Topeka, KS March 2024

At Home in the Golden City!

Explore Cozy Comfort and Stylish Spaces in Our Home Issue

For some people, home may not have a specific address. Instead, home is where they feel most comfortable and cherished. Like the Irish novelist Cecilia Ahern once said, “Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.” It’s not all about style, latest trends, or perfection. Home is about function and comfort and creating spaces for holding onto and making meaningful memories.

Brian and I have been working hard around our home. Blame it on spring fever, empty nest syndrome, or my obsession with organization after working as a professional organizer with Neat Method…perhaps a combination of all the above. Since our recent empty nest occurrence, we have made some changes to our space. We painted guest bedroom walls, exchanged our interior doors for more updated versions, made our guest bedroom into an office, and changed our old office space into a library. Sounds glorious right? Well, I must admit, it is!

I have found a renewed love for our old homestead of almost nine years. It’s funny how a simple project or two helps make the old and familiar seem new and exciting. In typical HGTV style the most transformational project was updating our bathroom mirrors with wood trim. See page 32 for our how-to tutorial. Still on the list is cleaning out the garage, ugh!

As usual, this month’s edition is filled with peeks into the inner workings of our Golden City. We want you to meet new neighbors, learn about bustling businesses, and get some timely tips to help you live a fuller life. This is our Home issue and we’ve included something for everyone in every stage of life.

You’ll find a charming remodel of Leslie Hunsicker’s childhood home on our cover. Dig deeper into the issue and get to know a local custom builder who can help you design your new home. Tired of the home upkeep? Discover a beautiful maintenance-free community. Meet the people behind a family-owned heating, cooling, and plumbing company that has been keeping Topeka homes comfortable for 75 years! You’ll even get tips on adding a touch of glam to your abode. We hope you enjoy learning about Topeka and the people and places that help put the “home” in our hometown.

From our home to yours,

KATHY GRAHAM, EDITOR @TOPEKALIFESTYLE CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/TOPEKA

March 2024

PUBLISHER

Brian Rodehorst | brian.rodehorst@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kathy Graham | kathy.graham@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kristol Kumar | kristol@kristolkumar.com

Lindsey Wagers | info@wagersphotography.com

STAFF WRITERS

Sue Baldani | suebaldani@yahoo.com

Kelsey Huber | khuber2@gmail.com

Amanda Knowland | amandalanum@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Sara Schultz | saraschultzstyling@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kathy Graham, Nicolette Martin

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eagle Aerial Solutions, Thad Powell, Gray Marshall, Mark Whichers

Whether at home or at work, you deserve to thrive in a pest-free space, without sacrificing the well-being of those you love.

Let us help you thrive in a stress-free, pest free environment.

EcoFresh Power Wash offers a New Service

EcoFresh Power Wash started in 2021, with two goals in mind. Unbeatable customer service, paired with high quality craftsmanship. We are now thrilled to announce the start of EcoFresh Line Striping. With an emphasis on ecofriendly materials and processes, this innovative line striping solution not only ensures clear and durable markings but also minimizes environmental impact. It's a positive example of how businesses can contribute to a greener future. For more information email nic@ecofreshpowerwash.com.

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Pest problems got you worried?

At Green Pest Solutions we’re here to help you make a pest control choice that feels good. We use safer methods that protect your loved ones, pets, and even the environment, and they work. Our services come with a PestFree, Worry-Free Guarantee, which means we’ll keep coming back, even outside of scheduled visits until your pests are gone. We’re locally owned and operated in Topeka. Let us keep your space pest-free and worry-free, year-round. Visit gpspest.com

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New Business Alert: Epic Integrative Wellness

Meet Amanda Whitson, APRN-C and Kelsey Stringer, APRN-C, board-certified family nurse practitioners, offering personalized wellness care focused upon healing, fighting inflammation, and optimizing the body's inner balance. After years of experience working for various functional medicine clinics across Kansas, these providers opened their doors on January 1st. Services include bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, medical weight loss, functional lab testing, and IV vitamin infusions. Visit  epicintegrativewellness. com or call 785-377-0700 to schedule an appointment today!

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Want to be featured?

