October 23, 2020

OCTOBER 2020

2021

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ABODE

CONTENTS Designer Q&As:

10 12

Jennifer Rapp of JCR Design Group

Brett Clark of Savvy Design Group

Trends to Try:

14 20 26

2021 Trends Forecast Page-Turning Bookshelf Design A Dream Home Office On the cover…

Cover photographer: Megan Lorenz Designer: Jessie D. Miller Interior Design

Inside Look:

32

Stephanie Pohlman’s Quarantine Redesign

Astounding Abodes:

36 41 46

41

46

Catching Color C&M Interiors

Modern Bohemian J&J Design Team

Dare to Be Bold Jessie D. Miller Interior Design

Take it Outside:

52

36

Cozy Fall Patios

2 | OCTOBER 2020 | ABODE | LADUENEWS.COM

32

Home in time for the Holidays?

Only with Laura McCarthy.

CONNECT WITH US

·

· 314-725-5100 | LAURAMCCARTHY.COM | 29 THE BOULEVARD · CLAYTON

LADUE NEWS

ABODE

GENERAL MANAGER Susan Eckert | seckert@laduenews.com

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Emily Adams

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| pruesch@laduenews.com

Patti Ruesch

COPY EDITOR & STAFF WRITER

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Bryan A. Hollerbach

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Erin Wood

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Lisa Taylor

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CUSTOM CONTENT MANAGER

STAFF WRITER Amanda Dahl

Ann Sutter

CLASSIFIED ACCOUNT MANAGER

DIGITAL EDITOR & STAFF WRITER Andrea Smith

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Katie Ray

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CREATIVE

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Drew Gieseke, Alecia Humphreys, Brittany Nay

ART DIRECTOR Dawn Deane

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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Corey Hogrefe, Megan Lorenz,

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Lisa Mitchell/Photographie by Li, Alise O’Brien

Laura De Vlieger | Lauren Rodewald

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE MANAGER Megan Langford

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CONTACT Ladue News, 8811 Ladue Road, Suite D, Ladue, Missouri 63124 314.863.3737

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Find the space for joy.

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LADUE NEWS

ABODE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

T

here are a lot of dreams wrapped up in a home.

When my husband and I were hunting for our first house this summer, I romanticized every single one. I imagined our Christmas tree in front of the window, our books lining the shelves, the movie nights we’d have in front of the fireplace, the meals we’d cook (or – knowing us – ruin) in the kitchen, the swing we’d hang on the porch. I wanted the street to feel peaceful, the neighborhood to be filled with coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques that each had the potential to become “our place,” and the backyard to be private enough to host the perfect barbecue. And when we finally found the one, those dreams only grew – dreams that have manifested themselves into about a billion pending projects for our new-to-us 100-year-old Craftsman.

So you can scarcely imagine how thrilled I was to work on this edition of ABODE and to have the chance to be inspired by and pick the brains of some of my all-time favorite local designers. And I know I am not the only one ready for all the design tips and tricks

right now. In a year when we are all spending more time at home than ever, the concept of a personal oasis has never been more important, and the desire to make our spaces inviting, functional and comfortable has never been stronger.

Luckily for us all, this issue is packed with Photo by Sarah Conroy the most relevant advice you need right now, from an inside look at how quarantine queen Stephanie Pohlman managed to totally refresh her home in the middle of the pandemic (Page 32) to tips on designing a dream home office for work-from-home perfection (Page 26).

And with a 2021 trend forecast to keep your décor updates on point (Page 14), expert advice on building the coziest patio for fall (Page 52) and plenty of other eye candy to flip through, not only will this issue make you excited to transform your little corner of the world – it will give you the know-how to make it happen.

After all, your home – your dream – deserves a little tender love and care, in this year perhaps more than any other.

Stay well,

Emily Adams, Editor-in-Chief

Live in a Space You Love.

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CONNECT WITH ABODE and LADUE NEWS Follow the Ladue News Facebook page to keep up with the latest design trends highlighted in THE TRIO column. Each week, you’ll discover three unique décor pieces to incorporate into your own abode.

Photo supplied Photo supplied

Peek inside stunning home offices, elegant kitchens and other beautifully designed spaces by following @laduenews on Instagram. Here, you’ll find a visual showcase of interior design talent straight from our monthly DESIGN ELEMENTS column.

Photo by Corey Hogrefe of CH Studios

Get to know the minds behind the masterpieces by following @LadueNews on Twitter. Read Q&A’S and FEATURES with inside perspectives on creating your dream home.

Photo by Alise O’Brien 8 | OCTOBER 2020 | ABODE | LADUENEWS.COM

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Q &A

With JENNIFER RAPP

By Drew Gieseke

Founded by owner and principal designer Jennifer Rapp, JCR Design Group is an award-winning firm that specializes in high-end custom interiors, renovations, new construction collaborations and kitchen and bath design.

