SELL ING T HE DRE
Everypropertyhasastory.Letus personalizeyourexperience andsellthedream!
42CountrysideLane|Frontenac|$5,242,000
DesignedbytherenownedarchitectandinteriordesignerBobbyMcAlpine,thisstunningresidenceembodieshisphilosophy ofluxury,serenity,andemotion.Nestledon1.45acresintheprestigiousareaofFrontenac,thishomeexudesthecharmofan EnglishManorEstate.Transformedbythecurrentownerwithexquisitedesignertouches,everycornerofthishomeoffersa feelingofsanctuary.Withthree oorsofspectacularlivingspace,acustomizedlowerlevel,aprivateguestcottage,asaltwater pool,spa,multifunctionalsportcourt,andanextraordinarypoolhouse,thispropertyisatruemasterpiece.Experience unparalleledeleganceandcomfort.
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LN ABODE
PUBLISHER
IanCaso
EDITORIAL
MANAGINGEDITOR
AshleyKlein | aklein@laduenews.com
DIGITALEDITOR & STAFFWRITER
AmandaDahl | adahl@laduenews.com
ASSOCIATEEDITOR
EmilyStandlee | estandlee@laduenews.com
ASSISTANTEDITOR
DanielPuma | dpuma@laduenews.com
CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS
BethanyChristo,DrewGieseke,AleciaHumphreys, BrittanyNay,MeganRubenstein,AndreaSmith
ADVERTISING
VICEPRESIDENTOFSALES
KevinHart | khart@stlpostmedia.com
SENIORMEDIASTRATEGIST
KatieRay | kray@laduenews.com
MEDIASTRATEGIST
MichelleBrown | mbrown@laduenews.com
SPECIALPROJECTSMANAGER
MaggiePeters | mpeters@laduenews.com
CLASSIFIEDACCOUNTMANAGER
LisaTaylor | ltaylor@lee.net
CREATIVE
ARTDIRECTOR
LauraDeVlieger | ldevlieger@laduenews.com
ASSISTANTARTDIRECTOR
ChristopherOth | coth@laduenews.com
CONTRIBUTINGPHOTOGRAPHERS
HeidiDrexlerPhotography,JoanFisher, BobHensen,ChristinaKling-Garrett,MeganLorenz, AnneMatheisPhotography,NicoleMigetPhotography, KevindeMiranda,LisaMitchell,AliseO’Brien, KarenPalmer,DonaldRichardson,CHStudios
CONTACT
901N.10thSt.,St.Louis,MO63101-1250
314.863.3737 | LadueNews.com
PhotobyJoanFisher,courtesyofABODEby ParklynInteriors
PhotobyKarenPalmer,designbyMeganTempleDesign
Photosupplied
LN ABODE
PhotobyChristinaKling-Garrett
LETTERF ROM THEE DI TOR
ournalistandwriterJoanDidiononcesaidtoaNewYorkTimesreporter thatsheusedhergoodsilveratmealtimeseverydaybecause“everydayis allthereis.”It’strue;foreveryspecialoccasion,there’sahundreddaysof routine.Lifeisshort.Whynotrevelinthelittleluxuriesalongtheway? issentimentisre ectedinseveralstoriesacrossthiseditionofABODE, suchasintherecentrenobyKarenKornInteriorsfeaturedon p.24. eredesign, whichwascompletedwhilethehomeownerswereawayonatrip,highlights artifactsfromtheclients’worldwidetravelsdisplayedthroughoutthehome. AmyKuntzofForthandHome,ahomeandgiftshopinWebsterGroves,hopes toinspirethoughtfuldecoratingwithherinventoryofhand-picked,ethically sourcedwaresseenonp.46.Shesays,“Ithinkusingitemsthatwelovedaily (ourfavoritedishes,lightingthosedecorativecandlesatasimpledinnerbefore weheadouttothenextthing,etc.)asawaytohonorallmomentsasspecial isreallybeautiful.”
Homedesignisn’tjustaboutthepiecesweuseanddisplay,however–itcan helpuspracticepresenceinourdailyroutines,too.InacollaborationwithKarr BickKitchenandBathonp.20,localdesignerDebraBevardredesignedherown kitchentoimproveits owforentertainingandprovideworkspacesoshecould stayinthefoldoffamilyactivitiesthroughouttheday.Onp.32,C&MInteriors drawscoastal inspirationsinto asoothingdesignschemefor thehomeowners who“wantedthespacetofeellikeaneverydayvacation.”Carefullycrafted ambiancemeetspersonalpassiononp.38,wherelocalexpertssingthepraises of outdoor waterfeaturesthato er“an outlet attheendofastressfulday.”
Whateverenhancesyoureveryday,Ihopeyou ndsomeinspirationin thesepages.
Happy reading, AshleyKlein
Designer INSIGHTS
WITHJULIEABNER ofJulieAbnerInteriors
ByMeganRubenstein PhotosbyAliseO’Brien
Fromrearrangingherparents’furnitureasachild toworkinginhigh-enddesignaftercollege,Julie Abner’sexperiencesledherto followthat lifelong passionandopenherowndesign rm,JulieAbner Interiors,in2006.Abnerlovestoshareher“detail-oriented designsthatarefunctional,interestingandbeautiful”and workstoensurethather nalrevealshaveatimelessquality. Shesays, “IhaveprojectsthatIinstalledover 10 yearsagoor morethatarestilldesignsthatpeopleloveand wanttorecreate.”
WespokewithAbneraboutherperspectiveontrends andher personalapproachto design.
Signaturestyle
Idon’thaveonedesignstylethatIgravitate toward, whichis why mydesignportfoliocoversarangeofclients– whethertheylove moderndesign,classicneutralsorlotsofcolorandpattern.It keeps meonmy toesandmakesmydesignlifeinteresting. Ilisten to my clientsandget to knowthemand whattheyliketo createatruly personalized design.Itcreatesspacesthatfeellike homeforthem.
Inspiration
Myinspirationforaprojectbeginswithcommunicatingwith myclients to discuss whattheylike anddon’tlike. en,Isee whattheygravitate toward whenIprovidedirectionbased on whatI’vegleaned fromourdiscussions. Instagramisawonderful communityandresourceforthedesignworld,asaremagazines like Architectural DigestandVeranda.Also,what’shappeningin the fashionindustry(currently metallicsandneutrals, for example) usually mirrors what’strendinginthedesignindustry.
OnTrend
Metallics.AllthingsBurlwood.Mixingtexturesandorganic detailsinwallpaperandtile.Eliminatingrecessedcanlighting andaddingsurfacelight xturesinstead.
Favoriteroom
e family room– wherethe family gathers! is roomo erssomanyopportunities to personalizethe spacewithspecial lighting, accessoriesand,most importantly,the furniturelayout to maximizeseating but keep family timecozyandconversational, whether forentertainingorfora casual nightathome.
Protip
Focusonwhatyounaturallygravitatetowardandwhatyoulike, notonthefadofthemoment. edesignworldisfullofchoices andstyles,soitiseasytobein uencedbywhatyouseeonsocial mediaorwhatistrendingrightnow.Instead, ndwhat you love andtrustyourdesignertoguideyouandassistwithmakingyour individualspacecometolife.Whenitcomestoaccessories,buy whatyouloveandtherewillalwaysbeaplaceforit.
