Before and After

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BEFORE & AFTER

A Designer’s VISION

An interior designer creates a timeless design in her own kitchen using natural materials and a neutral color scheme.

By Melissa Mauzy Photography by Megan Lorenz Interior Designer: Allison Dozier Interiors Contractor: Wiedemann Contracting Architect: Dave Mastin, Design Alliance

Interior designer Allison Dozier of Allison Dozier Interiors follows the design philosophy that if your foundation is solid and you focus on quality craftsmanship and natural materials, it is hard to go wrong. She embraced that approach in the renovation of her own kitchen. Her goal was to create a family-friendly space that was equal parts functional, beautiful and comfortable.

The original kitchen was separated from the rest of the house and had too many unnecessary points of entry. By moving the original powder room and opening walls between the living room and kitchen, valuable square footage was added. To make the kitchen feel even more spacious, Dozier doubled the size of the sink window. “I have three kids, so I had this vision that I would be doing dishes and watching them play in the back yard,” she says.

A door that led to the back yard was converted into a window to accommodate a built-in banquette that is both comfortable and casual. Dozier loves the flexibility the banquette provides saying it was a great solution because the space wouldn’t have allowed for a large table. The built-in design lets the table be closer to the wall plus a lot of bottoms can squeeze around the table. “I am hoping that our house is where our kid’s friends want to come over to hang out, so the banquette is perfect,” she says.

BEFORE

Instead of traditional wall cabinetry, Dozier chose open shelving on the range wall to make the kitchen feel larger. With no cabinet doors there is more room for your body to move throughout the kitchen, but the open shelving also provided an opportunity to add a little bit of life to the space. The shelves showcase some of the couple’s favorite finds, including cookbooks, an antique breadboard and handmade ceramic sake glasses they got in Japan.

All the appliances, minus the range, are housed in the butler’s pantry area between the kitchen and dining room, which also includes a built-in pantry. Dozier chose to move the appliances because they aren’t always aesthetically pleasing. She says it is nice to highlight other elements in the kitchen she appreciates more, like the gorgeous slab of marble chosen for the countertops and backsplash. “I love the natural beauty of the slab of marble,” Dozier says. She continued the slab up the wall as a backsplash behind the range to draw your eye further through the room.

Dozier describes the style of her kitchen as “traditional, taking cues from classic English/country kitchens without being too on the nose about it.” The simple shaker-style inset cabinetry, bridge faucet and painted cabinetry knobs create a timeless design. More contemporary elements like the open shelving, black window frames and plaster hood mix with the more traditional design. The plaster hood is clean and interesting. Dozier felt the kitchen needed more natural texture in the space and using plaster provided texture without adding another visual distraction. She also incorporated subtle hints of black in the island pendants, window frames and dining chairs to ground the space. “Sometimes neutrals fall flat without the depth that black brings in,” she explains.

Focusing on a neutral color scheme and natural materials, Dozier’s completed kitchen is not only comfortable and beautiful but fully functional for her family. Her favorite part of the new design? “The sink area is probably my very favorite,” she says. “Even though I despise doing dishes; I love it now! It is so satisfying to stand at the sink and look out to the back yard.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.

DESIGNERS IN DEMAND

Creating beautiful rooms with cohesive styles is the key to making your home comfortable, fashionable and inviting.

ANNE MARIE DESIGN STUDIO

17014 New College Avenue, Suite E Wildwood, Missouri 63040 annemariestudio.com 636-821-3395 A 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.

YOURS BY DESIGN

C.J. Knapp, ASID Located in the Interior Design Center of St. Louis, Suite 111 314-283-1760 Yoursbydesign.net

C.J. Knapp, ASID, owner of Yours By Design, has been an interior designer for over 25 years. That experience enables her to understand all facets of the design of your home. From custom furniture, draperies, remodeling to design/build and additions projects. Yours by Design will create spaces that flow together, and functional an reflect your lifestyle. K H 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!

KH INTERIORS, LLC

Krista Howard, Allied ASID interiorsbykh@gmail.com khinteriorsstl.com 314-517-5502

ALSPAUGH KITCHEN & BATH

Skyler Tippetts, B.A. Interior Design 9808 Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124 314-993-6644 glenalspaughkitchens.com

As a designer with experience in both commercial and residential projects, Skyler received his education in interior design with an emphasis in architecture and historical restoration. From the conversion of an 1880s bank into a private residence, to period sensitive historical work, reconfiguring floor plans for gut renovations and designing for new construction residential projects, he has had the opportunity to create spaces that are functional, comfortable and beautiful. He draws his inspiration from architecture past and present, the wonders of nature and from the lives and passions of his clients. He is excited to be applying his enthusiasm, talents and skills alongside the team at Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath to create more beautiful spaces in the St. Louis area.