A native New Englander, Photo by Strauss Peyton Rapp began her career in commercial banking, working in both New York City and Chicago. After years in banking, Rapp followed her passion for design and took a position at a local design firm in 2002.

Less than a decade later, in 2011, she founded JCR Design Group. Rapp also serves on the boards of directors of both The Woman’s Exchange of St. Louis in Ladue and The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park in Kirkwood.

Personal aesthetic.

Photo by Alise O’Brien

My personal tastes fall in the realm of what I would call “updated traditional.”

I lean more toward classic and comfortable designs – understated, without a lot of busyness. I love the mixture of textures, tones and materials to create depth and interest, and the visual “flow” from one room to another is always important to me.

Inspirations.

I find great inspiration in nature, with the endless array of colors, textures and surfaces. I love rooms that Photo by Michael Jacob offer the same variety of textures and hues, regardless of the palette. Art and architecture around the world – both historic and contemporary – are always sources of inspiration as well, as are current fashion trends and social media outlets such as Instagram. Even friends, relatives and clients can inspire great ideas. I’m open to it all.

Photo by Alise O’Brien

Trends.

Even though we don’t design according to the latest fad – or whatever is trending on HGTV – we can’t help but be influenced by what we see. Lacquer continues to be popular in both traditional and contemporary settings, and whether it is on a piece of furniture or over an entire room, I love the look. I hesitate to call it a trend because we have always used it and loved it, but wallpaper is more popular than ever. Even for those clients that shy away from pattern, the textures are endless. And grasscloth is back! And I guess you could call it a 2020 trend, but the home office or multifunctional room has become very important lately. With so many people working from home, juggling kids and remote learning, spaces once reserved for entertaining or dining are now being converted into more functional, multipurpose rooms.

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Q &A With BRETT CLARK

By Drew Gieseke | Photos by Megan Lorenz Raised in St. Louis and educated in Chicago, Brett Clark is an award-winning interior designer who specializes in residential and commercial projects, as well as historic renovations and other high-end remodels.

After beginning his career in Chicago, Clark accepted a position with Savvy Design Group and relocated to St. Louis in 2017.

Hot trends.

Things are becoming a lot more durable. Countertops, fabrics, rugs – people want to use their homes now. Technology has come so far with different treatments you can put on things that you’re not really limited by wanting to find something that’s really durable. It’s a way to allow you to really use the spaces that you live in without the fear of getting things dirty or damaging things.

Style.

I don’t subscribe to anything that’s very trendy very often; I prefer a timeless, classic design. I like focusing on making spaces functional. My personal style is very clean. I want the interior to feel very thought-out. I want something to have the longevity that doesn’t look like it was designed in 2020. Those old houses, they’ve been around for 100 years – and they’ll be around for another 100.

Historic niche.

Inspiration.

When I came to St. Louis, there were so many historic neighborhoods and homes. I was presented with a project in the Central West End, and they were looking to completely renovate and restore the interior. That was a yearlong project, and we basically rebuilt the house from inside out. After that, people have been reaching out to me with historic home projects, and it seems to be a niche thing I’ve been doing, and I really, really enjoy it. Homes just aren’t built the same. There’s almost an element of research to it, too. You don’t want to do a disservice to it, so it’s a dance between keeping the character and its classic features and bringing it up to date for the homeowner.

I find inspiration in a lot of different ways.

Some of it’s more traditional inspiration versus not, but what I really find inspiring right now is how technology progresses and how that lends itself to new materials and new uses of materials. It kind of lets you really get down to little details and things and really tailor it to a design.

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LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | APRIL 2020 | 13

2021 TRENDS FORECAST

By Brittany Nay | Photos by Lisa Mitchell/Photographie by Li

S

pending more time at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic has ignited a growing desire to refresh outdated everyday living spaces. To get inspired, LN spoke with two of the metro area’s top designers about the hottest home design trends predicted to make a splash in the coming year – from richer color palettes to brighter design details to naturedriven décor. Here are the must-haves for versatile interior environments this year.

14 | OCTOBER 2020 | ABODE | LADUENEWS.COM

M U LT I P U R P O S E S PAC E S The interior design field is definitely feeling the impact of the coronaviral work-from-home trend, says Mendenhall.

“Rooms are no longer just for dining or sleeping, but also for Zoom meetings and home learning,” she says. “We’re needing multifunctional rooms more than ever before, and designers are getting creative to meet this need and still keep spaces feeling fresh and stylish at the same time.”

To create rooms in your house that serve dual roles, try adding chairs to your sofa table, setting up your home office in the space under the staircase or investing in a daybed with drawer storage.