Finishingtouch
Ilovetoincorporateupgradedupholstery.Upgradedcushion insertsandluxuryfabricsmakeallthedi erence!Ialsolovesofas withbenchseatcushions;Itrytoincorporatetheseintoevery design.Pocketdoorsareanothergreatwaytomaximizespace andmakearoommorefunctional.
isinterviewhasbeeneditedforbrevityandclarity.
JulieAbnerInteriors,5149DaggettAve.,St.Louis, 314-606-8698,julieabnerinteriors.com
Designer INSIGHTS
WITHERINFLEHER ofListonDesignBuild
ByMeganRubenstein PhotosbyAnneMatheisPhotography
From basements to bathrooms,Liston Design Buildknowsthatnotwoprojectsarethesame. efamily businesshasgrownoverthelast severalyears butcontinuestokeepitsfocuson eachclient’suniqueneeds–every choicethe client makes iscustomandguidedbythe rm’sdesignersandtrade partners. ErinFleher,aListondesignersince 2018, says: “Everythingwedoisdetailedandintentional.”
WespokewithFleheraboutherfavoritedesign techniquesandadvicefor homeowners undertaking areno.
Signaturestyle
MyinteriordesignstyleisCaliforniacoastal.I’mdrawntovery bright,lightspaces,butIreallylovecolor–whetherIincorporate itbypaintingabuilt-inblueorencouragingsomeoneto incorporatewallpaperandhavealittlebitoffunwiththeirspace. It’syourhome,anditshouldre ectyourpersonality.IfIcanget somebodytoleanintothat,that’sthewayIusuallygo.
Inspiration
IgetinspirationfromPinterestandold-schoolmagazines.Istill getArchitecturalDigest,thehardcopyofit.Travelisasource forideastoo–Imightseeafuntileandthink,“HowcanIget someonetoincorporateamosaicintotheirhouse?”
Projectspotlight
IjustwrappedupahistorichouseinSt.Charlesthat’smore thanahundredyearsold. eyhadaspacetheyreferredtoasa “ exroom,”whereweaddedabanquetteandpuzzle-piecedthe wallwithpanelssalvagedfromanearbychurch.Weleanedinto thehistoricdetails,whichwasachallengeforme,butIthinkit turnedoutbetterbecauseofthat.
Favoriteroom
ekitchen–kitchenshavebecomemoreandmorethecenterof thehome. Youmightthink ofthelivingroomastheentertaining space whereeveryonesitsandwatchesTVandhangs out,but whensomeone’shostingorhavingameal, it’susually arounda bigkitchenislandnow.Ilovegetting to stylethat–notonly for practical,everydayuse,but alsomaking it beautiful
Elevatethelook
Walldetailsare key to bringingadesign to thenextlevel. Anywherefromyourlivingroom to yourstaircase, havingthe opportunity toputinalittlebit ofwainscotingorboardand batten–somethingwithalittlebitofamillworkdetail–can seemintentional andmorepersonalto ahome.
Protip
edesignprocess canbedauntingasahomeowner, buttrust yourselfandtheprofessionalsyou’reworkingwith.Leaninandget theiradvice,butremember:It’syourhome. You’retheonelivingin it. Becomfortablewith whoyouhire, andincorporateyourpersonality. isinterviewhasbeeneditedforbrevityandclarity.
ListonDesignBuild,1106FirstCapitolDrive,St.Charles, 636-940-9417,listondesignbuild.com
EXCELLENCEANDEFFICIENCY
ExpertlyCrafted
Weareproudtoo erexpertlycra ed homesusingqualitymaterialsandthe bestmethodsofconstructionthatmodern buildingsciencehastaughtus. eresults arehomesthatrequirelessmaintenance, havelowerornoutilitybills,andhave muchhealthierindoorairthanthe averagenewhome.
FoundationinCommunication
Webelieveinacollaborativeapproach tohomedesign.Itbeginswithclearly understandingthevisionofourclients. Weaskfortheirideas.Weaskthemto sharepicturesofdesignideastheylove, andweincorporatethoseintothehome design. ehomeowner’sideasarethe basisofdesign.
Award-WinningInnovation
Wehavewontwonationalawardsfromthe USDeptofEnergythroughtheirzero energyreadyhomesprogramforinnovation incustomhomebuilding. isawardwas basedonachievinghigherlevelsofenergy e ciencyandindoorairqualityusing innovativemethodsforboth.Wehavea nationalawardwinninglevelofinnovation.
TheW hat’s W hat o
Thiscenturies-oldwoodpanel techniquemoves seamlessly intomodern-daydesign.
ByEmilyStandlee
PhotosbyLisaMitchell,courtesyof1749Designs
Iftherewasever aversatiledesign element that delivers atonofcharacteratallpricepoints, it’s wainscoting.
Beginninginthe 18thcentury,it wasusedtoprotect wallsfrom scu sanddings andprovideanextralayerof insulationagainstcold,dampstone walls. Inthedecades since,wainscotinghasevolved,remainingpopularin designforitstimelessaesthetic.
Oneofwainscoting’sbiggestappealsisitsversatility.It cancoveraquarter,halforevenanentirewalldependingon thedesiredlook.Typicallyavailableinlargepanelsthatcanbe paintedorstained,itcomesinavarietyofmaterialsandtextures. It’softenpairedwithachairrailaboveandbaseboardorshoe moldingbelow,creatingapolished,cohesive nish.
PhotosbyMeganLorenz,courtesyofDesignCollectiveSTL
InteriordesignerDebraBevard,ownerof 1749 Designs, saysshelikes using wainscotpanelingforitsabilitytobringdepth,textureandinterest intoanyspace. “It’sanupgradethatwilladdcharactertoyourhomeand createa sense ofre nement,”sheexplains. “With variousstyles–from classicraisedpanelstosleekbeadboard– wainscotingenhancesthe characterofaroomandcanmakeaspacefeelmorepolishedandinviting.”
ForDesignCollectiveSTLco-foundersBrettClarkandEllen Lancia, wainscotingo ersabalancebetweenformandfunction. “Greatdesignisn’tjustaboutaesthetics–it’saboutcreatingspaces thatfeele ortless, functionalanddeeplyconnectedtothepeople wholiveinthem,”theyexplain.ClarkandLanciasayadaptabledesign elementslike wainscotinghaveevolvedtocomplementawiderangeof interiors,makingtheir clients’wallsfeel moreintentional and elevating eventhesimplestofrooms. eyconclude: “Whethertraditionalor contemporary,wainscotingaddsan element of craftsmanshipthat enhancesthehome’soverall charmandsophistication.”
Although wainscotingcantechnicallybeinstalledinanyroom, certainplacementsaremorecommon.“Wainscotingiscommonly foundinentrywaysanddiningrooms, whereitaddsarchitectural interestandsophistication,”ClarkandLanciasay.“It’salsoagreat choiceforhallways, staircasesandevenbathrooms, providingboth durabilityandvisualappeal.”
Bevardnotesthatauthentic wainscotinggivesa“classic, high-end lookwithoutsacri cingtheintegrityoftheconstruction.”Fauxoptions doexist, however,whichareoftencreatedusingtrimpieces, Clarkand Lanciasay. ese o er“agreat,budget-friendlyalternativethatstill deliversastylishlook.”
