designKC Winter 2026 Ebook

WINTER 2026 TM

FEELING GOOD Display until March 23, 2026

THIS ISN’T APPLES WE’VE REDESIGNED

Kansas City’s only world-class design/build firm for pools, outdoor living, and planting For over a decade, our team has traveled the world— learning,

studying,

and

mastering

the

enduring

craftsmanship of Europe’s finest builders.

From hand-sculpted Italian mineral pools to trassbedded stone terraces and patios, we’ve reimagined how outdoor living is built in Kansas City.

Crafted to last generations. Designed to inspire a lifetime outdoors.

Build Your Tradition by Scheduling a Free Discovery Meeting at:

TO APPLES. THE WHOLE ORCHARD.

WHERE HIGH-STYLE TRADITION MEETS IMMERSIVE OUTDOOR LIVING

(816) 398-2901

www.highprairieoutdoors.com

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

159TH STREET

159TH STREET

OUR BUILDERS

114

113

115

112

116

111

H AREA NOT PART OF HERITAGE RANCH HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

110

117 118

WCH

119

109

TWILIGHT LANE

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

N

108 107

WCH

106

120

105

BH

SCAN FOR

PHASE 1

104 121

DETAILS

103

BH

102 101

122

BLACK BOB ROAD

BH

BH

100

WCH

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

74

75

77 76 SAB 80 79 78 GH SAB SAB

73 72 71 70

GH SAB SAB

66

65

JFE

SAB

64

63 GH

GH

12 NMH

10 11 NMH NMH

9

HT LI G TWI

15 14 SAB SAB

16

62

61 60

JFE

59 58

13 SAB

57 55 54 52

SBP 60

HeritageRanchKS.com

159th & Black Bob Road | Olathe, KS

7 GH

17 18 JFE JFE

6 SAB

19 JFE

161ST COURT 49 48 47 46

50

20 C3

38

39 SAB

40 41

42 C3

5

21 C3

4

3

2

1

22 23

45 44 43

24

26 27

25

162ND STREET

53 51

8

37 GH

36 BH

35 BH

34 JFE

33 31 32 30 JFE WCH WCH JFE

29 SAB

28

BLACK BOB ROAD

56

From the Upper $400Ks to $2M+

86 85

69

68 SAB

87

84 GH 83 GH 82 GH 81 SAB

161ST TERRACE

SAB

C3

67

NMH

88 KAW STREET

161ST STREET

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

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

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

Add Sparkle to Your New Year!

Love where you live by creating spaces that invite you home and deliver a deep sense of calm and comfort.

And as your new year unfolds, refresh your favorite retreats for the warmth and excitement of what’s to come.

At your local, family-owned, Seville Home Fine Furniture and Design, our expansive collection of unique, in-stock creations from America’s finest makers is available for your immediate consideration.

Plus, if completely custom is your desire, we are here to help. For every room and every style, Seville Home is your trusted, Kansas City partner in fine home furnishings.

“Seville Home makes luxury personal, approachable, lasting, and deeply connected to how Kansas Citians live.”

Chastin & Phil Reynolds Owners of Seville Home

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

• Boutique-level service with 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

Your Seville Home Designers

Kelly

Meredith

Kimberly

Carrie

Becky

Karen

kitchen | bath | home Cabinetry • Tile • Plumbing • Flooring • Lighting • Hardware • Countertop • Backsplash

award winning design 215 W. Pershing Road, Kansas City, Mo 64108 • 816-363-5300 • www.portfolio-home.com

WWW.STARRHOMES.NET - 913.481.2680

SCAN TO DISCOVER MORE OF OUR HOMES.

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

ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE| LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE |||LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE award-winning award-winning architecture architecture with with legacy legacy ofof design designexcellence excellence excellencesince since since1961 1961 1961 award-winning architecture with aaa legacy of design award-winning architecture with a legacy of design excellence since 1961 913.831.1415 913.831.1415|||nspjarch.com nspjarch.com nspjarch.com 913.831.1415 913.831.1415 | nspjarch.com

DRESSING KC’S MOST ENVIED SPACES SINCE 2005

WeaveGotchaCovered.com Trade Accounts Welcome 816-746-7405

Exterior Shades

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Motorization

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Fabric

Window Treatments

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Bedding

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OUTDOOR FURNITURE

AREA RUGS

HANDWOVEN

MACHINE

INDOOR

OUTDOOR

HEALTH

BENEFITS

*

PREVENTS DEMENTIA BY 65% DECREASES MORTALITY BY 40% FLUSHES TOXINS & HEAVY METALS FIGHTS CANCER CELLS & ILLNESS IMPROVES BRAIN & HEART HEALTH RELIEVES JOINT & MUSCLE PAIN RELIEVES STRESS & IMPROVES SLEEP

IMPROVES BLOOD CIRCULATION WEIGHT LOSS & BURNS CALORIES

TRADITIONAL & INFRARED SAUNAS

FIGHTS CHRONIC FATIGUE

COLD PLUNGE

HELPS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

DOCTOR RECOMMENDED DOCTOR RECOMMENDED BY DR RHONDA PATRICK HEALTH BENEFIT SOURCES FINNELO & MISAWAANHEALTH

KANSAS CITY’S LARGEST

PREMIUM BRAND SELECTION

105% PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE DESIGNERS WELCOMED 10595 Metcalf Avenue

Overland Park, KS 66212 866-712-2070

www.AMINIS.com

11009 Strang Line Road, Lenexa, KS 66215 www.kbbriggs.com 913.387.4900

Style. Design. Character.

120 Years of Bathroom Obsession Premier Decorative Plumbing Showroom.

Knowledgeable staff. Excellent client relations.

IS THE Trusted Process.

True Performance.

Excellence from start to close.

As Kansas & Missouri’s luxury market leader, ReeceNichols Signature delivers an elevated experience through exquisite local expertise, an extensive global network, and unmatched sophistication.

Your home deserves to be represented by the leader.

Signature.ReeceNichols.com

NEW LUXURY

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

Inspiring Trade Professionals For Over 40 Years

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

•

Fa bric

•

Wallcovering

•

Lighting

•

Flooring

Creators of Living Art

From Dirt to Diamonds

“When I was first sent photos of this pool—recently unearthed after 50 years on a floodplain in the heart of Leawood—I truly believed I was being punked. Once I met the owners and realized their desire to breathe life back into this pool, and create an oasis with an old world vibe of Frank Lloyd Wright, I was all in. At the end of the day, it’s all about the dreams of others and just making it happen: My vision of the Versace Highway. Cutting diamonds.” obert Bledsoe

Che

! t u O ck It

TheKing ofB ackya rdBling.c om

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

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

Attention To Detail Makes All the Difference

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

Expert design. Effortless elegance.

Dive into your dream backyard The Aquatic Specialist

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

Katy Sullivan, Designer

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.

learn More

LENEXA STARTING IN THE 400’S

OVERLAND PARK STARTING IN THE 700’S

LEAWOOD

STARTING IN THE LOW 1 MILLIONS

LENEXA STARTING IN THE LOW 500’S

913-897-0040 | LAMBIEHOMES.COM

MAINTENANCE-PROVIDED LUXURY LIVING AMENITIES COMING SUMMER 2025!

POOL WALKING TRAIL

ashlea@weicherthomeskc.com

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. 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

REGENTS PARK REGENTS PARK

MAINTENANCE PROVIDED LUXURY LIVING MAINTENANCE PROVIDED LUXURY LIVING YOUR CHANCE TO LIVE IN ONE OF LEAWOOD’S NEWEST COMMUNITIES YOUR CHANCE TO LIVE IN ONE OF LEAWOOD’S NEWEST COMMUNITIES

REGENTSPARKLEAWOOD.COM 913-228-1600 REGENTSPARKLEAWOOD.COM || 913-228-1600 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES BUILT BYBYWILLIS COMPANY,JSJSROBINSON ROBINSONFINE FINEHOMES HOMES & DON JULIAN BUILDERS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES BUILT WILLISCUSTOM CUSTOMHOMES, HOMES,KOEHLER KOEHLER BUILDING BUILDING COMPANY, & DON JULIAN BUILDERS LUXURYPAIRED PAIREDVILLAS VILLASBUILT BUILT BY

BY LAMBIE HOMES LUXURY HOMES&&WILLIS WILLISCUSTOM CUSTOMHOMES HOMES

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

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

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

Celebrate Celebrate your your home. home.

H I C KOHRI CYKO C HRAYI RC HFAU IRRNFI TUUR RNEI T U R E

Luxe Luxe environments environments created created here. here.

8 510 8M510 a r s hMaal lr sDhrai vl leD|r iLveen|e xLae,nKeSx a , K S kdrsh ko dw r srhooow mrso.o co mm s.com

Everyday Luxury.

backyardbydesignkc.com

913.387.4677

Pensacola

THE

Hill Country

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

5 b e d s | 5 b at h s | 4 c a r g a r a g e | 4 , 7 9 0 s q f t Listing Price $3,200,000 | MLS# 2523264

Schedule a private tour—contact the builder for details.

BLRieke.com | @blriekecustomhomes | @heritageranchks | @woodmyreop

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

IL BERTY

G

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

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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

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RemodelAgain.com

9358 Juniper Reserve Drive, Prairie Village, KS Under Contract Fast | Meadowbrook Park Listed for $4,999,999

4 E 51st Street, Kansas City, MO Active Now | Villa D’este Condominiums Listed for $2,000,000

11063 W 164th Street, Overland Park, KS Sold in Garnet Hill Sold for $3,250,000

22005 W 74th Street, Shawnee, KS Sold in 3 days | 7 acres Sold for $3,845,000

15225 Switzer Road, Overland Park, KS Sold in Pleasant Valley Farms Sold for $2,750,000

The Team Behind Kansas City’s Most Exceptional Homes

425 NE Saint Andrews Circle, Lee’s Summit, MO Active Now | Lakewood Listed for $3,990,000

4969 W 88th Street, Prairie Village, KS Under Contract Fast | Calvin Crest Listed for $2,450,000

28

Active & Pending Homes Over $1M

5830 Mission Drive, Mission Hills, KS Sold Same Day for 105% of List Price Sold for $2,750,000

65+

Sold Homes Over $1M Year To Date

98%

List To Sales Price Ratio Of Homes Over $1M

Experience the Koehler Bortnick Difference Today!

913.239.2069 | KBsells.com

“BECAUSE COMING HOME SHOULD MAKE YOU FEEL AS GOOD AS PUTTING ON YOUR FAVORITE DRESS” ~SARA NOBLE: PRINCIPAL

8117 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 | 913-218-0001 | www.nobledesignsinteriors.com

dream. design. build.

FOR EVERY SEASON OF LIFE.

From our house to yours, Wishing you everything merry and bright!

There’s No Other Experience Like It! Troy Moore | Designer, Builder, Chief Experience Officer 1741 Jefferson Street | Kansas City, MO 64108 P| 816.449.9567 E| ExecutiveTeam@MMHExperience.com

www.MMHExperience.com

Light up your winter. winter.

Weknow knowthe the value value of of your your home’s home’s backyard, We backyard, even even in in the the wintertime. wintertime.

Thinking of a new home project? Let’s dream big and bring your outdoor project to life.

Thinking of a new home project? Let’s dream big and bring your outdoor project to life.

Making our world more beautiful since 1965.

Making our world more beautiful since 1965. www.hermeslandscaping.com | 913.888.2400 www.hermeslandscaping.com | 913.888.2400

Create Impact,

ONE THREAD AT A TIME.

WE S RU PAD

www.arearugdimensions.co 913.327.8784 12623 METCALF AVE. OVERLAND PARK, KS www.arearugdimensions.com

913.327.8784 12623 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Ks

C RAFTING S PACES THAT I NSPIRE

WWW .R ENO B Y S TARR.COM

913.568.0162

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

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

Final Phase

LIMITED OPPORTUNITIES REMAIN 'THE ESTATES' AND MAINTENANCE PROVIDED 'THE MANOR'

PRICED $600K TO $2 MILLION

TerrybrookFarms.com | 913-424-3002 | Estates.Manor@TerrybrookFarms.com | 175th & Switzer Road

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.

YOUR T RUST ED

PART NER FOR COUNTERTO PS & C ABI N ETS

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.

108 2 1 L A K EVIEW AVE. | LENEXA, KS 66 219 913.59 9.5 492

| CKFCO.COM

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

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 ©2025 Ferguson Enterprises, LLC 0925 7716014

“Frosty outside, outside, make it warm and knotty “Frosty knotty inside” inside”

(Stock (Stock #14087 #14087 -- 8’2” 8’2”xx9’9”) 9’9”)

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

Never skip the trim! Osborne Wood Never skip the trim! Osborne Wood pieces instantly elevate any room. pieces instantly elevate any room.

They heighten the space and They heighten the space and completely transform the look. completely transform the look.

Form meets function! Solar Shield KC Form meets function! Solar Shield KC handled the window treatments and handled the window treatments and the custom bench seat cushion. the custom bench seat cushion.

DIY Tip for big impact: Swap in Tamara's DIY Tip for big impact: Swap in Tamara's Front + Center's Manhattan style door Front + Center's Manhattan style door fronts and add mesh inserts. It's a fronts and add mesh inserts. It's a simple upgrade that brings custom simple upgrade that brings custom character to your cabinets! character to your cabinets!

GET THE LOOK

Pro Tip: We love pairing Sherwin-Williams Pro Tip: We pairingAlabaster Sherwin-Williams Alabaster andlove Shiitake! opens up Alabaster and Shiitake!

Alabaster the space without feeling cold, opens while up the space without feeling cold, Shiitake adds the perfect touchwhile of ShiitakeOne addsofthe of warmth. ourperfect favoritetouch combos! warmth. One of our favorite combos!

Pro tip: Invest in great cabinetry! Banner Pro tip: Invest in great cabinetry!

Banner Cabinets built this custom range hood that Cabinets builttwo thistone custom range with hood the that tied in the cabinetry tied in the two tonetrim cabinetry decorative walnut accentwith piece!the decorative walnut trim accent piece!

+ +

Did you know? The Bailey Wall Mounts were Did you know?

The Bailey Wall Mounts designed

by Tamara for Quorum!

A little were detail designed by aTamara for Quorum! little detail that makes big difference in thisA kitchen and thatadd makes a big difference this shelving. kitchen and the perfect glow overinopen add the perfect glow over open shelving.

Flooring sets the tone! RW Supply's Flooring sets theOak tone!brings RW Supply's European White warmth European brings and White flow toOak every room.warmth and flow to every room.

@tamaradaydesign @tamaradaydesign

www.tamaraday.com www.tamaraday.com

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

78 Shop Local

A Northland lifestyle store invites shoppers to find tactile joy in decor that’s anything but ordinary; alluring and unforgettable scents made by two KC perfumeries linger in the senses.

90 Live + Stay + Play

Beating the winter blahs with pop-up feasts for the palate from Savor & Swirl; making a ritual of pause for the soul in the West Bottoms’ Klā Sanctuary; the soothing sounds of water fountains—at home and around town.

112 Community Culture

KC creatives show their hearts with beautiful housing for those in need.

122 Creative Type

Women of the design-build community share successes; Amie Jacobsen makes steel bloom under her impressive talent for welding; jewelrymaker Shannon Jones shows that her eye for design extends from fine wearables to interiors.

150 Design Detail

Creative craftsmanship at an art gallerist’s home.

161 Past Perfect

Blending architectural authenticity with contemporary comfort, a turn-of-the-century home is reborn through design that bridges eras.

242 Coming Full Circle The past is happily prologue for one busy professional who moved her active young family into the lovely Old Leawood home she had previously owned.

250 California Modern, Midwest Roots At Shoal Creek Valley, Freeman Custom Homes redefines what Midwestern minimalism can look like far from the coasts.

236 A Pavilion with Presence A bold architectural addition to a stately Ward Parkway Georgian redefines backyard elegance with stability, beauty, and livability.

66 / mydesignKC.com / WINTER 2026

THE WINTER ISSUE 2026

278 The Story of Home 258 Layered Living

From London to Leawood, a young family begins a new chapter on Lee Boulevard.

Inspired by Texas Hill Country style, B.L. Rieke’s latest model home showcases a livable work of art.

268 Crafting the Modern Classic Heritage home builder Edward Franklin steps out of the city into the suburbs, nodding to the past while emphasizing best ways to live in the present.

170 Kitchen + Bath

A mid-renovation decision changes a project for the better; a teensy Drummond makeover leans into midcentury whimsy.

187 The Well-Lived Life

Designers explore the spa bath as self-care.

196 Rooms We Love: Lower Levels

A Platte City family outfits their walkout level as a Scandinavian-inspired wellness retreat; a five-point, multi-zone makeover dramatically expands the use of a family home; empty-nesters design the ultimate lure to bring the kids back home; a Liberty showman unleashes ‘Green Lady Lounge’ vibes in his twostory basement.

226 Outdoor Lifestyles

A cozy, covered outdoor living area becomes a stepping stone to a future indoor kitchen renovation; a Ward Parkway home’s formal roots find a relaxed spirit in a backyard renovation.

292 Resources 296 Advertisers 302 Sanctuary

A call to action to help finish the HALO Girls Home.

WINTER 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 67

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

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

Where innovation meets personal style There is nothing quite as personal as your home. It is one of the purest expressions of your individual style. With endless ways to customize and configure your appliances, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove are the ideal choice for more kitchens than ever. Begin your journey to the kitchen of your dreams at Warners’ Stellian. Knowledgeable specialists will guide you through our selection and allow you to test drive your favorites to determine the best fit.

at Leawood Showroom

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

Home, Well and Whole

I

love pretty houses. Sometimes I wonder how many I’ve stepped inside over the past 25 years of my career. I can drive through countless neighborhoods and point out not only which homes I’ve toured but recall their floor plans, special touches, and the stories shared by their owners. From this experience, I’ve developed a couple of beliefs. First, good design is two-fold: beauty and functionality should always go hand in hand. Second, there are deeper underpinnings to this equation—details we can’t always articulate but immediately feel. They engage one—or all— of our five senses.

Think of the warmth of a candle burning in the room or the aroma (and snuck spoonfuls) of a pot of soup steaming on the stove, or the velvety cushion that invites you to sink into a sofa perfectly positioned before a treetop view, while relaxing music plays in the background. This is design for the whole person.

In this issue, we explore spaces and places that captivate us through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Each sense is powerful on its own and can transport us through time, stirring memory and emotion. Scent in particular holds a special magic—as two KC perfumeries demonstrate with their botanical essences. (See page 82.) For me, a musky whiff brings my grandmother close again, a reminder that small things often carry great meaning.

Relaxing with others—and snacks—after the photo shoot at Dan and Katie’s house, page 236. Photo by Matthew Anderson

I’ll add a sixth “sense” to the mix: heart. That expansion in your chest when you give, connect, or contribute to something bigger than yourself is a feeling all its own—and one Kansas City is known for. We explore that spirit through designers who are lending their expertise to underserved communities, beginning on page 112.

Wellness design is another theme woven through this issue. It often appears in spalike spaces at home (page 187), but wellness also lives in our relationships—the people we choose to spend time with and, in this case, where we gather.

“

To have a cricket on their hearth is the luckiest thing in all the world!

—Charles Dickens’ 1845 novella, The Cricket on the Hearth

At the completion of his client’s project, architect Bruce Wendlandt gifted the homeowners this cricket as a symbol of good luck, happiness and prosperity—a heartfelt memento displayed on the mantel.

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More and more, people are gathering in their lower levels. No longer merely storage zones, these spaces have become opportunities for connection and comfort. Homeowners approach them with different needs—private couple’s time, space for friends, young kids, or grown kids. See four creative examples starting on page 196.

We also look at innovations in new construction.