T H E G R E AT I N D O O R S There’s a great desire to bring the outside in, says Jenny Rausch of Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath. “You can see it across all styles of design,” she says. “We are using outdoor fabrics, wicker and rattans, and even putting lattice on the inside. Green leafy plants and succulents are an easy and healthy way to adorn most spaces.”

Jess Mendenhall of Castle Design agrees that bringing natural elements indoors will be trendy in the coming year. “With countless studies showing a positive correlation between nature and happiness, it is no surprise people want more of this in their home,” she says.

And in architecture, the more glass, the better, Rausch adds. “We are seeing giant windows left bare so as to not remove the connection to the outdoors,” she explains. “There are even windows and doors that fold completely away so that there is no definition between inside and out.”

To try this design trend, homeowners should remove their drapes and window coverings to let in natural light and surrounding landscape views, Rausch says. “I can breathe easier when I have more access to the outside,” she says. “Using plants and succulents is a no-brainer.

Remove clutter – insert plants.”

Mendenhall echoes this idea. “Bringing in a potted tree or plant, like the currently popular Monstera plant (Swiss cheese plant), can bring a bit of the outdoors into your home,” she says. “Rattan and cane furniture are also still hot on the market, and you can easily add in a piece of this furniture to give a nod to this trend.”

“

From rich colors

on furniture and cabinetr y, like navy and forest green, to brighter, whimsical patterns on wallpaper and accent pieces, people are gravitating towards more dramatic and lively palettes at home. – Jess Mendenhall

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C O LO R I S K I N G

S P L U R G E - WO R T H Y P I E C E S

Color and pattern will be strong in 2021, Mendenhall says. “From rich colors on furniture and cabinetry, like navy and forest green, to brighter, whimsical patterns on wallpaper and accent pieces, people are gravitating towards more dramatic and lively palettes at home,” she explains.

Starting with a small space, like a powder room, can be a great way to bring in some color and pattern without it feeling too overwhelming for most homeowners, Mendenhall says.

Rausch adds that incorporating color into your home can be tricky, so she recommends consulting a design expert: “You have to be careful. I suggest contacting a professional to make sure you do it right!”

There also is a growing interest for people to add a splash of luxury at home, especially with fewer opportunities for extravagant travel during these times, Mendenhall says. “While our homes still tend to be more informal spaces than in the past, people are craving pieces to make their homes feel special,” she says.

To add this trend to your space, invest in a new favorite item for one room, Mendenhall says: “Whether it is a new piece of original art above the fireplace, or a new high-end comfy sofa for the family room, or simply new splurge-worthy bed linens, you can add a bit of luxury at home at any scale.”

Castle Design, 7707 Clayton Road, Clayton, 314-727-6622, emilycastle.com Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath, 2715 Mercantile Drive, Brentwood, 314-645-6545, karrbick.com

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 17

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Tips

By Amanda Dahl

Getty Stock Images

UNEARTH YOUR SHELF STYLE WITH ADVICE FROM EXPERTS AT ONE OF THE METRO AREA’S HOTTEST HOME DÉCOR BOUTIQUES.

B

ookshelves not only house volumes – they tell a tale about a given homeowner.

“You should be able to look at someone’s bookcase and [have the ability to] learn a lot about them,” says Karen Drexler, co-owner of beloved area décor shop Story Seven. “Each shelf can have its own unique story, and then the whole bookcase can have [one] theme.”

LN recently spoke with the experts at Story Seven for their tips and tricks on designing bookcases with endless shelf life.

Get Lit “All three of us love adding in candles,” co-owner Melanie Bennett shares. “Every night, when we go home, we light our candles and sit down, and it makes for a relaxing atmosphere.”

Create a similar soothing setting in your own abode with a few wellplaced candles, whether arranged in a pattern or displayed in various sizes.

Lamps can also provide a warm glow.

urtesy Photo co ven of Story Se

A Mélange of Mementos An easy starting point is to select treasured memories that you can display, such as souvenirs, postcards or framed photos of loved ones. Consider your child’s bronzed baby shoes or that fantastic porkpie hat you picked up in the Cinque Terre. The goal is to find items that give you reason to smile.

“By showing different keepsakes – things from the past and current treasures you’ve found – [you give] a little glimpse of the family and of things that make you and the people who live in your home feel good and happy,” Drexler says.

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 21

A Smart Use of Art “We try to give our customers building blocks, so they can take home items that make for a good foundation,” co-owner Sarah Jozwiakowski says. “[Think] artwork or neutral bases, like picture frames, lanterns and ginger jars. These great boxes [seen in picture] fit into a lot of different décor styles.”

