, home offices, whole homes, single rooms, and consultations. As a LEED Green Associate with additional education in green and sustainable design, Joyce can help you select energy saving elements, and overall health conscious materials. Whether you are focusing on Kitchen and/or Bath design, remodeling, space planning, universal and/or accessible design, or simply a fresh update, MJM Design Company can help! See MJM Design Company profile on Houzz.com.

nne M. Boedges, President and Designer of Anne Marie Design Studio, LLC has been helping clients fall in love with their homes all over the St. Louis area since 2001. She obtained her BFA in Interior Design from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. She has previously taught the NKBA Bath Design Certification Course at St. Louis Community College. Specializing in Kitchen and Bath Design, Anne’s positive and down to earth approach helps clients feel anything is achievable, and her unique attention to detail distinguishes her work amongst the rest.

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Turkish Delight

From the outside, this St. Louis home may resemble a Tudor. But inside, Mediterranean features and pops of brilliant color offer boutique Turkish hotel vibes.

By Michelle Mastro Photography Karen Palmer Contractor Lorrien Homes Interior Design Ideas Only — Color Light Design Architect Christopher D. Marshall Architect

From the start, Brad Zimmerman was drawn to the house he now calls his beautiful European cottage. “It was the first home I looked at, and I just knew it was the house for me,” he says. It had sat on the market for 90 days because the house “seemed a bit quirky.” It was a home originally built in 1933. “But it had so much character that you could truly make it your own.”

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Brad set out to add his own spin to the abode and hired a creative team that included a designer, contractors and an architect. “The outside has a castle appearance with touches of old-world,” says interior designer Geri Hayes of Ideas Only. “The first floor had an old-world vibe, too, so I knew why Brad had bought the house. He loves antiquities.” The first floor came

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FEATURETTE SNAPSHOT

with a vaulted ceiling and a fine stone fireplace. All Geri and the team had to do was refinish the flooring and add some new tile in the entryway. The second floor was another story. “The salmon-colored stucco on the walls was razor sharp,” says Brad. The 1970s wallpaper was orange and pink, “while the bathroom’s shower looked like something off a cruise ship. The floor’s roof lines came down so low that you couldn’t place a bed against the wall without bumping your head,” Brad says. Architect Chris Marshall took the inventive step of bringing out the walls farther. Before this, the ceiling would end a few feet from the floor. In terms of design, Brad wanted an Old World feel with some Turkish flair. “He asked to be transported to another time and place in an authentic way,” says Geri. “That meant that all the design elements couldn’t appear new. Authenticate and replicate was our design mantra.” Dana Dunbar, general contractor of Lorrien Homes, brought in his team of craftsmen. “We were in tune with Brad’s vision and approach,” he says. “All the upstairs doors are solid wood, but much of the trim we cut ourselves. Everything was very specific. And because of that, it was a really collaborative process.” Together, the team brought in maple floors with an ebony stain to appear aged and worn. Meanwhile, the hallway and bath floor tiles gave an Old World charm, with weathered ebony finishes and hexagonal tattered edges. Adding to the Turkish flair, Brad wanted a specific type of blue. “Geri did a fantastic job finding the right blue to create the right feeling,” he says. That feeling was one of relaxation and calm. “Brad wanted to come home and feel like he was on vacation at a boutique Turkish hotel,” recalls Geri, hence, she selected a Benjamin Moore paint called Blue Heron for the walls. To complement the shade, gold-toned brass star lights and plumbing fixtures were chosen for the upstairs bathroom. Amber colored accents work against the vanity tiles, while gold and blue feature in the rug and main bedroom’s arched window, now framed with shutters reminiscent of a Mediterranean beachside veranda. Choosing the right color was key. “The first thing we perceive is color, and so working with clients, I show them they should start with that,” Geri says. “Color, contrast and then shape and form—that is the order of designing a space.” With each detail, the home pays subtle homage to these pillars of design. But for Brad, his home’s color might be the best part about his space. “The blue we chose makes you feel like coming home to kick back and relax,” he says. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

APRIL 2022 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM APRIL 2022

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See our work on pages 64-67.

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Photography by Karen Palmer

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See our work on pages 36-41.

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BRIGHT IDEA

BACKYARD ADVENTURES Spark your kids' imagination with the playhouse of their dreams. From pirate ships to princess palaces and everything in between, a custom play house is sure to create unforgettable adventures. By Melissa Mauzy

Photography courtesy of Sweet Retreat Kids.

