Beck/Allen Chesterfield showroom display. Photography by Alise O’Brien
FEATURES DEPARTMENTS
16. NO BOUNDARIES
Interior designer Julie Nelson masterfully mixes family heirlooms and confident color in her family’s joyfully elegant home.
26. INTO THE BLISS
A Frontenac couple experiences the joys of an intentionally wellplanned forever home, renovated to suit their love of entertaining and their growing extended family for years to come.
32. GROWN FROM THE HEART
These Frontenac garden owners share the important relationships that helped create their lush landscape.
On the cover page 16-17
“This is all the perfect example of how I like to design, mixing a lot of different things but it all pairs together through scale and the color tones.”
Wrapped in
Fabric
10-11.
Pages 16-25.
Design & Detail provided the backdrop for a fun day last month for our editorial team. As a go-to design center with an array of product resources, some describe Design & Detail as a little bit of heaven for residential and commercial interior designers. Kim Dillon, SLHL art director and Lily Stassi, SLHL managing editor, had a glorious time sorting through an unlimited assortment of beautiful fabrics in every imaginable color and texture, with every intention of wrapping me up! They were successful and even managed to get River included!
I t's no coincidence how fashion and interior design are interconnected. Have you noticed that the predominant color of your wardrobe mirrors the colors of your home? You've got your neutral basics: black pants, a white blouse paired with your favorite colors worn as accessories. The same rule of thumb works for your home. In our new department, Design Dilemma, we asked several residential interior designers to share their favorite colors and how they weaved them into spaces throughout their personal homes or clients' homes (pages 10-11).
An exhilarating example of mixing colors, textures, patterns and shapes can be seen in the personal home of Julie Nelson, owner of Julie Nelson Interiors (pages 16-25). After living in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, Julie brings her experience and talent back to her hometown of St. Louis.
This is our annual COLOR ISSUE! A nudge to bring the colors of spring into our homes through furnishings, home accessories and floral arrangements. Keep in mind, our homes need a refresh too just like our wardrobes!
Enjoy!
Suzie Osterloh Publisher/Owner
Pages
Suzie and River on location at Design & Detail.
PUBLISHER/OWNER: Suzie Osterloh
MANAGING EDITOR: Lily Stassi
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kim Dillon
COPY EDITOR: Melissa Mauzy
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Lucyann Boston, Maya Brenningmeyer, Jeanne Delathouder, Kim Hill, Jessika Eidson, Michelle Mastro, Lauren Storment
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Wendy Conklin, Kip Dawkins, Rob Grimm, Darlen Halaby, Ori Harpaz, Racheal Jackson, Photography by Li, Megan Lorenz, Anne Matheis, Alise O’Brien, Karen Palmer, Ben Pentreath, Thaddeus Rombauer
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Art Gallery
Support our local artists and add ONE-OF-A-KIND HANDMADE ART to your home!
By Lily Stassi
“Ramsey’s Grand” by Jennifer Hayes — jenniferhayesstl.com.
“Night Swim” acrylic and mixed media on panel by Michael Hoffman — hoffmanpaintings.com.
"Stirring" oil on canvas by Jen Hahn — jenhahnstudio.com.
“Summer Poppies III” by Lauren Knight — laurenknightart.com.
“Nevermind" / Nirvana acrylic paint on vinyl record by Cadence Hodes — cadencehodesart.com.
“Green Parrots” by Jeff Kapfer — jeffkapfer.com.
"Bur Oak Bonnots Mill" by Bryan Haynes — artbybryanhaynes.com.
"Ghost Ranch Steed" by Jo Jasper Dean — jojasperdean.com.
“Reflections” oil by Susan Greene — paint.imagery@att.net. *Commissioned for client
design DILEMMA
We asked designers about their favorite color to work with and why! Start here to discover your new favorite color and how to display it in your home.
Edited by Lily Stassi
Candace Wideman, Youtopia Designs. Blue has always been a color I naturally gravitate toward in my designs. It has a calming, timeless quality that makes a space feel grounded and inviting. From rich navy to soft sky tones, blue layers beautifully with other materials and colors, creating interiors that feel both comfortable and sophisticated.