<<FEATURE 3>> MICHAEL AND KAREN

Roofer

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Assurance Roofing & Exteriors assuranceexteriors.com | 785.231.8838

Eaton Roofing & Exteriors eatonroofing.com | 785.266.6060

Dultmeier Roofing LLC dultmeierroofing.com | 785.379.9747

Appelhanz Roofing, Inc. appelhanzroofing.com | 785.246.0006

Gardner Roofing gardnerroofing.net | 785.228.0088

Pest Services

Honest Pest Control honestpesttopeka.com | 785.383.1394

Green Pest Solutions gpspest.com | 785.596.0446

Ozark Pest Control ozarkpest.com | 785.234.2290

Great Plains Pest Control Inc facebook.com/GreatPlainsPestControl | 785.862.2847

Mosquito Joe of Topeka-Lawrence topeka-lawrence.mosquitojoe.com | 785.274.8215

BUILDING Dreams, CRAFTING HOMES

ARTICLE BY AMANDA KNOWLAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR PHOTOGRAPHY/MARK WHICHERS

In the heart of Topeka’s custom home building industry, the story of Zack Gallegos and his wife Nichol unfolds as a narrative of dedication and the pursuit of excellence. Their journey with Drippé Homes spans over two decades and not only reflects a profound professional commitment, but also mirrors the company’s mission to create enduring spaces that transform from mere houses to becoming cherished homes.

THE GENESIS OF THE GALLEGOS DUO AT DRIPPÉ HOMES

Nichol has been an instrumental force at Drippé Homes for 15 years. Her knowledge and expertise are stamped across the business’s day-to-day operations, where she is the architect of the company’s operating system. Nichol seamlessly handles critical functions such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and the closing of home sales. Her multifaceted role has been pivotal in maintaining the company’s operational efficiency.

Zack Gallegos, with over 13 years of experience owning and operating a masonry company, brought a wealth of construction knowledge when he joined Drippé Homes eight years ago. Zack’s initial role was as an exclusive Project Manager, overseeing operations in the Lawrence and Topeka markets. Four years later, he ascended to the role of Sales Manager.

“My current duties consist of me helping to educate buyers on construction methods and walking them through the rigors of costs and contracts, building not only their dream home, but our relationship before, during and post construction,” Zack explains.

DRIPPÉ HOMES: REDEFINING EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOM HOME BUILDING

Zack and Nichol are part of a team that sets Drippé Homes apart in the local custom home building industry.

As Zack proudly asserts, “Our team includes experienced professionals with exceptional skill and outstanding character. Strong homes and a strong team are the cornerstone our impeccable reputation is built on.”

Drippé Homes prides itself on offering both spec homes and custom builds, emphasizing the goal of delivering homes that withstand the test of time. The company stands out for its integrity, expertise, and exceptional customer service, becoming a beacon for homeowners seeking a seamless and enjoyable home-building experience.

“Our team is dedicated to providing the quality and expertise that home buyers have come to expect,” Zack says.

The client experience at Drippé Homes is carefully curated. From design selections and plan drafting to cost analysis and turn-key finishing, Drippé Homes ensures that the building process is not just efficient but also stress-free for their clients.

The company’s mission revolves around luxury as the standard—quality builds done right and on time. With more than 50 years of collective experience, Drippé Homes specializes in crafting homes that cater to the unique needs and dreams of their clients. Their overarching objective is simple yet profound: to make dreams come true, establishing themselves as the premiere home builder in Kansas and Missouri.

A COMMITMENT TO CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY

One remarkable aspect that underscores Drippé Homes’ commitment to its mission and purpose is their steadfast approach to pricing. Despite industry-wide adjustments due to external factors when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and drove prices up in nearly every industry, Drippé Homes did not raise prices for customers under contract.

Zack explains, “Drippé is one of a select number of builders who offer guaranteed contracts, and we honor those contracts.”

That commitment gives home builders a sense of reliability and peace of mind while aligning with the company’s mission to provide quality builds with integrity.

Beyond their daily operations, Drippé Homes engages with the local community in meaningful ways. This will be Drippé’s seventh year as the builder for the annual Topeka St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway.

Zack says the team is excited to continue to provide this work in support of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“It is truly an honor to support St. Jude in their mission of Finding Cures. Saving Children. And helping the local community.”

The Gallegos’ working relationship with Drippé Homes is a narrative of dedication, expertise, and a shared commitment to crafting not just houses, but homes that stand as timeless testaments to quality and dreams fulfilled.

To contact Zack and to learn more about Drippé Homes’ services visit drippehomes.com

To learn more about the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway, visit stjude.org/give/dream-home/ topeka.html.

