designKC Spring 2026

SPRING 2026 TM

THE ART OF INTENTION

Display until June 21, 2026

THIS THISISN’T ISN’TAPPLES APPLESTO TOA WE’VE WE’VEREDESIGNED REDESIGNEDTH TH DISCOVER DISCOVERWHY WHYTHE THENATION’S NATION’S LEADING LEADINGARCHITECTS ARCHITECTS++ BUILDERS BUILDERSARE ARECHOOSING CHOOSING HIGH HIGHPRAIRIE PRAIRIE The Thenation’s nation’sonly onlyworld-class world-classdesign design+ +craft craft+ + maintenance maintenancefirm firmfor forpools, pools,outdoor outdoorliving, living,and and planting plantingoperating operatingwith withTHE THELEGACY LEGACYPROGRAM PROGRAM For For over over aa decade, decade, our our team team has has traveled traveled the the world—learning, world—learning, studying, studying,and andmastering masteringthe theenduring enduringcraftsmanship craftsmanshipofof Europe’s Europe’s finest finest builders. builders.

From Fromhand-sculpted hand-sculptedItalian Italianmineral mineralpools poolstototrass-bedded trass-bedded stone stoneterraces terracesand andpatios, patios,we’ve we’vereimagined reimaginedhow howoutdoor outdoor living living isis built built inin Kansas Kansas City.

City.

Now, Now,we’re we’recollaborating collaboratingwith withleading leadingarchitects, architects,landscape landscape architects, architects,and andbuilders builderstotobring bringOur Our Legacy LegacyProgram Programtoto Kansas KansasCity’s City’smost mostdiscerning, discerning,wise-investing wise-investinghomeowners. homeowners.

(Design other qualified pro’s High Prairie.)

(Design byby other qualified pro’s oror High Prairie.)

Crafted Craftedtotolast lastgenerations. generations.Designed Designedtotoinspire inspirea a lifetime lifetimeoutdoors. outdoors.

Build BuildYour YourTradition Traditionby byScheduling Schedulinga aFree FreeDiscovery DiscoveryMeeting Meetingat: at:

O APPLES. HE WHOLE ORCHARD.

(816) 398-2901

www.highprairieoutdoors.com

A SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY, FORGED BY TRADITION.

OUR BUILDERS BICKIMER HOMES | C3 HOMES | GABRIEL HOMES JFE CONSTRUCTION | NEW MARK HOMES | SAB HOMES WALKER CUSTOM HOMES

159TH STREET

159TH STREET 114

113

N

115

112

H

111

116

WCH

119

109

TWILIGHT LANE

118

WCH

108 107

WCH

106

120

105

BH

104 121

DETAILS

102 101

122

100

WCH

90 89 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 GH GH

75

GH SAB

Estates - 85’ Lots +/-

HORSESHOE BEND BUFFALO RIDGE

67

86 84

85 GH

83 GH

82

69

68 SAB

NMH

87

NMH

81 SAB

161ST TERRACE

MUSTANG TRAILS

Single Family - 60’ Lots +/-

MODEL HOME AVAILABLE LOT

RESERVED

12 NMH

61

C3

60

JFE

T IGH

AVAILABLE HOME

62

SAB

59 58 57

56

FUTURE PHASE

55

FUTURE TRAIL PATH

54

10

9 GH

8 GH

15 14 SAB SAB

16

17 18 JFE JFE

Office: 913.912.2024 HeritageRanchKS@Gmail.com

6 SAB

19 JFE

161ST COURT

50

49 48 47 46

20 C3

5

21 C3

4

38 39 40 41

2

1

23

45

42 C3

3

22

44 43

24

26 27

25

162ND STREET

53

*Rendering is for conceptual purposes only. Actual features and sizes may vary.

7 GH

37 GH

36 BH

35 BH

34 JFE

33 31 32 30 JFE WCH WCH JFE

29 SAB

28

BLACK BOB ROAD

SOLD SALES OFFICE

11 NMH

13 SAB

51

UPDATED 1/8/2026

facebook.com/heritageranchks/

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

159th & Black Bob Road | Olathe, KS

JFE

GH

Single Family - 75’ Lots +/-

52

HeritageRanchKS.com

66

65

SAB

64

63 GH

TWIL

From the $500Ks to $2M+

73 72 71 70

74

77 76 80 79 78 GH SAB SAB

LONESTAR RESERVE

88 KAW STREET

161ST STREET

Maintenance Provided Villas- 50’ Lots +/-

MAINTENANCEPROVIDED VILLAS

BLACK BOB ROAD

BH

BH

SINGLE FAMILY & ESTATE HOMESITES

SCAN FOR

PHASE 1

103

BH

HERITAGE PARK

LOCATED NEXT TO HERITAGE PARK

AREA NOT PART OF HERITAGE RANCH HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

110

117

Chavon Swartz & Katie Fisher

instagram.com/heritageranchks/

Thoughtfully Designed. Naturally Inspired.

AWARD-WINNING BUILDERS | OUTSTANDING AMENITIES | BLUE VALLEY SCHOOLS

1

4

3

2

9

17

23

21

19

24 QUIVIRA RD

18

20

W 181ST

85

16

15

14

25

26

27

TE RR

E S

34 33

T

13

12

W

DY S

11

22

BICKIMER HOMES EDWARD FRANKLIN JFE CONSTRUCTION WALKER CUSTOM HOMES

8

7

W 181ST ST

10

OUR BUILDERS

6

5

N

35

CO

QUIVIRA RD

CRESCENT RIDGE - PHASE 1

32 31

FUTURE PHASE

HIDDEN WOODS

30

29

28

FUTURE PHASE

CRESCENT RIDGE

SCAN FOR

PHASE 1

BEAUTIFUL HOMESITES

WoodmyreOP.com

181st & Quivira | Overland Park, KS

INFO

Michele Davis & Natalie Freeman 913-287-0480 WoodmyreOP@Gmail.com

mjewelry.com - 816.453.1111 mjewelry.com - 816.453.1111

Pensacola

THE

Hill Country

21359 W. 93rd Ct., Lenexa, KS 66220

5 beds

|

5 b at h s

|

4 car garage

Listing Price $3,200,000

|

| 4,790 sqft

MLS# 2523264

To schedule a private tour — Contact the builder for details.

Inspired by nature.

Perfected by design.

Scan to Read The Full Story In The Winter Issue DesignKC Magazine

BLRieke.com @blriekecustomhomes | @heritageranchks | @woodmyreop

IT BEGINS WITH AN IDEA An idea to live beautifully . . . to create spaces that invite you in and make you want to stay.

At the heart of graceful living is the belief that home is as much a feeling as it is a place.

Shaped by forms, textures, and colors that engage your senses and reflect how deeply you value your favorite retreats.

At Seville Home, artistically-designed furnishings come together to express who you are and how you live, elevating everyday moments into something personal and meaningful.

An idea. A feeling. A home you love.

It starts at Seville Home.

• Boutique-level service with an expansive in-stock collection plus custom ordering • Significant retail savings from America’s finest furniture makers • In-home designer consultations at no extra charge • Partner Program benefits for professional designers Designer Partner Program details @ sevillehome.com/partner

135th & Nall | Leawood | SevilleHome.com | 913-663-4663

Your Seville Home Designers

Kelly

Meredith

Kimberly

Carrie

Becky

Karen

T h e w o r k c o n t i n u e s. T h e l e g a c y e v o l v e s.

A s Po r t fo l i o K i t c h e n & H o m e t r a n s i t i o n s f r o m i t s s h o w r o o m t o a s t u d i o - b a s e d p r a c t i c e, s e l e c t D i s p l a y K i t c h e n s, F u r n i s h i n g s, a n d D i s t i n c t i v e H o m e D e s i g n P i e c e s a r e n o w a v a i l a b l e.

V ie wings by appointment 816.363.5300

Portf olio K i t c h e n

&

h o m e

A ward Winning Design

DRESSING KC’S MOST ENVIED BEDS AND WINDOWS SINCE 2005 Shades

|

Motorization

|

Fa b r i c

W i n d o w Tr e a t m e n t s

|

Bedding

|

Pillows & Cushions

WWW.STARRHOMES.NET - 913.481.2680

YOUR DREAM HOME STARTS HERE.

ARCHITECTURE | LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE award-winning architecture with a legacy of design excellence since 1961 913.831.1415 | nspjarch.com

your kitchen, elevated www.rothliving.com | 601 W 47th St. Kansas City, MO 64112

Ice Bath by Remedy Place A New Dimension of Self Care KOHLER has partnered with Dr. Jonthan Leary, founder and CEO of Remedy Place, to introduce the world’s premier ice bath. The Ice Bath by KOHLER x Remedy Place blends cutting-edge wellness innovation with KOHLER’s signature design excellence to create the ultimate home wellness space–indoors or outdoors.

5025 W 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66209 (913) 335-6110 KOHLER.com/OverlandPark

Sponsored Content by Reecenichols-Leawood

TRENT GALLAGHER BUILDS EXCEPTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR EXCEPTIONAL HOMES

T

rent Gallagher, a top luxury realestate agent in the Kansas City metro, knows that exceptional homes deserve exceptional strategy.

Gallagher’s proven approach is rooted in topnotch presentation, personalized storytelling, and targeted exposure. It’s at once boutique and supercharged, with one-on-one service backed by an elite team and unparalleled resource base at ReeceNichols in Leawood.

We spoke with Gallagher about how he maximizes the client experience—and their return—when selling luxury homes.

Photo by Nate Sheets

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL It’s hard to overstate Gallagher’s prominence in Kansas City’s luxury real estate space. His reputation for bringing a boutique, white-glove experience to an increasingly “one-size-fits-all” market precedes him, and the stats back it up: of more than 35,000 real estate agents in Kansas and Missouri, Gallagher ranks in the top one percent.

Gallagher is a top producer at the ReeceNichols Leawood office—and this means sellers receive Photo by Josie Bennefield

Photo by Nate Sheets

Photo by Nate Sheets

single-agent attention with team-level support.

“I’m the one you meet at the consultation, the one advising your pricing, negotiating your offers, and walking you through each milestone,” says Gallagher. “I’ve also built a team that includes a full-time marketing rep and staff and a fulltime client care coordinator, so you get teamlevel horsepower but never get passed off from person to person. You just feel it in our polished marketing, communication, and systems.”

This backing allows Gallagher to stay where he’s most valuable: with his clients.

“This means I’m in the field every single day working with clients, pricing homes, negotiating complex offers, managing timelines, and constantly refining marketing based on what we know is working.”

A STRATEGY THAT RISES TO THE OCCASION When Gallagher started selling high-end homes, he quickly saw that the market—the sellers, the buyers, the homes themselves—needed something more.

“40 UNDER 40”

(REAL PRODUCERS 2023 & 2025)

TOP 1% OF KS AGENTS 2024 #1 BROKERAGE IN SALES KC 2024 #1 REECENICHOLS OFFICE IN KC “I started with a simple mission: help people make really smart decisions about their largest asset and make the process feel as seamless as possible,” he says. “Over time, I found myself working with more design-forward, architecturally unique, and higher-end homes—and I realized that the luxury space desperately needed more intentional strategy. I leaned into it.

“Luxury properties can’t be marketed like an average listing. Sellers and buyers expect something more. I invested heavily in marketing, presentation, and global networks, and built my business around delivering a high-end, personalized experience. I like to think of it as a full campaign, not just a listing.”

Gallagher has a bevy of sales strategies and resources, from cutting-edge photography and videography to private global networks reaching the most discerning buyers. He groups the sales process into three parts: positioning, presentation, and visibility.

“We start with a detailed property analysis and a strategy session—who the likely buyer is, how they live, and what story the home should tell,” he says. “Then we build out the visuals: architectural photography and film, including drone, lifestyle, and twilight shots where appropriate—it’s truly cutting edge. Then we create premium print and digital pieces, a branded property website, and a targeted digital ad campaign across social media and Google to get the home in front of qualified, often out-of-area buyers.”

Then, the cherry on top: the home gets global exposure through platforms like Luxury Portfolio, REALM Global, and Mansion Global.

“These are invitation-only gatherings of top luxury agents and advisors from around the

Photo by Nate Sheets

world,” Gallagher says. “They combine a private global network with powerful data and technology.

For my sellers, that means their listings can be introduced to a curated community of highperforming luxury agents globally—not just whoever happens to be browsing an MLS feed. It also allows us to match the lifestyle and profile of your ideal buyer with real, known buyers in other markets.”

What do you get in the end? A marketing plan that’s more like a launch than a listing.

SELLING A HOME HAND-IN-HAND Gallagher knows that selling a home is a business decision with a lot of emotion underneath it.

“My job is to handle the complexity and stress so my clients don’t have to,” he says. “That means setting clear expectations from the day we meet.

Anticipating clients’ concerns and providing regular, proactive updates. Keeping things simple and presenting data in a way that’s easy to understand. And being available—not just for logistics, but to talk through decisions and what they mean long-term.”

Through it all, Gallagher and his team fight for your home.

“Small details compound into big numbers.

The right narrative, the right channels, and the right representation can be the difference between ‘sitting on the market’ and setting a record.”

To start the process, go to trent-gallagher.com.

TRENT GALLAGHER REALTOR®/REALM® GLOBAL MEMBER M: 913.439.7846 E: TRENT@REECENICHOLS.COM

Sponsored Content by Reecenichols-Leawood

Re e c enich o ls- Le awo o d / 50 0 0 W.135th S t, Le awo o d, KS 662 24 / 913-851-730 0

Creator of Living Art

Chec

From Dirt to Diamonds ! t u k It O

TheKing ofB ackya rdBling.c om

ROBERT@THEVERSACECOWBOY.COM | ROBERT BLEDSOE: 816-517-5596

THE KANSAS & MISSOURI LUXURY MARKET LEADER

Your home deserves representation defined by more than a century of excellence.

Sell with Distinction Signature.ReeceNichols.com

Photo provided by Worlds Away

Inspiring Trade Professionals For Over 40 Years

D e s igner s Libra r yKC .com Furnit ure

•

Fa bric

•

Wallcovering

•

Lighting

•

Flooring

COMPLIMENTARY

DESIGN CONSULATION

Custom pull-out drawers for existing cabinets and pantry. artofdrawers.com | 913.399.6145

Experience The Winning Cecil & Ray Difference.

Building superior quality custom homes and performing whole house remodels as unique as the people who live in them.

Each Cecil and Ray project brings together a trusted network of local artisans and a caring, hands on approach to every project.

w w w.cecilandrayhomes.com | (913) 927-5235

The Aquatic Specialist

Not Just a Pool. An Experience.

Turn your backyard into the ultimate retreat.

SwimThings.com | 816-224-2600 3010 SW US Hwy 40 | Blue Springs, MO | 64015

Designer: Richard Lippincott

1903 W 135th Street Leawood KS 66224 Professional Interior Design Services | Quality Furnishings | Unique Art | Rugs | Accessories

For almost 50 years, Lambie Homes has built homes for every lifestyle. From the first-time home buyer to maintenance provided villas and everything in between. We pride ourselves in efficiently delivering a quality product in some of the area's finest communities.

LENEXA STARTING IN THE 400’S

LEAWOOD

STARTING IN THE LOW 1 MILLIONS

learn More

LENEXA STARTING IN THE LOW 500’S

913-897-0040 | LAMBIEHOMES.COM

MAINTENANCE-PROVIDED LUXURY LIVING AMENITIES COMING SUMMER 2026!

POOL WALKING TRAIL DOG PARK PICKLEBALL 135TH STREET CONVENIENCE

LOCATED AT 135TH AND HIGH DRIVE

913-228-1600 rpleawood@gmail.com RPLeawood.com

AWAR D-WINNING FULL SERVICE INTER IOR DESIGN: NEW CONSTRUCTION, R ENOVATION AND DECOR

21 W. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO | sidandcompany.com | 816.321.2363 | Mon - Fri: 10-5, Sat. call or by appt

Sure, we have beautiful granite, quartz, marble, and quartzite! But that’s not what makes Rocktops awesome.

Our people do. Good, talented, honest people who genuinely love making Kansas City countertops look amazing.

In addition to our remarkable products and dedicated team, we are proud to announce that we are now serving the Kansas City metro area with both our Olathe and Lee’s Summit showrooms.

Further enhancing our commitment to bringing exceptional countertops to this vibrant community.

Come say hi!

ROCKTOPSKC.COM 1140 S. Enterprise St. Olathe, KS. 66061 913.782.0802 2890 NE Independence Ave. Lee’s Summit, MO. 64064 816.272.0526

RR E G E N T S PP AA RR KK

MAINTENANCE VILLASIN INLEAWOOD LEAWOOD MAINTENANCE PROVIDED PROVIDED VILLAS

SINGLE SINGLEFAMILY FAMILY

TWIN TWINVILLAS VILLAS

MODELS MODELSOPEN OPENDAILY DAILY12-5PM 12-5PM | | 137TH 137THAND AND HIGH DRIVE || REGENTSPARKLEAWOOD.COM REGENTSPARKLEAWOOD.COM| 913-228-1600 | 913-228-1600 SINGLE SINGLE FAMILY FAMILY HOMES HOMESBUILT BUILTBYBYWILLIS WILLISCUSTOM CUSTOMHOMES, HOMES, KOEHLER KOEHLER BUILDING BUILDINGCOMPANY, COMPANY,JSJSROBINSON ROBINSONFINE FINEHOMES HOMES && DON DON JULIAN JULIAN BUILDERS BUILDERS LUXURY LUXURYPAIRED PAIREDVILLAS VILLASBUILT BUILT BY LAMBIE HOMES HOMES&&WILLIS WILLISCUSTOM CUSTOMHOMES HOMES

Everyday Luxury.

backyardbydesignkc.com

913.387.4677

Excellence Delivered PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY GENERAL CONTRACTING AT THE LAKE OF THE OZARKS

IL BERTY

G

E

N

ERS U N R I S E BE A C H , M O CTI AL C O NTRA

N

G

573.693.4463

CR E AT ING SPACE S YOU’LL LOV E TO LI V E IN

S E RV I NG K A N SA S C I T Y A N D L A K E O F T H E OZ A R K S

8 16 - 3 61- 9 6 6 9

|

RemodelAgain.com

O M E XC O WA L L C O V E R I N G

Celebrate your home.

H I C KO R Y C H A I R F U R N I T U R E

Knowledge. Design.

Relationships. kdrshowrooms.com

Luxe environments created here.

8 510 M a r s h a l l D r i v e | L e n e x a , K S kdrshowrooms.com

THE #1 LUXURY REAL ESTATEBRAND BRAND IN THE #1 LUXURY REAL ESTATE IN THE #1 LUXURY REAL ESTATE BRAND IN KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY KANSAS CITY

$551 MILLION MILLION $551

$551 MILLION IN CLOSED CLOSED VOLUME IN VOLUME

900+ CLIENTSVOLUME SERVED IN IN 2025!

2025!

IN900+ CLOSED CLIENTS SERVED

Thank you to our clients for making 2025 our biggest Thank you to our clients for makingIN 2025 our biggest 900+ SERVED 2025! successCLIENTS yet! We closed over $551 million in volume and success yet! We closed over $551 million in volume and helped 904 clients find their dream home.

Thank you our clients for dream making 2025 our biggest helped 904toclients find their home.

success yet! We closed over $551 million in volume and 913.239.2069 | KBSELLS.COM 913.239.2069 | find KBSELLS.COM helped 904 clients their dream home.

913.239.2069 | KBSELLS.COM

K AN SAS CIT Y’S PR EFER R ED COU N T ERTO P FAB R I CATO R & I N S TALL ER GRANITE

|

Q UAR T Z

|

MARBLE

|

S O L I D S U R FAC E

S CI -S U R FACES .CO M | 913. 42 2.0 5 0 0

TRANSFORM YOUR NEW HOUSE INTO YOUR DREAM HOME.

B AT H R O O M S + K I T C H E N S + B A S E M E N T S

CONTACT US FOR FREE CONSULTATION 1260 NW SLOAN LEE’S SUMMIT 816.425.2815

K A R I N R O S S D E S I GN S .CO M

WHOLESALE KITCHEN & BATHROOM CABINET SUPPLIER JOIN THE TRUSTED NE T WORK OF J&K C ABINE TRY DE ALER S TODAY!

KC’S TRUSTED WHOLESALE PARTNER FOR ALL QUALITY KITCHEN & BATHROOM PROJECTS Manufacturer • Wholesaler • Free Kitchen & Bath Layout Designs Average 5-7 Day Lead Time on Assembled Products 1-2 Day Lead Time for Unassembled Products • 100% Solid Wood Cabinetry NO Particle Boards or MDF • Soft-Close Doors and Drawers • Semi-Custom VISIT OUR 63,0000 SQUARE-FOOT SHOWROOM AND WAREHOUSE

15340 W. 101ST Terrace, Lenexa, KS ▲ 913.839.6050 ▲ JKcabinetryKS.com ▲ instagram facebook @@JKCabinetryKS

SHOWROOM HOURS: Mon-Fri; 8:30am - 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00-1:00pm Sunday by appointment only.

“Does this rug make my room look big?”

Sell Washing Restoration Again “THE KNOTTIER THE BETTER” Kansas City’s Largest and Most Reputable Showroom (Stock #14250 - 8’2” x 10’0”) 4510 STATE LINE RD.



KANSAS CIT Y, KS 66103



(913) 677-1877



WWW.KNOT T YRUG.COM

Where dream homes get personal.

Where you want to be.

RodrockHomes.com

913-851-0347

BLINDS • SHADES • SHUTTERS • CUSTOM DRAPERIES H U NTER DOU GL AS: D U ETTE ® CELLU L AR S HAD ES I N LEEL A I LLUS I O N .

30

FAMILY OWNED

YEARS

IN KANSAS CITY

Kansas City’s Premier Resource For Window Coverings ELEVATING YOUR VIEW FOR OVER 30 YEARS!

0 SHAWN EE

F I N AC I N G

25

%

OFF

%

FOR TWELVE MONTHS

MSRP

Excludes restricted products . Not all prod ucts included .

OVERLAN D PARK

LEE’S SUM M IT

NORTH LAN D

FREE Professional Measuring and Installation SCAN

ONESTOPDECORATING.COM 816.226.6062

5-STAR RATED

1,400+ REVIEWS

TO SCHEDULE YOUR

FREE

CONSULTATION

©2025 Hunter Douglas. All rights reserved. All trademarks used herein are the property of Hunter Douglas or their respective owners.

T HE PREFERRED SOURCE FOR

CABINETS COUNT ERTOPS With over a century of experience, CKF is a leading supplier of countertops and cabinets in the Midwest. From selection, fabrication and installation, our experienced team is ready to guide you through your new build or renovation with ease.

10821 L AKEVIEW AVE. | LENEXA, KS 66219 | CKFCO.COM

ONE ROOM ONE ROOM TWO TWOZOOMS ZOOMS Working on one room and need a designer’s eye? This Working on one for room and need a designer’s eye? aThis package is designed clients who want to refresh space package is designed for clients who want to refresh a and need expert guidance to pull everything togetherspace with and need expert guidance to pull everything together with a high-style, low-spend approach. Ideal for one-room a high-style, low-spend approach. Ideal for one-room projects, this two-Zoom consultation package provides projects, this two-Zoom consultation package provides hands-on support in selecting paint colors, materials, hands-on support in selecting paint colors, materials, furniture, and lighting, helping you make confident furniture, and lighting, helping you make confident design decisions without the commitment of a full-service design decisions without the commitment of a full-service design package. design package.

Meetingour ourclients clientsneeds, needs,we weguide guideyou youin inselecting selecting aa general general contractor contractor + Meeting + architect architectwhile whileassisting assistingwith withevery everyselection, selection,ininevery every room.Our Ourjob jobisistotomake makeaanew newbuild buildor orrenovation renovation project project fun fun for room. for our our clients clientsand anddeliver deliveran anelevated elevatedclient clientexperience. experience.

tamaradaydesign tamaradaydesign

tamaraday.com tamaraday.com

Where It All Comes Together™ Discover a new way to shop for your project.

Ferguson Home has the bath, kitchen and lighting products you need to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re refreshing the look of a single room or building a new home, our experts are here to help every step of the way, from product selection through delivery.

Start your project or find your local showroom at fergusonhome.com.

LENEXA | LEE’S SUMMIT NORTH KANSAS CITY ©2026 Ferguson Enterprises, LLC 0126 7716014

O V E R 5 0 Y E A R S O F B E A U T Y , VA L U E A N D I N T E G R I T Y

BU I L DI NG A L EG AC Y Your dream home should be as unique as you are. We only build custom homes tailored to your specific needs and desires. From homesite selection through the design phase to the final touches, we are committed to providing exceptional service and quality craftsmanship. Visit our website to browse floor plans, explore photo galleries, and view our available building sites.

GEERHOMES.COM / 913-322-6824 / INFO@GEERHOMES.COM

Creating Timeless Luxury One Home at a Time!

Kitchens \ Baths \ Bedrooms \ Home Offices \ Media Centers \ Man Caves & more

kitchendg.com

Visit Our Showroom: 13406 Santa Fe Trail Drive Lenexa, KS 66215

Shawn McCune, CKD 913.492.8887

Ti meless style.

F OR EVER ICON IC .