Sassafras Castle Playhouse By Sweet Retreat Kids. You won't find a cooler playhouse castle than this mysterious beauty. Scale the rock wall to access a loft with a secret spy tool. You'll find access through the back of the picture hanging over the fireplace. Just slide the eyes open to spy on invaders inside the castle. If the enemy comes while you're inside the playhouse, scurry through the fireplace to a secret room where you can hide until the coast is clear. The inside of the playhouse is complete with a sturdy simulated wood floor, fireplace mantel, mysterious artwork and painted walls. Use the side door to access an outdoor courtyard where you can hide behind the castle wall and pop up on unsuspecting visitors.

Photography by Todd Kamp.

Bat Cave By Grossman Design Build. The Bat Cave is truly a one-of-a-kind space for a very special kid named Tyler. An idea and a great team of framers created this rock-looking cave structure out of wood framing, chicken wire, closed-cell spray foam and elastomeric coating. It has an armory for Batman’s guns, high tech computers and monitors for Batman to work on his gaming skills. LED lights in the ceiling illuminate the cave at night and a bat sign turns on when Batman is truly needed. It is a great space for Tyler to call his own and fight crime that is wheelchair accessible.

APRIL 2022 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Photography by Steve Eltinge.

Poolside Playhouse, by Lord Design. This playhouse was lovingly remodeled as a backyard destination for the homeowner’s grandchildren. It was reimagined from a typical space into a dreamy place that could easily sleep four kids and that adults could enter through new, taller doors, which are actually salvaged sidelites. The designer added a large front porch, a screen door, larger windows and landscaping as the play house sits at the end of the garden near the pool. It is a visual destination along with being an actual destination for dreamy sleepovers, a quiet escape or a fun place for the grownups to hang out and sip wine!

Photography by TJ Getz.

Tiger Shack, by Gabriel Builders. This playroom in Greenville, SC was designed to encourage physical play and also offers inviting nooks for quieter activities such as reading, building and drawing. The space was beautifully painted to look like a treehouse, providing a one-of-a-kind backdrop for young imaginations hard at work. The homeowners are huge Clemson University fans, which is why the tree house is called the Tiger Shack.

Dragon Dreams By Magical Playhouses. The playhouse is fully wired and heated and features hand-carved dragon heads and stained glass. A child-sized window seat is perfect for curling up with a favorite picture book.

Photography courtesy of Magical Playhouses

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM APRIL 2022

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BRIGHT IDEA

Whimsical Farmhouse By Tiny Little Pads. Who hasn't dreamed about having a mini-me moment with their children? Well, this whimsical farmhouse playhouse was not only built to match the family's main house architecturally, but also the family's Scandinavian way of living, centered around the most-used space in the house, the kitchen. The bright white interiors and pops of brightcolored wooden toys and accessories makes this the most fun house on the street. And wouldn't you believe it even has an outlet at the kitchen counter installed just to make real heart-shaped Norwegian waffles for the whole family to enjoy on a Saturday morning! Photography courtesy of Tiny Little Pads.

APRIL 2022 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

These architectural firms are doing some of the best work in the Greater St. Louis area. We’re proud to call them our architect partners. Look to them first for your next project.

William D. Cover, Architect LLC williamdcoverarchitect.com

Brendel Architects, LLC brendelarchitects.com

DL Design DLDesign.com

Srote & Co Architects sroteco.com

Jim Bulejski Architects jbarchitect.com

Donna F. Boxx, Architect, P.C. boxxarchitect.com

FORNEY + architecture, LLC FORNEYplus.com

Lauren Strutman Architects P.C. laurenstrutmanarchitects.com

Jeff Day & Associates jeffdayllc.com

Christopher D. Marshall Architect, LLC cdmarchitect.com

Dick Busch Architects dickbuscharchitects.com

Schaub Projects Architecture + Design schaubprojects.com

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CONNECT

BOUQUET BOUTIQUES Places to go, things to do and see and people who are leaving their mark on the world of style. By Moe Godat

Absolute Flower Shop, Shanghai, China Architecture: More Design Office Photography by Yichen Ding and Dirk Weiblen

Located on the ground floor of a house, Absolute Flower Shop uses a series of cellular spaces that open up to a large garden. The architects at More Design Office wanted the space to appear as a linear journey with a final reveal; each space allows for unique engagement between flower arrangements and the viewer. To help the space stand out while engaging with local history, stainless steel frames contrast with the rough texture of the surrounding walls of Shanghai. A small shop window displaying a street gallery invites customers in, connecting the community with the interior. This section presents an evolving series of installations made only of seasonal flowers. The gallery also contains a screen that shows previous floral arrangements digitally, which acknowledges how we consume design today and acts as a “palette cleanser” for the artificial landscape beyond. The artificial landscape is largely neutral to make the installations pop against bush-hammered stone and brushed stainless steel. The outdoor garden embodies beauty and relaxation, creating a peaceful escape for the owner and guests.