Atraditionalapproachto wainscotingoftenfeatureswhiteorowhitepaintedpanelingonthelower walls, pairedwithsimplepaintor wallpaperabove. “Traditional wainscotingonthelowerhalfcreatesa grounded,classiclook, whilefull-wall wainscotingaddsdrama,”Clark andLanciasay. Or,insteadofframing wainscotingfromthemiddleof the walldown,achairrailcanbeplacedhigher,doublingasapicture ledgewith wainscotingcoveringthelowertwo-thirds.
“ etypeof wainscotingyou choose andyourhome’soverall styleplaykeyroles,”Bevardsays. “Forexample, ifyou’retryingto createacottagestyle, beadboardisagreatchoice. Ifyourhomehas amoretraditionalorhistoricalfeel,full-wall wainscotingpairedwith crownmoldingwould enhancethis character.”Moderndesigns might introduceanunexpected wainscotingcolorthatmatchesthecrown moldingandceiling, leavingspacefor wallpaperontheupper wall.
Allinall,there’snosingleright waytoinstall wainscoting– butit isadesignelementthatpacksa punchinitssimplicity.Whetheryou choose topaintthe walls,wainscotingandceilinginthesamerich hueforamodernstatementorinstalltall wainscotinginyourformal diningroomforare nedtouch,it’satimelesselementthatyou can makeuniquelyyours
1749Designs,instagram.com/1749designs
DesignCollectiveSTL,11622PageServiceDrive, Suite109,St.Louis,designcollectivestl.com
D OWN TO BUSINE SS
ByDanielPuma
Thehomeo cehas drasticallyevolved overthe lastfewdecades. Duetoa combination ofdeveloping technologyneeds, therise ofremoteworkandchangesinoverall designappeal,homeo cesarenolonger anafterthought. eCOVID-19 pandemic sealedthedealonhomeo ces’ newfoundidentityasanecessityrather
thananice-to-have.
Althoughdemandforhomeo ces hassteadiedsincethesurgeattheheight ofthepandemic, manypeoplecontinue toworkfromhomeinsomecapacity–andasjobshavebecomemorecomplex in scopeofdutiesandtechnology,the homeo ceneedstokeepup. Wespoke withthreepremierdesign rmstobreak downwhatgoesintocreatingtheperfect
KarrBickinteriorsdesignteamleadAshleyObradovitscraftedthis of cefor a momwhoworksfromhome.Dynamictexturesintherug, chandelierandrattan nishesarelayeredatopcalmingpastelsto create a productive-yet-prettyatmosphere. PhotobyLisaMitchell
homeo cethat balancesbeautiful designwith purpose.
Beforeyou consultwithyourinterior designer,consider somekeyquestions aboutyourneedsforthespace. Anne MarieBoedges, presidentanddesignerat AnneMarieDesignStudio, sayssheruns througha checklistwithherclients,which determineswhatamenitieswillbeneeded for theroom (such asprinters,shredders and lestorage)aswellastheclient’s tech setup–beitalaptopordesktop computer withmultiplemonitors.She alsoconsidershowmanypeoplewillbe usingtheo ceandprivacyneeds; noise canbedampened withextra insulation andwithsoft nishes, althoughhard ooringisusuallypreferredto wall-towallcarpeting.
“Onceweknowtheirneeds, westart measuring,”Boedgessays. “ eidealo ce istheonethatdoesn’t scream,‘I’man o ce.’Instead,itneedstobee cientand hidethings when[theyarenotinuse].”
ChanningKrichevsky,co-founder andprincipalinteriordesignerat C&M Interiors,underscorestheimportanceof keepingpracticalityattheforefront.
“Wealwaysleadwithfunction,” shesays. “Forus, aestheticsalways complementthefunctionandnever compromiseit.”
Afterconsultingwithahome-o ce client, the C&M teamo ersoneortwo planoptionsfor the clientto review. “Oncetheymakea selectionontheir
Forthishome-of cereno,Anne MarieBoedges’clientwanted thewallbehindhisdesktobea focalpoint.“Hewantedittolook awesomebehindhimforallofhis meetings,”Boedgessays.“This clientalreadyknewhe’dputhis laptoponthedesk,butpreparing appropriateoutletsiskey!”
functionality,wethenwilldiveinto…the homeowner’spersonal stylewhile always keeping ourphilosophiesatthefrontof our minds.”Oneconstantacross C&M homeo cedesigns, forexample, isafocuson lighting–prioritizingnatural light whenever possible. “ isissoimportantinawork environment,”Krichevskysays.“We also alwaysmakesurethat ourlightingislayered withambient, taskandaccentlightingtogive our clientsoptions.”
JennyRausch,owneranddesignerat KarrBick Kitchen andBath,recommends consideringyourpersonal workstyle to createaspacethatencouragesproductivity. Sheasks, “Whatdistractsyou? Whathelps you focus? Doyou needquiet forcalls? Do you liketolookatthe wallor outintothe room? Howmuchworkspacedoyou need? Doyou standalot? Howmuchstoragefor paper,ifany,doyou need? enyou can
diginto thingslikewhat sortof chairs work bestandhowmuchkneespaceyou need.It’s alwaysverytailored to the client.”
Strategizing on thefrontendcansave you heartacheinthelongrun.“ ehard truthiseverythingcostsmorethanyou think,”Rauschsays. “Goinwiththemantra, ‘You don’tknowwhatyou don’tknow.’Aska millionquestions, ndanexpertandlisten tothem.We[also]askalotofquestions aboutstyleanddesign–thatisthefunpart.”
AnneMarieDesignStudio, 17014NewCollegeAve.,SuiteE,St.Louis, 636-821-3395,annemariestudio.com
C&MInteriors,2855AccomacSt., St.Louis,314-328-1923, candminteriors.com
KarrBickKitchenandBath, 2715MercantileDrive,St.Louis, 314-645-6545,karrbick.com
Dream Team
Whenaninteriordesigner wantstoknockdownawall andrenovateherownkitchen anddiningarea,whodoesshe drafttoherexpertteam?
ByAndreaSmith |PhotosbyLisaMitchell
HomeownerDebraBevardhadbeeneyeing her kitchen anddiningareafor aremodel sinceshemovedintothehouse morethan a decadeago.
Itfeltclosedofffromtherestofthefirstfloor, andthediningroom wasunderutilized.Justa fewpeoplecongregatinginthekitchenmadeit crowded,requiringBevard’sfamilytoshimmy aroundeachotheratmealtimes. “Thekitchenis whereeverybodyhangsout. Wewouldhavefamily gatherings andfriendsover,andwewouldall squeeze[in],”shedescribes.
Asatrainedinteriordesigner,Bevardformedavisionfor somethingbiggerandbetter.Toseeittofruition,sheenlistedthe expertiseofKarrBickKitchenandBath.“Iknewtherewasgoingto besomeseriousconstructionwork,”shesays.“Ineededateamto dothis.”
BevardconnectedwithWendyKuhn,KarrBick’sseniorkitchen andbathdesigner,andtheybouncedideaso eachother. ey foundcommongroundinwheretheirpersonalinteriordesign stylesoverlapandtheirdesiretocreateaspacethatwouldfunction e cientlyandbeautifullyfor yearsto come.
