designKC - Summer 2025

SUMMER 2025 TM

LAND &

LEISURE

Display until September 23, 2025

A SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY, FORGED BY TRADITION. LOCATED NEXT TO HERITAGE PARK SINGLE FAMILY & ESTATE HOMESITES MAINTENANCE-PROVIDED VILLAS

159TH STREET

159TH STREET

114

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117 WCH

109

TWILIGHT LANE

118 WCH

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108 107 WCH 106

120 BH

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SCAN FOR

104 121 BH

PHASE 1

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DETAILS

102

BLACK BOB ROAD

101 BH

122 BH

100 WCH 90 89 91 GH GH

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Office: 913.912.2024 HeritageRanchKS@Gmail.com

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162ND STREET

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*Rendering is for conceptual purposes only.

Actual features and sizes may vary.

7 GH

BLACK BOB ROAD

55

37 GH

36 BH

35 BH

34 JFE

33 31 32 30 JFE WCH WCH JFE

facebook.com/heritageranchks/

Chavon Swartz & Katie Fisher

instagram.com/heritageranchks/

Chavon Swartz | Katie Fisher (913) 912-2024 | HeritageRanchKS@gmail.com

HeritageRanchKS.com

159th St & Lackman | Olathe, KS

8

50

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HeritageRanchKS.com

9

13 SAB

57

From the Upper $400Ks to $2M+

82 GH 81 SAB

69

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68 SAB

67 NMH

70

161ST TERRACE 12 NMH

62 SAB

66 JFE

65 SAB

71

72

KAW STREET

161ST STREET

Thoughtfully Designed. Naturally Inspired.

AWARD-WINNING BUILDERS | OUTSTANDING AMENITIES | BLUE VALLEY SCHOOLS

A LAMBIE–RIEKE DEVELOPMENT

Thoughtfully Designed. Naturally Inspired.

1

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FUTURE PHASE

CRESCENT RIDGE

PHASE 1

BEAUTIFUL HOMESITES

WoodmyreOP.com

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74 Shop Local

Taking indoor-quality design outside.

90 Live + Stay + Play

Adaptive reuse of old barns; visiting Arrow Rock, Mo., Airbnbs; plus curing what ails you with horse therapy.

124 Community Culture

Horse properties available for your favorite hobby.

134 The Well-Lived Life

Going off-grid with solar energy.

140 Creative Type

Drystacked stone walls—a forgotten art.

198 The Melody of Water A harmonious blend of hardscape and landscape flows together in this complete backyard experience.

210 Rural Refuge An equestrian estate in Miami County saddles up with Old World and Mediterranean style.

190 Island Hopping at Home Tropical daydreams inspire a resort-style approach to an Overland Park property.

218 Traditional with a Twist Timeless charm meets equestrian elegance in this classic redesign of a Stilwell, Kansas, home.

62 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

228 Carolina Daydream With a facade dedicated to coastal grace, the foundation of this Loch Lloyd home is built for a long-term lifestyle.

262 The Nature of Balance Modern yet grounded, this Cass County home holds a steady conversation with the land— open, restrained and built to last.

238 Southern Charm Meets the Midwest

THE SUMMER ISSUE 2025

A young home evolves from a basic farmhouse to a sophisticated belle.

250 Changemaker An independent, empowered business owner and mom of two transforms a Prairie Village ranch into a casually chic home inspired by her favorite travel destinations.

148 Kitchen + Bath

A “Beetlejuice-inspired art museum” of a bath reno nailed

by Spirit Animal Interiors; plus a Parisian-style kitchen remodel from Brasstacks.

164 Past Perfect

A colorfully reinterpreted Janssen Place home from SID & Company.

176 Rooms–Outbuildings–We Love

A sexy “he shed” from Orion Design; a party barn by Retreat Interior Design Studio.

276 Resources 282 Advertisers 290 Sanctuary

The “lazy days of summer” spent in a poolside hammock.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 63

Fromthe theground groundup, up,aanew newchapter chapter begins. begins. With the heart-led From heart-led mission missionof ofAmethyst AmethystPlace, Place,this thisonceoncedreamisisnow nowaareality, reality,where wherehope hopeand and healing healing can can thrive. thrive. We dream We can’t can’twait waitto tounveil unveilthe thenewly newlydesigned designed spaces,aasafe safeand and inspiring inspiring haven haven for spaces, for the the next next generation. generation.

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L E T T E R

“

F R O M

T H E

E D I T O R

Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” ~ Mark Twain

W

e bought a horizon. That’s what my husband and I tell people about our land-buying habits. We started with five acres and the solid bones of a 1922 bungalow in 2005, doubled that five years later to add locked land to our skyline and then doubled that a few years down the road with an acquisition we have since turned into a thriving Airbnb.

The lure of uninterrupted sky—no other rooflines, just the tufted treetops of hundredyear-old osage oranges planted along our back fenceline—was worth chasing. The feeling of expansiveness is humbling and awe-inspiring.

Some evenings, the heavens appear to be on fire—all yellow and orange, fading into apricot and lavender. On the darkest of dark nights, the fireflies blink on and off en masse, a visual symphony not in unison but more like experimental jazz.

You don’t get that kind of show if the street lights are on.

It has never been our dream to have horses; we are strictly owners of chickens, ducks, quail, bunnies, bees, cats and a dog. The wild turkey, deer, raccoons, opposum, groundhogs, muskrats, coyotes, bobcats and even a mountain lion keep us on our toes as it is.

But dreams come and go; they evolve. I once gardened a vegetable plot as big as my house.

Now our girls are turning it into a cut-flower garden—with strawberries and melons, too, because, you know, it can be whatever we want.

All dressed up to watch the Kentucky Derby, May 2024. This group of friends—Casey and Rachel Baker; me with my husband Michael Gekas and our dog, Barbara; and Carol and Jared Bahr—shares a love for animals and land (and a good Horsefeather, too). Couple by couple, we started buying acreage properties, from Overland Park to Piper to Eudora. The situation looks different for each of us, proving that acreage properties are diverse enough across the metro to meet individual needs and interests.

66 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

Find your own farm! Local real estate agents and community managers can lead you to your own slice of land. Read our tips and find a short list of acreage communities starting on page 124 to follow the lead of the many homeowners in this issue who have struck out on their own. Photo by Tyler Draisey.

This is not to downplay the wonderful amenities provided by housing communities; it’s just another way to live. In this issue, we bring you the many stories of families who bought into the idea of truly private property.

For some, it’s a couple of acres to build a resortstyle outdoor living space; for others, it’s a chance to renovate a traditional horse farm or custom design a Mediterranean or modern home on the prairie.

The remote-work movement has made the option of living outside the city limits more accessible than ever, shortening our commutes down the hall to a home office. That’s where I was when, during this issue’s deadline, I had to put out fires. That’s not some corporate idiom; an ember from a day’s old burn pile took flight and set our field ablaze. Between preparing articles on other Kansas Citians’ experiences living on land, I jumped on my Gator and snuffed out the flames with our water tank accessory. That kind of anecdote is actually somewhat normal for us around here, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. What a life!

andrea@mydesignkc.com

The

Ashner Family is proud to present our newest

community

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I N T ER I O R D ES I G N

JENNA KAUFMAN @lovegoodinteriors / www.jennakaufman.com

68 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

816.200.7250

centralsurfaces.com

CENTRAL by design.

Builder: Inspired Homes Material: Concrete Snow from ASMI Quartz

PUBLISHER

Keith Sauro keith@mydesignkc.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Andrea Darr andrea@mydesignkc.com

THE SUMMER ISSUE 2025

ART DIRECTOR

Ryan Litts ryan@mydesignkc.com

SUMMER 2025 TM

VICE PRESIDENT OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Jared Webb jared@mydesignkc.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kimberly Hall kim@mydesignkc.com

LAND &

LEISURE

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Jennifer Demerath jennifer@mydesignkc.com MANAGER OF PRODUCTION, CIRCULATION AND DIGITAL IMPLEMENTATION

Denise Carver denise@mydesignkc.com SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Savannah Rieke Newson savannah@mydesignkc.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Susan Cannon Meghan Craig Christine Emming Megan Felling Gloria Gale Lisa Waterman Gray Jen Moore Katy Schamberger Laura Spencer Kimberly Winter Stern Amy Thurston Veronica Toney CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matthew Anderson Amy and Chase Ashurst Josie Benefield Brandon Bowens Christine Caso Aaron Dolan Tyler Draisey Bob Greenspan Mollie Herr Nate Sheets Laurie Kilgore Matt Kocourek Aaron Leimkuehler Chris Meyer SherpaMedia Tony Thompson Kris Yates

OVERLAND PARK

KANSAS CITY NORTH

LOCKSANDPULLSKC.COM 70 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian Rice VIDEOGRAPHER

1593 Studios

Display until September 23, 2025

ON THE COVER: A refreshing work of art by The Versace Cowboy: Robert Bledsoe. See the full outdoor feature on page 198. Photo by Matt Kocourek.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

Designers, architects, builders and homeowners are invited to submit projects.

Email andrea@mydesignkc.com with photos and description.

ADVERTISING

Jared Webb jared@mydesignkc.com 913-244-2322 SUBSCRIBE

mydesignkc.com/subscriptions $35 for 1 year (5 issues) $55 for 2 years (10 issues) For subscription questions, lost issues, or to cancel a subscription: circulation@mydesignkc.com ONLINE + DIGITAL

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RHYTHM MEDIA DIGITAL

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING

Dallas Williams - 913-620-7088 dallas@rhythm-media.com

Volume 26, Issue 12

Greater Kansas City

& Discover

SEE PAGE 27

A HIDDEN GEM AT

S E E PAG E X X

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Take It Outside Add color and style—equivalent to your interiors—to your outdoor spaces.

Words by Amy Thurston

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aking the most from an outdoor space can be as important as making the most of your indoor space. If you can create a room in nature, no matter how small, for seven months out of the year your home just feels bigger. To entertain, to play, to read or to nap, whatever it is you like to do inside, it feels somehow sweeter when you can do the same thing outside. Whether you have a patio, pool

or porch, here are some resources to bring the inside out.

For insights on how we can create these moments, Karen Saper of Lifestyles By Design, who considers herself an “exterior” designer, shares advice. After 15 years in the business and biannual trips to trade shows, she has witnessed firsthand the growing demand for quality and comfort in outdoor furnishings. Her company

Bernhardt is a familiar name in quality furniture—and for good reason. The Cyprus outdoor side table and Milos outdoor cocktail table are sculptural forms perfectly suited for nature. Find them at Seville Home.

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One of Saper’s recent projects exemplifies the many ways to outfit an outdoor area. At Wheatfield Village Apartments in Topeka, Saper, in cooperation with Schwert Design Group and Crossland Construction, programmed the compact courtyard efficiently to include a variety of seating, gaming and relaxation areas. The swinging chairs and fire pit zones have been popular with the residents. Photo by David Eulitt, Midwest Health.

furnishes commercial communities, including HOAs, apartment complexes and neighborhood parks as well as larger personal residences. The same principles can be carried over to any size of residential space.

Courtside Residential sport courts are booming with popularity—pickleball, bocce ball and yard games like Giant Jenga, especially. Make the viewing experience comfortable and interactive.

Saper recommends two different kinds of seating to accommodate each generation’s idea of comfort. Adirondack chairs combined with hightop tables, for example, offer options for different moods and heights.

The Florida Lifestyles daybed is a unique piece with its A-frame roof structure. “It adds architectural interest to any outdoor project and it’s the perfect cozy nook for reading and relaxing,” Saper says.

Bar stools are a common need in large outdoor settings, and we like the looks of the Saint Lucia from Woodbridge Furniture, sourced to the trade through Designer’s Library.

The Tuuci hammock introduces a dramatic focal point to the poolscape. Also, Saper notes, Tuuci makes and keeps replacement parts for these hammocks, giving the end user peace of mind that their investment is protected.

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Another option in high tops comes from Vanguard’s Breeze collection, available through Design & Detail. The white aluminum frame and textured woven seat bring a clean-lined look to any transitional or modern space.

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A chaise is an essential poolside staple, but why not upgrade it with a graceful design? The sculpted base of Summer Classics’ Savoy collection is an ideal candidate.

Simple Comforts Sometimes all you need is a set of string lights and a couple of well-chosen loungers to make a space feel considered and special.

From morning coffee with the birds to afterdinner s’mores, you can make a lot out of a little. Add lanterns and potted plants to turn your porch or patch of grass into a welcome retreat.

The Halo lounge with ottoman from Summer Classics conforms to your body so you won’t ever want to leave. Better designate a bartender to bring you fresh drinks!

Set up apps and drinks on the Rochelle outdoor console from Bernhardt. With a glass-reinforced concrete top and weathered teak base and shelf, it can handle the weather and your party plans.

Vicki Dreste at Design & Detail St. Louis recommends the Omer side table from Made Goods. The translucent resin pedestal-style cocktail base shimmers poolside in a variety of colors, from neutral to bold marigold, juniper and cobalt.

Sculpture, planter, side table, stool or luminaire?

The Babylon from Dedon is all of that! The asymmetrical design is multifaceted for your needs. KDR Designer Showrooms recommends many of Dedon’s lines for a unique addition to your outdoor space.

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The Savoy collection from Summer Classics transports you to a scene in southern France. The resin wicker is classically chic, long lasting and comfortable with or without an optional cushion.

Purposeful Lounging Dedon’s Mbarq is a mini alcove for a quiet moment alone or a private gab sesh.

For larger backyards with kitchens, pool cabanas and fire pits, mix furniture styles to help define each area’s function while creating an environment that feels thoughtful—much like furnishing an interior space. You may want wicker loungers, ceramic side tables and fun saturated prints around the pool, but for the pool shelter, a selection of wood-framed pieces, solid cushions, stone tables and a bold or textural outdoor rug create a more refined look for entertaining.

Another sculptural moment comes from Bernhardt in the form of the Sorrento sofa. The cast aluminum frame is textured, adding interest and elevating any environment.

The Lomani sofa from Bernhardt anchors an outdoor seating arrangement that could pass for an indoor one. The encompassing woven texture and blocky cushion blend visual interest and comfort.

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Teak blended with a woven accent is a match for the ages with the relaxed lines of Lane Venture’s Edgewood chair, available through Designer’s Library. The two elements are meant to weather beautifully together as sun exposure silvers the wood over time.

Pro Tips

Have your teak and top it, too, with the Trouvelle table’s chiseled stone edge from Bernhardt.

With experience comes knowledge, and Saper and her team have some great tips.

• For teak lovers, she recommends an engineered material that replicates teak so you can enjoy the look for longer. Actual teak weathers to gray with time, and unless you maintain and oil your furniture, yours will too.

• If you own a lake house, Saper suggests UVA-rated fake plants for your porch or dock. These look very real and won’t miss you when you’re gone.

• If you have recently purchased a home and are trying to plan your outdoor space, buy less furniture to start, as you can always add to it as you learn how your yard will actually function.

Bring beautiful color and curves to your outdoor retreat with Dedon’s Cirql Nu, inspired by archetypal African chairs woven around barrel oil drums. The geometry of the lines appear almost 3D and take on different textures and tones based on the light and your perspective.