Incorporating natural elements, such as live or faux plants, can enhance the character of your bookcase and make artwork and unique items stand out. Bennett suggests tucking select taller pieces behind a few books or frames. This arrangement allows you to bring in color and add dimension to your shelving style.

All About That Base Don’t overlook the potential of your bookcase or shelf by getting caught up in what goes on it.

Drexler suggests painting your shelves for added appeal. “Bring in natural wood elements, and vary the height to create interest,” she says.

Creating contrast can better frame what you place on your shelves. “It’s fun to paint the back of your bookshelves or wallpaper them in a different color or pattern,” Bennett says. “That really makes things pop!”

22 | OCTOBER 2020 | ABODE | LADUENEWS.COM

Beauty and the Book The original purpose of your bookcase or shelf can provide inspiration as well, to complete the overall aesthetic.

“Sarah and I went to the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, and one of the interesting things we saw there were books turned around,” Bennett says, describing an out-of-the-box idea they spotted. “The spines were [hidden], and the pages were showing.

With large clusters of books like that, it ties the bookshelves together and makes for an interesting look.”

“Books, whether vintage or new, can add color,” Jozwiakowski adds.

What story will your shelves tell?

Story Seven, 7 N. Gore Ave., Webster Groves, 314-731-6890, storysevenstl.com

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Building a Dream

Home Office

T

By Brittany Nay | Photos by Megan Lorenz

he coronaviral pandemic has made home offices hot spots – and a hot topic.

With more employers and employees shifting to work-from-home scheduling than ever before, building a dream home office that’s both functional and fashionable has risen to the top of professionals’ to-do lists. And although it may be exciting to leave your drab corporate cubicle or pod behind, managing to include everything you want and need in a home workspace can be a daunting design challenge.

“It has never been clearer that environments directly affect your enthusiasm, confidence and focus,” says top local designer Jessie D. Miller, who’s created anything from dreamy home workspaces for kids to powerful private offices for adults. Here, the Jessie D. Miller Interior Design maven shares her secrets to making a private workspace that’s uniquely yours, so you can be your best at work – even from home.

You-niquely Yours One of the advantages of a home workspace compared to a corporate office is the freedom for personalization, Miller says.

“Your private workspace should reflect your personal style, passions and aspirations,” she says.

So ditch the plain white walls and gloomy gray office furniture, and feel free to add an accent lamp, a chair with character, a custom piece of art, a printed area rug or a patterned wall – so long as it embodies your unique personality.

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 27

Secret Storage Hide as much technology as possible, Miller notes.

“A computer monitor is now a nonnegotiable part of everyone’s desk, but know when to draw the line,” Miller says. “There is no excuse for a printer to be anywhere other than inside a closed cabinet.”

Desk drawers, cabinets and storage shelves can keep everything from printers to power cords under wraps – all so that your home office stays functional on the inside while still appearing fashionable on the outside.

Clean and Clear Working from home brings the challenge of endless distractions, Miller says. Eliminate all clutter for a clear work area, and use organization bins on desks and bookshelves to keep your home office tidy and diversion-free so you can focus and do your best work residentially.

Dare to Dream To inject your work with inspiration and enthusiasm, dare to dream up your ideal residential office. A special item – from a single sculpture to a favorite fabric – can be the jumping-off point for an entire design theme that reflects your passions.

“Go for it!” Miller urges.

Power Color Your home office should be “bathed in your favorite color,” Miller says. “It tends to be your power color!”

Whether the hue that speaks to you is hot pink, vivid violet, electric blue or emerald green, embrace the tone “that seems too risky for common areas of your home,” Miller explains.

Jessie D. Miller Interior Design, jessiedmiller.com

Getty image

Getty image

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 29

N E W! U P TOWN TOWNHOMES Move Up to Talamore Square in Frontenac

Now’s the time to take residence in one of the area’s most prestigious locations – just inside the 270 loop and central to everything the St. Louis region has to offer: Forest Park, major league sports, worldfamous hospitals, nationally recognized universities, popular nightlife, culinary standouts, arts & culture, top local attractions, premier St. Louis employers, flagship retail destinations, the all-new Lifetime Fitness, and more.

Located just off highway 40 at the convergence of Spoede and Clayton roads, these classically designed 3-story townhomes are now available.

Its central Frontenac location is surprisingly private and wildly convenient, providing quick access to elite schools and offering a luxurious carefree lifestyle.

TALAMORE SQUARE – developing now into one of the most desirable residential destinations in all of St. Louis County.

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Coastal Vibes

By Amanda Dahl Photos courtesy of Stephanie Pohlman Designs

32 | APRIL 2020 | ABODE | LADUENEWS.COM

Say “hello” to Stephanie Pohlman’s breezy cottage-style home, an inviting space that simply inspires.

