417 Home | Gorgeous Gardens | Spring 2023

GORGEOUS GARDENS

4 backyard gardens to inspire your own outdoor spaces

SPRING 2023 $4.95

417mag.com

LOGAN AGUIRRE Publisher | logan@417mag.com

Editorial

KATIE POLLOCK ESTES Editorial Director | editor@417mag.com

HEATHER KANE KOHLER Editor-at-Large | heather@417mag.com

JAMIE THOMAS Digital Editor | jthomas@417mag.com

COLIN SHEA DENNISTON Engagement & Style Editor | colin@417mag.com

JO JOLLIFF Research Editor | jo@417mag.com

LUCIE AMBERG Biz 417 Editor | lucie@417mag.com

EDITORIAL INTERN

Michelle Lewis

Art and Design

SARAH PATTON Creative Director | sarah@417mag.com

BRANDON ALMS Senior Photographer & Designer | brandon@417mag.com

LEAH STIEFERMANN Photographer & Designer | lstiefermann@417mag.com

GRACE CHIPLEY Editorial Designer | grace@417mag.com

EDITORIAL DESIGN INTERN Acacia Boerboom

CONTRIBUTORS

All Sides Photography; Jordan Brittley; BRP Photo; Tessa Cooper; Robbin Heberlie; Heather Kane Kohler; Jeremy Mason McGraw, Global Image Creations; Dana Neuenschwander; Starboard & Port Creative

Audience Development

MARIYA SERYKH Marketing Coordinator | mariya@417mag.com

ASHLEY WARREN

Audience Development Manager | awarren@417mag.com

Business

MEGAN JOHNSON ice resident of perations and Custom Publications | mjohnson@417mag.com

AMMIE SCOTT MOTES Vice President of Strategy and Senior Acco nt ec tive ascott 417mag.com

J.J. MASSEY Finance Manager acco nting 417mag.com

BERNADETTE PRY Administrative Assistant | bernadette@417mag.com

MAEGEN HUYCK perations Coordinator mae 417mag.com

JAMI WIGHTMAN Senior Acco nt ec tive ami 417mag.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

Elisabeth Anderson, Annah Crow, Molly Davis, Jennifer Swenson

Founders

GARY WHITAKER Fo nder gar 417mag.com

JOAN WHITAKER Fo nder oan 417mag.com

CONTENTS

gorgeous GARDENS

Explore four exquisitely executed and oh-so-dreamy garden sanctuaries in 417-land—each one lovingly planted, tended and designed by local homeowners.

on the cover

The European-made bronze fountain is the central anchor of Dominion Gardens on Walnut Street.

GARDEN GOALS

Pat and Alan Ware have put nearly four decades of work into their Victorian-inspired garden, which now feels like stepping right into the pages of The Secret Garden.

Photo by Brandon Alms; cover photo by Brandon Alms

20 MOOD BOARD

Touches of teal bring an elegant edge to furniture, cabinets, wallpaper and more.

23 SHOP IT

Botanical diffusers are a fresh and fabulous way to bring the scents of the season indoors.

24 NECESSITIES

It’s time to deck the walls with these modern takes on spring wallpapers.

26 DESIGN AWARDS

Obelisk Home’s Nathan Taylor turns a dated kitchen into a fabulously fresh flex space.

29 DATEBOOK

Get your gardening on at some of this season’s best spring soirées.

38 THE AUTHENTICS

Step inside Amy Boyd’s historic yet personal Rountree bungalow.

CONTENTS 23 26

42 ROOM SPOTLIGHT

Porches that pack a colorful punch are the next big thing in outdoor decorating.

44 RECIPE

Take a trip to the tropics with two surprisingly simple coconut recipes from the owner of Sleepy Opossum Cafe.

48 TREND ALERT

ey’ve taken the internet by storm, and now we've got the 411 on how to make your own butter board using local ingredients.

50 ESSAY

e McCullah-Wasson Family Reunion has been uniting generations of relatives for over 100 years.

70 HOW TO

Interior designer Lisa Crowder shares her tips for making your bedroom feel fresh and new for the spring season.

72 END NOTE

Jason and Emily Deese bring a taste of the South to 417-land with their annual downhome crawfish boil.

417 Home (ISSN # 1939-5337) is published quarterly by Whitaker Publishing, LLC, 2111 S. Eastgate Ave., Spring eld, MO 65809-2146 © Whitaker Publishing, LLC. Editorial, advertising and business of ces: ph: 417-883-7417; fax: 417-889-7417; web: 417homemag.com. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or printed content in any manner is prohibited. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or cartoons. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $27. Cover price: $4.95. Back issues, if available: $7, plus $8 postage and handling. No back issue orders or subscriptions outside the United States. The Volume and Issue numbers appear on the front cover of the magazine. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 417 Home, 2111 S. Eastgate Ave., Spring eld, MO 65809-2146. Periodical postage paid in Spring eld, Mo. and additional mailing of ces. Printed in the United States of America.

Photos by Leah Stiefermann, Brandon Alms, Jeremy Mason McGraw, Global Image Creations courtesy Shutterstock

THE REALTOR WHO LISTENS MORE THAN TALKS

You’re the professional when it comes to your home and your needs. I’m listening. Whether you’re moving in, moving out or moving up, I’m ready to move forward together.

417mag.com

Planning for Planting

Spring is currently springing, and you may be looking over your-post winter garden and wondering how to revitalize it. When is the best time to plant things so that they bloom in time for summer? Well, we have what you’re looking for. Head to 417mag.com/ whattoplant for tips on what to plant now to make the most of your outdoor spaces.

Luxury Pampering

If it’s not just your garden that needs postwinter pampering, we can help! With 417 Magazine’s Spa Days, you can get your glow on and indulge in a variety of specially priced beauty and relaxation treatments. Plus, Spa Days features both day and medical spas. hrough March, top local day spas o er three mix-and-match services of your choice for only Medical spas will o er specially priced services including Botox®, facials, laser hair removal and more. Browse spa menus online at 417mag.com/spadays and call a participating spa to book your package today.