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Teak is worth the trouble, especially when it’s the Endless table from Cane Line. Keep it oiled for a rich warm color or let it weather to gray, this material will support many alfresco dinners for years to come.

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A chair can be so much more than just a chair with the Origami from Bernhardt. The bisecting lines fold into the frame for a most distinctive conversation piece.

Enjoy shade and lemonade in a rocking chair meant for comfort and style.

The Avondale from Summer Classics merges a low-maintenance and modernized alumninum frame with plush cushions.

A rocking chair without legs! Dedon’s Fedro can rock out a colorful scene in your yard and even go with you anywhere you want to relax.

Nothing says summertime like a fun outdoor print. Design & Detail suggests this one, Faro, from Elitis. With Moorish influences from the Algarve region of Portugal, its warmth reminds one of faraway vacays.

The Kida collection from Dedon is the epitome of rainbows and sunshine. Buy a hanging chair for yourself or share the rays with a tableful of chairs.

The cradle-like form of wrapped—not woven— fibers is an invitation to lounge for hours.

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• Take storage and proper covers into consideration to protect your purchases from harder weather and outdoor critters.

• If you are on a tight budget, spend money on the pieces with cushions and less on solid pieces like coffee tables or side tables.

Quality cushions are worth the extra spend.

Dacron foam is found in less-expensive outdoor cushions and takes longer to dry and shortens the life of the cushion.

• Rather than pure white cushions, buy a textured weave with natural tones running through, which will hide stains and wear while still looking light and fresh.

And one final pro tip: Take advantage of the borrowed views. Does your neighbor have a giant tree that explodes in color every season?

Do you live close to a beautiful church with an architectural steeple that lights up at night?

Does your porch have an amazing view of the city? Angle your furniture toward these vistas and set yourself up with a spot that feels so good you’re called back to it daily.

Find these items and more at: Lifestyles by Design, @lifestylesbydesign KDR Designer Showrooms, @kdrshowrooms Design & Detail, @designanddetailkc Designer’s Library, @designerslibrary Seville Home, @sevillehome

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Harnessing an Idea Happy chance—and a lot of hard work—returns a local business owner to her country roots to create a vineyard and event space.

Words by Lisa Waterman Gray Photos by Amy and Chase Ashurst, theRyeStudio

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ow fences flank expansive properties with large homes, outbuildings and barns, and horses graze quietly amid the tranquil landscape. On approach to Stilwell-based Serendipity Farm and Vine, the long gravel driveway curves beside a massive vineyard. Beyond the parking area, a quiet, friendly Great Pyrenees named Riesling happily greets visitors. Guests can also admire three miniature horses on this property, which once boarded local horses.

Owner and real estate agent Amy Roberts lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with children in their teens and early twenties, but she revels in the lovely drive to this rural property that she bought in 2019. She wanted a career change at the time, and her parents

At Serendipity Farm and Vine, the primary public building welcomes visitors with its warm, inviting exterior.

Coffee and pastries are available at the Daily Grind.

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Grapes mature on-site.

Serendipity produces about 20 wines.

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Roberts has breathed new life into this vintage barn— a favorite spot to host intimate weddings.

wanted to move closer to their grandchildren.

She believes serendipity led her here.

The seventh great-granddaughter of Daniel Boone, Roberts says being outdoors and growing up fishing and gardening with her grandparents and parents also fueled her interest in this property.

Butterfly images abound at Serendipity Farm and Vine.

“To me, [butterflies] symbolize transformation,” Roberts says. “Just as they undergo a beautiful metamorphosis, we too can evolve, discover who we truly are, and pursue what we’re passionate about. Much like these delicate creatures, my journey has been one of change and growth. I aim to reflect this journey by showcasing butterflies from around the world in the decor and on my wine labels.”

Under the warmly lit chandeliers, guests enjoy the one-of-a-kind surroundings.

Serendipity’s spread includes three buildings plus covered outdoor space for events and equestrian activities.

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L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y Handcrafted doors and potted plants lead guests into Serendipity’s primary socializing destination.

High-top tables offer indoor seating for guests, while patio space is also available during good weather.

Riesling is the ultimate tail-wagging property ambassador.

Plates and wine flights are offered Thursday-Sunday.

Five stable rooms are available for a more private experience.

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Previously a hobby winemaker, Amy’s father, Tabb, leads winemaking at the farm.

“We have five acres of [vineyards] and 3,500 vines,” Roberts says. “Our harvesting began two years ago.”

They craft nearly 20 wines using red and white grapes grown on the property as well as those from other vineyards.

In 2023, Serendipity Farm and Vine was voted Best of Johnson County for wedding venue and winery, and for wedding and event venue in 2024.

It’s also a terrific spot for weddings and baby showers, celebrations of life, birthdays, or other special events.

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The She Shed features four bedrooms and shared lounge space for overnight stays.

Vintage charm awaits guests of the She Shed.

Serendipity’s She Shed is a renovated fourbedroom horse barn with luxurious bathrooms and lounge space for people to stay on the property.

The decor incorporates vintage, repurposed and new furnishings, blending rustic charm with modern comfort. In the Green Barn, small groups may also reserve a stable room or the west side patio for gatherings.

On some mornings, Serendipity’s Daily Grind offers hot and cold beverages and pastries.

Delicious food—including dips, grazing boards, paninis and 12-inch artisan pizzas— complements the wine selections while, on occasion, live music attracts guests to stay late for bingo or trivia nights.

It’s all part of Roberts’ goal for her multiuse property—to offer a serene, peaceful environment that simultaneously relaxes and rejuvenates guests.

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Preservation Maven Practicing what she preaches, a nationally known, locally beloved designer sets up her studio in a Swiss-style bank barn near historic Arrow Rock, Mo. Words by Gloria Gale Photos from the book Historic Style: Honoring the Past with Design for Today by Aaron Leimkuehler

AS

an accomplished interior designer with a penchant for preserving important historical architecture, Kelee Katillac has earned international acclaim for her notable restoration work on distinguished properties. She can transform a sow’s ear into a silk purse, bringing new life to neglected landmarks.

Katillac doesn’t merely restore aged buildings—she resurrects them with artistic flair and deep respect for their original character. Her unique approach has led reviewers of her most recent book, Historic Style, to dub her the “Mick Jagger of Preservation” for her exceptional results.

As a former Kansas Citian, Katillac’s reputation has grown from local admiration to worldwide recognition as more of her thoughtfully revitalized properties capture public attention. With a burgeoning portfolio of respected classical homes from Montpelier to Mount Vernon, she’s cast her inspiration, integrating the past with a modern update.

The Blosser barn, part of the original 900-acre farm, was nearly beyond salvage when Katillac repurposed the building to house her studio plus event space. At the base of the stairs, she hung a print of a similar-looking buggy to the one the Blossers owned.

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A lifetime immersed in travel, art history, and pop culture serve as her framework for championing 17th- to 18th-century historic homes that would otherwise be demolished. It caught the eye of one couple who hired Katillac to bring a Missouri farmstead estate back from certain demolition.

After years spent restoring historic properties, Katillac took on what many considered an impossible challenge—renovating a grand Second Empire manor house outside of Malta

Enamored with the modernization of historic structures, Katillac infused her wit into the recolorization of 12 classic styles of wall covering (manufacturer: Adelphi Paper Hanging— Westwood Gothic collection). An exuberant, Hot Pink ‘Madison’ damask is a can’t-miss shot of color applied just below the wainscoting in the barn’s third-story studio.

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Bend, Missouri, once listed among the most endangered homes in the entire state. Where others saw only decay, she saw potential.

The circa 1870 mansion, known as the Henry Blosser Estate, caught the attention of Carolyn and Dr. Arthur Elman, who partnered with Katillac to support their mutual vision. While most scoffed at their ambitious mission, the Elmans’ and Katillac’s determination proved unwavering.

Through extensive research, trips to Jefferson City, solicitations to the National Park Service (which oversees historic places), plus sheer

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persistence from a team of 100 contributors, they transformed the crumbling brick structure back to its former glory.

The completed restoration, now known as the Blosser-Elman Museum of Decorative Arts, not only saved a piece of architectural history but also secured a designation on the National Register of Historic Places. It also provided an unexpected economic boon to Saline County, bringing tourism and renewed interest in the area.

Katillac then turned her attention to yet

When the opportunity to use salvageable material presented itself, Katillac incorporated it. Here, an original grain scale holds a wooden buggy owned by the Blosser family.

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L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y Katillac transformed the original horse and hay stalls into space for a cafe and, as such, had workbench tables incorporating machine shop swivel stools built. The window coverings feature Katillac’s own Horse Show Toile fabric.

another dilapidated structure on the expansive Blosser property, a Swiss-style bank barn— bank, as in built partially into the side of a hill.

“The three-story, 175-year-old barn was falling off its foundation and needed considerable supplemental construction inside and out,” she recalls.

Katillac’s intent was adaptive reuse while retaining the barn’s original character.

The original wood cladding on the exterior and interior had to be replaced with fir and cedar. That included adding an elevator tower outboard on the side of the building to meet ADA-approved codes.

Because the upper-story loft once featured an exposed network of wooden posts and beams, they stayed but had to be reinforced with steel.

With skylights added to the existing windows,

Sabrina Sharpe, one of the Equestrians of Color, leads her horse, King, into a barn stall.

The property hosts and provides fundraising for the nonprofit.

plenty of light illuminates the rustically elegant space now reborn to house Katillac’s design studio.

On the lower floor, once home to hay and horses, eight stalls have been replaced with comfortable seating featuring 25 old workbench tables with built-in seating.

The barn’s revitalization included a catering kitchen, ample meeting rooms, and event space for approximately 300.

Katilac admits it’s been quite the journey.

“My passion is to make everyone feel welcome in spaces filled with creative liberty and justice for all,” she says.

With some help from her friends, Katillac’s dreams of joining the past with the present are becoming a reality, one floorboard at a time.

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Photography: Nate Sheets

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It Takes a Village The cozy mid-Missouri hamlet of Arrow Rock is enjoying a generational renaissance—one you can partake in with an overnight stay.

Words by Gloria Gale | Photos by Kris Yates (Ms. Ada’s) and Aaron Dolan (The Latch House)

Although this 1830s cabin is one of the oldest homes in the village, it has been lovingly restored and now includes modern amenities.

An addition—the third in its history—incorporates new wood ceiling beams, a native stone fireplace and flagstone flooring for design continuity.

Below: The striped tile is a nod to an optimistic future.

S

ome count Arrow Rock, Missouri, merely a drive-by—but not stopping would be a mistake.

Here’s where a page out of history comes alive.

It’s as if time stands still: horses and hitching posts, a boardwalk, and honest-to-goodness antebellum homes mixed with Americana.

There’s quite the novelty in a town where the new mingles charmingly with a deep admiration for the old. Arrow Rock, with a vintage 19thcentury pedigree, gives the little village atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River plenty of boasting ability.

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L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y

“With the original cabin being built in the 1830s, we wanted to honor the home’s original 19th-century feel,” says Ms. Ada’s House Airbnb proprietor Christine Grace.

All of the decor was with an assist from Jon Trigg and Aaron Dolan, two interior designers from Studio Home in Columbia, Mo.

Any drywall or plaster atop the original logs was removed to reveal the beauty of the existing structure.

The couple hired Columbia-based Studio Spillman to install new materials and a living room addition, all with a careful hand to cohesively tie in and preserve the logs and beams.

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It’s one of the most authentically historic towns at the beginning of the Santa Fe Trail, and many visit in droves.

The town’s J. Huston Tavern beckons before a stroll past vintage houses, the well-respected Lyceum Theater, a mercantile and more. Visitors can also experience the pleasure of staying at a local Airbnb to soak in the spirit of bygone days.

Columbia, Mo., residents Brian and Christine Grace seemed captivated by the notion of a getaway.

Scan here to book Ms. Ada’s House.

“We really like the Southwest style of decor, so we decided to design one of the bathrooms with a red-glazed tile—reminiscent of New Mexican Saltillo tile. To bring a rustic feel into this bathroom, we used an unfinished pine vanity,” Christine explains.

It’s a big step up from Ms. Ada’s original outhouse!

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“The more we visited, the more we decided this was a place to consider,” says Christine, who was enamored by the town’s historic charm.

Their venture became a reality when they bought long-time resident Ms. Ada’s house.

After a year of renovation, the 1,300-squarefoot home, now detailed down to the chinked logs, reclaimed beams and cedar flooring, is delightful for those looking to make an overnight trip out of their time in Arrow Rock.

Fellow Airbnb owners and Columbia, Mo., designers Aaron Dolan and Jon Trigg renovated Columbia, Mo., interior designers Jon Trigg and Aaron Dolan saw this house—originally an 1829-built town store—and decided it was just want they wanted. The two-story living room features repurposed clapboard from a demolished 1850s-era home.

At almost 200 years old, the entire building needed renovating. The previous owner, Lucy Fletcher, tried to save as much of the original structure before Trigg and Dolan carried it through completion. The floorboards in this room are hardwood repurposed from keel boats.

In order to keep the feel of a historic house, the walls in one of two bedrooms are covered in document wallpaper and capped with a rustic, wood-beamed ceiling.

A built-in banquette and soapstone tiled floor visually enlarges the space without overcrowding it.

A quaint outdoor space offers a place to rest for visitors of Arrow Rock.

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John Michael Kitchens now available at Amy Krause Design 6240 W 135th St, STE 200, Overland Park / By Appointment johnmichael.studio | amykrausedesign.com | 913-954-9424

L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y In order to give this house a sense of place, the designers infused the second bedroom with a reproduction rope bed, English dresser and various antiques— everything is designed to enhance an authentic, 19th-century appeal.

their 1829 historic home, called The Latch House. If antique decor is your passion, this twobedroom house features an eclectic collection with modern conveniences, including McKenney and Hall prints gracing the walls, rustic beams and rope beds all designed to maintain a sense of place.

Scan here to book The Latch House.

One of the home’s two bathrooms has been updated with modern conveniences set into a monochromatic palette.

With the introduction of an antique bureau, the tension between new and old styles works to advantage.

Interior Designer: Studio Home; @studiohomeinc 114 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

Central States Tile is a stocking distributor who has been supplying the Kansas City Metro with a wide range of products including porcelain, ceramic, natural stone, metal, glass tiles and more for over 35 years.

Visit our showroom for your next Design Inspiration 8301 West 125th St. Suite 110, Overland Park M - F 8 - 4:30 | (913) 681-6629 | csttile.com

Pictured: Antico Casale Series Geometric Shapes: Otto and Quattro Color: Grafite (Black)

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 115

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L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y

Horses for the Cure An ageless connection with this regal breed remains, whether for a pleasure ride or trauma healing.

Words by Laura Spencer Morris

E

ver since horses were first domesticated, approximately 3500 B.C., they’ve played a role in human life, from pulling supplies and weapons during military battles to providing speed and mobility for riders.

In the early 20th century, people began to rely more on machines than on horses, both in warfare and in everyday activities.