W

hen you walk inside the home of interior designer Stephanie Pohlman Pohlman, her clean clean, coastal entryway immediately puts you at ease. That was her goal when she took on the redesign of her own sanctuary this year.

Many other homeowners have sought simple ways to reinvent their living spaces since social distancing procedures began as a result of the coronaviral crisis. Pohlman figured the best way to aid her Stephanie Pohlman Designs clients throughout the pandemic was by showing them how easy it can be to reinvent their residences through example.

“I opened my e-design service to show how I could [work] virtually,” she says. “If you hire me to make a design board, you can bring it to reality yourself.”

Pregnant with her second child at the start of lockdown in the metro area, she took to social media to present her ideas for each space found in the Pohlman property. Followers could watch her process, using the e-design service, as she turned inspiration into a real room.

“The bedrooms are small, so I wanted to make sure they were light and bright and open,” Pohlman describes. With her daughter’s room, she chose bohemian pieces, such as a carved sun-shaped LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | APRIL 2020 | 33

headboard and a hanging chair. Wicker and wooden accents keep the aesthetic muted. The only pop of color is pink, which appears in the single curtain and, most noticeably, on the ombré statement wall that was hand-painted by the designer.

“My own home was a good place to experiment,” Pohlman says. “It has evolved so much. We renovated in 2015, when I was a new designer and didn’t have a lot of experience. We had popcorn ceilings. That was the most physically challenging thing because they are messy and hard to repair, once you remove them. The layout of the kitchen, with a wall separating the living room, was also a difficult thing.”

When Pohlman first described her intentions for the kitchen area, she was met with skepticism. Rather than be deterred, though, she chose to remove the wall between the two areas and add a large center island. Gold hardware and mismatched seating create a calming, cheerful environment. Navy and white dandelion wallpaper adds just a touch of whimsy to the sunlit space. The result floored her

critics and gave the kitchen new functionality.

“Always start with a mood board, which I offer through my e-design service,” she says of her process. “Grab images from Pinterest, and put them together to see what you like from each picture. Start with big items, like the sofa, and then pull in a rug.

Then go smaller, like with coffee and accent tables. Once you’ve nailed that down, [work] with accessories and wall décor. Make your home something you love by adding touches that [appeal to you].”

Although the University of Missouri-Columbia alumna has “a definite aesthetic,” Pohlman strives to offer her clients a wide range of moods and styles, ranging from farmhouse to modern to classic and coastal. “Small, trendy things that don’t break the bank can evolve the look [of your home while] big things can be timeless accents,” she notes.

The sought-after designer started her career in commercial design after graduating in 2012 but soon determined residential property suited her best. After shadowing an interior designer,

Pohlman knew she wanted to launch her own firm to offer herself a flexible schedule as she started her family.

“I took a leap of faith,” she says about the beginning of Stephanie Pohlman Designs. “It ended up exploding! [My business grew through] a lot of word-of-mouth. Clients started following on Instagram and Facebook, and my list just kept growing.”

In the same manner through which Pohlman inspires her followers, she discovers her inspirations on social networks such as Instagram and Pinterest. Her overall hope is to show people that the space you create can be stunning without feeling untouchable.

“A lot of my clients hired me because they see that I’m not making something unlivable,” Pohlman says. “[I’m not making something that is so] beautiful but you’re afraid to host or drop a wine glass or have kids climb over the couches. I hope to show people that you can make a house beautiful and still family-friendly.”

Stephanie Pohlman Designs, stephaniepohlmandesigns.com

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 35

Flawlessly FUNCTIONAL

An expressive and modern renovation of an 83-year-old gem bridges the gap between the old and the new.

By Alecia Humphreys Photos by Corey Hogrefe with CH Studios

T

he C&M Interiors team has transformed a closed-in 1937 Colonial into a functional yet flawless space for a south St. Louis family of four.

“Before we got our hands on this project, the space was dark, drab and closed-in,” says Maria Hogrefe, a principal and interior designer at C&M, headquartered in University City. “You couldn’t move throughout the space without feeling like you would get trapped on one end. It was poorly laid out in terms of functionality and a huge headache for the family in general.”

To help with the flow of the first floor, a wall separating the kitchen and dining room was removed – or rather, reimagined.

“We opened this up, while remaining intentional about the architecture, so that there would be better flow throughout the home,” says Channing Krichevsky, the other principal and interior designer at C&M. “We ended up creating a new plaster opening that led from the dining room to the kitchen that matched the existing opening that led from the living room to the dining room.”

But the new arched transition was not the only seamless shift in this space.

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 37

“We chose to restore the flooring, original to the home,” Krichevsky says. “We smartly matched and feathered the hardwood flooring into the kitchen, which was previously tile.”