First, the growing number of women entering the industry and the perspective they bring (page 122), followed by several standout speculative homes featuring original floor plans and facades (page 250). From coastal aesthetics to hidden rooms, builders are embracing fresh ideas.

Thoughtful craftsmanship, natural materials, and intentional design are leading the way, creating homes that feel grounded yet forward-thinking.

When we talk about “luxury,” all of this is what I think of, and more. The best design is personal, experiential, and holistic. It’s not always about what money can buy; it’s what you give to yourself.

As you settle into the winter season, I hope this issue encourages you to connect with all aspects of yourself and create a home that makes you feel whole. Because when home feels good, everything else follows.

andrea@mydesignkc.com

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S H O P

L O C A L

OUR FAVORITE THINGS From custom furniture to fearless color, this Northland lifestyle store invites shoppers to find joy in decor that’s anything but ordinary.

WORDS

Sara Maloney PHOTOS

Brynn Burns

@bbphotography11

Our Favorite Things, a decor and gift shop in Parkville, has items for all kinds of design tastes and all seasons.

O

ur Favorite Things owners Nickole StarkGlover and Shannon Stumpenhaus have been real estate agents and design professionals in the area for years. However, it was only in the last several years that they decided to open a retail store to bring their design ideas to more customers.

With several differently styled rooms, their store offers a blend of traditional items that you can’t find anywhere else, along with unique colors and styles.

Stark-Glover and Stumpenhaus described the store as a “one-stop shop” where customers can request design consultations, choose custom decor and furniture, and shop for gifts of any price range.

With the Midwest sometimes a latecomer to trends, they hope to provide Kansas City residents with a place to find bolder and braver statement pieces where they otherwise couldn’t, Stumpenhaus says.

78 / mydesignKC.com / WINTER 2026

Owners Nickole Stark-Glover and Shannon Stumpenhaus are real estate agents and designers who decided to venture into a retail space a few years ago. Clearly, they have a talent for styling pretty things.

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S H O P

L O C A L The shop features different rooms that serve as vignettes of unique styles.

6300 N. Lucerne Ave. Kansas City, MO (Village at Burlington Creek) ourfavoritethingskc.com @ourfavoritethingskc Homeowners who feel overwhelmed by the idea of choosing wallpaper or new furniture can find assistance at the store.

Sometimes spaces don’t feel like home because they aren’t full of the things that you love and that make you happy, Stark-Glover says.

“It's so funny how making your house your home, by what you put in it and the things you utilize, can make such a difference in your day-today,” she says. “And, you know, I always feel like life’s too short not to be happy and enjoy every moment of it. And that’s what we want to do.”

Design trends now focus more on colorful, unique looks rather than cookie-cutter beige walls, she notes.

The shop owners happen to love the trending eclectic, colorful designs over cookie-cutter styles, filling the shop with personality.

The shop’s wide variety of objects cover the style spectrum from playful to sophisticated.

The store encompasses different styles because, as designers, it’s hard for them to pick one favorite. It also shows that your space doesn’t have to be just one thing—it can be a culmination of many different elements that bring you happiness.

“Mixing it together sometimes can just be more personal, and then that’s somebody’s style,” Stumpenhaus says.

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S H O P

L O C A L

LINGERING NOTES In the hands of Kansas City’s scent makers, perfume becomes a portal—each whiff a whisper of nostalgia, beauty, and the art of being unforgettable.

WORDS

Gloria Gale

@gloriagaleartist PHOTOS

Jill McKeever

Jill McKeever (second from left), owner of For Strange Women, knows a team is essential when there’s more than just mixing and sniffing. Perfume must be a perfect fit. This all-female crew wants you to be daring, not to mention, entranced by the unusual.

A

ll of our senses matter, but smell is perhaps one of the most mysterious.

It protects us—warning of gas before a spark, or food gone bad. But it also elevates us, instantly shifting mood, memory, and emotion. A single whiff can transport us through time, unlocking moments we thought were long forgotten.

The Memory Maker Scent is fleeting, ephemeral, yet incredibly powerful. Perfumers call its layers ‘notes’— deliberate compositions that can define an era, a mood, even a life.

Coco Chanel’s legendary No. 5—still the world’s most iconic fragrance—is proof of that power. But even Chanel herself couldn’t fully explain the magic behind its creation. Perfume lives in a space between science and art,

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Inspiration procured from natural elements saturates For Strange Women’s palette. Believing deeply in the essence of nature’s botanicals, this company assures that the perfumes match the client’s mood, with clean, raw product. If Winter Kitty isn’t your preference, perhaps Ghost Town or Salt Mine will be better suited.

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S H O P

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Below: Scents come packaged in a variety of ways: solids, essential oils, tinctures, amulets, incense, and candles. Each individual wears a scent differently. This is why time spent analyzing seasons, mood, destinations, and botanicals from the earth is vital for a match.

When the showroom is open, you can experience the perfume firsthand. Each person’s choice comes from a deep reserve of nostalgia. The experiential process of making an elixir is trial and error.

Entranced by something intangible is exactly how Voth wants you to experience her signature scent. Culled from the bark of a coniferous tree, this is a scent steeped in mystery through the aromatics of botanicals.

where formulas are guided as much by intuition as chemistry. It takes a master ‘nose’—an expert trained in the craft—to create something unforgettable.

Two such creators are Jill McKeever, founder of For Strange Women, and Emily Voth, the force behind Cade Black. Between them, they’ve built reputations on mystery, artistry, and a devotion to natural beauty.

For McKeever, the image that launched her brand was as enigmatic as her perfumes: a woman draped across a Victorian sofa. What started as a personal experiment turned into a thriving perfumery.

Seventeen years later, For Strange Women is run by a small, all-female team devoted to every step of the process, from blending to shipping.

Her customers, she says, are as discerning as her fragrances: “They’re well-versed in sophistication and find that resins and plant extracts are satisfying to the senses. Our physiology has evolved to understand the messages in these properties, and my customers respond to this emotional language.”

With names like Winter Kitty, Persian Love Cake, and Night Sky, perfumes aren’t just scents—they’re stories waiting to be worn.

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S H O P

L O C A L There’s more than perfume at this atelier. Voth is re-purposing her storefront off Southwest Boulevard with a dedicated team who is transforming the space into a luxurious haunt.

There’s product from soap to candles, incense to room spray.

Dark Seduction Meanwhile, on Southwest Boulevard, Emily Voth has crafted a different kind of olfactory story. Known for her Zum creations with Indigo Wild, she’s now channeling her artistry into her own perfumery at House of Cade Black.

Working mostly alone—save for two parttime helpers she affectionately calls ‘gems’— Voth creates scents that are dark, velvety, and magnetic. Her Cade Black 10 scent was distilled from the bark of a Mediterranean tree.

“The sap smells like fire: smoky and hypnotic,” she says. The fragrance went on to win a prestigious award from the International Fragrance Board as best new luxury scent of 2024.

Voth’s palette is a heady mix of spices, woods, mosses, and resins. Thus, every blending is natural, pure and boasts a bold essence.

Expanding beyond perfume, the Cade Black scent is also in soap, incense, and candles.

Her newest release, Willin’, is a scent that she describes as “a natural resinous glow for all who indulge.”

Dark, sexy, and luscious are the essences behind Voth’s small-batch botanicals. Her creations are derived from her personal landscape. “This scent is a personal indulgence with invisible allure,” she says. The bottle, too, can be the object of desire and art—noted French designer Pierre Dinand brought his artistry to craft the product.

A World Beyond the Noise Together, McKeever and Voth remind us that scent isn’t just something we wear—it’s something we experience. Whether wild, sultry, or ethereal, their creations offer a way to step outside the noise of everyday life and immerse ourselves in the invisible, unforgettable language of fragrance.

Here’s to the power of scent.

For Strange Women 115 W. 18th St., Ste. 107 Kansas City, MO forstrangewomen.com; @forstrangewomen House of Cade Black 2125 Washington Kansas City, MO houseofcadeblack.com; @thehouseofcadeblack

86 / mydesignKC.com / WINTER 2026

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L I V E + S T A Y + P L A Y Chef Kyle Williams puts the finishing touches on each dish.

Beating the Winter Blahs

WORDS Sarah MacFarland PHOTOS

Amy Free

@amynoonfree

With Savor & Swirl, cozy up to chef-driven pop-up feasts, unexpected venues, and the simple joy of gathering around a great meal.

B

aby, it’s cold outside and the winter doldrums are setting in with a mix of brrrr and ho-hum.

Wouldn’t it be great to savor a pop-up feast at a secret location where you can swirl fine wines in the glass and make new friends? That’s the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Kyle and Hannah Williams, who started Savor & Swirl in 2019. Kyle is a chef who has honed his culinary skills at Michelin-starred Relais & Châteaux restaurants in Hawaii and the Amalfi Coast, working under super-star chefs Todd English and Daniel Boulud, and wowing party guests of Rihanna and Alicia Keys, among others.

Hannah is all about creating five-star ambience, from table settings to printed menus, music, candlelight, and linens.

Savor & Swirl pop-up dinners feature great wines and stellar food at unusual venues, like this event last fall at Silo Hills Farm in Belton, Mo.

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WINTER 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 91

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Kyle and Hannah Williams nurture relationships with notable wineries, from grape to glass.

Dinner in a horse barn? Why not? It’ll be a night you will never forget.

The pair grew up in Kansas City, traveled and worked in amazing places, but wanted to come home when they were expecting their second child. “On a flight back from Napa, we wrote out what we wanted this business to be on a cocktail napkin,” Hannah recalls.

“We are big believers in the magic that happens when people are gathered around the table to enjoy wonderful food and wine,” she says. “You can relax, kick back, and enjoy the evening, let the worries of everyday life dissipate.”

Just imagine a long table set in a rustic lodge or a barn. A roaring fire. A fine Burgundy in your glass. And the aromas of a multi-course Hunter’s Dinner or perhaps a soul-warming hand-rolled pasta with duck confit, pâté en croûte, boeuf bourguignon, and winter greens.

“Whatever the setting, we want our popup guests to feel welcome and to leave with a memory of a wonderful time—and perhaps new friends,” Hannah says.

Even the desserts are plated to perfection—as beautiful as they are delicious.

92 / mydesignKC.com / WINTER 2026

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Pop-up style dinner events mean you can meet new best friends dining at your same table.

Winter dishes focus on seasonal foods with the flavor of the hearth.

Partnering with Perchance Estates during their Winemakers Series last November, the wine flowed all night.

Where else would you witness a tableside flambée?

Sign up for their email list to get info on their next pop-up event or contact them to create your own feast. savorandswirl.com; @savorandswirl

94 / mydesignKC.com / WINTER 2026

Savor & Swirl offers these pop-up events throughout the year, featuring seasonal foods and great wines in settings that make it all even more special. They also do custom private and corporate events, whether at your home or another venue.

Soon, they will be offering special food and wine travel experiences to Napa and Tuscany.

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

RITUAL OF PAUSE

An unexpected oasis of calm emerges in Kansas City’s West Bottoms, transforming a district once defined by industry into a sanctuary of serenity.

WORDS

Gloria Gale @gloriagaleartist PHOTOS

Michael Robinson @mrobinsonphoto ARCHITECT

DRAW Architecture + Urban Design @drawarchitecture CONTRACTOR

Cardinal Crest @cardinalcrestkc

Klā Sanctuary is the embodiment of a soothing retreat. There’s good reason: Architecturally, the presence of rounded portals mimics the body’s affinity towards psychological calm. DRAW Architecture + Urban Design was able to craft the interiors of Klā minimizing sharp edges while keeping the integrity of the building’s historic, classical design. Utilizing the natural appeal of arches is a connection to antiquity meant to slow and soften the way.

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The spa’s architects and owners embraced the idea of ‘flow’ utilizing softer transitions from one space to the next. One of many areas embracing this element features an architectural semi-wall echoing the design element of the treatment pool it surrounds.

S

lowing down is a rarity in our society since an intentional pause feels counterintuitive. Yet, the Greeks and Romans first introduced the idea of taking time for spiritual renewal through public bathing millennia ago. The Ottomans expanded this concept by building hammams, which served as ceremonial bathing and social meeting places. These bathhouses still exist across the Middle East.

Today, what Westerners refer to as the Turkish bath continues to evolve. From the 27,000 hot springs that define Japan’s onsen, to Finland’s saunas and plunges, cultures around the globe embrace the healing power of water and heat.

Slipping into Stillness Kansas City now joins this global tradition with the opening of Klā Sanctuary (pronounced “Clay”)—a wellness destination for those seeking sensory indulgence and an intentional dive into self-care.

Founded by co-owners Matthew Matsch and Kathryn McCormick, the project’s vision propelled it as a collaboration for mindful indulgence.

“Both of us are entrepreneurs and wanted to invest in a project that supported a healthy lifestyle with rituals of intention. We dreamed of a place, in this case, a bathhouse that would allow people to honor their own space—communally or alone,” McCormick says. Matsch adds, “Our vision was a cultural sanctuary welcoming the community.”

This historic building had innate features that the partners wanted to respect and re-purpose. “Why cover vintage wood and brick elements inherent in this 4,000-square-foot space when we could use these to advantage in the overall design?” McCormick asks.

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Original brick walls were painted a neutral hue to blend seamlessly into the master design.

Complementing all, quiet shades of watery blue glass tile that flank a quiet niche. This area promotes rest before moving along to the next treatment option.

Breathe In Initially, the couple scouted locations in Weston but ultimately chose a more urban location when their architect, Dominique Davison, invited them to consider the building she was buying and developing with husband Robert Riccardi in the West Bottoms.

McCormick recalls: “The first floor was beautiful, revealing exposed wooden columns.

We realized we wanted to keep the integrity of the building right from the start. It was filled with vintage charm—exposed beams, original windows, and weathered brick. This was the perfect place to house our project.”

Matsch and McCormick collaborated with Greg Goss, principal with DRAW Architects + Urban Design, as the designer for the venture.

“Together, we sought to preserve the building’s architectural soul,” Goss explains. “By carefully 100 / mydesignKC.com / WINTER 2026

Nothing within Klā disturbs the zen. Even in the powder room, simple furnishings welcome the opportunity to freshen up. Once again, the use of wood flooring complements—instead of intrudes—on the modern design.

incorporating these original elements that define the space, authenticity was preserved.”

After a year of construction, Klā opened its doors last July.

Engaging the Senses Inside, guests are invited to immerse themselves in an experience designed to awaken the right brain.

Abbigale Porter, Klā’s spa director, describes the offerings as a sensory indulgence. “We don’t realize how important it is to utilize our senses, particularly touch,” she says.

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feature salt water immersion.

Guests can choose from various treatments, including a hot stone massage, therapeutic steam room, salt exfoliation, and infrared sauna. The spa menu features 60-150 minute treatments starting at $105.

Porter is following the lead of Matsch and McCormick, who have unabashedly fallen in love with the ritual of pause.

“We’re in the business of bringing a menu of self-care to the local community while making the experience affordable and indulgent,” Matsch says.

McCormick continues, “We want a healthy,

The essence of calm merges with few barriers—smooth, natural surfaces in a neutral palette provide continuity with uncluttered sightlines. Even though the spa is unisex, a sense of privacy is maintained throughout. The spa features a private changing area and lockers. Bathing suits are required.

Klā 1400 W. 13th St. Kansas City, MO klasanctuary.com; @klasanctuary

open interaction between guests and our team.

The happier our team, who, by the way, we pay a thriving wage among other perks, the more it transfers to our overall practices.”

Beyond the spa, everyone, including the public, is invited to unwind at Selah, a lounge for replenishment, conversation, and reflection.

Anyone who dips a toe into this aromatic atmosphere will discover that Klā is more than a spa, it’s a welcome pause of quiet care—all good for the soul.

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Left and above: Refreshments in the Selah lounge come in the form of camaraderie and small bites. Selah, a Hebrew word for sacred pause, offers a moment to spend when gathering before or after the spa. “It’s a place to connect with others or just reflect and recharge. We purposely encourage the public to experience Selah with no rush,” Matsch says.

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Where the Water Flows

Katy Schamberger

In the City of Fountains, Kansas Citians are drawn to a defining design element: the sound and sight of flowing water.

@realestatemarketingkc

WORDS

@katywrites PHOTOS

Real Estate Marketing KC FOUNTAIN DESIGNER

Good Earth Water Gardens @goodearthwatergardens

The team at Good Earth Water Gardens brought more than 50 tons of boulders to this Platte City home to create a picturesque backyard retreat complete with multiple waterfalls and fountains.

T

oday, fountains are symbols of beauty, affluence, and peace—popular spots for coveted photo opportunities or an inviting place for relaxation accompanied by the soft sounds of splashing water.

In earlier centuries—including in Kansas City— fountains flourished for a more practical use: to make water accessible to people and horses preplumbing. (Fun fact: the metro area’s Intercity Horse

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A RM Standard Construction Project

816 -318-9 0 9 9

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

Trough Fountain, said to be one of the city’s first fountains, is on display at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum in Bonner Springs.)

If you’ve spent any length of time in Kansas City, you’ve likely heard reference to the city’s extensive array of fountains—more than 150, second only to Rome. In the 1990s, Kansas City adopted the moniker, “City of Fountains,” as part of a citywide renewal initiative, wrote Amahia Mallea in A River in the City of Fountains: An Environmental History of Kansas City and the Missouri River.

One can only imagine how high the number of Kansas City-area fountains would climb if it factored in private residential fountains. For example, Doug and Angela Saus’ picturesque backyard oasis in Platte City would add two fountains to that count, plus a waterfall that trickles gently over locally sourced boulders.

The water features are part of an idyllic swimming pool enveloped by rocks, boulders, and lush landscaping that you’d expect at a luxury resort. That’s where Good Earth Water Gardens comes in. The landscape design company, owned by brothers Dan and Kevin Stanza, specializes in creating and building low-maintenance water features that immediately alter not only the look of an outdoor space, but also the feeling of and experiences within that space.

“The most traveled destinations on Earth are typically around water,” Dan says. “Having a water feature of any sort will bring you outside more and give you so much more enjoyment than if you only focus on landscaping or features like a fire pit.”

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Homeowners Doug and Angela Saus created their backyard oasis during the COVID-19 pandemic, envisioning a natural sanctuary that made spending additional time at home something to anticipate and savor. Who needs a getaway when you already live in paradise?

The Sauses originally envisioned a fiberglass pool in their Northland back yard.

They quickly realized that they wanted something with a more natural look, so their landscape designer connected both the homeowners and the pool builder with Good Earth Water Gardens. Once Doug and Angela started exploring the company’s portfolio, they realized their preference for a more natural concept could be achieved.

Collaboration ensued, but Dan says that Doug took the prize for the most involved.

“He learned a 3D CAD program and created the best, most accurate design that showed how water would flow over the rocks,” Dan says with a laugh. “We all agreed that he captured the essence of the project.”

Approximately 50 tons of boulders were brought to the site as the water features took shape around the already-completed pool shell. Dan and his team took into account the

backyard terrain and opted for a full-length design to offer differing views depending on where someone is sitting.

“We decided on multiple waterfalls: a main grand waterfall in the middle, then two cascading waterfall tributaries on each side,” Dan says.

Every project starts with a plan, but Dan explains that it’s equally important to let the natural materials guide in-the-moment creativity.

“We always say that you have to let the rocks talk to you a little bit,” he says. “That’s where you use your artistic abilities to make it all fit and work together.”

And for the Sauses? That’s exactly what happened, and the resulting masterpiece impresses every time.

“It stuns people when they come around the side of the house—you don’t know it’s here, and all of a sudden you’ve got this oasis,” Doug says.

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

Tour de Fountains

The Crown Center Square Fountain across the street from Crown Center typically attracts all of the attention, but the bubbling waterscape that borders the shopping center’s entrance is a great spot to sit or grab a photo.