Today, horseback riding is often viewed as a leisure activity. But a growing number of people, including first responders and veterans, are trying equine therapy for challenges like anxiety, depression and PTSD. “They’re so intuitive and extremely intelligent,” Bret Cortright, executive director of War Horses for Veterans, says about horses. “So, when you are around them or near them, they feel your stress and anxiety.”

Cortright spent a dozen years in law enforcement, including about five or six years as a motorcycle officer. Then he worked at a tech company, selling investigative equipment scanners used in automobile crashes, homicides and other events. He says he was on the road two or three days a week and struggling.

“About 14 months after I left law enforcement, I really started going downhill,” Cortright says.

“I was kind of in a pretty low point of my life.”

His former motorcycle partner, who volunteered at War Horses for Veterans, suggested that he stop by the facility—where Cortright talked to a psychologist on-site.

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“You know, I was laughing, crying. And it just unloaded years of stuff off my chest,” he says.

Cortright then entered a round pen in the arena to meet up with his former motorcycle partner— and a horse.

“I remember this horse just running in circles around me,” he says. “I just fell in love with the place, and the horses, and just being out here.”

Since 2020, Cortright has held various roles within the organization, most recently serving as executive director.

Applicants who are current or former veterans or first responders are screened to make sure they’re the right fit for the facility. Once admitted to the five-day on-site program, activities range from horse-related chores, such as cleaning stalls and brushing horses, to communication

sessions, journaling and on-site therapy. And, of course, horseback riding.

Cortright says most participants begin the program with little to no previous experience with horses.

“You’re going to start from nothing on day one,” he says, “and by the end of the week, we typically have people fully loping a horse and throwing ropes, like lassos, off horses.”

He adds, “So, it’s a very physically and mentally demanding program, but it rebuilds confidence and communication.”

More equine-therapy resources:

Additional locations for horseback lessons, camps, trail rides and more:

Heartland Therapeutic Riding htrkc.org 19655 Antioch Road Overland Park, Kansas 66013

Liberty Farm Equestrian Center lfecstable.com 2015 Hillview Road Liberty, MO 64068

Saddle Creek Stables & Vineyard saddlecreekhorses.net 5915 Norfleet Road Kansas City, MO 64133

Horses & Heroes horsesandheroes.org 2722 N. 155th St. Basehor, Kansas 66007

S&S Stables ssstables.com 25081 Orleans Road Paola, KS 66071

Sunset Trails Stables sunsettrailsstables.com 2100 SE Ranson Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64082

Northland Therapeutic Riding Center northlandtherapeuticriding.org 13608 Henson Road Holt, Missouri 64048

Saddle and Sirloin Club saddleandsirloin.com 14401 Holmes Road Kansas City, MO 64145

Wild Rose Equine Center wildroseequinecenter.com 17105 Old Pike Road Dearborn, MO 64439

120 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Room to Roam Outdoorsy types are in the right place to find their piece of property under a big sky.

Words by Megan Felling

E You can spread out and build a beautiful estate home on an acreage lot. At Bella Terra, the developer sets property owners up with gas and electric service, as well as high-speed fiber optic cable for broadband internet. Photos by Chris Meyer.

124 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

ver dreamed of moving to the country?

Getting away from it all—no neighbors in sight—stargazing on a clear night?

By buying or building a home on acreage, you surround yourself with the tranquility of nature.

Depending on your preferences, that might include densely wooded forests, streams, fields, rolling hills and more.

Acreages are ideal for various recreational pursuits, such as riding dirt bikes or ATVs, stabling horses, or hunting and fishing. Whether you want to actively ride horses or passively watch the vegetables grow, you’ll find plenty of land options in the area to suit your dreams.

You will need to consider several factors when searching for acreage property, which may differ from those involved when buying or building a home in the city or suburbs.

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I

f you are ready to build a custom home with enough land for your horses or just room to roam, check out this sampling of available acreage and equestrian property communities: Bella Terra—located in Raymore, Missouri, near 291 and 58 Highways. The first phase, which includes over 20 lots of three to five acres each, is available for custom-designed estate homes with options for pool and pool houses, carriage houses, mother-in-law quarters, detached shops, horse barns, etc. Open to approved builders. Marketed

by Angie Ripley, Engel & Volkers Kansas City, 816.665.4228, bellaterraneighborhood.com.

Blue Valley at Loch Lloyd—near 167th Street and Kenneth Road. Offering 23 two-plus-acre secluded, wooded lots in the desirable and acclaimed Blue Valley School District. Build your custom dream home with one of their awardwinning builders. Loch Lloyd is a fully gated, country club community, offering residents peace of mind with 24-hour security and top-tier amenities. Loch Lloyd Real Estate, 816 331.9500, lochlloyd.com/real-estate.

Photo by Christine Caso.

The Estates of Shadow Woods—Stilwell, Kansas, near 188th and Nall. Four lots of eight to ten acres, each with high elevation, secluded with trees and rolling terrain, located in the Blue Valley School District. It’s an ideal property for someone wanting horses. You may bring your own approved builder. Marketed by Lynne Matile with ReeceNichols, 913.593.4030, lynnematile.reecenichols.com.

126 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

For starters, land costs typically decrease

zoning ordinances, which may determine

the farther away you go from the city.

land use,” she stresses. “There may be

Comparable sales are sometimes difficult

mandates ranging from what types of

to find when buying land because of the

animals you can have on the land to the

various characteristics such as ponds, trees

location of the driveway. To fully understand

and proximity to blacktop, so it’s important

all the ordinances and guidelines involved

to have an experienced buyer’s agent to

in building a home in the country, checking

help guide you through the search.

with the county zoning commission is a

Dana

Benjamin

with

ReeceNichols

good first step.”

specializes in selling acreage and equestrian

One primary consideration when buying

properties. She notes that a minimum of 10

acreage is the location of available utilities.

acres is best if you want to have horses. But

According to builder and developer Bruce

just because you own the land doesn’t mean

Rieke of B.L. Rieke Custom Homes, bringing

you can put whatever you want on it.

services to the property can be costly if not

“It is essential that a buyer be aware of

established nearby.

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Bruce Rieke built this custom home on acreage near Ottawa, Kansas, as a fun weekend getaway for his client and their family and friends. The mountain lodge look has expansive windows to overlook the property and complete privacy for enjoying the outdoors. Photo by Tony Thompson.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 127

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Photo by Tyler Draisey.

20206 S. School Road—a picturesque 10-acre horse lover’s dream property in Raymore, Missouri. In addition to a four-bedroom home, the property boasts an indoor arena, outdoor arena, and a well-equipped seven-stall barn with a workshop, wash rack, tack room, hay storage, Nelson automatic waterers, four pastures, and six paddocks. Marketed by Dana Benjamin, ReeceNichols, 913.522.4277, benjaminteamkc.com.

“When building a custom home set back from the road, it can get expensive to extend utilities, and in addition, the farther the house is set back, the longer the driveway,” he notes. “Many cities require the driveway to be concrete or asphalt instead of gravel, so those costs can add up. But most people find it is worth it to have privacy.”

With a remote locale, you may find that your property is on septic instead of sewer—a new responsibility for many firsttime property buyers—and gas may not be available, requiring propane instead. And don’t forget other utilities, like how you will power your home and accessory buildings.

“With so many people working from home these days, it’s important to see if highspeed internet is available,” Rieke adds.

@danabenjaminteam @blriekecustomhomes @bellaterraneighborhood 128 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

Some large-acreage lot communities do some of the development work for you. For instance, in the Bella Terra neighborhood in Raymore, Missouri, developer Troy Bellah knew his clients would want to have gas available for their kitchens and outdoor entertaining areas, so he made sure it was accessible, says community agent Angie Ripley.

Just as varying guidelines exist for building homes, Rieke points out that different counties have policies for maximum allowable square footage for outbuildings.

Ripley notes that Bella Terra’s HOA requirements require homes to be at least 85 feet wide to maintain a stately and grand appearance, and barns and outbuildings are allowed behind the main house.

The Estates at Staley—Conveniently located in Kansas City, Missouri, near NW 108th Street and 169 Hwy, with easy access to I-435 and KCI. Three treed lots are available, ranging from three to five acres each. Electric, gas and public water are available to the building site. Build your custom home with your approved builder. Outbuildings are welcome, subject to approval. Marketed by Candi Sweeney with ReeceNichols, 816.591.5590, candi.reecenichols.com/theestatesatstaley.

7100 Lee’s Summit Road—A portion of the old Stephenson’s Orchard land has been divided into seven tracts, ranging from three acres to a 45-acre tract. Three seven-acre lots and one 19acre lot are still available fronting Lee’s Summit Road. These wooded parcels are in Kansas City, Missouri, but lie in the highly acclaimed Lee’s Summit School District. Bring your own builder to create your custom country estate.

Water, electric and gas utilities are accessible.

Contact Phil LeVota for more information at 816.590.0028.

Photo by Christine Caso.

Stone Hill Manor—Located in Stilwell, Kansas, near 171st and Kenneth Road. Build your custom estate with Robert Montgomery Homes in this exclusive, four-lot neighborhood situated on a cul-de-sac across from the new Blue Valley at Loch Lloyd community. Two lots are available, one with 2.86 relatively flat acres and one with 2.4 acres, suited to a walkout basement. Natural gas is available for indoor/outdoor kitchens.

Outbuildings are welcome, subject to approval.

Marketed by Lynne Matile with ReeceNichols, 913.593.4030, stonehillmanorks.com.

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T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

Raising the Roof New-home buyers optimize their energy—and aesthetics— when planning up front for solar panels.

Words by Megan Felling | Photos by Chris Meyer

If planned for and designed well, sleek panels can really elevate a home’s appearance. Kyle Perez suggests picking a darker-colored roof shingle and materials to blend with black solar panels.

S

olar energy continues to increase in popularity—now among luxury homeowners—as sustainability and energy independence gain traction.

Kyle and Jessica Perez with PLS Consulting, a local full-service solar installation company, say they are seeing this trend in custom-built homes and communities. “Many HOAs have standard language to not allow solar, but we are starting to see a few allow solar,” Kyle says.

PLS is passionate about bringing clean

134 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

energy to all homeowners, businesses and farms in the Kansas City metro area.

“As a renewable source of power, solar energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate negative impacts of modern society on our environment,” Jessica explains.

“Our clients are most interested in solar for the financial and investment benefits. It’s very likely you’ll be eligible to recoup more than half of what you spend on your solar installation in tax benefits.”

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T H E

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L I F E

“

Our clients tend to feel a sense of pride in taking control over their own energy production. With solar energy, you produce your power yourself.” ~ Solar energy expert Kyle Perez

Current construction codes are more than adequate to sustain the additional weight of adding solar to new construction.

He notes five reasons to consider adding solar panels: utility cost savings, tax incentives of 30-60 percent, a 25-year investment, potential increased property values, and environmental friendliness.

“Our clients also tend to feel a sense of pride in controlling their own energy production. With solar energy, you produce your power yourself,” he says.

Craig and Allison A. added solar panels to their Cedar Creek home about a year ago—they were among the first homeowners in the area to do so.

“We became interested in solar energy mainly because my wife, Allison, is interested in being less reliant on fossil fuels in an effort to combat climate change,” Craig says. “The solar panels have markedly reduced our electrical bill so that there is a minimal charge each month.”

Early planning and design are important when incorporating panels in a new-construction home because designers and installers can suggest roof layouts that are a better fit for solar. This also allows designers to pre-plan electrical pathways and wiring through the walls that can be installed prior to insulation versus having it exposed on the exterior of the home when done after construction.

Taylor Erickson of Erickson Build Co. agrees that knowing up front in the design process that the home will be solar-powered is helpful. He recently worked on a new construction project in Old Leawood that incorporated solar panels 136 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

Solar panels sit about three to four inches above the roof surface, and the roof pitch generally obscures them from view from the ground.

in less-than-ideal circumstances. Sections of panels on that project had to be split up because of complicated roof lines.

“The home also had a metal roof on the back section, and the metal shouldn’t be penetrated, so it can be tricky to find the ideal location,” he adds.

Some homeowners balk at the aesthetic look that panels might convey. But, generally, solar panels do not affect the look of a house as they are placed on the back or sides of a residential roof, which makes them somewhat elusive. Solar panels have become much sleeker over the

years, with all-black panels being king and blue and silver becoming less utilized (though they are still used in commercial settings quite often).

They sit about three to four inches off of the roof with a tight fit for a more uniform look.

“Nine out of ten homeowners are not concerned with the panels being visible,” notes Jessica, “and after installation, many love the look.”

PLS Solar, @pls_solar Erickson Build Co, @ericksonbuildco

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Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 137

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C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Stone Age Bison Hut keeps the art of dry stacking stone alive with a hand-built wall in Versailles, Mo. Words by Andrea Darr | Photos by Josie Benefield

Dry stacked stone walls use no mortar to hold them up. Brad Elpers hand-laid this 120-foot wall using a centuries-old method that relies on hard work and gravity.

T

oday’s house projects are often about efficiency: How fast a job can get done and for how cheap.

When building stone walls around a garden or house, the easy route uses glue and mortar to hold them up. This construction method can fail after 20 or 30 years—a timeline many homeowners are used to by now.

But it didn’t used to be that way. Travel along the pine-studded roads of the Northeast or Pacific Northwest, and you’ll see stone walls that have been there for centuries. Back then, they didn’t use concrete or pavers; they used gravity, and the method still works today.

If time-honored craftsmanship is your preferred path, be prepared for your dry-stacked stone wall to outlast you and maybe your grandkids, too.

Brad Elpers is one of only two certified dry stone wallers in the area.

140 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

The new house only looks old, like a building that has been added onto over the years. The inside is filled with antiques for a cozy and meaningful home life.

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“These walls are so beautiful, so elegant—majestic, really,” he says. “They are like a large lawn ornament.”

A dry-stacked stone wall costs much more than just the stone; assembling the wall is labor-intensive and significantly increases the expense.

“Only people with a large disposable income can afford it,” Elpers says honestly.

He got into dry stacking after a walking tour around Italy in 2017, during which the group dove into music, poetry, architecture and history. It was literally life-changing. Elpers returned to the States with a resolution to learn three things: an old-world trade, to play a musical instrument, and to speak a foreign language.

He attended a dry-stack stone wall workshop at The Stone Trust in Vermont and began building small projects around his house (while playing the harmonica and working with an Italian tutor, in case you were wondering).

“It was a fun way to pass the time,” he recalls. “The days would fly by, and when I lost track of time, that got my attention.”

He returned to Vermont to get certified by the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain and added that rare skill to his sauna-building business, Bison Hut. “This is not production work, it’s artistry and craftsmanship,” Elpers says. “Dry stone stacking calls people like that.”

At a property in Versailles, Mo., he shipped in 36 tons of Oklahoma sandstone on two semi-trucks.

Elpers unpacked, dressed and stacked the stone by hand.

“I only used chisels and hammers, and I built the entire project in six weeks by myself,” he says.

Pine saplings planted in front of the house will eventually grow in to soften the architectural lines.

142 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

An overhead views shows the precision-built nature of the wall, even while it looks irregular from the front. "It has to be built in a very specific way or it won't last," Elpers says.