SHOP INSTORE OR ONLINE

OLATHE, KS

OVERLAND PARK, KS

GLADSTONE, MO

KANSAS CITY, KS

1445 East 151st Street 913-780-0190

www.carpetcorneronline.com

7211 North Oak Trafficway 816-468-5221

8726 Santa Fe Drive 913-341-2102

900 Minnesota Ave 913-342-4123

TRUSTED FOR 50+ YEARS

A Hands on Approach to HIGH-END CONSTRUCTION

Building luxur y custom homes has been RM Standard’s

913.469.5585

www.rmstandard.com

specialt y since 1972 . Ever y element is crafted with integrit y and reflects profoundly personal details only possible through exceptional communication.

TIMELESS BEAUTY. EXCEPTIONAL CRAFTSMANSHIP.

SCAN TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT TO OUR SHOWROOM AND EXPLORE MATERIALS THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR DESIGNS. 1251 NW Granite Drive, Grain Valley, MO 64029 816-847-8228 | GaumatsInternational.com

www.houzz.com/pro/scottib 913.451.1480 | for over 44 years

John Geer Custom Homes

“By thoughtfully curating timeless elements with modern touches, we design homes that flow seamlessly— prioritizing both beauty and functionality.”

ste p h anie st rou dinte rio r s.co m | 913.2 2 6. 5 401 Full Se r vice D e sign Fir m: Re novatio n , Co n st r u c tio n and Fur nishing s

78 Shop Local

Everything a cook could need at Pryde’s.

82 Live + Stay + Play

Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce bring star power and design swagger to 1587 Prime; Momentum KC serves a private and posh bar experience at the Cascade Hotel; the AIA Homes by Architects Tour.

110 Community Culture

Construction projects around town that take KC to the next level as a destination; architecture-led renovations that have reshaped the city’s most storied country clubs; a redesigned entry at Kirkwood Circle Condos celebrates the art of arrival.

155 The Well-Lived Life

Golf simulators are turning spaces at home into yearround practice—and entertainment—hubs; becoming a collector of meaningful original works of art.

174 Design Detail

Vintage pianos find new purpose as handcrafted furniture and art.

252 Chalet Modern Using future-forward building technology, an Old Leawood teardown transmutes into the most sustainable home on the block.

246 Resort Mode: On An Olathe homeowner brings Colorado-flavored vacation vibes with a focus on gathering and ease to the cliffs of Cedar Creek.

262 Living Out Loud Statement-making decisions spark a confident, highdrama new build in Prairie Village.

66 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

THE SPRING ISSUE 2026

272 A Leap Worth Taking After 30 years in their home, a Johnson County couple refreshes their surroundings—inside and out—with a thoughtful, minimalist renovation.

182 Creative Type

Home is where the art is for the men behind Heidmann Art Salon; illustrator Frances MacLeod finds creative freedom in playful patterns; artist Morgan Elliott brightens scenes of all scales; and muralist Whitney Kerr III transforms building walls into shared moments of storytelling.

212 Rooms We Love

A boldly imagined library channels Parisian lounge culture, inviting conversation and contemplation.

222 Kitchen + Bath

Kansas City chefs share the tools, layouts, and rituals that shape the way they cook at home; from mess control to entertaining ease, modern butler’s pantries earn their keep.

282 Tradition with a Pulse A century-old Tudor near the Plaza gets reborn through color and craft—a result that’s historic yet iconic.

296 Resources 298 Advertisers 302 Sanctuary

A moment’s pause for a work of art.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 67

🖥🖥🖥 🖥 www.mldesignskc.com mldesignskc � 913-413-0088

map 14221 Metcalf Avenue, Suite #101 Overland Park, KS

WHERE DETAILS ARE EVERYTHING Our specialists' extensive knowledge provides a curated selection of appliances that you might not have discovered on your own, but now you can't imagine living without. Begin your journey to the kitchen of your dreams at Warners’ Stellian Appliance. And with fair and fast service, our team is ready 7 days a week, catering to your schedule, not the other way around.

Appliances

at Leawood • 135th & Nall The Northland • East of Zona Rosa

L E T T E R

F R O M

T H E

E D I T O R

T

Photo by Josie Benefield.

andrea@mydesignkc.com

he evolution of a home—mine included for the last 20 years—is a remarkable thing. Little updates here and there—a new rug, light fixture, or paint color—can change the mood and even the purpose of a space. But one element remains in my home no matter how many iterations it goes through—art.

When my husband and I were first starting out, we relied more on creativity than money to furnish our home. For the first year, my childhood red wagon served as our coffee table! It wasn’t a polished look, but it was personal.

In that spirit, we attended the Kansas City Art Institute’s biannual student sale looking for original art for our walls. On page 160, gallerist Kelly Kuhn describes finding the right piece of art as akin to falling in love—and that happened to me one day in 2009. White Sheep, Black by KCAI graduate Krystal Kuhn (no relation) has lived with us happily since.

As my husband can attest—often with a resigned sigh—I get itchy to make changes after a handful of years. Yet the proverbial 7-year itch does not apply to this piece.

I’ve made my share of questionable purchases and decisions that didn’t stand the test of time: light fixtures that look good until they are illuminated (when they suddenly resemble a science lab), and, oh my goodness, apple green

Mark your Calendar Whitney Kerr III (featured on page 206) is hosting a public art event this spring titled MallArts, a project that closely aligns with the themes of his current work. The multi-week group exhibition will take place at Ward Parkway Center, where a 6,000-squarefoot space will be transformed into a temporary gallery open to the public every Friday evening throughout April.

The show features 16 local artists and includes additional creative programming such as live music, food, and other communitydriven experiences. Opening and closing nights will be larger-scale events, while the Fridays in between will offer more casual viewings.

“It’s been exciting to see how the project brings contemporary art into an unexpected, accessible setting,” Kerr says.

70 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

painted in the bathroom—simply because I had a bucket left over from a different project.

When I look back through old photos, I laugh and occasionally cringe at some of my past choices, but every one of them has sharpened my eye and my understanding of what makes a home, or an object, exceptional.

I am still prone to buying ridiculous things for their pure delight, whether it’s a $20 turquoise blue rotary dial phone at an estate sale or a prized chicken footstool from the final flock produced by City Girl Farm. Thankfully, I am not alone. Designer Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co, whose project is featured on page 282, says that at the end of every client install, she goes thrifting for the “final layer of dirt and soul”—antiques and oddities that give each home a personality.

Perhaps one of those finds for you might be the repurposed vintage piano pieces made by Second Chair Art (page 174) or the work of an artist featured in the home setting of Heidmann Art Salon (page 182). Flipping through this issue, you may soon desire to build a custom stainedglass door like the one on page 212 or wallpaper your bathroom in tiger heads, like on page 262.

Any way you go, I hope you keep an open heart and fall in love with the creations of others. And— in the ever-improving spirit of evolution—also the right to change your mind in 7 years.

An Ashner Development

TREED, WALKOUT, PRIVATE HOMESITES AVAILABLE 1 6 7 th & H a y es, Overland Pa rk, KS | 913.685.3101

THE ASHNER TRADITION CONTINUES

WILSHIRE ESTATES

Fourteen 3+/- Acre Luxury Homesites

2 0 7t h B e t w e e n N a l l & M i ssi on Road , St i l we l l , KS | 913.685.3101

COMING FALL 2026

LUXURY LIVES HERE. MAKE IT YOURS.

816.223.1569

sumadesigninc.com

PUBLISHER

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

Andrea Darr andrea@mydesignkc.com

THE SPRING ISSUE 2026

ART DIRECTOR

Ryan Litts ryan@mydesignkc.com

SPRING 2026 TM

VICE PRESIDENT OF NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

THE ART OF INTENTION

Jared Webb jared@mydesignkc.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Kimberly Hall kim@mydesignkc.com 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

Display until June 21, 2026

ON THE COVER: A Parisian-inspired office-turnedlounge by Regan Romero Design and Arbuckle Building Solutions. Photo by © Craig Keene.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Susan Cannon Greg Echlin Christine Emming Megan Felling Gloria Gale Lisa Waterman Gray Sarah MacFarland Sara Maloney Jen Moore Matt Smithmier Kimberly Winter Stern Amy Thurston CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matthew Anderson Josie Benefield Brynn Burns Kelly Callewaert Ethan Cooper Amber Dawkins Cristian Gonzales Bob Greenspan Dawn Higgins Craig Keene Daniel Kelleghan Rachel Loewen Morgan Miller Chris Mullins Hanna Propst Michael Robinson Nate Sheets GRAPHIC DESIGN

Brian Rice DJ Short

OVERLAND PARK •

KANSAS CITY NORTH

LOCKSANDPULLSKC.COM 74 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

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

mydesignkc.com mydesignkc.com/digital-issue

RHYTHM MEDIA DIGITAL

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING

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

Volume 27, Issue 9

Greater Kansas City

& SEE PAGE 27

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Brian Rice VIDEOGRAPHER

1593 Studios

Remarkable

Lake Front Home at Riss Lake

Tom Johnson CSP 816 918 4009

816 452 4200 S E E PAG E 14

REALESTATEBOOK.COM • REQUEST FREE MAGAZINES ONLINE • NEWHOMEGUIDE.COM

Find your dream home in our sister publication, another popular title from Rhythm Media LLC. Free to pick up at grocery and retail locations in Kansas City.

KOI P ONDS • WATERFALLS • O UTDO O R LIVING goodearthwatergardens.com

816 -720-7577

SCAN TO SEE VIDEO TOUR OF THIS PROJECT

LET US BUILD YOUR STORY Building for more than 20 years, Homes by Chris has created award winning homes with our client’s stories in mind!

Keeping Design Top Of Mind office: 816.781.5700

cell:816.536.2104

HBCbuilder.com

S H O P

L O C A L

The Hardware Store for Cooks For nearly 60 years, Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities has been Kansas City’s trusted destination for cooks of every caliber.

A bright and welcoming awning welcomes shoppers to the Westport location.

P

ryde’s, affectionately known as the hardware store for cooks, promises a rustic yet timeless experience for shoppers seeking fine dishware, iconic cookware, linens, a large assortment of teas and coffee, and just about anything else you could use in the kitchen.

The Westport business has been open for almost 60 years. What started as a small store selling a fraction of the items has turned into an experience and destination for many, owner Louise Meyers says.

Meyers’ parents opened the business in 1968 in a 1,000-square-foot storefront down the street. As the business grew, so did the store’s merchandise. It’s important to Meyers to not only keep a lot of the same

The shop carries every kitchen necessity—and in nearly every color.

78 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

WORDS

Sara Maloney PHOTOS

Brynn Burns

@bbphotography11

kleweno.com I 816.531.3968

S H O P

L O C A L

Formerly a dance studio, Prydes’s honors that history with references at the shop’s entry.

Tins of teas lined up make an attractive display. As a tea drinker, shop owner Louise Meyers offers a large collection of teas and mugs.

brands they’ve sold since the beginning, but also sell things that she loves and that help customers find the joy of cooking.

Pryde’s has the largest selection of Fiesta dinnerware in the Midwest, and it’s also carried brands like Spode and Cordon Bleu for decades.

When you walk into Pryde’s, it’s hard to know where to look first. There are kitchen accessories, linens, appliances, and other decor, basically from the floor to the ceiling.

The store has a rustic charm that makes it feel cozy and welcoming to chefs of any caliber, and that’s exactly Meyers’ goal.

Many of the store’s displays are repurposed vintage pieces, extending a rustic, genuine look. Meyers’ father was a “master recycler,” so using things like old hardware store fixtures is second nature to 80 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Shoppers can find iconic dinnerware brands like Spode and Cordon Bleu.

her. Her mom went to design school, so a combination of her eye for design and her father’s skills helped make the store what it is, Meyers says.

She wants the store to feel like a place where anyone can shop. The store is colorful and eclectic, but also clean and organized—it’s easy to find what you’re

INTERIOR DESIGN IS OUR LOVE LANGUAGE.

Ready when you are.

W W W.LOVEG OODIN TE R IORS.C OM

the most beautiful homesites

19 ESTATE HOMESITES WITH HILLTOP VIEWS, WATER VIEWS AND WOODED GREENSPACE. RESERVE YOUR LOT TODAY!

I N JOH NSON COU N T Y

H O M E S F R O M T H E $8 0 0 S +

OUTSIDE BUILDERS WELCOME

913.340.3962 • KENNET HEST AT ES.COM INSIDE THE I-435 LOOP | SOUTH SIDE OF 71ST ST. (BETWEEN PFLUMM & QUIVIRA), SHAWNEE, KS

Brokerage: 913-491-1001

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 81

S H O P

L O C A L

Sets of silverware make a statement in an antique cabinet.

Pryde’s has the largest selection of Fiesta dinnerware in the Midwest.

It’s also one of the brands the shop has carried the longest.

Elements of the past, such as this antique stove, continue to serve a purpose today.

Pryde’s Kitchen & Necessities 115 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO @prydeskitchen; prydeskitchen.com

82 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

looking for, whether that’s a new Dutch oven or a cookbook.

Before Meyers’ parents purchased the store, it was home to Helen Thomes School of Dancing; the building of which Thomes also built in 1922. This history has always been important to Meyers, so the whole shop has photos of ballet dancers from throughout the years and ballet slippers hung across the walls as an homage to its roots.

Meyers has been working at the store for as long as she can remember, but she’s

been full-time at the business since she turned 18. And she says she never gets bored with it because she genuinely loves serving her customers and getting to be somewhere she loves every day.

The store has remained successful in part because of its many loyal customers.

But it’s also because of the values it is built on: family, love, sacrifice, and strength.

“I couldn’t wait to get to work today. And I’ve worked 44 years full-time,” Meyers says. “I love it. It’s part of my identity.”

INTRODUCING

the S A N C T U A R Y Peaceful, elevated living, surrounded by nature in South Johnson County.

The Sanctuary is Matt Adam Development’s most recent luxury community.

Located at 173rd and Quivira / thesanctuarykc.com

Completed Homes Available within 60 Days!

please contact thesanctuary@kansascityhomes.com or call (913) 239-8799.

CRESTRON ELITE PLATINUM DEALER 5 YEARS

We curate a select set of systems we know intimately, delivering a more refined and dependable smart-home experience.

FEWER TECHNOLOGIES. BETTER RESULTS. Pools/Spas

Lighting

Security

Shades

Video

Audio

Home Access

Thermostats Gates/Garages

(866) 691-7754 SimplicityKC.com

SINCE 1900

Kansas City’s Hometown Florist

OFFICIAL FLORAL PARTNER OF DESIGNKC MAGAZINE

84 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

TRANSFORMING SPACES INTO SOPHISTICATED

WORKS OF ART

CUSTOM BUILDS REMODELS FURNITURE & STYLING LUXEINTERIORSKC.COM @LUXEINTERIORSKC

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

W

hen the bathrooms are one of the first highlights of your tour, you know someone has truly prioritized “refined elegance” in the design process.

“It’s the weirdest thing to show the bathrooms every time, but they’re definitely a masterpiece in design.”

T.J. McLaughlin is the general manager of Momentum KC, a new private club and rooftop bar in the Cascade Hotel on the Country Club Plaza—and he shows off each section of the 2,800-square-foot marble and velvet-covered lounge with a true sense of pride.

Momentum KC’s spacious terrace offers sweeping views of the Country Club Plaza from its perch at the top of the Cascade Hotel.

86 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

WORDS

Matt Smithmier @matt smithmier PHOTOS

Daniel Kelleghan @dkelleghan DESIGN

DLR Group @dlr_group

ABOVE THE CLOUDS Momentum KC redefines luxury on the Country Club Plaza with a polished and posh semi-private experience.

19+ Years Helping Luxury Home Buyers and Sellers in Kansas City CALL TODAY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION

Bridget Brown Kiggins 913-231-6129 BridgetBSellsKC.com BridgetBrownRealEstate@gmail.com Facebook.com/BridgetBrownRealtor

¤

913- 647-570 0

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 87

“It’s a space unlike anything in Kansas City,” he says. “There’s a handful of cool-looking spaces out there but none that really offer the experience like this.”

Valentina Castellon, principal and hospitality interior design leader for DLR Group, was one of three lead designers on the project. She says the design was not only about luxury and decadence but also one of “elevation,” reflected throughout the space in various bird-related elements, including a private area separated by a brass “bird cage” screen.

“The overall vibe definitely celebrates this idea of being above the clouds,” she says. “The concept of ‘momentum’ is this idea of taking flight, how a bird gains momentum and moves through the sky.”

Of course, the sky is very close by, just through the glass doors to Momentum’s spacious yet cozy terrace offering an expansive

Velvet seating and rich wood set the vibe, while aviary-themed elements evoke a feeling of flight throughout the space.

88 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

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

“

With just about everybody I’ve spoken to, it’s always like, ‘Man, Kansas City’s been missing this.’

– General Manager T.J. McLaughlin

The club includes special ceiling speakers that create an acoustic sound curtain, designed and installed by Simplicity KC, allowing private conversations within the same lounge.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 89

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

Immersive greens combine with soft lighting and ambient music to achieve a “welcoming environment that’s exclusive and discerning,” says T.J. McLaughlin, general manager.

view of the Plaza, a three-sided fireplace and comfortable seating. And the terrace is just one distinct area in Momentum, which was designed to provide members a choice of intimate spaces.

“If you’re out on the terrace, it has a certain vibe, but you can also sit in the back corner,” Castellon notes. “You’re surrounded by velvet drapery, so it’s a completely different vibe, depending on where you’re sitting. Even the bar has a beautiful glow.”

90 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

In addition to the decadent design details, the panoramic Plaza views, and the craft cocktails, the defining feature of Momentum has to be its unique exclusivity.

“It’s definitely designed for somebody who wants to have a place to escape—a safe space, and one that doesn’t feel like everyone has access to,” Castellon says.

Complete with private key-card elevator access, Momentum boasts a level of personalized customer service reminiscent of the country’s top private clubs.

BUILD THE CUSTOM HOME OF YOUR DREAMS

Walker Custom Homes offer a wide range of customizable home building services. Each project is lead by experienced professionals that will manage your project with detail and care every step of the way.

913-208-2026

| walkercustomhomeskc.com

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

Momentum Atop the Cascade Hotel 4600 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO @momentumloungekc

“Somebody’s going to greet you when you walk in. We’re going to know where you like to sit. We’re going to know what your favorite drink is,” McLaughlin notes. “We’re going to allow you to walk into the space and not have to think about anything other than getting comfortable and enjoying your company.”

Opening last November, Momentum is still developing its food menu, but it already offers private liquor lockers and regularly hosts special events for members. It all adds up to a welcome addition to the city, McLaughlin says.

“I think the appetite is big,” he adds. “And with just about everybody I’ve spoken to, it’s always like, ‘Man, Kansas City’s been missing this.’”

92 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Members can relax with a custom cocktail at Momentum’s intimate bar or enjoy a pour from their own bottle stored in a private locker.

Design Your Life. We’ll Integrate the Technology.

Where technology meets design. Elegant automation, lighting, shades, audio/video, and security, crafted to blend seamlessly into your vision and elevate every space.

913.804.7575 | WWW.INTEGRATEIT.TECH

the

reensman

GARDEN DESIGN + INSTALLATION + MAINTENANCE

YEARS

Our container gardens pack a big impact.

We do it all, from design to install to maintenance. Just call us today at 816-523-1516, scan the QR code or simply head to thegreensman.com to view our work.

AND GROWING

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 93

Get set up for success with NFM expertise Get set up for success with NFM expertise Get set up for success with NFM expertise Stop by NFM to see the latest innovations and talk with helpful factory-trained experts.

In store or online, you’ll find enormous selection, top brands, and unbeatable value for

allStop your by flooring, and electronic Plus, wehelpful offer professional installation NFM toappliance, see the latest innovationsneeds. and talk with factory-trained experts. theInway you want it, when you want it.

No matter the upgrade, count on NFM to provide store or online, you’ll find enormous selection, top brands, and unbeatable value for Stop by NFM to see the latest innovations and talk with helpful factory-trained experts. superior service, quality products, and affordable prices all in one convenient location. all your flooring, appliance, and electronic needs. Plus, we offer professional installation In store or online, you’ll find enormous selection, top brands, and unbeatable value for the way you want it, when you want it. No matter the upgrade, count on NFM to provide all your flooring, appliance, and electronic needs. Plus, we offer professional installation superior service, quality products, and affordable prices all in one convenient location. the way you want it, when you want it. No matter the upgrade, count on NFM to provide the Pro Services teamprices at NFM today find a kitchen solution. superior service, quality Visit products, and affordable all in one to convenient location.

Scan to learn more and book a consultation.

Scan to learn more and book a consultation.

Scan to learn more and book a consultation.

Visit the Pro Services team at NFM today to find a kitchen solution.

Visit the Pro Services team at NFM today to find a kitchen solution.

nfm.com/pro-appliance-services 1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS

913-288-6299 nfm.com/pro-appliance-services kcproservicesappliances@nfm.com 1601 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS

nfm.com/pro-appliance-services 913-288-6299 1601kcproservicesappliances@nfm.com Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 913-288-6299 kcproservicesappliances@nfm.com

©2025 Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc.

L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y The entrance to Prime 1587 is nothing short of dramatic—and deliciously enticing. Designed to echo the tunnel-like anticipation of game day, the approach builds excitement. At the concierge station, refrigerated dry-aged cuts are showcased and encourage ogling. Underfoot, brass yardage markers embedded in marble nod to the restaurant’s sporting heritage.

PRIME TIME A new steakhouse from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce brings star power and design swagger to Kansas City’s culinary scene.

K

ansas City just scored bigtime. Two NFL legends have brought their A-game to KC’s dining scene, serving up prime steakhouse cuts, gloriously crafted cocktails, and a stunner of a gold spiral staircase that lets you know who’s arrived.

At 1587 Prime, Kansas City Chiefs icons Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce lent a nod

WORDS

Gloria Gale PHOTOS

Cristian Gonzales (food and beverage) Noble 33 (restaurant) @noble.33 DESIGN

The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry @thejohnsonstudio

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 95

Curves replace sharp edges throughout, softening the atmosphere. From the wave-like wooden ceiling to the waterfall edging around the bar, the design flows with effortless elegance. A striking wall of 500 premium wine selections anchors the 20-seat bar, flanked by emeraldgreen leather banquettes and marble-topped cafe tables. Together with the upstairs level, the space accommodates 238 guests in style.

to the name with their jersey numbers—15 and 87—co-founding the sumptuous steakhouse with global hospitality powerhouse Noble 33, helmed by Tosh Berman and Mikey Tanha.

From the moment you step inside 1587 Prime, it’s clear this isn’t your average chophouse. Nestled inside the luxe Loews Hotel in downtown Kansas City, the restaurant is a far cry from the city’s stockyard past, and designed by The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in NY, it’s a celebration of design rivaling that of the biggest cities.

Why Kansas City? Why not? The city that once helped define American hospitality is now the proud host of a venue that blends sports stardom with fine dining finesse.

1587 Prime isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about the full experience. Guests

96 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

enter through a concierge area that mimics the energy of a stadium tunnel, complete with a refrigerated display of dry-aged steaks that sets the tone for what’s to come.

Inside, the two-story dining room seats 240 in a space that’s both grand and welcoming.

“It’s elegant yet inviting,” says General Manager Tanner King.

The lower level offers intimacy, complete with a small dance floor and nightly live jazz.

“And when there’s a home game, one entire wall slides open to reveal the broadcast,” King adds.

The streamlined Art Deco ambiance pays homage to the gridiron in subtle, stylish ways. Armchairs feature leather stitching reminiscent of footballs, while marble flooring at the entrance is inlaid with field-yard

L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y Though the footprint spans nearly 10,000 square feet, the ambiance remains one of intimate sophistication. The marble staircase leading to the second level dazzles with Hollywood glamour—an ideal perch to see and be seen. At the top, guests enter the main dining room, where Executive Chef Ryan Arnold orchestrates a team of 14 in an open kitchen. A private dining enclave offers celebrities discretion without sacrificing atmosphere.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 97

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

Reservations call for business casual or evening chic attire. The lower level channels speakeasy allure, glowing with golden light, polished wood floors, and live music nightly. An elliptical bar encourages conviviality, especially on game days, when the back wall opens to reveal a massive television screen.

markings. Overhead, chandeliers glow in an X-and-O pattern just like a playbook.

Upstairs, a loft space accommodates about 40 guests and includes a private trophy room for VIPs. Most notably, the open-view kitchen showcases Executive Chef Ryan Arnold and his team as they prepare the restaurant’s signature prime cuts.

At its heart, 1587 Prime is a steakhouse— but not just any steakhouse. It’s a love letter to Kansas City’s culinary heritage, infused with the energy and ambition of its founders.

The menu is a celebration of premium meats and refined technique. From dry-aged ribeyes to inventive sides and curated wine pairings, every detail is designed to impress.

The experience is as much about savoring the moment as it is about the meal.

“With 1587 Prime, we didn’t just set out to create another steakhouse,” says Noble 33’s

Cocktails are divided into Classics, The Players, and Free-Spirited creations—each a playful nod to the gridiron.

Crafted exclusively for 1587 Prime by Nobel 33 Hospitality’s Bar Manager, Juan Carlos Santana, they elevate the art of mixology. Even Swifties will find delight in Taylor’s favorite, The Alchemy, a lyrical blend of clarified citrus vodka, dry Curaçao, aronia berry, cranberry, strawberry, lime, and oolong tea.

98 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

10530 Marty Street • Overland Park, KS • 913.642.1500 • wilsonlighting.com

Building Your Dream Home With Precision. Trust. Craft.