Created by artist Donatello Gabbrielli, the Pomona Fountain has been tucked in a Country Club Plaza courtyard since 1969. The fountain’s namesake: Pomona, the Roman goddess and protector of vineyards.

The Fountain Basin beckons within the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Rozelle Court. The massive bowl was carved from a single piece of Cipollino marble and installed as the centerpiece of Rozelle Court when it opened in 1933. Make a complete circle around the fountain and you’ll notice medallions of all 12 zodiac signs.

Looking for inspiration for your own athome water feature or curious about Kansas City’s fountain-focused history? Consider these resources for learning and sightseeing.

Recommended reading: A River in the City of Fountains: An Environmental History of Kansas City and the Missouri River by Amahia Mallea The City of Fountains: Kansas City’s Legacy of Beauty and Motion by the City of Fountains Foundation (featuring photographs by Roy Inman) Sightseeing & self-guided tours: Visit KC offers a comprehensive guide to the city’s fountains, including history and famous fountains, at www.visitkc.com/ articles/everything-you-need-know-aboutfountains-kansas-city/.

Browse the City of Fountains Foundation site, cityoffountains.org, for a complete list of the city’s fountains by location and sorted alphabetically.

Depending on where your favorite fountains live, check Urban Hikes KC, urbanhikeskc.com, for neighborhood focused adventures that combine recreation, history, and exploration. Or book a public or private tour with Kansas City Fountain Tours, kcfountaintours.com.

Tucked in the heart of downtown Kansas City’s Power & Light District, PNC Plaza is an inviting space to gather amid trees, lush landscaping, and two sculptural fountains.

Grab a meal from one of several nearby restaurants and enjoy an impromptu fountain-side picnic.

The Henry Wollman Bloch Fountain creates a majestic entrance experience into Union Station and also the nearby World War I Museum and Memorial. The fountain—designed by WET Design and BNIM—was installed at Pershing & Main streets in 2001 and features 232 jets that explode into a “high show” on the hour and half-hour.

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The newly finished HALO Girls and Boys Homes and adjoining Learning Center reside on 37 acres near the Truman Sports Complex.

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C O M M U N I T Y

The Gift of Good Design

C U L T U R E

WORDS

Matt Smithmier @matt smithmier PHOTOS

Brynn Burns @bbphotography11

KC creatives give back in big ways.

W

intertime, the holiday season, extra time with friends and family— it’s easy to be in a giving spirit this time of year, and as Americans, our charitable giving habits prove it.

Yet, here in the Kansas City metro, our charity and philanthropy have never been confined to a single season.

“We really feel like Kansas City punches above its weight philanthropically—and it has for a long time.”

As vice president of communications for the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Leanne Breiby knows a thing or two about philanthropy. With nearly $7 billion in total assets, the foundation is the third-largest such organization in the country. Through the foundation, donors used charitable funds to grant more than $1.2 billion to causes in 2023 alone.

AmeriCorps research also highlights our generosity, with Missouri and Kansas both either meeting or exceeding the national rates of charitable giving and formal volunteering. In 2023, volunteers from both states combined to contribute 147 million hours of volunteer time, making a $4.5 billion impact on the economy.

Kansas City’s local design community is also doing its part, with donations of their time and talents making a difference for local nonprofits.

Elevating shelter through interior design Julie Arnold began volunteering with The HALO Foundation more than 10 years ago, even bringing her kids along for the experience.

As the founder of Place Interiors, Arnold has a background in interiors, product design, and art and found herself inspired by the organization’s mission of serving at-risk and homeless youth.

An open floor plan brings residents together for meals and community, with a large kitchen, dining area, and sitting room.

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The HALO Makers program leads youth like Antayia in the production of serving trays made from reclaimed wood. The activity teaches life skills and offers therapeutic benefits, as well as raises money for a scholarship fund. Photo by Pilsen Photo Co-op

After building housing programs around the world for kids in need, HALO was able to devote more resources to a new multi-phase development in its hometown with the 2025 opening of the Kansas City Girls and Boys Homes and adjoining Learning Center on 37 acres near the Truman Sports Complex. The new facility is all about “raising the dignity level of a shelter for homeless youth,” says Nicole Gerken, HALO’s chief operating officer. As a long-time volunteer, Arnold once again stepped up to help, this time donating 100% of her interior design services for the new buildings.

“The intention was to elevate the design and not invoke an institutional feel, but rather to create a welcoming and enriching home environment for these youth to feel all the comforts of a home—a place to gather, feel loved, learn to cook, and have family meals together,” she adds.

And that kind of intentional design does more than just pretty up the space.

“It helps them to know they’re appreciated and that care was taken in designing a space they’ll be using,” she says. “I think emotionally

The new HALO facility also includes a Learning Center for collaboration and group projects, including this art room for art therapy workshops.

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Find your giving place Want to give back but not sure where to start? Try one of these online tools to explore nonprofits that match your passions and interests: • Charity Navigator – charitynavigator.org • GuideStar – guidestar.org Want to check out some reviews and analytics of a certain charity before you make a donation?

• Charity Watch – charitywatch.org You can also dig deeper into the local nonprofit scene with some KC-based resources: • Greater Kansas City Community Foundation – growyourgiving.org/nonprofits/nonprofit-search • United Way of Greater Kansas City – unitedwaygkc.org/community-partners-directory • Nonprofit Connect – npconnect.org Arnold used an accent band of color to add interest and ground the furnishing in a boys’ bedroom at the new HALO facility.

that definitely plays a role in grounding them and helping them to take down those barriers, helping them feel loved and heal from everything they’ve been through in their lives.”

Arnold also plays a role in the day-to-day activities of the organization as well, first with her involvement in the art therapy workshops, and lately through her supervision of the HALO Makers program. Arnold, along with HALO staff, leads HALO youth in the production of serving trays made from reclaimed wood, which not only teaches life skills and offers therapeutic benefits but also raises money for a scholarship fund. She says she feels passionate about both HALO’s mission but also her obligation as a member of the design community to give something back.

“Volunteering fosters a human connection to local organizations, and it’s been significantly rewarding to offer my time, talent, and treasure to local nonprofits,” she notes. “Your volunteer efforts don’t have to always be design-related either; pick a nonprofit that aligns with your favorite hobby.”

The invaluable benefits of Arnold’s work have certainly been felt by HALO’s leaders and staff.

“I cannot even imagine this space without her guidance,” Gerken says. “She’s just got an eye for things. There’s a reason why we have designers in the world.”

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An intimate study lounge in the HALO Boys Home provides a quiet place to work.

Wallpaper donated by Elworthy Studio.

From heartbreak to home: KC trades unite In 2019, Erin Langhofer was working as a social worker at Rose Brooks Center, the Kansas City-based domestic violence agency, when the 25-year-old was struck and killed by a stray bullet at a First Friday event in the Crossroads Arts District.

The Do Good for Erin Foundation was formed after her death, and three years later, the Erin’s House project began as a way to provide stability and safety for women and children who needed it the most—serving the very people to whom Langhofer had dedicated her career.

Alex Roach, co-owner of Overland Parkbased Martanne Construction, had worked with

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Featured nonprofits and contributors HALO Foundation 6101 East 52nd Terrace Kansas City, MO 64129 halo@haloworldwide.org haloworldwide.org Do Good for Erin 13153 Grandview St. Overland Park, KS 66213 dogoodforerin@gmail.com dogoodforerin.com

Place Interiors @place_interiors Martanne Construction @martanne_construction

Martanne Construction donated labor, materials, and money to lead the construction efforts of the Erin’s House project, built to house women and children recovering from substance abuse or domestic violence.

The Boys Home, designed by Clockwork Architecture + Design, and built by Harmon Construction.

Langhofer’s mother and was close to the family.

She felt compelled to do something.

“For us, Erin’s House was about more than construction,” she says. “It was about honoring Erin’s life and continuing her mission of care and hope.”

Martanne donated labor, materials, and money—and also pulled together more than 200 community partners to donate their time, supplies, and talents—to renovate and design a home that can now house up to six women and their children who may be recovering from substance abuse or domestic violence.

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“Supporting this project was an opportunity for Martanne to use our craft in a way that truly matters, ensuring Erin’s legacy continues through a home where brighter futures can take root,” Roach says. “That collective generosity is what made this project so powerful.”

The project showed her that the charitable spirit and sense of community she witnessed are simply baked into our city and the local industry.

“Kansas City has always been known for its pride and spirit of collaboration,” she says. “When builders, designers, and trades come together for a cause, it shows that our work is about

more than business. … By reinvesting our time and talents into the community, we strengthen the neighborhoods that sustain us and support those in need—just as Erin dedicated her life to doing.”

Turn to page 302 to see how you can help HALO finish their home.

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T Y P E Christina Franklin and her team lean in at the Kansas City Current Stadium—the first professional women’s stadium, where Franklin oversaw the interior design and experience of the facility. Pictured: Kaitlyn Mahnken, Lead Interior Designer; Alison Gordon, Project Manager, Interiors; Christina Franklin, Director of Interior Design + Partner; Megan Russell, Interior Architectural Associate.

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Women Who Build

In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, we speak to some of the visionaries shaping Kansas City’s design future.

I

n high school, few of us females saw builder or architect listed on the career-day poster as real options for us. Maybe teacher, nurse, accountant—but rarely contractor or designer of record.

That’s changing: Across Kansas City, women are not only entering the design–build industry, they’re running it.

From concept to construction, women now lead firms, manage multi-million-dollar projects,

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and redefine craftsmanship through empathy, collaboration, and curiosity. We make up nearly 11% of the construction workforce and 27% of licensed architects, a record high. Among new architects, almost 43% are women—proof that the pipeline is finally widening. But numbers tell only part of the story. The rest is written in the determination, mentorship, and creative energy of women who are building, designing, and leading right here in Kansas City.

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Seven Ways to Supercharge Your Creative Career From women leading the design–build industry

1

Photo by Julia Smith, KC Home Builders Association

The Builder’s Mindset

ELEVATE THE CLIENT. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions; there’s no such thing as a stupid one. In the interconnected world of design and construction, every question expands your design knowledge. The more you learn, the more creative, innovative, and impactful your designs will be.”

Tara Davis, Chief Executive and Creative Officer, Cicada Co. Photo by Paul Versluis.

Chris Ragland | Homes by Chris

For more than twenty years, Chris Ragland and her husband, Roy, have built some of the Northland’s most recognized homes through their company, Homes by Chris. She holds an economics degree from the University of Missouri, an MBA from Rockhurst, and spent two decades in corporate project management before joining Roy in the building business.

“I came from a corporate world where everything was about timelines, budgets, and keeping teams aligned,” she says. “Those skills translate perfectly to homebuilding—every house is its own project plan.”

Chris manages the business side while Roy oversees construction, a balance that’s helped the company thrive. “There’s just always so much going on,” she says. “Kids, clients, projects—it’s nonstop. You learn to keep things moving and not get stuck on the small stuff.”

That calm practicality defines her leadership. “At the end of the day, it’s about taking care of people,” she says. “If we can do that well, everything else falls into place.”

2 LEAD THE WAY FOR OTHERS. “When I started attending the International Builders Show about 10 years ago, I was one of just a few women attending the education classes.

There has been a significant increase in women since then, which in itself is exciting. What excites me the most, though, is knowing that all of the young girls in school will see it as a career choice and be welcomed into the field in all aspects.”

Sarah St. Peter, Founder PCDI Homes Photo by Michelle Haskell

124 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

St. Peter’s home was featured as part of the 2022 Artisan Home Tour and featured in the Summer 2023 issue. Photo by Matthew Anderson.

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

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Building with Belief

Angie Beerup | Elevate Design + Build Angie Beerup spent more than a decade in the medical field before discovering her true calling in homebuilding.

In 2017, she founded Elevate Design + Build, bringing an operational mindset and a heart for people to an industry she quickly fell in love with.

Her company has since grown from its Jackson County roots into neighboring Johnson County, Kansas—an expansion that reflects both ambition and care. “I love the process,” she says. “Watching families step into their finished homes never gets old.”

Beerup’s leadership blends business acumen with compassion, a combination she believes the industry needs more of. “We can build smarter and lead better when we care about the people behind every decision,” she says.

Photo by Nostalgia Photography

Photo by Jack Jostes

Leading with Purpose Robyn Schmitz | High Prairie Outdoors & Pools

3 LEAD WITH PURPOSE + PROFESSIONALISM. “Earn your credibility through excellence, education, and perseverance.”

Robyn Schmitz, Owner/CEO, High Prairie Outdoors + Pools

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For Robyn Schmitz, entrepreneurship started with a Jeep, a trailer, and a shovel. Today, her company, High Prairie Outdoors & Pools, is a local go-to for luxury outdoor living. A published author and educator, she’s passionate about sharing knowledge with others in the industry.

“My job is to elevate the standard,” she says. “That means showing what excellence looks like—and helping others rise to it.”

Schmitz teaches both students and professionals, blending horticultural science with artistry. Her story proves that craftsmanship, leadership, and education can all be acts of generosity.

Pictured: Life Collection – Petrol Glossy and Petrol Glossy 3D Slide

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Grace Under Pressure

Photo by Sydney Sneed

Lauren Browne | Grace & Nell Homes Lauren Browne is a third-generation homebuilder and the founder of Grace & Nell Homes, a company she started to make the building process more transparent and personal. Before launching her firm, she served as Chief Operating Officer for one of Kansas City’s largest homebuilders, overseeing multiple communities and large-scale operations.

“I started my company to give people something I didn’t see enough of—honesty and grace in the building process,” she says. “Whether it’s a remodel or a new build, it should feel human. The goal is to create homes that feel like they were always meant to be.”

Her background in healthcare IT and corporate leadership taught her to manage complexity, but it’s her people-first approach that defines her work.

“It’s about relationships,” she says. “If you can communicate clearly, stay calm, and keep your word, everything else follows.”

4 FORGE YOUR OWN PATH…AND KEEP GOING. “Persistence pays off. You don’t have to fight every battle head-on to earn respect—just keep doing great work.”

Lauren Browne, Founder/ Owner, Grace + Nell Homes

Designing for Belonging Christina Franklin | Generator Studio

5 DON’T GET TOO COMFORTABLE. “Find mentors who challenge you as much as they champion you. Comfort can be the quietest trap in your career—growth only happens when you keep stretching.”

Christina Franklin, Director of Interior Design, Generator Studio

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Photo by Adri Guyer

Christina Franklin is Director of Interior Design at Generator Studio, where she brings a hospitalityforward approach to every project. A former boutique hotel designer, she knows how to make spaces both functional and emotionally resonant.

“I’ve learned that listening is everything,” she says.

“Every project starts with understanding how people want to live and how they want to feel in a space.”

That philosophy guided her work on the Kansas City Current Stadium, the first stadium in the world built specifically for a women’s professional sports team. “It was about creating an environment that celebrates women athletes and welcomes everyone who walks through the doors,” she says.

Franklin believes design is most powerful when it serves people.

“It’s not just about how something looks,” she says. “It’s about how it makes you feel and the kind of connection it creates.”

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Intuitive

Karin Ross | Karin Ross Designs Belgian-born designer Karin Ross built her namesake firm on craftsmanship and collaboration. Her remodeling projects pair OldWorld technique with modern sensibility—a balance shaped by her formal design training in Belgium and Italy.

Even after decades in the field, Ross still encounters people who assume the business owner must be a man. She smiles at it now. “It happens all the time,” she says. “People don’t expect the woman to be in charge, but they remember when she is.”

Ross believes women bring an intuition and sensitivity that strengthen every project. “You can’t design in isolation,” she says. “You have to understand the process, the craftsmanship, and the people who bring it to life.”

The Story We’re Building Each of these women took a path that wasn’t paved for them. They entered boardrooms, job sites, and drafting studios once dominated by men—and didn’t just find a place, they made one.

Together, they’re proof that design–build isn’t just a career. It’s a calling to create, collaborate, and bring beauty into form.

And for the next generation—the girls who still don’t see builder or architect on the poster— these women are already rewriting the list.

6 ELEVATE THE CLIENT.

This kitchen renovation project from Karin Ross exemplifies a female’s attention to detail, blending colors and shapes that are aesthetically pleasing and timeless. Photo by Randy Van

“I align myself completely with each client’s personal style and vision, ensuring every design reflects who they are while elevating it aesthetically and functionally.

My goal is to create spaces that not only feel authentic to them but are infused with the refined sensibility and design perspective that define Portfolio.”

Geri Higgins, President/CEO Portfolio Kitchen + Home

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Building a Place for Women to Belong The Kansas City Chapter of Professional Women in Building (PWB)

T

he Kansas City chapter of the Professional Women in Building (PWB) began with a moment of frustration. At a meeting early in her home-building career, Angie Beerup realized she’d been quietly dismissed—her idea ignored until a man repeated it minutes later.

“I don’t want to go on the record with my reaction,” she says, “but I told myself this will never happen again.”

Months later, while attending the International Builders Show, Beerup saw a booth for Professional Women in Building. Inside, she met women whose stories mirrored her own. “They said, ‘You need to start a chapter in Kansas City.’

So I did.”

Photo by Nostalgia Photography An example of Beerup’s work through her company, Elevate Design + Build, The Somerset Reverse is located in the Stonebridge South community.

That decision sparked a thriving network of women across every facet of the home-building industry—from architects and interior designers to tradespeople and realtors. The Kansas City PWB hosts monthly events, education sessions, and an annual PWB Week celebration, creating what Beerup calls “a space for women to have a

Full-service interior design studio.

A curated collection of tailored homes.

Warm, contemporary, organic ethos.

Elevated comfortable living.

seat at the table—and the confidence to take it.”

Founded under the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City, PWB is part of a national movement championing mentorship, leadership, and equity in construction. kchba.org/pwb

@TheBespokeProperty www.TheBespokeProperty.com hello@TheBespokeProperty.com Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 131

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

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Built on Family. Grounded In Stone.

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cswkc.net | 913.351.3500 23540 West 86th Street, Shawnee, KS Let’s get started on your dream home today!

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Home of 7-Day Countertops 132 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

T

he look of a shade will vary based on

shades! You may be used to a certain shape

style, shape, size, color and texture

but when we start trying on (hats) a change

of fabric.

can make a huge difference! As a client said

We offer hard backs and soft tailored

“I never thought an oval shade would look so

shades. Drums, Cylinders, Empire, Coolie,

good on this lamp and it saves space on our

Bouilotte are shapes of hardbacks. Soft

night stand.

tailored offers some of the same shapes,

We have 1000’s of Lamp Shades in stock!

along with Bells, Corset, Scallop, Oval,

In our adjacent Custom Design Showroom

Dome,

we offer complementary Design Services

Umbrella,

Square,

Rectangle,

Pleated, French, Octagon and Hexagon.

specializing

in

Bespoke

Reupholstery,

We have shades for swing arm lamps,

Window Treatments, Bedding and Pillows

floor lamps, table lamps and we offer clip-on

for the home, with an extensive selection of

shades and Uno shades as well.

Designer Fabrics for sale. You can find some

Let our experienced designers help you find the perfect combination.

very unique pieces from our Curated Collection of Designer Vintage

We always suggest to bring in your lamp when purchasing a new shade.

and Antique Furniture. Some in pristine condition and others that we

You wouldn’t buy a hat without your head and the same applies to lamp

have Reupholstered.

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 R E A T I V E

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Native Color at Unity Square Bartlesville, Okla. Jacobsen’s work is often inspired by nature. The towering stainless steel and cast glass flowers include an interactive water feature, turning this public pavilion into a spray-ground in the summertime.

Where Steel Blooms Sculptor Amie Jacobsen’s nature-inspired steel and glass forms add an element of wonder to public spaces across the country.