Free-ranging chickens often visited Elpers while he built the wall over a six-week period; the family's donkeys had to watch from their pen.

The homeowners wanted the wall to resemble an old sheep pen—rustic, irregular and not too perfect.

Sections of rock are covered in moss.

“I had been so conditioned working in Johnson County on perfect-looking walls that I spent the first two weeks on 30 feet of wall,” Elpers says.

“The homeowner kept telling me to let it have more character—like the stone was all that was left of an old homestead.”

Proper drainage is key to a long-lasting wall. A deep bed of gravel and pipes behind the wall keep water away from the base. Because there is no mortar, the wall is able to shift and move subtly

C R E A T I V E with the heaving and thawing of seasonal change, thereby making it stronger and more durable.

The walls are stacked wider at the bottom and tapered at the top so that the stones lean back on each other. Cavities are filled with smaller rocks, and heavy stones cap the wall to hold it in place.

The strain of heavy lifting takes a toll on the body, but Elpers’ decade as a yoga teacher means he knows how to move mindfully to reduce injury.

He finds the process meditative. In a recent Instagram post, he wrote: “This is my therapy. Tune the world out and be with Earth. The soundtrack of my mentors’ guidance playing in my head. Again and again. One stone at a time. Earth to rubble to art.”

At 52, Elpers is late to this kind of career—“That’s why I got into saunas,” he notes, as wood is a lighter, easier material to work with—but he is so passionate about dry stacking that he’s trying to change the system, bringing more craftsmen to the industry to keep the legacy alive.

“I’m working with the Stone Trust to open a satellite training center here in Kansas City by 2026 to offer education and training for hobbyists and professionals,” he says.

T Y P E

The owners of this Versailles, Mo., property exited big-city life in KC for a more homespun version, with a pond, chicken coop and two barns to house their animals.

bisonhut.com; @bisonhut

EXPERTLY DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED NEW HOMES SINCE 2010 WWW.KOENIGBUILDING.COM

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 143

Bringing Water To Outdoor Living goodearthwatergardens.com / 816-720-7577

To see more of this project, scan the QR code

Building A rt & Lu x ury Through Porcel a in The Largest Stock of Porcelain Tile/Slabs in Kansas City

www.lussoporcelain.com | Info@lussoporcelain.com | Showroom by appointment 144 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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Movie and Museum Magic

A flair for the dramatic shares space with curated quality in this bathroom renovation.

Words by Christine Emming Photos by Josie Benefield

D

uring their first conversation, homeowner Allison Walker told Celeste Antoine of Spirit Animal Interiors that her design inspirations reflected Delia Deetz’s house from the original Beetlejuice movie. Remembering their chat, Antoine says the house “is riddled with unique art and sculptures, but [the ultimate vision] was honing in on that to have a more museum-quality finish.”

Antoine grew up taking art classes at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and went to college for Fine Arts. She did set design, hair and makeup for fashion editorials, music videos and runway shows in Los Angeles— developing the dramatic and artistic flair that serves her clients today.

“When I moved back to Kansas City, I started working in a showroom selling luxury plumbing fixtures,” Antoine says.

Surely, Delia Deetz’s interior designer, Otho, would approve of the fanciful tiered chandelier in the tub alcove. A Frankenstein head and a Romanesque bust exemplify the tongue-in-cheek nature of the project.

148 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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The homeowners wanted a Beetlejuice-inspired art museum aesthetic—literally, that’s what my client said to me. I think I delivered!” ~ Designer Celeste Antoine

Justin Thornton Painting provided the Venetian plasterwork and the ebonized, wire-bushed finish on the cabinets.

That job helped her develop relationships with area builders and contractors, and she started her own company in 2021 to focus on high-end renovations.

“The majority of my projects are bespoke remodels,” she notes.

A mutual friend introduced Nick and Allison Walker, and Antoine soon agreed to handle their bathroom renovation. Although the main floor of the Walkers’ home had been updated, its primary suite had remained untouched since it was built in the early 1990s. Glass blocks, strange soffits, no storage, and a built-in, jetted bathtub made poor use of the spacious interior.

The Walkers love quality materials and functionality, something Antoine was mindful of throughout the renovation. However, delivering a finished product that pleased both people— Allison loves everything black, while Nick loves everything light—was also an enjoyable challenge.

“I was able to use a lot of black elements in the design while keeping the overall feel of the bathroom light, bright and open,” Antoine says.

Striking cutouts on the quartzite vanity and wall-mounted lavatory faucets add visual

Glossy black tile lines the steam shower, and the quartzite waterfall bench by Any Top Shop welcomes a long stay.

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Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 151

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Keeping the quartzite wall at a shallow depth allows a corner reveal of the shower tile from the bathroom’s entrance.

Precision quartzite vanity cuts emphasize the wall-mounted lavatory faucets.

interest to the newly functional space, while glossy black shower tile and a matte black tub amp up the contrast.

Justin Thornton Painting brought over a sample of Venetian plaster—a blend of plaster and marble dust that creates a long-lasting, dimensional effect—to demonstrate its waterproof nature.

“It brings such an important element of texture and durability,” Antoine says of the finish she used on the room’s walls and ceiling.

Where the tub space felt sad before, installing a diaphanous chandelier transformed the alcove into an art exhibit.

“Allison and I both happen to collect busts,” Antoine notes. “It made sense to incorporate them here for a fun, personal touch.”

The custom cabinets by KC Home Carpentry provide ample storage, which the couple was missing before, next to an in-wall, chilled, filtered water bottle filler.

Interior Designer: Spirit Animal Interiors, @spiritanimalinteriors Resources: Page 276 152 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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B A T H Subtle arches imprinted on the base cabinets add an organic detail that mimics the lime washed vent hood’s curves. Brass drawer pulls add an understated gleam.

An Echo of Arches Swapped spaces innovate a new floor plan for a family home—one with a decidedly Parisian touch.

Words by Christine Emming | Photos by Brandon Bowens

The deep blue cabinetry grounds the moody veining of the Calacatta Monet marble countertop.

154 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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B A T H Cane-backed barstools bring a touch of warmth to the dark island base.

“

We love using the bones of a house and expanding on what is currently there to create a new, uplifting space that helps our clients’ well-being,” says Elaine Macek, who has worked with Brasstacks Design + Build for seven years.

In this home’s case, a dark, enclosed kitchen with its original metal cabinets was holding the home back from living its best life. Combined with an awkward layout and an underused porch, it had lots of room to improve.

“What we love about the renovation and home design sphere is that every project is completely different,” Macek notes.

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Organic, arched built-ins in the living room echo the kitchen cabinets.

The clients’ redesign goal was to create space in the kitchen for the whole family and add additional storage. Brasstacks’ idea—to turn the covered patio into kitchen space and the sun porch into the dining room—was quickly approved.

By incorporating the patio and sunroom into the floor plan, the team enlarged the home’s footprint, creating a functional kitchen that allows everyone to fit around an 11-foot island.

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Brasstacks redesigned the dining room to flow into a more spacious living area as part of the shifting floor plan.

They updated the fireplace in the living room and added the much-needed built-ins for storage.

Adding to the structure also created enough space for the team to build the requested walk-in pantry, mudroom and powder bathroom.

It was essential to all parties that the space feel welcoming and soft, a condition they achieved through organic shapes and materials as much as possible.

“We showed some cabinetry ideas to the client, and she fell in love with the arches,” Macek says.

Halverson Carpentry, the project’s millwork company, was able to echo the arch design of the hood vent in the cabinetry drawer fronts.

The team also chose lighting and furniture and crafted living room built-ins that gently suggest the shape throughout the space.

“The deep blue kitchen cabinets and Calacatta Monet countertops bring a Parisian feel to this home in the heart of Kansas City,” Macek says.

The team’s mood board was ethereal, natural, grounded and elevated. Stone brought warmth and depth, while the darker cabinet tones helped define the space. The added sliding door and a bank of dining room windows balanced the dark notes with natural light. All the elements together evoke a calm energy. “[It] is curated but very livable,” says Macek.

“This is one of our favorite designs we have had the pleasure of tackling.”

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In the former sun porch, natural light bathes the new dining room from installed Pella windows and a slider.

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Modern Infusion Bold, elegant updates to a historical home bridge the ages with grace.

Words by Meghan Craig | Photos by Mollie Herr

I

n the heart of Kansas City’s sought-after Janssen Place, a historic residence has undergone a stunning transformation that blends the home’s storied past with a vibrant, contemporary flair. Designer Mark Sudermann, owner of SID & Co., and colleague Megan Pittman collaborated with the homeowners— empty nesters with a deep appreciation for historical preservation and modern design.

Sudermann’s living/game room design marries historical elements with modern touches.

“The client wanted to refresh each room while maintaining the home’s historical integrity,” he explains.

The living room balances historic details and modern style, offering a sophisticated setting where rich wood paneling remains a time-honored backdrop with pops of color in the Schumacher drapery, upholstery and art.

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This multifunctional space, which serves as both a living area and a game room, features neutral sofas adorned with artistic fringe.

The subtle detailing creates a special, almost theatrical feel that doesn’t overshadow the client’s impressive collection of modern art.

The room’s rich, stained wood paneling contrasts beautifully with the bold art and vivid draperies, creating an engaging and dynamic atmosphere.

“The juxtaposition between the modern artwork and traditional wood paneling makes the room feel both dramatic and approachable,” Sudermann adds.

The modern fabric on the traditional game chairs also enhances the eclectic feel, allowing the game table to integrate seamlessly into the room’s overall aesthetic.

In the sunroom, Sudermann drew inspiration from European sun-drenched patios, seeking to

create a space filled with natural light and warmth.

“I wanted the room to feel like a European patio—inviting and relaxed,” he shares.

The original fireplace anchors the room, while earthy tones in the furnishings and art set a welcoming tone.

Wicker chairs and a seagrass rug soften the original tile floor, evoking an outdoor atmosphere contrasting the home’s more formal architectural features. Oversized lamps and a whimsical Tom Corbin sculpture add height and playfulness, while the central iron coffee table enhances the room’s inviting appeal.

“The combination of textures and light elements makes the room perfect for coffee or evening cocktails,” Sudermann says.

He retained the original goldenrod trim and bay ceiling in the library, staying true to the home’s historical charm. To balance the gold, he introduced green grasscloth wallpaper, which

Modern art hung atop traditional wood paneling updates the space with a refreshing twist.

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This dining room clearly preserves its antique architectural details while introducing modern elements, as seen in the table and chairs and sideboard. Contemporary art and the restored silver light fixture are from different eras but play nicely together.

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adds texture and a calming contrast to the golden hues. Alabaster lamps and marble urns contribute to the room’s timeless elegance.

Two comfortable reading chairs and a cozy bay window cushion create an inviting atmosphere, offering a perfect quiet reading or relaxation space.

“The layered textures and finishes make this room both grand and comfortable,” Sudermann notes. The design celebrates the grandeur of the home while making the space accessible for modern living.

Pittman updated the dining room and upstairs family room, skillfully balancing the clients’ The library’s green grasscloth wallpaper softens the home’s original goldenrod trim, creating a tranquil reading nook full of classic details.

This upstairs family room is perfect for family gatherings and relaxation. It combines vibrant textiles with a cozy atmosphere, making it ideal for watching games or enjoying quiet moments.

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contemporary tastes with the home’s wellmaintained framework. The family room offers a relaxed space for movie nights and quiet evenings, where the couple could unwind and work on their needlepoint projects. Pittman preserved the original stained wood trim while introducing bold, rich colors and soft textiles, making the room stately and inviting. The standout pieces include

cozy gold velvet swivel chairs, adding a touch of sophistication.

Pittman incorporated modern elements in the dining room that mesh seamlessly.

“We wanted to stay true to the room’s historic character but introduce pieces that could adapt to different styles,” she explains.

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Designed to mimic a sun-drenched European patio, this sunroom features an original fireplace, earthy tones and textures in the furnishings, and playful accents that elevate its charming, inviting atmosphere.

seating for family gatherings, while the restored silver sconces and chandelier tie the room’s antique aesthetic together.

This Janssen Place residence exemplifies how thoughtful design can breathe new life into older homes without overstepping boundaries or playing it too safe.

By preserving its legacy and infusing vibrant, lifeaffirming selections, Pittman and Sudermann have created a home for their client that’s as functional as it is beautiful—where history and contemporary living coexist effortlessly.

Interior Designers: SID & Company, @sidandcompany Megan Pittman Interiors, @meganpittmaninteriors 170 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 171

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T

he modern man cave has come a long way since its heyday in the late 20th century. Once a dimly lit basement haven crammed with sports memorabilia and cast-off furniture, today’s iteration embraces design sophistication, multipurpose functionality and personal style. Its cultural resurgence traces, in part, to John Gray’s 1992 bestseller Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, which spotlighted the idea of men needing a space to unwind—an insight that helped propel the man cave from outdated trope to contemporary design staple.

Over time, the man cave or “he shed” has evolved beyond its stereotypical trappings. No longer relegated to beer signs and recliners, the space now reflects a broader sensibility. Today’s dedicated men’s spaces may host cocktail soirées, serve as a refined reading nook, or double as a satellite home office—always with an eye toward tailored aesthetics.

Enter designer Elizabeth Rishel, CKD, owner and principal designer of Orion Design, and codesigner Alex Huckins, who were brought in to

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License to Lounge A one-car Brookside garage transforms into a multifunctional retreat—equal parts suave lounge, stylish dining space and intentional home office.

Words by Kimberly Winter Stern | Photos by Bob Greenspan

Kyle Bunting’s custom cowhide wallcovering introduces dynamic pops of color to the space. The sleek Utopia Reflector Sconce, part of the Signature Collection, provides a warm, modern glow. The elegant Ava Drop Leaf Table from Gat Creek is at the heart of the space, seamlessly expanding to seat six guests when hosting dinner parties. The refined Marvin Bench from Lightology adds architectural interest and versatility, while the plush Foley Faux Mohair Grey Armchair from CB2 brings comfort and sophistication to the setting. For more relaxed moments, a pair of Austin Leather Swivel Armchairs from Crate and Barrel offer a cozy nook for conversation or lounging.

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reimagine a former one-car garage in Brookside.

The client—a homeowner and retired business owner with a flair for entertaining—envisioned a stylish retreat detached from the primary residence that could serve multiple functions within a very compact footprint. The challenge: transforming just 192 square feet into a space for work, play and everything in between.

“The client wanted something a bit lighthearted that was still masculine,” says Rishel, who collaborated with contractor Matt Bryde of Muse Home to create a richly layered, retro-inspired ambiance. The resulting 11-by17.5-foot jewel box channels the effortlessly cool aesthetic of 1970s style icons—think Sir Roger Moore’s Bond or Burt Reynolds in his prime. It’s easy to picture either reclining comfortably in this Brookside retreat, drink in hand, surrounded by sophisticated vintage charm.”

“The room needed flexibility for a variety of uses,” she continues, “including the capability to withstand the test of time and be durable for the client’s two beloved medium-sized dogs running in and out.”