816-215-8987 / www.arbucklebuild.com operations@arbucklebuild.com 8119 Robinson St, Overland Park, KS

photos by Craig Keene Photography

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 99

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

Todd Berman. “We worked with Patrick and Travis to capture the essence of Kansas City— its pride, its hospitality, and its passion for great food—while staying true to Noble 33’s brand vision and design aesthetic.”

That vision is already resonating. The restaurant has quickly become a hotspot for locals, travelers, and fans alike—those eager to experience a space where championship energy meets culinary artistry.

1587 Prime is more than a restaurant—it’s a destination. It’s where the city’s jazz legacy meets its football fervor, and where the spirit of Kansas City is plated with pride.

With its immersive ambiance and undeniable star power, 1587 Prime is already proving to be a champion.

1587 Prime Inside the Loews Hotel 1500 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, MO @1587prime The menu is a carnivore’s dream, brimming with indulgent proteins, from a 40-ounce Wagyu Tomahawk presented tableside to prime cuts of filet, strip, ribeye, and porterhouse. Enhancements range from lobster tail and crab to bone marrow, blue cheese, or even a flight of house-made ketchup—Mahomes’ signature favorite. Every plate arrives on dinnerware stamped with the Chiefs’ mascot, KC Wolf.

1587 Prime is no ordinary steakhouse—it’s a masterclass in refinement. In a city that reveres its beef, the restaurant honors Kansas City’s heritage while redefining its Cowtown reputation.

100 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

CENTRAL by design 816.200.7250

centralsurfaces.com

The New Central Surfaces Showroom 3199 Mercier St, Kansas City, MO 64111

DEEPLY PERSONAL, HIGHLY CUSTOMIZED INTERIORS THAT LET YOU LIVE YOUR

best, most authentic life.

RENOVATIONS / FURNISHINGS NEW CONSTRUCTION DESIGN www.karakerstendesign.com @karakerstendesign infokarakerstendesign@gmail.com

Ready for Spring.

Ready for Anything.

An organized garage transforms weekend projects, family adventures and everyday life— just in time for the season ahead.

Schedule Your Free In-Home Design Experience 913-730-3000 | InspiredClosetsKC.com Locally Owned & Operated

102 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

T H E T H E

H I LLS H I LLS

ARE ARE

A L I V E A L I V E

CORI N T H H I L L S C O SRP IRN I NTGH 2 0H2 I6 L L S S PRING

2026

M I S S I O N H I L L S M I SS SU IMOM N E R H 2 0I 2L6L S S U M M E R

2 0 2 6

L E A W O OD HILLS L E A W F AOL O L D 2 0 2H6 I L L S F A L L

www.MOJOBuilt.com www.MOJOBuilt.com 913.413.7202 913.413.7202

2026

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

Homes by Architects Tour Saturday, April 25, 1-4 p.m.

D

iscover the Kansas City Metro like never before during KC Design Week’s Homes by Architects Tour. Tour four stunning homes designed by local architects and hear firsthand from the designers about the unique details and inspiration behind each one.

All homes on the tour were designed by AIA Kansas City Member Firms and selected by a special committee. KCDW will correspond with ticket holders regarding the addresses of the homes closer to the event.

$40 in advance; $50 at the door, purchased at www.kcdesignweek.org in late March.

Kivett Redux Architect: FORWARD Design | Architecture Photography: Bob Greenspan

104 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

This project involved a complete renovation and addition to the Jane Whitney Residence, originally designed by Kivett and Myers. Over time, two previous additions had disrupted the original design. To unify the space, a 200-squarefoot extension was added to the rear of the house and restored much of the original structure.

What was once a one-bedroom, two-bathroom home is now a spacious three-bedroom, 2.5-bath residence.

Longfellow Infill Architect: Lindsay Tatro, AIA Photography: Lindsay Tatro This architect-designed and occupied single-family residence is located on a consolidated corner lot in Kansas City’s historic Longfellow neighborhood. The two-story home is carefully sited along Campbell Street to maintain the established street rhythm and scale. The design blends contemporary detailing with materials and design features that reference the surrounding historic fabric, creating a modern residence that remains contextually grounded.

Harrison Duplex Architect: Sam De Jong, AIA Photography: Kelly Callewaert The Harrison Duplex is situated in an urban, historic Kansas City neighborhood and is designed, developed, owned, and operated by the architect.

This project is a prototype for developing “missing middle” housing and is an endeavor to realize design excellence and community impact despite a limited budget.

106 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

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

Chalet Modern Architect: SixTwentyOne Photography: Matthew Anderson This home, affectionately known as Chalet Modern, reinterprets the warmth of a mountain chalet through a refined, contemporary lens. The thoughtful floor plan supports a broad range of living scenarios, effortlessly hosting large family gatherings while maintaining a sense of comfort and intimacy for everyday life. Environmental performance is integral to the design, with passive solar strategies, on-site renewable energy production, advanced insulation, and ultra-efficient HVAC systems working together to enhance comfort while reducing energy demand. Chalet Modern exemplifies contemporary residential design: purposeful, sustainable, deeply livable, and unmistakably a place to call home.

See page 252 for a full feature on this home.

Make an

ELEVATED STATEMENT

Welcome spring with new lighting from Rensen House of Lights. Elevated design and organic floral shapes are both trendy and timeless.

A perfect pick for elevating any room in your home. New designs arriving daily in our showroom for you to SEE, TOUCH and TAKE HOME TODAY!

RENSEN HOUSE OF LIGHTS

Lenexa, KS • 913-888-0888 9212 Marshall Dr. (92nd & I-35)

Hours: Mon-Fri 9 to 7pm, Sat 10 to 6pm, Sun 12 to 5pm

Visit Our Website: RensenHouseofLights.com

Kansas City’s Most Recognized Name in Lighting Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 107

nate s heets photograph y

Residential interior and exterior illumination art lighting cpld.design clint @ cpld.design

gifts

jewelry

decor

LOCATED IN THE SHOPS AT PARK PLACE 5261 W 116TH PLACE LEAWOOD, KANSAS

913.515.8059 | @maison _ de _ marnie 108 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

'Plinth' foyer table in solid, unfilled Roman Travertine and brass Photographer: Nicole Franzen Interior Designer: Laura Santos Interiors Location: Tribeca NYC mattcastilleja.com 506 grand boulevard Kansas CIty, Mo

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

A City in Motion Kansas City celebrates new connections and continued transformation through 2026 and beyond.

A rendering shows the future revitalization of the West Bottoms—including new apartments, commercial spaces, a hotel, and more—part of a $527 million, five-phase redevelopment project. Image: SomeraRoad

WORDS

Matt Smithmier @matt smithmier

L

ike the recent Winter Olympics, the FIFA World Cup 2026 brings with it a spirit of connection and friendship, a coming together, as Kansas City prepares to extend a welcoming spirit to neighbors from around the globe.

While residents are excited to show off our finest attractions and recent additions, the momentum driving the region’s revival and reinvigoration will continue long after the final whistle. In fact, it wasn’t long after Kansas City was selected as a host city that community and business leaders began discussions about leaving a legacy—using the energy of the experience to create a more vibrant city for the future.

“That’s a very Kansas City attitude,” says Dawn Taylor, executive director of AIA Kansas City. “We want to make the place better

110 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

than we found it. That includes taking this monumental, global event and using it as a catalyst to create something special that has that Kansas City stamp on it. I think that’s something we can all be proud of.”

In many ways, the World Cup win is due in large part to the legacy of former mayor Kay Barnes, who made the initial investment in downtown and the urban core, beginning with the Power & Light District and the Sprint Center (now T-Mobile Center). As locals returned and tourists arrived, the ripple effect led to a surge in housing and work opportunities that continue to grow. Just last October, for example, One Light Luxury Apartments celebrated its 10th anniversary by unveiling a $3 million reinvestment and renovation plan—a direct response to the incredible growth of downtown.

ENCHANTED LIVING

WILLBROWNINTERIORS.COM PHONE | 816.582.6607

herron + partners | Innovative Architecture | Interiors | herronandpartners.com

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 111

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

“One Light will always be the building that set everything in motion,” says Emelyna Aurich, director of property management for Cordish Living. “This reinvestment reflects our continued belief in the property and in downtown Kansas City.”

The strategy that led to One Light and the other major downtown developments was the catalyst for so much more progress, adds Bill Dietrich, president and CEO of the Downtown Council of Kansas City.

“The strategic plan we did back then was, if you save the center, you create a ripple effect,” he explains. “We’re seeing that happen, and that investment continues to expand out.”

And with that expansion is the opportunity to reunite neighborhoods—to create new links—for the benefit of all residents.

One Light Luxury Apartments, one of the first major investments in Kansas City’s urban core, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary by unveiling a $3 million renovation plan. Photos on this page by Chris Mullins.

“

If you can be focused and intentional and thoughtful on the type of development you want to see, you can make it happen.

– Bill Dietrich

112 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“Now, it’s all about reconnecting neighborhoods that were torn apart by traffic engineers back in the ’60s,” he says. “One of the exciting stories is that the new strategic plan we put in place four or five years ago is working. If you can be focused and intentional and thoughtful on the type of development you want to see, you can make it happen.”

With more than $3 billion in current investment projects, Dietrich says, that’s exactly what’s occurring across the city, with some of the most transformative projects already underway.

NEW HOME RESALE HOME ANY HOME

Exper ts

NEW & EXISTING HOMES RELOCATION | LAND | COMMERCIAL Our Agents are setting the new standard in real estate and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

WeichertHomesKC.com | 913-647-5700 | info@weicherthomeskc.com

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Barney Allis Plaza Redevelopment With a rich history dating back to 1955, Barney Allis Plaza has been a central public space in the heart of the convention district. After closing in 2024 due to safety issues, construction is underway for a complete redevelopment, led

by McCownGordon Construction and HOK Architects, set to open in December 2026.

The new plaza will now be set at street level and feature a dog park, play space, and a variety of event spaces, including two lawn areas, a paved event plaza for large events and festivals, and a pavilion plaza for food trucks and pop-up events.

The entire area will transform into a thriving, arts-focused greenspace and urban park, with

114 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Currently a massive construction zone, the reimagined Barney Allis Plaza will soon be unveiled as a vibrant street-level park and event space that enhances downtown life and creates a massive draw for the city’s business and tourism sectors. Images: HOK

new public artwork, including an installation entitled Kansas City Spirit: Memory and Resilience.

Oh, and you’ll still be able to park there: A new garage will hold approximately 580 vehicles and include upgraded infrastructure around the site.

Create Where You Belong CALL , V IS IT A S H OWRO OM , O R F IND US O NLINE TO SC H E DULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY DESIG N C O NSULTATIO N 913.888.11 99

Locally owned with showrooms in Overland Park and Briarcliff Village CA L I FO R N I AC LO S E TS . C O M

©2025 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

Each California Closets® franchised location is independently owned and operated. Local contractor licenses available at californiaclosets.com.

Photo: Hayley Hudson @hayleyalicephoto

KS184_DesignKC_CWYB_HayleyWine_9x5.2_1225.indd 1

12/19/25 3:09 PM

PLANNING TO BUILD? Our New Home loans help turn your dream into reality.

DANIELLE HUGUNIN

Producing Area Manager • NMLS# 776898 Producing Area Manager • NMLS# 776898

785.218.0251 / danielleh@bell.bank DanielleMortgageTeam.com

11095 Metcalf Ave Overland Park, Kansas 4840 Bob Billings Parkway, Suite 1016 Lawrence, Kansas

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 115

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Once complete, the new 5.5-acre Roy Blunt Luminary Park will cover I-670 downtown and serve as a green space with inclusive play areas, entertainment amenities, and multimodal transportation options. Images: OJB Landscape Architecture

Roy Blunt Luminary Park For decades, the I-670 South Loop through downtown has created both a physical and psychological barrier through the urban core.

That division is about to disappear under the new Roy Blunt Luminary Park, a 5.5-acre sustainable urban park that effectively puts a “lid” over the interstate and stitches formerly separate neighborhoods back together.

With everything from play areas and entertainment amenities to more than 300 trees, the new park promises to transform the corridor that stretches from Grand Boulevard to Wyandotte Street into a vibrant public space.

“We want to use Luminary Park to tie those beautiful neighborhoods back together again,” Dietrich says. “It becomes that Monday Night Football shot—the heart of your city.”

A collaborative effort of the City of Kansas City, the Downtown Council of Kansas City, and Port KC, the park is expected to be completed by 2028.

116 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Greenline KC Just named the signature project for the spring semester at the KC Design Center (a nonprofit design program that partners with Kansas State University), the 10-mile Greenline KC urban loop trail around greater downtown is well underway, with two-thirds already completed.

The recreational and outdoor amenity space will encourage residents to get outside, meet their neighbors, and enjoy the city from an entirely different perspective—a goal, Dietrich says, that aligns with the spirit of the World Cup.

“We can leverage the experience of FIFA to help us appreciate the importance of pedestrian and bicycle mobility … and the importance of connecting these fun assets together for locals as well as visitors,” he notes.

Whether it’s a stroll from CPKC Stadium to Rock Island Bridge, or a longer trip past Union Station and next to The Paseo, residents will soon be able to explore the core of the city in a new way when the trail is fully completed sometime this year.

HIGHEST HIGHEST AVERAGE AVERAGE SALES PRICESALES PR AMONG AMONG AGENTS AGENTS ININ 20252025 AT AT

LAKE LAKE OZARKS OZA of the

of the

OF AGENTS OFWITH AGENTS AT LEAST 75 TRANSACTIONS WITH AT LEAST 75 TRANSACTIONS

Schrimpf Schrimpf Matt Matt (573) ( 365-7333 573) 365-7333

@schrimpfrealestate @ s c h r i m pf re a l e st ate

www.LUXURYLAKEHOME.com w w w. L U X U R Y L

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

RideKC Streetcar Expansion Last fall’s opening of the Main Street streetcar extension to UMKC led to recordbreaking ridership, with daily average traffic more than doubling.

“The response … has been extraordinary,” says Tom Gerend, executive director of the KC Streetcar Authority. “Ridership has already exceeded system forecasts and is a testament to the value of this newfound connectivity.”

The 0.7-mile Riverfront Extension of the streetcar line is also nearly complete.

Installation of more than 8,300 feet of new track is now complete, and the new line will include a stop at the CPKC Pavilion, a $5 million outdoor public space providing seating and cover while serving as an artistic landmark at the line’s northern terminus.

The streetcar investment is not only a boon for economic development, Dietrich says, but also a way of uniting our various neighborhoods.

“When you build fixed infrastructure like that, national investors and developers will come and take a look at you,” he says. “Plus, the more it gets used by the communities, the more connected we are.”

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Expansion That new streetcar line now makes it easier to access one of the city’s crown jewels, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. And visitors will soon be able to experience the museum in a new way, following an upcoming expansion and transformation project that includes a 61,000-square-foot addition, a partial renovation of the original building, a photography center, a black box theater, a new restaurant, and more.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is planning for an upcoming expansion that includes a 61,000-square-foot addition, a partial renovation of the original building, a photography center, a black box theater, a new restaurant, and more. Images: ©WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/ Landscape/Urbanism and Malcolm Reading Consultants

118 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

RESIDENTIAL + COMMERCIAL • INTERIOR DESIGN + FURNITURE TRANTHOMASDESI GN .C OM • 9 1 3 .2 6 8 .9 5 9 5 • I N F O@ T RA N T H OM A S D E S I G N . C O M TRANTHOMASDESIGN

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

“With welcoming entrances, intuitive pathways, and drop-in spaces, our redesigned campus will prioritize ease, openness, and accessibility,” the museum wrote on its website. “We’re evolving the museum experience to better reflect how people engage with art today—not just as viewers but as participants.”

While the museum reports construction will not begin for several years, it did unanimously choose WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/ Urbanism in 2025 as the lead architect on the project.

“WEISS/MANFREDI’s concept … captured the spirit of the museum while offering a bold vision for our future,” notes Julián Zugazagoitia, director and CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. “Central to our competition was the need to respect the Nelson-Atkins’ original, neoclassical building, as well as our beautiful Bloch building, while also bringing something new to our campus. This concept delivers all of that.”

The expansion and transformation project at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art also includes reimagined outdoor spaces, amenities, and accessibility for all guests, regardless of age or ability. Image: ©WEISS/ MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism and Malcolm Reading Consultants

Other neighborhoods to watch WEST BOTTOMS A $527 million five-phase, mixed-use redevelopment is now underway to potentially add 1,200 apartments, new retail storefronts, a public park, a luxury hotel, and more over the next 15 years.

120 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

18TH & VINE More than $400 million of combined public and private money is being invested into the city’s historic neighborhood, beginning with the expansion of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum campus, including a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel, an expanded museum, a new parking structure, and future multifamily development.

CROSSROADS ARTS DISTRICT After many delays, the long-awaited Grand Place, the reincarnation of the old Kansas City Star building at Grand Blvd. and 18th Street, is seeing construction activity again. The mixeduse project occupies a full city block and will eventually include more than 250,000 square feet of office space, a market, private dining, spa, and more.

30+ YEARS OF INSPIRED DESIGN AND RENOVATIONS

913-963-2246 www.archcraftsmen.com

Pictured Tile: Tapi Onyx Bianco Polished

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

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 121

EXCEPTIONAL MAIN-LEVEL LIVING IN PRESTIGIOUS LOCH LLOYD $875,000 Committed to Excellence

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

Home For Sale By "Homes By Rebekah" in Loch Lloyd!

Contact Your Local Kansas City Expert for all Your Real Estate Needs.

#2

Top Producing Individual for ReeceNichols Kansas City & Southern Missouri for 2023

913-274-8117

Rebekah Schaaf

Jacqui.Chapman@Stewart.com www.Stewart.com/Kansas-City

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE EXPERT

913-707-7957

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, rschaaf@reecenichols.com CALL US TODAY! Licensed in KS & MO

LIVE BRILLIANTLY

122 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Jacqui Chapman

(0) 913-339-6800

FIN

M A O L O DE P PE L N HO HA DA M S ILY ES E

LoveLife in a new home

NEW HOMES IN OVERLAND PARK, KS 175TH ST & NOLAND NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FROM THE UPPER $600’S & MAINTENANCE PROVIDED VILLA'S STARTING IN THE LOW $600'S.

CHAPEL HILL Exciting new homes by New Mark Homes, Doyle Construction, Inspired Homes, Pryor West Homes & Washam Homes Custom builders welcomed!

CONTACT: BILL GERUE & KRISSY KEMPINGER

ChapelHillKC.com | 913-681-8383

175th Street & Noland Rd | Overland Park, KS CONTACT: KEITH VIKEN

ChapelHill.Villas | 913-278-1010

The Jacobson by Doyle Construction Company LLC Photo: CC Photography

C O M M U N I T Y

K

ansas City is home to a number of storied and elegant country clubs throughout the metro area, long valued for recreational offerings such as golf, swimming, and tennis. Beyond these pursuits, clubs provide a broader range of amenities, with the clubhouse serving as the social heart—a place to gather, celebrate milestones, and spend time with friends and neighbors. For many members, it’s truly a home away from home.

As member lifestyles and interests continue to evolve, many area country clubs are reinvesting in their facilities, upgrading and refreshing amenities to better reflect how members live today while still honoring the traditions that define them.

C U L T U R E

Built to Gather Architecture-led renovations reshape Kansas City’s most storied country clubs.

WORDS

Megan Felling

A tiered water feature gently fills in the quiet of the green near the front entry of the Oakwood Country Club.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 125

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Oakwood Country Club @oakwoodcc_kc

ARCHITECTURE AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN

NSPJ Architects @nspjarchitects PHOTOS

Scott Powers @scott y.p.kc

Overlooking the 12-hole putting green and the 18th hole, the Putting Cottage houses a snack bar, grill, and pizza oven, while offering additional areas to relax and enjoy the outdoor fire pit.

The expanded driving range and clock tower adds to the picturesque setting.

Founded in 1881, Oakwood Country Club is undergoing a thoughtful transformation under new ownership—one that blends its storied history with a vibrant, modern vision for the future. Recent upgrades reflect a commitment to both tradition and innovation, beginning with family-friendly additions such as a new children’s splash pad and adjacent snack bar, along with new outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, and updated entry monuments.

At the 18th hole, golfers take in the scenic water feature and Bresky Bridge to finish their round.

126 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

At Convergence, we unite builders, designers, and architects with our AV integration professionals and strategic partners to deliver beautifully coordinated lighting, shading, AV, and control systems. Each project is intentionally designed and executed with precision.

Contact Sitona at sitonah@convergerep.com

909-855-1951

Convergence Experience Center 103 E 18th Ave, North Kansas City, MO

®

You have a vision for your dream home. Finance it with one seamless loan.

CHRIS MILLER VP, Director of Construction Lending NMLS# 527503

TWILLA CLOUSER

Financing your home build should be a simple thing. Our Construction-toPermanent Loan allows you to fund the construction and payment of your home in a single loan, giving you one closing fee and a locked rate for your entire loan.

We also offer a Blanket Loan that allows you to start building before your current home sells. Now you can focus on building the home you’ve always wanted.

Associate Construction Loan Officer NMLS# 2673924

(816) 525-LOAN | ffbkc.com/build Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 127

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

For golf enthusiasts, Oakwood’s enhancements position the club as a regional destination. A new nine-hole Par 3 course, a 12-hole putting course, an expanded driving range, and a stateof-the-art Performance Center equipped with three additional TrackMan systems elevate both practice and play. The new Putting Cottage further enriches the experience, offering an indoor snack bar, televisions, surround sound, outdoor grills, and a pizza oven—creating a lively gathering place before and after rounds.

Interior spaces have been refreshed as well. Locker rooms and the pro shop received updated finishes, while the clubhouse and ballroom were renovated to enhance the beauty and functionality of spaces frequently used for weddings and special events.

The Cottages along the Par 3 course provide luxury accommodations for members, setting Oakwood up as a top regional golf destination.

A new splash pad in the pool area enhances the variety of experiences for all ages to enjoy.

“Care was taken to maintain the Tudor style through the use of brick and stone, creating a luxurious feel while honoring the club’s traditional aesthetic,” says Katie Martinovic, executive vice president and principal landscape architect with NSPJ Architects. “Because this is a historic property, it was important that the updates feel as though they’ve always been here.”

The indoor driving range bays at the Performance Center incorporate state-of-the-art technology, as well as a bar, televisions, and space to gather while honing skills.

128 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Mission Hills Country Club

@missionhillscountryclub PHOTOS

Michael Robinson @mrobinsonphoto ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

INVISION (formerly known as GastingerWalker&) @invisionarchitecture

SixTwentyOne @sixtwentyone_

The club’s Olympic-sized pool is the social hub for members during the summer.

Built in 1951, the Mission Hills Country Club clubhouse is an iconic example of mid-century modern design. Its original pinwheel plan, long sightlines, and low-sloped roofs were intentionally designed to connect the building to the surrounding landscape and outdoor amenities.

A recent addition designed by GastingerWalker& (now INVISION)—featuring a fitness room, snack bar, and pool cabana, presented an opportunity to honor and restore the original architectural intent while introducing modern amenities for today’s members. The

The Pro Shop renovation added three golf simulators to the facility, while additional seating and outdoor dining spaces were added.

130 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

addition and accompanying renovations were carefully planned to improve functionality, comfort, and flow, allowing seamless movement between dining, fitness, and pool-related spaces.

Interior updates to the main dining room, lounge, and dining terrace reestablished visual connections to the landscape. Thoughtful detailing, furnishings, and lighting create an atmosphere that feels relaxed, informal, and true to the club’s mid-century roots. Improved glazing, extended sightlines, and strategically placed gathering areas further strengthen the relationship between interior spaces, outdoor

Photography: Nate Sheets

Photography: Matthew Anderson

JAMI MEEK DESIGNS

I N T E R I O R RESIDENTIAL

D E S I G N

COMMERCIAL

S T U D I O

CONSTRUCTION

FURNITURE

www.jamimeekdesigns.com

23540 West 86th Street, Shawnee, KS

Built on Family. Grounded In Stone.

Beautiful Countertops Crafted to Fit Your Home and Your Timeline.

WWW.CSWKC.NET

HOME OF 7-DAY COUNTERTOPS Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 131

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

terraces, and pool amenities—allowing the landscape to function as a natural extension of the clubhouse.

The club has also launched Mission 30, a long-term, phased improvement plan extending through 2030 in partnership with architecture firm SixTwentyOne. Phase I included renovations to the main lobby, staff offices, a private dining room with built-in wine storage, and the addition of a small bar in the boardroom. Phase II focused on the family dining room, the creation of a new three-season outdoor terrace, updates to the downstairs fitness and group fitness areas, and a renovation of the golf pro shop—including the addition of three golf simulators.

Dining options include a private dining area with built-in wine lockers, a boardroom used for private dinners, the family dining room, as well as expanded outdoor spaces.

A fire in the golf cart barn ultimately created an opportunity for further improvement. In response, a new state-of-the-art golf pavilion was developed, allowing staff to have carts and bags prepared in advance and enhancing the sense of arrival for members, notes architect Kara Bouillette, who led the project. Planning is currently underway for Phase III upgrades.

Mission Hills Country Club’s 1,600-square-foot fitness facilities include a fitness center, yoga studio and group fitness classroom.

132 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

At The Victor’s Home & Upholstery of Luxury Furniture Elevating your space with comfort, craftsmanship, and curated style.