In the kitchen, Hogrefe and Krichevsky also installed custom cabinets – designed by C&M and constructed by Arthur, Illinois’ Kenrose Kitchen Kabinets – in a blissful blue.

“Our favorite part [of this design] is by far the unique and bold paint color we were allowed to utilize on the cabinetry,” Krichevsky says. “The clients were so excited about it; we didn’t even have to try too hard to convince them!”

The playful pop of color was beautifully balanced by white subway tile-clad walls, crown molding, a fabulous farmhouse sink, stunning stainless appliances and an intricate island in the space’s center, which also functions as seating for family. Orderly orb pendants perfectly pair with cabinet door pulls, tastefully tying together the space.

In the adjoining dining room, beautiful built-in hutches act as a pantry and additional storage with a built-in wine cooler. The hutches coordinate with the kitchen cabinets and marvelously marry the margins between the once-separated spaces. An eight-light chandelier with a wagon-wheel-style frame and dark bronze finish creates a rustic yet industrial look, while its Edison bulbs engulfed by glass globes bring a hint of nostalgia – a connection from old to new forged thoughtfully throughout the home.

“Rooms were envisioned to feel tangible and usable for the family’s busy day-to-day lifestyle,” Hogrefe says.

“Impactful elements were rendered with practical materials and fitting details to the period of the home, such as the subway tile-clad walls in the kitchen, two oversized built-in dining hutches and a family room that invites you in as you open the friendly yellow front door.”

Around the corner, the C&M team perfected a powder room with a whimsical floor-to-ceiling wallcovering – again in beautiful blues – which pops

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 39

perfectly against honed honeycomb mosaic flooring in a mix of white and gray. “[The clients] let us play with impactful materials, such as bold patterned wallpaper, floor tile and punches of color around every corner,” Krichevsky says.

On the second floor, another bathroom was beautified. Cascais ornate tile, for example, adorns its floor and brings boldness to the space. Dainty gold orb sconces, meanwhile, shine over a deep blue double vanity featuring gold fixtures that perfectly pair with the double faucets mounted to the wall. Also, in true C&M fashion, a walk-in subway tile shower showcases similar gold hardware and a black honeycomb inlay that intricately ties to the grout on its grain.

“We drew inspiration from the family that lives there,” Krichevsky says. “They are a young family of four who are constantly on the go and were not afraid of color. Now they have a bright, stylish space that is equal parts expressive and modern, and wholly reflective of the family who lives there. It is cheerful and feels young and fresh!”

C&M Interiors, 937 Midland Blvd., St. Louis, 314-328-1923, candmstudio.com

A MOODY

MARVEL

By Alecia Humphreys | Photos courtesy of J&J Design Team

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This St. Louis chef’s home redesign turned out just as delectable as his cooking.

S

tep inside St. Louis sushi chef Elliot Harris’ Webster Groves home and be transported into a moody marvel that the J&J Design Team likens to an underground restaurant.

“When you walk into Elliot’s house, it’s cozy and very welcoming, but you also feel like you are not in St. Louis,” says J&J Design Team designer Jenna Siebert. “You feel like you are at this cool restaurant or something. It’s a very cool space.”

Prior to the project, Siebert says the residence in question was rather raw.

“Nothing about his personality showed in this house,” Siebert says. “It was very drab, definitely outdated, so he wanted to bring it to life.”

The husband-and-wife team that is the J&J Design Team started with the living room by updating the floors that carry throughout the entire first level.

“He had a really dark hardwood floor in there,”

Siebert says. “We could have refinished them, but he wanted something very easy to take care of, so we went with a laminate flooring. Just that alone brightened up the space.”

From there, Siebert introduced her client to shiplap.

“He was like, ‘What is shiplap?’” says Siebert with a laugh. “I showed him pictures – we actually have some in our personal home – and he loved the shiplap.”

The shiplap was incorporated into a redesigned fireplace.

“The fireplace was kind of awkward in his living room, so we redesigned it by bumping it out, adding shiplap from floor to the ceiling, and then we wanted a little industrial thrown in there,” Siebert says. “So we teamed up with Gregory Rascher, who had a 100-year-old beam, and that is what the mantel is on the fireplace.”

To tie the living room together, Siebert sourced natural window treatments in addition to all furnishings.

“Every piece of furniture in his living room is brand-new,” she says. “I got to style it and surprise him with it. That was fun.”

Adjacent to the living room is the dining room, in which the J&J Design Team created an industrial-meetsnautical custom chandelier above a custom dining room table.

“The chandelier is another 100-year-old beam, and I found these cool lights to wrap around the beam,” Siebert says. “We have seen similar stuff, but we wanted to bring more of that nautical theme with rope to make it a little different, and then we wanted to tie that beam in with the beam on his mantel. They work really well together.”