Bevardowns1749Designsandspecializesintimelessdécor andstreamlinedspaces.“Iliketheclassiclook–somethingthat’s goingtostandthetestoftime,”Bevardsays.
WhileKuhnandBevardco-pilotedthisproject, KarrBick’s constructionteamplayedakeyroleintearingdownthe wallthat dividedthekitchen from thediningroom whilemaintainingessential ductworkbehindtherangeandrangehood.Bevardadmitsshe struggledtoenvisionhowtherangewouldstand outinagood way, butsheremembersfeeling“ecstatic”to seethe nalproduct. She’s alsoproudofhowthequartzite-slabbacksplashturned outandthe wayitcomplementsthetileonsurrounding walls.
“ eherringbonetiletiesthewholekitchentogether,”Kuhn says.“DebraandIcontemplated,foralongtime,thecolorchoices forthecabinetry.Mixingthethreecolorsofcabinetry–thewhite, thewoodtoneandthecharcoal–allofthatwasalittlebitrisky. Pullingthatherringbone,Calacattamarbletiletothewalljust bringsallthreeofthosecolorstogetherandhelpsitmakesense.”
Althoughbothdesignersloveabright,whitekitchen,they agreethat thiscombination makesthespacemoreinterestingand unique.AnotherwayBevardmadethiskitchenherownwasby sourcingfurnishingsfrom di erent manufacturers shefrequents whenworkingonprojectsforherownclients.“Ihaveacoupleof lightingcompaniesIlove,andthesependants…Ikeptcomingback tothem,”shesays.Bevardbalancedthestatementlighting xtures
withmoresubtlewallsconces,broughtinrattanbarstoolsand addedwindowshadestofurtherdiversifythetexturesintheroom. eupdated owofthekitchenleadstoadiningtablenear theirhomebar,whichfeaturesproperstoragefor neliquorsand glasswareaswellashomeo cesupplies.
“ iswasadesignchallengebetweenthetwoofus,”Kuhnsays. “Debrawantedthatbartobeabletofunctionasbothabarandasa placethatshecouldsitwithherlaptopanddowork,sothemiddle sectionofthatcabinetryactuallyopensuptoallowhertoturna chairaroundandsitthere.… edrawersettothesideisforher lesandworkstu ,butyouwouldneverknowit.”
Amoreformalhomeo ceisavailableupstairs,butBevard confessestobringingworkintothekitchenordiningareainorder tostayclosetoherfamily.“Ilovetheaccess.Wehaveadog,and weneedtoletheroutthroughouttheday.Workinginthekitchen allowsmetobetointhemixofeverything,especiallywhenthekids arehome,”sheexplains.
“ iswasauniqueexperience,probablyforbothofus,”Kuhn re ects.“[Bevard]isveryvisual.Shewasabletopictureexactly whatthedesignwasgoingtolooklikeasfaraslayoutgoes.Andshe wasde nitelyinstrumentalinallofthe nishingdetailsandputting herstamponthestyleofherkitchen.”
1749Designs,instagram.com/1749designs KarrBickKitchenandBath,2715MercantileDrive,Brentwood, 314-645-6545,karrbick.com
W HIMSY .W ILD .W ONDERFUL .
WONDERS Worldly
ByAleciaHumphreys |PhotosbyKarenPalmer
A RETURNINGCLIENTTRUSTED KARENKORNINTERIORS
WITH A WHOLE-HOUSERENO – WHILETHEYWERE TRAVELINGABROAD.
ALaduefamilygaveKaren KornInteriors fullartistic license: Whilethehomeownerswereonatrip, they entrustedacompleterenovationto Karen Korn,ownerandprincipledesigner,andMollyRyan, senior interiordesigner.Whattheycamehometo–apalette ofboldhues,whimsical wallpaper anddesign elements inspiredbytheirloveoftravel–didnotdisappoint.
“ eymovedfromahouse thatwedesignedin 2020 into theirnewhomeinMay,andtheyaskedthatwemakethis house feelliketheirownandre ect theirpersonalaesthetic,” Kornsays. “Whiletheywereon vacationoverthesummer weinstalledasmuchaspossiblesothatwhentheycame back, almostnothinghadtobecompleted. eyleftahouse that wasalmostemptyandcamebacktoafullyfurnished anddesignedhomethat feltamazing to them.” is wasadramaticchangefromthesomewhat nondescriptspacethefamilyoffourhadleftbehind.Before
therenovations, “it wasverywhiteandgray,andithadno realpersonality,”Kornrecalls. “Now,it’sinviting, relaxedand warm.Itjustfeelslikeyouwanttositinthereforever.”
Asittingroomgreetsvisitorsastheyenterthehome. evisionforthisspace wasmoodyandcomfortable, taking inspirationfrommenswearand cigar-roomaestheticswith deeplysaturatedcolors. Customdrapesandpillowsby eBerryStudioinSt. Louiscomplementacustomcouch and chairs.
Righto thesittingroomisthediningroom,which featuresawhimsicalHouse ofHackney wallpaper,Korn’s favoritecomponent. ewoodland sceneitdepicts, framed onone wallby built-incabinetryinamatchingshade, re ects the outdoorsy,adventurousnatureofthehomeowners. “ ey travelallthetimeandhaveagreatappreciationofdi erent cultures,”Kornsays.“ eyunderstandthecraftsmanship ofwell-madefurnitureandpottery.”
ese elementsarealsoshowcasedinthehearth room,wherealargercollectionfromthecouple’stravelsto Rwanda,India,Hawaiiandmoreareondisplayon built-in shelving. “It’sreallyare ectionofalltheirtravelsandwhat theyfellinlovewithandbroughthomefromtheirtrips,” Ryansays.
e built-insbeautifullytiethehearthroomtotherest ofthehome, despitethespacepresentinglightandairyin comparison,thanksto calmingcreams andburstsof blue inthedraperies, pillowsandcouch.
“ estriped sectionalisashowstopperinthisspace,” Ryansays. “ ethinsilhouetteofthesofa,the sectional fabric…thisspacehasamuchmorecasualvibeandthat wasimportant. … isiswheretheyallhang out.”
eprimarybedroomisa serenespacewithpopsof pink,burstsofbluesandmorefabulousfabrics.
“Althoughsmallin scale, pillowsplaythemostintegral rolein ourdesigns,”Kornsays. “ eyharmonizethespace withcohesivecolors, patterns, texturesandshapes. With ourloveforfabrics, weareeasilyinspiredbyonethat sets thetoneforanentireproject andthatweuse tolead other selections.”
e client’sson’sroom,for example,featuresavinyl grasscloth wallpaperthattiestogetherthetexturedrugand bedspread. ebearartworkhangingonthe wall,another piecefoundduringthefamily’stravels,servedasthe startingpointforthisspace. “Ilovethisroom,”Ryansays. “[We] wantedtomakeitplayfulandsweet.”
AddsKorn:“Everyartpiece, everythrowpillowand everythoughtfullyplaced element tellsastory. esearen’t justdecorations; they’rethebrushstrokesthattransforma spacefrom simplybeautifulto deeplypersonal.”
KarenKornInteriors,7352ForsythBlvd.,St.Louis, 636-675-6150,karenkorninteriors.com
EVERYARTPIECE,EVERY THROWPILLOWANDEVERY THOUGHTFULLYPLACED ELEMENTTELLS A STORY.