When guests aren’t being entertained, the space transitions into a chic impromptu workspace—ideal for catching up on emails or enjoying a quiet moment with coffee. Overhead, the ceiling’s deep tone—Black Bean

by Sherwin-Williams—enhances the drama and intimacy of the space.

Sumptuous, pleated velvet drapes from Solar Shield soften the space’s angular lines.

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The Talis multi-light pendant from Lightology allows for flexible mounting and a sculptural visual impact. A custom built-in credenza by Muse Home anchors the room with handcrafted Burnt Sugar Moroccan Zellige tile from Zia Tile, adding an earthy, artisanal touch.

Expressing both mood and utility, Rishel curated the space to accommodate an elevated lounge vibe, a refined dining area, and a purposeful work zone—all layered with masculine charm and playful sophistication.

The material covering the walls is a customdesign Kyle Bunting cowhide, Submerge.

“We chose the color scheme and designed the scale. Essentially, we had a full hand in the final product,” Rishel says. “The result is a showstopping ‘wow’ factor anchoring the space.”

Crafted with refined sophistication, Bryde masterfully fabricated the walnut board-andbatten paneling, which features a bespoke contemporary wave molding. The striking, custom cabinetry is a creation of Muse Home, seamlessly blending form and function in this elevated design.

In a space where square footage was at a premium, smart spatial planning and rich visual texture made all the difference. The result is an efficient but deeply character-filled sanctuary—a modern he shed that the project team and the client effortlessly redefined not by what it excludes but by the many moods it contains.

The structure’s sharply pitched roof and strategically placed windows allow natural light to pour in, blurring the line between indoors and out. Post-construction, a flagstone patio and curated landscaping were added to enhance the organic flow of the space and invite outdoor gatherings.

180 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

Interior Designer: Orion Design, @oriondesigninc Contractor: Muse Home, @musehomekc

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Inside, the design unfolds across a spacious kitchen with wooden beams, polished concrete floor, vintage lighting

by Prize Antiques, and sconces by Palecek. The oversized island, outfitted with quartzite fabricated by Blue Valley Granite and sourced via Triton Stone, is equally perfect for family-friendly game-day spreads or adult-only dinner buffets. Custom cabinetry by Wes Edwin Design is a centerpiece of the kitchen and a handsome storage vehicle for decorative items and entertaining vessels.

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From its roll-up garage door that opens to a concrete patio to accommodate up to 80 guests, the barn seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living.

Party Barn An outbuilding upgrades practical storage space into the ultimate entertaining retreat.

Words by Kimberly Winter Stern Photos by Matthew Anderson

N

estled amid open skies and sprawling acreage, a storied 1800s-era farmhouse recently welcomed a modern companion: a sleek, metal-clad barn designed with a dual purpose. Separated from the main house by the expanse of two football fields, a circular drive and a working horse barn—fitting for the equestrian-enthusiast family of five that resides in the home—the structure was initially conceived as practical storage for property maintenance equipment.

Yet, tucked within its 2,000-square-foot footprint is a warm, inviting space created to immerse guests in a curated country experience.

Stephanie Agne, founder of Retreat Interior Design Studio and formerly the creative force behind Prairie Village’s beloved home decor boutique Golden & Pine, partnered closely with the homeowner to bring the vision to life.

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Her assignment was to design an interior that radiates character, comfort and layered texture without slipping into rustic cliché.

“We sought to establish a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing the overall guest experience,” she says. “We strived to create a unique environment balancing fun with warmth, making it a perfect venue for everything from memorable get-togethers, homecoming picture sessions for one of the family’s high schoolers, and horseback riding adventures with guests to lazy Sundays snuggled under throws watching the Chiefs.”

The homeowner—assuming the ambitious role of both client and general contractor—relied on Agne for design and as a trusted partner in

A cozy, loungey living area drenched with natural light is anchored with plush seating and a big screen for watching movies and sporting events. The rug is by Armadillo & Co., the sofa is by Younger Furniture, the chair wall bench with seating and bonus storage is from Pottery Barn, and the rich leather chairs are from Four Hands. The pillows and bench pad are Valerie Johnson Design.

The barn’s showstopping bathroom makes a big splash with the playful and sophisticated Marfa wallcovering pattern

by Austin, Texas-based designer Katie Kime. The gorgeous custom sink is made of forest green concrete from Kevin Gerstner at Curated Concrete Co. The shower is Carrara marble from Cle Tile. The lighting is by Cedar & Moss, and the towels and rug are from Dash & Albert.

navigating construction logistics and project pacing. Together, they avoided rustic tropes for a more nuanced, inviting, yet undeniably refined aesthetic.

“This was especially important since the barn was built from the ground up, and I wanted the homeowners to feel confident in their decisions throughout the dynamic process,” Agne says.

The collaboration proved highly effective, thanks in part to the homeowner’s organizational prowess.

“Exceptional organization skills—crucial when you’re the general contractor,” Agne notes.

“Staying focused on ensuring subcontractors remain engaged and busy throughout the construction stage is a big job.”

Agne and a remote general contractor friend helped manage complex timelines, troubleshoot emerging challenges and adapt as needed—all in pursuit of delivering a highly personal, functional retreat. To help the couple visualize the evolving design narrative, Agne enlisted a 3D rendering

service that produced images and videos of two distinct interior concepts.

“This approach allowed the homeowners to grasp the intended layout and aesthetic before finalizing decisions,” she explains. “The thoughtful application of design and decor elements ensures the barn exudes personality and elegance, meshing with the client’s vision.”

For the homeowner, the project’s success is rooted in a true meeting of minds.

“Stephanie’s personality is elevated and relaxing,” the homeowner says. “She paid close attention to our ultimate vision and how we wanted to utilize the space. I never felt I had to redirect the river, just sometimes tidy up the edges of the stream.”

The resulting space reflects the clients’ vibrant lifestyle—a backdrop equally suited for quiet family movie nights, spirited photo ops or festive gatherings under wide Kansas skies. It’s a joyful space designed not just for entertaining but for making lasting memories.

Interior Designer: Retreat Interior Design Studio, @retreatinteriordesignstudio Resources: Page 276 184 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 185

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Island Hopping

at Home

Tropical daydreams inspire a resort-style approach to an Overland Park property.

Words by Andrea Darr | Photos by Christine Caso

The homeowners have two loves: The Virgin Islands with all the open-air living surrounded by water and their love for sports. The space design had to be on a large scale to fit with the spacious 2+ acre land the home sits on yet still provide the seclusion of a private resort.

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The pool borders the cabana to the north then wraps around the sunken fire pit, allowing for entertaining in and out of the covered space and for people who wish to stay in the pool to still be part of the conversation.

L

andscape architecture comes easily to Todd Higgins, owner of Backyard by Design. He can look at a site and know how he wants to design the space for his clients.

“I love doing custom residential projects; I can usually see the vision,” he says.

But when it came to designing his own backyard, the vision got cloudy.

“Designing for your own house is hard,” he notes. “Being an architect, I was overdesigning it.”

He and his wife purchased their 35-yearold Overland Park home a few years ago and renovated the interiors first—a project his wife, Laura, led. Phase II would be where the landscape architect could let his skills shine.

“We wanted to live in the house first to see how we would use it,” he notes.

During that time, Higgins imagined the pool design would be freeform because of their twoacre lot’s natural setting. It turns out that he tried to put a round peg in a square hole, so to speak.

Higgins drew six or seven sets of plans—“and none of them turned out even close to this,” he says.

One night, after sitting by the fire pit at a friend’s house, the answer hit him—at 3 a.m.

“I sketched it out by my bedside,” he recalls.

That lucid intuition became the visionary plan that tied everything together, aligning the family’s vacation inspiration and love of sports while accommodating the property’s constraints.

Every property is unique and provides some sort of restriction or guideline. In this case, Higgins had to account for a septic system and

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 191

Power screens can be lowered to enclose the entire cabana area with the push of a remote control button. Custom furnishings with tropical color accents keep the entire space light and airy.

its lateral lines, which comprised much of the north side of the yard. That unmoveable fact led him to design the project in a linear fashion, with three access points from the house and every element easily accessible.

Another sticking point Higgins wanted to get just right was the cabana. The best design stemmed from this covered outdoor space attached directly to the living room, allowing family and friends to flow outside no matter the weather. Just as important, the cabana provides a visual block of the neighbor’s house and pool, offering privacy.

Sections of the ceiling are dropped and accented in a white oak herringbone pattern with RGB LED lighting around the top that can be changed to fit the sports team of the night.

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The pool is capped off at the south end with the glorious sound of a rain curtain that can be heard from the bocce ball court. As a sports-minded family, the need to keep up with their favorite teams outdoors was important. A large full-sun, all-weather TV sits to the east side of the pool for watching games, as well as one inside the cabana.

“We can walk out there rain or shine; grill out there rain or shine,” Higgins says.

The hot tub is also easily accessible from the house and positioned right next to the pool’s entry steps. This section of the pool is lap style: narrow and long. It’s shallow for standing and conversing with those seated in Adirondack chairs on a submerged ledge. The other side hugs a sunken lounge with a central gas fire feature.

This area is not only a focal point of the project, it’s the most inspired piece—it makes Higgins feel transported back to one of his favorite places in the world: the Virgin Islands.

“When you’re not in the water, you’re surrounded by it,” he explains.

The lap lane then opens up into a second, larger rectangle-shaped pool with a prominent backdrop that incorporates an outdoor TV, three

Sculptural elements, like the birds-nest chandeliers and the driftwood stand, enhance the visual appeal of the covered space—an extension of the living room.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 193

The hot tub is also positioned so that users are part of the group either in the kitchen or living room areas and, of course, it has a view of the game!

waterfalls and two copper fire bowls. Everyone loves to float there at night watching Royals games.

A dramatic rain screen, which supplies both visual and auditory stimulus, gently circulates water. It is high enough that kids wouldn’t be enticed to jump off it and so that bocce ball players on the field behind it can still see through to the TV. “All the sight lines were completely thought out,” Higgins says.

As was the intentional floor plan and the way every area aids connections and views.

“Elevations are key; different heights create visual impact,” he says. “The pool has to be one level; the surroundings don’t.”

Now into their third season of use, the Higginses have hosted parties of up to 60 people. He’s also happy just grilling out solo or

The sunken fire pit was a key design element of the project, seamlessly connecting to the pool and cabana.

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The open-air cabana features two privacy walls, one to the north for the outdoor kitchen and one that extends off the main wall of the house for privacy to the south.

Additional landscape was used as the remainder of the privacy because of the restrictions due to where the septic and lateral field were located.

falling asleep on the couch to No Shoes Radio, protected from bugs by the cabana’s automated screens.

The one-of-a-kind design exemplifies the work his company does—the turnkey process from design to the finish details.

“We try not to ever repeat what we’ve done on other projects,” he says. “This is not cookiecutter.”

The difference is that he gets to enjoy the refreshing sense of place for himself that he creates for his clients.

“We are out here every night from mid-April through November,” he says with a smile.

Landscape Architect: Backyard by Design, @backyardbydesignkc Pool Contractor: Swim Things, @swimthingsinc Resources: Page 276

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The

Melody of Water

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A harmonious blend of hardscape and landscape flows together in this complete backyard experience.

Words by Jen Moore | Photos by Matt Kocourek

W

hen Sheldon and Megan Sebastian purchased their Leawood, Kansas, home in 2020, they envisioned a backyard where water would do more than fill a pool—it would create an oasis for their family.

Their first pool contractor nearly derailed the vision when he abandoned the project midway, leaving behind an unfinished structure and a large hole in their backyard.

Determined to move forward, Sheldon turned to contractor Robert Bledsoe, the self-proclaimed “King of Backyard Bling,” who has built a reputation

for precision and craftsmanship through more than 30 years of pool-building business. (He doesn’t call what he builds “pools” though—his projects are outdoor experiences.) At the time of Sheldon’s call, Bledsoe had been contemplating retirement.

Sheldon’s request, however, was met with a simple response: “Let’s get ‘er done.”

Designing for the senses Bledsoe approached the project as an opportunity to create the dynamic outdoor living experience that is his claim to fame.

This backyard retreat integrates a custom pool, tiered patio and fire pit lounge, creating a flow between relaxation and entertainment.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 199

A multilevel deck and patio invite the home’s living space into nature, offering a private view of the pool and lush surroundings.

“

“Designing a space is like writing a song,”

Water is water, but how you shape it makes the difference.” ~ Designer Robert Bledsoe

Bledsoe explains. “The homeowner is the producer, telling me what they want to hear. It’s not about my preferences; it’s about capturing their vision. In this case, the homeowners love music, frogs and contemporary design.”

The metaphor works for Sheldon and Megan, both music lovers—Megan holds a doctorate in classical saxophone performance. Music even appears in the landscape as two life-sized bronze frogs playing instruments in a reflecting pool.

One of the defining aspects of the space is its use of water as a design feature beyond swimming.

“I was interested in having some cool water features that would just be nice to look at or listen to even if we weren’t swimming in the pool,” Sheldon explains.

A series of water elements provide that ambient backdrop, from the continuous, gentle flow of water that can be heard from inside the house

Once intended by the original contractor to be a

to the negative-edge waterfall that blurs the

hot tub, the space is especially magical at dusk,

boundary between the pool and the landscape.

when LED-lit glass casts a soft, atmospheric glow across the water’s surface.

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Water as a design element

The waterfall—a focal point of the project— was redesigned from its original concept of a rock

From towering evergreens to cascading wildflowers, lush layers of greenery create a natural privacy screen for the patio.

Flagstone stepping stones wind through layers of vibrant plantings, from delicate white gaura and golden trumpet vine to hostas and feathery ferns.

Soft landscape lighting and the soothing sound of flowing fountain water enhances nighttime enjoyment of the surrounding landscape.

Steel logs are set over a bed of clear glass illuminated by customizable LED lighting. Porcelain plank flooring mimics the warmth of wood.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 201

grotto. Bledsoe opted for a more enduring structure, using vertical glass tile that mimics the movement of falling water even when dry.

“Water is water,” he says, “but how you shape it makes the difference.”

Lit from behind, the waterfall takes on different personalities throughout the day—calm and reflective in the morning, vibrant and dramatic at nightfall.

Crafting a poolscape for the future Every detail was considered not just for aesthetics but for longevity. The pool deck is finished in travertine, chosen for its natural beauty and ability to stay cool underfoot. The upper deck and outdoor dining area feature porcelain planks with a wood grain effect, offering warmth without the maintenance of real wood. Custom-fabricated iron scroll drains add a level of detail that speaks to the project’s bespoke nature.

Of course, Bledsoe was deliberate in his material selections, drawing on his deep experience working with natural stone.

The multilevel design connects the pool, patio and elevated terrace, where a pergola-covered lounge extends indoor comforts into the open air.

Video Interview with Robert Bledsoe.

As twilight settles, soft uplighting, glowing water features and warm string lights give this multilevel outdoor space resort-style ambiance.

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This “art spa” features a sculpture of life-sized proportions, a creative alternative to an original plan for a hot tub. Made of bronze and whimsy, two melodious frogs from World of Bronze reflect the homeowners’ love of music.

