Fab Finds/Trends

from October 2022

Artisian

In the MOOD

Embrace the dark side with deep, dark moody hues. Shades of blue, purple, red, green, gray and black create depth and warmth in a space.

By Melissa Mauzy and Molly Godat

Glidden, Vining Ivy (PPG1148-7): A lovely choice for an accent wall with surrounding walls and ceiling in lighter muted aqua tones. Pair this paint color with deeper-toned woods or painted trim with off white.

PPG, Black Magic (PPG1001-7): Black Magic is a dark, warm, bat black with a true black undertone. It is a perfect paint color for an accent wall, trim or to add drama and elegance to cabinets or brick. Pair it with white for a clean look or with a pop of color to make it stand out. Why Use Moody Hues? One of my favorite things about dark colors is the depth it creates. We often don't see definition as well with dark colors (why black is thought to be a more slimming color in fashion for example), so when used well in interior design, it creates depth and intrigue. Yes, dark colors can make a space feel smaller, but when done right, it can also feel expansive like a dark sky. Kathleen Grim, Srote & Co Architects | Planners | Interiors.

Paint is always fun because, after all, it IS just paint and is quite cost-effective and easy to change if the new look doesn’t quite feel right. We love adding bold color or moody, deep tones to accentuate architecture; i.e. on the interior of massive door casings, at the back of a bookcase, even as a ceiling detail to “cozy” a particularly high ceiling. Kris Keller, Design Source LTD.

If you love striking colors, why not embrace it? I love it when a client decides to make bold choices in their design. Matchy matchy is so out and color is the new thing! If going all in on moody and dark scares you, try it out in small spaces like a powder room, butlers pantry or even laundry room. Julie Reinecke, Julie Reinecke Designs.

Sherwin-Williams, Carnelian (SW7580): This deep, rich oxblood red is a sophisticated and dramatic hue that can add a tremendous amount of warmth to kitchens, living rooms, offices— really any space that craves high impact color. Part of the 2023 trend palette, LORE, this hue really stands out as one to watch in 2023-2024 as homeowners look to add color to home interiors. Where to put it? My favorite rooms to embolden with moody colors are family rooms and dining rooms. Think about dining in your favorite candlelit restaurant; it’s relaxing and allows you to deeply savor your meal and time with family and friends. Reimagine and interpret that feeling in select areas of your home. Joni Spear, Joni Spear Interior Design.

Using moody color in a room makes a statement and turns an ordinary room into an extraordinary space. I have always used deeper colors in powder rooms for a dramatic effect and in libraries for an intimate cozy feeling. I use colors that are in the color palette or complement the colors in the palette the client has chosen for their home. Diane Breckenridge Barrett, Diane Breckenridge Interiors.

Master bedrooms, powder rooms and dining rooms are my favorite spaces to work with when using moody hues—they evoke a sense of drama, passion, elegance and sophistication. Don't forget to make it you! While black may be an obvious color choice, blue, purple, red, green and gray can add the same depth of richness and drama. Want to give a moody color project a try? Start small with a powder room. Try a damask-flocked wallpaper in a plum, gray, charcoal, or cobalt blue! M. Joyce Mathis, MJM Design Company.

Sherwin-Williams,Urbane Bronze (SW7048): This is a rich, deep bronze with earthy undertones. Rooted in nature, the color conveys a sense of comfort, calm and stability, and it is ideal for creating a sanctuary space no matter the room.

Sherwin-Williams, Naval (SW6244): This is a rich navy that creates a calm and grounding space. This hue strikes the perfect balance between bold color and the calming and awe-inspiring power of nature—from the infinite night sky to the deep sea. It feels luxurious and relaxing at the same time.

Behr, Dark Everglade (HDC-CL-21A): An inspirational blackened green that makes a dramatic statement. Accessory Shopping Adding light contrasts pops of color like creamy or white tones in pillows, upholstery art and drapery really add to a bold personality while keeping a space feeling light. We opt in for lighter hardwood flooring finishes now too as well as area rugs. Kris Keller, Design Source LTD.

One approach to achieving moody depth is to use the same shade or tone of color throughout but with varied finishes; for example, use a flat finish on the walls and a satin finish on the trim. An additional tip I love to share with my clients is that dark colors recede, so painting your walls a darker color allows any shiny metallic accessories—lamps, vases, ceiling fixtures—to draw your attention. M. Joyce Mathis, MJM Design Company.

While it’s certainly not prudent to overwhelm a space in saturated colors, you can counterbalance the space by adding contrasting colors or bringing in other textures like natural wood and stone. Adding a glow of warm lighting with sconces and lamps can keep the room from feeling foreboding. Joni Spear, Joni Spear Interior Design.

St. Louis DESIGN Hall of Fame

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles is honoring four individuals who have had exceptional careers in St. Louis’s design industry. This special group of design professionals represents all facets of the industry and each has made significant contributions to design with bodies of work of the very highest quality.

Meet our 2022 class of St. Louis Design Hall of Fame™ honorees.

Edited by Moe Godat Portrait photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

Photography by That One Summer LLC

First-Place Finishes

Made through Change

I was a professional singer for 20 years. I loved singing, but I was ready for a change. I experimented with one wall doing a faux finish treatment and the next thing I knew I had people asking me to do the same for them. I eventually poured myself into cabinet finishing and have been in business for over 23 years, and we’ve now evolved into a full kitchen remodeling company. The Porch (where my showroom and studio are located) is a lifestyle boutique that features custom sofas, chairs, lighting, accessories and everything beautiful. The one comment we hear most often is “I want to live here.” I couldn’t be more fulfilled!