Photo by Leah Stiefermann

tasteful TEAL

Rich, vibrant and earthy teal brings a punch to interiors this year.

WRITTEN BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS

If you’re a lover of color, then may we suggest teal? Given that teal is a blue and green hybrid, it’s no surprise that this color offers rich jewel-tone vibes while still feeling earthy. Don’t confuse teal and turquoise when shopping for the perfect shade to add to your home. Teal is darker and has lower saturation, where turquoise is quite bright and even has elements of yellow.

Give new life to boring cabinets and bookshelves with a fresh coat of glossy teal paint

or try adding an upholstered teal ottoman or rug to your space to create a punch of vibrant color. Chenille is a great fabric choice when playing with teal solids. It adds a bit of sheen and is so luxurious!

When looking for colors to pair with rich teal furnishings and paint, keep things sophisticated with navy, camel brown and copper. Layering these colors is not only unexpected; it also creates a gorgeous and rich natural palette that feels worldly and cozy at the same time. 

Aspen HO2128, York Wallcoverings $80 single roll at Seminole Decor; Wineglass $16.50 at Harrison House Market ; Gold beaded chain $16.50 at Harrison House Market; Teal glass vase $9.50 at Harrison House Market; Brass rabbit $16.50 at Harrison House Market; Mont Blanc Marina leather by American Leather, $34 per sq ft at Obelisk Home; Teal fabric 2844-433, Bernhardt, $180 per yard at Obelisk Home; English riding velvet, Ralph Lauren $210 per yard at Obelisk Home; S3402 Aegean, Anna Elizabeth, $148 per yard at Obelisk Home; Alley, Teal Lillian August, $74 per sq ft at Obelisk Home; Euphoria, Voo Doo crackle, Sonoma Tilemakers price upon request, to the trade at Unique Tile; Watercolors High Tide, Anthology $20.68 per sq ft, to the trade at Unique Tile; Notecard, The Ballerina, by Jane Troup, $5 at Obelisk Home

FLORAL NOTES

Bring the scent of spring into your home with a botanical diffuser.

As flowers begin to pop up outdoors, the indoors begin to be inspired by the season as well. Pack your winter candles away and try a beautiful bo tanical infuser to add fragrant floral scents to your home. hey’re not only lovely, but they fill the air with their sweet scent all day long, no fire re quired! —Heather Kane

Kohler

Find it

Botanical i users

$42–79 at Brown erby Wine Center

ART STUDY

HOMEGROWN ARTWORK

The impressionistic style of Dana Neuenschwander utilizes non-local colors to create an exaggerated air.

ana Neuenschwander still remembers the first art class she took at the Springfield Art Museum when she was years old. Since then, she has explored a variety of mediums before settling into the acrylic paints she uses today. With a central focus on cityscapes and landscapes, Neuenschwander creates paint ings of things she finds interest ing to look at. “I want people to make their own narrative from my work, she says. “I want them to feel their own connection.

Neuenschwander’s most recent work is a collaborative series with

Lura Faye centered around the feeling of growing up in the Ozarks.

“Everything is larger than life and we are hoping to bring a feeling of wonder when you look at the artwork, says Neuenschwander.

Pieces for the series begin with Neuenschwander’s paintings and the pair work together to bring in 3D elements. The next exhibit of her collaborative work can be viewed at he Southern Missouri Arts Connection in Hollister throughout the month of March. To view more of Neuenschwander’s work, visit ormed allery in Springfield.

—Michelle Lewis

Photos by Leah Stiefermann, courtesy ana Neuenschwander

WALLFLOWERS

Turn your entire wall into a work of art with gorgeously designed wallpaper from local shops.

WRITTEN AND STYLED BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS

“I’m loving large-scale prints and murals right now, and the perfectly aged planters on this springy paper feel so unexpected and elegant.”

—Lee Haik, James Home Décor

Lamorran, by Osborne & Little, $1,114 per yard roll at ames Home ecor

“This wide-scale marble pattern is currently trending and is also a classic, timeless look. It gives o an organic vibe and pairs with any pop of color you may want to add to your home in accessories or pillows during the changing seasons.”

Maggie Kicklig ter, ecorating en nteriors

Moontide, York Wallcoverings, $125 per yard at Decorating Den Interiors

“I really like this paper because it doesn’t take itself too seriously but is still a sophisticated pattern. Rifle Paper’s collections have a generous application of ink that makes the designs feel rich, but the price point is attainable.”

—Nathan Taylor, Obelisk Home Menagerie, Rifle Paper Co. for ork Wallcoverings, per single roll at Obelisk Home

“Lately, I’m absolutely lured to the organic and yet still quirky mural wallpaper. Life is too damn brief to not find oy and laughter in your home’s furnishings.”

—Erica Hendrix, Erica Lea Design Studios

Mirage, by Osborne & Little, $849.60 per 3-panel mural at Erica Lea Design Studios

“We love this paper as it’s neutral and classy with a touch of glam. It fits with so many styles, and it’s great for many applications.”

aden ong, llecor

Queen of Spain in warm silver, Schumacher, $207 per 8-yard roll at Ellecor

A KITCHEN TO ADMIRE

BEST RENDERING COME TO LIFE

TOWERS III KITCHEN

After completing a homeowner’s condo renovation, Obelisk Home was tasked with the challenge of updating the adjacent condo’s kitchen so the homeowner could use that space for grandchildren and as an art studio. “The client wanted us to nd a way to create a mirror image of her previous project, as close as possible due to di erent oor plans,” says Nathan Taylor of Obelisk Home. Most projects at Obelisk Home start with an idea and then that idea begins to come alive on paper. The team had to be

creative when working with the layout. “The biggest challenge was working with existing plumbing lines and not being able to jackhammer up the oor. Being a condo building it was di cult to nd a way to make that work,” says Taylor.

While the team aimed to create two kitchens that spoke to each other, they also wanted to give the space its own unique look. The vision of a bright and airy space was achieved by using white marble countertops and a light subway tile backsplash. The large, scaled island became a place to gather around for family and an additional workspace for their artistic client. Finishing touches include silver hardware and modern pendants. 