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From the sun-soaked pool deck to the cozy fire pit lounge and pergola-covered dining space above, every corner of this property serves a purpose—relaxation, entertainment or both.

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Frog sculptures are incorporated into the pool scape atop the waterfall grotto on a bed of blue crystal media.

“You don’t just build for how something looks now—you build for how it will age,” he explains.

He advised against soft, erosion-prone boulders in favor of cut stone that would age more gracefully.

Framed by natural stone, water falls over a wall of blue glass tile, creating a serene focal point of texture and movement.

A backyard for every moment The completed space is versatile and soothing, offering multiple areas for gathering, relaxation and solitude: The fire pit lounge provides warmth and conversation, hammocks invite quiet retreat, and the sun shelf offers a place to simply drift.

Each corner has a unique purpose, balancing active and restful spaces equally.

Beyond its function as a gathering space, the backyard serves as a personal sanctuary for the Sebastians and their two children—nearly yearround.

“I call it my cold plunge in the wintertime,” Sheldon says. “We open it early in the year and close it late—we just enjoy being out there.”

Designer: Bledsoe Construction, @kingofbackyardbling

The negative-edge waterfall blurs the boundary between the pool and the landscape. The surrounding pool deck is travertine, chosen for its natural beauty and ability to stay cool underfoot.

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The homeowners didn’t look far when deciding to build their forever house.

Their beautiful property just south of Johnson County, included multiple acres of land populated with rolling hills, pastureland and no neighbors in sight.

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RURAL REFUGE

An equestrian estate in Miami County saddles up with Mediterranean and Old World influences.

Words by Gloria Gale | Photos by Matthew Anderson

O

ut beyond the hustle and sprawl of Johnson County lies a vast expanse of land, a perfect canvas for one family’s home, fueled by their imagination. The allure of this property was undeniable—hundreds of acres of pasture and woodland. Frequent commutes between their city home and the land inspired the owners to embark on a dream: building a home imbued with a true sense of place.

“It made far more sense to create their sanctuary on their own land, a tranquil retreat blending luxury with carefully integrated natural elements,” says Troy Moore of MMH Experience,

the couple’s builder.

Specializing in one-of-a-kind homes, Moore was thrilled to work with the couple.

“It all started with a relationship,” he says.

“Friends of our client suggested us as their builder. Referrals like that are always gratifying.”

He listened and leaned in to the couple’s passion for their hobbies. The husband— an outdoors man—and the wife—an avid equestrian— imagined a secluded estate where family and lifestyle converged. Their sprawling pastureland, with its picturesque terrain and pond, could easily accommodate both.

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The homeowners expressed an interest in an Old World/Mediterranean aesthetic for the home design. Evans incorporated this courtyard that envelopes a fountain as a welcoming lead element.

Another fountain and courtyard is used in the back entryway for continuity.

“

The home design strikes a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.” ~ Clint Evans of NSPJ Architects

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The fountain is a focal point of the front courtyard. The enveloped space welcomes all outside with its warm Mediterranean materials and attentive landscaping.

With no neighborhood restrictions, they were free to custom-design the house however they wished.

“Our client wanted a big house but not one that felt ostentatious. Comfort was her priority,” Moore notes, adding that their ideal dream home was one “where you could kick off your boots and feel at ease.”

This vision inspired practical choices, like 4,000 square feet of durable radiant tile flooring covering nearly all of the first level, paired with traditional Ralph Lauren-inspired furnishings and an equestrian aesthetic.

NSPJ Architects designed a radial layout with four distinct wings branching out from a central, two-story great room. Each wing serves a unique purpose: garage and mudroom, kitchen and keeping room, the primary suites, and a wing with a study and guest bedroom.

The four wings balance functionality with luxury, from the kitchen’s convenient access transitioning to the great room, study or primary suites’ refined appointments.

Radial wings branch from the home’s main hub, accentuating views and creating privacy.

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When the cook needs her space, a kitchen design with all modern accoutrements is in order. Beauty matched with functionality surrounds this stunning kitchen where recipes are bubbling up thanks to the homeowner, a dedicated cook. Underfoot the entire room is surfaced with radiant heated tiles—a practical choice for preparing meals. To make life easier, there’s a window pass-through for ease of serving from the kitchen to the outdoor lanai. Much like other rooms, ample-sized windows allow light in from two different vantage points, giving this kitchen a cheerful ambiance.

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The couple enjoys a private respite in their bedroom decorated with antiques. Here, the view dominates with expansive windows that flood the room with natural light.

A must-have for the serious cook is a La Cornue stove and plenty of functional storage. Custom cabinets were built by Gillpatrick Woodworks. A clean sweep of gray-veined marble from Rocktops swathes the backsplash, perimeter counters and island.

“In my master bathroom, not only is it a beautiful space, there’s even a view to the barn,” remarks the homeowner.

Views of the scenery and a seamless connection between the indoors and outdoors were priorities for the couple. The architecture incorporates front and back courtyards, creating the feel of expansive outdoor living spaces.

Clint Evans, a principal of NSJP Architects, says, “There are many unique design elements throughout, but I can point out the lanai serving as a sheltering, outdoor room with the roof line

overhang. When people want to eat outdoors, there’s sliding, horizontal windows providing convenient serving directly from the kitchen.”

Mediterranean influences also guide the design. Arched entryways and rustic oak timbers welcome guests into the 24-foot-tall gathering hall.

The great room is a showstopper, filled with natural light streaming through high clerestory windows. A two-story cast-stone fireplace is an eye-catching focal point that accents the thoughtfully arranged conversation areas. The

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 215

entire effect is one of intimacy despite its grand scale.

Carlie Goss, interior designer and manager of Nell Hill’s, collaborated on this aspect of the project, providing warm neutral tones and soft plaids for an inviting aesthetic. She says the two most important requests from the homeowners were timeless and comfortable furnishings.

“Troy kept emphasizing the equestrian estate feature, so we used what the homeowner already owned by customizing or brought in new furnishings. This was an excellent lesson in how to work with a client’s inventory,” she says.

The great room transitions effortlessly to the home’s other rooms. The lanai at the home’s back entry is a case in point, offering

The central area of the floor plan is open and connective, allowing for easy flow through the public spaces.

serene views of the prairie and pond. And, like the home’s front approach, the land is a crucial focal point incorporated into the site placement.

Best yet, from any angle, the home has no obstacles impeding the view. What it does offer is not only a place to relax but an easy walk to the stables. It dovetails a detailed, refined aesthetic with the comfort and functionality needed for an outdoorsy lifestyle.

Every element reflects the couple’s personal style—a rustic Mediterranean sensibility that feels both timeless and contemporary. As Evans summarizes, “The home design strikes a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.”

The entry hall is defined by its matching arches, herringbone hardwood floor and harness-details in the light fixtures. The wood beams maintain continuity from the exterior through to the great room.

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Architect: NSPJ Architects, @nspjarchitects Builder/Interior Designer: MMH Experience, @madimalihomes Interior Designer: Nell Hill’s, @nellhills Resources: Page 276

The great room boasts 24-foot architectural timbering overhead. Not only is a rustic countenance achieved, the beams contrast with the two-story, white, cast stone fireplace as a focal point. Both elements accent but don’t distract from the beauty of the room. “Everything in this living room area suggests comfort and quiet elegance,” says Nell Hill’s interior designer Carlie Goss, who utilized a soft, unobtrusive, neutral palette.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 217

The timeless exterior of this equestrian home reflects the traditional interior style, with clean lines and classic details that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings.

“The renovations to the outside really make it feel like a whole new house,” Piper says. “I love driving up the drive and seeing the beautiful new entrance and double front doors.”

T

his home is a sanctuary for a family of three boys, two dogs, a horse and a donkey. It also showcases a sophisticated blend of traditional design and eclectic charm. Since the family purchased the home in 2017, it has transformed.

“While it was beautiful, it didn’t quite fit our design style,” says homeowner Piper Bordegon. “We had the vision of what we wanted it to be long-term and knew it had the bones to fit our style.”

The vision for the home was clear: to introduce more character while maintaining harmony with the original design. They hired Renovations by Starr Homes and Bleu Grace Designs to curate and execute the project.

“The goal was to bring in an older aesthetic—one that felt grounded in history while complementing the home’s existing elements,” says designer Twyla Elmore.

To achieve this, the design stayed rooted in traditional elements, such as wainscoting, wood trim and classic lighting choices. However, the addition of eclectic touches gives the home a contemporary feel, making it ideal for both family life and entertaining.

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Traditional

with a

Twist

Timeless charm meets equestrian elegance in this classic redesign of a Stilwell, Kansas, home.

Words by Meghan Craig | Photos by Matt Kocourek

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 219

Featuring custom cabinetry and a grand piano, the music room blends vintage charm with sophisticated design details. Sherwin-Williams’ Slate Tile (SW 7624) grounds the fireplace’s flanking glass-fronted cabinets that showcase the family’s musical instruments.

A grand fireplace is the centerpiece of this spacious hearth room, creating a warm and inviting space for family and friends to gather. Equestrian references are carefully incorporated without getting too thematic.

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This dining room is a striking blend of historical charm and contemporary elegance. It features a restored chandelier and carefully curated furniture that enhances the space’s original grandeur.

“The primary design aesthetic was ‘Traditional with an Eclectic Twist,’” Elmore explains. “I focused on layering details from the handles and knobs to the trim work to ensure everything felt cohesive.”

One of the renovation’s most striking features is the use of blue. Elmore incorporated four distinct shades throughout the home, imbuing each room with a sense of calm and relaxation.

“Blue has become a neutral color that I love to design around,” Elmore says. “It’s incredibly versatile and brings a serene energy to each space.”

The sitting room and piano room feature Sherwin-Williams’ Slate Tile, a deep, sophisticated blue that grounds the space with a sense of history. These rooms share a similar vibe, where the richness of the color complements

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 221

the family’s eclectic collection of heirlooms and vintage books.

“The color works beautifully against the wood trim, helping to anchor the furniture and decor,” Elmore notes.

For the laundry room, she opted for a softer shade—Debonair—bringing calm to this workhorse space. Meanwhile, in the primary bathroom, a serene shade of Lullaby was selected for the custom cabinetry.

“The coolness of the blue tones feels restful and soothing, especially in the bathroom where you want to unwind,” Elmore says.

The equestrian influence is subtly integrated throughout the home. From the custom cabinetry in the piano room to the thoughtful redesign of the hearth room fireplace, every detail reflects the family’s love for their animals and the outdoors.

“The hearth room features one of the largest fireplaces in a home in Kansas City,” Elmore

The welcoming entry combines traditional woodwork with fresh, modern elements, setting the tone for a balanced design.

This sitting room is a cozy retreat.

It incorporates vintage books and heirloom pieces, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both personal and timeless to the family.

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“We had a particular design in mind for the library, or as we like to call it, our nook,” Piper says. “Growing up. I had Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s cousin’s house. We would all cram into this little wood-paneled room to have cocktail hour and watch some Sunday football, and my grandmother and cousin would be needlepointing and sipping their Manhattans. I wanted to try to replicate this nostalgic feeling.”

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 223

The primary tub became a statement piece, inspired by a photo the client shared early in the design process. “We tracked down the source and made it one of the first elements selected for the bathroom,” Elmore says. “Its rustic detailing, including the bolts, evoked the charm of horse stables and barns and blended the timeless appeal of a traditional cast iron tub with a modern spin.”

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The original doors to the bathroom entry had too much character to replace. “We loved the warmth and texture of the knotty alder wood and chose to incorporate them into the final design,” Elmore notes.

The primary bathroom features custom cabinetry painted in Lullaby (SW 9136) for a tranquil daily experience.

notes. “It’s a focal point of the home, designed not just for warmth but for the social life the family enjoys.”

The space is perfect for the whole family to gather, with ample seating and a design reflecting the home’s rural charm.

More privately, the project team opened up the primary bedroom, adding French doors that lead to a newly designed deck. The vaulted ceiling adds a sense of grandeur to the room, enhancing its openness and inviting natural light to flood in.

“It’s an airy, expansive space that connects the family to the outdoors while still feeling incredibly cozy,” Elmore explains.

The primary bath was updated in terms of style and usage, with custom cabinetry that ties into the home’s equestrian feel.

“With barrels for the overhead lights above the sink, the X details on the door fronts that mirror the Xs on the barn that you can see from the With an airy vaulted ceiling and French doors that open to the deck, this primary bedroom offers a serene retreat with a connection to nature.

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The Bordegons already had a beautiful kitchen, so the project team focused on thoughtful enhancements like Old Worldstyle hardware and a fresh coat of paint. They also refinished the butler’s pantry, tying it into the kitchen with matching hardware for a cohesive look.

Piper had a clear vision of incorporating a swing into the design, so the team brought the idea to life with a custom feature wall behind it. They also refreshed the space by updating the fireplace stone, adding a new coat of paint, and installing updated lighting, which created a seamless extension of the hearth room. It’s the perfect spot for the family to curl up with a book or enjoy a movie on a rainy day.

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Charmer and Pepe enjoy the view, too.

window…it really is a beautiful custom piece that I just love,” Piper says.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this project was Piper’s deep connection to the home’s design.

“The client brought so many personal pieces into the space, from family heirlooms to vintage photographs,” Elmore says. “There was a particularly touching moment when the client showed me a box she had made from keepsakes belonging to loved ones who had passed. Inside, she placed a pair of glasses, a small doll and a pin—a creative and heartfelt way to honor family members.”

Piper loves spending time among all her family’s memories.

“We snuggle up on the couch, put on the beautiful new fireplace, and I feel surrounded by all our loved ones that have passed.”

Through thoughtful design, the project team successfully created casually elegant spaces that are comfortable and reflect the family’s values. Every room tells a story.

“I feel like Twyla understood our vision, and we worked so well together to make the vision a reality,” Piper says. “We are so happy with the end result and our beautiful equestrian oasis!”

Practicality meets elegance in this laundry room, where soft blue Debonair (SW 9139) and thoughtful design make the space as charming as it is functional.

Contractor: Renovations by Starr Homes, @renobystarr Interior Designer: Bleu Grace Designs, @hello.bleu Resources: Page 276 Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 227

Carolin Dayream

These homeowners knew they wanted a relaxing space surrounded by nature. They chose a Lowcountry design style, which includes rectangular and square floor plans, high ceilings, covered outdoor areas, large windows, and seating areas dedicated to enjoying natural views. Chippendale railings on the front and back porches add an upscale architectural moment that is as inviting as iced tea.

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With a facade dedicated to coastal grace, the foundation of this Loch Lloyd home is built for a long-term lifestyle.

Words by Veronica Toney | Photos by SherpaMedia

O

ne tried-and-true design tip for a home you’ll love is to determine how you want to feel in the space—now and in the future. These Loch Lloyd homeowners knew they wanted a relaxing space surrounded by nature. For them, the Low-Country Coastal style—reminiscent of the Carolinas and Outer Banks— brings home the feel of a beach vacation. “[The homeowners] have an effortlessly chic style that’s both warm and welcoming,” says lead interior designer Leann Lynn of McCroskey Interiors. “[The home] embraces a more relaxed, organic aesthetic compared to many of our other projects.”