134 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

WORDS

Andrea Glinn @glinn.interiors

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 Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 135

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Give Them Wings, Coral Springs, Fla. The fact that this 12-foot butterfly is missing a body is no accident. The design invites pedestrians to pose in front of the wings and become the butterfly.

The whimsical style of the butterfly recalls the illustration work Jacobsen did earlier in her career.

The Flame of Inspiration, Fremont, Calif. This 22-foot-tall stainless steeland-cast glass abstract sculpture represents the spark or “flame” of an idea. Dierk Van Keppel—a Kansas City-based glass artist—often collaborates with Jacobsen on her projects, creating the glass elements that complement her metal work, as seen in this piece.

Photo by Duane Hallock

A

mie Jacobsen is a lifelong artist who has worked in multiple disciplines— illustration, painting, and sculpture— and now focuses almost entirely on largescale public art. Specializing in steel sculpture accented with colorful cast glass, Jacobsen creates dynamic, organic forms inspired by nature. Her pieces—ranging from abstract gestures to representational flora—capture a sense of joy and wonder that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Though she has always been prolific, Jacobsen discovered her true calling later in her career. A simple home renovation left her with scrap materials that sparked the idea for her first three-dimensional artwork. At the same time, a television segment featuring Kansas City metalworker Dick Jobe of Machine Head ignited her interest in welding. She reached out, became his intern, and quickly immersed herself in the world of fabrication.

Under Jobe’s mentorship, Jacobsen mastered welding, metal fabrication, and the practical side of running a fabrication studio.

136 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

She soon became Machine Head’s in-house designer, building confidence while forging lasting artistic partnerships. It was there she connected with glass artist Dierk Van Keppel and woodworker Tim O’Neill—now her husband—collaborators who continue to play an essential role in her projects. Jobe’s encouragement of collaboration and experimentation gave Jacobsen the freedom to shape her own artistic voice.

Her first solo public commission came in 2017: a twisty stainless steel fountain piece for Genesis Hospital in Davenport, Iowa.

The success of that project launched a steady stream of commissions for zoos, hospitals, and parks nationwide. In the years since, Jacobsen’s work has become synonymous with uplifting, family-friendly spaces.

Today, Jacobsen’s career is flourishing. She is currently exhibiting at the New York Botanical

Gateway at Meadowbrook Park, Prairie Village, Kan. At first glance, this large sunflower is a cheerful gateway and landmark. Upon closer inspection, the artwork tells a story. The inside of the archway is lined with illustrations representing the history of the park and surrounding area, including Native American history, immigrant history, and Jewish History. Jacobsen collaborated with artists from each of these groups for the design of the pictorial panels.

At night, Gateway becomes a lantern as each flower petal illuminates, casting a warm and welcoming glow.

INTERIOR INTERIOR DESIGN DESIGN KITCHEN KITCHEN REMODEL REMODEL BATHROOM BATHROOM REMODEL REMODEL BASEMENT BASEMENT REMODEL REMODEL WHOLE WHOLE HOME HOME ADDITIONS ADDITIONS

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E Garden in the Bronx, has just finalized an installation for AdventHealth’s B.E. Smith Family Center, is fabricating a permanent public art piece for the Kansas City Zoo, and is designing new public work for Liberty City Hall. Looking ahead, she is leading a major civic project in Springfield, Missouri, celebrating the 100th anniversary of Route 66, set to debut in 2026. With a small team assisting in fabrication, her studio remains booked well into the year.

Known for their organic movement and vibrant interplay of steel and glass, Jacobsen’s sculptures feel simultaneously grounded and ethereal. It’s no surprise that gardens, zoos, and civic spaces regularly seek her work to create experiences of beauty and delight. Through her art, Jacobsen continues to transform public spaces into places of wonder, reminding viewers of the joy found in the natural world. amiejacobsen.com; @amiej_art

Van Gogh’s Flowers, New York Botanical Garden. Translating this infamous painter’s still-life paintings into 3D was a feat and required a different approach to fabrication. The bouquets include laser-cut and hand-manipulated sheetmetal that is arranged, painted, and assembled by hand to bring depth, dimension, and texture, as well as the movement of the painterly strokes and colors to life.

138 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

18111 Melrose Drive Overland Park, KS 66013 6 Beds | 9 Baths (6 full - 3 half) | 12 Car Garage | 7,696 sqft | 7.94 Acres

Listing Price $3,100,000 | MLS #2576110

For more information or to schedule a tour

contact Lynne Matile

913.339.6800 office

913.593.4030 mobile | LynneMatile@ReeceNichols.com

nate s heets photograph y

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

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 139

DO YOU HAVE A DESIGN PROJECT THAT BELONGS IN THIS BOOK?

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS We are accepting fourteen true-life stories that demonstrate the Life-Changing Power of Design.

YOUR PROJECT MAY QUALIFY IF IT MEETS THESE REQUIREMENTS

• Your client’s story is so compelling that it demonstrates the Life-Changing Power of Design.

• A statement from the client that explains how your work and the design changed their lives. What they learned by working with an ASID designer.

• Professional photography of the project.

• There is no time limit on when the project was completed.

• The project can be in any category of design.

• You can provide releases from yourself, the client and photographer to have the project published in the book.

Carol Way Cisco, ASID Allied LEED + WELL AP | EBDC Past President ASID Missouri West - Kansas Chapter 2024-25

If you have a qualifying design project, send an email to:

carol@signaturedesignstudio.net

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with

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140 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

Scan to read more about Carol’s research into the impact of design in The Influential Today Magazine.

Bold Design. Expert Craft.

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C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

T

he decor of Maggie Jones Fine Jewelry shop is the brainchild of one talented, imaginative, and quirky lady.

There’s a touch of magic inside the shop and studio, located in the heart of downtown’s Westside neighborhood. Entering this unique space brings curiosity with a smile. The interior vibe is fancy and feminine, yet dotted with kitschy features foretelling something about the proprietor. Imagination is the hallmark of owner and independent jewelry designer Shannon Jones.

A JEWEL BOX WITH PERSONALITY Designer Shannon Jones turns her Westside jewelry studio into a whimsical haven where fine design meets playful charm.

WORDS

Susan Cannon @susancannon1 PHOTOS

Samantha Levi @samstownusa

The hands pillow made by Hands of Haus is Shannon’s fave thing about the decor, followed by her Bauble Bar covered in velvet, which her husband designed and Andrews & Abbey-Riley upholstered. White bouclé sofa is from World Market. The painting is by local artist Lexi Rothschild, and the flowers were designed by The Arrangement by Naomi Pennington. Pearl, of course, wears a Maggie Jones pearl choker and silver chain with a charm.

142 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

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“

So many people think there has to be an occasion to put on your jewels, but Gram says just going out to the mailbox can be occasion enough.

She and her husband, Mark Horne, an architect with HOK, have resided in Westside for several years, and for Jones, dreaming of having a design studio outside of the home became a reality when prior occupants left this space.

Jones’ nearly 15 years in business have allowed her to garner a dedicated clientele by creating custom designs, reworking old, precious pieces, and creating everyday fine jewelry, while developing trusted friendships along the way. Thus, Maggie Jones will be a full-service jewelry shop and studio, not only offering repair, heirloom restoration, and accommodating clients with custom and in-house designs, but also introducing independent and emerging jewelers into the retail fold, exclusively for Kansas City.

In true support of his wife, Horne dove in and gave a facelift to the exterior of the shop, and remodeled the interior, creating a concealed work studio for Jones in the back, while refining the front of the shop for the furnishings she has collected over time that are perfect for this moment.

18k gold stackable rings (above) and bracelets in an assortment of 18k gold and diamonds (right) are part of the Maggie Jones Fine Jewelry Collection.

144 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

— Shannon Jones

Left and below: Jones completely refurbished a midcentury jewelry display case.

The painting is by local artist Lexi Rothschild, and the rug is vintage, purchased from a dealer friend in Turkey.

Photo by Anna Petrow.

C R E A T I V E

T Y P E

Important to the mix is a vintage dining table and chairs, next to a beautiful mid-century display case, all of which Jones restored herself.

The table allows her to work with clients and also serves for jewelry-making events. A fun, ruby red velvet “Bauble Bar,” filled with charms, beads, stones, and chains, is the spirited counterpoint to her fine jewelry display. And the chic salon-like sitting area, including a quirky gold pillow with manicured hands, really shows the designer’s personality.

“It was my intent when designing this space to make you feel like you’re entering the most lovely jewel box of your dreams. I used to love to play in my Gram’s jewelry, and she let me try it all on and put it on my dolls. The goal is for it to be worn,

Jones’ husband refreshed the exterior by re-painting the roofline, eaves and the door, also applying the graphics, which he designed, as well.

In the front of the studio, Jones created quite a fem sitting area with vintage chairs covered in floral damask fabric she bought at Nell Hill’s and had squirreled away. The upholstered cheetah print ottoman, also from Nell Hill’s, is officially Pearl’s spot to greet customers. The rug is vintage Turkish, the cocktail tables are acrylic, and the light fixture is by Lindsey Adelman.

loved, and appreciated. So many people think there has to be an occasion to put on your jewels, but Gram says just going out to the mailbox can be occasion enough.”

This cheeky spirit is definitely something Jones adopted from her business’s beloved namesake, whom she honors.

Inspired by her sweet bulldog, Pearl, who is an endearing shop fixture, Jones will be holding a pet jewelry-making event this season, offering a photo op with Santa and your pet, with proceeds going to Unleashed Pet Shelter. It is one of many events to come, including designer trunk shows and pop-up opportunities for other creatives in her space.

1705 Summit St. Kansas City, MO maggiejones.shop @maggiejonesshop

146 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

MOTIVO DESIGNS INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL FURNISHINGS (913) 258-8343 9150 W 135th Street

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What you don’t see behind every “SOLD” sign: hours of research, strategic marketing, staging tweaks, contract details, problem-solving and emotional support.

With years of experience and a whole lot of hustle, whether buying or selling I’m here to guide you every step of the way-from start to finish...and beyond!

Maggie Doolittle

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 147

KANSAS WINERY & EVENT VENUE 913-488-0811 / SERENDIPITYFARMANDVINE.COM

148 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

Koi Ponds • Waterfalls • Outdoor Living goodearthwatergardens.com / 816-720-7577

To see video tour of this project, scan the QR code

D E S I G N

D E T A I L

Midcentury, Modernized An artist, a carpenter, and a contractor come together to reimagine a 1990s ranch as a modern home with vintage soul.

WORDS

Andrea Darr PHOTOS

Cedar Steel Media @cedarsteelmedia

LEAD CARPENTER

Pitter Patter Carpentry @pitterpattercarpentry CONTRACTOR

SV Home Improvement @stephenveliehome

The homeowner, an artist and gallery owner, hung large-scale artwork on the back side facing the dining room.

Handmade pegs pull down on a track system for hanging coats and bags and disappear for a clean look when not in use.

S

heila Shockey’s downtown Overland Park art gallery, 80 Santa Fe, is a visual punch—anything but stuffy. Her home is much the same way.

When it came time to remodel her 1990s ranch, Shockey trusted her instincts—just as she does when selecting artists for her gallery.

“She knew exactly what she wanted,” recalls Samantha Dawdy, owner of Pitter Patter Carpentry, whom Shockey enlisted to help reinvent the home with a midcentury modern soul.

At the front entry, a fully custom storage solution immediately invokes the mid-century era with its intricate peg detailing, sliding closet door, and round, inset hardware.

150 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

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!

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D E S I G N

D E T A I L

Dawdy partnered with contractor Stephen Velie to complete the project in mere months.

Both took unconventional paths to remodeling and found commonality in their values. Velie spent 32 years as a Benedictine monk before pursuing construction, while Dawdy walked away from a career in fashion to follow her passion for working with her hands. “I just wanted to build,” she says. After years doing full remodels, she focused on what she loved most: fine carpentry.

To start, the project team removed a wall that ran through the house, adding a support beam to create an open-concept floor plan.

They also joined two baths together for a larger primary en suite.

Then came the clever details.

“Sheila was specifically interested in midcentury modern style,” Dawdy says. “She

Alongside the kitchen, a more current trend—a slat wall—features open display niches on the left side and a push-to-open door that conceals wine storage tucked in above the basement stairs on the right.

152 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

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D E S I G N

D E T A I L The project team aimed to mix vintage and modern together in all aspects, including this bar, tucked in near the living room.

Bright blue tile is a throwback color choice, paired with open glass shelves, above a repurposed sliding-door dresser base.

loves vintage and wanted to incorporate all those aspects, like natural wood, curved corners, and sliding doors.”

Shockey handed over a collection of midcentury pieces she’d gathered, which Dawdy refurbished with soft-close functionality and topped with stone for modern use. Other features she built entirely from scratch.

By the front door, Dawdy crafted a custom walnut coat rack with handmade pegs that pull down as hangers. A sliding inset closet door—

Shockey requested to not put plumbing into this old dresser, so Dawdy added extra framing to raise the surface and covered it with mitered quartz that reads three-inches thick from the front.

perfectly period-appropriate—opens to reveal a traditional hanging rod. Along the back side, a planned set of bookshelves was scrapped when Shockey decided the space was better suited for displaying art.

Near the kitchen, which remained in its original condition, Dawdy designed a striking walnut storage mass with recessed cubbies

and a hidden push-to-open beverage cabinet.

Inside, its curved profile echoes the shape of the basement stairwell, cleverly capturing what would have been wasted space to house a wine fridge and bottle storage.

“Oh, the math on that one…” Dawdy laughs.

Throughout the home, details nod to classic MCM design—circular inset pulls, curved trim, textured materials, and pops of turquoise, rust and orange that evoke the palette of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.

Dawdy says of all of her interior projects over the years, “not one of them is the same,” a point an artist like Shockey truly appreciates. Between the three of them, vision and execution resulted in a most unique and livable home.

“Collaboration is such an important part of the job—my favorite,” Velie says. “It’s rewarding to have a hand in bringing someone’s vision to life.”

In Shockey’s art room, Velie added wood square tiles to the floor to protect the hardwood floor underneath from any mishaps during creative moments. Her paints, stored on open shelves, are pleasingly organized by color.

154 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

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158 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

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160 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

P A S T

P E R F E C T

Classical details such as dentil molding and symmetrical columns extend across both original and new sections, blending the historic facade with its thoughtful additions.

A Legacy Reimagined

WORDS

Meghan Craig @meghan_craig_writes PHOTOS

Blending architectural authenticity with contemporary comfort, a turn-of-the-century home is reborn through design that bridges eras.

Jeff Stultz

T

KM Architecture

ucked within a serene neighborhood just west of Prairie Village, a grand white-columned home stands as a beacon of heritage and renewal. Originally built around 1900 and lovingly held in the same family for more than 60 years, this historic estate has been meticulously brought into the modern era without sacrificing its architectural soul. Thanks to a visionary team that included MOJO Built, KM Architecture, Crossroads Interiors, and Kitchens by Kleweno, the home now

embodies the perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and thoughtful design.

“The challenge was not only to adapt and add to the house in such a way that met the homeowners’ needs and expectations for modern living, but also to do so in a way that honored its historical scale and authenticity, and connected major indoor living spaces to the majestic mature landscape that surrounds the house,” says architect Keith Mueller.

At the heart of the transformation lies a story—not just of renovation, but of legacy.

@jeff stultzphoto CONTRACTOR

MOJO Built @mojobuilt ARCHITECT

kmarchitecture.com DESIGNER

Crossroads Interiors KITCHEN DESIGNER

Kitchens by Kleweno @klewenokitchens

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 161

The homeowners approached the project as caretakers of both memories and materials.

The renovation was a chance to bring it into the modern era without erasing its past (or quaint details such as the original pond, stone benches, and chicken coop). The last major renovation was in the early 1960s; this time, the work was more ambitious. It included a full HVAC installation, all-new electrical, and even a rebuilt garage that mirrors the dormers and dentil molding of the original home.

Randy Sisk and Genevieve Hamel of Kitchens

by Kleweno led one of the most dramatic changes: relocating the kitchen to the space A soaring glass ceiling transforms the rear sitting room into a sun-drenched conservatory, creating a seamless connection between home and garden. The couple ordered this most defining feature from Parish Conservatories in Connecticut.

The relocated kitchen, once the living room, now serves as the home’s heart, where function meets finely tuned craftsmanship in a serene palette of sea glass and quartzite.

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P A S T

P E R F E C T

From hidden spice racks to mixer lifts and a concealed armoire refrigerator, every cabinet in this kitchen was designed with purpose and polish.

that once served as the living room. Their goal?

To design a kitchen that felt like a curated collection of heirloom pieces, not a collection of matching cabinets. Sea glass and bisquepainted cabinetry mingle with a cherry wood armoire concealing the refrigerator, and a mullion-front dish cabinet echoes the home’s entry door. A handcrafted Lacanche range, topped by a custom zinc hood with hammered brass banding, offers both sculptural beauty and culinary performance. Above it, original crown molding was preserved to lend elegance and cohesion to the redesigned space.

Functional beauty was equally important.

Every drawer and cabinet has a purpose, from the mixer lift and pull-out spice racks to the integrated beverage unit and freezer drawers. Da Vinci quartzite, with its luminous book-matched pattern, anchors the island and reappears as a backsplash, adding textural luxury.

Through a preserved original arched door lies a newly constructed pantry room, which The second kitchen has plenty of storage space, as well as an additional dishwasher and refrigerator for added convenience.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 163

P A S T

P E R F E C T

provides another nod to balance between past and present. This second kitchen area offers open shelving for pantry goods and small appliances, a secondary farmhouse sink, wine fridge, and additional prep space, all dressed in a crisp palette of white and soft gray.

While the kitchen is a favorite gathering spot, the homeowners are equally fond of the newly built covered patio on the south side of the home. Designed for entertaining, the space includes a fireplace and pizza oven, all integrated seamlessly by Henrik Andersen of Scandinavian Co-Op LLC. From this vantage point, the property’s heritage unfolds: the original arbor, the pond, and the stonework lovingly maintained through generations.

Inside, natural light plays a starring role.

A newly added glass-ceilinged sitting room

Here and above: Wrapped in soft marble and botanical wallpaper, the primary bath marries classic luxury with quiet comfort—a private retreat grounded in timeless design.

California Closets custom-designed a place for everything—including beauty—in the primary bedroom.

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CUSTOM HOMES / POOLS / OUTDOOR LIVING KITCHEN, BATHROOM, & HOME REMODEL 913.354.9500 • CatenacciHomes.com

P A S T

P E R F E C T

The arbor is original to the home and was built in the early 1900s, as well.

Large-scale green and white floral wallpaper makes a standout space in the thirdfloor dormer. It even includes papering the ceiling—the fifth wall.

invites the outdoors in and fills the home with sunlight from above. Designed as a modern conservatory, it’s a tranquil space for morning coffee or evening beverages, with the sky always in view.

Throughout the home, original plaster moldings and hardwood floors have been preserved and extended into new additions.

Even details from the home’s basement, such as unused arched doors, have been repurposed to enhance the primary suite and closets, ensuring continuity across time.

This project took over two years, with surprises and discoveries around every corner. Yet the result is a space that feels not just updated, but elevated: a living tribute to craftsmanship, care, and connection.

“We were very fortunate and lucky to work with an absolutely wonderful team on this project,” the homeowners say. The home has always been part of the family, and now it’s ready for the next chapter…and the generations to come.

The newly added south-side patio, complete with a fireplace and pizza oven, extends the home’s hospitality outdoors—ideal for alfresco evenings with friends and family.

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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.

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An Unexpected Sky View When demolition shows a new path midroute—and the client leaps in wholeheartedly— the end result is transformative.

Generous natural light pours in through new skylights.Vaulting the ceiling was a major undertaking that involved structural reinforcements, as well as relocating electrical and HVAC systems.