Faceted tile rug — West Elm Viaggio wall light — visualcomfort.com The Bolla Lamp — yaliglass.com Thibaut tybee tree blue pillow cover — smithyhomecouture.com
Gigi Lombrano, Gigi Lombrano Interiors. I love color and this project was one of my favorites as I was able to incorporate many different colors, especially my top favorite, GREEN! I love how green can make a bold statement but also works as a neutral with other colors. It's a versatile color that can be used on accent pieces to the main focal point of a room.
Ellie Redders, Ellie Redders Interiors
I would say black…even though it’s technically not a color! It's my favorite because it’s a timeless classic that never goes out of style. It provides a grounding effect, adding depth and sophistication to any room. Its ultimate strength is versatility; black acts as a perfect neutral that makes every other color pop while creating a cohesive, polished look.
April Jenson, ADJ Interiors. Hot Pink —it is the perfect accent color: pillows, flowers, art, accessories. It works with platinum, gold, navy, highly saturated colors like jade, yellow, green or you can use it with muted colors like charcoal, cream, dusty blues and purples. It’s a perfect neutral!
One of my favorite colors to design with is a dark sprucy green like Evergreen Fog. It is a gorgeous rich color especially on kitchen cabinets and pairs well with deep rusty reds, burnt orange, navy blues, caramels and creams.
Joni Spear, Joni Spear Interior Design. While I am not in the habit of using the same color for multiple projects, one of my standby neutrals is Sherwin Williams, "Natural Choice" 7011. It lends towards a soft creamy beige/greige without yellow undertones. I've used it both in north and south facing rooms. It appears brighter in rooms with ample lighting and slightly darker in rooms without it. It complements wood tones and works with both warm and cool colors schemes.
Krista Howard, Krista Howard Interiors
Photography by Anne Matheis.
Photography by Kip Dawkins.
Electric & Alive
A local artist creates oil paintings that feel as if they’ve come to life.
By Michelle Mastro
Ar tist Jo Jasper Dean has long admired the physicality of oil paintings. “I love the heady aroma [oil paint] emits, its buttery texture, the feel of it gliding on to the canvas and the rich intensity of saturated colors available,” she says. Through her slow layering of brush strokes and choice of vibrant pigments, Dean has created oil paintings that feel like images come to life.
For Dean, oil paint can immerse audiences in an artistic vision. Case in point, a recent work she completed for Barnes Jewish Hospital features a peony blossom decked out in vibrant colors and rich textures, both of which she used to make the flower seem real. “[The painting] welcomes viewers to step closer and feel as if they are inside the blossom,” she says.
Photography by Rob Grimm
To create this sense of emotional immediacy, Dean took inspiration from Rembrandt and Monet. When she first started painting, she diligently learned how to master oil painting by copying their styles, she says. “But I grew tired of painting like other artists and wanted to paint like me—whatever that was,” she explains. “So, I developed a unique style that combines the realistic quality of Rembrandt and the freestyle use of color of Monet by applying thick, juicy brushstrokes in a kaleidoscope of colors.”
Dean tries to make her artwork feel real by dutifully mimicking her subject’s shape and form, but at the same time, she likes injecting a fantastical, “sometimes raucous application” of vibrant colors. “Painting in this way and in this palette gives me pure joy and conveys the energy and movement I see and feel when I am captivated by my subject,” she says.
And her “distinctive visual voice,” continues to find admirers. This year, she’s been invited to the Duane Reed Gallery Small Works Invitational July 24–Aug 22, 2026. “I am also thrilled to have a solo exhibition coming up at the Angad Arts Hotel in Grand Center later this year.” It opens Dec. 4, with a reception from 5-8 pm, for the Grand Centers First Friday Artwalk. The exhibition will be on view through February 2027. See stlouishomesmag.com for more photos and resources.
No Boundaries
Interior designer Julie Nelson masterfully mixes family heirlooms and confident color in her family’s joyfully elegant home.