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Leann Lynn, the lead designer for McCroskey Interiors, used furniture to divide the open-concept living areas. “The [interior] design focus was on neutrals and layering different textures and natural materials,” she says. “It’s always a challenge to make it feel cozy and not too stark.” The marble coffee table and limestone fireplace surround are the showstoppers in this living area.

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“One of our favorite things about the front porch is that depending on which swing we choose, we can see the sunrise or the sunset,” the homeowners say.

Traditional Lowcountry architecture includes rectangular and square floor plans, high ceilings, covered outdoor areas, large windows and seating areas dedicated to enjoying natural views.

Clint Evans of NSPJ Architects worked these architectural elements into the 5,000-square-foot home on an expansive sloped lot. Also tasked with showing off the views of Loch Lloyd’s second tee box, he made sure the exterior didn’t look out of place next to the established houses throughout the neighborhood. One example of this is the aged stone for the retaining walls that help guide the water runoff throughout the property.

The homeowners also wanted the home’s design to allow them to age in place. To do this, Evans created a layout for the homeowners to do the majority of their living on the main level, including an open-concept kitchen, dining and living room anchored on one side by a marble kitchen backsplash and on the other by the limestone fireplace surround.

Because they are avid cooks, the homeowners wanted the kitchen to be both functional and eye-catching.

“They spotted the sliding spice rack panels featured in another home on our website and instantly knew they had to have them—it became a non-negotiable,” Lynn says.

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The homeowners are avid cooks; the kitchen is where they spend the most time, so it must be functional and eye-catching.

The marble backsplash is a stunning focal point that hides spice storage behind the sliding panels. The countertop is granite with a limestone ledge. The oversized island features a quartz countertop and a 5-foot-long sink with dual faucets.

The marble backsplash includes sliding panels that hide the storage behind the range. Thanks to its unique veining, the large slabs of marble add movement and glamour to the kitchen. This statement piece is balanced by the stacked stones that connect the kitchen to the fireplace in the living room.

“This project also marked our first time using stacked stone on the exterior of a fireplace. We loved the texture so much, we carried it through to the range wall for a cohesive, organic feel,” Lynn says.

“We love to entertain and cook for people. It’s absolutely a working kitchen. We cook in it every night,” the homeowners explain. “People can sit at the bar or table, and they can talk with us, and we’re connected to the activity. If our sons are hanging out and visiting, we still feel like we’re all together even when we’re in the kitchen preparing a meal.”

The homeowners are avid cooks; the kitchen is where they spend the most time, so it must be functional and eye-catching.

The marble backsplash is a stunning focal point that hides spice storage behind the sliding panels. The countertop is granite with a limestone ledge. The oversized island features a quartz countertop and a 5-foot-long sink with dual faucets.

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The prep kitchen behind the main kitchen allows them to cook and prepare food when entertaining. This leads to a butler’s pantry that runs the length of the front of the home. “They have a clear understanding of what they own, opting out of excessive storage in favor of a thoughtfully edited and intentionally curated kitchen,” Lynn says.

The laundry room features an island modeled after an antique table with a white oak tabletop and granite inserts in each section.

“The laundry room is my favorite room by a long way,” the homeowner says. “I love holiday wrapping and crafting and all things creative. I have this amazing island in our laundry room and a beautiful view.”

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The primary bathroom features Calacatta Bluette marble tiles for the shower and flooring. The tiles are turned on the diamond for a traditional, elegant look. The freestanding bathtub is the only bathtub in the home; its stainless steel exterior adds a modern material that also gives the home a lived-in look.

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Because the homeowners work from home and go into an office, Lynn designed the home office with a partner’s desk rather than a traditional office setup. As technology changes, there’s less need for bulky filing and storage spaces in a home.

The dressing area and primary bathroom are both much larger than the bedroom.

A modern design style emphasizes less square footage in the primary bedroom and instead uses that space in the adjoining bathroom and dressing rooms.

Grasscloth wallpaper adds texture and warmth to the space and doesn’t distract from the true focal point of the room—the fireplace.

The sloped lot dictated the orientation of the rooms on each level. The prep kitchen and butler’s pantry are off the kitchen. Other lifestyle spaces, such as the laundry and craft room, fitness studio and home office are all on the main level. The primary suite and guest bedroom sit at opposite ends of the floor for privacy and take advantage of the views outside. The lower level has two guest bedroom suites for the couple’s adult sons and their future families. The slope of the land allows both lower bedrooms to have fullsize windows so guests can enjoy the landscape.

“We discussed with them that it would be important to plan now [to be ADA compliant],”

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Moments to relax are scattered throughout the home. In the guest bedroom, the window seat is a tete-a-tete-style daybed designed to encourage stopping to appreciate the view outside.

The guest bathroom has a textural limestone tile backsplash topped by an organic-shaped mirror that reflects the natural environment.

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The fitness studio is a functional space where they could have fun with elements, like the wallpaper that mimics the tree branches just outside the windows.

Evans says. “The trend is to be thinking about how people are living longer and to have less of a reason why they can’t live at home as long as they can.”

The closets at the end of the house are designed and framed to hold an elevator that would stop on the main floor, at the garage, and on the lower level. They also added zero-entry showers in the home’s four bathrooms, wider hallways and oversized doorways.

While the home has many modern custom touches, an essential element of the Lowcountry style is a covered porch. This home’s porch maintains this welcoming tradition with oversized entry stairs, two swings and a set of large French doors. Whether the homeowners are enjoying the warm weather or entertaining, this outdoor area offers an easy flow from inside to outside.

“One of our favorite things about the front porch is that, depending on which swing we choose, we can see the sunrise or the sunset,” the homeowners say.

A wall mural behind a headboard elegantly infuses color and movement to a bedroom for one of the family’s grown sons.

Architect: NSPJ Architects, @nspjarchitects Builder: Evan-Talan Homes, @evantalanhomes Interior Designer: McCroskey Interiors, @mccroskeyinteriors Engineer: Apex Engineers, @apexengineers

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SOUTHER SOUTHE RN

CHAR CH ARM M MEETS THE

MIDWEST A young home evolves from a basic farmhouse to a sophisticated belle.

Words by Katy Schamberger | Photos by Laurie Kilgore

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W

hen two of Stephanie Stroud’s previous clients bought a recently built home on acreage in Stilwell, Kansas, they contacted Stroud, founder of Stephanie Stroud Interiors, to help oversee a transition from farmhouse style to Southern elegance.

Where’s the best place to start such a transformation? A mood board with elements that clients can touch and feel, Stroud says.

“I already knew she loved blues, greens and colors from nature,” Stroud recalls. “There

weren’t many revisions or trial and error because we’ve worked together before and had this shared vision of what the home could be.”

With the preferred color palette in mind, Stroud headed to North Carolina’s High Point Market and discovered two deep navy chests with gold hardware topped with white marble.

“I texted my client a photo of the chests and said these have to flank the fireplace—and that was the jumping-off point for the living room,” Stroud recalls.

Steps away from a rocky outcropping, the midnightblue water of the pool draws the family outside. The pool scape feels secluded surrounded by mature trees and the addition of new landscaping.

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The upper-level screened-in porch shelters comfortable, casual seating below.

Mature trees form a natural privacy hedge to the outdoor oasis.

A lower terrace hosts a fire pit area.

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Colors, textures, furnishings, fixtures—these are indispensable elements of a thoughtful and well-executed aesthetic. To Stroud, what’s equally essential in any home is the flow.

“We want your home to feel like it makes sense as you walk through it, even if that realization is subconscious,” she says. “The colors and ambiance should transition from room to room.”

To Stroud’s delight, her client greenlit a highgloss ceiling in her main-floor home office, a shimmering pale blue that pops against two key, existing pieces: a dark wood sideboard used as a sophisticated storage solution and a remarkable gold Tiffany lamp topped with softly iridescent, flower-shaped shades.

“What a gift to work with a client who owns such a unique Tiffany lamp—that became the Sculptural rock ledges create an eye-catching backdrop while also serving as functional retaining walls, a necessary addition due to the land’s existing contours.

The large backyard allowed ample space for a multifaceted outdoor living area but also required extensive reconfiguration, including regrading of a sloped contour to accommodate the creative vision.

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Far left and left: When it comes to art, Stroud’s client typically prefers landscapes, yet also willingly embraced her suggestion to use largeprint photographs, including this party scene, to add an appealing mix of energy and visual interest.

As the living room design emerged around the deep navy chests and gilt-framed mirrors that Stroud discovered at High Point Market, she opted to redo the fireplace’s surround, adding warm metal sconces and TV wiring for prime viewing. The living room flows into the dining room, where black-trimmed cane chairs flank a dark wooden dining table.

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inspiration for everything we did in the home office,” Stroud says.

A nearby dog room features a Dutch door painted the same light blue as the office ceiling (without the high-gloss finish), creating a subtle continuity that unites the nearly 7,000-squarefoot home.

For Stroud and her team, how a home functions is equally important to flow. This transformation has been two years in the making, and it’s not done yet (more on that in a moment).

The house had been built for around three years before Stroud’s clients bought it, but the lower level remained unfinished. After assessing the current floor plan and combining that with an assessment of how her clients would use and

live in their home, Stroud introduced a project list that included a full basement finish with a bedroom, family living room and wet bar, a dance studio and facilities to enhance the new, fully outfitted outdoor living space like a pool bathroom and a laundry room. Outside, a treebacked oasis came to life: an expansive space with a swimming pool, fire pit, hot tub and inviting seating areas to lounge, converse or simply be.

Other areas of the home didn’t need a complete overhaul and instead were improved with strategic updates. Stroud opted to open a wall of a small kitchen pantry, creating a convenient (and larger) pass-through that shortens trips from the garage to the kitchen. New built-ins and marble countertops replaced an already-dated

Thoughtful interior design is about more than beauty; it helps reinforce a home’s flow, a concept that guides each of Stroud’s projects.

“Everything we do is to make our clients’ homes function better,” she says. Here, an elegant living area instantly morphs into a relaxing space to watch a favorite show or movie, while the outdoor expanse is just steps away.

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Stroud says all-white kitchens aren’t used as frequently right now, yet this is a perfect reminder that creative vision and client preference often matter more than trends. The bright, open floor plan simply needed updated light fixtures, fabrics and cabinet hardware to exude timeless Southern style.

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Quintessential Southern entertaining can happen at a moment’s notice with this collection of timeless glassware and dishware on display.

“

Your life changes, and how you live in your home changes, so that space should evolve along with you.” ~Designer Stephanie Stroud

Previously a small, enclosed kitchen pantry, this stylish yet functional passthrough now shortens trips from the garage to the kitchen. Additional built-ins and marble countertops extend prep space for entertaining, while grasscloth wallpaper adds quiet luxury that’s especially appreciated in a more utilitarian space.

Another example of whole-home flow is this clever Dutch door that opens into a dog room, complete with a pet-level water filler.

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black and white tile floor, reinforcing the elegant functionality now omnipresent throughout the home.

“Most of our business is extensively remodeling with full-service design and furniture,” Stroud says. “Any adjustments we make are to help our clients’ homes function better. Designers who can do this add so much value, and that’s what brings clients back. Your life changes, and how you live in your home changes, so that space should evolve along with you.”

As the transformation continues, Stroud has her sights set on two projects. The powder room and the primary bathroom both need an

From the home office to a bedroom, a soft palette of light blue, white, cream and a touch of gilt welcome reflection and relaxation. The home office ceiling was an exciting milestone for Stroud: her first high-gloss ceiling, chosen to balance with the client’s heirloom Tiffany lamp (pictured at top right).

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Grasscloth wallpaper infuses pattern and elegantly understated texture to several rooms in the home, including an airy, light-filled primary bedroom that features all new furniture.

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Elegance comes alive in the details, and this stately Southerninspired estate is no exception. Past, present, texture, pattern, color—they all unite to tell a story of a remarkable home designed not just to function, but also to cherish.

infusion of Southern style and understated elegance. Details are still in progress, but it’s a likely bet that at least one of the rooms will feature richly textured or patterned wallpaper. Stroud says she’s used wallpaper in five rooms to date, and “we still have more to do!”

One eye-catching example of effective wallpaper selection and installation is the primary bedroom, which, at the outset, represented a “simple white box.” New furniture, including a wooden four-poster bed, flanks an accent wall covered in grasscloth paper patterned with a soothing mix of flora, fauna and birds in the client’s beloved blues and greens, a restful palette perfect for a bedroom. Sweet dreams, indeed.

Designer: Stephanie Stroud Interiors, @stephaniestroudinteriors Outdoor Contractor: EPIC Landscape Productions, @epiclandscapekc

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Remember Stroud’s focus on flow? The newly finished lower level offers another stunning example. A deep, moody green sets off a full bar in a relaxed, family-friendly living area accented with finishing touches of high-performance luxury like leather club chairs, acrylic-topped bar stools and ample built-ins for a library-esque aesthetic.

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The contemporary adobe-style shed and outdoor shower represent Amy’s love for Mexican architecture. The exposed copper piping and shower fixture are from Slightly Garden Obsessed, and the earthenware tile is from Clé Tiles.

By raising the ceiling, adding skylights, and surrounding the space with windows and French doors, Hufft created an inviting space with uplifting natural light. Timeless pieces in a neutral palette give a relaxed vibe, with a timeless Noguchi Akari light sculpture, a Bensen sofa from Museo, and a Moroccan rug by Soufiane Zarib.

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CHANGEMAKER

An independent, empowered business owner and mom of two transforms a Prairie Village ranch into a casually chic home inspired by her favorite travel destinations.

Words by Susan Cannon | Photos by Josie Benefield

An intentionally minimal look defines the backyard. Decorative landscaping and a black fence surrounding the swimming pool were removed in favor of a simple pool-level deck to lay out on. The once-clapboard wood exterior of the house was covered in smooth hand stucco and painted in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.

I

n 2019, Amy Appleton Dreyer and then-husband Tom Dreyer decided to buy his parents’ classic, red brick ranch when they found out their second child was on the way. At the time, they were living in an English Tudor off of Ward Parkway. While beautiful, it didn’t have the right architectural features for Amy to create her desired interior to represent a simpler, holistic lifestyle she had become enamored with on many travels. Her various influences came from aspects of Colonial Yucatán towns in Mexico, modernized white stucco farmhouses in Portugal, and riads and Berber lodges in Morocco.

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While modern in design, the highly utilized kitchen has a warmth to it with open shelving and cooking accoutrements kept out for functionality. The earthenware bowls and plates were collected on South American travels. The brass faucet fixtures are VOLA, a Danish maker of taps designed in the ’60s.

Below: By reconfiguring the original U-shaped kitchen into a wide open space and removing the dividing wall to the family and dining rooms, there is now liberated breathability. Rocktops marble for the counter and backsplash above the Lacanche range, and white-stained concrete countertops and sinks by Seth Taylor of Concrete Designs for the island and wet bar, produce a more down-to-earth feel.

The counter stools with leather seats are by the Danish brand Frama.

The timing was right, and she possessed the inspiration and eye for renovating the home in a paired-back aesthetic—one that would be very relaxed and livable for small kiddos.