“

I love any type of project where the client desires unique and thoughtful design,” says Betsy Kersten, architect and owner of OAK Design Studio. And she got that challenge with this main-level renovation.

The existing home’s footprint was tight, and she needed to create a brighter, more connected space for a family of four without an expansion.

The starting point? Their dated, original kitchen.

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WORDS

Christine Emming PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo ARCHITECT

OAK Design Studio @oak.designstudio CONTRACTOR

Specht Construction @spechtconstruction

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A standout feature is the custom wood slat screen that now gently separates the kitchen from the family’s cozy den. Paired with a new textured wood wall paneling, it preserves the warmth and character of the original space while tying it into the updated design.

Instead of being the beating heart of the space, it was dark and felt isolated from the rest of the house with only a large corridor connecting it to the formal living room.

“This corridor had very shallow shelving and was not functional in a meaningful way,” Kersten notes.

Her redesigned space provides additional cabinetry and countertops throughout the kitchen, and utilizes the former corridor to create a generous pantry space with room for an appliance garage, enlarged refrigerator, and a coffee bar.

Opening up walls became necessary, so Kersten tapped long-time collaborator Henry Specht of Specht Construction. While the kitchen was definitely the main focus of the project, the design team touched nearly every space on the main level. Major renovations were made to the den, powder room, laundry room, mudroom, and pantry, with minor renovations to the formal living and dining rooms.

“Each space was generous enough that we could talk through many different design ideas, and we were able to refine those to best fit the client’s goals for their project,” Kersten says.

Now a custom-built, white-oak slat wall seamlessly integrates the living spaces, its vertical visuals echoed in the cabinetry throughout. The reimagined mini-bar in the formal living room was originally hidden behind concealed doors.

“We redesigned the mini-bar to be more prominently on display,” Kersten says, and she used materials that tie into the new kitchen’s design, improving cohesion between spaces that weren’t redesigned in this round. Architecturally,

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B A T H A reinvented hallway now offers prep room, storage, an appliance garage, and a well-concealed refrigerator.

the renovation improved functionality because the spaces now open to one another and create connection across the entire living area.

But sometimes, even after all the plans are finished, projects evolve unexpectedly.

Permitting done, this project was deep in the demolition phase when the client called Kersten, asking her to come over. The ceiling was gone and only the rafters ribbed above the kitchen.

Seeing the volume of space uncovered had given the client the same idea Kersten had on viewing it: “We were certain that the project needed to take advantage of this space,” she recalls.

Reworking the layout and vaulting the ceiling—an undertaking that involved structural reinforcements, as well as relocating electrical and HVAC systems—added architectural study, structural engineering, and construction time to the project, plus a budgetary increase. But the entire team felt strongly that this was the right move for this home.

“Despite the complexity,” says Specht, “the transformation was well worth it.”

With the vaulted ceilings pouring natural light in, the end result is a home that feels more open and livable, perfectly tailored to how the family lives today.

Bright white kitchen counters and cabinetry make the most of the overhead skylight.

The reimagined mini-bar connects visually to the family’s new kitchen, and offers all the functional amenities without any extra fuss. The whole home feels more open and livable, all the spaces interconnected in a useful way.

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Color-Filled Corners A teensy Drummond renovation leans into midcentury whimsy, becoming a photographer’s dream.

WORDS

Christine Emming PHOTOS

Kaley from Kansas @kaleyfromkansas DESIGNER

Maggie Routon Studio @maggie.routon

W

hen Maggie Routon and her brand-new spouse asked their wedding photographer and her partner to meet for drinks, she never guessed the couples would soon live down the street from each other.

“We hit it off immediately and became really quick friends,” says Routon, who founded Maggie Routon Studio three years ago.

Now the couples share more than dinner parties—Routon has helped transform key spaces in her friend’s midcentury home, including this tiny, once-dark hallway and bathroom.

“We ordered so many concrete samples to nail the color!” says Maggie Routon of the perfectly buttery sink by Nood Co.

Striped Tekla towels from Blackbird Collection play into the color story, and echo in the bubbled Jean-Baptiste Fastrez mirror.

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Leaning more neutral, the homeowners needed a little push to embrace something brighter.

Says Maggie Routon, “They wanted to know how they could push the boundaries and still love it forever.”

Swapping out the backyard door was the first decision, turning it more into a floor-to-ceiling window to bring in some natural light. Terrazzo tile and creamy birch offer an ideal foil for the antennae-like light fixture from Entler Studio.

After years shopping for a home built by iconic Kansas City architect Don Drummond, the young couples’ letter writing finally paid off. In 2019, the new homeowners first slept in their Drummond home the same night as the Routon wedding. This pair of passionate midcentury enthusiasts began renovating little by little; but when it came to this part of the house, they were stumped.

The long, dark hallway led past an unused side door to the backyard, then continued on to their guest bedroom and bath. All visitors to the home utilized this space. Candles or nightlights lit the way, as the bathroom had only a hanging wire where

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the light should have been installed. A washer and dryer, stacked at the end of the passage, impeded the walkway.

“The whole area was an afterthought, as far as design,” Routon says.

While the space had been previously renovated, it hadn’t nailed the time period of a Drummond home with builder-grade porcelain floor tile, IKEA closet doors, and a cookie-cutter shower. Because it’s such a small space, Routon explains, “Everything stayed in its spot, we just reimagined it.”

The homeowners, who love to entertain, wanted their guest zone to be fun, colorful, and inviting, but also to function well for them on a daily basis.

Swapping the backyard door for a floor-to-ceiling window flooded the area with natural light and was

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a perfect first step for the project, as it allowed for better use of color. Hallway lighting was hung: a handmade, pink, ceramic fixture that shines onto the laundry space.

“We were intentional about all of the finishes, selecting smaller, more artisanal makers,” Routon says.

Perfectly midcentury, the bubbly bathroom mirror lends a whimsical air that was absent in the former, dreary iteration, and a butter yellow concrete sink brightens the room at all times of day.

Handmade shower tile plays off the gorgeous terrazzo floor work, making a lengthy statement out of the finite space. A European-sized washer

Here and left: A custom birch top and slider doors by EPM Services hides the European-sized washer and dryer when it’s not in use. The top provides a folding area, and a stool from Big Game offers respite.

and dryer solve the laundry issue, nestled side by side in a custom birch frame with slider doors that hide them from view.

Despite a lack of storage, the homeowners weren’t even using the full wall closet because it was ugly and hard to see. Routon added custom shoe shelving and three sliders—one mirrored—to the closet to make it aesthetically pleasing—the perfect backdrop for a live-in photographer!

Routon, currently busy designing the couple’s nursery, sees her friends using the hallway as a backdrop on their Instagram feed.

“It’s so special for me to be, in a small way, a part of that,” she says.

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Beyond Beautiful: The Spa Bath as Self-Care WORDS

Sarah MacFarland

Designers explore how intentional materials, lighting, and sensory details can promote wellness at home.

PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo DESIGNER/CONTRACTOR

Amanda Lee Interiors @amandaleeinteriors DESIGNER

Knapstein Design

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CABINET DESIGN

Bootlace Design & Build

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In a midtown home, the owners dedicated space to an entire wellness room, including a multi-person infrared Sunlighten sauna and a stainless cold plunge tub. A monochromatic tile palette, highlighted by bamboo accents, gives the space a Japandi vibe—a mix of two cultures that prize spa culture.

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nterior design can be so much more than the sum of its parts. A space, of course, should look good. But how does it feel when you’re in it? How does it function to work with you, not against you? How does it enhance your sense of well-being? As one of designer Carol Cisco’s nonprofit Designing for Veterans clients discovered, “Virtually every element of one’s physical environment contributes to perceptions, moods, spirit, and level of inner peace.”

Cisco, principal and owner of Signature Design + Studio, knows that design can be therapeutic when all elements come together: color, lighting, access to nature, texture, function, scent, and the way the space reflects someone’s personal story and addresses their unique physical and emotional needs. “I found that something beautiful and functional can also serve another purpose—improving one’s health and wellness. It can be a place of healing,” she says.

And we certainly need that in winter. Our self-care focus might be making our bathrooms more spa-like.

Whether you want to add holistic and therapeutic elements to your bath, renovate an existing bath, or create a new one, there are many ways to enhance that feeling of wellbeing.

A recessed alabaster chandelier crowns the space with a warm glow and surely emits good vibes along with it. A large steam shower offers a wet heat alternative to the dry sauna, a preference that is highly individual.

Here and below: A sitting room connecting to the space offers contemplative serenity, with a pair of chairs facing a fireplace and an Asian daybed calling for a nap. Textured walls and featured art elevate the surroundings.

Color

Kathryn Grube, professor of interior design at Johnson County Community College and owner of Functional Color Solutions, likes to start with color. “Color is reflected light, and light is energy,” she says. “The warmer colors have more active energy, while the cooler colors are more soothing. That’s why blues and greens are often used in spa bathrooms. Blues and greens are also biophilic colors that connect us to nature. Lavender can help promote mental or emotional balance.” Regan Romero of Regan Romero Design, known for her urban eclectic style, likes to go with softer, earthy colors.

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PHOTOS

Brynn Burns

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Terrazzo tile on the floors follows the wall up behind the freestanding tub for a seamless feel. “They wanted a place that felt fresh, bright, and inspiring,” Romero notes.

DESIGNER

Regan Romero Design

@reganromerodesign

Lighting

Light in a bath not only helps us find our way around but should also make us look good as we view ourselves in the mirror. “Layered lighting is important,” says Grube. And so are fullspectrum lightbulbs that mimic natural sunlight without the harsh blue tones that can make us look and feel washed out. Chromotherapy bulbs can deliver colored light in saunas or showers.

Some jacuzzi bathtubs have chromotherapy features that allow you to soak while being bathed in light, which alters your mood.

Access to Nature

Biophilic design is all about tapping into nature’s healing power, “creating an outdoor haven inside,” says Grube. Whether you have a bath with a window onto a courtyard or a private fenced area, or one that suggests nature with rock features and greenery, or art, connecting to the natural world is therapeutic.

Texture

How something feels on the skin can also be comforting and soothing. “Tatami mats feel like grass,” says Grube. Think heated floors and towel racks. You can also go a step further with a heated bench in a large walk-in shower.

“If you have wonderful cotton towels, soft and absorbent, and a robe and slippers, you can feel like you’re in a luxurious spa,” she adds.

Function

How a space works with you, rather than against you, can have a daily effect on well-being.

A drippy faucet, a cluttered vanity, or a hardto-clean bathroom represent daily irritants that can detract from peace of mind. Wall-mounted vanities and toilets let you easily clean under and around; vanities with deep and personalized storage keep personal care products out of sight.

Romero maintained floor space by floating the vanity and a wall-hung toilet.

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The owners of this Edwardsville, Kan., home wanted a spa-like experience in their primary suite, including a steam shower, which has different mechanical and design considerations over a regular shower.

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PHOTOS

Amber Dawkins

@amberdawkinsphotography DESIGNER

Deatherage Home Designs deatheragedesign.com CONTRACTOR

Gartman Remodeling

gartmanremodeling.com

Toilets and bidets with heated seats and water for cleansing keep you clean as well. Romero likes to use bath cabinets with integrated outlets to hide that electric toothbrush. “When you can see the tile on the backsplash, it makes the room feel bigger,” she says.

A traditional Swedish or an infrared sauna, perhaps paired with a cold plunge pool, helps the body function better, especially for those who work out a lot or have specific physical needs. Romero has used a Swedish sauna with pink Himalayan salt blocks that release humidity into the air.

Scent

“Scent is linked to memory,” Grube says.

“So when you add scent to a spa experience, you ask yourself ‘where do I want to transport

This guest bath was designed for visiting house guests but also for the owner to enjoy for herself, including a soaking tub and large, two-person shower. After researching the benefits of infrared saunas, she purchased a freestanding unit with corner glass, which Deatherage designed around to make it appear built in. Heated flooring makes the space extra comfortable, while a tropical-patterned wallpaper ties together the many differing tones in the material selections.

myself?’” Beyond the time-honored lavender and eucalyptus, bath products and candles in various scents can take you back to your childhood, a favorite vacation spot, or a beloved garden. Romero recommends a steam shower that can also release essential oils for a sensory experience.

But the most important part of designing a spa bath involves being both personal and intentional. Since this room is used primarily twice a day, Romero asks her clients, “What parts of your morning or evening ritual are important to you?” One client wanted a deeper sink bowl with a spray faucet because he likes to wash his hair in the sink, and another prefers to shave in the shower. Some clients want a deep soaking tub; others would rather “soak” by sitting in the shower. A mood board with photos and clippings of the overall look and feel you want can get you one step closer to that spa retreat.

Floating live-edge shelving brings an organic and light touch to the space, with the owner’s spa products within easy reach.

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L O V E A spa inset into the floor offers easy access—and year-round use—with a stellar view to the outdoor living environment.

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Samantha Ward

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Hufft

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Tranquility Within

A lower-level remodel in Platte City turns a family home into a year-round wellness retreat.

A

Platte City couple, former college athletes who run a non-profit dedicated to youth sports training, wanted to make their home a staycation for themselves and their four grown children and their friends.

“They really wanted to invest in the house, creating a sanctuary of health, wellness, and fitness for the family,” says Matthew Hufft, lead architect and principal of Hufft, a Kansas City architecture and interior design firm. “The remodeling project started out small—perhaps building a guesthouse—but then it grew in both

A Platte City home has become a wellness retreat for family and friends, including a large-scale pool, hot tub, fire pit area and covered pool house.

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R O O M S

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L O V E The view from the indoor hot tub. Architect Matthew Hufft and team not only designed the home, but also fabricated the casework and some furnishings.

size and scope. They realized they wanted to feel like they were on vacation at home.”

They certainly got their wish.

If you viewed their house and its grounds from a drone flying overhead, you might think it was a fabulous resort. The large, contemporary structure leads out to a backyard waterpark with a lazy river, a chute-like slide, a zero-depth entry pool, and plenty of space to bask on a summer day. Rolling Missouri hills surround all the watery and sun-dappled blue with leafy green.

The passive yin to this active yang is the quieter, moodier lower level walk-out that offers a place for rest, recovery, and rejuvenation. Water therapy beckons in all forms—warm outdoor pool, hot jetted tub, cold plunge, and steam.

Distractions are kept to a minimum. And the ancient process of healing through step-by-step rituals soothes both body and mind.

A sliding pocket door opens from the outdoor pool area to a stainless-steel hot tub and cold plunge pool from Diamond Spas.

Walk down a few steps and you’re in a lounge area where the flickering flames of a gas fireplace might help you meditate or simply relax.

“The lights are low and the temperature and acoustics are restful,” Hufft says. If you want to start the day here, you could drink your coffee until you’re ready to face the morning news on a flatscreen TV. In the evening, you could relax after a dip in the hot tub, lounging before the fire with a warm drink in hand.

Day or night, you can de-stress in the walkin infrared sauna with a steam feature from Sunlighten.

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Indirect cove lighting sets a quiet mood.

“This custom sauna has panels that wrap around the walls,” Hufft explains. “With infrared technology, heat waves move out from the panels and heat the human body quicker than a traditional sauna.” Infrared spas are touted for detoxification, relaxation, and muscle recovery.

With the steam feature, the sauna could be dry or wet.

During the remodel, there were also building challenges. Because of the high moisture in this area, “We had to use non-porous materials,” says Mason Homoly, project manager with Homoly Design + Build, the firm who carried out the construction. That meant plaster instead of sheetrock, porcelain tile, stone, and marine-grade paint on the cabinetry to ward off mildew. “We also had to work with our HVAC guy to make sure the ventilation would bring in sufficient fresh air.”

Even the lighting plan had to adapt to the humid conditions. “We wanted indirect lighting, cove lighting around the ceiling,” Hufft says.

Overhead lighting would have been too harsh and the metal surrounds for the lights would have been prone to rust over time.

The overall design of the lower level wellness retreat taps into eastern Asian design, Hufft says. He cites the zen simplicity of Japanese rock gardens that encourage contemplation, minimalistic furnishings that center our 200 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

The infrared sauna delivers heat and optional steam faster than a traditional Swedish sauna.

Just outside the relaxed quietude of the wellness area lies a more active gathering part of the home.

attention back to mind and body rather than “stuff,” and the all-important connection to nature, which helps us revive and restores our physical and mental health. Earth tones of wood, dark stone, and leafy green reference the natural world. Hufft’s company also fabricated the casework and some of the furniture.

Could a wellness retreat like this one replace the home gym as a must-have for homeowners?

“It’s a lot of fun to think about,” Hufft says.

“With all the emphasis on mental health these days, this is a space that involves both body and mind. Relax the body and quiet the mind.

I think a space like this could really change the lives of the people who use it.”

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FIVE STARS A multi-zone basement remodel in Old Leawood showcases seamless flow, standout style, and the final flourish of veteran designer Gayle Jagoda’s career.

Honed White Mountain Danby marble pairs perfectly with the white oak cabinets and counters; the island is capped in textured soapstone.

WORDS

Amy Thurston @amytkc

PHOTOS

Matthew Anderson

@matthewaphoto

DESIGNER/CONTRACTOR

Schloegel Design Remodel @remodelagain

C

reating a floor plan for a basement remodel can be a heavy lift.

For this project in Old Leawood, Schloegel Design Remodel was up to the task.

Asked by their client to create five different zones, the seasoned company made each spot unique, resulting in a sum that flows naturally. Retiring designer Gayle Jagoda, a 23-year industry veteran with the company, handily checked all five boxes—and added in a few additional surprises. Bunk room: check.

Entertainment kitchen: check. Bar: check. TV viewing space: check. Bonus points: wine room and a hidden door: check, check.

A complementary bar opposite the sink shows how the two elements tie together in the large, open spaces that accommodates a variety of niches.

202 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

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Benjamin Moore White Dove coats the paneled viewing room wall, while brass accents and hardware give this casual space a tailored finish. Rich gray textiles and warm leather are both comfortable and stylish.

The first impression upon descending the stairs is the large window flooding the space with light—aren’t you supposedly in a basement? The roomy kitchen and bar look stunning with marble counters and backsplash, white oak cabinetry, and a large island capped in textured soapstone.

“Our client had a very strong vision for the space and excellent taste with which to make it come to life,” Jagoda says.

Adjacent to this, a paneled TV room coated in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove feels fresh rather than frosty, grounded with camel leather and rich gray textiles. Vintage rugs lie where needed, while a whimsical brass deer bust, mounted on the wall and wearing Chiefs gear, looks on. Complementary modern lighting offers an ambient glow—a purposeful choice over the glare of ceiling cans. It’s comfortable for family time yet sophisticated enough for a full-on adult celebration.

Across from the wet bar, a dry bar mimics the same materials for continuity.

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Left and below: Two bathrooms offer two different moods. The kids’ full bath is fresh and fun, while a more mature powder room is dressed up in marble and brass.

If that first space feels special, wait, there’s more. The bunk room with its clearly defined zones is peaceful for sleepovers but playful for sleepunders—cozy, definitely, but somehow energetic, too. With punchy wallpaper and clever touches, most kids will never want to leave. The project team hardly wanted to leave it.

“The team of carpenters that brought this room to life kept coming to me with ideas like building a tunnel between the bunks,” Jagoda says, applauding the team for building a solid space that also sparks the imagination, combining fun and function.

The adjoining bathroom repeats the tones of the bunk room with hand-picked tiles and a warm wood vanity.

In the other direction, more whimsical brass animals adorn the hallway walls. Jagoda painted the ceiling deep blue to signal more creative embellishment—like a secret door to a wine room, drenched in that same deep blue and lit low, a slab of dark granite and brass fittings

For sleepovers, a built-in bunk room is pure fun and function. Peek at the tunnel connecting the sleeping spaces.