We specialize in luxurious, artisanal home décor including: • Custom Furniture—beautifully crafted and built to last • Premium Fabrics—rich textures & designer selections • Handmade Lampshades & Lighting— soft illumination with bespoke flair • Fine Rugs—artistry underfoot • Decorative Pillows—layered texture and comfort • Window Drapery—elegant function meets refined design • Signature Home Décor—distinctive accents that complete your room

OUR CRAFTSMANSHIP PROMISE Every item is: • Hand-crafted with care • Made with premium, traditional materials • Designed to stand the test of time • Tailored to your personal style ELEVATE YOUR HOME From bespoke upholstery to curated finishing touches, we bring luxury, comfort, and individuality to every corner of your home.

QUOTE REQUEST: victorsupholstery@yahoo.com

ALL OF OUR REUPHOLSTERY IS HANDCR AFTED ON SITE Furniture, Fabrics, Lamps, Lampshades & Decor Upholstery, Wallpaper, Lamp-rewire, Cushions, Decorative Pillows 5301 JOHNSON DR. MISSION, KANSAS • 913-261-9307

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

The Carriage Club

@cc_kansascity PHOTOS

Nate Sheets

@natesheetsphoto ARCHITECTURE

SixTwentyOne @sixtwentyone_

The Carriage Club’s historic main building underwent extensive renovations and additions to expand the amenities offered to club members.

The beautiful and historic grounds are home to three swimming pools, four dining facilities, and a regulation-size ice rink.

Located in the heart of Kansas City since 1956, The Carriage Club’s Coach House had outgrown its original footprint. Recently, it underwent a bold transformation designed to better serve modern, active lifestyles while respecting the club’s history.

“Due to tight site constraints, we added onto both ends of the building, expanding existing amenities,” says Kara Bouillette, principal at SixTwentyOne, the architecture firm behind the project. “Our goal was to bring the building into a new era while remaining respectful of the historic site.”

The comprehensive renovation included a full interior redesign, a new pool deck, and a 7,000-square-foot addition that complements the traditional architecture of the adjacent clubhouse. With hospitality and member experience at the forefront, the reimagined Coach House now features expanded dining areas, a larger fitness center, and a new gathering space near the ice rink.

The top floor’s fitness center was expanded to create a fitness and wellness center offering personal training, massage and steam rooms, and state-of-the-art cardio equipment.

134 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

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

660.464.1014 Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 135

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Outdoors, a new loggia provides shaded lounge seating near the pool, while an extended snack bar, updated restrooms, and a pergola with sun shades and new furnishings invite members to linger. A significantly expanded commercial kitchen supports elevated culinary offerings, and existing locker rooms beneath the pool near the ice rink were renovated, with additional locker space created by converting former storage areas to better accommodate hockey programs.

“The look is fresh but elevated,” says Dan Brown, also a principal at SixTwentyOne. “It’s a special place to be—sophisticated, but not stuffy.”

With deep experience in hospitality design, the firm approaches each project with a focus on comfort and connection. “Designing spaces where people feel most at ease is what we love most—and what we do best,” Brown adds.

136 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Dining facilities were freshened but elevated, yet still respectful to the historic site.

18 NEW SINGLE-FAMILY LOTS IN LEAWOOD’S REGENTS PARK! BUILT EXCLUSIVELY

BY WILLIS CUSTOM HOMES RESERVE YOURS TODAY!

REGENTS PARK

R COMMUNITY AMENITIES Available Homesite INCLUDE POOL & PAVILION, SINGLE FAMILY PLAT MAP PICKLEBALL COURTS, DOG PARK AND WALKING TRAIL

AVAILABLE RESERVED SPEC/MODEL HOME SOLD

AMENITIES

Luxury Custom Homes uxury Custom Custom Homes LLuxury uxury Custom Homes H 7T 13

ST

11

12 12

1111

13 13

15 15 16 16

AWARD WINNING

AWARD WINNING AWARD WINNING

55 6

77

17 17

AWARD WINNING AWARDWINNING WINNING AWARD

44

99 88

ST

NEW FURNISHED MODELS COMING THIS SPRING DURING THE 2026 SPRING PARADE OF HOMES

33

D

H 7T 13

14 14

22

R ORD

18

D RD FIEL NG RI SP

Luxury Custom Homes

10

LF GUI

L Luxury Custom Homes

NEW MODEL & BRAND-NEW FLOORPLAN - THE CASPIAN! OPEN DAILY IN EAST VILLAGE AT 3256 W 133RD TERR LEAWOOD

55 YEARS AN 55 YEARS AN YEARS AND HOMES BUILT EXCLUSIVELY BY55 WILLIS CUSTOM HOMESCO INVENTORY COMING SOON TO EAST VILLAGE, REGENTS PARK, CENTURY FARMS & LOCH LLOYD

55 YEARS AND CO

55 YEARS AND COUNTING 55 YEARS AND COUNTING

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OR FLY ON A DRONE THROUGH OUR AWARD-WINNING MODELS & PLANS www.WillisCustomHomes.com

and many more!

an

Build with us (913) 685-8300 WillisCustomHom (913) 685-8300 WillisCustomHomes.co Build with us Build with us Build with us (913) 685-8300 WillisCustomHom Build with us Build with us with us in a location of yourBuild choice.

C E L E B R AT I N G

| WillisCustomHomes.com (913) | WillisCustomHomes.com | WillisCustomHomes.com (913) 685-8300 685-8300 (913) 685-8300 (913) 685-8300 | WillisCustomHomes.co |

|

|

in a location of your choice.

D E A Q b in a location your choice.

D E A DQ Eb A QD bE A Q b in aoflocation of your choice.

inaalocation location of your choice. in choice. in a locationofofyour your choice.

YEARS OF BUSINESS

E Q A Q b D D E A D E Ab Q b

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

Indian Hills amenities overlook the expansive and rolling hills of the par-70 golf course.

Indian Hills Country Club

@indian_hills_country_club PHOTOS

Michael Robinson

@mrobinsonphoto

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

INVISION (formerly known as GastingerWalker&) @invisionarchitecture

Indian Hills Country Club has completed several phases of expansion and renovation over the past decade, thoughtfully enhancing amenities while preserving the club’s established character. Key highlights include a new 19th Hole Pavilion featuring indoor-outdoor dining, expansive views, upgraded pool locker rooms, a redesigned snack bar and kitchen, and enhancements to the swimming pool. The scope also included a renovation and addition to the tennis pavilion, along with a complete reroof and interior refresh of the existing structure.

The men’s locker room underwent a full renovation of the existing 6,500-squarefoot space, including new lockers, refreshed Home to the Club’s swim and dive teams, the pool complex is surrounded by covered outdoor spaces for events and gatherings.

138 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

www.sarasvehla.com

816.569.0099

DISCOVER YOUR STYLE

with

DISTINCTIVE GARAGE DOORS sales@raynorkc.com // raynorkc.com 8235 McCoy Street Shawnee, KS 913-422-0441

276 SW Blue Pkwy Lee’s Summit, MO 816-407-9222

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 139

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

restrooms, and an updated lounge—known as the Q Room—all designed to enhance functionality and user experience while maintaining the club’s charm. The women’s locker room was refreshed to improve light, circulation, and the overall spa experience.

Updates included new finishes and lighting, added skylights in the card room, a steam room, a private massage room, and a bridal suite.

Reconfigured circulation and the integration of the card room, lounge, and central bar created a cohesive, welcoming environment.

Throughout the project, key architectural elements were preserved and refined. Large sliding glass doors and open layouts strengthen connections between interior spaces and the outdoors, framing sweeping views of the golf course and surrounding landscape. Materials and construction methods were carefully selected to remain consistent with existing structures on site.

Dining spaces were enhanced to be more user-friendly and improve the overall circulation.

“This integrated design seamlessly ties into the existing architecture through the use of brick, wood detailing, a cohesive color palette, and unified site elements like fencing and trellises,” says Rhonda Pearlman, senior associate, who oversaw the project. “Our goals were to create user-friendly spaces, maximize natural light, and significantly improve circulation.”

Where inside meets outside: Large sliding glass doors open wide, letting the interior flow effortlessly onto an expansive covered patio with breathtaking views. Designed for gathering, relaxing, and soaking it all in.

140 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

HANDCRAFTED IN KANSAS SINCE 1981

ONE SOURCE FOR YOUR KITCHEN BATH & HOME

SHOWROOM

5801 Johnson Drive, Mission, KS 66202 / cwponline.com / 913-722-5867 / CustomWoodProductsKS

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E The newly expanded recreation complex includes indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and two tennis courts. With a focus on wellness, members can also enjoy a gym, yoga room, locker rooms, and a large infrared sauna.

Loch Lloyd Country Club @lochlloydcountryclub ARCHITECTURE

WSKF Architects wskfarch.com CONTRACTOR

J.E. Dunn

@jedunnconstruction POOL ARCHITECT/BUILDER

Waters Edge Design/Royal Construction

At the center of the luxury gated community of Loch Lloyd, Loch Lloyd Country Club has always been a welcoming place for members to gather.

Last summer, the club completed a significant renovation and expansion of its recreational complex and pool facilities for members to enjoy. The updated amenities include indoor and outdoor pickleball and tennis courts, a fitness center, dedicated wellness spaces, and an onsite café. Together with robust programming for all ages—from fitness classes and social gatherings to swim team competitions and golf tournaments—the enhancements reinforce Loch Lloyd’s reputation as an active, communitydriven destination.

Additional improvements are already on the horizon. Phase II of the renovation is planned for the coming year, with designers currently submitting proposals for updates to the main clubhouse.

The Sechrest at Loch Lloyd is the newest enclave of premium homesites. Each homesite has been thoughtfully planned to capture the natural beauty of the area—whether along a peaceful cul-de-sac, backing to preserved green space, or positioned just steps from the Country Club.

142 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

SPECIALIZING IN UNIQUE NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION & FULL HOUSE REMODEL RENOVATIONS.

FAUSTCONSTRUCTION.COM 816-217-7663

913.353.9800

BannerGarageKC.com

Drive Where You Park

FLOORS / CABINETS / MURPHY GOLF SIMULATORS

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 143

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

The most transformative change, however, is the debut of The Sechrest at Loch Lloyd. The former adjacent Sechrest Golf Course is being reimagined as a 44-lot residential development, representing the village’s most significant residential expansion in recent years. Each homesite has been carefully planned to highlight the area’s natural beauty—whether tucked along a quiet cul-de-sac, backing onto preserved green space, or located just steps from Loch Lloyd Country Club. An elite group of preferred builders will construct homes in a range of architectural styles and floor plans.

The recreation center features an oversized lap pool, diving area, and zero-entry leisure pool.

Beyond new residences, The Sechrest signals a major reinvestment in the community’s longterm vitality. More than 50 acres of the former golf course will be preserved and transformed into parkland, walking trails, and open green space. Over the next two years, the project will also deliver key infrastructure and community enhancements.

“This milestone represents more than the approval of new homes—it’s a reinvestment in the future of Loch Lloyd,” says Village Trustee Chairman Chuck Etherington. “By securing permanent green space, trails, and infrastructure alongside new development, we’re creating lasting value for every resident.”

Private cabanas allow residents a space to escape the heat and enjoy full-service poolside dining.

Members meet up at the onsite cafe before or after their games and workouts.

144 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C O M M U N I T Y

WORDS

Susan Cannon @susancannon1 PHOTOS

Nate Sheets

@natesheetsphoto DESIGNER

Design Spout

@designspout

C U L T U R E

You Had Me At Hello Kirkwood Circle Condos celebrates the art of arrival with a confident mix of art, icons, and updated functionality.

CONTRACTOR

FirstService Residential @fsresidentialkc

A

s the saying goes, finding the right home is all about location, location, location. And the Kirkwood Circle Condominiums, situated just a hop over Brush Creek to the Country Club Plaza, have the location down. However, it’s also about first impressions. Thanks to Design Spout’s principal, Kristyn Iman, who redesigned this condo lobby with a cool, confident mix of iconic and new design furnishings and bold art, it feels like a living room with a modern, upscale factor.

Asked how she approached this lobby project, she explains that a big part of the renovation involved identifying inefficiencies in how residents received mail and packages.

All Kirkwood condo and townhouse residents use the condominium’s lobby to retrieve their mail and packages; however, the mailroom was inconveniently located past the reception, down a hallway, and in an alcove.

146 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The blue lacquer console, a custom piece by Design Spout, makes a dynamic statement with the Beatles photograph by David Redfern hanging above. The Eames Turned Stool is from DWR.

LANDSCAPE

D ES IG N + IN S TA L L AT I O N 816.531.1530 | kissinger.landscape@gmail.com kissingerandassociates.com

Let me help you with your next move.

Call me today to book an appointment.

MAGGIE DOOLITTLE

In today’s competitive, lowinventory market, experience matters. I help Buyers find the right opportunities and guide Sellers how to position their homes for top results- always with honesty, clear communication, guidance and a thoughtful approach from start to finish.

Maggie Doolittle

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 147

The art sets the tone in this rich and welcoming space. Nina Simone in 1968, photographed by jazz photographer David Redfern and framed by Brookside Gallery and Framing. Smart, iconic seating includes lounge chairs originally designed by Pierre Jeanneret, the cousin of Le Corbusier, and a leather LC2 sofa, designed in 1928 by his younger female protege, Charlotte Perriand, which sits adjacent. Unique steel scalloped Arcs mirrors are by HAY, via DWR, and the placement of sculptural pieces, including a large Kelly Wearstler lamp for Visual Comfort, adds personal touches.

148 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

A transformed reception area using mixed materials in a graphic, cubist way offers a functional Bauhaus mood to the space. Integrated are thin task lamps by Juniper Design and surfacemounted Bola flush-mount fixtures with sleek brass bases from DWR.

“After interviewing the staff, several residents, and considering the budget that the project committee allocated, I proposed a design solution that would entirely restructure the layout,’’ Iman says.

Her solution simplified everything for the homeowners and improved convenience for the delivery and mailmen by turning three separate back-of-house mail/utility rooms into one large space.

“After getting all of this squared away, updating the reception area and lobby felt easy!’’

she explains. No surprise there, as Design Spout’s highly thoughtful process that yields beautiful outcomes always seems effortless and never contrived, with a sophisticated style that branches out of the midwestern norm.

“I consider all factors: The architecture and existing conditions; what the space needs in order to come alive and be an outcome that is better than the client could have imagined. It’s a design study involving many aspects, but I like to build it out in 3D to figure out transitions, scale, materials, lighting, et cetera,’’ she says.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 149

C O M M U N I T Y

C U L T U R E

A balanced display of important mid-century design shines in the lobby space. With an important nod to 1970s Italian lighting, Iman chose a Castiglioni Arco floor lamp that looms over the furniture, as well as the forever-coveted stainless dome lamps. The Jean Royère-style French sofa brings instant poetry to the space, mixed with classic Knoll Womb and Bauhaus Marcel Breuer lounge chairs. The chandelier is Moooi Meshmatics, and it shines uniquely at night. Sitting atop a minimal wood plinth, the special one-of-a-kind vessel in dark stoneware clay with charcoal shino glaze is hand-built by artist Erica Iman.

While the lobby’s attractive wood paneling existed, the original furnishings were dated, and the layout was not optimal for Iman’s new plan.

Renovating the receptionist’s front desk area was important to modernizing the look. Iman designed a new, taller desk in a beautiful stone fabricated by Dimensional Stoneworks. She also used a darker, fluted wood for the back wall of the cabinets, stopping it at a lower height than the paneling, giving the reception area a Bauhaus vibe.

To make the whole space feel current and last for many years, Iman used classic furniture designs and photography of well-known musicians.

“I layered rich fabric and rug tones that were just as saturated in color as the wood paneling,’’ she says. “There are some trends and funkiness sprinkled in, as well, but I think a part of us all will be forever young!’’

150 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A travertine side table with a brass inlaid chess set surface and carved marble chess pieces is a homey touch.

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

Where Beautiful Stories Begin...

Scenic vineyard & countryside views. Romantic sunsets & photo-worthy moments. A serene, one-of-a-kind wedding destination & event venue space.

Begin your forever at Serendipity Farm & Vine.

Stilwell KS | Schedule a tour today. serendipityfarmandvine.com | 913-488-0811

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 151

MASTERING THE CRAFT OF HOUSE PAINTING EXCELLENCE

816.522.6857 152 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

LAKE OF THE OZARKS

PARADISE HUNTERS CALL US TODAY

573-302-2316

www.bruceandkelly.com



info@ bruceandkelly.com

www.xhomeskc.com 913-390-4663

154 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

T H E

O

n a fall day last year when several Kansas City Chiefs legends gathered in Lenexa to host an annual golf tournament, preparations were underway just down the road for a very different kind of golf experience— one that’s rapidly gaining popularity across the metro: indoor golf simulators.

W E L L - L I V E D

Virtual Green

L I F E

WORDS

Greg Echlin

Golf simulators are transforming Kansas City homes, garages, and offices into year-round practice—and entertainment—hubs.

Golfers can practice anytime of year at Xgolf, which has two locations in KC, with friends and drinks. You can even book a lesson with a PGA pro.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 155

Multi-sport simulators, or “sims,” are being worked into floor plans in new home construction, like this model by Bickimer Homes. An adjacent bar and counter seating extend the experience to an atmosphere of gathering.

Given dedicated space in the lower level, the aesthetic is elevated to the level of design in the rest of the home.

156 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Inside a nearby Bickimer Homes model, a lower-level space adjacent to an open gathering area had been outfitted with a multi-sport simulator, demonstrating how the technology has evolved beyond traditional golf.

“We’re seeing this trend all over the metro,” says Kristen Kanatzer, chief revenue officer for Bickimer Homes. “Home is where people gather now. It’s the entertaining space— whether that’s a golf simulator, a movie theater, or a full spa and wellness room.”

If not incorporated into a larger entertainment zone, golf simulators—often referred to simply as “sims”—are commonly installed in basements, garages, and even commercial office spaces. As interest has surged, a growing number of Kansas City– area companies now specialize in tailoring installations to fit both residential and business needs.

Ed Jenkins, owner of Shawnee-based Banner Garage, is among them. His

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

PROJECT PHOTOS BY

Josie Benefield

@josiedell_photos

Other amenities in the space include a yoga/workout room, bar and wine storage, and a media room with an easy-on fireplace.

company is an authorized dealer and installer of Murphy Golf Simulators, a spacesaving system inspired by the Murphy bed that folds away when not in use. The product complements Banner Garage’s broader portfolio of garage upgrades, including epoxy flooring, storage cabinets, slatwall systems, and overhead racks.

“Our primary customer is someone who’s limited on space,” Jenkins says, noting that demand for golf simulators has grown “massively” over the past three to five years.

Daniel and Moran Alon, co-owners of Integrate IT | Automation and Security, have also expanded into simulator installations. Their company specializes in innovative home automation solutions, including lighting control, motorized shades, networking, security systems, distributed audio and video, and custom home theaters. Adding golf simulators was a natural extension.

“We’re seeing more companies bring

simulators into their workspaces for employees or owners to enjoy,” Moran says.

B.J. Supple, owner of Assembled Golf Midwest, which serves the Kansas City area as part of his Iowa-based territory, has noticed a shift in consumer perception as well.

“Years ago, people assumed home simulators were too expensive or required an unrealistic amount of space,” Supple says. “They were used to big commercial bays packed with technology, which can feel intimidating. That’s changed.”

Today, it’s common for homeowners or business owners to submit room dimensions and specifications, allowing installers to design systems that fit comfortably within the available space.

With demand continuing to rise, one phrase is being heard more often than ever in basements, garages, and offices alike: Fore!

Where to Play Indoor Golf in Kansas City If a golf simulator isn’t available at home or work, the Kansas City area offers a growing list of indoor golf venues: Play X-Golf Locations in Parkville (near I-435 and Missouri Route 45) and Leawood (west of Roe near Leawood Town Center). Known for its realism and accuracy. playxgolf.com GolfTRK Locations in Overland Park (161st Street west of Metcalf) and Lenexa (112th Street and Strang Line Road). A third location opened in the Shoal Creek area of Liberty in late 2025, and a fourth location is coming to Prairie Village soon. golftrk.com The Fairway Club Located in Lee’s Summit near Missouri Route 291 and Chipman Road. Features the Foresight Falcon launch monitor. fairwayclubkc.com Berry’s Golf and Groove In Overland Park near 95th Street and Metcalf Avenue, blending golf simulators with dance and fitness experiences. berrysgolfandgroove.com

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 157

Bold Design. Expert Craft.

hello@ppc-kc.com 913-343-6583 www.pitterpattercarpentry.com @pitterpattercarpentry

Focused on the Home.

Rooted in the Relationship.

With over 30 years of experience in investment management and relationship building, I bring a thoughtful, strategic approach to real estate. I take the time to truly understand your goals and help you see what’s possible...not just what’s listed.

Whether it’s your first home or your fifth, my role is to guide you with honesty, care, and clarity.

Jeff Albright REALTOR®

www.jeff-albright.weichertkchomes.com jeffalbright@weicherthomeskc.com

913.645.3528

158 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

CUSTOM CABINETRY BUILT WITH EXCELLENCE

SCAN TO GET STARTED

THE PREMIER KANSAS CITY REMODELING & CABINERTY COMPANY SINCE 2002

EICKC.COM 913.775.0437

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

Originals Only From first purchase to lasting collection, how to find meaningful pieces of art that transform your spaces.

WORDS

Sarah MacFarland

I

f your home’s only original art is your kids’ or grandkids’ colorful drawings displayed on the refrigerator, maybe it’s time for a rethink. Why spend your decorating dollars on designer fabrics, upscale furniture, or custom lighting and then draw the eye with a mass-produced “painting” from Home Goods? If you want a true focal point that resonates and “makes” the room, original art is the way to go.

Awestruck by Kevin Hobbs, a work available through Prairiebrooke Arts, captures the soaring beauty of prairie skies.

160 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

CLAIREHOUSEDESIGN.COM 913-608-9174 shandy@clairehousedesign.com

EXPERIENCE THE LUXURY OF ARTISAN CONCRETE

Bringing Your Dreams to Life through Handcrafted Artistry www.concretetopskc.com • 913.696.1571

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 161

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

Julie Blackmon’s artful photos seem simple yet carry deeper meaning. Shown here: Slide, via Haw Contemporary.

Of course, there’s a price difference between World Market art and the real thing. Happily, finding original art in Kansas City—paintings, photographs, fabric art, sculpture, ceramics, and more—has never been easier or more rewarding.

Start Local and Discover What You Like The Kansas City Artists Coalition (KCAC) believes art should be affordable for everyone while supporting local artists, including students and emerging artists to those established and later-career. KCAC showcases beautiful, affordable artworks by local artists. Check for upcoming shows and exhibitions at kansascityartistscoalition.org.

The next step is to visit art galleries, whose owners curate a selection of works by artists they believe will stand the test of time.

Robert Bingaman’s work is large-scale and psychologically charged. Shown here: Platform, via Haw Contemporary.

162 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Walker Custom Homes offers a wide range of customizable home building services. Each project is led by experienced professionals who will manage your project with detail and care every step of the way.

BUILDER: Walker Custom Homes

Walker Custom Homes offers a wide range of customizable home building services. Each project is led by experienced professionals who will manage your project with detail and care every step of the way.

DECKING USED: NewTechWood

RAILING USED: AFCO Columns and Railings

913-208-2026 Walkercustomhomeskc.com

1-866-728-5273 Newtechwood.com

800-551-6576 Afcocolumnsandrailings.com

BUILDER: Walker Custom Homes

DECKING USED: NewTechWood

RAILING USED: AFCO Columns and Railings

913-208-2026 Walkercustomhomeskc.com

1-866-728-5273 Newtechwood.com

800-551-6576 Afcocolumnsandrailings.com

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

Visit an Art Gallery “Our advice to future collectors is to look at and study as much art as possible; get out and visit the galleries and exhibitions,” suggests Emily Eddins of Haw Contemporary in the West Bottoms.

The gallery evolved from the former Dolphin Gallery in the Crossroads Arts District when Bill Haw took over from close friend John O’Brien in 2013. Haw Contemporary represents emerging, mid-career, and established artists working in photography, painting, sculpture, installation, and new media.

“We find that people are primarily drawn to art they can personally relate to, which has become especially true since the pandemic,” Eddins says. “Whether it’s the color of a painting, the texture of a textile, the image of a photograph, or the region a work represents, people seek a personal connection to the piece.”

Notable contemporary artists include Robert Bingaman (suburban landscape), Julie Blackmon (photography), Archie Scott William Rainey’s paintings at Blue Gallery push the limits of real and abstract.

Kelly Porter’s work explores abstract shapes, featured at the Blue Gallery’s The Great Escape 25th anniversary invitational exhibition. Photo by Kelly Kuhn.

164 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

WWW.STUDIOSOSINSKI.COM

646.325.3563 Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 165

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

A prairie sunset in vivid coloring by Allan Chow, Whispers of Dark can be found at Prairiebrooke Arts.

Gobber (graphic art), Lisa Grossman (prairie landscapes), Michael Krueger (painting, drawing, printmaking), Armin Mühsam (abstract), Debra Smith (fabric art), and Hong Chun Zhang (drawings).

In 1990, Prairiebrooke Arts opened in downtown Overland Park, specializing in colorful big sky and Flint Hills landscapes, abstract paintings, and bronze sculptures.