SEVEN DECADES OF EXCELLENCE AND COUNTING

McElroy’s

The year is 1951. Patti Page’s “Tennessee Waltz” starts the year off as the No. 1 single on the Billboard Chart. President Truman resides in the White House. The country is in the midst of the Korean War. A Streetcar Named Desire is a box office smash. Catcher in the Rye is published, and I Love Lucy makes its television debut. Here in Kansas, the Great Flood of 1951 reaches its highest point in Northeast Kansas, culminating in the greatest flood damage to date in the Midwestern United States. Oh, and on the heels of this natural disaster, Homer McElroy opens his new heating, cooling, and refrigeration business.

A lot has changed in almost 73 years, but the principles Homer founded his company on have remained the same. “My grandfather worked for a contractor who asked him to do something unethical,” Paula Beal, McElroy Mechanical, Plumbing, Heating & Air co-owner said. “He couldn’t do it and keep his conscience clean, so he decided to start his own company and run it how he wanted to run it.” Today, McElroy’s is still going strong with roughly 200 employees and McElroy descendants still at the helm.

CONTINUED >

Homer McElroy

“My grandfather was very mechanically minded, but he understood people too. He had this ‘bottom-up’ philosophy,” Paula shared. “You had to work your way up through the company from the lowest positions.” Paula’s father, Jerry McElroy, took the reins in 1973. He started working for the company in junior high school as a janitor. After studying accounting at Washburn University, Jerry continued working for his father and eventually became president. With his business sense, he was responsible for greatly expanding the company adding plumbing, pipefitting, and ductwork fabrication over the years.

The family and the business melded seamlessly for Paula Beal. “While other girls played with dolls, I had a drafting table in the basement. My father bought me colored pencils and would bring me blueprints of new jobs to do takeoffs,”

Paula explained. “I would color code the copper pipe, PVC pipe, and fittings, measure out the linear feet of pipe, determine quantities of parts, and give him the information so he could determine a bid price. I loved being involved.”

Today, Paula and her husband Dan Beal run the day-to-day operations at McElroy’s. With his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and his master’s in business, Dan has modernized the business and improved efficiencies while continuing to support their five core values (have a positive attitude, be trustworthy, be a problem solver, provide craftsmanship, support the community). To enhance the company culture, every year the employees vote for one of their coworkers who best personifies the company values. That employee wins the Integrity Award and the company donates to the charity of their choice in their name.

When asked about the uncommon success of the company, Dan defers to the employees. “We treat our employees like family,” he said. “They are our greatest asset. They know our core values and believe in them like we do. We want them to take pride in the company and know they are valued.”

“We’ve been very, very blessed with outstanding employees,” Paula reiterated. “With 200 employees, it may not look like the small family business it started out as, but we want it to still feel like a family business. A family is a little world created by love and we’d like to expand that world to include our employees and the entire Topeka community.”

Today, McElroy’s provides a wide array of services from residential HVAC service & installation to largescale industrial commercial projects. Guided by the values established by Homer and Jerry, McElroy’s serves clients with exceptional craftsmanship, unmatched customer service, and money-saving expertise. With two of Homer’s grandchildren and three great-grandchildren coming up through the ranks, it looks like the McElroy legacy will remain in capable hands and the company will continue to serve the Topeka community for decades to come.

To learn more about this legendary Topeka company, visit McElroys.com

Dan and Paula Beal

Parker Beal, Paula Beal, Dan Beal, Chad Hunsicker, Brit Hunsicker, Greg Hunsicker

Brewster Place Living

ARTICLE BY AMANDA KNOWLAND | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

A PINNACLE OF EXCEPTIONAL SENIOR LIVING

““Our residence are a group of people similar in age, experiencing a new chapter in life.”

In south Topeka, just west of Topeka Boulevard, sits a sprawling campus, bustling with activity. On these 35-acre grounds, residents enjoy learning opportunities, social experiences, discussion groups, exercise, and more. Here, a new chapter of life begins!

This campus is Brewster Place, a retirement community that is 60 years young this year, raising the bar and offering a full continuum of services and care for all lifestyles and resident needs.

Residents connect over many shared interests: art, politics, weather, and the spirited rivalry between KU and K-State athletics. The sense of community extends seamlessly from the Maintenance-Free areas to Assisted Living and the Health Center. Residents, unified by age and a shared journey, find like-minded friends, creating bonds reminiscent of college camaraderie.

“Our residents are on a similar journey, as they may have been 60 or 70 years ago when they were college age,” describes Chris Gallagher-Sneden, Director of Sales and Marketing. “They are a group of people similar in age, experiencing a new chapter in life.”

EVOLUTION THROUGH RENOVATION

Brewster Place, a pioneer in senior living in northeast Kansas, recently underwent significant renovations to align with the evolving preferences of baby boomers. Recognizing the demand for outstanding healthcare, social engagement, independence, and personalized living, Brewster Place added an auditorium, a warm water swimming pool, a coffee shop, and revamped dining rooms over the last four years.