Project Goal

he goal of this pro ect was to give the client an updated second kitchen that complemented their other full kitchen.

Find the complete resource listing online at 417mag.com

Winning Designer Nathan Taylor Obelisk Home

Nathan Taylor of Obelisk Home reimaged a dated kitchen into a fresh bright ex space for an artistic client.

WRITTEN BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER

Rendering

Photos by eremy Mason Mc raw, lobal Image Creations rendering courtesy Obelisk Home

ART ON DISPLAY

The room’s neutral color palette and simple design allow for a gallery wall of custom art to take center stage.

DATEBOOK

Spring is here, so it's time to make sure your gardens and yard are as beautiful as can be.

APRIL

ill your flowerbeds with beautiful things that will thrive in southwest Missouri by picking up some plants at the MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION NATIVE PLANT SALE at Springfield Conservation Nature Center from a.m. p.m.

MARCH

Turn your backyard into your own personal fruit stand by learning the ropes at the BLUEBERRIES FOR BEGINNERS event at Springfield Botanical Gardens. Call 417-881-8909 to register.

It’s the FIRST DAY OF SPRING! Get ready for longer days, warmer temps and more time spent outside enjoying your outdoor spaces.

01 09 29 15 20

ust in case you don’t find enough gardening ideas in our cover story on p. , you can find endless inspiration at the MIZUMOTO JAPANESE STROLL GARDEN, which opens for the season this month.

HAPPY EASTER! If you’re still planning treats and sweets for your holiday party spread, visit p. to find the recipe for some totally to die for coconut scones.

Visit the MASTER GARDENER & GARDEN SOCIETY PLANT SALE from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Springfield Botanical ardens to find a huge plant variety for your garden, from trees and shrubs to perennials and herbs.

24–26

Find vendors and inspiration for all the home improvement projects on your honey-do list at the annual HBA HOME & OUTDOOR LIVING SHOW. Find details at springfield ba.com.

MAY 14–15 13 14 –15

MAY

Take Mom to Fordland for the SCHOFIELD + GRAY MOTHER’S DAY MARKET, where you can browse vendors in a lovely setting, finding d cor, antiques and inspo for your home. Find info at sc of ieldgra .com

If perfecting your backyard gardening skills is on your summer 2023 bucket list, then you need to visit BAKER CREEK SEED CO.’S SPRING PLANTING FESTIVAL for plant starts, seeds, historic demonstrations and live music. Find event details at rareseeds.com

Photos by Heather Kane Kohler, courtesy Shutterstock

T ransformation HOME PROFILES

Decorating Den Interiors

When a client sought help to transform a utilitarian bonus room into a welcoming guest suite, Decorating Den Interiors took a creative approach. They knew the room needed to serve multiple purposes, including a restful sleeping space and a cozy sitting area for relaxing and watching TV.

Inspired by the client’s funky autographed band prints, designers guided the project from concept to completion over the course of eight weeks. They used Decorating Den Interiors’ space-planning software to arrange furnishings and pieces to ful ll the client's exact vision. With thoughtful planning and careful measurements, designers avoided issues common to rooms with low ceilings and a linear shape. The result is a colorful, eclectic space that ows seamlessly from one “zone” to another.

For over 25 years, Decorating Den Interiors has been transforming living spaces in 417-land. Designers at Decorating Den Interiors hold bachelor’s degrees in interior design from Missouri State University, and their design team is consistently ranked in the Top 10 out of nearly 200 Decorating Den Interiors franchises throughout North America. Contact them today to schedule an in-home consultation!

Garage Experts

Has your garage become a catchall for household items large and small? The typical garage occupies 20% of a home’s total living space, yet so often, the garage is disorganized, cluttered, and…overwhelming.

Garage Experts of Southwest Missouri brings order to the overwhelmed. The before-and-after pictures tell the story: these customers wanted a clean, clutter-free garage. The pros at Garage Experts planned a space that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Garage Experts installed convenient cabinets and slatwalls, hid necessary-but-unsightly items, and helped the customers determine what was important to keep and what to discard. The new and easy-to-clean epoxy oor, with Garage Experts’ ten-year warranty against peeling or staining, brightened the entire space.

An organized home is useful and practical, but it also has psychological bene ts. Garage Experts owners Mark and Shelly Long say, “The process of organizing is a liberating exercise. As possessions are properly organized, it reduces stress and frees our minds to concentrate on what is important.”

With Garage Experts’ proven track record of hundreds of cabinet installs and over 700 epoxy oors, you can count on them to create a garage that is as clean and organized as the rest of your home.

1274 Kinder St. Unit A | Nixa 417-429-2166 | garageexperts.com

Imber Pool & Outdoor

Abeautiful, welcoming, long-lasting pool: This was the ultimate goal of Imber Pool & Outdoor’s recent project for a 417land homeowner.

Over time, the original liner of this backyard pool had faded and lost elasticity, becoming unsightly and unusable. The homeowner hired Imber Pool & Outdoor to address the problem and install an upgraded liner.

The project was not without obstacles. Before installing the new liner, Imber Pool & Outdoor replaced some of the vermiculite under the liner on the bottom of the pool. They also encountered and repaired a leaking pool jet. But Imber’s pros were undaunted. They knew that the upgraded liner would maintain the pool’s longevity and transform the look and feel of the pool. The nal result was a sleek, inviting outdoor space where family and friends can relax.

In fact, this is the nal result of every project undertaken by Imber Pool & Outdoor. The company installs only the highest quality pool components from industry-leading manufacturers. They specialize in vinyl liner, berglass, gunite and precast concrete pool construction. They also provide pool repair and maintenance services. Give them a call for any of your pool needs.

4411 E. Sunshine St. Suite A | Springfield 417-771-7552 | imberconstruction.com

JAG,s Lawn & Landscape

The experts at JAG’s Lawn and Landscape believe a home should be as beautiful and inviting on the outside as it is on the inside. So when a 417-land homeowner wanted to create a useful poolside living space, they hired JAG’s. With over 30 years of experience in the lawn and landscape industry, and with a specialization in hardscape projects, JAG’s Lawn and Landscape exceeded their expectations.