APRIL 2022 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Mon Parnasse Flower Shop, Madrid, Spain Photography by Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío Romero) Design/Architecture: Canobardin

For Mon Paranasse, conveying an air of Parisian flower markets was just as important as accessibility to all. They consider themselves a new concept of florists that make arrangements available to all people and eliminate all excuses not to buy them! This eye-catching and interesting layout makes for an unforgettable floral experience. Designed by Canobardin, the displays are movable. The idea behind versatile, moving displays was to mimic the constant change and evolution of a garden through each season. A vertical flower garden allows customers to pass by and easily choose flowers. Hedges, plywood frames and awnings nod to the store’s Parisian influences. Designers paid special attention to lighting the space, utilizing warm LED gutters and backlit furniture to mimic the ambient light of the outdoors throughout the day. A large floor-to-ceiling mirror in the back of the shop visually doubles the space; this creates an optical illusion that the designers hope makes customers stop and pay attention to their surroundings. Mon Parnasse creates a secret garden in the heart of Madrid.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM APRIL 2022

Sunset Reserve, located in Sunset Hills, MO 63127 Custom Homes • Remodel Additions • Commercial ajborzillo.com • 314-842-2212

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CLASSIC OR CRAZE

BRING THE BOLD

It’s the time to shine for BOLDLY COLORED SOFAS across the United States, appearing in homes of every size and style. Local design professionals discuss the staying power of these colorful purchases in St. Louis. Edited by Moe Godat

CRAZE

Boldly colored sofas, or any furniture for that matter, are definitely a trend or craze. That said, it’s one of the most significant ways to show off your personality and atmosphere in your home! If everything was neutral our lives would be SO boring! Have fun and enjoy some color in your life! Take a chance and make a space tastefully memorable! Anne Marie Boedges, Anne Marie Design Studio, LLC. My mother used to say, “Don’t call attention to your shoes if your feet aren’t your best feature.” Some rooms can carry big splashes of color. If there are large windows facing the east, west or south, the color could fade quickly. That’s never attractive. If you plan on keeping your furniture for 5 to 10 years, you’ll want to consider putting the bold accent color on a smaller piece of furniture, rug or accent wall. So for that reason, I’m calling it a craze. CJ Knapp, Yours by Design. Boldly colored sofas are a great way to interject energy or liveliness into a space. Neutral couch lovers are stepping out of their comfort zones and opting for a bold new look. Currently, bright velvet sofas that have that cozy feeling are all the rage. I feel like boldly colored couches are having a moment right now, but it is just a moment without true staying power. Boldly colored sofas are a fun trend, but the trend will end and the neutral sofas will come back strong. Barbara Collins, Barbara Collins Interior Design.

AVEC SOFA, available at CB2.

BOTH

Because a sofa is a larger upholstered piece, I think a more neutral approach to the fabric with bold-colored accents in pillows, throws and even a chair, will still make a statement. Color preferences change, and changing out smaller items makes more economical sense. So I think for those who like to make a bold statement, it can be a classic, and the accents around it change. While for others, a neutral base is their classic, and bold colored sofas are just a craze. Georgine ODonnell, O’DESIGNS. As far as we are concerned, they are always in. But the bold colors being popular right now are jewel tones: emerald, gold, teal and burgundy. And then we are also seeing pink — soft, but a bold decisive choice! These are a departure from the typical Pottery Barn

C L A S S I C

colors of the past like bold red and navy. We think the new bold colors are refreshing, but at Interiors by DK we hope to play with all the crayons in the crayon box all the time! Dana King, Dana King Design Build Remodeling, Interiors by DK. For so many years, the "neutral" sofa has been the go-to. I'm uncertain whether to call it a classic or a craze. Let's face it, no matter how good our intentions are, few of us are changing our pillows and throw blankets seasonally or as our mood changes. We all worry that we will tire of a bold sofa or chair, but the truth is, it will likely be ready to be replaced (or recovered) before that happens. Choose something you love and commit to it! Teddy Karl, The Great Cover-Up.

As someone who loves colors and bold statements, this is an element that I use frequently, whether the trend is neutrals or wild color. My home has two boldly colored sofas that have been there the entire time neutrals were in style. This is such an easy way to bring a bold color to your living room. Use a color you love, and you won’t tire of it. Marcia Moore, Marcia Moore Design. I think boldly colored sofas are the statement of the year! Not all sofas can be white. Arlene Lilie, Arlene Lilie Interior Design.

Riley Sofa, available at Ethan Allen. APRIL 2022 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

see my work on pages 28-35.

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