“Original art has an ability to capture a feeling and transform a space. One piece can carry a room,” says second-generation owner Megan Hoban. “Our collector base gets younger and younger. Young collectors’ parents might have bought original art from us and loved it; they want to do the same.”

Prairiebrooke does not do shows or artist exhibitions. Artists they represent might offer a stack of canvases for potential collectors to peruse. Prairiebrooke can then custom frame and hang the piece in a client’s home—“a turnkey experience,” Hoban adds. Notable local and regional artists include Allan Chow (abstract), Tom Corbin (sculpture), Kevin

Kim Casebeer’s Shadows and Light shows where the land meets the sky in realistic detail.

Find at Prairiebrooke Arts.

Rich Bowman’s Bluest of Days celebrates the ever-changing majesty of the Midwestern sky. Photo: David Kuhn/Blue Gallery.

166 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

Fabric artist Debra Smith often designs with kimono scraps. Find her collection at Haw Contemporary.

Armin Mühsam’s graphic work, Condensed Associations, explores the tension between structure and form at Haw Contemporary.

Hobbs (landscape), Kim Casebeer (landscape), and Kristin Goering (landscape).

“Once you buy original art, you’re hooked,” Hoban says.

Kelly Kuhn agrees. “An original painting or photograph appears alive, like it has a pulse, a soul,” she says.

Kuhn opened Blue Gallery in the Crossroads with her artist husband David in 2000. They curate original works from artists she’d want in her own collection. Kuhn asks: “Has that artist figured out their strengths and signature genre (abstract, representational, landscape, figurative, etc.)? And if so, are they honing and perfecting it?”

Kuhn encourages would-be collectors to start browsing Kansas City galleries’ websites and Instagram profiles, attend First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District, and sign up for mailing lists.

168 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

In Kelly Porter’s Coaction, molecular shapes under a microscope take colorful form. Photo: David Kuhn/Blue Gallery.

Creating and Curating Lived-In Luxury.

Residential/Commercial. | Renovations/New Builds.

Design Deux Lynne FORMERLY NEELY HOME

Design Deux Lynne, formerly Neely Home, was founded by “two” or “Deux” sisters as they share a family name as is common of their Southern heritage and of their home state of Louisiana. With over 20 years of creating residential and commercial spaces, Stacey Lynne Neely and Ashley Lynne Loganbill, an experienced power house team are ready to make your space beautiful and functional.

FOR INQUIRIES: Call/Text 225-803-2581 / 225-964-1285 @_designdeuxlynne_ @craigkeenephotography

@indialovephotography

Wildly gorgeous florals for weddings and events that actually reflect your style. lovelilacsfloral.com lexi@lovelilacsfloral.com Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 169

T H E

W E L L - L I V E D

L I F E

“

When somebody comes into the gallery and sees a piece that grabs them, it’s like falling in love, really.

– Kelly Kuhn

“When somebody comes into the gallery and sees a piece that grabs them, it’s like falling in love, really,” she says. “I want that piece to light that client up every day.

One of my favorite things, in the 25 years I’ve had the gallery, is when my clients from years ago tell me how much they still love the pieces they’ve collected from me. There’s nothing better!”

Notable artists include Rich Bowman (landscape), Lisa Lala (birds on a wire), John Ochs (abstract), Kelly Porter (abstract), and William Rainey (abstract).

And Start Collecting

Lisa Lala paints with a palette knife; here she showcases the method with Next Time. Photo: David Kuhn/Blue Gallery.

“If you find a piece you love, find a way to buy it,” Hoban advises. “If you buy one piece a year, pretty soon you have a collection.”

Kansas City has many fine galleries, but you can start with our featured experts: Haw Contemporary 1600 Liberty Street Kansas City, MO @hawcontemporary hawcontemporary.com Prairiebrooke Arts 7900 Santa Fe Drive Overland Park, KS @prairiebrookeartcompany pbarts.com Blue Gallery 118 Southwest Blvd Kansas City, MO @bluegallerykc bluegallery.com

A quintessential Kansas scene—Hong Chun Zhang’s Follow the Road via Haw Contemporary.

170 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

CUSTOM HOMES AND RENOVATIONS 913.354.9500 • CatenacciHomes.com

A Golf and Lake Community

NEW LAKEFRONT LOTS NOW AVAILABLE - CALL OR VISIT FOR DETAILS

FURNISHED MODELS OPEN WEDNESDAY - MONDAY. TUESDAYS BY APPOINTMENT.

Homes from the $600,000s to $1,000,000+

Championship golf course • 108-acre lake • Tavern on the Moor

Brokerage: 913.491.1001

Located off Foxridge Drive between 58 Hwy & 155 Street, Raymore, MO

816.331.0754 www.Creekmoor.com

Crafting Elegance, Stone By Stone • Interior & Exterior Natural Stone Acrylic/Traditional Stucco • Fireplaces • Fire pits • Outdoor kitchens • Reclaimed brick • Tile • Aluminum Siding • New Construction • Remodels Visit our Showroom: 20710 Foster CT, Bucyrus, KS 66013

www.kcstone.net / kcsoffice@kcstone.net / 913.232.9441

172 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Style.

Design.

Character.

120 Years of Bathroom Obsession 11009 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, KS 66215 www.kbbriggs.com / 913.387.4900

Premier Decorative Plumbing Showroom.

Knowledgeable staff. Excellent client relations.

D E S I G N

D E T A I L

Jess Toms and Matt Smithmier serve as the owners and artists behind Second Chair Art, which uses the piano as the medium for new interpretations of art, lighting, and furniture.

REPLAYED

Vintage pianos find new purpose as handcrafted furniture and art.

J

ess Toms and Matt Smithmier have carved out a distinctive artistic niche— one that gives forgotten pianos a second life while honoring the instruments’ craftsmanship and sentimental value.

The idea has been taking shape for several years, but Smithmier first recognized the creative potential of old pianos while playing in a band.

One instrument in their practice space—a

WORDS

Sara Maloney PHOTOS

Morgan Miller

@morgan millerphotography

125-year-old piano that could no longer hold a tune—became the unexpected catalyst. Rather than discard it, Smithmier decided to take it apart, hoping to salvage the wood.

“The more I started opening it up and tearing into it—something I’d never done and honestly didn’t know how to do—the more I uncovered these incredible components that no one ever sees,” Smithmier says. “They’re hidden inside the piano.”

This wall art frame is built from piano wood and showcases a pair of whippens, one of the nearly 12,000 pieces that make up a given instrument.

174 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Behind every layered, livable home is a team that cares deeply about the details. We are designers, stylists, strategists and storytellers who believe great spaces begin with great people. Follow along @mid_westandco.

www.midwestandco.co

TRANSFORM YOUR VISION WITH PREMIUM STONE AND LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES

We stock hundreds of natural stone & landscape products.

From basalt columns, stone fountains and bubblers to more than forty types of river rock, boulders and much more. It’s worth a visit!

WE DELIVER! MIDWEST DISTRIBUTION CENTER

913-837-6729 / AmbornStone.com 8811 West 247th Street, Louisburg, KS 66053

STONE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLY YARD Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 175

D E S I G N

D E T A I L

That discovery sparked a new passion.

With Smithmier’s background as a musician and woodworker and Toms’ experience in the art world, the two formed a natural creative partnership—capable of reimagining nearly anything.

In June 2024, they officially launched Second Chair Art, a name that reflects their mission: to honor instruments made up of thousands of hand-crafted parts, each with its own history and significance.

“Every piano is different,” Toms says. “Each time we take one apart, we find new pieces or new versions of pieces we’ve seen before. The first step is always understanding what we have— because our inventory changes with every piano we adopt.”

The harp from a spinet piano was backlit and now hangs as the dining room centerpiece in a Parkville home.

Salvaged from an antique Bush & Gerts piano (circa 1910), the top of the soundboard was made into a one-of-a-kind mantel, trimmed with exterior wood from the top of the piano.

The harp from a Wurlitzer console piano was transformed into an elegant coffee table, topped with thick glass and trimmed with brass standoffs and solid oak legs.

176 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

We Have You Covered Tile

O

Hardwood Flooring

O

Luxury Vinyl Plank

3 3 0 3 Ma i n Str e et • Gr a ndv iew, MO

O

O

Carpet

O

(816) 76 5- 0 4 0 0

O

Countertops

O

ken nys ti le.c om

Bathtubs

D E S I G N

D E T A I L

Clockwise: A statement mirror constructed from fragments of piano keys; an ebony key chandelier; the dampers and roll from the inside of a century-old player piano retrofitted into a bookshelf accent light; piano hammers showcased inside a shadow box made from the original piano wood.

For Smithmier, the technical work comes easily. The real challenge lies in envisioning how to transform the countless components into cohesive, functional works of art. With so many possibilities, the process can feel overwhelming—but that creative abundance is also what fuels their work.

So far, the duo has crafted a desk, lamp, light fixture, mantel, wall mirror, wall art, and a coffee table—made entirely from a single piano harp. As they continue to grow, they’re building a catalog of pieces to help prospective clients imagine what’s possible.

178 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

They describe their work as bespoke, reinventive, and revitalized—an approach that respects the original instrument and the artisans who built it, while giving the piano a renewed purpose.

“We’re never going to compete with that level of original craftsmanship,” Toms says. “But if we can honor it in a way that brings new light to it, that feels meaningful.”

As Second Chair Art evolves, Toms and Smithmier remain focused on that balance— preserving the past while creating something entirely new.

AUTOMATE. SIMPLIFY. LIVE. www.kinkadehome.com | 913-219-6915

© 2024 Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co., Inc.

Explore the art of home technology - visit our showroom for theater, lighting, and automation design. 11890 W. 91st St, Overland Park, KS

Kolbe Windows & Doors leads the industry with innovative products that push the boundaries and defy the limits of function, performance and style. Combine unlimited options and custom solutions to frame picturesque views from sunrise to sunset.

Contact the experts at Tall Grass Windows & Doors to schedule a personal design consultation today.

Showrooms in Lawrence, KS | Wamego, KS tallgrasswindows.com I 855.839.4636

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 179

Whether you’re remodeling one room • Timeless hardwood and durable vinyl floors or the whole home, Northcraft Flooring & • Elegant tile, brick & stone walls Design has every surface covered: • Luxurious countertops in natural or engineered stone

STYLE STARTS FROM THE GROUND UP

816-356-8133 • www.northcraftfloors.com

Showroom: 2077 NE Rice Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO

Locally made modern glass lighting On display at The Rug Studio 9280 Barton St. Overland Park Schedule a visit at silicastudio.com or 913-634-2762

180 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Debbie Keller REAL ESTATE AGENT

Trusted Expertise for Extraordinary Homes!

913.499.9008 debbie.keller@kw.com 13671 S Mur-Len Rd Olathe, KS debbiekeller.kw.com Office: (913) 742-8403

YOUR POOL, HOT TUB AND FOUNTAIN EXPERTS.

913.228.1289

182 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Home Is Where The Art Is The men behind Heidmann Art Salon boldly balance an array of contemporary art in their Rockhill home.

WORDS

Susan Cannon @susancannon1 PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo COLLECTORS

Heidmann Art Salon @heidmann_art_salon

S

cott Heidmann and Ken Petti, the creators of the Heidmann Art Salon (HAS), coexist in fascinating synchronicity, equally curating their home as they do their work collaborations, which are dialed in with an abundance of creative energy and executed with cleverness and skill. The two are driven by a mutual passion for contemporary art, each artist’s story, and for creating uniquely engaging HAS “art experiences’’ for cultural enthusiasts in Kansas City. Their deep affinity for what drives artists to create is closely tied to how they live in their home, as they surround themselves with visual stories at every turn.

The living room flows into the dining room fluidly blending great art and furnishings. The mid-century ceiling fixture came from Petti’s parents’ home. An Aero Saarinen table is surrounded by Marcel Breuer leather and chrome chairs and Boho Donghia Klismos chairs. A whimsical pair of mixed media works are by Gavin Benjamin. The white lamp was a Barbara Cosgrove design.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 183

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

In the kitchen’s lounge, Heidmann stands next to a Laetitia Hohenberg stoneware sculpture. A gallery wall behind Petti includes a vintage watercolor from Christopher Filley, a Karl Lagerfeld nude he photographed for Visionaire’s The Emperor’s New Clothes. Others include works by Peregrine Honig, May Tveit, Marcus Cain, Gavin Benjamin, among others.

184 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

From Our Family to Yours

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1957

THREE GENERATIONS OF QUALITY CONSTRUCTION AND OUTSTANDING ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

KOEHLER UILDING O., NC. B

C

I

12912 State Line, Leawood, Kansas 66209

kkbcinc@sbcglobal.net

(913) 491-6565

 koehlerbuildingcoinc.com

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Two Akio Takamori original color lithographs anchor the dining room with sinuous beauty. A black woven raffia Konda chief’s hat from Christopher Filley is stunning as a mounted sculpture, its shape mimicking Barbara Cosgrove lamps. The chair is Marcel Breuer.

A vintage Niedermaier club chair sits in front of a tube light a la Dan Flavin from the MoMA Design Store. The gold pouf is from Asiatica, and the lamp and carved occasional table are from shop Afternoons.

A white plaster and mirror triptych is by KCAI graduate Greg Thurmond. At left, a dark Jason Pollen painting hangs above a tall black ceramic figure by Paolo Porelli and a green Moroccan ceramic bowl from Sid & Co. The antique African bowl in the foreground is from Christopher Filley, next to an Akio Takamori plate.

If you’re not familiar with the Heidmann Art Salon, it is a roving art event concept developed by the duo that goes beyond the traditional norm of showing and selling art in a white-walled gallery. Always having surprises up their sleeves, they conceptualize and curate exhibitions of disparate themes that welcome guests into experiential evenings where art, performance, food, drink, and atmosphere merge. The fun is that each salon is strikingly different from the next, with roughly four held each year in various locations, often keeping the art up for further viewing after the opening event.

Heidmann, a former interior designer for several architecture firms since the early ’80s, has been an art collector for as long as he can remember, going back to his early years living in Hong Kong. His interior design process for the hospitality sector included placing original art and smart furnishings in the environments, bringing each project to life with a cultivated eye. Now his art advisory business placing art in clients’ homes runs alongside the HAS events.

LET US SHOW YOU WHAT WE CAN DO WITH FIRE!

We have certified and trained technicians who repair, install and maintain your factory-built fireplaces. Everything is done in-house by our own professionals. We are the local experts with over 30 years of knowledge and experience.

Found at Midwest Fireplace showroom: 1351 W. Old 56 Highway, Olathe, KS / (913) 764-5575 / midwestfireplacekc.com

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Original woodwork adds warmth to the living room. Art on the shelves are works by Brock DeBoer, Paolo Porelli, and José Sierra. At right, an Akio Takamori cup, Paolo Porrei mounted sculpture, a ceramic head by Kensuke Yamada with Anna Johnson collaboration, Lauren Mabry vessel and a Phillip Mayberry ceramic cup.

The large blue urn is by Anna Silver.

Petti, on the other hand, comes from the fashion industry in New York City and is an advertising, branding, and events veteran whose well of original, witty ideas has never run dry. He worked in-house at Calvin Klein, collaborating on many iconic campaigns, and also ran his own ad agency representing fashion and cultural arts clients. One example of his outside-the-box thinking was putting on a fundraising benefit for the Ballet Hispánico dance company in the early ’90s, where he invited artists and celebrities alike to create their own unique art on ballet pointe slippers, which were then auctioned off to raise funds, while merging the energy of personalities from different artistic fields.

Interestingly, Heidmann and Petti originally connected on Instagram through shared visual interests, which sparked curiosity and ultimately led to bonding. When Petti started traveling to Kansas City to visit, Heidmann was living in the Alameda Condominiums just south of the

A Julie Blackmon photograph on the mantle is flanked by vintage sconces from Modern Love in KC and floor lamps from Luminaire. Black and white photo of a Richard Serra sculpture by Stuart Heidmann leans next to a Barbara Barry leather chair.

188 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

CUSTOM DESIGN CUSTOM BUILD NEW 1 ACRE & 2.5 ACRE LOTS NOW AVAILABLE Basehor-Linwood School District

W W W. P C D IH O ME S .C OM

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Plaza. With high ceilings and open spaces, the 3,000-square-foot condo was perfect for his existing art collection. And as creatives often do so well, they began ruminating and, together, brewed up the Heidmann Art Salon concept.

In 2013, they officially launched their first two Heidmann Art Salons in the condo. It immediately sparked interest, and they continued creating HAS events—long distance—until Petti ultimately settled in Kansas City in 2016.

As the two men, with great curiosity and even bigger personalities, continually point their collective radars in all directions to find what is culturally exciting, HAS has thrived. Currently, with around 35 salons under their belt, their roster of local, national, and international artists has grown. And with that, their guest list and art clientele have organically broadened, as well. As supporters of the Kansas City Art Institute and its students, they serve as chairs for the KCAI “Art An eclectic vignette is anchored by a Luis González Palma painting from Schneider Gallery. A Richard Chung figurative sculpture is from Sherry Leedy Gallery. A KCAI student’s painted ceramic vessel sits on a ceramic garden stool next to a custom pillow of silk striped fabric by Pollack.

A considered mix of art and furnishings includes an antique French settee from Parrin & Co., rugs from Knotty Rugs, and white porcelain table lamps by Barbara Cosgrove. A Roger Shimomura painting from Sherry Leedy hangs under the window. On the wall are works by Dean Kube, Mary Ann Strandell, Donald Sultan, Mark Westervelt, Jill Downen, Stuart Heidmann photographs, and a portrait

by Tom Corbin.

190 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Pop” progressive events that celebrate the end-ofsemester exhibition and sale of student works.

The expansion of HAS also means the two are collecting more for the Rockhill-area mid-century home they moved into in 2022, curating their rooms in a new light, and even giving visitors ideas on how to live with contemporary art.

“What is different is that this house feels more intimate, whereas the condominium was more gallery-like,’’ Heidmann says.

“I also think that being here has allowed the art to take on a more cohesive nature,’’ Petti adds. ‘‘And when we entertain guests, they may not necessarily be thinking about buying art, but may see something they love in our collection. If it’s available from a prior show, we’ll sell it; if not, we can show the artist’s portfolio to gauge interest in other works.”

A 1928 Charlotte Perriand LC2 chair for Le Corbusier anchors the art-filled sunroom. An ornate silver Cathedral candelabra is from Christopher Filley Antiques. Below it, rests a Tarot artwork by Jody Morlock. Gabriel Aiello’s chandelier painting hangs under a Susan White bronze cast thorn sculpture and a small Doug Meyer Talisman. In the window hangs a painting by local artist Figwurm.

Laetitia Hohenberg’s ceramic sculpture sits in front of an Anthony Baab pigment inkjet print, and next to a Debra Smith textile collage. The kneeling figure is by Londyn Carter. In the sunroom, a Fortuny silk chandelier is juxtaposed by contemporary works. The impressively large ceramic vessel by Darcy Badiali is from Haw Contemporary. Above it is a painted vintage plate by Figwurm.

Left: On top of a Jhane Barnes marble table is a ceramic vessel by Lauren Mabry. Two works by Haw Contemporary repped artist Del Harrow are the painted and glazed cubist vessel on the floor, and a large, highly-intricate graphite drawing above it.

Tawny Chatmon’s mixed media work of two sisters leans at right and an Eileen Lang painting hangs between Kelly Wearstler floor lights, from Relative Lighting. The hanging black jacket was painted during a KCAI Art Pop performance emulating a Keith Haring body-painting 1980s exhibition.

192 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

By living amongst so much art and putting on HAS events, the duo continues to celebrate others’ talents, benefit from human connection, and enjoy art in its many forms.

“In addition to our personal collection, we also have some works by artists that have been in our salons, and some that will be available in future salons,’’ Heidmann says.

Currently included in their home are mixed-media pieces by Gavin Benjamin and Tawny Chatmon; ceramics by Linda Lighton, Laetitia Hohenberg, Paolo Porelli, Lauren Mabry, Akio Takamori, Del Harrow, and Darcy Badiali; photography by Julie Blackmon, Karl Lagerfeld, Ricky Cohete, and Stuart Heidmann; textile art by Debra Smith and Marcus Cain; and paintings, prints, and drawings by Anthony Baab, Peregrine Honig, Eileen Lang, and Figwurm, among many others.

And of course, important furniture design pairs perfectly with the art.

Home for the HAS men is indeed where the art is.

The gallery wall behind the Room and Board desk include works by Archie Scott Gobber, Debra Smith, and Caleb Taylor from Haw Contemporary. Also Roger Shimomura from Sherry Leedy Gallery, Rachael Hayes, Ricky Allman, Russell Shoemaker, and painted textile art by Marcus Cain. On the desk is a bronze Tom Corbin sculpture and a contemporary Outlet Cord from Centro.

The office also serves as a TV room. The wood easel TV stand is by Putorsen. At left, a Mark Cowardin wood and ceramic sculpture is next to Eileen Lang’s framed macrame rope art. Above the sofa are works

by Nina Stanley, Paolo Porelli, and Michael Lucero.

Magic stick with feathers by Bruce Burstert hangs next to an African head. The antique Persian rug is from Knotty Rugs.

194 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

DESIGNERS LOVE DESIGNKC! YOU WILL, TOO!

Jenna Kaufman Interior Design @lovegoodinteriors www.jennakaufman.com Photo by Matthew Anderson

1 YEAR

(4 SEASONAL ISSUES + 1 BONUS AWARD ISSUE)

$35

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! mydesignkc.com/subscriptions

2 YEARS

(8 SEASONAL ISSUES + 2 BONUS AWARD ISSUES)

$55

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Thinking Inside the Box WORDS

Amy Thurston @amytkc ARTIST

Frances MacLeod

@francesblank

Illustrator Frances MacLeod finds creative freedom by embracing boundaries.

A

s young creatives, we’re taught to do the unexpected—bend the rules and, above all, think outside the box.

Expanding beyond what’s standard or familiar is celebrated and often rewarded. But Frances MacLeod’s thinking runs counter to this longheld credo.

“Thinking inside the box can be the safest place to create,” she says. “Once you know your boundaries, you’re free to work with anything that fits—and in any way you like.” It’s a revelation, and one that has served her remarkably well.

MacLeod grew up in Wichita, the child of an engineer and an accountant. Her creative pursuits were supported, if not always fully

196 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

understood. As she explored her interests, her parents looked on with fascination and curiosity, clearing the path of judgment or negative overlay. That path led her to Columbia College for Arts and Media in Chicago, followed by work in visual development at Leo Burnett Worldwide Advertising.

While she loved her job, her creative community, and Chicago itself, she kept moving.

New York came next, and she quickly adapted to its relentless energy—joining an artist co-op in Greenpoint, studying typography at Cooper Union, teaching, and freelancing. A six-week design residency with Facebook that continued into teaching workshops and working with them

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

proved especially pivotal, launching her into a national creative community that seemed destined to find her.

And find her it did. Textile companies wanted her prints on blankets. Wallpaper brands wanted her florals on pre-pasted paper. Restaurants commissioned menus; bars paid her to draw on cocktail napkins. The list goes on—decks of cards, book bindings, and beyond. Her range feels like creative scaffolding, assembled one

MacLeod’s Fairway dining room came with a textured wallpaper, but the room didn’t get great natural light, so the white ceiling felt gloomy. “Inspired by the amaaaazing cathedrals in Italy, we painted it Farrow & Ball De Nimes blue and applied a configuration of starbursts I designed and cut on a vinyl cutter. Our necks hurt!” MacLeod exclaims. Photo by Rachel Loewen.

The painted eyeball nook was a renter-friendly-ish option— something to highlight the architecture of the living room, but easy enough to paint over on her way out. The back wall is an organic repeat, and the arch features a lattice that grows up and over. Photo by Rachel Loewen.

In MacLeod’s hand, tonal stripes painted on an angled ceiling in her former, Tudor-style home give a tailored look to a small and awkward space. Photo by Rachel Loewen.

198 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

material at a time. Even though she has recently relocated to Wichita, you can still peek into her sunny Kansas City apartment on the widely read blog Cup of Jo or tour her first home on Homeworthy.

MacLeod has an exceptionally keen sense of home. There is warmth and whimsy, yes— but also a level of sophistication that design students pay real money to learn. In the office of her former Tudor-style Kansas City home, she took an angled ceiling with a dormer window and painted tonal stripes across both walls and ceiling. In someone else’s hands, it might veer into circus territory. In hers, the result is tailored and instantly comforting—the repetition inviting you to slow down and linger.

In her home tour, MacLeod shares that when she procrastinates, she’ll find an object nearby— an ice bucket, a leather chair—and paint flowers on it. One can easily imagine that as a deadline approaches, nearly any surface in her home becomes fair game.

When the conversation turns to the challenges of making a living as an artist, MacLeod describes a balance of trusting her gut, asking for help, and finding ways to justify continued exploration.

Perhaps because of the “box” she works within, her art carries a sense of measured refinement— of plotting, even math.

“Art is asking questions, and design is solving problems,” she says.

It’s rare to find someone who can do both at once. Yet here she is.

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

She Speaks in Color Artist and illustrator Morgan Elliott channels a lifetime of creativity into vibrant work that feels alive.

M

inutes—maybe seconds—into a phone call with artist and illustrator Morgan Elliott, there’s an immediate sense of saturation: energy, movement, words tumbling over one another. Then you see her work, and everything clicks. Dense with color and alive with motion, her art seems to leap off the screen, wall, or canvas.