– KARENKORN
ATOUCHOF
MODERNITY
ByAmandaDahl |PhotosbyMeganLorenz
THISCLAYTONHOMEENCHANTSWITH HISTORICDETAILS – ANDNOW,DAZZLES WITHACONTEMPORARYREFRESHOFITS
INTERIORSBYSTUDIOSWEET-SCHULER.
DrivethroughthestonetowersatthecornerofSouthHanleyandClayton,andyouareenteringthe enchantingLakeForestsubdivisionlocatedinSt.Louis’Claytonneighborhood.Developedinthe early1930s,LakeForestleadsyoualongwindinglanestoadmirehistorichomesthatmimiccountry estates–withthebene tsofproximitytothecity’sconveniences.
“ earchitectureofLakeForestispredominantlyTudorRevivalandthecloselyrelatedFrenchEclectic, withGeorgianandColonialRevivaldesignsaccountingformostoftherest,”describestheSt.LouisCounty DepartmentofParksandRecreationinahistoricalinventoryofthearea.Andalthoughitistheseverydetailsthat attractedthehomeownersofthisStudioSweet-Schulerrenovation,ahistorichomemustmeettheneedsofits modernfamily.
LaurenSweet-Schuler,interiordesignerofhereponymous rm,wastaskedwith treasuringthehistoricdetailsofthisLakeForestresidencewhileelevatingtheaesthetic withacontemporarycoolnesstobettersuitthehomeowners’style.Sweet-Schulerbegan byunitingthelivingspacesundera“colorstorywhereeachroomfeelsdi erent[yet] connectedtothehouse,”shesays.
Her inspiration? e original terrazzo ooringfoundinthe entryfoyer,from which Sweet-Schuler’sdesignteamdrewsagetoadornthediningroomandamutedredhueto complement thehushed tonesoftheterrazzo for thelivingroom
To createamonochromaticbackdropfor contemporaryfurniture,Sweet-Schuler says,the designerpaintedtheoriginalplastercrownmouldingthesamecolorasthe wallsandceiling, in asoft, neutraltonethat wasfurtheraccentuatedbythearchedwindowanddoorframes.
Custom-madesheerwindowtreatmentsbyBerryStudiodrenchtheareaina welcoming,naturallight.Atthecenter,acustom-made,whiteoakco eetableshowcases booksbelongingtothehomeownersandmementoscollectedduringtheirtravels.A monotonewoolrugaddswarmthtothespaceandencapsulatestheseatingarea.
Twosofas,fromKDRDesignerShowrooms,inaburntcrimsonhueo ercomfortable seatingforfamilyandguestsalike.Restingnearby,aconsoletableandwalnutstoolwere sourcedfromCENTROintheCentralWestEnd,andthecouch’scream,ball-shapedpillow camefromthelocalgalleryForsythArt.
Forthediningroom’scolor scheme, thedesignteam selectedagrassclothinsagetonesto pairwiththehome’straditionalelements. ediningareaimpresseswithcontinuityinstyle, as re ectedmostprominentlyintheconsolecustom-madebyStudioSweet-Schuler. “ eserver[design]wasbasedontheconcept[ofcreating]onecontinuousline acrosstwodoors,”Sweet-Schulersays.“Wesourcedthesebeautifulbronzepullsthatwere installedasclosetogetheraspossible[toachieve]thatillusion.…Forthiselementtobe prominent,therestofthe[console’s]designneededtobeveryedited. ewaterfallpro le enclosesthedesignelements,andthewhiteoak nishwasmadetomatchthediningtable [sourced]fromSpain.”
atdiningtablecapitalizesonmodernelementswithsteelfootingandacrossbase. Performancetextilescover thematching chairs,makingmaintenance minimal,andthe hand-knottedrugaddsinterestwithasubtlegeometricpatterntomatchthetextured wallpaper.Romanshades,featuringageometricribbon,mimicthebaywindow’scustom draperyandaddsoftnesstothespace.Tallcabinetsoverseeallwithreededglassfronts.
Anotherimportantaspectofthepropertyrefreshwastocreatealastingenvironment suitedtohostpeopleofallages.“ erugsinthehomearewool,whichisadurablenatural ber,”thedesignerdetails.“ ediningchairsarecoveredinaCryptontextilewithavery softhand,soit’scleanableandcomfortable.”
eupscalefurnishingsexudemodernity,butthehome’s nalrevealdisplaysample personality.Asanexample,inthelivingroom,awalnutconsolesportsaSnoopylamp byFlos,whichmimicsthebeloved“Peanuts”charactercreatedbyCharlesM.Schulz–a favoritevignettefor theinterior designer.
“Welovepairingcontemporaryfurniturewith historicarchitecture,”Sweet-Schuler adds. isremodelexhibitstheeasewithwhichmodernpleasurescancombinewith traditionalelements.
StudioSweet-Schuler,800S.MeramecAve.,St.Louis,314-484-0903, studiosweetschuler.com
CoastalCalm
ByBrittanyNay |PhotosbyCHStudios
ApairofLadue emptynesters werelookingfor aserene getaway–withoutleavingthecomfortofhome.
So, thecoupletappedSt. Louis-basedluxury residentialdesignstudio C&M Interiorsforamain-level renovationtotransporttheirMidwesttraditionalbrickhometothe beach.“Theclients wantedthespacetofeellikeaneveryday vacation,” notesChanningKrichevsky, C&M co-founderandprincipaldesigner. “They wantedtomakeitfeellikethebeach, butwithoutbeingbeachy.”
Theexpansiveproject entailedturningthefullfirst-floor–a kitchen,livingroom,sittingareaandpowderroom–intoafunctional, beautifuldesigntoaccommodaterelaxingdaysforthecoupleand welcomingvisitsfor theiradult children andgrandchildren,explains MariaHogrefe,C&M co-founderandprincipaldesigner.
Asubtle, sophisticatednodtoatranquilwhite-sandbeach, theredesign’scombinationofacreamycolorpaletteandnatural textures set thestagefortransformingtheclassicabodeinto anopenandrelaxingenvironment. “We wantedittofeel comfortableandcozy,lightandairy,”Krichevskysays.
Theteambrought itssignaturebespoke approachtotheproject, designing the powder room from scratch.The wallsarecoatedwitha soft, high-glossgreenshade fromFinePaintsofEurope, andtheceilingiscovered withwallpaper from Phillip Jeffries.Wallsof mirrors reflect luxegold sconcesaboveanelegantwhitemarble-topped vanity,completewithcomplementinggoldfixturesandhardware.
Tomakeeachpieceoftheproject asuniqueastheclient–the homeownerisnotablynotafanofloudpatternsandprints– C&M carriedtheneutral color schemeandnatural,textured elements throughoutthemainlevel.Inthekitchen(picturedonthecoverof thismagazine), brightwhitecabinetrysurroundsagenerouswhite marble-topped islandwithcomfy,cream-colored chairs.
Thelivingroomfeaturescozy,lightlayersoftextures, from theSchumacher wallpapertothelightwoodfloorsandcloudlikecarpet fromStark. “Throughoutthespace, weusedatonof different textures,likethenatural travertinecustom coffeetable fromTurkeyandthesoft, texturedsofa,”Hogrefedetails.