The Redwood, Brewster Place’s flagship building inaugurated in 1964, witnessed a $16 million transformation with the addition of a sixth floor, a new clubhouse level on the first floor called The Club at Redwood, and four renovated residences. The clubhouse boasts a renovated dining venue, exhibition kitchen, gaslit fireplace, game area, art studios, a

concierge desk, and a grand piano for formal events and impromptu sing-alongs.

The fifth floor unveils 13 redesigned suites, and the sixth-floor expansion offers six penthouse apartment homes with designer finishes, floor-to-ceiling windows, gaslit fireplaces, and expansive balconies.

The renovations at Brewster Place were meticulously designed to enhance residents’ daily lives. The reconfiguration of the first floor creates a seamless stroll from Assisted Living to the Redwood, making it more convenient for residents to access new amenities.

A CONTINUUM OF CARE AND RECOGNIZED EXCELLENCE

Brewster Place stands out as a Continuum Care Retirement Community, providing all levels of care on one campus. Nationally, statewide, and locally recognized for excellence, Brewster Place has received accolades such as the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Nursing Home for 2023-2024” and the KDADS PEAK Award for person-centered care.

CREATING A HOME BEYOND WALLS

Beyond the physical renovations, Brewster Place excels in creating a true sense of home for its residents. Various service teams collaborate with new residents to customize their apartments and provide personalized attention in the initial days of moving in. Volunteer residents welcome newcomers and act as guides, facilitating a smooth integration into the community.

“A living unit becomes a home the minute a new resident feels safe, comfortable, and cared for,” Gallagher says. “With the Brewster staff and neighboring residents that happens pretty quickly at Brewster Place.”

As Brewster Place proudly celebrates 60 years of service, the Topeka community is invited to join the festivities the week of May 13th. Look for our ad with details in the April issue of Topeka City Lifestyle Magazine!

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EAGLE AERIAL SOLUTIONS

Home Again You Can Go Back

Leslie Hunsicker is very nostalgic, and it was this nostalgia that inspired her to fulfill a dream in the fall of 2022. She bought her childhood home.

In the years before that, she would often drive by the house and wonder what the inside now looked like. Fortunately, a friend of a friend had a connection with the owner and Leslie had first right of refusal when it went up for sale.

“I cannot verify this, but I think there’s only been two owners between when my parents sold in 1974 and when I bought it in 2022.”

When her parents sold the home, which they bought in 1971, Leslie was only 10. “I live and breathe nostalgia, but this house was special and so unusual,” she says. “It’s mid-century modern, but more Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s set in a very nature-inspired neighborhood in Knollwood, which is known for its great trees and landscaping.”

Another interesting aspect of the home is the poured rock and concrete floors throughout the whole great room from the entryway back through the dining room. “I was very happy to see that those were untouched,” says Leslie.

The most dramatic changes were the paint color (purple) found throughout the house, the larger kitchen which took nine feet off the courtyard, the addition of a sunroom, and the renovation to what used to be her sister Kim’s bedroom.

Leslie was very happy to see that what was her father’s office was kept the same. “I actually put his old credenza back in there, so it is literally exactly the way it was,” she says.

CONTINUED >

BEFORE

AFTER

Her memories are even more meaningful since her mom and dad are no longer living, but she did get to share the memories of the house with her sibling. “My sister came with me on the very first visit so that was special,” she says. “We spent a lot of time just looking over everything and deciding what used to be where. It was a lot of fun.”

Another memory that is very dear to Leslie is playing in the back lot behind the house. “There’s a building right behind the house - a real estate office - but that building was not there when I lived here before,” she says. “I remember going back there and there were so many trees - it was like a little forest. Several of the huge trees created a lot of leaves, and I remember my dad raking the leaves into great big piles and then my friends and I would jump into those piles.”

Over the years, Leslie, who is an interior designer in Topeka, would buy a home, fix it up and then eventually sell it. Not this house. She plans to stay here permanently.

For anyone wanting to buy their childhood home, she recommends letting the owners know that if they ever want to sell to please call. “It’s not true that you can never go home again,” she says.

Visit CityLifestyle.com/Topeka to view additional photos from this article.

How Leslie put her own stamp on her childhood home:

• Painted over the purple walls.

• Took eight feet from the primary bedroom to add a larger closet and a washer/dryer.

• Took out the wall that divided the kitchen from the dining room.