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anchoring one side of the room. Opposite, a pink neon sign reads: Happy Hour. Over the corner banquette hangs a crystal globe, creating the perfect spot to taste wine and spill tea. These fixtures strike a balance between masculine and feminine, assuring that every guest feels welcome. Coveted vintages are displayed in a temperature-controlled wine cellar with a glass wall sure to inspire conversations that make for memorable evenings.

Jagoda made light of her role in wrangling all the ideas, selecting the finishes, and listening to her clients’ wishes. Sometimes designing turns into project managing, but she managed to do both jobs beautifully.

As her final project with Schloegel Design Remodel, Charlie Schloegel sends her off with accolades: “This sensational project shows her incredible attention to detail and passion for design. Paired with our clients’ amazing style, this basement is the perfect way to celebrate Gayle’s final project and the many homes she’s touched throughout her career.”

A secret hall leads to a glass-enclosed wine room.

The snack bar is elevated with brushed titanium granite and offers plenty of storage and serving space.

A corner outfitted with a banquette and bar table offers a dark and cozy spot to open a bottle of fine wine with friends.

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L O V E Dressed in olive leather, gray velvet, and bronze, the main room exudes a luxe vibe.

CLUB LEVEL Family membership has its privileges at this stylish lower-level remodel, where an empty nest becomes the ultimate family hangout.

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WORDS

Amy Thurston @amytkc

PHOTOS

Laurie Kilgore @lauriekilgorephotography DESIGNER

ML Designs @mldesignskc

E

mpty Nest Syndrome is a real thing.

We parent through all the stages and milestones of life and then send our children out into the world. Some of us use this newfound freedom to travel; some take up puzzles; some even move entirely, selling it all and moving to a loft downtown. But one of us decided to turn the basement into a destination to lure adult children home. Yes, what this client wanted was a club.

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Elizabeth Crawford of ML Designs understood the assignment: Make a unique and personal space that her clients’ grown kids can’t wait to come back to, along with their spouses, friends, or whole families. Peppered with references to their youth, moments spent with dad, or personal interests pursued wholeheartedly as kids, Crawford created a backdrop for the spaces where new memories will be made.

When you arrive at the curved vestibule— paneled and painted in a warm shade of white— the vintage table and dramatic, modern light fixture signal that you should be prepared for the unexpected. As you continue into the TV room, a crushed-velvet sofa and olive green leather club chairs are anchored by a heavy bronze coffee table.

“The client’s husband and sons watched all the Bond films together, so I found a framed image of Roger Moore as James Bond,” Crawford points out above an upholstered console table.

Textures and florals softly complement this more masculine moment.

A clever slat wall transitions into the game room. Crawford says she loves this wall trend but wanted to incorporate it subtly in case the homeowner wants to change it down the road.

A subtle use of trends almost always ensures timelessness.

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Details abound. Upper left: Brass nailheads adorn an upholstered door to the powder room. Upper right: A transitional slat wall signals entry into the deep red game room. Lower left: Chairs upholstered in alternating sophisticated plaid and bold orange fabrics draw your eye to the office. Bottom right: A brass wall-mounted faucet installed in a black granite backsplash makes a refined line against the herringbone wallpaper.

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Windows infuse the space with daylight, making the lounge a comfortable draw.

Look closely at the welt and rope on the chairs.

Glass partitions to the office bring more light into the space while offering a quieter separation.

The game room is drenched top to bottom in high-gloss coats of Sherwin-Williams’ Raisin and embellished with brass hardware and fencing.

This palette lends a jewel box and jewel-toned effect perfect for late nights. Under the Cynara chandelier from Visual Comfort, the wood table and upholstered swivel chairs counter the deep tones and add the necessary element of comfort.

The mood continues to the powder room, where an upholstered door, dressed up with brass nailheads, opens to reveal geometric and floral wallpapers, crystal lighting, and brass fittings. A framed Slim Aarons mixed-media piece, placed appropriately, recalls the vibe of decades past.

Across the room, one wall was painted black for effect, displaying prized vintages and large-scale vintage art of the first astronauts—a childhood fascination of one of the clients. Crawford says that taking notes and being a good listener helped her to fine-tune the design and make the project extra personal.

More details abound at the bar. The nailhead trim on the walls and the brass inlay on the legs of

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Visual Comfort Adrian Globes bathe the island in a warm glow; tweed bar stools are parked under a slab of Cristallo Quartzite. With brass inlay legs, this island stuns.

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Purchased for its scale and color, a dramatic abstract art piece complements the wood and texture of the game table.

Sherwin-Williams’ Raisin in high gloss strikes the perfect tone for this luxe game room.

the island are just bit players next to the Cristallo quartzite statement stone and classic Visual Comfort Adrian Globes. Comfort is key in the furnishings for the bar and adjacent sitting area, where rich, chocolate velvet and creamy boucle are paired with contrasting fabric details. These spaces are all about a good hang and lingering conversation—you can almost hear the ladies catching up and the men talking sports.

Somehow, after Crawford assembled all the fun spaces, she managed to squeeze in a wellappointed office for her client to get some work done. Behind an iron-and-glass wall, a seating area and desk are revealed, bathed in natural light.

With its layered nostalgia, inviting textures, and clever personal touches, the Club Level gives this family a place to gather, laugh, compete, unwind, and reconnect. It’s a reminder that even as our children grow up, the spaces we share can still bring us together. And in this home, there’s always a seat open and a story waiting to be retold.

Large-scale images of astronauts flank a wine display wall for an eye-catching twist on functional storage.

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A VIP lounge with a textured velvet backdrop overlooks the blacked-out billiards table. A curved settee is tucked inside a cozy nook underneath.

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R O O M S

The Pavone Effect WORDS

Andrea Darr PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo

An event pro’s lower-level lounge struts its stuff with moody, Italianinspired boutique hotel bar vibes.

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K

ris and Courtney Nardini were on track to build a new custom home in Liberty—an ambitious build that required shaving off the top of a hill—when a friend told them about a unique home that popped up on the market nearby. The homeowner was eager to sell— including everything in the house, down to the glassware and liquor bottles.

Having already sold their house, the Nardinis— along with three of the couple’s four daughters and five cats—were living in an apartment and ready for more space. This new option was the easy answer, plus it came with a finished basement and pool—two things they weren’t going to get with the new build.

So, they pivoted.

A new project emerged, of course, but one that was way more fun and less stressful.

“We have been fixing it up to our style ever since,” Kris says.

A chainmetal curtain reveals the VIP lounge from behind the bar. Note the gold peacocks that reference the name of the space.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 219

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The house was built in the 2000s, and not decorated to the couple’s taste. Courtney leaned toward a more Traditional or French Country style upstairs, while the walkout lower level spun off in its own direction.

“The basement is more my style; it’s showy. It’s what I do for my business—I create a wow-factor,” says Kris, owner of Platinum XP, a company that produces next-level events with lighting and sound. “I love to transform a ballroom or even a street party.”

With two levels and soaring ceilings, the basement offered a blank slate for his imagination. A hands-on creative whose flipped every home he’s lived in since getting married, Kris never shies away from a challenge. If he can’t

Because of the lot’s steep nature, the lower level is a two-story space with a walkout patio and pool outside the sliding doors. Ornate picture frames and authentic Murano glass chandeliers relay the Italian spirit the Nardinis wanted to bring home from their travels. Leather banquettes along the half-wall provide plenty of seating.

Perfectly preserved antiques add character to the space’s entrance. The phonograph still works!

find something he wants, he builds it—like the custom bar that now anchors the room.

Once the kids were grown and the oncepristine white carpet had suffered its last share of teenage parties, the parents reclaimed the space for an adult playground. The former home theater became a lounge-worthy destination—moody, musical, and unapologetically dramatic.

“We are an event family—every one of us is in events. We can have movie night upstairs,” Kris says.

He approached the space with speakeasy style, including old-fashioned gold door hardware and antiques. He is fond of intricate gold picture

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frames that he fills with blown-up photos of the family’s travels, which he is amassing in preparation for a full-scale gallery wall.

The atmosphere took a definitive turn in 2023 after the family’s first trip to Italy—the first of a few trips since then.

“I, in particular, fell in love with Italy; I feel like I belong there,” says Kris, whose grandfather was Italian. “I’m a quarter Italian, but I totally identify with that life—their art, aesthetic, culture, life.

In their architecture, it’s all about the details, beauty in everything—in every restaurant, even the bathrooms are gorgeous.”

That appreciation for art and detail found a

Sexy in black, the full basement bathroom reminds Kris of the attention to aesthetics of every space he entered while abroad.

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home in what the couple now call The Pavone— Italian for “peacock.” Elegant references to the bird appear subtly throughout the lower level, from tone-on-tone wallpaper to statues, lamps, and even bathroom accessories.

The couple sourced key pieces directly from the Murano Glass Factory in Venice, including two smoky black glass chandeliers—custommade, engraved with their anniversary date, and shipped in 52 carefully packed pieces back to the U.S. Suspended from the double-height ceiling, the chandeliers cast a sultry, golden glow across the room.

Naturally, every light is on dimmers and colorchanging modes. “Sometimes I’ll ‘Green Lady’ it,” Kris jokes, referencing the famed downtown jazz bar at 18th and Grand.

Because the floor-to-ceiling windows can flood the space with daylight, Kris installed 40foot black drapes—seen at the likes of T-Mobile Center or Union Station—that create an instant mood, whether it’s 2 p.m. or midnight.

“I wanted to shrink the scale, to make it feel like a true lounge,” he says.

There’s a small stage platform—complete with a drum set Kris plays—and two pianos, one small

The Nardinis serve up drinks named after family members and memories at the fully tiled bar with a custom quartz counter.

enough for the next generation of musicians. “I’m still looking for the perfect old-school mic and stand,” Kris adds.

The Pavone has become the site of a growing number of celebrations—proposal parties, wedding showers, even a 100-person wedding reception. The Nardinis have crafted a personalized bar menu featuring drinks named

Sound of the Space Kris’ preferred playlist is Spotify’s French Jazz Cafe, a mix of foreign-language melodies.

Kris used event-style drapes to block out all natural light so the space feels moody even in the afternoon. A mini stage is elevated next to the marble-facade fireplace.

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after their kids and pets, ensuring every detail has a point of reference.

“When people come down here, they immediately notice the lighting, the sound, the music,” Kris says. There’s even a speaker in the bathroom, so no one misses a moment of a Chiefs game watch party (even if they are trying to hide from the final play).

Still, the perfectionist in him sees more to do.

“There are blank walls waiting for tile or art.

I want more layers,” Kris says. “In Europe— especially in churches—I was in awe of that level of detail. We went to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and it was mind-blowing. We’re not going to that level here, but the inspiration is real.”

For now, Kris calls it “75 percent done”— though everyone else might argue it’s already a masterpiece.

Because for the Nardinis, it’s less about checking boxes and more about creating a space that keeps evolving—just like a good story, told to friends over a glass of wine, surrounded by a warm glow and lovely things.

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Craig Keene

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Arbuckle Building Solutions

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Porch with a Purpose A cozy, covered outdoor living area becomes a stepping stone to a future indoor kitchen renovation.

W

hen a Leawood couple first reached out to builder Blaine Arbuckle and designer Regan Romero, their goal was simple: a new kitchen. But as with many older homes in that area, their charming Colonial had a traditional, compartmentalized layout. To achieve the open, family-friendly kitchen they envisioned—with a larger island, new pantry, and reconfigured flow—they’d need to rework the entire first floor.

“The magnitude of that kind of renovation, especially with young kids at home, was too much at once,” Romero says. “So we pressed pause—but we didn’t stop planning.”

The design team completed a full interior layout anyway, mapping out the future kitchen and adjoining spaces. That foresight informed what would become Phase 1: transforming the backyard into a cozy, functional outdoor living area that aligned perfectly with the eventual interior remodel.

Natural stone is a cozy choice for the backyard fireplace and adds to the usability of the space even in colder months.

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In advance of the first-floor renovation, the project team installed new windows and doors in their new spots, allowing for construction to continue outside without interruption. The seating area, dining area, and outdoor grill station spread out comfortably across the covered patio.

“As we were developing the exterior plans, we already had a game plan for the inside so we wouldn’t have to re-do any work,” Romero says.

By squaring off the home’s rear exterior wall—removing a bulky bay window in the process—Romero set the stage for future interior changes while giving the family a beautiful new place to relax right now.

A poured concrete patio with a checkerboard design adds texture and elevates the surface.

“We created the look by saw-cutting diamond shapes into the concrete instead of using tile,” Romero explains. “It’s a smart way to save on cost while giving them that look.”

At one end of the patio, a stone fireplace draws family and friends together year-round; at the other, an outdoor kitchen with a grill, drink fridge, and porcelain countertop makes entertaining easy. A standing-seam metal roof shelters the space, with warm cedar tongue-and-groove

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planks beneath, adding a layer of coziness and craftsmanship.

Though the front of the home remains classic brick, Romero introduced a custom blend of stone to the rear fireplace for a softer, more natural texture. “The softness of stone is just a touch cozier,” she says.

For the homeowners, this project offers the best of both worlds—an inviting, livable extension of their home now and a thoughtful foundation for the next chapter.

“It’s a space they can enjoy every day,” Romero says. “And when the time comes to move inside, everything will already flow together beautifully.”

A custom grill station mirrors the stone fireplace across from it with a natural stone base and built-in stainless steel appliances, including a drink fridge and trash bin. The porcelain top is a solid choice for outdoor use.

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New bluestone pavers were laid across the entire backyard expanse. Brick pavers act as paths that direct users to different places, such as the new carriage house and the side sleeping porch. Circles at those doorways define points of transition.

Formal Roots, Relaxed Spirit

WORDS

Andrea Darr PHOTOS

Hattie Kennedy DESIGNER

The Greensman @thegreensman.7213

Classic materials and soft curves elevate this Ward Parkway backyard.

N

ina and Marc Hollabaugh’s stately home off Ward Parkway is every bit as impressive as the neighborhood it resides in—big, beautiful, and grand. But after years of living there, the couple realized their exterior spaces needed a refresh to better suit their lifestyle as empty nesters who love to host friends and family, especially their grandchildren.

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Their pool was first on the list for repair—new plumbing and filters were essential, a service easily handled by Swim Things. A second opportunity emerged with the building of a new carriage house after they had converted the original garage into a family room years ago. With these upgrades in mind, the Hollabaughs called on longtime garden designer Kristopher Dabner

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Colorful trim details, cafe lights, and a wind spinner bring light-hearted spirit to the majority sophisticated brick and stone structures.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 231

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Dabner prefers to keep the material palette to one or two choices, but added a third—natural stone, the same as the foundation of the house—to the base of the grilling station, located just outside the door to the family room and kitchen.

Its curves soften the look, and the double-height bar counter offers a place for guests to linger.

of The Greensman to reimagine the backyard with a sense of cohesion and timelessness.

“The key was to make everything look appropriate for the house,” Dabner says. “They love their home and wanted to ensure that anything new would feel like it had always been there.”

The premise was simple, especially in this older home, where formality rules: it needs to look appropriate with the style of the house.

Brick is the obvious starting point. Dabner likes to stick with the existing palette—usually one or two materials only—and use patterns to denote special spaces and wayfinding.

Paving brick, laid in an elegant herringbone pattern, forms the main material palette, while Ashlar bluestone marks transitions with circular motifs that naturally guide movement through the space. Drawing inspiration from the home’s raised stone foundation, Dabner also incorporated limestone touches on features like the grill island and fire pit zone.

The formality of the house lent itself to formality in the landscape, which Dabner executed with boxwood-lined beds filled with hydrangeas.

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Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 233

O U T D O O R

L I F E S T Y L E S

Right off the kitchen and family room, the outdoor grill island overlooks the refreshed pool, its stone base a near-perfect match to the home’s exterior. Nearby, a wood-burning fire pit with a gas starter, semi-encircled by a stone bench built by Meyer Masonry, provides a cozy gathering spot. Custom cushions make the seating both stylish and comfortable.

Soft curves and circles balance the formality of the architecture, giving the landscape a relaxed, welcoming rhythm. Visitors will encounter one at each directional turning point, such as at the corner of the house.

Traditional boxwoods frame the planting beds—a suitable choice for the era of the house and are often employed to add structure and define high-maintenance planting beds.

Updates required for the existing pool had a domino effect on the whole backyard, resulting in a much more user-friendly experience for the homeowners.

Though not visible from the front exterior, the backyard takes cues from it.

“It’s a big, beautiful, grand home,” Dabner says, “and we wanted the backyard to be just as nice with the same level of details.”

“I really like boxwoods,” Dabner notes. “They give a nice framework for certain areas.”

Dabner filled these beds with hydrangeas and other perennials for seasonal color and bouquet making. Along the back property line, hornbeams planted four years ago now provide privacy and lush greenery.

At night, landscape lighting highlights key features like a Hinoki cypress and a Lyman Whitaker wind sculpture, while café lights cast a warm glow over the entire yard.

“It’s super user-friendly, entertainmentfriendly, family-friendly,” Dabner says.

Circles and curves define the fire pit seating area, with added texture and “softscaping” from the greenery behind it.

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A Pavilion with Presence Bold yet balanced, this outdoor living space redefines backyard elegance with architectural precision and enduring charm.

The project team didn’t want to cover up the windows along the back side of the house, so they pushed the pavilion out across a courtyard to allow light into the interiors and space for two water features. Built by Stranger Creek Pools, the spa serves triple duty, also as a fountain and a cool plunge pool in the summer.

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The stately brick home is a real beauty from the front. Inspired by its grace and stature, the team developed the pavilion based on the same principles.

WORDS

Andrea Darr PHOTOS

Matthew Anderson

@matthewaphoto ARCHITECT

Wendlandt & Stallbaumer wendlandtandstallbaumer.com CONTRACTOR

Hurst Construction @hurstbuild DESIGNER

ML Designs @mldesignskc

D

an and Katie, head of a blended family of six grown kids, knew their Ward Parkway home’s outdoor area didn’t live up to its Georgian elegance. The

existing uncovered patio and oversized fireplace felt disconnected—more monolith than retreat. So they turned to architect Bruce Wendlandt for a complete reimagining.

“They told me what they didn’t like and how they wanted to live—cooking, entertaining, lounging—but mostly they said, ‘We want to see what you can do,’” Wendlandt recalls.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 237

Dan, an industry professional himself, understood the creative process and fully trusted it. After the initial conversation, Wendlandt disappeared for three weeks and returned with a sketch that, as Dan puts it, “was 95 percent what we have here.”

The resulting design is an all-encompassing outdoor living environment that complements the home’s architecture in stature and materiality.

The pavilion stands as a separate but connected structure, maintaining an elegant buffer between interior and exterior spaces.

“We didn’t want to tuck this big structure up against the living room, which would have compromised the natural light in the interior spaces,” Wendlandt says.

Instead, an open courtyard frames the new pavilion beautifully, with three connected “cells” defining dining, kitchen, and living zones under a substantial roof. Between them sits a reflecting pool and oversized hot tub—offering both serenity and function.

Maureen Lindstrom of ML Designs, who, along with Heather Gormsen, had previously refreshed the home’s interiors, recalls a conversation about whether the couple should incorporate a pool but ultimately decided it wasn’t necessary. The spa functions as a cool plunge when the heaters are off, and without young children at home, they don’t need the space to swim.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” Lindstrom says.

“They have the water element without taking up space for a full pool.”

A fireplace anchors the pavilion from the driveway entrance. A cupola atop the roof funnels sunlight down into the center of the space during the day, while at night, layered lighting from inside makes the top glow.

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Brick pavers define the transition between the house and the courtyard.

A perfect fit: a two-tiered woven chandelier suspends from the cupola.

A mix of brick and millwork columns visually break up the space and define entry to the pavilion from the side yard.