Tobrightenthespace,C&M upgradedthelightinglayoutwith fourflush-mountfixturesinthelivingarea,aswellasanall-creamcolored chandelier suspended abovethediningtable.Bespoke
curtainsframe the wallofwindows. “Wealways putanemphasis oncustomwindowtreatmentsinhigh-quality,veryluxurious materialthatisfabricatedherelocally,”Hogrefesays.
Anothercentralphilosophyofthefirmismixingnewer elements, likeupholstery,withvintageorantiqueobjects. Thus, thefinishedproject alsoshowcasesthehomeowner’sloveofart. “Theclienthasaphenomenalartworkcollection,andshedoes artworkherself, sowepickedthroughherdifferentpiecesand utilizedthemthroughoutthespace,”Krichevskyexplains.
Additionally,theclienthadartifactshermotherfoundand purchasedduringhertravels. Theearthy,texturedpotteryand sculpturesperfectlyappointtheabode, fromaccentingtheliving roomcoffeetabletoadorningthesittingarea’sbookshelves.
Asforafavoriteelementoftheproject, theduodrewupa custom-designed nickel shelvingunitthat wasfabricatedlocally throughTheissPlatingforthebarleadingintothemainlivingspace.
“Wereceivedsomuchgreatfeedbackthatthisprojectwas suchafreshlookonhowtotakeaveryclassicMidwesthomeand update itinaverytastefuland serene way,”Hogrefeshares, noting thehomeownersweresohappywiththeendresult, theyalso charged C&M withtheredesignoftheirabode’s secondlevel.
Hogrefesaysthedesignachieved“avery serene vacation vibewithoutitfeelingtooon-the-nose beach[-themed].”Ifyou’re lookingtomakeyourhomeresemblearelaxinggetawaywithout usingovertlycoastalelements,C&Mrecommends goinglighter andbrighter.Incorporatetexturesofnaturalmarblewitha variety oflighterwoodtonesandaddaccentcolors–bluesandgreens–reminiscentoftheocean,Hogrefeadvises: “Italltransportsyou to thefeelingofbeinginatranquilenvironment.”
C&MInteriors, 2855AccomacBlvd.,St.Louis,314-328-1923, candmstudio.com
Welc
SUZIE BE ACHEM
314.276.4831
sbeachem@janetmcafee.com
I’mmore thanjust arealestateagent—I’ma trusted advisordedicatedtomaking your buying orselling experienceseamless.With adetail-orientedapproach anda strong commitmenttocustomer service,I strive tomake theprocess as smoothand stress-freeas possible.Whether you’rebuying,selling,or investing, I’mheretoguideyou. Let’sconnect and turnyour real estategoalsintoreality!
CAROLINE DECOLA
314.941.1888
carolinedecola@janetmcafee.com
AsadedicatedrealestateprofessionalinSt.Louis, Itakeprideinguidingbuyersandsellersthrough everystepofthemarketwithexpertiseandcare. Mymissionistoprovidepersonalizedserviceand innovativesolutions,ensuringeachclientachieves theiruniquerealestategoals.Withagenuinelovefor whatIdo,Istrivetobuildlastingrelationshipsbased ontrust,professionalism,andexceptionalresults.
314.623.1915
nancygulick@janetmcafee.com
With37 yearsofactiveexperience in real estate,Ihaveseenall kindsofmarkets andcan calmlyhelpmybuyers and sellersnavigate thesaleorpurchaseof ahome.Ilovemy jobandmyterri c clients!
MELINDA MCCARTHY
314.606.2180 melinda@janetmcafee.com
With35+ yearsofexperience,I am proud tobeaconsistenttop-producer,but more thanthat,I am proudtohavemanyrepeat clients andreferralsduetomyknowledge of themarket,mynegotiatingskillsand my strong partnerships with myclients.
LISA COULTER
314.941.2883
lisacoulter@janetmcafee.com
Asaconsistenttop producer forover 35 years,I am rmlycommittedto providing exceptional service from startto nish for all myclients.AndIlovehelping mybuyers andsellerssuccessfullynavigate thecurrentcompetitivemarket!
KATHLEENLOVETT& LAURADONOVAN
KathleenLovett:314.610.7408 klovett@janetmcafee.com LauraDonovan:314.229.8978 ldonovan@janetmcafee.com
In realestate,experience isn’t just anumber it’sacrucial asset thathelps younavigate the complexities of themarket.With over acombined 50 years inthe eld, welearntoread thesubtle shifts intrends, understand thenuances of negotiations, and anticipatechallenges before they arise.It’s this expertise that ensures clientsmake the smartest decisionsandavoidcostly mistakes
NANCY GULICK
CINDY HANDY
314.489.3546
cindy.handy@janetmcafee.com
Oneof the things Iloveabout realestate, isthe one-on-oneconnectionwith people.Itrequires trustand skill toguideaclient through the process ofbuying orselling ahome.Because our homesaresuch animportantpartofwho we are,I nd theprocess veryrewarding
MARCY BYRNE
314.750.5800
mbyrne@janetmcafee.com
With30+yearsofexperiencewithJanet McAfee,Iknowhowimportantitistohave atrustedadvisorwithlocalknowledgeand marketinsightinorderto ndtheperfect homeintherightneighborhood.
HEIDI LONG
314.308.2283
heidilong@janetmcafee.com
For thepast25+ years,I’vehad theprivilege ofguiding clientswithinsights andtools to enhance their homes, analyzing data to support their decisions, andleveraging my nancial expertise andproblem-solving skills tocreate innovativesolutionsinan ever-changing market—embracing every exciting challenge alongtheway.
CHRISTY T HOMPS ON
314.440.3737
twolfner@janetmcafee.com
Iputmy33yearsasanegotiator toworkoneverydeal.Ilove advocatingformyclients,making theirbuyingorsellingexperience anunquali edsuccess.
LAURIE BUSCH
314.496.9654
lauriebusch@janetmcafee.com
Iampassionateaboutrealestate,my clients,andtheirgoals.Mypreviouscareer withAnheuser-Buschinstilledinmethe high-qualityservicethatIprovidetoday. Mycorevaluesarehardwork,dedication andastrongpartnershipwithmyclients.
SUSANCOX HOLDEN
314.503.3345
susan@susanholden.com
Notwodays are thesame in realestate andIlove thatIgettoput onmanyhats tohelpmyclientsbuy andsell homes I am handson and treateveryproperty as if itwasmyown. Iusemy 35 years ofexperiencetogiveconciergeservice tomyclientswhichcreates long term relationships.
janetmcafeeinc. | 9889clayton r oad | saintlouis,missouri63124 | 314.997.4800 | www.janetmcafee.com
PON DS & B EY ON D
ByBethanyChristo
& D
Youdon’tneedto gofarawayto nd anoasis.Installing waterfeatureslike ponds,waterfalls andfountainsin youroutdoorspace canaddbeautyand tranquilityjuststeps fromyourdoor.
Thecalmingbabblesofawaterfall owingover weatheredstone,thebuzzingofinsectsand chirpingofwildlife,thesoothingshadeofnative grassesandaquaticplants,thesoftbubblesof swimmingkoiunderneathaplacidpond,the gentlesplashesofatieredfountain–anoutdooroasiscanbe foundmerestepsfromyourdoorwiththeadditionofapond orwaterfeatureinyourbackyard.