The table is a concrete tabletop on a custom wood base.

“Honestly, the most difficult part of this project was getting that table inside,” Siebert says. “Gregory made that table off-site, and that concrete tabletop was so heavy. That was probably the biggest oh-my-God, freak-out moment.”

Placed directly behind the dining room is a bar buffet that mimics the adjoining kitchen – concrete countertop atop beautiful black cabinetry with leather pulls.

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“I love those leather pulls,” Siebert says. “I wanted to do something different. That leather works so well with the butcher block. I just fell in love with them.”

The kitchen in question has black slate subway tiles adorning the walls, while the concrete countertop, stainless appliances and butcher-block waterfall island create a crisp contrast.

“We used that same butcher-block material for his windowsills and open shelving to tie it all together,” Siebert says. “His kitchen was functional before, but it was awkward and really outdated. Now, the kitchen is all black, and I think it’s so sexy.”

Last, but certainly not least, is the main floor bath, which features floor-to-ceiling white subway tiles, a custom wood vanity and black herringbone-tiled flooring that carries into a curbless walk-in shower.

“Overall, we just totally transformed his house,” Siebert says. “It feels like a completely different space. We have a small team, but one that makes a big impact. I’m really happy with how that project turned out.”

J&J Design Team, 314-229-9420, jandjdesignteam.com

HIS KITCHEN WAS FUNCTIONAL BEFORE, BUT IT WAS AWKWARD AND REALLY OUTDATED. NOW, THE KITCHEN IS ALL BLACK, AND I THINK IT’S SO SEXY. – Jenna Siebert

”

& Ravishing RETRO

By Alecia Humphreys | Photos courtesy of Jessie D. Miller Interior Design by Megan Lorenz

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 47

A PROVOCATIVE WEST COUNTY PROJECT FEATURES BOLD ART CHOICES AND A CLEAN DESIGN THAT OPENS THE SPACE AND STIMULATES THE MIND.

W

hat started as a simple reworking of Jessie Miller’s clients’ Creve Coeur workspace resulted in a much larger-scale minimalistic makeover that captivated both client and designer.

“This house was built in the early 2000s, and the clients had worked with another designer previously, and they just weren’t getting the space to feel like home,” says Miller, namesake of Jessie D. Miller Interior Design. “The only space in the house that hadn’t been worked on was the office (pictured on the cover), so we were able to start from scratch. It was a blank canvas for me.”

Miller adorned the walls of the workroom in a light, bright crackle-patterned wallcovering and selected a stunning stacked architectural desk that’s flanked by beautiful brass étagères.

“The pair of étagères are vintage that I’ve had in inventory for a really long time,” Miller says. “We just curated a really great collection of art and accessories.”

Art includes a Stephanie Vovas photograph placed as a backdrop and a fierce feline over a furry, modern bench. Black, white and gold sculptural art is also sprinkled throughout the space. And although Miller didn’t lend a hand in ordering the Pedro Friedeberg-inspired hand chair, she did give a hand in helping it fit the feng shui of the space.

“The clients had ordered the hand-shaped chair prior to when they hired me, and I had a lot of fun working with it,” Miller says. “It is a pretty iconic piece of furniture.”

Approximately eight months later, the clients called Miller for more.

“We completely reimagined their master suite, and we did some work in their more common areas of the space,” Miller says.

Common areas included the entryway and the stairway, in which Miller took risks with a retro runner.

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“The clients definitely appreciate an ’80s aesthetic, which is so fun as a designer to do something that’s a little wilder and not as conservative as most people would want,” Miller says. “That was actually the only idea that I pitched them that they were hesitant about, and it is one of the family’s favorite things now, so it worked out pretty successfully.”

Miller also conducted a “mini makeover” in the clients’ corner dining room by adding abstract art found at Maplewood’s Treasure Aisles Antique Mall, modern chartreuse window treatments, a new dining set with chrome chairs and a stunning sunburst chandelier.

What Miller calls the showstopper of the space, though, is the master suite.

“It is incredibly soothing to be in the space, and it definitely promotes all the things you’d want to do in a bedroom,” Miller says. “It’s just a beautiful place to start your morning.”

Miller replaced the clients’ carpet with wide-plank oak wood floors and installed a spectacular, large-scale chandelier.

“That chandelier was the first thing that I knew I wanted to use in the space,” Miller says, “but of course, as the universe works, it was the most complicated piece to get in. There was some shipping drama associated with getting it in for the space, some install drama, so I ended up installing all the crystals myself on it. It was like reading an ancient Chinese map, trying to figure out the specs on that thing, but it was 100 percent worth it. I would do it again tomorrow.”