JAG’s built a large stone patio with multiple spots for gathering, entertaining and relaxing by the pool. They had to overcome a major obstacle during construction: the home’s septic system would be in the same space as the new patio. JAG’s knew what to do, installing special covers so that the tank could be accessed and serviced in the future. The nished patio boasts a full outdoor kitchen, a re pit and a comfortable seating area. It is anked by a low brick wall, stone steps and landscaping that beauti es the entire space.

JAG’s uses only the best materials and stands behind the labor on all their projects. Homeowners can rest assured that their investment will be enjoyed for years to come. If you’re looking to transform your outdoor space, reach out to JAG’s Lawn and Landscape.

LIFESTYLE

Photo by Brandon Alms

ECLECTIC STYLE, INSIDE AND OUT

Amy Boyd’s historic bungalow in Rountree is full of spring charm and unique nds.

WRITTEN BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS

417 Home: You’ve lived in your lovely historic home since 1997. How have you updated the home over the years?

We bought the house in its original historic condition, except for the rst oor back room and bathroom areas, which had been updated in the late 1970s. In 2013, we did a complete kitchen remodel. We are currently nishing our 16-by-16 sunroom o of the kitchen, looking toward the backyard. My husband has completely rewired the whole house and added a new full bathroom to the basement. Together, we have worked on projects to bring this 1911 home up to date the best we can, while painstakingly preserving the integrity.

417 Home: What would you consider your decorating style to be?

My sister and I share a love of all things European, from housewares, textiles and clothing to dishes and pans! If you could create a decorating style that included Scandinavian, English and German, that would be what I love the most. I love to look at pictures of houses and gardens from England.

417 Home: You have a green thumb and it shows with your landscaping and flower gardens. What are some of your favorite shrubs, plants and flowers to use?

I mostly enjoy outdoor plants. I don’t have a degree in horticulture, but I have a lot of experience just from trial and error. I have done some landscaping for friends and neighbors, and still want to learn so much more about design. Some of my favorite plants are boxwood, Annabelle Hydrangeas, grasses and evergreen trees. They are so versatile and complement almost any landscape style. My favorite owers are foxglove and poppies (which I

 IN THE KITCHEN

The Boyds (above) completed a full renovation of their home’s kitchen in 2013.

TOP BRANDS. HUGE DISCOUNTS.

(continued from p. 39)

have started both from seed and continued to see them pop up every year), and dahlias.

417 Home: How would you describe your garden style?

I would also say that my interest for gardening lies in seeing photos of beautiful gardens in Europe. That is my biggest inspiration.

417 Home: How do you bring the spring season into your home?

We love to open windows to bring in as much fresh air as we can! After the long winters, we like to turn o the utilities and just see how long we can go without turning on the air conditioner. We also love to force bloom our owering quince indoors. In late February, we snip o branches of the shrub and bring them inside. In a week or two, we have vases of pink owers everywhere. When the spring blooming season hits, there’s always a vase or two of fresh owers.

417 Home: You have an affinity for Persian rugs. How do you typically find them?

My sister and I have basically collected Persian rugs over the years. I wouldn't call myself an ofcial collector, but I do love them and never pass up an opportunity to grab one at an estate sale or auction, or during the good old-fashioned days of Craigslist, before Persian became all the rage.

417 Home: What’s your favorite thing about living in the Rountree neighborhood?

One of my favorite parts is all the front porches and of course the community, our personal neighbors, the walkability of the streets and seeing all of the other older, historic homes. It makes our neighborhood unique.

SPRING INTO COLOR

Robbin Heberlie’s porch designs will leave you dreaming of new color combinations and endless possibilities.

WRITTEN BY MICHELLE

LEWIS

Each of Robbin Heberlie’s porches is intentionally designed around entertaining guests and close friends. Before choosing the decor for the space, Heberlie begins with visualizing and choosing the perfect furniture. “I don’t have a certain style, I just kind of know in my mind what I want to do with a space and then put it together,” she says.

When searching for new pieces, Heberlie spends most of her time at antique stores and thrift stores. Many of her decorations for her

porches come from one-of-a-kind elements that many wouldn’t expect to be placed in an outdoor setting.

Heberlie’s biggest tool while decorating? An endless array of colors. She isn’t afraid to experiment with colors in each of her porches, especially in the springtime. Alongside these colors, Heberlie loves to mix patterns and textures. She pairs wicker and orals next to ginger jars and brass or rattan and chinoiserie next to seashells and silver. The result is spaces lled to the brim with color and eclectic decorations. 

Photos by BRP

Photo, courtesy Robbin Heberlie

 SIT BACK AND RELAX Robbin Heberlie’s eclectic style and refreshing color palette bring cozy comfort to an otherwise modern outdoor space.

The

1 The Porch Swing

Growing up, Herberlie remembers swinging on her grandmother’s porch and always told herself she would have a swing of her own one day. Today, Heberlie’s front porch features a daybed swing that she says has been the location of numerous naps on warm days. She says a porch swing just might be the most important thing to include on your porch and encourages choosing one that works for the size of your space.

2 Shade and Shelter

To create a porch that is long-lasting, Herberlie encourages opting for a covered porch. With direct sunlight or exposure to rain, many of your decorations will begin to rapidly fade. Utilizing any form of covering will not only protect your decorations from the elements, but will also allow you to use the space even when it is raining.

3

Electrical Outlets

Something many do not consider is the placement of electrical outlets for their porches. Heberlie says her porches would not be the same if she was unable to place lamps into the space. With the added electric outlets, she has the ability to create a cozy space that she enjoys being in. “It makes it feel like an extension of your home instead of feeling like you are sitting outside,” she says.

CUCKOO FOR COCONUTS

Think outside of coconut cream pie for your tablescape this spring with these recipes featuring coconut from Dani Hunnell, owner of Sleepy Opossum Cafe (1427 E. Cherry St., Suite B, Spring eld; 417-379-9401, danis ourpotbakery.com).

WRITTEN BY JO JOLLIFF

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEAH STIEFERMANN

STYLED BY ACACIA BOERBOOM

SWEET SUCCESS

Sweet corn adds layers of complexity and texture to the traditional coconut cake recipe, while these toasted coconut scones may beco e o o n n c of co eeʼ s new best friend.