Elliott was raised in a family where art was the native language. Her mother is a stained-glass artist; one of her grandmothers, a ceramicist.

By the age of three, Elliott was already filling

200 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Artist Morgan Elliott stands in a “spirited” doorway at Mean Mule Distillery.

Left: An agave bottle appears to flow directly from the field.

WORDS

Amy Thurston @amytkc ARTIST

Morgan Elliott

@thewildpeachstudio morganelliott.co

Photo by Dawn Higgins.

It’s Time to Rethink the Blueprint for Homebuilding in KC and We’re Leading the Way!

THREEDESIGNBUILD.COM | 913.440.0114 | WINDOWS BY QUAKER | FLOORING FROM PROSOURCE

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Photo by Matt Francisco.

From top left: Elliott partnered with Adobe Express on this passion project for Kacey Musgraves’ album, The Architect; Winter Pups, created for Hallmark Cards; Mystic Mama, created for Raising Mama; Take a Stroll with Me poetry book.

notebooks with drawings—often fashionable women with oversized eyes. She grew up on a ranch in Wellsville, Kansas, surrounded by wide skies and creative influence in equal measure.

After high school, she was encouraged to pursue a BFA in graphic design—an education that would allow her to remain an artist while offering practical flexibility. It’s a decision she remains deeply grateful for. Shortly after graduating, Elliott began working at Hallmark.

While the role was both rewarding and challenging, it clarified something essential: she had a distinct point of view. Trusting her instincts, she stepped out on her own.

Here and right: An Otomi-inspired mural for Kon Tiki; a closeup of the designs that emulate traditional Mexican embroidery that depict vibrant representations of native flora and fauna along with mythological symbols.

202 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The work followed quickly. Elliott creates patterns for the baby clothing company Raising Mama and serves as head illustrator for the wildly popular We Rate Dogs. She’s also an indemand muralist—and once you’ve seen one of her murals, you won’t forget it. Joyful, kinetic, and color-saturated, her large-scale works are instantly recognizable, delivering powerful brand storytelling with an unmistakable sense of fun.

Her first mural was in her home office: a teal, peach, and fuchsia wall filled with tall green vines, bright yellow flowers, and the night sky adorned with the moon and stars—an ideal backdrop for an artist looking to spark creativity.

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN

amigliadesign.com 913.963.9715

GO BIGGER, GO HOME.

V

V

V NT GE DOORS & WINDOWS

vantagedoorsandwindows.com sales@vantage-companies.com (316) 361-6661

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 203

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

One of her favorite commercial murals is featured at Milk & Honey Ranch in Burton, Texas.

“The scale and extreme conditions it took to complete this made for an extra challenging process, but in the end, the reward was worth it,” she says.

Weather is a large factor in Elliott’s process, so from late March to early November, her calendar is filled with outdoor mural work.

But no matter which month it is, she says, “Art can’t be forced, I really have to find the inspiration inside myself.”

That source seems to overflow with vibrant bounty, as Elliott describes her work as “happy, full of movement and color, with powerful brand representation.”

Plenty of new projects are on the horizon, many aligning seamlessly with her vibrant style— though for now, they remain under wraps.

Like many prolific artists, Elliott says one of her biggest challenges is staying organized enough to fully monetize her output. Her Notes app has replaced the sketchbooks of her childhood, and while the subject matter has evolved beyond big-eyed women, the creative stream remains constant. It’s a pace she embraces—and one that continues to fuel work that feels as alive as the artist herself.

A wall mural at Wed KC.

Elliott’s vibrant details draw the eye: a rooster and desert sky at Taco Naco KC’s Westport location, and a buzzing farm at Messner Bee Farm in Lee’s Summit.

204 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A COMMITED PARTNER YOU CAN TRUST.

A COMMITTED PARTNE Home by: @homes_by_chris Photo by: @josiedell_photo

Proudly serving Kansas City hom we’re dedicated to providing your business w and exceptional products you can co

Your customers love our brand a for their window & do Pella® is the most preferred window brand by homeowners in Kansas City.*

#

1

Pella is rated homeowners brand that ca value of your

H H H H H Builder: Homes by Chris Photo: Josie Benefield

“I wanted a good product and I got it.”

— Diane S., Lenexa, KS

Builder: Helm Construction. Photographer: Matthew Anderson.

Proudly serving Kansas City homebuilders for over 40 years, we’re dedicated to providing your business with industry expertise, efficient service and exceptional products you can count on —for every home project.

Get Your Quote Today!

PellaKC.com 11333 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, Kansas

*Based on a 2022 survey of leading window brands among home

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Art for Everyone Whitney Kerr III’s murals transform Kansas City walls into shared moments of art and storytelling.

H

ow does one become a muralist? It feels like such a specific—and wildly unlikely—path, especially if you grow up in the quiet Kansas City suburb of Prairie Village.

When asked this question, Whitney Kerr III offers a simple answer: “I just loved looking at public art as a child.” You can easily imagine a young Whitney in the back seat of a car, scanning the city for big drawings and bold phrases.

WORDS

Amy Thurston @amytkc

A sturgeon—common in the Missouri River—appears larger than life in the lobby of the 3Y building.

WORDS

Amy Thurston @amytkc ARTIST

Whitney Kerr III The Arts Dept. @the_artsdept; theartsdept.com

The Rooster is Kerr’s latest mural, which highlights the rebranded Hen House Market in Fairway, Kansas.

As he grew older, his appreciation deepened.

Public art, he realized, was something everyone could enjoy because it was free. Later still, as he matured into an artist, he recognized murals as a powerful form of self-expression—and, practically speaking, a form of advertising for his work.

Kerr was raised by a real estate broker father and a mother who ran the gift shop at Children’s

206 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Bucolic America painted on a grain elevator is Kerr’s largest mural to date—7,000 square feet or 70’x 45.’ It was painted in 2021 in Clay Center, Kansas, alongside Mike Trujillo, Jeremy Bena, and Elliott McAnany.

trovehomes.com • @trovehomes

- CAPTIVATING DESIGN - CURATED FURNITURE - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

FLOORING SUPPLIES FROM PROSOURCE

COUNTERTOPS BY CENTRAL SURFACES

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Ian in Berlin is tucked away under the highway somewhere for unsuspecting cyclists and explorers to stumble upon.

A figure climbs through a window in Exploring in Cleveland, which is a self-portrait based on a photo Kerr’s friend Sean McLaughlin took of him.

Mercy Hospital. Supportive of his creative instincts, his parents stocked him with paints and tools, and by age thirteen, they gave him the walls of their garage as a canvas for large-scale work. Historically speaking, garages have been a kind of Petri dish for big ideas—and Kerr’s was no exception.

Room 134 is part of a series on the abandoned 4 Acre Motel in south Kansas City. A figure looks into the dilapidated remains of the room and is painted on the actual door from that room—authentic shotgun blast intact!

208 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

After graduating from Shawnee Mission East, Kerr attended the Memphis College of Art on a partial scholarship. While still a teenager, he landed his first mural commission: painting live during an auction event at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was just sixteen. His talent quickly caught the attention Kerr depicts people sledding down Suicide Hill, a famous sledding spot in of the Memphis art community, Brookside. It was featured at Le Lounge’s Après Ski Party in January. and he was selected as one of a small group of seniors invited to exhibit at the David Lusk Gallery.

“I think my favorite piece is always the next Ranch Mart at Billie’s in Leawood serves as the one to come,” he says. “It’s always such a backdrop for outdoor gathering. blessing being able to work on something Beyond murals, Kerr has shown his paintings different each week.” locally from the former Late Show, curated by the When Kerr returned to Kansas City, his late Tom Deatherage, to his most recent gallery mother told him about Scribe, a local muralist showings at Beggars Table in the Crossroads who served as the resident artist at Children’s and a pop-up show at Le Lounge, a bar and Mercy Hospital. Kerr was drawn to the idea that boutique hotel also in the Crossroads. His studio murals could animate spaces—and that this work often explores nocturnal scenes in the spirit medium was being used to create fun, playful, of Edward Hopper. He also collaborates with and sometimes delightfully wild art for children in designers on residential murals—custom pieces a hospital setting. His mother introduced the two, that tell a family’s story or pay homage to a and Scribe became an important mentor as Kerr beloved city, painted to scale on basement walls built his portfolio. and living spaces.

And what a portfolio it is. Chances are, you’ve What’s next for Whitney Kerr III remains to be seen Kerr’s work around Kansas City. His mural seen. But we’ll keep our eyes peeled as we drive at the QuikTrip on State Line Road offers a bold through the city, still searching for those big welcome to the city. A vintage rendering of drawings and bold phrases.

Solutions

STORAGE

FOR EVERY ROOM

15342 S. KEELER ST, OLATHE KANSAS | 913.914.6908

G ATED COMMUNIT Y • WEST SHORE • PRIVATE P OINT at RIS S L AKE

FROM THE IMPRESSIVE CIRCULAR DRIVE to the Custom Leaded Glass Entry you will find everything you dream of in over 11,000 square feet of relaxed comfortable living. Stainless Steel/Brass and Glass Floating 3 story Staircase; 4 Bedrooms, 6.2 Baths, Media/Theator Room, Office, Gym, Playroom Enclosed Lanai, 6 Car Garage, All Brick Exterior. Located on the Point of West Shore Court allowing 180 Degree view of Riss Lake. Acre+ Landscaped irrigated Lot with In-Ground Pool & Bar/Waterfall. Extra amenites include Entry Chandeliers that are electrically lowered for easy cleaning, Custom Electtric Blinds, In Home Surround Sound System, Unique Lighting Package, Extensive Trim Package and so much more. For additional information contact Tom Johnson 816 918 4009 Offered at $3,989,000 MLS #2594481.

TIFFANY G REENS GOLF COURSE • THORNHILL • PARK HILL SCHOOL S

TRULY AN AMAZING HOME WALKING DISTANCE TO TIFFANY GREENS CLUBHOUSE. Structurally Engineered to incorporate construction of only Steel, Iron, Metal Studs, Concrete and Brick protected by Vermont Slate Roofing over Perlite Underlayment. 35,000 KW Cummings Power Backup Electrical System. 5 Bedroom 5 Full/2 Half Baths 5 Fireplaces. Security plus+ within this home. Ample Storage, Huge Acre Estate size Lot. Seller may consider a LEASE/PURCHASE. Tom Johnson 816 918 4009 for additional information. Offered at $2,400,000 MLS #2426591

T H E E S TA T E S A T S H O A L C R E E K V A L L E Y

STUNNING SHOAL CREEK VALLEY PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED HOME. Walking distance to Shoal Creek Valley’s amazing Clubhouse (The Gate House).

Features 5 Bedroom 5.1 Bath, 4 Fireplaces,Formal Dining, Gourmet Kitchen with Vulcan Gas Cooktop and Grill, Boush Dishwasher plus a Chef’s Prep Kitchen. Gracious Entry Greets you with Large Tuscan Pillers opening into the Great Room. Terrace Level offers a Huge Theater Room, GYM, Bedrooms Plenty of Storage and walks out to a Large Private Heated Salt-Water Swimming Pool. SO MANY UPGRADES! Approx. 10,000 square feet this home has been Meticulously Maintained. Tom Johnson 816 918 4009 for additional information, Offered at $2,400,000 MLS #2589283

Thomas Johnson CSP Broker/Salesperson c: 816.918.4009 tomj.scv@gmail.com Each office is independently owned and operated. Office - (816) 452-4200

R O O M S

W E

L O V E

Linger On W A boldly imagined library channels Parisian lounge culture.

WORDS

Kimberly Winter Stern

@kimdishes PHOTOS

Craig Keene

@craigkeenephotography DESIGNER

Regan Romero Design

@reganromerodesign CONTRACTOR

Arbuckle Building Solutions

@arbucklebuild

Hand-blown glass panels by Monarch Glass Studio set within custom metal frames fabricated by Wheat and Waves/Scout Metal create subtle variations and tonal shifts, adding depth and visual interest to the library’s entry.

212 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

hat was once a generously scaled home office at the front of Kelly and Scott Krehbiel’s Shawnee residence has been transformed into something far more transportive: a library inspired by the secluded lounges and hotel salons Kelly fell for while traveling through Europe. Equal parts Left Bank hideaway, private retreat, and social hub, the space reflects Kelly’s keen collector’s eye and designer Regan Romero’s instinct for mood, craft, and architectural drama.

After selling their business and entering a new chapter of life, the couple found themselves with a large, underused room—complete with soaring ceilings and existing built-ins—that no longer aligned with their lifestyle. Kelly envisioned a space that felt intentionally composed, where one might sip a Negroni, read for hours, or gather friends around a table without the formality

A DESIGN + BUILD NEW HOME BUILDER

Photos by McKenzie Ensminger

ELEVATE YOUR BUILDING EXPERIENCE WITH THESE CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS!

SPIESSCUSTOMHOMES.COM UPSC A LE STA NDA R D FE ATUR E S

/

NEAL PARKER

LU X UR IOUS FINISHE S

/

U NPA R A LLELED CR A F TSM A NSHIP

F O R S A L E – 3 B E D RO O M 3 B AT H – TOW N H O M E – M L S # 2 5 5 1 0 5 7 Experience elevated living at The Cliffs of Watercrest—modern townhomes with private rooftop terraces and low-maintenance luxury. This 1.5-story home features an open layout with soaring 20-foot ceilings, a chef-inspired kitchen, and a main-level primary suite with a spa-like bath and walk-in closet. Upstairs, enjoy a flexible loft and private rooftop terrace—perfwect for relaxing or entertaining. With a secondary suite, an unfinished basement, and a prime location near shopping, dining, and highways, The Cliffs of Watercrest offers modern convenience and effortless living.

Jeff Albright

REALTOR® jeffalbright@weicherthomeskc.com 913.645.3528

Cobey Cooper

REALTOR® cobeycooper@weicherthomeskc.com 913.713.9484

R O O M S

W E

L O V E

of a traditional living room. A discreet wet bar was nonnegotiable, along with seating that encouraged conversation rather than posture.

“I wanted it to feel like the lounges we love in Europe—elegant but relaxed, intimate but not precious,” Kelly says. “Somewhere you could linger, talk, read, play cards, pour a drink. A room with swagger.”

For Romero, the project felt like a natural evolution of a creative partnership already built on trust.

“This was our second project together, so there was an ease to the process,” she says. “Kelly is decisive and highly intuitive—she knows how she wants to feel in a space, and she’s not afraid of bold ideas. We truly get each other, which allowed us to push the design boundary further and create something unexpected.”

Vintage and secondhand furnishings sourced by homeowner Kelly Krehbiel are woven throughout the library, lending the room a personal sense of character.

While much of the residence leans toward neutral and eclectic styles, the library is a deliberate departure. Deeply colored walls, a lilac ceiling, and carefully calibrated lighting give the room its own visual gravity, setting it apart from the home’s adjacent rooms. Existing millwork was refined and extended, honoring the home’s bones while lending the library a stronger architectural presence.

The room’s defining centerpiece is the custom bar alcove—a rounded, recessed form that replaces the former desk area. Achieving its concave shape required close collaboration with trades and meticulous plasterwork, resulting in a detail that feels sculptural and Positioned at the center of the room, a round table anchors the library as a place for card games, reading, and long conversations—supporting the room’s role as an everyday gathering space. The lilac-painted ceiling adds a quiet counterpoint to the room’s deeper tones, creating a gentle contrast that becomes more apparent as the eye moves upward.

214 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

K I T C H E N , B AT H , A N D F L O O R I N G P R O D U C T S 2 KANSAS CITY LOCATIONS: MERRIAM, KS | LEE’S SUMMIT, MO

Be the face of your event, not the engine.

The Veil KC handles every moving part — managing vendors, timelines, and logistics — so you can mingle, connect, and celebrate without interruption.

Behind the Scenes. Beyond Expectations. www.theveilkc.com 215 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

theveilkc/tagged

913-890-3295

R O O M S

W E

L O V E

See video interview with Publisher Keith Sauro.

assured. Metallic plaster catches the light throughout the day, while Crema Marfil marble and concealed lighting give the bar a warm, golden glow.

Bringing the room to life required a tightly coordinated team of artisans and trades.

Arbuckle Building Solutions served as the contractor, executing the intricate architectural work alongside custom cabinetry by Harris Cabinet Design. Stone selections—including the luxurious Calacatta Viola marble used at the fireplace—were fabricated by Triton Stone and Dimensional Stoneworks. A border with polished Breccia marble tile from Triton elevates the floor. The fireplace’s marble surround pairs with a Midwest Fireplace insert, with final styling

by The Bold Americana.

Equally impactful are the custom stainedglass doors at the library’s entrance. Designed in collaboration with Wheat and Waves/Scout Metal, the doors act as both threshold and statement: By day, light filters through the glass in tonal shifts that visually cocoon the room; by

Refined millwork lines the library walls, offering a tailored backdrop for books and collected objects while maintaining a sense of rhythm and proportion throughout the room.

216 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Buying or Selling a Home in Kansas City?

Make Sure Your Roof Protects Your Biggest Asset

Where We Treat You Like Royalty and Your Home Like a Castle COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | EMERGENCY | ROOF REPAIR STORM/HAIL DAMAGE RE-ROOF | NEW CONSTRUCTION | REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

F O R A F R E E F R E E E S T I M AT E S C A L L

816-605-1591 I M P E R I A L R O O F I N G KC .CO M 9 01 N M ON R OE AV E K A N SAS CI TY M O 6 41 2 0

PR OUD R OOFI NG CONT RACTOR FOR

B L R i eke. com

R O O M S

W E

L O V E

night, the doors shimmer, marking a measured but unmistakable transition.

Furnishings reinforce a relaxed, collected sensibility. Nearly everything was sourced

by Kelly secondhand—estate sales, vintage shops, and resale finds—and reimagined through thoughtful placement and upholstery.

Books acquired over decades, including volumes inherited from Kelly’s mother-inlaw, line the shelves, grounding the space in memory and meaning.

Today, the library is one of the mostused rooms in the Krehbiel house, hosting tranquil mornings, evening cocktails, and lively discussions that stretch well past their intended duration. It’s a reminder that the most successful rooms don’t announce themselves loudly—they invite you to stay.

The curved bar alcove reflects designer Regan Romero’s vision for the library, pairing metallic plaster by Italian Plasterworks with integrated lighting and a marble countertop to create a sculptural, luminous focal point designed for entertaining.

A sumptuous, custom marble fireplace surround brings warmth and a sense of permanence to the library.

218 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

An Event To Remember W E D D I N G S / C O R P O R AT E E V E N T S / P R I VAT E PA R T I E S

ASSURED WAITSTAFF EVENT PLANNING AND PROFESSIONAL STAFFING SINCE 1995

CALL TODAY FOR A QUOTE 816-506-1143 | CELBEDIL@AOL.COM

KILGORE’S 414 COMPANY

Vintage Shopping Venue

ONE OF A KIND SOURCING: FURNITURE, LIGHTING, ANTIQUES, TEXTILES

International Materials of Design TILE & STONE 4691 IndIan Creek Pkwy (I-435 & roe) overland Park, kS

kilgoresvintageanddesign.com • 816-519-0586 414 S Thompson Ave., Excelsior Springs, MO

913.383.3383 www.imdtile.com

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 219

STONE SO REALISTIC, EVEN MOTHER NATURE WON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

RESIDENTIAL

•

COMMERCIAL

•

TRADE

• Exterior / Interior Stone • Wine Cellars • Accent Walls • Fireplaces • Retaining Walls • Acrylic & Traditional Stucco • Outdoor Kitchens • Firepits & Grills stonecreekmidwest.com

913.400.3400

A BUILDING PROCESS THAT IS

… relational …personalized …fully transparent

www.wulffbuilding.com

913-221-1265

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

Two chefs = two work surfaces in Colby and Megan Garrelts’ kitchen. Butcher block for prep and pasta-making (but no cutting); cool marble for pastries and dining.

WORDS

Sarah MacFarland PHOTOS

Amber Dawkins

@amberdawkinsphotography

Kitchen Magicians T Kansas City chefs share the tools, layouts, and rituals that shape the way they cook at home.

222 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

with

hree

Kansas

City

culinary professionals take their work home

them

every

day—in

kitchens designed for the way they like to cook.

BUILT TO LAST

Expertly engineered to deliver commercial performance, tested to ensure ultimate dura-bility and built with American Pride in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Speed Queen® laundry products truly are in a class by themselves. We put our more than 110 years of experience into every machine and test them to 10,400 cycles—25 years of life in a normal home.

Scan the QR code below for a list of authorized Speed Queen Dealers near you

25 YEARS

RATED MOST RELIABLE APPLIANCE BRAND

Rated Most Reliable Appliance Brand SCAN THE QR CODE FOR A LIST OF AUTHORIZEDBuilt to last SPEED QUEEN DEALERS NEAR YOU

25 Years

Expertly engineered to deliver commercial performance, tested to ensure

DOOLITTLE DISTRIBUTING INC 14125 West 95th Street, Lenexa, KS 66215 www.ddius.com / 913.888.7820

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

Chefs Megan and Colby Garrelts in their Leawood kitchen.

Megan and Colby Garrelts Chefs Megan and Colby Garrelts spend part of their time in restaurant kitchens, from their late great Bluestem in Westport to the fan favorites Rye Plaza and Rye Leawood. Away from the heat, noise, and pressure of a commercial kitchen, the couple welcomes “the romantic, easy-going vibe at home,” says Megan.

“We wanted a very large workspace,” she says, that now includes a Wolf four-burner gas range with a French top (for simmering many pots and pans at once), a double oven, and a pot-filler. A large Boos butcher block table provides more prep and buffet space, but is never used as a cutting board.

“We like to prep cookie and pasta dough on the Boos. And then for pastry and desserts that require a cooler surface, we like the marbletopped table that also functions as our eating area,” she adds.

224 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The Garreltses are also cookbook authors and have their favorite books handy.

Cookbooks also take pride of place, including their Bluestem: The Cookbook and Made in America: A Modern Collection of Classic Recipes. Colorful Staub and Le Creuset pots add pops of color while being close at hand. Their son Colin, 15, is “getting into cooking,” says his proud mom, while daughter Madilyn can’t wait to leave college dorm food behind and come home for dinner prepared by Colin and dad Colby.

“We entertain a lot,” says Megan. “People love to gather in our kitchen. And it’s so great when they don’t want to leave.”

Rye 10551 Mission Road, Leawood, KS 4646 Mill Creek Parkway, Kansas City, MO ryekc.com; @rye_kc

WE’RE WITH YOU EVERY STEP NO MATTER OF THE WAY.YOUR LIFE STAGE, WE’RE WITH YOU EVERY STEP No matter your life stage—whether buying your first home, upsizing, OFdownsizing—only THE WAY. or REALTORS® have the knowledge, resources, and expertise to guide you from start to finish.

No matter your life buying your firstdeal, home, upsizing, From navigating thestage—whether market to negotiating the best REALTORS® or REALTORS® have the knowledge, resources, and aredownsizing—only with you every step of the way. expertise to guide you from start to finish.

Learn more at KCRAR.com From navigating the market to negotiating the best deal, REALTORS® are with you every step of the way.

Learn more at KCRAR.com

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

Cookbook author and cooking teacher Jyoti Mukharji is all about fresh ingredients and spices in her Prairie Village kitchen.

Jyoti Mukharji Jyoti Mukharji recently wrote and published Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen with her son Auyon. “It was a long-standing dream,” she says. All the food preparation, recipe writing, and testing for the cookbook were done in her Prairie Village kitchen, which also functions as a venue for her popular cooking classes.

“We bought our house in 1995,” she recalls, “but did not redo the kitchen until 2003. I wanted a larger dining and seating area, a more social space.”

In 2010, Mukharji started giving classes in her home. Over the years, she and husband, Jhulan, a retired doctor and now an artist, added a sixburner Wolf commercial range and a powerful

Mukharji buys many spices whole and grinds them for the best flavor.

226 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

C U STOM HO M ES A ND RE NOVAT IONS OwenHomesKC.com • 816.343.6065 •

owenhomesllc

Fresh, homemade herbs and spices are hand-labeled and organized directly across from the stove. Mukharji uses different grinders for the task.

228 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

Not only does Mukharji grind her own flavorings, she grows some of them, too. She turned an enclosed pool into a greenhouse, where hundreds of plants flourish in the warmth. Top right: A Curry Leaf plant is an aromatic herb and a staple of Indian cuisine. Lower left: Winter oranges make especially nice marmalades. Bottom right: Potted plants overwinter in the greenhouse; in the summer, Mukharji brings them outside to bask on the patio by the house.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 229

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

The Mukharjis remodeled the kitchen in the early 2000s, installing a skylight that floods the space with natural light and balancing the warm wood tones of the cabinets. This is where Mukharji holds classes for those who sign up to learn the art of American Indian cooking. The space also includes an adjacent dining room and sitting room in front of a hearth, where Mukharji spends most of her time.

venting system so cooking aromas don’t spread all over the house. A large storage area with partitions holds 40 to 50 bottles of whole seeds and spices (such as cumin, cardamom, and cloves) as well as the electric spice grinder.

“I wanted them handy to the stove,” Mukharji says. “Freshly ground spices make all the difference.”

Adjacent to the kitchen is her greenhouse, where she harvests curry leaves from over 30 plants for South Indian dishes. She also grows mint, chile peppers, oranges, and Meyer lemons.