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Millwork is a major component of the pavilion, equivalent to the home’s interior detailing.

Double grills and double vents give Dan options and opportunities for cooking with ease. The location along the back wall hides all the mechanical components.

A central island extends prep and serving space, with a handy sink and storage on the cook’s side and barstool seating on the cantilevered side.

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Designed with Precision For Wendlandt, alignment and sightlines were key. Every axis—from the centerline of the structure to the hot tub and dining area—creates a visual rhythm that feels intuitive. “People know it feels good, but they aren’t sure why,” he says.

“It’s subtle.”

Natural light was also paramount. From inside the home, you can see through the pavilion; from within it, light streams between columns and filters down from the cupola above, creating an airy, almost cathedral-like space.

That same attention to proportion and detail extended to the materials.

“The eave work is all prismatic,” Wendlandt notes. “When it’s illuminated at night, it’s spectacular.”

For the courtyard’s brick pavers, he met with mason Adi Shehu to hand-select a palette that matched the home’s front stoop and walkways and laid the herringbone pattern with exacting precision down the centerline.

Behind the scenes, Hurst Construction executed the vision flawlessly, incorporating steel supports that lend the pavilion a sense of permanence. “His infrastructure was so beautiful I hated to cover it up,” Wendlandt says.

That sturdiness was tested last spring when tornadoes swept through nearby Prairie Village.

“We didn’t get wet,” Dan says. “Even with 50to 75-mile-per-hour winds, we sat out here the whole time—it was amazing.”

Inside the pavilion, ML Designs curated the durable aesthetic with elegant woven outdoor seating, a large textured rug, and a dramatic twotier woven chandelier that crowns the cupola.

Color cues echo the home’s interiors: while the house leans blue and white, the pavilion shifts to black, brown, gray, and green—tones that blend into the landscape.

Layered lighting is part of the space’s success story, giving it a warm glow and usability any time of day.

“The whole back of the house is windows,” Lindstrom says. “It’s a short distance from inside to out—and it feels completely cohesive.”

With its custom copper gutters, stone counters from Sturgis Materials, and surrounding landscape by Earth Expressions, the pavilion embodies outdoor living at its most graceful.

With the addition of Bromic heaters, fans, and speakers, the usable season extends comfortably.

“We cook dinner out here almost every night— more if the weather holds,” Dan says. “Other than January and February, we use it year-round.”

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The formal dining room, once used as the front living room, is situated between the dry bar and the entrance hall, and features the black-and-white checkerboard flooring throughout the three spaces. The designers created a more contemporary yet elegant fireplace using marble from Carthage Stoneworks, and fabricated by Material Bespoke in Texas. Two standout gold-leaf Prescott Chandeliers by Arteriors hang above the dining table, surrounded by leather and brass chairs by Gabby.

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Coming Full Circle

WORDS

Susan Cannon @susancannon1 PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo DESIGNER

LaMira Interiors @lamirainteriors

The past is happily prologue for one busy professional who moved her active young family into the lovely Old Leawood home she had previously owned.

S

ometimes life takes us in directions we would never expect. And sometimes becoming re-grounded in what feels nostalgic can be a surprising and invigorating experience.

For this homeowner, finding comfort in the familiar may have been her impetus, but seeking new design iterations for her beautiful former home seemed just right for this time in her life.

Enter LaMira Interiors, co-owned by Roxanne Baker and Kimbra Callaghan. As an interior design team, they cast a silhouette of duality— one of distinct dedication and ebullience for their work, and the other, a signature, sophisticated, and often feminine mood conveyed in their design. These qualities make them fun to work with, but more importantly, make them a skilled team to trust as they easily cater to their clients’ wants and needs, continually hitting the mark.

What was once the formal dining room is now a dry bar that flows beautifully into the new dining room and kitchen. The Cristol flush mount light fixture is by AERIN for Visual Comfort, the faux marble resin table is by Made Goods, and the acrylic and brass chairs are by Gabby, all sold through LaMira.

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LaMira kept the crown molding and coffered ceiling for traditional elegance and to soften the modernity of the living room, which had formerly been treated as a casual family room. The modern space is elevated with freshly painted walls and contemporary furnishings in a neutral palette. The pair of white chenille armchairs by Sunpan and the Chapman & Myers Alabaster Cora chandeliers were sourced from the shop. The classic black-andwhite checkerboard porcelain tiles are from Bedrosians. The paint color is Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore.

The kitchen received a fresh update that brightened the space considerably. Removing wooden beams and replacing darker hardwoods with engineered white oak gave the space a cleaner look. The black countertops and sink were replaced with white, and glossy ceramic tiles replaced the backsplash and a window surround up to the ceiling, creating refinement. Hudson Valley Acrylic light fixtures were a final, airy touch.

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In 2020, the two launched their interior design firm, naming it LaMira Interiors, likely for one or all of its etymological meanings: radiating brightness through leadership, symbolizing beauty and mystery, or more simply, shining light.

Baker had just gotten her interior design degree and was ready to open a design studio. She also dreamed of opening a shop but wanted a likeminded business and design partner. At the time, Callaghan was working for Roxanne’s husband as an interior designer for his company. In a deft

move, Baker stole Callaghan from her husband.

All copasetic, the two women moved forward in designing, building, and styling for clients.

In 2022, they opened their LaMira Interiors storefront in Hawthorne Plaza, situating their design studio within the shop for convenience and proximity to all the statement-making lighting, furniture, accessories, coffee table books, and material and wallpaper samples.

In that first year of their retail business, this homeowner was introduced to the designers

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The redux here created a more refined, yet casual mood for a newly functional home office. The designers added wainscoting on the walls and minimized the cabinetry.

A wood-paneled library became one of the most vibrant spaces in the home thanks to the choice of enameled Aegean Teal by Benjamin Moore for the paneled walls, shelves, and trim. By removing the wood shutters, a fresh and airy appeal emerged. They carried the same white oak flooring into the space, brightening the new office up, and blending it nicely with the abstractly patterned swivel chair for balance.

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through her mother, who had become a LaMira shop customer.

“From the moment our client walked into our shop, she knew we were the right fit,” Baker explains. “The aesthetic spoke to her, and she trusted us with full creative freedom.”

And indeed, she had new eyes on the type of environment she wanted for her family’s new home. Her mandate was to keep the charm and architectural details of the house while updating it to reflect her modern style, blending the two cohesively. She wanted each space to feel special while also being functional for her blended family.

Because of the client’s busy family life, Baker and Callaghan drove the design and project management of this renovation.

“Together, we brought her fun personality to life in every detail, balancing the way she wanted her home to look, feel, and function,” Callaghan says.

Design details from LaMira’s activity on Instagram.

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The oldest daughter wanted a bedroom with a “glam” vibe, and that wish was met. The starting point was choosing the right wallpaper, so the designers turned to Area Environments wall coverings. The pattern is East Hennepin, by artist Emily Donovan, and can be interpreted as an abstraction of Italian marble. They used Universal Home for the bed and side dressers with pull-out trays, Uttermost for the alabaster lamps, and Gabby antique brass mirrors.

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One of the more clever conceptual moves was to close up the cathedral ceiling that soared to the second floor, and utilize the new upstairs space above the entryway as a loft for the kids to hang out. The wallpaper is New Beat in light beige by Backdrop for Schumacher. All of the furnishings are from the LaMira shop, including the Palacek Coco Magnolia Chandelier, the framed Swim/Surf art by photographer Christine Flynn, and the hide throw pillow in Dalmatian print by Made Goods.

The designers aimed to redesign the downstairs by replacing the flooring, repainting, and minimizing woodwork details, sometimes removing them in favor of a more modern look.

For example, the original front living room was transformed into the formal dining room. Its more elaborate, stately fireplace, which felt a touch dated, was removed and replaced with a custom-designed, streamlined marble fireplace.

A handsome dry bar replaced the original dining room next to the kitchen. The family room— now the main living room—was also renovated and minimized just enough to feel like a quiet conversation between modernity and traditional, timeless style. Wainscoting and built-in cabinetry were removed, yet the elegant coffered ceiling and crown molding remained, monochromatically painted in the perfect white.

A total renovation of the upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms ensued, effectively meeting the needs and personalities of the three daughters.

“Because making sure we understand the clients is part of our onboarding process, including on an individual level for each room within the home, we interviewed the three girls to make sure we created a space that felt true to each of their individual styles,” Callaghan says.

The oldest daughter had her eye on a more sophisticated glam style, while the middle daughter was attracted to a coastal surfer vibe.

The youngest wanted a bit more of a funky and colorful mood. With each of these requests, Baker and Callaghan delivered and managed to

maintain a sense of visual cohesion throughout.

Then came a clever solution for better lighting and livability upstairs. The designers conceived of a loft-like space for the girls to hang out by closing off the cathedral ceiling of the entryway below, allowing for extra space naturally lit by one of the home’s dormer windows.

“We wrapped the loft walls in a playful Backdrop for Schumacher wallpaper, layering the room with cheeky art, tactile textures like printed hair on hide and bouclé, touches of gold, plaster, and marble. My favorite element in the space is the Palacek light fixture, which is an artful piece crafted from coconut shells, bringing in that beautiful natural texture. I love how this

space feels both creative and cozy for a fun teenage retreat,” Baker says.

Asked what the favorite aspect of this redesign was for Callaghan, she says, “We absolutely slaughtered the game when speaking of lighting!

One of the highlights of this project was the creative freedom our homeowner gave us to play with lighting in every room. It allowed us to incorporate some of our all-time favorite fixtures, and the results truly shine.”

From statement pieces by Arteriors to timeless designs from Visual Comfort and Hudson Valley, each fixture was carefully chosen to elevate the modern, high-end feel of this renovation.

LaMira, indeed!

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WORDS

Jen Moore

@misses.moore BUILDER/INTERIOR DESIGNER

Freeman Custom Homes @freemancustomhomes STAGER

Lemondrop Home

@lemondrop.home

C

ul-de-sacs and pitched roofs often define the suburban outskirts of Liberty, Missouri, but one house in particular looks more Monterey than Midwest. Its pale limestone, black-framed windows, and stained wood garage doors mark it as California modern transplanted into Missouri soil—proof that warm minimalism can thrive far from the coasts.

Kyle and Liz Freeman have been building custom homes for nearly two decades, but none of their projects feel like replicas.

“We like versatility,” Liz says. “One house might be dark and moody, the next light and European. What ties them together is that they’re comfortable and timeless.” That philosophy has

The entry courtyard—framed by timber beams with hidden LED lights—sets the tone with a central fountain, perfect for quiet mornings.

Limestone, black-framed windows, and stained wood give the house its California modern edge, even on the back side, which faces the community’s golf course.

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California Modern, Midwest Roots A spec home at Shoal Creek Valley redefines Midwestern living with warm minimalist, inventive craftsmanship, and timeless comfort.

The kitchen island, paired with stained wood cabinetry, features minimal lines and Taj Mahal quartzite.

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A stone fireplace anchors the living room, flanked by bookcases that float off the wall with concealed LED backlighting.

Even in the dining room, the lighting remains understated—no chandelier, just clean lines and a rhythmic feel.

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earned them a reputation for creating houses that stand apart in a landscape often defined by sameness, like this one.

The house welcomes visitors with a surprise of sorts: a front-of-house courtyard, rarely seen in this part of the country. Timber beams stretch overhead, their undersides cut with LED channels so the space glows softly at night. At its center, a fountain sets the tone for a feature unusual for suburban design.

“It’s an outdoor room,” Kyle says, “a place for coffee or sitting still,” a beautiful welcome home.

Inside, a barrel-vaulted stone arched entry way opens the home with soaring, 12-foot ceilings

that evoke old European wine cellars. In the kitchen, a full-height backsplash—Taj Mahal quartzite for those who track such details— spans uninterrupted from the counters to the ceiling, thanks to a custom exhaust system Kyle engineered to eliminate the need for a standard range hood.

“We didn’t want to cut the wall in half,” he says.

“This way the room keeps that expansive, calm feeling.” The cabinets stretch the full 12 feet as well and lift the room with a vertical cohesion that feels grand yet approachable and unfussy.

Lighting is another area where the Freemans’ creativity turns into a trademark. Beams over the

Every appliance is tucked away, keeping the kitchen’s lines and angles clean and minimal.

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Vertical shiplap and statement lighting avoid suburban cookie-cutter finishes.

courtyard glow from hidden channels, bookcases float off the wall with soft LED backlighting, and the stone entry arch features recessed lighting that illuminates without drawing attention to its source. In other rooms, distinct fixtures show off stylish contours without competing for attention.

“At night, you can turn off all the overhead lights and the house still glows,” Liz says. “It feels tranquil, not staged.”

Their finishes also make a statement.

Opalescent, handmade tile in the primary bath brings texture to the space with its uneven edges and thick body, while a brass-framed shower enclosure intentionally uses more metal than required “because it’s more interesting that way,” Liz explains. Unlacquered brass faucets and

The lower-level bar draws inspiration from restaurant-style seating, featuring floating shelves and backlit wine racks.

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A deep green color palette and inspired tile patterns create a moody hideaway off the home’s main entrance.

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The brass-framed shower intentionally shows brass bones, exposed and ready for patina.

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“

We like it when a floor plan gives us an odd problem to solve.

That’s usually where the most creative ideas come from.

— Kyle Freeman

With its soaring recessed ceiling, the primary bedroom stays airy and calm, consistent with the Freemans’ “resortlike” theme for the house.

metal framing in the primary shower were left exposed to invite patina over time. “Some people want perfection,” Kyle says. “But handmade has a warmth that factory-made can’t replicate.”

Throughout the home, small, inventive gestures delight a keen-eyed observer. A hidden bookcase slides open to reveal the mudroom. A continuous loop connects kitchen, pantry, and utility spaces, making everyday circulation both practical and discreet. In the lower level, a restaurant-style bar with floating shelves, backlit wine racks, and a built-in booth turn an entertainment zone into a destination.

“We like it when a floor plan gives us an odd problem to solve,” Kyle says. “That’s usually where the most creative ideas come from.”

Even the structural details carry a quiet twist.

The stained wood garage doors make a striking counterpoint to the limestone. Interior doors, too, are finished in warm wood rather than paint.

In a bathroom, tile layouts feature dark tones that climb only three-quarters of the way up, topped with lighter finishes “just different enough to be noticed,” Liz says.

For the Freemans, the goal isn’t to stamp every project with a recognizable signature. It’s to give each house its own identity while maintaining a throughline of comfort and timelessness. “We don’t want people to walk in and say, ‘This is the Freeman style,’” Liz says. “We want them to say, ‘This feels like home.’”

Suburban living doesn’t have to be predictable, they say. It can be inventive, elegant, and yes— even a little coastal.

“Trends come and go,” Liz adds. “But if the bones are warm, comfortable, and thoughtful, it will always feel like home.”

Handmade tile creates a soft, casual texture across the vanity wall, with its irregular edges and tonal variation.

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An ode to Frank Lloyd Wright’s mastery of organic architecture, the contemporary front elevation captivates attention with its low-pitched roofline and oversized soffits. The native Kansas limestone was custom-cut to specific thicknesses, lengths, and heights, then finished with a distinctive heavy-pitched capstone. Metal awnings, hand-scraped timber posts with custom iron brackets, and dramatic dayto-night lighting are hallmarks of B.L. Rieke’s signature style.

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Inspired by Texas Hill Country style, B.L. Rieke’s model home transforms a wooded Lenexa lot into a livable work of art.

WORDS

Savannah Newson @sociablysavvy PHOTOS

Josie Benefield @josiedell_photo

CONTRACTOR/INTERIOR DESIGNER

B.L. Rieke Custom Homes @blriekecustomhomes ARCHITECT

KC Architecture @kcarchitecture.biz

F

rom the timeless works of Mozart and Van Gogh to the cozy warmth of hometown desserts and winter wardrobes, the world’s finest masterpieces and our everyday comforts share a unifying thread: purposeful, thoughtfully constructed layers. These layers of construction, whether composed of flavors, textures, or melodies, establish a profound sense of dimension and depth, heightening our experiences in the moment while leaving an enduring impression.

Home building—especially in the realm of highend custom design—is no exception. Intentional layers of detail create substance, richness and character, elevating rooms from blank canvases to immersive, beautifully livable works of art with true wow factor. It’s a transformation that Bruce

Scan to watch the video featured on KCTV 5.

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Left and below: The backyard unfolds like a private destination—nestled among native cedars and framed by layered and lit landscaping—featuring multiple seating areas, self-watering planters, and a custom Core-Ten steel fire pit (complete with its own gas line). Sightlines from the patio all the way to the front door reinforce the home’s natural flow.

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Complementing the home’s geometric architecture, the backyard landscape feels wholly organic—its stone paths, winding walkways, and native timbers accentuating the natural contours of the terrain.

and Toni Rieke, the husband-and-wife team behind B.L. Rieke Custom Homes, bring to life again and again. This time, it’s with the Pensacola Hill Country model.

Set high on a wooded daylight lot within Lenexa’s Timber Rock community—Bruce’s highly successful first foray into real estate development—the residence commands attention with its inspired elevation and undeniable curb appeal. It impressed during its debut in the Spring 2025 Parade of Homes, earning both the Pick of the Parade Gold Award and First Place for Distinctive Plan & Design.

The residence, however, is much more than an award-winning showpiece—it’s a layered story

of architecture, landscape, and lifestyle woven together in seamless fashion.

Drawing inspiration from Texas Hill Country architecture with a touch of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Pensacola’s exterior pairs native Kansas limestone and hand-scraped timber posts accented by custom iron brackets with expansive black-framed Andersen windows and signature metal awnings. Oversized soffits and a low-pitched roofline introduce geometry and proportion, while the interplay of stone, wood, metal, and glass strikes a balance between natural and contemporary.

“It’s a layering of materials, visual interests and ambiance,” says Toni, the interior designer of the

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The great room offers a graceful midpoint between the home’s main living areas. Vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light and solid white-oak floors with an oil finish infuse the space with warmth and character, while a sleek, linear fireplace adds a balancing touch of modern edge. Dual sliding glass doors

by Andersen extend the space outward, forming a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.

home. “We carefully blend them so they’re not in your face. People see [the details] but they don’t really know why the house is different unless they truly study it.” The couple’s harmonized design method applies to everything from lighting to stone selections.

Even the entry sequence reveals a deliberate moment.

“You’re immediately drawn to the outdoor living features as you first enter the home,” Bruce illustrates. “You cross the threshold, and right away you see the blazing fire pit out back... It’s a big focal point.”

The outdoor living areas extend the home’s nature-loving embrace. Dual sliding doors open to a covered lanai paved in porcelain, mirroring the front entry for continuity. A honed marble fireplace, granite countertop, and built-in grill elevate the

Striking from every angle—even curbside—the light-filled stairwell curves around a cascading chandelier, all while the staircase itself appears to “float” behind a two-story wall of black-casement windows, creating a dramatic display—especially after dark.

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Geometric motifs throughout the kitchen echo the home’s architectural thread. Troy Lighting’s Origami pendants and gold detailings lend a note of warmth and artistry. The two-toned oak cabinetry provides a rich backdrop for the room’s main attraction: a soft green, T-shaped quartzite island with a customfabricated metal base.

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Anchored by expansive black-casement windows and a raised roofline, the front office serves as both a functional, flexible workspace and an architectural statement. “The front office is kind of a signature feature,” Bruce explains. “It gives the elevation its character.”

The primary bath is accessed through deep-blue barn doors from the suite or via the adjoining primary closet and connected laundry room. A spacious walk-in shower and freestanding soaking tub, set against a natural stone accent wall, create a soothing focal point.

The floating two-tier vanity mirrors the kitchen island’s quartzite countertop, hardware, and richly stained wood detailing, all softly illuminated by LED.