RECIPE SWEET CORN & COCONUT CAKE

Cake Ingredients

cups flour

cups sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

teaspoons baking powder

4 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

cup butter

cup of buttermilk

cup of corn stock

cup shredded coconut

Directions

Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl to gether and all the wet ingredients in another bowl together. Place your dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and add your wet ingredients

and mix on low till fully incorporated. Evenly pour your cake batter into three, inch cake pans or two, inch cake pans. Bake at 350°F for minutes or until you prick with a tooth pick and it comes out dry.

Coconut Olive Oil Buttercream Ingredients sticks of soft butter

1 tablespoon coconut oil

teaspoon vanilla e tract tablespoons heavy whipping cream cups of powdered sugar

Directions

Whip the butter with a stand mi er till smooth and creamy. Add coconut oil and mix till incor porated. hen add the rest of your ingredients and whip till buttercream is nice and fl u y.

TOASTED COCONUT SCONES

I ngredients

1 cup toasted coconuts

cups flour

tablespoon of baking powder

cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

stick of cold butter

cup of buttermilk

Directions

Mix all the dry ingredients together till incorporated, then add your stick of very cold butter into the flour and mix with a pastry cutter till the butter gets to the size of small pebbles. Make a well in the

center of your mi ing bowl and ingredients and pour in the cup of buttermilk and mix with a fork till the ingredients start to form a dough ball consistency. Bring your dough out on a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a rectangular shape and then fold it like a book, and repeat that more times. hen form your dough into a circle shape and cut into triangles I like to cut into triangles . Place on a baking sheet lined with parch ment paper and bake at for minutes.

ALL BUTTERED UP

Butter boards, a unique take on charcuterie boards, are sweeping social media due to the satisfying process of building them. While popular videos may make this seem like an art form, these delicious boards are actually quite easy to make and our locally sourced ingredients make it a 417-land-centric treat.

WRITTEN BY JO JOLLIFF

Though it may sound obvious, to create your butter board you start with butter. To keep it local, we use locally produced butter from Pleasant Valley Farm at The Little Farm Store (417-929-1338; littlefarmstore.com) . Use a rounded butter knife to spread the butter on a decorative charcuterie board of your choice. The easiest (and most aesthetically pleasing) method is by starting in one corner and spreading the butter down in even strokes, to create a fish scale effect across the board. Then evenly drizzle honey over the butter. We recommend wildflower honey from Soozeebeez (200 E. Commercial St., Springfield; 417-860-7773; soozeezbeez.square.site) and habanero honey from Bee-Transformed Honey (307

W. Glenwood, Springfield; 417-869-0233; bee-transformed.com) . The great thing about butter boards is that if you’re serving a wide range of guests, with some who prefer a mild flavor and others looking for the habanero punch, you can section it off and add raw honey to one side with habanero on the other.

Next, add your herbs and spices, and the same rules apply here; feel free to only add particular seasonings to particular spots. Generously sprinkle on a variety of your favorite flavors from Chabom Tea & Spices (209 E. Commercial St., Springfield; 417-719-4311; chabomteaspice.com) . We recommend a base of red pepper flakes, coriander, cardamom or fresh herbs like cilantro. For a little extra pizazz add edible flowers from Maypop Flower

Photo by Leah Stiefermann

 BE ON HE B ER

Like a snowflake, each butter board is its own one of a kind creation. ake all of the guidelines as sugges tions—your guests will en oy it more when you put your own personal spin on it.

Farm (maypopflowerfarm.com) or Schaffitzel’s Greenhouse (schaffitzelsflowers.com) to amp up the butter with beautiful colors and a unique, fresh flavor.

Finally, pick your favorite bread. If you want to stay local, try a loaf of dark rye or rosemary bread from Ava Bread (avabread.com), which is sold at MaMa Jean’s Natural Market. Cut your bread into bite-size pieces and set it beside your butter board so guests can grab a piece and swipe it along the butter for the perfect piece of buttered bread. 

Shining a light on 417-land for 25 years.

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

The McCullah-Wasson Family Reunion is unlike any other. The family has met each year since 1890, with hundreds of family members coming together for their week-long celebration.

WRITTEN BY JO JOLLIFF

It all started with a birthday party for Samuel Calvin McCullah in July of 1890. The entire family gathered and decided it needed to become an annual celebration. The rst reunions were held at various family members’ houses for one day.

In 1908 they had grown the reunions enough that they decided to meet at a family-owned campsite encampment on the Finley River for the rst

week of August each year. The family members all traveled by horse-drawn carriages and buggies, slept in tents and wagons and made food over the woodred stove.

Now their reunions take place at the same time in August each year but look quite a bit di erent with family members arriving in cars and RVs. Despite this, the main goal of the event remains the same: to catch up with beloved family members. “My favorite part is just the feeling of belonging,” says Katy St. George, who has never missed a reunion. “Not many people can say that about their family.”

Through the years, the family has managed to meet through many di cult times. The women in the family kept the reunions going while the men were gone during World War II. They’ve made sure to connect, even through bad weather and hard times, and they’ve never missed a year. In fact, over 500 family members showed up for their 100th year celebration in 1990.

St. George has fond memories of the reunions from when she was a child, catching turtles in the river, staying up late telling stories and daring each other to go into the cave at night. Now, the family still partakes in a lot of the same activities, spending

Photo by Brandon Alms

most of their time wading in the river and reminiscing on past reunions and stories, but they have also added a variety of activities each night. From Texas Hold ’em and corn hole tournaments to dessert contests, they stay busy throughout the week. Each year the family elects a board with a president, vice president, treasurer and other positions to help keep the traditions alive for ages to come. 

Photo by Brandon Alms

 IN HE ANN ALS O HIS OR St. eorge points out her grandmother ate who was born in and is captured in their family book.

SWEE AL aty St. eorge of St. eorge’s onuts has never missed a McCullah Wasson amily Reunion.