Miller also commissioned a floor-to-ceiling ombré watercolor mural by local artist Susan Greene.

“It’s so, so clean,” Miller says. “There are not a lot of things in the space that distract the mind. But it is still subconsciously stimulating due to the gradient in the wall, the color fades from dark to light as you move up the wall, and the experience that creates is pretty amazing.”

Now, claustrophobic is no longer a term Miller uses to describe this space, but rather, clean.

“It’s minimally exciting,” she says. “I would say slightly provocative because they were very adventurous with their art choices and will take risks and make some bolder decisions.

I’d say it feels useful. I would say unexpected – there are unexpected, sculptural shapes. I feel like we will probably go back for an additional phase at some point.”

Jessie D. Miller Interior Design, jessiedmiller.com LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 51

OUTSIDE

Deli t Delights Photo courtesy of Gigi Lombrano

ADD A TOUCH OF CELESTIAL SERENITY TO YOUR RESIDENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT OPTIONS WITHOUT FRETTING ABOUT INDOOR SPATIAL CONSTRAINTS.

By Bryan A. Hollerbach

P

aradise, thy name is patio!

Patios used for fun and entertainment are vital living spaces, perhaps now more than ever, given social distancing and other COVID-19-related precautions that generally eighty-six indoor entertaining.

In that regard – with the cool clarity of autumn swift increasing – it seemed expedient to confer with a pair of local experts about ways to welcome relatives and friends for a bit of alfresco bonhomie: awardwinning designer Gigi Lombrano of Gigi Lombrano Interiors and Nick Liuzza of NJL Custom Homes.

“Flexibility is the key to hosting an outdoor gathering,” confides Lombrano, who both belongs to the American Society of Interior Designers and holds the esteemed NCIDQ certification through the Council for Interior Design Qualification.

“When preparing to host, think ‘divide and conquer,’ using comfy chairs that are easily rearranged, along with small tables which provide a place to hold a drink, as well as your phone/keys and some snacks.”

Despite the promise of autumnal cool, Lombrano also recognizes the regularity with which Mother Nature breaks that promise here, with heat and humidity lingering long after they should have abated – usually, alas, mere moments before snow starts falling.

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Photo courtesy of Gigi Lombrano

With the current social distancing restrictions in our community, people are in need of a luxury place to curl up after a long workweek in their home office.� – Nick Liuzza

“Anoth her important consideration is shade,” she says. “This could bee provided p by freestanding shade umbrellas or a freestanding electronicc pergola p that would open and close to provide shade.

Adding fan ns would be key to provide a breeze or keep mosquitoes and bugs gs away. a ” From that recommendation, Lombrano broaches the topic of stouter su uggestions for augmenting divertissements out-of-doors. “A more perm manent solution would be a loggia where you could put fans on the wallls or the ceiling, add lighting, and even heaters for nearly year-roun nd use,” she says. “A comfy fire pit adds ambiance to the space. And d the t ultimate: an outdoor fireplace with a TV and sound system to o watch wa movies or your favorite sports team.”

Those se final fi suggestions from Lombrano dovetail with the expertise se of o Liuzza, who owns NJL and, according to his company’s website, “h has managed the construction of over 700 homes in the St. Louis areaa.” He tenders a heartening bit of information in regard to his busineess. o much of everyone’s surprise, including ours at NJL Custom “To m he amount of inquiries for outdoor covered living spaces, Homes, th and paver patios, have more than doubled during featuring fireplaces fir ID-19 era, the COVID-19 e ” Liuzza relates. hink this is solely attributed to people knowing they can’t “We th right now for entertainment. With the current leave theirr house h social disttancing restrictions in our community, people are in need of a luxury place to curl up after a long workweek in their home office.” an example of an NJL project that he characterizes Liuzzaa offers o as “the epiitome of outdoor living. This area boasts cedar wood tones -in stone accents. From barbecuing to relaxing in front of with built-i the fireplaace, our clients will have no problem utilizing this space during soccial distancing.” ond that, Liuzza mentions the potential for adding liquid Beyon assets – in n more m than one sense of the word liquid: “We’re also installingg cocktail c pools more now than ever. These compact pools offer a cozzy and more affordable oasis than the traditional backyard pool. Cock cktail pools are extremely versatile and offer a ton of customizat ation, making them extremely sought after.”

With h a bit b of luck, the preceding recommendations from Lombrano o and a Liuzza will inspire area residents to improve their own abod des with a piece of heaven on earth.

Gigi Lombr ombrano Interiors, 314-707-7291 NJL Custom om Homes, Homes 556 Lef Leffingw fingwell Ave., Kirkwood, 314-496-8312, njlcustomhomes omhomes.com

LADUENEWS.COM | ABODE | OCTOBER 2020 | 55

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