Double Duty

Running two businesses plays to my strengths, but it also has to do with the teams behind each business. They are the most amazing, creative, smart, talented, passionate and caring group I could have the privilege of working with every day. I love my job, and it’s all because of who I work with and the customers we serve. Color Me Inspired

Color inspires me! I could design a whole room based on one color. I’m especially interested in combining colors and making custom finishes. After 23 years of being in business, I’m still excited to create beautiful custom finishes.

Every Detail Matters

Fine finishes are like clothing and jewelry; they can make your furnishings look elegant and refined or inexpensive and ordinary. My team and I labor over the details in every project, making sure that no aspect is overlooked.

Nettie White, owner of Nettie White Interiors and The Porch in Wildwood.

Photography provided by DL Design

Blueprint for Excellence

Darryl Labruyere, president and designer at DL Design Earned Reputation

Upon finishing college, I took a position as a draftsman with an architectural and engineering design/build firm. The firm handled residential and commercial projects, with a main focus on the commercial end. I wanted to focus more on residential architecture and construction, so I went to work for a St. Louis home builder that designed and did the construction drawings for the homes they built. Within 6 years, I was ready to open my own architectural firm, DL Design. After servicing hundreds of builders and thousands of clients over the years, DL Design has kept a very strong clientele following that keeps growing as time marches on. Our attention to design and detailed construction drawings has earned us a warranted reputation in the industry. Personally Designed

As part of an initial client design meeting, I like to find out the client’s needs and to some extent their personalities. From there, we talk about the home’s layout, styles of architecture, lot considerations and budgets for construction costs. Handcrafted and Custom

Although most of today’s work is completed on computers, I still prefer to present design concepts with hand-drawn sketches and renderings. I seem to think more freely than when not tied to a keyboard. Changing with the Times

I am probably more personable with clients compared to 20 years ago. I always try to make the architectural projects an enjoyable experience for my clients. Nothing makes my day more than when a client thanks me for working with them and how happy they are with the outcome. That’s what it’s all about!

Photography by Andria Graeler Landscaping/Hardscaping by Chesterfield Valley Nursery Pool by Pool Specialists Decorator: Design Expressions

Growing Strong

Cultivating a Dream

Growing up on a farm, I always loved working outside. I went to Southeast Missouri State University and majored in horticulture with an emphasis on landscape design. My summer jobs were always working outside or subcontracting. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to work for myself. At first, I did a lot of work for members of my church and got a lot of jobs through word of mouth. I also made a lot of mistakes during this time, and I had to decide what was important and to make a commitment. Even though this was a really hard time, I learned so much in the struggles.

A Deep Exhale

When I first started planning our nursery, the overarching goal was to create a place where people could come out, walk around and enjoy the beauty of the unique plants. I wanted to create a place to relax and exhale from life’s challenges. Our goal in designing someone’s landscape is the same. Create a space that our clients are drawn to, a space that has a unique beauty that represents them; a space that brings a smile. Rooted in Perseverance

We started out as a very small work force. I was doing design and installation and my sister, Deb, took care of the books, and we had our first “nursery” in my parents’ garden; slowly we grew a little each year and even started a small tree farm. But in July of 1993 the flood hit us. We lost a lot and basically had to start over. I returned back to our makeshift office at my sister’s home. She came out with a note that the pastor of Bonhomme Presbyterian Church wanted to talk. I called him and he said his congregation wanted to help; it was an answer to my prayer. Today, we have evolved into an organization with around 55 employees, 12 acres of beautiful nursery stock and a desire to create amazing landscapes for our wonderful customers.

Jim Graeler, owner of Chesterfield Valley Nursery

What makes your team special?

With our team, words like character, integrity, dedication and humility immediately come to mind. My dad taught me a lot of things, one of those was the value of hard work. Our team works hard for our clients, and they’re all sincerely just good people. I am blessed to have such a talented group of individuals to care for our customers.

Interior photography by Lew Portnoy / Exterior photography provided by Teiber Construction

Difference in the Details

Building a Dream

During my high school and college years, I was continually learning carpentry, drywall, plumbing and electrical skills on small projects. Having a strong background in mechanical drawing, I worked for several years in consulting engineering as a civil and plumbing designer. My father-in-law was a custom builder who gave me the opportunity to use and develop my building skills on a variety of challenging projects. Eventually, I gained the experience and confidence to start my own business.

Custom Learning Experience

If you want to stay in business, you don’t make the same mistake twice. Custom building is a constant process of re-inventing the wheel with new clients, unique designs on challenging sites, endless selections and continually learning and refining the process. Developing procedures to organize selections, decisions and work schedules will help you sleep better. You eventually have to figure out what works and what doesn’t in order to efficiently make use of time and talent. You also have to learn to be flexible to deal with situations that will arise that are beyond your control.

Becoming a Craftsman

I normally invest a lot of time planning the work sequence and trying to anticipate where the potential issues are before the job starts. I also learned early on to find and keep suppliers and subcontractors who are reputable, reliable and who share my commitment to superior quality. I can be found nearly every day at the jobsite working in my field office or doing physical work. An organized and properly managed jobsite is essential to ensure good morale, staying on schedule and achieving outstanding workmanship from our building team.

Dean Teiber, owner of Teiber Construction Company

Sharing the Passion

I have always enjoyed sharing my construction experience, ideas, opinions and enthusiasm with our clients as we work through each phase of the build. What keeps me wanting to drive to the jobsite every morning has evolved with age. During the early years, it was the satisfaction of framing the structure from the ground up and then being involved with the finished work. As I grew older and the work increased in size and complexity, my focus and passion changed. It is very rewarding to be able to work out difficult details and to orchestrate the total building process from plans to completion.

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.