“My favorite part of the kitchen is the sitting area, where I read and write recipes while enjoying a cup of Darjeeling tea,” she says.

Pots of herbs and non-edibles are displayed on the kitchen countertops, glimpsing a larger green explosion in the converted pool enclosure from the kitchen window.

230 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Jyoti Kitchen Indian and Nepali Food 6607 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS @jyotisindiankitchen; @heartlandmasala Sign up for cooking lessons: jmukharji@gmail.com

Kitchens / Bathrooms / & MORE

NextGenKC.com (913) 777-4701 Join us on our journey to change the remodeling industry

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 231

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H A perfect work triangle: refrigerator to stove to oven to hungry family seated at the island.

Jasper Mirabile Chef Jasper Mirabile is the second-generation to welcome diners to Jasper’s Italian Restaurant and Marco Polo’s Italian Market in Kansas City.

He also teaches cooking classes, develops recipes for Hen House, and hosts the weekly Live from Jasper’s Kitchen on KCMO radio. His cookbooks include Jasper’s Cookbook and Jasper’s Kitchen Cookbook.

These days, he is delighted to get an assist from grandchildren Sutton Pearl (6) and Jasper James (2), who are learning the finer points of making meatballs.

“When I was a kid, the youngest of four boys, I spent a lot of time at my Nonna’s,” he says. “She would prepare special pasta dishes for me and now I do the same for my grandchildren.”

Family and legacy are very important to Mirabile and his wife, Lisa, who adds a southern twist with her fried chicken and peach pies, soups, and stews.

Chef Jasper Mirabile gets a welcome assist from granddaughter Sutton Pearl.

232 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Paradeof Homes A P R I L 2 5 - M AY 1 0 , 2 0 2 6

KC PA R A D E O F H O M E S . C O M HOMES OPEN DAILY 11 AM - 6PM* | FREE ADMISSION SPONSORED BY

*Check kcparadeofhomes.com and/or download the mobile app to check on a home’s most current status.

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

Mirabile has collected treasured family recipes from Jasper’s in two cookbooks.

The high-performance Bertazzoni range can heat water for pasta presto.

Mirabile wants the power and precision of the restaurant kitchen at home, so he chose a five-burner Bertazzoni range, wall oven, and microwave, as well as a Sub-Zero refrigerator in their Leawood kitchen.

“I call myself a short-order cook,” he says with a laugh, “because at the restaurant, 95 percent of the dishes are to order, not including the sauces that we slow simmer. I want those 19,000 BTUs at home so we have fast-boiling water for pasta.”

The dark, rich cabinets remind him of his grandparents’ furniture. “Sunday dinner is our favorite time, when our family gathers and we make dishes that have been in the family for generations,” he says.

Jasper’s Italian Restaurant 1201 103rd Street, Kansas City, MO jasperskc.com; @jasperskc

When meatballs are sizzling and sauce is simmering, Sunday dinner is not far behind.

234 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

ELITE HOMES BY

LET’S COLLABORATE TO BUILD SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY

W W W. J W - T H O M A S . C O M

(816) 674-7490

BUILDERS LOVE DESIGNKC! YOU WILL, TOO!

“STAY CLASSY KANSAS CITY!”

1 YEAR

(4 SEASONAL ISSUES + 1 BONUS AWARD ISSUE)

$35

2 YEARS

(8 SEASONAL ISSUES + 2 BONUS AWARD ISSUES)

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! mydesignkc.com/subscriptions

$55

Troy Moore MMH Experience mmhexperience.com Photo by Matthew Anderson

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

At Your Service From mess control to entertaining ease, modern butler’s pantries earn their keep.

WORDS

Lisa Waterman Gray @lwgtravels PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo

B

utler’s pantries are having a moment in new and remodeled homes across the metro, especially among homes valued at $1 million or more. Reminiscent of a time when back-of-house staff were commonplace, today’s transitional butler’s pantry serves as a staging area for food and dishes as well as for entertaining.

These workhorses of the home—which often flank kitchens—may include ample space for serving pieces and dishware, as well as for wine and linen storage. Dishwashers, microwaves, and even ovens may also be found in butler’s pantries, alongside prep surfaces. In most cases, the pantry harmonizes visually with the adjacent kitchen. “[It’s about] cleanliness and presentation with guests, in relation to the kitchen,” says Jill Tran with Tran + Thomas Design Studio.

An entire wall of cabinets in the butler’s pantry, opposite the sink, were designed to open on top to expose another prep surface for cooking.

When needed, this design detail then allows for the cabinets to be closed and hide the mess for immediate entertaining.

Open storage units flank the range wall, while double ovens and additional prep space are tucked away on the back wall. “The additional shelving details, on both entrances to the butler’s pantry, give the homeowners a beautiful place to display photos and accessories of all sizes, while looking clean and organized,” Tran says.

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

DESIGNER

Tran + Thomas Design Studio @tranthomasdesign BUILDER

Starr Homes @starrhomes

Kristen Kanatzar with Bickimer Homes agrees: “A big thing [about having a butler’s pantry] is the mess control when you’re entertaining. A lot of people like it for extra storage and kitchen appliances. Many people will include sinks. It really increases new-home value, too.”

When Tran designs kitchens and pantries, she likes to add an appliance closet and a work surface. Having one oven in the butler’s pantry—which the homeowner can easily open and shut while turning around in the space without bumping into things—can also be extremely helpful.

Size can vary, but Tran recommends dimensions that are one-third to one-half the size of the kitchen. “It creates a workhorse and ‘little brother’ to the kitchen,” she explains.

A brass fixture and classic black-and-white flooring elevate the bar area in a limited space with many functions. “The trick was to place the bar where it could be a feature from the great room, adjacent from the dining room, and brought up to a scale so it could stand on its own and serve guests easily,” Tran explains.

The clients had a very clear vision of the look of their new, custom home: peaceful and beautiful, while being organized and happy. The colors were to be warm, soft, and natural, yet they also loved the impact of black and white. Most importantly, they wanted to be able to entertain often and tidy up from chef duties quickly.

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

BUILDER

Bickimer Homes @bickimer_homes

In this Lenexa model home, the kitchen hits all the right marks that appeal to discerning buyers, including a continuous countertop and backsplash with a ledge, taupe cabinets with brass hardware, and a minimized hood. The connecting dining area’s arched stone wall makes a grounding focal wall for the entire open floor plan.

Real Life Example: An Influential Impression An exterior door floods the butler’s pantry with natural light at the Andersen family’s custom home. Tall glass-and-brass shelves flank wood base cabinets and adjacent cupboards, as well as nearby display shelves. A stove is opposite the floor-to-ceiling cabinets.

“When you walk in from the garage, you’re walking into something beautiful,” Tran says.

Client Mallory Andersen had seen butler’s pantries popping up in homes all over the city just as the couple began designing the home.

A wall of cabinets delivers much-needed storage space for today’s kitchens, mixing in some glass fronts for displaying meaningful items.

Andersen can work in her butler’s pantry and then close it up, making it disappear behind closed doors.

She

also

appreciates

individual

design

elements in this space. As an influencer (@mallorychristineandersen), she has specific tastes.

“I had a design in mind—a tile I wanted and the brass hardware,” she says. “Tran + Thomas worked great with me, including completely custom-designed floor-to-ceiling cabinets.” One cabinet even houses a step stool, providing easy access to the upper cabinets.

Tran enjoys a butler’s pantry in her own home,

She wanted to incorporate one for frequently

too: “Mine is a highly functioning space—it’s

hosting gatherings. “I like to prep in the back

where the microwave is, the water filtration

and not have to worry so much about the mess

system, a beverage fridge, and a refrigerator that

I’m creating,” she says. “As you’re hosting, the

can hold leftovers. The pantry is secondary but

‘flow’ is so much easier.”

still extraordinarily highly functioning.”

K I T C H E N

+

B A T H

To the left of the coffee station, a mudroom addresses many family needs, with a drop zone, desk space, lockers, and fullheight storage cabinets—all while looking lovely painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Lauriston Stone.

The back pantry makes a beautiful impression, staged in an arched opening with brick tile in sage. It makes the perfect coffee station next to a small sink for easy cleanup.

To the right of the coffee station, on the way to the rear entry door, an open pantry painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Perfect Khaki complements Dekton Arga countertops.

Additional appliances, like a beverage fridge and a microwave drawer, add functionality to the storage and work space.

A Role Model for Others: Turnkey Ease Visible from the spacious kitchen of this Lenexa model home, a graceful archway hints at a powerhouse in the background. An easymaintenance Dekton countertop provides the perfect prep space to make a cup of cappuccino.

A small sink aids handwashing and coffee cleanup.

“Most of our butler’s pantries are right behind the kitchen and easily accessible,” Kanatzar says. “Lots of people also really appreciate having extra storage. Many want their microwave and possibly an oven hidden there, too. And a lot of people like having a window or a door.”

This space has all that, plus connections to other new-home favorites—a mudroom and pocket office.

Adjacent space to the right leads to the rear exit. A long countertop invites food prep and staging, while base cabinet drawers

offer additional storage. Appliances include a beverage refrigerator and an under-counter microwave.

To the left, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry provides ample storage for food and glassware, as well as for larger serving pieces. A desk by the garage entry makes a handy drop zone for receipts and mail, while clutter-causing coats and bags can be hidden out of sight in the built-in lockers.

Good lighting can come from utilitarian cans or from high-end flush-mount fixtures. Flooring should be considered for the heavy traffic the

area will sustain: Bickimer Homes uses preengineered hardwood in most of their model homes, which seems to hold up better to local humidity levels than hardwood floors do.

“Some homeowners may go with a tile floor instead,” Kanatzar says.

Not only are today’s butler’s pantries highfunctioning, but they are also visually stunning.

Tile designs and lighting can make the area inviting to spend time in. This one features colorful ceramic tile with floating shelves, and vertical shiplap with hanging display surfaces.

Excavation is not just our work;

it is our legacy.

SPECIALIZING IN Commercial & Residential Excavation Site Utilities Retaining Walls In-Ground Trampolines

riekegradinginc.com 3rd Generation owner-operators serving Kansas and Missouri since 1987.

www.hurst.build / 913.708.8380

Finely Crafted

Custom Homes + Remodels + Renovations

WORDS

Matt Smithmier @mattsmithmier PHOTOS

Ethan Cooper

@ethancooperphotography POOL AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

Lorax Design Group @loraxdesigngroup

An Olathe homeowner brings Colorado-flavored vacation vibes with a focus on gathering and ease to the cliffs of Cedar Creek.

B

etween the boulders and the graceful Aspen trees—not to mention the scenic view of the ninth hole—you’ll be forgiven if you’re feeling some distinct Colorado, “not in Kansas anymore” vibes.

Homeowner Tray Wiltse had been inspired by family trips to Vail and stays at the Four Seasons there.

“I wanted to capture that. When I wake up in the morning and when I come home from work, I want to feel like I’m on vacation,” he says.

246 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Wiltse describes his new outdoor oasis as “mountain modern,” and he credits Kurt Kraisinger, president and owner of Lorax Design Group, for the significant transformation of his front entry and backyard at his Cedar Creek home.

After moving into the house in May 2024, Wiltse started renovations—inside and out—to create a space both for entertaining colleagues and friends and for spending more time with his children.

From the evergreens planted along the driveway up front to the no-maintennce patch of turf at the back, Lorax’s thoughtful design additions blend into the natural surroundings. A two-level deck allows the homeowners to step outside with ease into a number of seating situations—a quiet tête-à-tête, sunning session, watch party, or circled around the fire pit with friends.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 247

“He wanted something that was really clean, elegant, and timeless,” Kraisinger says. “So, we tried to respond with a design that was simple and not fussy but would complement some of the color ranges and materials he was thinking about using on the project.”

However, first they had to contend with the nearly unusable backyard space due to a steep slope off the existing deck, and an undiscovered water main running through the yard that even the city was unaware of. Yet, after a lot of dirt work and some minor tweaks to the plans, Kraisinger put together a team and began the transformation.

Under the existing deck, the team developed a new casual seating area that spills out into a secondary lounge area. A majestic stone fireplace (which matches the existing stone on the house) provides warmth and ambience to the area, all covered by a pergola with rain sensors that automatically close and redirect water when needed.

The centerpiece of the backyard is a casual lounging pool, illuminated with ambient light, perfect for adult entertainment and relaxation.

Kraisinger introduced a new precast concrete paver to the pool deck, which is made with a white Portland cement and white aggregate, drastically reducing the heat on bare feet. The same material is used not only on the pool deck but also the coping and stepping stones that run through the entire project. The far end even includes a rectangle of artificial turf, something Wiltse said he was initially unsure about.

“But Kurt said, ‘Trust me, you’re going to thank me for that,’” he recalls.

Sure enough, the pad was not only the ideal location for chipping a few golf balls but also the perfect size for a 15-foot x 30-foot tent for food and bartending.

“Every single room here was built with not just the intention of the kids and the usage but also entertainment and gathering,” he notes.

A small lounging pool provides a casual gathering place for kids, friends, and family. Precast concrete pavers made with white Portland cement stay cool for bare feet.

248 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

While the steep slope previously made the backyard unusable, the finished space now offers a place to gather just steps away from the lower level of the home.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 249

If all that weren’t enough, the newly created area enjoys captivating views of the adjacent golf course, complete with waterfall, as well as the surrounding woods. Wiltse, an avid golfer, appreciates both the serenity of the greens—and the chance to holler down to golfing buddies— but also the seamless transition from the modern lines of the house to the natural setting that defines the area.

“It’s serene back here,” he says. “Cedar Creek really is one of my favorite backdrops.”

Of course, the front entry wasn’t forgotten.

A large stone boulder (complete with relaxing bubbler), more Aspen trees, and stone inlays in the concrete create an experience far from typical and one that sets the same relaxing tone that carries through the house to the back.

The project finished last year, with Wiltse crediting Kraisinger for quarterbacking a team that looked after every detail.

“In my business, finding a way for the team to work together is something I’ve always valued,” he says. “This was one of the first times I’d seen it in construction. There was just a synergy and collaboration that happens when everybody gets together on the same team with a shared vision and understands the goals of the project.”

Kraisinger also designed the home’s front walkway with an impactful impression. The Aspen trees, rocks, and other natural elements provide the feel of a Colorado vacation resort that the homeowner wanted.

250 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A secondary lounge area includes a stone fireplace that matches the existing stone on the house, covered by a pergola that automatically opens or closes based on the weather.

As an avid golfer, the homeowner appreciates the magnificent views and proximity to Shadow Glen Golf Club (seen just beyond the tree line) from the pool deck.

Composite decking material matches the existing deck on the house and provides an intimate covered area for conversation.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 251

Chalet Modern

Using future-forward building technology, an Old Leawood teardown transmutes into the most sustainable home on the block.

WORDS

Christine Emming PHOTOS

Matthew Anderson @matthewaphoto ARCHITECT

SixTwentyOne @sixtwentyone_ BUILDER

Kala Performance Homes @kalabuilt

DESIGNER

Therese Wickey Designs theresewickeydesigns.com

This home is being featured on the AIA Homes Tour, April 25 from 1-4 p.m. Find details on page 104.

252 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“The house was designed and built using passive-house principles to control air moving in and out of the house, keep walls free of moisture at all times, and ensure that only small inputs are needed to maintain energy (temperature) stability inside regardless of what is happening outside,” says the team at Kala. Wood and limestone materials fitted easily into the traditional, Old Leawood neighborhood. The exterior wood patterns were designed by architect Dan Brown to add texture and visual interest.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 253

“

Visible wood grain surrounds and grounds the formal dining area, providing an instant ease to guests. Atop the inset shelving of the floating wall stands a little girl dancing, sculpted by the homeowner’s grandfather, Art Wickey.

254 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The story of how we found our lot still makes me smile,” says homeowner and designer Therese Wickey. She and her husband, Tim, already lived in Old Leawood and adored the neighborhood’s charm. But cleaning their screened-in porch, they discovered wood rot.

Again.

With a grin, Tim said, “Maybe it’s time to move.”

He may have been teasing, but Therese started looking on Zillow and found a lot down the street. Minutes later, the couple hopped on their bikes to check it out and knew instantly— this was the perfect teardown for their dream home, right in the neighborhood they already loved.

“We made the purchase within two days,” Therese says.

They also knew exactly what to build there.

“My husband and I have always dreamed of building a high-performance passive home that was both beautiful and energy efficient,” Therese says.

Passive homes are built to a meticulous standard of energy-efficiency, all the while prioritizing comfortable living spaces. With their specifications altering the way the home controls thermal, solar, and air, passive home owners expect their home to endure for a century—decades longer than a home built to minimum construction standards.

“There are six sides to every building, and the goal is the same for each of them, though the practical techniques vary for walls, foundation, and roof,” says the Kala team. “The result is a more durable, healthy, comfortable, and sustainable home.”

The walnut floating wall was designed as a collaboration between Brown and Wickey.

When closed, it prettily divides the foyer from the dining room. But its double duty is revealed, when opened, as a well-organized liquor cabinet. On the opposite side, the wall conceals the foyer’s coat closet.

Scan to watch the video featured on KCTV 5.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 255

After choosing Kala Performance Homes to construct their passive home, the couple interviewed architects. Founder and architect Dan Brown at SixTwentyOne understood their vision.

“Dan was the right fit for us,” Therese says.

Plans began to materialize for a distinctive home design that melded with the established neighborhood. Brown designed spaces where the couple would be equally comfortable entertaining large family gatherings and living by themselves.

“We envisioned a space filled with light, comfort, and purpose—where every room is both functional and beautiful,” Therese says.

With her own extensive background in design, Therese had previously designed all three of the custom homes she and Tim have built together.

Open to the living space, the kitchen features an elegant custom cabinet for pots and pans inspired by a magazine photograph. “The quality of their craftsmanship and materials was outstanding,” Therese says of the custom build by Metal 1 of Lee’s Summit. Below the cabinet lies a powder-coated drawer with an insert for storing lids and cooking screens. Metal 1 also crafted the fireplace, range hood, and a magnetic spice rack.

Sunlight proliferates in this radiant stairway, supported by organic stone and the warmth from the fireplace. Therese’s idea of bringing the stone inside was inspired by contemporary rehabilitation projects in historic structures in Spain, where existing stone walls were necessarily incorporated with contemporary elements. In the stairway, the stone, backlit by windows, offers a grounding effect and blurs the line between exterior and interior spaces.

256 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The fireplace material is the same raw metal with a black wax finish, applied in several layers, that was used in the kitchen. Soft, elegant hues of Dolomite marble used on the base infuse the home with a calming, spa-like energy.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 257

The couple’s love of collecting meaningful, one-of-a-kind art runs through every corner of the home.

A wood head wall warms up the space and ties back to the home’s exterior materials, while vaulted ceilings allow daylight to reflect deeper into the space, giving the master bedroom a grand air.

“At first, I think Dan was a little surprised by how specific our vision was—especially since I wanted to handle all the interior and exterior design elements myself,” Therese says.

Taking inspiration from their modern home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Tim and Therese emphasized a love of the outdoors and natural light.

“Capturing southern light and bringing it deep into interior spaces was a high priority,” Dan says. “Our aim is to create spaces where you don’t need artificial lighting during daylight hours, and this home is a great example of that approach.”

Tim and Therese wanted an airy main floor plan with a functional kitchen open to the main living space, a joint office, a tranquil master suite, and welcoming areas for their dogs. In short, a home that is not merely efficient, but an authentic reflection of the homeowners’ lives.

The home’s floor plan is thoughtful, but simple.

All of the daily living spaces—living room, kitchen, primary suite—are located on the back side of the home for additional privacy, while secondary spaces, such as a formal dining area and office, occupy the street-facing façade.

Connecting the indoors with the outdoors meant using exposed natural wood, which offers a calm, grounding visual.

258 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

This passthrough is invisible from the main entry points of the home, tucked just behind the main kitchen. It functions as the kitchen’s workhorse, housing appliances, a second wash station, and plenty of storage in a beautiful, white oak surround with marble countertops and backsplash.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 259

The couple’s dream home needed to include space for fitness, a shared passion. A hot tub nestles beside a 10’ x 16’ endless pool—the wave function allows a person to swim in place—that the homeowners use every morning.

260 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“There is a comfort and warmth that no man-made product can achieve as wood can,” Brown says.

Natural light is also an essential part of the home’s architecture. “Expansive windows and thoughtfully-framed doorways invite sunlight and sky into nearly every room,” Therese says.

“The luminous atmosphere highlights the home’s clean geometry and organic materials.”

Large windows and framed views are primarily oriented to the south, where there is nearly 300 feet of private, wooded land. “Even though there is a lot of glass, the home feels very private,” Brown says. The property’s treelined backyard backs up to a secluded ravine.

These large, back-facing windows are shaded by a brise-soleil, a system of shade fins that block harsh summer sunlight and allow yearround use without a curtain.

Throughout the home, texture fluctuates pleasingly from the hardwood floors and ceiling planks to stone and ceramic finishes; each surface feels effortlessly curated. In nature, very few things are perfect and smooth, so humans are drawn to texture, variation, and imperfection.

“I love seeing people running their hands on walls in homes we design,” Brown notes. “It means there’s something special there that they want to connect with.”

A passive home is one that aims to control energy transfer between the inside and the outside of a home by breaking the path energy uses to flow in and out. This is done by adding continuous exterior insulation outside the structure of your home, and integrating high-performance windows into a wall much thicker with insulation than code-compliance requires.

Art is central to the home’s aesthetic. Many of the featured art pieces were created by Tim’s grandfather and hold significant meaning for the couple. After meeting and befriending artists together, the couple also gifts each other “artworks that mirror our journeys and shared experiences,” Therese says. In designing her home, she created spaces to celebrate these special pieces.

Though transient objects like art can change as tastes evolve, Brown says, “Our goal is for the home’s architecture to age gracefully with the homeowner.”

These large, back-facing windows are shaded by a brise soleil, a system of shade fins that block harsh summer daylight and allow for year-round use without an interior curtain.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 261

WORDS

Jen Moore

@miss.moore PHOTOS

Amber Dawkins @amberdawkinsphotography ARCHITECT

Carlson Duncan Architecture DESIGNER

RESET Interiors @molly.cody CONTRACTOR

Wulff Fine Custom Homes @wulff building

LIVING OUT LOUD A single statement wallpaper sparks a confident, high-drama new build in Prairie Village.

B

efore there was a floor plan or a finish schedule, there was a design brief built around a singular selection: tiger heads.

The Gucci-inspired wallpaper was on the homeowner’s wishlist from the start. Not a someday idea or a guilty pleasure, it became the reference point for a brand new house in Prairie Village. When the exact pattern was discontinued, Molly Cody, founder of RESET Interiors, tracked down a similar version through Etsy. Slightly smaller tiger heads, same attitude, installed in the powder bath just off the entry.

“The wallpaper kind of gave us permission to make bold decisions throughout the house,” Cody says. “Once it was locked in, everything else had to rise to meet it.”

A graphic checkerboard tile floor pairs with glass railings and a sculptural linear chandelier that draws the eye upward.

262 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Installed just off the entry, the tiger head wallpaper delivers an unapologetic first impression and sets the design direction for the entire house.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 263

Seen from the living area, the glass wine wall becomes a focal point, adding depth, transparency, and a dose of drama to an otherwise open floor plan.

264 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A floating wine display doubles as sculpture and gives the illusion of bottles suspended in midair.

That sense of permission became the organizing principle for the entire house, nicknamed the Real House of Campbells (RHOC) by its owners, a Bravo-loving couple originally from California.

Think bold, dramatic, tastefully indulgent in places but paired with simplicity in others. Bring on the drama—clients and designer were aligned.

The homeowners had lived in Kansas City for several years before deciding to knock down an existing home and build a new one. Like many families, they wanted the ease of a walkable, familyoriented neighborhood. What they didn’t want was a house that played it safe just because it was new construction.

Built by Wulff Fine Custom Homes, the house manages to be expressive without being chaotic, a balance achieved through discipline as much as bravado.

Dark materials ground the living space, where custom built-ins and a sleek fireplace bring mood and comfort.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 265

Black cabinetry and bold stone surfaces give the kitchen its backbone, softened by warm wood tones and tailored seating that invite lingering.

266 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A waterfall edge on the island continues the drama of the quartz’s veining down to the floor.

“In a fully custom build, the possibilities are endless,” says Matt Wulff. “So we ask clients to focus on what matters most early on. Once those priorities are clear, everything else falls into place.”

“From the beginning, they kept saying they wanted loud moments,” Cody adds. “And every time we thought we’d hit that mark, they’d ask, ‘Can we go louder?’”

Yes, all agreed. If the tiger wallpaper delivers the opening line, the entry floor is the punctuation.

Rather than easing visitors in with wood or a neutral stone, Cody opted for a graphic checkerboard pattern in oversized porcelain tile, pairing black with a deep, moody green. Framed by white walls, glass railings, and a custom linear chandelier, the floor becomes a moment of arrival.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 267

“

It was about finding dramatic moments that still worked for how they actually live.

– Molly Cody

A morning bar tucked into the primary suite makes coffee-first mornings a daily ritual.

“It sets the tone right away,” Cody says. “You immediately understand the direction of the house.”

Black appears throughout the home, not as a trend-driven accent, but as an anchor. In the kitchen, bold quartz countertops pair with custom cabinetry by Custom Cabinets by Lawrence, and dark plumbing fixtures in gunmetal and black.