• Changed her sister’s room back into a bedroom.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

A QUICK & EASY DIY BATHROOM MIRROR UPDATE

So, our bathroom mirrors were typical builder-grade plates of glass attached to the wall. If you read my letter from the editor (page 6 of this issue), you know we have been updating our humble abode. We recently added decorative frames to our bathroom mirrors. What a difference! This project was so easy and affordable, that I just had to share it with you! I’m going to walk you through it step by step. Don’t worry… no special tools or skills are necessary. You can transform your bathroom mirrors in a day. Let’s go!

ITEMS NEEDED:

• Wood trim of your choice (cut to fit mirror dimensions)

• Four decorative wood corner pieces (found at home improvement stores)

• Spray paint or can (we suggest semi-gloss to protect wood from moisture in bathrooms)

• Double stick tape (one roll should suffice, but if you have a large mirror or multiple mirrors, check the length included in the package to make sure it is enough)

Step 1: Measure your mirror. For this project, you will be adding a square corner piece, so don’t forget you will have to subtract the length of that piece x 2 for all four sides. (Your trim will butt up against this corner piece, so you won’t even have to make any fancy angled cuts.)

Step 2: Head to the hardware store and pick your pieces of decorative wood trim and corner pieces. (HINT: If you know your dimensions, you can cut your pieces at the hardware/home improvement store and save yourself the mess at home.)

ARTICLE BY KATHY GRAHAM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

“What a difference! I love the new look. This project was so easy and affordable, that I just had to share it with you!”

Step 3: Paint pieces desired color. (I chose to match the color of our door trim and bought a quart of color.) You can use spray paint or paint from a can. (HINT: I had to use a primer first because the wood was raw and apparently, very thirsty. It soaked up the primer so fast, that I had to give it three coats. Also, I was originally going to spray paint my pieces, but I wasn’t happy with the finish after a couple of coats, so I ended up brushing it on. It turned out great.)

Step 4: Attach painted pieces to the mirror using double stick tape. Believe it or not, this was very sturdy and solid. (HINT: Use a level to make sure your trim is level and plumb before pressing it into place.)

That’s it! We did three bathroom mirrors in a weekend including our extra coats of primer and paint. I love the new look. Now I wish I would have done this years ago. If you update your mirrors, shoot me an email with a pic and let me know how it went. kathy.graham@ citylifestyle.com . Good luck!

Masonry

TONE + TEXTURE

STYLE YOUR HOME IN TONES AND TEXTURES WITH DESIGN HELP FROM HOUZZ INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTS

ARTICLE BY NICOLETTE MARTIN

WOVEN + KNOTTED

LIVING BOHO-CHIC WITH WOVEN TEXTURES AND MACRAMÉ

Decorate your space with handmade textures such as the modern, maker revival of 1970s macramé and year-round tropical feel of wicker. MACRAMÉ Made through knotting instead of weaving, macramé can add a unique touch in many various ways. Houzz contributor Laura Gaskill suggests incorporating it as nursery decor, plant hangers, wall hangings and modern fiber arts. WICKER According to Houzz contributor Yanic Simard, “the best way to really embrace the luxury-cottage appeal of wicker and rattan is to combine different forms of the two in one space... Look for other unexpected places to add a natural twist to your home with a new material woven into your palette.”

AGAINST THE GRAIN

TIPS FOR DECORATING WITH NATURAL MATERIALS

Houzz contributor Katie Treggiden offers many ways to incorporate natural materials and natural-state timber into your home, including using wood to cover one wall in a home for a pleasing accent wall; featuring your firewood as a striking, stacked display; and mixing different types of wood and different finishes in the same space. “A simple way to incorporate the wood trend is to expose structural wooden beams already present in your home,” Katie says. “Instead of painting them or boxing them in, leave them raw or give them a coat of wax to enrich the tones.”

Sip ‘N Savor

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRAY MARSHALL

The Golden City’s Food and Drink Guide

Our TaCo location at West Ridge Mall, serves up tacos, quesadillas, nachos, salsas, specialty dips, and flavorful sides that will transport your tastebuds to a world of flavor with quick counter service. Do yourself a favor and order one of each flavor of taco, take a friend and split them. You are going to want to try them all! Whether you’re on a shopping spree or simply craving a satisfying meal, our taco haven is the perfect stop for your taco fix.  We take pride in crafting mouthwatering tacos that are carefully prepared and cooked with care.  Additionally, this summer, we will be opening our downtown location, providing you with two convenient places to serve you! Get more info about catering by emailing events@tacotopeka.com

TaCo at Westridge Mall where taste rules!