Over the years of traveling and engaging with other cultures, Amy had developed a taste for unfettered luxury in quality and craftsmanship and a certain sophisticated simplicity of design in a soothing palette of neutrals with black and white, which matches her sartorial style to a T. Her objective was to design their home with a mix of vintage pieces, artisan-made furnishings, and custom-designed furniture, which was her small way of implementing sustainability and longevity rather than buying from big box stores.

To begin the project, Amy brought in Brasstacks Design+Build to open up the home’s layout for it to breathe, replace the

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Amy reupholstered the vintage sling chairs in soft sheepskin and kept the vintage grasscloth coffee table that was her mother-in-law’s. The fireplace initially opened up to the opposite dining room, so it was switched and made to be functional in the family room instead. Local artisan painter Devon Himes covered and treated its brick in Portola Roman clay.

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With inspiration coming from favorite travel locales like Mexico and Portugal, Amy wanted the facade to feel transportive. The brick was painted in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee, and Lawn and Landscape Solutions executed the minimal aesthetic of a white gravel garden, removing traditional pines and boxwoods.

Large plate-glass panes replaced multi-paned windows for a modern look.

Upon entering the front door, a verdant view in the back is immediately striking. The loden green sheepskin chairs complement nature. The large black planter is from Family Tree Nursery, and the wabi-sabi table was found at the Round Top Antiques Fair. It holds an Aysun Ay sculptural stoneware vessel, sold at Blackbird Collection.

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windows and build out a streamlined new look for the white interior with modern style.

This also included custom built-ins in many of the rooms; however, the most eye-catching transformations were in the bathrooms and the kitchen.

The couple then hired Hufft architects and Centric to work magic on the back den, turning it into the main family room that opens up to the kitchen and the backyard. They also transformed the exterior and backyard space, adding a white stucco wall and adobe-style structure.

For the basement, Amy used House of Palm and contractor Reid Logan to give it a modern makeover.

Though Tom’s parents had done a few renovations to the back of the home, there was still room for more airiness. Amy invited nature in to play—the home’s welcome protagonist. Hufft came through with the dynamic design of raising the ceiling, extending the pitched roofline out and over the back patio, and opening windows and

Above: The dining room has a nice mix of old and new, with textural and graphic accents. The beaded-faced Ionic Cabinet and the maple and travertine Suzy Table are both by Matt Castilleja, handcrafted locally. Marcel Breuer’s 1970s-produced caned dining chairs were found on 1st Dibs and Chairish. A whimsical Anissa Kermiche “Love Handles” Vase from Blackbird Collection sits under a Serge Mouille-style light fixture.

Brasstacks’ black built-in shelving and cabinets display special finds from family travels. The vintage Tuareg floor mat is from Morocco.

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Earthy elements add warmth to the minimally modern bathroom, starting with the Portola Roman Clay treated walls, which have zero VOC. The wooden ladder came from Urban Mining Vintage, and the shelves set into the nook hold towels by Tekla. The bathtub is tktktk.

“

I just wanted to feel like I was on vacation every day.” ~ homeowner Amy Appleton Dreyer

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A slider in the primary suite opens up to an elevated deck with a built-in spa that overlooks the expansive backyard.

French doors for backyard views on three sides.

The natural light and visible nature combined with the wood-planked ceiling created a relaxing, down-to-earth vibe.

However, from the outset, Amy had a clear vision of the aesthetic she wanted to create, down to the many details. Being a curious traveler and a visual autodidact, Amy’s abundant references for the architects and builders were very specific.

“I was a tough customer,” she says.

Whether working closely on the layout of the new kitchen plans, wanting a white-stained concrete countertop for its island, or choosing Arne Jacobsen-designed VOLA kitchen fixtures from Denmark, which required special tools to install, things turned out just right. She also insisted on certain details out back, such as smooth hand stucco for the exterior, a simple pool-level deck, thin grout lines with no grout between pavers, and white gravel for minimal plantings, among other details that rounded out the cohesive aesthetic.

“I realize I’m a bit like my great-grandmother who came here from Sicily. She sat on a bucket all day long while men built her apartment down in

The original primary bathroom was dominated by black marble. Going for timeless luxury, Amy took inspiration from the Santa Clara 1728 hotel in Lisbon. Special attention was paid to the surface materials. The shower tile is from Clé Tile who custom-cut the tiles to be different lengths. The limestone floor tiles are from IMD, and the walls are Roman Clay in Portola’s Patagonia. The monolithic vanity is custom made by Rocktops.

A half-wall for privacy and an adobe-style shed were new additions to the backyard. Each was treated in smooth hand stucco, complementing the minimal look of the hot tub surrounded by Kansas limestone pavers.

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The mudroom features built-ins and microtopping flooring.

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It’s all charm and modern vibes with a neutral palette and non-primary colors in this play space. The custom-designed craft station that runs the length of the wall was handcrafted in maple by local craftswoman Megan Bryde. The soft rug is Moroccan, available at Blackbird Collection.

The “living room” was turned into a TV room and play space mainly for the kids. The custom-designed sofa and ottomans are by Raven Wood Designs, covered in velvet Fabric and Steel textiles. The leather and chrome chair and footstool are vintage, and the shelves are custom by Brasstacks.

Columbus Park, pointing out nonstop how to do it differently or better,” she admits with a laugh.

As for the living room, a conscious decision to make what would typically be a more formal room in the front of the house, Amy instead turned the front room into the kids’ TV den and playroom— an untraditional move. With the same modern aesthetic, the front space took on a cool and casual style similar to the rest of the home. Amy chose a mix of vintage seating with a custommade sofa that runs the entire length of the room.

She also hired a great craftswoman to design

The bunk bed by Plyroom is the perfect modern design for a minimalist’s home.

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Amy turned a former indoor pool room into a studio and dressing room. The large windows existed from her in-laws’ renovation. The sofa and chair are vintage pieces from Blackbird Collection.

Architect: Hufft, @_hufft Contractors: Centric, @centrichomes Brasstacks Design+Build, @brasstackskc Design Consultant: House of Palm, @houseofpalmshop

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The curved leather banquet, Allied Maker sconces and a custom marble table fabricated by Carthage Stoneworks give Santa Monica Proper vibes.

and handcraft the playroom’s unique solid maple built-in cabinet/workstation.

As the backyard landscaping took shape, the front exterior also transformed, giving subtle modern Colonial Mexican vibes. “We had been in COVID lockdown for so long that I just wanted to feel like I was on vacation every day,” she says.

Finally, in 2023, when the renovation was completed, Amy put her plans into action for a fashion, interior and lifestyle concept shop, and by spring 2024, she opened Blackbird Collection in the Crossroads Arts District.

As for the home she created with her kids, Stella (11) and Theo (5) in mind, it turned out to be a very calm, grounding locus, where her authentic design sensibility lies somewhere between the chic environment of her shop and the elegant/sultry personal style she created for @stepsofstyle in 2012.

With her branding skills, the latter two of Amy’s identities are stylistically amped up compared to her home’s identity, though all three are 100 percent consistent in her modern, attractive personal aesthetic. They are all achieved with an intentional, tasteful simplicity that is timeless.

House of Palm designed the downstairs and worked with contractor Reid Logan on the renovation, resulting in a relaxed environment. Grass cloth lines the daybed nook with a Kelly Wearstler alabaster sconce, velvet furniture and burl wood coffee tables are from Etsy, and brass cabinet hardware is by Sarah Sherman Samuel.

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THE

NATURE OF

BALANCE

Modern yet grounded, this home holds a steady conversation with the land—open, restrained and built to last.

Words by Jen Moore | Photos by Nate Sheets

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Stone piers and glass frame a view that bridges architecture and open land.

Clean lines and natural stone contrast the prairie, integrating the structure with its setting.

S

et on 25 open acres in North Cass County, Missouri, this modern home is a study in balance—between light and mass, openness and shelter, organic shape and structure. Designed by David Herron, FAIA, the house responds to its prairie setting with a straightforward, restrained approach.

The building is long and low, organized around horizontal rooflines and stone piers that rise from the ground like natural extensions of the site.

Between them, wood siding and full-height glass open the house to light and views. From some angles, you can see straight through—from the garage to the tree line—reinforcing a steady relationship between the building and the land.

“Everywhere you look, you should have either light or a view,” Herron says. “You shouldn’t have to turn the lights on during the day. That’s another way the house stays tied to its environment.”

The house fulfills a long-held dream for the homeowners.

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The rectilinear form nods to modernist principles and rests on a textured stone base.

Wood, metal, and stone meet with precision, casting long shadows across the facade.

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A double-sided garage opens to a clear view of trees beyond.

“We always pictured ourselves here,” the husband says. “We bought the land in 2018, years before we started building. We’d go out to the property on weekends to camp, fish and sit around a fire with the kids.”

They named the property Native Ridge, a reference to its high bluff, wild topography, and the native flora and fauna that surround it: wildflowers, arrowheads, deer, bobcats and more.

“We can’t see a single other house from ours,” he says. “And we’re still only ten minutes from town.”

The project came to life through a close collaboration between Herron, builder Jeremy Dahmer, designer Kali Buchanan, and the homeowners. Dahmer Construction (aka Steel Tek) brought deep expertise in commercial methods—metal studs, red iron for the cantilever, storefront glass—while Buchanan helped refine interior finishes and materials with the same clarity guiding the architecture.

A cantilevered form floats above the drive, framing a view of the landscape beyond.

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“There were so many commercial components that we brought in a commercial GC,” the husband explains. “Jeremy and his team are ahead of the times in their forward thinking and did an incredible job.”

In the kitchen, vertical grain cabinetry, open shelving and built-in appliances offer warmth without clutter. In the bathrooms, walnut vanities sit between narrow windows, and a freestanding tub rests beneath a shaft of natural light. Materials were chosen with intention. The limestone was locally sourced and hand-laid. The wood siding came from a Texas mill treated for durability and grain. Black-painted panel siding—typically economical—was detailed carefully to feel cohesive.

“Nothing feels extra. It just feels calm. The light moves across the rooms all day, even on cloudy days,” the wife says. “We don’t need art on the walls because the windows are enough.”

Stone carries through the project. Outside, it shapes walls and columns. Inside, it wraps the fireplace and continues into the kitchen, where it meets clean-lined cabinetry and natural wood.

Clerestory windows bring light from above; long horizontal windows frame the trees and pull the landscape into the home.

From exterior to interior, stone grounds the living space.

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Light slices across the wall, drawing the outside in.

“This process wasn’t just about hitting a look,” Herron says. “It was about listening and figuring out what the house wanted to be. The sketch the homeowners brought me, in the beginning, is not what we ended up building. And that’s the point.”

Though the design uses modern tools— cantilevers, clerestories, steel framing—the house doesn’t feel cold. Centered in a meadow and surrounded by trees, it partially cantilevers over a slope, staying clear of mature trees and letting the topography stay intact.

“We didn’t want a modern farmhouse or a rustic cabin,” the husband says. “We wanted something unexpected for Cass County—tucked away enough not to draw attention, but unique enough

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to catch people off guard and start a conversation.”

The wife admits she was hesitant about the flat roofline Herron proposed.

“I had this image in my head of a more traditional shape,” she says, “but Dave kept showing us ideas and I started to see it. The way it sits back in the woods makes sense now.”

The couple brought a few priorities to Herron: a sunken living room, continuous stone from exterior to interior, and a cantilevered form that echoed another house they’d seen years earlier.

“We reshaped the hill to get the effect,” the husband says. “That layering of land and architecture was important to us.”

Clerestory windows along the stairwell drive light down into the main level.

A long window anchors a view of the trees in the kitchen, where built-ins and cabinetry speak restraint.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 269

A freestanding tub marks a pause in a space shaped by precision and light.

Scan to watch the video featured on KCTV 5.

Light enters from all sides, flanking a walnut vanity with warmth and clarity.

Architect: herron + partners, @herronandpartners Contractor: Steel Tek, @steel_tek_framing Interior Designer: Kali Buchanan Interior Design, @kalibuchananinteriordesign Resources: Page 276 270 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

Even the basement reflects that intent: it is not a walkout but still filled with light. An 18’ x 6’ window well aligns with the kitchen window above it. An exposed limestone wall became a natural ‘cave’ for storage, freeing up space for a home gym and sauna.

At dusk, the house turns inward. Light spills from inside, and the architecture becomes a backdrop to the lives it contains.

“We designed it so we’re all in one space,” the wife says. “It feels open, but still private. And when the storm comes through at night, the lightning hits the glass and fills the room—it’s like sleeping inside the weather.”

Herron’s signature restraint, combined with the couple’s clarity of vision, resulted in a quiet and complete home.

“Dave treated this project like it was his own,” the husband says. “He designed it not just for how it would look, but for how we would live.”

That shared trust shaped the outcome—a home rooted in place, shaped by light, and in steady dialogue with the land around it. It doesn’t compete with its surroundings; it completes them.

“I always ask: what if?” Herron says. “That’s the question that opens everything up. That’s where the work begins.”

A quiet bedroom invites stillness, framed by glass and trees.

Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 271

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AN ECHO OF ARCHES Architectural Drawings, Interior Design and Project Management: Brasstacks Design + Build Trim and Millwork: Halverson Carpentry Lighting Fixtures: Visual Comfort Countertops: Carthage Stoneworks Cabinet Hardware: Locks and Pulls Plumbing Fixtures: Kitchens and Baths by Briggs Plumbers: iPlumb KC Windows and Sliding Doors: Pella

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TR ADITIONAL WITH A T WIST Interior Designer: Bleu Grace Designs Contractor: Renovations by Starr Homes Architect/Engineer: HD Engineering Custom Cabinets: Parks Cabinets Cast Limestone Mantels/Surround: ADI Designs Countertops: SCI Surfaces Composite Decking/Handrails: KC Deck Supply Custom Spiral Metal Railing: KC Forged Ornamental Doors (Interior/Exterior): Builders FirstSource Fireplaces: Midwest Fireplace Co. Glass: Fountain Glass Gutters: Gutter Cover Kansas City Hardware: Locks and Pulls Landscaping: Next to Nature Lighting: Rensen House of Lights Natural Stone: Semco Paint: First Impression Painting Tile: Central States Tile Tile Installer: Lusso Porcelain & Design Windows: Builders FirstSource Wood Flooring: Kenny’s Tile Porch Façade Stone: X/O Exteriors & Outdoors Porch Façade Stone Installer: Builders Stone & Masonry Plumbing Fixtures: Grandview Winnelson; Ferguson Home

THE NATURE OF BAL ANCE Architect: herron + partners General Contractor: Steel Tek Interior Designer: Kali Buchanan Interior Design Cabinets: Crown Cabinetry Countertops: Dimensional Stoneworks Flooring: SVB Wood Floors Tile: Danny Oberlander Siding: Delta Millworks Stone Work: KC Stone Metal Work: Pyramid Roofing

Photo by Matt Kocourek.

See Charmer’s equestrian-friendly home on page 218.

276 / mydesignKC.com / SUMMER 2025

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Continued on p. 286

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Summer 2025 / mydesignKC.com / 286

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