“People always get nervous about black,” Cody says. “But there’s so much light in this house that it doesn’t feel heavy.”

Lighting helps with that, too. Instead of defaulting to symmetrical pendant arrangements, Cody leaned into offset placements and sculptural fixtures. Doubled LED chandeliers in the entry amplify the sense of arrival.

“It was about finding dramatic moments that

268 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

still worked for how they actually live,” Cody says.

Livable drama is also on display in the dining room, thanks to the home’s most technically ambitious feature: a floating wine bottle display in the living area. The homeowners wanted the bottles to appear as though they were suspended in midair, which meant abandoning standard metal racking in favor of a more complex solution.

“It was honestly all hands on deck,” Cody says.

“The trim carpenter and the glass company had to work really closely together.”

The installation team used wire supports to maintain the illusion, while glass panels slide into precisely cut grooves. Even the local Prairie Village liquor store got involved to determine exactly where supports needed to be placed so the bottles would sit perfectly straight.

A smoky, transparent black tub anchors the primary bath, paired with clean-lined tile and glass for a look that feels quietly indulgent.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 269

Glass-front cabinetry with integrated lighting turns a sneaker closet into a gallery moment.

270 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“They really wanted to use every part of their house,” Cody says. “It’s not just a showpiece. It’s where they hang out, watch TV, live.”

In the primary suite, the boldness continues with a smoky, transparent black acrylic tub, a choice that felt like a leap when specified and a win once installed.

“That was definitely a risk,” Cody says. “But it turned out really cool.”

Nearby, a morning bar replaces the traditional coffee station. Complete with a sink and a matte white faucet, it allows the homeowners to start the day without leaving the bedroom.

“We went back and forth on whether they needed a sink,” Cody says. “But once you imagine washing mugs and filling the coffee maker right there, it makes sense.”

Closets become destinations rather than storage zones. Hers includes an island, a champagne fridge, and a vanity moment. His shoe closet features glass-fronted shelving with integrated LEDs designed to showcase a serious sneaker collection.

Throughout the house, personal details keep the drama from feeling generic. Pocket door

Closet envy, activated. A central island, champagne fridge and layered storage create a space that feels like a private showroom.

hardware engraved with a Denver Broncos logo greets the homeowner in his office. A framed Louis Vuitton scarf hangs as art. Another piece incorporates repurposed Versace ties.

“It was important that it felt collected,” Cody says, “not like everything came from the same place.”

And it all traces back to that first decision.

The wallpaper. The tiger heads. The moment the clients decided they weren’t interested in quiet.

“Loud was their word,” Cody says. “And we just went with it.”

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 271

Why book a pricey vacation when your backyard offers a perfect escape? The deck was rebuilt and expanded with a new patio, a connecting path to the driveway and garage, and a custom grilling and storage zone, making outdoor entertaining seamless.

272 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A Leap Worth

Taking

WORDS

Gloria Gale PHOTOS

Nate Sheets

@natesheetsphoto DESIGNER

Lisa Schmitz Interior Design @lisaschmitzinteriors CONTRACTOR

Gahagan-Eddy @gahaganeddy

After 30 years in their home, a Johnson County couple refreshed their surroundings—inside and out—with a thoughtful, minimalist renovation.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 273

Vaulted ceilings and sculptural windows bring in abundant light and a sense of spaciousness. The redesigned living room now features a cozy conversation area that invites gathering and connection.

h

ome renovations require a leap of faith.

Even with research and a solid team, the journey is unpredictable. For one Johnson County couple, a modest refresh became a transformative 10-month adventure.

It redefined their home and deepened their appreciation for design.

At the outset, the couple envisioned making only a few updates. However, as planning progressed, their outlook began to shift.

“All we needed was a banister—and maybe a kitchen refresh,” the homeowner recalls. But their ideas, and the project’s scope, evolved.

Their grown children thought they were crazy for altering a house with 30 years of memories.

Still, the couple pressed on.

274 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“

We saw an opportunity to give the entire home—inside and out—a more cohesive, modern presence.

– Lisa Schmitz

“This high-traffic space needed rebalancing,” Schmitz says. She removed cluttered shelving to create a cleaner, more relaxed atmosphere with improved visual flow into the adjoining rooms.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 275

Opening the wall between the entry and dining room improved circulation and modernized the layout. Original furnishings were retained and refreshed with new upholstered host chairs, while pendant lights above the table add an artistic focal point.

276 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Schmitz preserved the kitchen’s original footprint but updated nearly every surface. Custom cabinetry conceals modern appliances, and a new window above the sink frames the pool view while doubling as a pass-through for outdoor dining.

A trusted referral led them to interior designer Lisa Schmitz.

“Lisa was straightforward, minimalist like us, and her credentials were stellar,” says the homeowner. “So we signed on.”

When Schmitz conducted her initial walkthrough, she immediately spotted untapped potential that would soon expand the project’s scope.

“What began as a kitchen refresh broadened in scope,” she explains. “We saw an opportunity to give the entire home—inside and out—a more cohesive, modern presence.”

The first step: improve curb appeal. A dated brick wall that wasn’t vital to the home’s approach was removed. New windows, a modern, glass-front door, and refreshed landscaping created a more welcoming exterior.

A built-in desk blends seamlessly into the kitchen’s design. Linear cabinet pulls enhance utility in this highly functional workspace. The curved desk feature is repeated at the bar opening and the room dividing shelves.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 277

Opening the kitchen eating area to adjacent rooms was a key design move.

The result is an open, airy space with uninterrupted sight lines.

The first floor underwent a complete reimagining. In the dining room, a wall was removed to improve flow. Outdated ceiling lights were replaced with sculptural fixtures.

Door headers were raised, crown molding removed, and artwork repositioned to highlight clean architectural lines.

In the television room, Schmitz curated the homeowners’ collections. She replaced cluttered shelving with a custom display unit that now serves as a visual bridge to the kitchen.

The kitchen kept its footprint but gained floorto-ceiling cabinetry, integrated appliances, a redesigned desk nook, and a larger window that brings in more natural light.

The couple’s collection of mid-century furniture needed a better stage. In the large living room, Schmitz vaulted the ceiling and added large windows flanking the fireplace that frame the outdoors. A bold new hearth

278 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A custom room divider showcases the homeowners’ favorite art while visually connecting the space to the kitchen. Removing outdated shelving and cabinets gave the room a fresh, modern look.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 279

The entryway sets a welcoming tone with gallery-white walls that highlight the homeowners’ curated art collection. A glass door brings in natural light, enhancing the display.

280 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Bluestone pavers and a sculptural Japanese maple add charm and curb appeal to the home’s handsome brick façade.

and vibrant artwork by artist Gene Davis now anchor the space, which is cleverly divided into a conversation zone and a cozy cocktail nook.

The back of the house was refreshed with a dramatic coat of new paint. Then, oversized pavers were used to create a handsome new patio outfitted with a bar, grill, and countertops.

The pool area, surrounded by generous decking, now offers a tranquil retreat for relaxing or entertaining.

“Essentially, we trusted Lisa,” the homeowner reflects. “I loved everything she chose for us.”

The admiration was mutual. “This was the ideal client,” Schmitz says. “They were open, collaborative, and committed to creating something truly special.”

It wouldn’t be an understatement to toast many more years to come in this well-loved home.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 281

WORDS

Jen Moore

@misses.moore PHOTOS

Nate Sheets

@natesheetsphoto DESIGNER

Kobel + Co

@kobelandco

CONTRACTOR

Gahagan-Eddy @gahaganeddy

Tradition with a Pulse

A century-old Tudor near the Plaza gets reborn through color and craft— a result that's historic yet iconic.

H

ere’s what happens when Elizabeth Bennett and Mallory Robins of Kobel + Co get their hands on a historic home: walls move, light shifts, and a century-old Tudor suddenly feels like the most talked-about house in Kansas City.

With a layered aesthetic that has made them one of the region’s most closely watched studios, the Kansas City design firm has built its reputation on tension done right. Think traditional bones, modern pulse. Their work has become shorthand for livable luxury—rooms that photograph beautifully but feel even better in person.

Their latest project, a 1910 Tudor near the Plaza, shows exactly why their work is interesting to design enthusiasts and average Joes alike.

Custom cabinetry with brass mesh fronts and marble counters restores the home’s Tudor-era craftsmanship.

282 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The eat-in kitchen features a built-in banquette by Gillpatrick Woodworks crafted for comfort and permanence.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 283

284 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“

They didn’t want to walk into another white kitchen. They wanted warmth. Personality.

They wanted to feel something.

—Elizabeth Bennett

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 285

Cloaked in plum lacquer and soapstone, the butler’s pantry features brass shelving and checkerboard marble flooring.

286 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The “party powder” pairs ribbed marble and brass for a small but unforgettable statement.

On this project, the duo worked with builder Gahagan-Eddy to take the house down to the studs for a reverent renovation. Every detail reflects their knack for pairing warmth with sophisticated humanity, where teal tile meets marble meets thrifted oddity to balance history with high design.

“Renovations like this are our heart work,” Bennett says. “We love the puzzle of an older home and the challenge of preserving its spirit while making it livable for the next hundred years.”

The project began not with a blueprint, but with a feeling. The homeowners were transplants drawn to the character of old Kansas City, but they “didn’t want to walk into another white kitchen,” Bennett recalls. “They wanted warmth. Personality. They wanted to feel something.”

Bring on color in the kitchen, then, starting with a teal Lacanche range that photographs as blue, with brass detailing and a matching rotisserie nearby. Handmade tile wraps the

space in subtle shimmer; a custom banquette offers a place for morning coffee or long dinner conversations, upholstered in leather and channeled velvet. “It’s a bold color that somehow behaves like a neutral,” Bennett notes. “Soft, calm, but with a pulse.”

Throughout the home and on all levels, Gahagan-Eddy’s precision and craftsmanship brought Kobel + Co’s vision to life. Archways, oak floors, and millwork echo the home’s 1910 origins, while the plan was rebalanced for modern flow.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 287

Once a screened-in porch, the record room features custom white-oak paneling and built-in record storage.

In the living room, marble, burl wood, and velvet balance vintage soul with contemporary sophistication.

Hand-painted Gracie wallpaper envelops the dining room in tobacco and ivory botanicals, an heirloom gesture that feels rooted in history.

288 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

“We’re pro-walls,” Bennett laughs. “We like rooms that have shape and intimacy. It’s how houses of this era were meant to be lived in.”

That respect for proportion defines every room. In the dining room, a hand-painted Gracie wallpaper in tobacco and cream grounds the palette in quiet luxury. The adjacent living room layers marble, burl wood, and velvet under sculptural brass lighting; it feels like an invitation to linger rather than impress, though it does both.

Even the smallest spaces feel intentional.

The “party powder” bath is tucked under the

From the kitchen, sightlines extend toward the dining room, linking every space in a shared palette of teal, tobacco, and cream.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 289

A mint-green banquette, rounded lines, and botanical artwork create a serene reading nook layered in texture and femininity.

290 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

The daughter’s bath continues the blush palette in marble and nude tile, with brass fixtures and a curved-front vanity for a touch of whimsy.

Mirrored wardrobe doors and a sculptural floral ceiling fixture add a dose of glamour.

stairs but is not to be ignored: “It’s small, but it’s unforgettable,” Bennett says. Every detail counts, she says of the ribbed Fantasy Brown marble corner sink, warm brass, and European soap vessel that feels more sculpture than fixture.

Upstairs, the mood shifts from rich to refined.

The primary suite channels boutique-hotel serenity with mauve-toned paneling, hidden cabinetry, and fluted glass and brass doors in the bath. “We probably went through twenty paint colors to find a perfect mauve,” Bennett says. “It needed to feel like a cocoon—warm, moody, and elegant without trying too hard.”

Each bedroom also tells a story. The daughter’s suite is a confection of Pierre

In the daughter’s suite, a floral Pierre Frey fabric and striped wallpaper set a playful yet timeless tone.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 291

A boutique-style primary closet offers concealed and display storage, marrying elegance with efficiency.

292 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Tone-on-tone paint, velvet textures, and integrated lighting work together to give the primary suite a cocoon-like warmth—moody yet serene by design.

Fluted glass and unlacquered brass doors frame the primary bath, where classic marble surfaces and mirrored walls expand light and space.

Mauve-toned paneling and brass lighting wrap the primary suite in soft, tailored calm.

Frey roses and ribbons, striped wallpaper, and brass accents. The space will age as gracefully as its owner. The son’s room, lined with built-in bookcases around the bed, nods to a young collector’s curiosity, with a marbleand-nickel bath that’s both masculine and timeless.

Up on the third floor, what was once an unfinished attic is now a family loft of white shiplap, swivel chairs, and board-game energy. There’s even a guest suite tucked under the eaves, a quiet retreat dressed in navy and linen tones. Light pours through new dormers, softening the roofline and making the top floor feel like an airy escape.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 293

For Bennett and Robins, perfection isn’t the goal—personality is. At the end of every install, the duo makes one last round, thrifting for the “final layer of dirt and soul” of the project: oddities and antique silver, vintage art, fish plates from a local estate sale. “We love those moments of imperfection,” Bennett says. “They make a house feel like someone lives there, not just visits it.”

If beauty fuels Kobel + Co’s fame, it’s their clarity of vision and collaborators like GahaganEddy that give it weight. They design for how life actually unfolds: coffee cups on marble counters, dogs asleep in sunbeams, the everyday rituals that make a house worth loving.

“We always want to be good stewards,” Bennett says. “These homes were built to last.

And if we do our jobs right, they’ll last another century.”

Built-in shelving frames the bed in the son’s room, creating a cozy nook for reading, music, and display.

White shiplap, layered neutrals, and playful patterns give the third-floor family loft its breezy, elevated feel.

Built-ins and cozy club chairs create a multifunctional retreat for reading, homework, and board games under the eaves.

294 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

A quiet guest nook pairs burlwood warmth with sculptural art and layered textures and patterns.

Spring 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 295

R E S O U R C E S

Drinks that double as art: The bar program at 1587 Prime is helmed by veteran bartender and manager Arturo Vera-Felicie, whose expertise sets the tone. Signature drinks, curated wines, and premium beers ensure every sip feels like a celebration. For a touch of theater, a mobile martini cart rolls table-side, offering a bespoke cocktail crafted to your exact taste.

Photo by Cristian Gonzales.

LINGER ON Designer: Regan Romero Design Builder: Arbuckle Building Solutions Doors: Wheat and Waves/Scout Metal; Monarch Glass Studio Appliances: Ferguson Home Countertops/Fireplace Surround: Dimensional Stoneworks Fireplace Insert: Midwest Fireplace Flooring: Triton; Platinum Stone and Tile Hardware: Emtek Plaster: Italian Plaster Works Millwork: KC Millwork; Baker and Vidal Fine Carpentry Electrical: Ridgeline Power Group Cabinetry: Harris Cabinet Design

RESORT MODE: ON Pool and Landscape Architecture and Design: Lorax Design Group Pool Construction: Clearwater Pools & Spas Masonry: RCB Masonry Landscaper: Images of Nature Kansas City Deck and Ceiling System: DeBoef Deck & Design Furniture Design: Lifestyles by Design

CHALE T MODERN Architect: SixTwentyOne Contractor and Finish Carpentry: KALA Performance Homes Designer: Therese Wickey Designs Custom Cabinetry and Floating Wall: Gillpatrick Woodworks High-Performance Windows: Zola

LIVING OUT LOUD Architect: Carlson Duncan Architecture and Interior Design Builder: Wulff Fine Custom Homes Designer: RESET Interiors Appliances: Factory Direct Cabinets: Custom Cabinets by Lawrence Countertops: Central Surfaces/Cambria Closet Organization: Efficiently Neat Wall Covering: Cathy’s Wallpapering Plumbing: Miller Plumbing Electrician: Electrical Investments Painting: Diaz Painting HVAC: United HVAC Flooring: KC Carpet Hardwoods: Express Wood Floors Glass: Fountain Glass Tile: Apex Tile & Flooring/Jaeckle Distributors Fireplace: Complete Home Concepts Windows: Pella Shades: Modern Power Wall Paint: Snowbound by Sherwin-Williams Cabinet Paint: Tricorn Black by Sherwin Williams Kitchen Faucet: Brizo Kitchen Sink: Blanco Kitchen Countertops: Mersey by Cambria Living Room Chandelier: Goop by CB2 Furniture: Amethyst Home; Arhaus; Four Hands Hardware: CB2 Powder Bath Wallpaper: Etsy

A LE AP WORTH TAKING Interior Designer: Lisa Schmitz Interior Design Lighting Designer: Clint Paugh Contractor: Gahagan-Eddy Custom Furniture: Matt Schmitz Makes Cabinetry: Gillpatrick Woodworks Landscape: Kissinger Landscape Art: Blue Gallery

TR ADITION WITH A PUL SE Interior Designer: Kobel + Co. Contractor: Gahagan-Eddy Countertops: Carthage Stoneworks Cabinetry: Gillpatrick Woodworks

296 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Thoughtful designs for exceptional homes

www.nexttonature.biz | 913.963.8180 | @nexttonature_kc

A D V E R T I S E R S

Luxury Resource Directory

Amborn Stone

175

Catenacci Construction

171

Gaumats International

63

KCRAR

225

Amiglia Design Group

203

Cecil & Ray Homes

32

Good Earth Water Gardens

76

KDR Designer Showrooms

45

93

Keller Williams Diamond Partner

Amini’s Galleria

24-25

Central States Tile

121

The Greensman

Arbuckle Building Solutions

99

Central Surfaces

101

Gutter Cover Kansas City

300

Architectural Craftsmen

121

CH Development

123

HBA KC

233

Debbie Keller

181

Kenny’s Tile

177

Keystone Solid Surfaces

167

Kilgore’s Vintage & Design

219

Kinkade Home

179

Kissinger Landscape

147

Kitchens & Baths by Briggs

173

Kitchen Design Gallery

60

Kitchens by Kleweno

79

Knotty Rug

53

Art of Drawers

31

CKF

56

Herron & Partners

111

Ashner Construction Company

71

Claire House Design

161

High Prairie Outdoors

2-3

Assured Waitstaff

219

Clint Paugh Lighting Design

108

Homes by Chris

77

Concrete Designs

161

Homoly Signature Homes

129

Convergence

127

Hurst Construction

245

Cordish Living

122

Imperial Roofing

217

Custom Wood Products

141

Inspired Closets

102

Design & Detail

75

Integrate IT

93

Design + Build by Burroughs

152

International Materials of Design

219

Design Deux Lynne

169

J & K Cabinetry

51

Designer’s Library

30

Jami Meek Designs

131

Kohler Signature Store by First Supply

Backyard By Design

42

Banner Garage

143

Bell Bank - Danielle Hugunin

115

Bickford and Company

64

BL Rieke and Associates

4-5

BL Rieke and Associates

8-9

Blackbird Collection

87

Bledsoe Construction

28

Bleu Grace Designs

154

The Blind Broker

199

Brancato’s Catering

299

Bridget Brown Kiggins - Weichert Realtors

87

Bruce and Kelly Real Estate Team,

designKC Subscription

195, 236

Koehler Bortnick Team

47

Koehler Building Company

185

KOENIG Building + Restoration

151 22-23

Jason Wright Electric

231

Lambie Homes

35

Doolittle Distributing

223

Jeff Albright - Weichert

158

Lambie Homes

37

Encompass Building Materials

163

John Geer Custom Homes

59

Erickson Build Co.

241

Justin Thornton Painting Co.

152

RE/Max Lake of the Ozarks

153

Excellence In Construction

159

JW Thomas Custom Homes

235

Built to Fit Remodels

193

Extraordinary Homes

154

Kara Kersten Design

102

California Closets

115

Faust Construction

143

Karin Ross Designs

49

Canaan Stone Works

131

Ferguson Home

58

KC Stone

172

Carpet Corner

61

First Federal Bank of Kansas City

127

KCBR Design Remodel

124

It All Begins With Design.

Complete Architectural Services New Residences | Remodels & Additions architechnique.com | 913.642.9559

298 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Continued on p. 298

View our interactive luxury resource directory by trade category

B RBABRN TAO SOC ACA TERIN .C MMM RAC ANNA CC AT TO SSC RI NIG .C .O COO BRAN C A TO SC A TAET TERERI N GNG.GC O M

A D V E R T I S E R S

Luxury Resource Directory

Liberty General Contracting

43

One Stop Decorating Center

55

Rodrock Development

Lisa Schmitz Interior Design

145

Orion Design

105

Roth Living

Locks and Pulls

74

Owen Homes

227

Sara Svehla Interior Design

Lorax Design Group

135

PCDI Homes

189

Sarto Countertops

Love, Lilacs Floral Design Studio

169

Pella

205

LoveGood Interiors

81

Pitter Patter Carpentry

158

Lusso Porcelain & Design

135

Portfolio Kitchen & Home

Luxe Interiors

85

Prairiebrooke Arts

46

Seville Home

10-11

ProSource of Kansas City

215

SID & Company

38

Raynor Garage Door Co.

139

Silica (Rock Cottage Glassworks)

180

Reece Nichols-Rebekah Schaaf

122

Simplicity KC

84

ReeceNichols-Corporate Marketing

29

Solar Shield

211

Spiess Custom Homes

213

Madden-McFarland Interiors

34

Maggie Doolittle-Remax Premier Realty

147

Maison de Marnie

108

Matt Adam Development

83

Matt Castilleja Furniture Gallery and Showroom

109

Matt Schrimpf-Berkshire Hathaway

117

Meieriotto Jewelers

6-7

Midwest & Co.

175

Midwest Fireplace

187

ML Designs

ReeceNichols-Trent Gallagher ReeceNichols-Creekmoor

12-13

26-27

54

Tobler’s Flowers

84

Tom Johnson-KW Northland Partners

210

139

Tran + Thomas Design Studio

119

303

Trident Real Estate

304

Schloegel Design Remodel

44

Trove Homes

207

SCI-Surface Center Interiors

48

Union Station

301

151

Vantage Doors & Windows

203

The Veil KC

215

Victor’s Home & Upholstery

133

Walker Custom Homes

91

Serendipity Farm & Vine

20-21

172

Starr Homes

ReeceNichols-Kenneth Estates

81

Stephanie Stroud Interiors

65

Reliance Construction Group

165

Stone Creek Midwest

220

Remodel Moore

197

Stratus Surfaces

73

68

Renovations by Starr Homes

52

Studio Sosinski Interiors

165

Homes

103

Rensen House of Lights

107

SUMA Design & Construction

72

My KC Live-KCTV5

243

Rieke Grading

244

SVB Wood Floors

36

Nebraska Furniture Mart of Kansas

94

RM Standard

62

Swim Things

33

Next to Nature Landscape

297

The Rob Ellerman Team

39

Tall Grass Windows

179

NextGen Remodeling

231

The Rob Ellerman Team

191

Tamara Day Design

57

Northcraft Flooring & Design

180

Rocktops

40

The Tailored Closet

209

NSPJ Architects

18-19

Rodrock Development

50

Three Design Build

201

300 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

16-17

Warners’ Stellian Appliance Weave Gotcha Covered

69 14-15

Weichert Realtors Welch & Co

41

Weichert Realtors Welch & Co

113

Wendlandt & Stallbaumer Architects

298

Will Brown Interiors

111

Willis Custom Homes

137

Wilson Lighting

99

Wulff Fine Custom Homes

221

View our interactive luxury resource directory by trade category

at Union Station Kansas City PRESENTED BY

• Live the Titanic story—from its creation to collision and aftermath • Walk through dramatic, life-sized, Titanic room recreations • Discover over 200 artifacts related to Titanic’s short life • Relive the final, tragic moments from aboard a lifeboat • Explore Titanic’s final resting place in a virtual submersible

NOW OPEN BUY TICKETS UNIONSTATION.ORG exhibition supported by:

Official Media Partner

Official Hotel Partner

S A N C T U A R Y

A MOMENT’S PAUSE

I

n our busy lives, it sometimes takes active intention to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, appreciate a work of art. Thoughtfully made, original art has the power to calm the mind and allow the viewer to infer meaning.

Holding Light is made of pieced vintage silk and makes a presence in the hall of a home in New York.

Textile artist Debra Smith uses vintage fabric as her medium, bringing a weight and history to her pieces before they begin to unfold in her hands in new shapes, colors, and ideas. You can find her work at Haw Contemporary. @debramarleensmith debramsmith.com

Art by Debra Smith, courtesy of Haw Contemporary.

Photo: Hanna Propst

302 / mydesignKC.com / Spring 2026

Cr afting Your Vision in Stone S H OW R O O M

LO C AT I O N S

KANSAS CITY

ST MARYS

TOPEKA

MANHATTAN

13423 W. 98th St. Lenexa, KS

930 Jesuit Ct. St. Marys, KS

5501 SW 29th St. Topeka, KS

8829 US-24 Manhattan KS

(785) 437-3344 sartocountertops.com

Where the Next Chapter of Loch Lloyd Takes Shape

The Sechrest at Loch Lloyd introduces a new chapter of luxury living within the gated community of Loch Lloyd. Here, thoughtful design, green space, and a connected neighborhood anchored around Loch Lloyd Country Club come together just 25 minutes from downtown Kansas City.

Only 44 Homesites Available Custom homes are exclusively crafted by a curated group of Kansas City's premier builders:

KOEHLER

BUILDING CO., INC.

www.TridentRealEstate.com/Sechrest | (816) 331-9500

Scan for details.