GORGEOUS GARDENS W

e found four local gardens for you to explore. Each has its own unique history, but every single one is bursting with personality and charm. They’ve been designed and lovingly tended by 417-landers with the greenest of thumbs, and we hope they inspire your own outdoor spaces at home.

WRITTEN BY TESSA COOPER • PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS & LEAH STIEFERMANN

GORGEOUS

After carefully crafting their land for over two decades, Glenn and Beverly Blake can now walk out their door and gather a hand-picked bouquet whenever the mood strikes.

Glenn and Beverly Blake built their home on their property in 2003. Glenn added this patio on the backside of the home himself, and the couple loves sitting here since it overlooks the James River.

RETREAT HISTORIC CLIFFSIDE

Amid Glenn and Beverly Blake’s garden rich with natives, annuals and shrubs, there are a few landmarks that tell stories of the past. For example, a log cabin from the 1880s o ers a glimpse into what life was like during the bygone days in the Ozarks. From their patio, they can see the James River and the circa 1920s steel bridge that was originally part of Sunshine Street. Their home also sits at the former site of Aunt Martha’s Cli House Restaurant, which was the precursor to the now-shuttered Aunt Martha’s Pancake House in Spring eld.

Since they became the owners of the property two decades ago, the Blakes have stewarded the land and its history well, and they’ve added plants and landmarks that tell stories of their own past. For example, a deck with trees that blanket all sides was a surprise Glenn built for Beverly. “One time, we were walking in the woods, and I said, ‘Gee, it’d be nice to have a deck in the woods.’ Shortly later, I went o to a high school reunion, and I was gone for about

three or four days. When I came home, he was in the process of building the stairs. I just barely mentioned it, and the next thing I knew, I was surprised with stairs, and then he built a beautiful deck.”

Gardening is a hobby the Blakes enjoy doing together, and they’ve found a way to split the duties that works well for them. Beverly handles the planting of the annuals, and Glenn manages the digging, weeding and pruning.

The Blakes aren’t sure whether this log cabin was original to the property or whether someone relocated it to the land at some point. They invited members of a local historic preservation society to study the property, and they determined it was built around the 1880s.

"NEVER LIMIT YOURSELF TO PLANTING SOMETHING THAT'S ONLY PRETTY A COUPLE OF WEEKS PER YEAR."

—Glenn Blake

The two love sharing the beauty of their garden with visitors. “Sometimes [when the garden] is really looking nice, I’ll send out an email or sometimes post on social media and invite people over for a walkabout,” Glenn says. “If you come here for any reason, you have to take a mandatory garden walk.” And if you do come over for a garden tour, you’ll most likely see an arrangement by Beverly made with trimmings from their land inside the house, like orange lilies in late summer or berries and holly in the middle of winter. “There is not a day in the year that I can’t go out and pick enough stu to make a beautiful ower arrangement for the living room,” Beverly says.

To maintain a healthy garden and make sure their native plants can thrive, The Blakes eradicate invasive species like winter creeper and Japanese honeysuckle.

In addition to lavender—a favorite of visiting butterflies—you can also find elderberry, Ohio buckeyes, nannyberry, rose mallow, false indigo, hazelnuts and other edible species growing on the property.

Pawpaw trees grow near the property’s river bottom. These trees grow wild throughout Missouri and produce edible fruit with a tropical taste.

This old steel bridge that runs along their property guided cars across the James River from 1925 through 1974.

Glenn assembled this pergola near the house and it makes for an idyllic dining spot amid perfectly pruned shrubs and blooms.

RESOURCES

Native Plants Ozark Soul Native Plants ozarksoul.com 816-809-4062

Annuals Wheeler Gardens 1925 S. Bedford Ave., Springfield wheelergardens.com 417-890-5733

Steinert’s Greenhouse & Gardens 234 W. Farm Rd. 192, Springfield facebook.com/steinertsgreenhouse 417-882-7168

417mag.com

ARBORETUM DOMINION GARDENS &

Acentury-old home with a double lot near the center of Spring eld is a rarity, but Pat and John Horner are the fortunate owners of one. When the couple purchased their home and its adjoining parcel of land in 2016, they had several choices on what to make of their lot. They could have kept this precious piece of real estate to themselves or built another home to turn a pro t. Instead, they transformed it into Dominion Gardens, a 1.25-acre park that is open to the public.

Pat and John got the idea to create this strolling garden within their neighborhood after visiting Seattle, where small public parks nestled in neighborhoods are a common sight. “We thought that to just keep it to ourselves and try to keep people

out would be kind of sel sh,” says John. “If you get something like this, why not let other people enjoy it?”

An iron gate with ornate scrollwork and a sign that says “Visitors Welcome” are some of the rst visions that greet guests as they enter from historic Walnut Street. Beyond the gate, a paved strolling path that spans ⅛ of a mile wraps around a patinaed bronze fountain (pictured opposite) imported from Europe, and 85 trees, 35 shrubs and 125 perennials are there for your viewing pleasure.

Aside from just seven of the 85 trees, none of these touches of beauty were there prior to Pat and John’s ownership of the lot. They had room to work with after doing some necessary clearing, so they asked Tulsa-based landscapers at R.L.

Shears Company, P.C. to prepare the initial conceptual landscape plan. The couple hired local landscapers to plant many of the trees and shrubs, but they have added several with their own two hands as well.

John’s brother owns Ozark Custom Engravers, so John commissioned him to make signage throughout the garden. Some of the signs are educational, and some contain inspiring scripture verses and quotes. One of the signs displays a Robert Breault quote: “I sit in my garden, gazing upon a beauty that cannot gaze upon itself. And I nd su cient purpose for my day.” Pat and John placed benches throughout the park for that very reason. “People will come out here and sit around that fountain and just ponder,” John says.

Guests from all around the 417 region use Dominion Gardens for dog walking, picnicking, reading and small gatherings. “Once, this lady was out there, and I started talking to her,” says Pat. “I asked, ‘So where do you live?’ You know, thinking she lived in the neighborhood. She said, ‘Willard. A friend told me about this place.’ I guess word gets around.”

Pat and John Horner bought the garden’s neighboring home on historic Walnut Street and moved there in the late summer of 2016. They began working on their stroll garden the next fall.