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Serene and sophisticated with a modern sensibility, the primary bedroom is defined by light, symmetry, and continuity. A dimensional accent wall anchors the space, while an airy vaulted ceiling and sweeping views of the wooded backyard elevate its tranquil allure.

experience, while thoughtful touches like selfwatering planters, natural stone pathways, and a Core-Ten steel fire pit with a dedicated gas line enhance functionality. The landscaping, artfully crafted by EPIC Landscaping Productions, further grounds the retreat in its setting.

“We nestled [the outdoor living space] into the trees and natural setting of the lot,” Bruce says, adding that trimmed up and thinned out trees made way for the design.

The result, as Bruce describes, is “resort living at your own home”—an al fresco retreat where architecture and nature flow together in harmony.

The lower level continues this intentional layering through texture, geometry, light, and a few hidden gems. A rounded wall of vertical

glass panels frames the game niche, guiding visitors into a whiskey-and-wine room outfitted with floating iron shelves, custom wine racks, and subtle libation-themed details revealed only at certain angles—a playful addition by iron artisan Jack Brock. A comfy barside lounge and adjacent theater are anchored by individually cut and painted wood slats, adding dimensional warmth. Triple picture windows flood the space with daylight, while ceiling accents, uplighting, and repeating geometric motifs ensure cohesion.

Discreetly tucked away are two more surprises—a cozy under-stairs hideaway and a crafting/safe room—demonstrating how even practical spaces can carry layers of creativity and charm.

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One of the most popular features of the Pensacola Hill Country is its lower level—and understandably so, with its bright, inviting ambiance and relaxed sophistication made for effortless entertaining. The space offers something for everyone, featuring a suave bar with a glass-front Monogram fridge, and floating glass-and-iron shelves, a striking whiskey-and-wine room, and multiple seating areas.

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“It doesn’t feel like a lower level,” Toni reflects. “It’s full of light, texture, and visual interest. Everything is open but sectioned. It’s not just one big open room—you still feel the spaciousness while having organized living spaces.” The layering of recurring design elements, along with the visual connection to the outdoor living areas, ties it seamlessly to the rest of the home. “We try to keep a continuation of things—a thread through the house,” she adds.

Her words echo the very essence of the Pensacola Hill Country, where every space is orchestrated in layers—stone and timber, light and landscape, design and detail—woven together to welcome its new owners.

Defined by a rounded wall of frameless vertical glass panels, the game table niche offers a view into the whiskey-and-wine room beyond. The fully custom, stone-clad enclosure features underlit wood shelves and artisanal iron wine racks crafted by Jack Brock of Custom Products.

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A heritage home builder steps out of the city into the suburbs, nodding to the past while emphasizing best ways to live in the present. ast spring, Chris and Tara Merkel toured a property in the Terrybrook Farms community in southern Overland Park, one of hundreds of model homes open to tourgoers in the Greater Kansas City Home Builders Association’s biannual Parade of Homes. “We weren’t looking for a new home,” Chris says. “We were looking for ideas.”

WORDS

Sarah MacFarland PHOTOS

Matthew Anderson @matthewaphoto ARCHITECT

Elswood Smith Carlson Architects @escarchitects

BUILDER AND DESIGNER

Edward Franklin Building Co. @edwardfranklinbuildingco

Timeless elements, such as the crystal chandelier and the traditional, tone-on-tone landscape wall mural, blend effortlessly with the home’s contemporary furnishings.

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Floor-to-ceiling draperies filter light and soften lines in the primary bedroom.

They found lots of ideas…and so much more.

When they walked through the model home

by Edward Franklin Building Company that won a First Place Award for Distinctive Plan and Design, they were stunned. “The primary suite was like nothing we had ever seen,” Tara says.

“The quality upgrades, the fixtures, and the finishes throughout the home, the care and attention to detail really impressed us,” Chris recalls.

“The range hood looks like an old Italian fireplace, and the scullery lets me keep the kitchen clutter-free,” adds Tara. “I love that wallpaper in the dining room.”

Everything was nearly perfect as-is, but the couple asked their agent to request a quote from the builder for finishing the basement, installing a pool, and expanding the patio. “We toured the house on a Sunday, and by that Thursday, they had all the information for us.”

That sealed the deal. The Merkels moved in not long afterward, and work began on the basement, patio, and pool.

A boutique-style closet and dressing room provide ample storage.

Flex space galore: A den or home office could also become a media room.

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Back-to-back shower and European-style tub in the primary bath make a great use of space.

The high window placement lets in light but allows privacy over the centralized his-and-hers floating vanities and a Hollywood-style make-up mirror.

The walk-in shower features glass doors on two sides for entry from either direction.

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Brazilian quartzite on the backsplash and countertops looks luxe and is easy to clean.

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The hard-working scullery keeps kitchen prep work out of sight.

“Their communication throughout the project management has been great,” Chris says. “You really feel like they are working on your behalf.”

“That’s just what we like to hear,” says Chris Ruhl, co-managing partner of Edward Franklin with Grant Baumgartner. “Because this was a spec home, we were making decisions for a future homeowner, and we hoped we would make the right ones.”

The spec building process is one of trial and error, but with the transition to homeownership, Baumgartner emphasizes, “We know it’s important to be responsive to our clients.”

The days before their spec home debuted on the Parade, Baumgartner admits to a few “nailbiter” moments. “We were there until 3 or 4 in the

Banquette seating in the breakfast area has views of the patio and outdoors.

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An asymmetrical pairing of the stacked stone fireplace and built-in bookcase blend timeless with contemporary.

Light floods through the black-framed windows into the entry and adjacent dining room.

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morning, getting everything just right,” he says.

“The reception we got made it all worthwhile.”

Founded in 2018, Edward Franklin started building homes in urban and downtown Kansas City on infill lots, where the challenge was to echo the architectural and neighborhood style of the surroundings. “We began working with Gerald Janssen at Elswood Smith Carlson Architects to get the right mix of timeless classic and modern living,” Baumgartner says. “They have been a good fit for what we want to do.”

When Baumgartner and Ruhl decided to tap into the Johnson County market, they snapped up the last lot in Terrybrook Farms. “We did a lot of driving around,” Baumgartner says. “When we saw this wide lot with a view of the fountain across the street, we knew it was the one.”

Typically, infill lots require building up, not out.

“The wide lot allowed us to design a sprawling home with a side-entry garage,” Ruhl says. The front elevation resembles a house that has been added onto over the generations, yet it maintains

A double-barrel vaulted ceiling paired with a contemporary Palladian window, make the living room soar to new heights physically and stylistically.

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A drone shot shows its connection to the Terrybrook community.

a cohesive look. The lot, surrounded by other homes, also presented a challenge. “We decided to go with a courtyard feel,” he says, with kitchen and master suite wings that let in light but don’t give neighbors a view inside the home.

Privacy was paramount in the primary suite wing. “We used large windows and yet nobody can see in,” he says. The floating vanity islands, with mirrors suspended from the ceiling, offer hisand-hers sinks. A large tub that would be right at home in a Parisian apartment, along with a makeup vanity, adds a luxurious touch. Baumgartner and Kuhl also planted a row of hornbeams to form a backyard border, which further screens the interior from view.

Throughout the home, Baumgartner and Ruhl seamlessly married timeless design elements with modern living. Twelve-inch baseboards echo the woodwork in centuries-old homes yet provide

The primary suite wing on the left and the covered patio extension create a cozy courtyard for entertaining fireside.

276 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

The “historically modern” home was designed to feel like a centuries-old estate with a touch of the contemporary.

a way to hide HVAC returns and vents. Brazilian quartzite in a moody green is a natural stone that is sturdier than granite, making it ideal for countertops and flooring. Venetian plaster allows for dramatic vaulting in the soaring living room yet adds quiet, eco-friendly texture. The range hood in the kitchen might feel at home in a Tuscan villa, but it also incorporates a powerful hood vent and a handy pot filler.

Timeless with modern elements is also on view in the dining room, featuring a traditional mural landscape wall done in a contemporary tone-ontone wallcovering, lit by a crystal chandelier. “Our

interior designer works hard to find that mix,” Ruhl notes.

Edward Franklin is now expanding into Johnson County with a spec house and model homes in the new Woodmyre neighborhood at 181st and Quivira. “We love to create, to go from an idea to a concept to a home that fits the way people want to live,” Baumgartner says.

“We do this because we love it,” Ruhl adds.

“You learn so much about the homeowners you work with, and friendships develop. We are happy to play a part in their lives.”

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 277

THE STORY OF HOME

From London to Leawood, a young family begins a new chapter on Lee Boulevard.

The home’s painted brick exterior and copper gutters establish a timeless, lived-in character from the street. Landscape design by Laura Stack’s Creative Outdoor Spaces.

278 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

WORDS

Jen Moore

@misses.moore PHOTOS

Nate Sheets

@natesheetsphoto DESIGNER

Ensley Interiors @ensleyinteriors CONTRACTOR

Homoly Design + Build

@homolydesignbuild

T

he house on Lee Boulevard doesn’t look new. Its painted brick exterior, sloped rooflines, and copper gutters already deepening with patina give it the presence of a home that could have been there for decades.

A round stair window punctuates the façade, while an arched front door gestures to familiar Kansas City traditions.

For Blake and Leigh Foster, who recently returned from seven years in London with their three young boys, that was the goal: to build a

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 279

new house that felt rooted in history, built for modern family life, and reflected their family values. “We’re story people,” Blake says. “The question we kept asking was: what does this house communicate about who we are?”

Leigh didn’t have to look far for roots. She grew up on this very street, and her mother lives next door. Building here meant coming home in the fullest sense. But London shaped her family, too. There, in a compact house one-third the size of this one, they learned to live efficiently and treat every corner with purpose. They also absorbed native rhythms: meals that spilled outdoors at the first hint of sunshine, dinners stretched long around crowded tables.

Together, those influences became a blueprint of sorts. Local architectural details gave the house its familiar presence; London Custom built-ins and graceful archways give the main floor a sense of layered history.

The island is visible from the living room, yet it maintains its own distinct space.

280 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

Through a sequence of arches, the dining room becomes both passage and pause—linking daily life with the home’s sense of history.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 281

Left: A navy-painted coffee hutch with brass hardware and marble backsplash layers everyday ritual into the kitchen’s timeless palette.

Below: A tailored banquette and woven pendant give the dining nook a layered, lived-in charm.

The mudroom balances durability and beauty, with leather seating and ample built-in storage.

The powder bath in the back hall layers floral wallpaper, oak wainscoting, and a marble console sink for a richly detailed moment.

282 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

The kitchen strikes a balance between openness and definition, connecting to the living room through arches rather than a single, large open plan.

gave it efficiency and a spirit of hospitality.

“We wanted a home that could gather people easily—not extravagant, not pretentious, but welcoming in a way that creates community,” Blake says.

Because they were an ocean away during the design and build process, the Fosters placed their trust in Paige Posladek of Ensley Interiors, a friend before she was their designer.

Weekly calls with Paige and Homoly Design + Build created a cadence for and confidence in the project that felt surprisingly freeing to the Fosters. “If we’d been here during the build, it would’ve been more stressful,” Leigh admits.

“Being overseas meant we had to trust the team—and that distance actually helped.”

For Blake, Posladek’s role was more than decorative. “We needed someone who could Leigh’s Nook, a pocket office located off the kitchen, offers private space with a café-like ambiance.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 283

A sunny, round window and sculptural light fixture crown the soaking tub.

284 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

Vaulted wood beams elevate the airy primary suite, where a commissioned Moroccan-inspired painting and limestone-wrapped fireplace with custom ironwork anchor the room.

help us design a space that told our story.

Paige wasn’t just making something pretty.

She reflected us in the house.”

Posladek and her team also drew inspiration from the surrounding neighborhoods. “We wanted the house to feel like an old Kansas City home, so we studied Brookside, Ward Parkway, and Loose Park—all those arches and brick details laid in traditional patterns give the house a presence that feels older than it is.”

Inside, she resisted the common urge to create one vast open plan. “We wanted it to feel like it had been renovated over time,” Posladek explains. Distinct rooms flow together gracefully: arches are thick and substantial, not trendy; white oak floors carry warmth throughout; marble anchors fireplaces.

In the primary bath, an arched niche frames the double vanity, where oak cabinetry and marble counters balance warmth and refinement.

Vertical paneling and hidden utility access make the laundry room as inviting as it is hardworking.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 285

A child’s bedroom strikes a balance between whimsy and calm, featuring a built-in window seat, a vaulted shiplap ceiling, and a paper lantern light.

A “Narnia closet” hidden behind a bookcase opens to a tucked-away playroom designed for Legos and imagination.

Custom full-size oak bunk beds with built-in storage ensure the boys’ room will grow with them.

286 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

The office includes a dramatic steel-framed interior window fitted with “click glass” that turns opaque at the touch of a button. The staircase—continuous spindles with no newel posts or rosettes—was an engineering feat. “It took a year to figure out,” Posladek says. “But it gives the house both old-world resonance and modern clarity.”

Everyday life with three boys was a design brief of its own. The mudroom bench is covered in leather rather than fabric, ready for sports gear and muddy shoes. The bunk room holds full-size beds to carry the boys through

adolescence. Behind their closet lies a secret.

“The Narnia closet leads to a hidden playroom where the older boys can leave their Legos safe from the toddler,” Posladek says.

For Leigh, the floor plan gifted her a room of her own. “The little nook off the kitchen feels like a London café. It’s where I go to work or hide away. I can’t imagine the house without it.”

The family room offers another pause: walls and ceiling painted in pale blue, shelves stretching to the ceiling with something to read for everyone, a space that “feels like a cloud.”

The family library is color-drenched in soft blue, creating a space that feels like a cloud.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 287

The office showcases dramatic steel detailing, paired with glass that shifts from transparent to opaque with the click of a button.

Hospitality shows up most vividly outside.

At the heart of the back patio sits a 16-seat table—less a piece of furniture than a symbol of how the Fosters live. “It felt important to us, because in London we saw how much life happens around a table—long dinners, beautiful meals, people gathered together,” Leigh says. Neighborly yet secluded, the gathering place features a wood-burning fireplace for warmth, skylights that keep the adjoining living room bright, and built-in heaters that extend Kansas City’s seasons.

Throughout the house are echoes of the Fosters’ travels, details that turn design into biography. Ironwork in the office recalls a hotel in Myanmar. Textiles from Morocco soften the primary suite. The basement carries a chalet sensibility, layered with photographs of the French Alps. Cornwall, with its wild coastlines Inside the entry, the custom steel-framed “click glass” window shifts from transparent to opaque for privacy.

288 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

Continuous oak spindles give the staircase a sculptural grace, merging engineering precision with modern simplicity.

Julie Blackmon’s photograph sets a lyrical, Midwestern note above a sculptural cabinet in the upstairs landing.

Green clé tile wraps the shower, with graphic Fireclay flooring adding playful contrast.

An arched shower wall and brass fixtures bring old-world elegance to a secondary bath.

A banquette in the lower level brings cozy Scandinavian vibes to a corner.

In the basement kitchenette, Kansas limestone cabinet fronts and a matte black counter bring a Scandinavian edge to the space.

The family room leans into playful personality, with modular seating and shelving styled with travel mementos.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 289

The covered patio extends living outdoors, where skylights and wood ceilings frame a cozy yet expansive entertaining space.

290 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

The rear façade strikes a balance between symmetry and charm, featuring patinated copper and small-pane windows that evoke an old-world character.

A 16-foot outdoor table stretches across the patio, designed for family gatherings around a wood-burning fireplace.

and mythic feel, inspired art in the kitchen and family spaces.

Looking back, the Fosters say the process worked for them because they started with values, not square footage or finishes. “If you’re clear on your mission, vision, and values, you have a toolbox you can carry into every decision,” Blake says. “For us, it was about enough—defining what’s enough space to be hospitable, enough design to reflect who we are, never more than we needed.”

Posladek echoes that intention. “From the beginning, we wanted this house to feel different than a normal new build, like it already had a layered personality and soul,” she says.

“Even a new home should have room to evolve.

You nail the details, but you leave space for the family to add their own story.”

And for the house on Lee Boulevard, the story is just beginning.

Winter 2026 / mydesignKC.com / 291

R E S O U R C E S

RITUAL OF PAUSE Architect: DRAW architecture + urban design Structural: Apex Engineers MEP Engineers: FSC Inc. Contractor: Cardinal Crest Pools: Waters Edge Aquatic Design Lighting Design: Derek Porter Studio

MIDCENTURY, MODERNIZED Architect: Tyler Waldorf Contractor: Stephen Velie Home Improvement Cabinets: Pitter Patter Carpentry Tile: Palomino Tile Painting and Finish: Distinctive Quality Painting Trim + Framing: Encompass Remodel Flooring: Ortiz Flooring

COLOR-FILLED CORNERS Designer: Maggie Routon Studio Shower Tile: Fireclay Tile Floor Tile: Ceramica Fioranese Shower & Sink Fixtures: Phylrich Sink Basin: Nood Mirror: Moustache Toilet Paper Holder: NewMade LA Paint: Backdrop Light Switches: Buster & Punch Pocket Door Handle: Emtek Laundry Light: Entler Studio Florals: The Cottage Rose Art: Dear Society Ceramics: The Object Enthusiast (via Duet) Towels + Bathmat: Tekla (via Blackbird Collection) Stool: Moustache

CALIFORNIA MODERN, MIDWEST ROOTS Builder/Interior Designer: Freeman Custom Homes Architectural Collaboration: A3G Architects Staging: Lemondrop Home Cabinets and Tops: Miller’s Custom Cabinets and Signature Solid Surface Lighting: Visual Comfort Carpet and Tile Materials: Kopp’s Decorating Tile Installer: Turner Ceramic Tile Hardwood: Kenny’s Tile & Floor Covering Stone: KC Stone Finish Carpentry: Thomson Custom Carpentry Lumber + Trim: Owen Lumber

L AYERED LIVING Contractor/Interior Designer: B.L. Rieke Custom Homes Architect: Thomas P. McDonough, KC Architecture Cabinets: Miller’s Custom Cabinets Landscaping: EPIC Landscape Productions Custom Ironwork & Stair Railings: Jack Brock, Custom Products LLC Windows: Andersen Windows & Doors Roofing: Imperial Roofing Hardware: Locks & Pulls Flooring– Tile & Carpet: ProSource Flooring–Hardwood: SVB Wood Floors Countertops: SCI Surfaces Appliances + Plumbing Fixtures: Ferguson Home Lighting: Rensen House of Lights Electrical: Electrical Investments

Jewelry shop owner Shannon Jones gives her pup, Pearl, a bisou atop a stash of bijoux in Westside. See the shop’s interiors and wearables on page 142. Photo by Samantha Levi.

292 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

FIVE STARS Designer/Contractor: Schloegel Design Remodel Appliances: Factory Direct Cabinets: WW Wood Cement Work: KC Coring Countertops: Dimensional Stoneworks Doors and Trim: KC Millwork Drywall: Tom Lee Drywall & Plaster Electrician: Jason Wright Electric Insulation: Hayes Insulation Hardwood Floor Installation: SVB Wood Floors HVAC: City Wide Heating & Cooling Lumber: McCray Lumber Painter: R & S Painting Plumber: Tschirhart Plumbing Plumbing Fixtures: Grandview Winnelson; Neenan Company Shower Door: Westport Glass Tile: Central States Tile Tile Installation: Eddie Cummings Tile Co. Wallpaper Installation: The Wallpaper Guy Window Well Caps: Stony Point Hardscape

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302 / mydesignKC.com / Winter 2026

Each year, youth in the program create serving trays sold throughout the year at haloworldwide.org/halomakers, and Arnold also works with them on a larger, highly coveted auction item, like this reclaimed elm coffee table seen here sold at HALO’s annual fundraiser, held February 28.

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