“ esightsandsoundsof owingwater,alongwith birds,pollinators,koiandbeautifulplantsreducestressand boostyourmood,”saysGinnyMueller,watergardenenthusiastandPond-O-Ramamarketingandpublicitychairwith theSt.LouisWaterGardenSociety.“ ere’sareasonwhy peopletendtovacationnearbodiesofwater–itrelaxes, soothesandentertainsus.Similarly,watergardeningbrings
thebeautyandtranquilityofwater featuresintoourpersonalspace;as such,morepeopleare ndingwaysto incorporatethem.”
For35years,theSt.LouisWater GardenSocietyhasbroughttogetherall levelsoflocal water gardeners andpondloverstomeet,sharetheirexperiences andresources,comparenotesandenjoy theirhobbytogether.SLWGSismost well-knownforitsmaintenanceofthe JewelBox waterlilypondsinForestPark, aswellasitsannualfundraising water gardentour,Pond-O-Rama,takingplace June 21 and 22 thisyear.PresidentBob Henson isaretired chemistryteacher intheRockwoodSchoolDistrict, has volunteered attheMissouriBotanical Garden and earned amastergardener distinctionthroughtheUniversityof Missouri,MUExtension– but, most proudly,heboastsanextensivehome water garden that hebuilt almost entirely himself. Itfeaturesbridgesandpathways snakingaroundmultiplepondswith water lilies, koi andgold sh;abog lledwith carnivorousplants;separate orchidand tropicalgreenhouses; layersofluscious waterfallsandwindingstreams; stainlesssteelsculptures anda fountain made from anold wagonwheel; andmore.
“It’sacommonmisconception thatwatergardensaredi cultto maintain,”Henson says.“Awelldesignedonecanresultinalargely self-su cientecosystemthatisboth morebeautifulandeasiertoenjoythan themonocultureofalawn.Muchlike anything,goodplanningeliminates futureproblemsthatcouldarise.”
ChrisSiewingistheownerof Nature’sRe-Creations,adesignand installationcompanyinSt.Louisthat specializesinwaterfeaturesthatlook carvedfromnature.Amastercerti ed aquascapecontractorandownerofhis own$1-million,8-foot-deepbackyard recreational swimmingpondandwater gardenwithMissourilimestone,koi, waterliliesandtropicalannuals,Siewing agreesthatplanningoutthetype,size
andbudgetofthewaterfeaturewill largelydeterminethebesttimetoinstall itandtheamountofupkeepneeded. “Trendschangeovertime–atonepoint, pondlesswaterfallswereverypopular, butinthelastseveralyears,ithasshifted backtofullecosystemsandkoiponds thatarerepresentativeoftruehobbyists,” hesays.“We’vealsoseenalargeincrease inrecreationalor swimpondsinrecent yearsinourmarketaswellasmany others acrossthecountry.”
Heestimatesmostpondstakea couplehoursofmaintenanceperweek, tops,withrecreational pondsticking slightly higher,similar to maintaining apool.Hesays waterfeaturescanbe installedanytimeofyear–hisprotipisto startinthewinter,ascontractors aren’tas bookedandhavemoretimetodedicateto you.“WintersinSt. Louisaretypicallynot harshenoughtoshutdownmostfeatures, butyou doneedtobeeducatedaboutyour particularfeatureas to how to maintainit andwhattodoandnotdoinextremecold temperatures,”Siewingadds.
Muelleragrees, andforease of maintenance,shesuggestswater gardenerschoose native waterandbog plantsthatgrowwellin ourchallenging St. Louisclimateandcanbeleftinthe pondover winter.
“Because a waterfeatureisalongterminvestment,ownersmightalso considerhowitcanbeenhancedover time: Asimplepondless waterfallis agreatentrystepthatrequireslittle maintenance,which couldtransition over timetoakoi pondwithafullecosystem orevenarecreationswimpond,”shesays.
DonaldRichardson,SLWGSboard memberandco-chairofPond-O-Rama, designedhisownbackyardoasisto minimizemaintenanceandmaximize wildlife,outdoorlivingandyear-round pleasure.Hesuggeststakingtimeto factorponddepthandsize,locationand sunexposureondesiredplants.Healso recommends utilizingashelvingdesign toprotectagainsthungryherons,hawks andminks.“Ilessenthebirdriskby
PhotobyDonaldRichardson
PhotobyDonaldRichardson
PhotosbyBobHensen
havingadeeperareaofthepond(about 3feetdeep)withraisedplant‘shelves’ underwhichthe shcanhideaswellas byusingtallplantsaroundthepondto dissuaderaptors from swoopinginand grabbingasmallkoi,”hesays.
Allthewatergardenprofessionals andnativeplantenthusiastsconcur thattheadditionofevenasmallwater featurecanenhanceagardenscape andoverallsenseoftranquilityinan outdoorspace.“Wateruniquelyadds movementandsoundtoanygarden space,”Richardsonsays.“ eJapanese cancreateawholeworldinafewsquare feet.It’snotjustkoipondsandbrooks; withmodernkits,youcaneasilyinstalla recirculatingbubblerorfountaintoadd thepleasureofwatertoyourgardenor evenabalcony.Itattractsawidevariety ofwildlifeincludingbirds,beesand dragon ies,providinganever-changing kaleidoscopeof entertaininglife.”
AddsHenson:“Hearingthesound ofrunningwateraddsacalminge ect, redirectsanxietyandisanoutletatthe endofastressfulday.”
Nature’sRe-Creations, 1917MeyerDruryDrive,Arnold, Missouri,636-223-2330, recreatenature.com
St.LouisWaterGardenSociety, slwgs.org
PhotosbyDonaldRichardson
JudyRubin President,Partner,ManagingDirector, Wealth Manager
ThomasBriggs Partner,ManagingDirector, Wealth Manager
WhiteyHolt,CFP®,CDFA®:WealthManager AndrewBriggs,CFA®,CPWA®:DirectorofPortfolio Management,WealthManager
MarthaGuyer.CFP®:WealthManager CoreyBriggs,CFP®,CIMA®,CEPA:DirectorofWealth Planning,WealthManager
SETIN STONE
TwoRivers StoneBoutique brings ne nishestothe St.Louismetro.
ByDrewGieseke |PhotosbyKevindeMiranda
After 35 yearsinacorporate career,JohnHowell wasready forthenextphase oflife. eSt. Louisnativeknewhe wanted tobringanelevatedlevelof servicetohisnextventureandtoleveragehis skillsinsales, marketinganddesign.When herecalledthehomerenovationprojects he’dundertakenwithhiswifethroughthe yearsandthefrustrationtheyfeltwhenthey couldn’t ndthematerialstheyneeded,he decided tocreateasolution.
InAugust2024,theHowellsopened TwoRiversStoneBoutique,o eringunique stoneselectionsforpeopleinterestedin remodeling,remakinganddesigningwelllovedspacesintheirhomes. econceptis uniqueinthearea–andit’salreadyahit.
“TwoRiversStoneBoutiquewasreally createdhereinSt.Louis,”Howellsays. “Wedidn’tbuy[apreexistingbusiness]–everythingisfromthegroundup. atwas intentional,becauseIwantedtomakesure whatwecreatedaddeddistinctvalueto St.LouisandthegreaterMidwestregion.”