The bronze fountain at the center of Dominion Gardens is a major focal point of the property. The European-made fountain has a time-worn patina and incredible detail. The Horners found the fountain through an online listing from a merchant in Florida.

In addition to seeing four-legged friends on walks with their owners, visitors of the garden can often catch bees, butterflies and other spring critters grabbing a quick snack from a nearby flower.

"WE THOUGHT THAT TO JUST KEEP IT TO OURSELVES AND TRY TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT WOULD BE KIND OF SELFISH,"

—John Horner

A previous owner demolished the home that once sat at this site in the 1950s. However, the original masonry work on either side of the gate remained. The Horners drew up a design for the gate and commissioned Advanced Welding & Ornamental Iron to fabricate it.

RESOURCES

Plants

Carson’s Nurseries 6607 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield carsonsnurseries.net

417-882-5200

Landscaping

Matthews Landscapes matthewslandscapes.org

417-818-3980

Myron Royce Gardens 430 Shady Oaks Dr., Ozark myronroycegardens.com

417-443-2648

Signs

Ozark Custom Engravers, Inc. 1719 W. College St., Springfield

417-864-6480

Iron Gate

Advanced Welding 651 S. Kansas Ave., Springfield advwelding.com

417-886-8032

Concrete Walking Path Liming Concrete limingconcrete.com

417-224-4104

Landscape Design

R.L. Shears Company, P.C. Tulsa, Oklahoma

This bronze statue titled Summer Dancer by acclaimed Tulsa-based artist Rosalind Cook waves hello to guests right when they enter the garden. Pat and John purchased it in honor of their three daughters, Tracy, Amy and Cindy.

A total of five benches on the property make perfect places to sit a spell while a swing beckons kids.

HOMESTEAD A COLORFUL

Flowers aren’t the only colorful touches in the garden. Amy gets most of her vegetable seeds from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Mansfield.

In Amy and Alan Taylor’s garden, there are whimsical touches throughout. Chinese long beans dangling on an arched trellis, cheerful zinnias, colorful vintage patio furniture and a brood of photogenic chickens make it feel like the setting of a nostalgic children’s storybook.

“Every year, I have so much fun planning our garden,” Amy says. “I ask myself, ‘How can I make it the most magical space that I can?’”

The pair purchased their land just outside Ozark city limits in 2018 and moved to their 6-acre homestead that September with their three children. The rst year they lived there, they gardened directly in the ground. “We had no raised beds, and it was a disaster because the weeds there were just ridiculous,” Amy says.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Taylor family had extra free time to help their garden ourish. They built a greenhouse and raised beds made with reclaimed materials atop one large rock bed. Some of these reclaimed materials included castaway windows and doors, old fence posts and retired electrical conduit.

The Taylors have since added a chicken coop and a pink, yellow and orange mural by Amy, and they designated a section of the pasture speci cally for the goats. Scattered throughout the garden and greenhouse, you’ll see vintage decor and patio furniture. Amy is an avid ea marketer, and she curates almost the entire top oor at Camp Flea in Ozark along with her friend Megan Cunningham.

Each year, Amy tries to plant a few new vegetables and owers and several repeats. Some of her go-to owers are zinnias and sun owers. “Zinnias are so easy to grow because they are really tolerant, and sun owers are so dramatic and have a magical feel when they get so big,” Amy says. The Taylors always include herbs in their garden to garnish drinks and even use as greenery in bouquets.

While she and Alan do their research before trying out a new plant, they aren’t afraid of trial and error. “We’ve just had really good luck, but I think it’s because we love to garden and it’s exciting to us,” Amy says. “You just kind of have to go with the ow and realize not everything works out, but you learn from it.”

Each member of the Taylor family plays their role in the creation and maintenance of their garden bursting with bright red, pink, orange and yellow hues. Amy (pictured here) is the creative visionary and chooses which vegetables and plants to add each year.

To give the greenhouse a cozy feel, Amy decorates it with some of her signature vintage finds. “It’s almost like an extension of our home,” Amy says.

Arden (left) and Milli (right) enjoy tending to their backyard chickens and goats. Their older brother, Asher, moved out but played a big role in building the homestead’s structures like the chicken coop and greenhouse.

RESOURCES

Starter Plants

Family Flowers Greenhouse 2150 W. Jackson, Ozark 417-869-1788

Seeds

Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company 2278 Baker Creek Rd., Mansfield rareseeds.com

Vintage Garden Decor Camp Flea 1900 W. Elm St., Ozark campflea.com 417-581-2575

"ZINNIAS ARE SO EASY TO GROW BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY TOLERANT, AND SUNFLOWERS ARE SO DRAMATIC AND HAVE A MAGICAL FEEL WHEN THEY GET SO BIG."

—Amy Taylor

GARDEN A MODERN VICTORIAN

With its combination of contemporary and antique touches, the garden at Pat and Alan Ware’s home makes you feel like you’re stepping into an elusive time period. Here, heirloom perennials surround a zen-like pond. Crossing over the pond’s bridge, you can peer down and see oating water lilies and timeworn statues. It’s like a real-life setting of the classic Victorian novel The Secret Garden

The Wares have spent nearly four decades cultivating their enchanting garden, and they even rebuilt their home and landscaping features after a tornado damaged the area in the early 2000s. Pat speci cally chose plants that produce abundant blooms, and she lovingly refers to it as her “cutting garden.”

Pat and Alan purchased the statue pictured from a friend’s auction. The concrete lady now overlooks the pond the Wares added to their land in 1998.

Pat’s father was a farmer, so a love for tending to the land runs in her blood. “I realized that it’s just part of me, and I’ve been gardening since my mid-20s,” she says.

She especially loves heirloom plants, and her aunts gifted many of the ones in her garden. “I’ve also dug up plants from old homesteads from most of the abandoned farms around here,” she says. “I grew up here, so I know whose place they came from. So I’ve got one Helen’s plants under one tree and [a di erent] Helen’s plants under another tree.”

Pat always had a penchant for the Victorian era. Rather than purchasing a period home to x up on a plot of land, the couple decided to build their own inspired version. “Having done that with the house, it was just natural to move outside with it,” she says. “When I think of the Victorian era, I think over-the-top in a way with statuary and cool things to look at. So that’s kind of what I’ve done with it.”

Pretty much year-round, Pat has something to work on in the garden, whether that’s adding an annual in early spring or searching for the rst

da odil blooms in the end of February. Alan’s main job is to build and maintain the landscaping structures. In fact, he laid the stonework and paths himself.

It’s a labor of love, and they use their garden to bring joy to others. Da odils are one of Pat’s favorite owers to grow, and she’s accumulated thousands of bulbs for nearly 200 da odil varieties throughout the years. “I do cut ower arrangements for my church whenever there are enough da odils to make the rst bunch up until hard frost,” Pat says. “I love playing with owers.”

Several of the blooms in Pat’s garden have sentimental value. Some of the perennials are transplants from Pat’s family and friends’ gardens.

"WHEN I THINK OF THE VICTORIAN ERA, I THINK OVER-THE-TOP IN A WAY WITH STATUARY AND COOL THINGS TO LOOK AT. SO THAT’S KIND OF WHAT I’VE DONE WITH IT."

—Pat Ware

Pat’s father gifted the couple their land in 1984, and Pat started working on the garden before they even started building their house. Their home and land underwent significant tornado damage in 2003, but the two cleared up the debris and restored their property back to an even more beautiful state.

The Wares’ cat, Paddy Paws, enjoys the garden just as much as they do. “He rules the roost so he spends time wherever he wants to,” Pat says.

Cross vine, honeysuckle and sweet autumn clematis grow over the gazebo just a few steps away from the waterʼs edge. The blooms produce a sweet scent that attracts pollinators.

The Wares’ sculptures and statues make for timeless and meaningful garden art. “A lot of our concrete is actually pieces that were passed around through several friends,” Pat says.

Imagine

At

HANDBOOK

REST REFRESHED

Photo by Jordan Brittley

BEDROOM REFRESH

Coming out of the hibernation of winter doesn’t only mean warmer weather, it can also mean creating a new space centered around you. Local interior designer Lisa Crowder tells us how to make a bedroom feel brand new.

WRITTEN BY MICHELLE LEWIS

Lisa Crowder considers the bedroom to be the most intimate space in a home. While living rooms and kitchens serve as communal spaces for guests and the whole family, the bedroom is a place to express what speaks to you. Refreshing your bedroom is something that is beneficial to do seasonally, says Crowder. These refreshes don’t have to break the bank, can be done without reno-

vations or remodeling and only require a few steps to make your bedroom feel brand new.

START WITH A DEEP CLEAN AND DE-CLUTTER

Before getting too far, you’ll want to start with a good spring cleaning throughout the entire space. Open your windows while you clean to let in the fresh spring air you missed during the winter. This is also the time you should work on de-cluttering the room. Take the things that have gathered over the winter months and return them to where they belong. If there is anything that doesn’t have a place to return to, this is the perfect time to nd or create a home for it.

UPDATE YOUR BEDDING

By switching out the linens on your bed you can achieve a dramatic change. Take away your heavy winter duvet and replace it with something lighter and brighter for the spring. Replace your throw pillows or switch them out with others from your home. As the weather gets warmer, Crowder recommends choosing bedding made of natural fibers such as linen or even bamboo.

PILLOW REFRESH

If your budget doesn't allow for new throw pillows multiple times a year, stick with one pillow insert and switch out the covers as the seasons change.

SWAP YOUR ARTWORK

Take down your artwork with dark colors or winter scenes to replace them with something lighter. “Getting those softer colors through your artwork really makes a big difference,”

Photos by Jordan Brittley

says Crowder. Botanical prints are increasingly popular and can be an easy way to achieve something wispy. Try to make your bedding and your artwork work together to create your perfect space.

CONSIDER FRESH FLOWERS OR A POTTED PLANT

Introducing plants into your bedroom can go a long way. Crowder encourages choosing live plants to bring fresh air into your home. Whether you choose fresh flowers or decide to get some faux plants, this is an easy way to introduce color and to visually liven up the space.

TRY A NEW LAYOUT

If your space allows it, experiment with a new layout. Try switching out pieces of furniture for others in your home. For those with bedrooms where furniture can’t be moved, explore the possibilities of your decorative accents. Shop your house and move elements around from room to room. 

Design Tip

Throughout the entire room, try sticking to a color palette with about three colors. A smaller palette will work to create a relaxing environment that is visually soft.

Photo by Jordan Brittley

SIMPLE SWAPS

Updated artwork, lighting and decor items breathe new life into your space without the hassle and stress of a major renovation project.

SOUTHERN BRED, CRAWFISH FED

The Deese family brings their Southern root traditions to 417-land with their annual craw sh broil, a true spectacle for the senses.

WRITTEN BY JO JOLLIFF

Feeling homesick for their beloved hometown in south Mississippi, Jason and Emily Deese decided to bring the taste of home to Spring eld and invited a few of their friends over for a craw sh broil—an activity they both grew up doing. This became a tradition each spring and has rapidly grown over the years. They now host 50 to 100 people each year and serve more than 200 pounds of craw sh.

“It started small,” Jason say. “We were just doing it as a way to bring a tradition that we grew up with to our friends here in the Ozarks.” They started the tradition by purchasing everything as a way of thanking their friends. “It was a way of giving back and saying thanks for being good friends and good people,” he says. “Growing up and moving here to

Missouri, you don’t really have a lot of friends and you don’t have a lot of roots. You just try to show appreciation to the ones that are true to you.”

Since it has grown, friends started to pitch in donations and help purchase food due to the large amount of supplies required. “It’s grown tremendously,” Emily says. The day of one event, guests would start asking when the next one would be. But it’s not just the food that draws in a crowd; many look forward to this event as a day of fun ringing in one of the rst warm days of spring as everyone plays games like cornhole and horseshoes outside.

Friends and family spend the day coming and going, with more arriving as the sun begins to set. “We’ll get a re pit going and sit around it,” Emily says. “That’s usually where the night ends.” 