LocatedinOlivette, TwoRiversStone Boutiqueisapremier stonesupplier for homeowners,architects,builders,fabricators, designersandmore. ecompany sellshandselected,uncutstoneslabsforhomeprojects likekitchen countertops,bathrooms,bars and backsplashes, justtonameafew. eselectionincludeseverythingfrom quartziteandmarbletoonyxandgranite, eachwithitsownstrengthsindi erent
applications.Eachpieceischosenbyhand, mostofthemsourcedfromBrazilandItaly. Becauseofthisattentiontodetail,Howell sees hisinventorynotasbuildingmaterials butjewelry:“Weselltheeyecandy,”hesays. eshowroomis, indeed,astunner. Howellandsta greet visitorsandtreatthem with“whiteglove service”frombeginningto end.And althoughshoppers seestonework ondisplayintheshowroom,themagicreally takesplaceinthe warehouse, wherethey’ll ndtrulyuniquepiecesofuncutstone.
“Peoplewalk[by]hundredsofslabsand changetheirmindfourtimes,”Howellsays. “Myjobistomakeyourdecisionprocess reallyhard.Iwantthemtostrugglebetween choosingtwo or threedi erent stones.” e ultimateironyisthat,for someone sopassionate abouthiswork,Howellrarely getsto seehisstonesintheir nalstate. Sure, sometimespeoplewill sendphotosof their nishedprojects,butHowelliscontent knowinghehelped hiscustomers ndwhat theywerelookingfor–sometimeseven beforetheyknewwhattheyneeded.
“It’sgoingintheirkitchen,theirbath, theirbar,”Howellsays.“Peoplearespending goodmoney,sotheyshouldhavesomething theyenjoycookingon,drinkingonor entertainingaround.”
eTwoRiversteamhasalreadybegunto seetrendsamongtheirclientele. Forstarters, marbleis in.People are looking forbeautiful, high-qualitymarbleinparticular–justone ofthereasonsHowellbroughtinalotfrom
Italy. ecolorgreenisalsoinvogue, so HowellincreasedTwoRivers StoneBoutique’s inventorywithgreen inthestone.Another popular choice?People arecombining understatedcountertopswithboldislands, which serveasacenterpieceinthekitchen Somevisitorsarrivewithamore speci cideaofwhatthey’relookingforthan others.Howellsaysmanyof hiscustomers areinteriordesignerswhocomeinwith clientslookingforaspeci c nish.Others justhaveacertainroomofthehousein mindandneedhelpre ningthelookthey’re goingfor.“ at’swhenthestonebecomes inspirational,”Howellsays.
Nomatterhowgreatyourstone qualityis,however,Howellmaintainsthat customer experienceiskey.
“Youhavetohavetwothings:a beautifulproduct…andahighservice level,”hesays.“ at’swhatsetsusapart.”
TwoRiversStoneBoutiqueLLC, 9215DielmanIndustrialDrive,Olivette, 314-369-1788,tworiversstone.com
theHeart
ByAshleyKlein | PhotosbyChristina Kling-Garrett
AmyKuntz,ownerofForthandHome,talkseclecticinteriors, ethicalsourcingandbuildingcommunityinWebsterGroves.
Eclecticdécorcan tintojustaboutany design style– fromminimalistswhosparingly select treasurestodisplayaroundthehome to maximalistswhoassembletchotchkesinto vignetteslayeredwithcolorandtexture. Perhapsthecollected lookhasmassappealbecause itcan’tbemass-produced; it requirescare tocreate character.
ForthandHome, aWebsterGroveshomeandgiftshop selling“vintageandhandmade warestoinspirebeauty,
hospitalityandjoy,”asthewebsitestates, doesthecollecting for us.Each item ininventoryis chosen based on conversations withitsshoppersandsourcedfromartisansworldwide.
“[Our]focusis oncraftsmanship,intentional curation and o eringunique, oftenhandmade, itemsthatelevateanyspace,” ownerAmyKuntzsays. “Weembraceplayful,yet sophisticated designandtakeathoughtful,high-qualityapproachtohome goods, showcasingcarefully selectedproductsfromsmall makersaroundtheworld.…Wecatertothose whoappreciate exceptional qualityandthestorybehindeach piece.”
Whentheshop rstopened,vintage wareswerethefocus. Today,thecollectionhasexpandedtoalsoincludemore modernstyles, “muchlikehowyou wouldthoughtfullyblend these itemsinyourownhome,”Kuntzsays. Inadditiontogifts anduniquepantryitems, ForthandHome’sbestsellingpieces forthehomeincludeitsartprints, decorativecandles, textiles andotherdécor.Ceramic owersthatcanbemountedtothe wallwerearecentadditionthisspring.
Duringitsthreeyearsin business, theshophasfoundits nicheamongacommunityofthoughtful shoppersinthe St. Louisarea.
“You hopethataventurelikethissucceedsandmeetsa need, butyou neverknowforcertainuntilyou takethatleap,” Kuntzsays. “Wehave builtaloyalcustomerbase andcontinue toexpand ouro erings.…Wecontinuetoevolveinresponse to ourcustomers’needsandthechanginglandscapeofthe economyandworldevents.”
AglobalperspectiveisattheheartofForthandHome’s
businessmodel;itsinventoryis,asthewebsitestates,“asmuch aspossible,ethicallysourced.”
“Myethicalsourcingjourneybeganwithalotofresearch online,which quicklyevolvedinto meaningful connections throughrelationshipsIbuiltearlyon,”Kuntzsays.“Overtime, Iexpandedtheseconnectionsbytravelingandreachingoutto artisansandsmallbusinesses,askingtocollaborateandbring theirproductstoourstore.”
Allthewhile,Kuntzremainspluggedintotheneedsofthe folksbackathome.Ofhercustomers,whomshelovinglyrefers toas“theFHFam,”Kuntzsays,“[Ipay]closeattentiontowhat theyloveandwhatresonateswiththem. isallowsmeto curateitemsthatnotonlymeetourhighstandardsofquality butalsore ectthevaluesandtastesofourcommunity.”
Sheadds:“ erelationshipswe’vebuilthavebeen invaluable–knowingourcustomers’names,their neighborhoodsandthespeci cchallengestheyfaceintheir homes allowsus to o er tailoredsolutions.”
ForthandHome,8137BigBendBlvd.,WebsterGroves, 314-266-8260,forthandhome.com
Whatinteriordesigntrendsareyoulovingrightnow?
“Icande nitelygetonboardwiththemoodypaintcolors,theleantowards darkerwoods,boldtilesandthemixingofpatterns.Iappreciatethe resurgencetowardsmoreismore–butnotforclutter’ssake.Moresoa thoughtfullycuratedcollectionofitems,someofwhichhavebeenhanded downforgenerations,thatwefeaturetastefullyinourhomesratherthan keepstoredawaysomewhere.Ithinkusingitemsthatwelovedaily(our favoritedishes,lightingthosedecorativecandlesatasimpledinnerbefore weheadouttothenextthing,etc.)asawaytohonorallmomentsas specialisreallybeautiful.Idon’tknowifthatisatrend,butIwantittobe. Also,I’mobsessedwithcolordrenching.Let’shopethatsticksaround.”