By Kim Hill
Photography by Photography by Li Interior Design by Julie Nelson Interiors
Heirloom Louix XV chairs reupholstered in a Jane Churchill cut velvet flank a media console by USM Haller in a glossy blue. The abstract painting is by Leo Vernon Jensen.
fter stints living in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, Julie and Tom Nelson moved to St. Louis, Julie’s hometown. They lived in an apartment here for nearly a decade, enjoying the sense of freedom that comes from maintenance-free living.
But they wanted a little more space, so when the opportunity came to purchase a home in a villa community in Creve Coeur, they jumped at the chance. “My lifetime best friend’s parents decided to make a big downsizing move, and we ended up purchasing their house, and it just felt really good to have things happen that way,” Julie says.
“Although it’s a little more traditional than our aesthetic now, this house had good bones and I knew it had the space where
Adding sconces and a picture light above the fireplace adds dimension to the room’s lighting and draws people into the oil painting, a depiction of a Parisian street.
“Painting it blue takes the very traditional fireplace mantel in a different direction,” Julie says. The 48-inch tufted velvet ottoman is her custom design.
I could host family events and entertain,” she adds. And as an interior designer, Julie was eager for the opportunity to utilize her talents in her own home after years of apartment living. “The house gave me a wonderful foundation to make it sort of my ‘test kitchen’ for design, to have no boundaries, and to do whatever I want in this beautiful space.”
I n her design "test kitchen," Julie likes to “stir things up a bit.”
The owner of Julie Nelson Interiors, she says a design school professor once asked her why she consistently created color schemes where she was banging her head against the wall. “My answer to him then is the same now, and that my goal is always to create something interesting and that means more to me than it being beautiful.”
Julie laughs as she relates her color inspiration for the home was based on a scarab watch she had in high school. Julie remembers her Egyptian Revival watch held lapis, jade and tiger’s eye gemstones. Bracelets of the era could also feature carnelian, aventurine and obsidian.
“I wanted to take these basic colors, which are very warm, and then use it in a template that adds some extra energy so the colors don’t come off muddy,” she explains. “The first thing I wanted to do was make sure I added a good amount of color to the walls.”
Case in point: the living room, where she chose to bathe the walls in a shade of saffron. After much consideration, she decided to keep the original coffered ceilings white to balance the bold hues for the furnishings. A media console by USM Haller in a glossy blue stands opposite a traditional fireplace Julie repainted blue. She flanked the media unit with Louis XV chairs — family heirlooms she reupholstered in a Jane Churchill cut velvet fabric reminiscent of a sunset. “The fabric gives the chairs a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll, as my husband and I like to say,” Julie laughs. An abstract painting by Leo Vernon Jensen hangs above the grouping. “This is all the perfect example of how I like to design, mixing a lot of different things but it all pairs together through scale and the color tones.”
The fabric gives the chairs a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll, as my husband and I like to say...
Left: Inspired by the years they lived in Tokyo, Julie and Tom worked with artist Susan Greene to design an abstract mural of gingko leaves for the entry stairwell. “The leaves are large and they are transparent, so you get a feel of the base color coming through,” says Susan, the owner of Paint Imagery.
Below: The Asian-motif sink was existing when the Nelsons first viewed the home.
“It was a challenge to find wallpaper to pair with the sink,” Julie says. To showcase the Scalamandre grasscloth wallpaper, Julie asked artist Susan Greene to rework the existing mirror, which Susan painted an inky blue with a touch of metallic distressing, allowing the mirror to recede visually and let the wallpaper take center stage.
“I’d already started building the color scheme for our bedroom and couldn’t find the right headboard,” Julie says. She says her heart skipped a beat when she was rummaging through her grandmother’s things and found a vintage round tablecloth, immediately envisioning the fabric on an upholstered headboard.
“I love the sentimentality of it, and it’s just perfect for what I wanted.” Another sentimental piece is the newly stained nightstand, which belonged to Julie’s grandparents, pictured at left sitting on a bed, with the piece in its original stain to their right. Julie is the third generation in her family to own the gold drums pictured above in front of the settee and at left with Julie and her cousin as children.
The room’s pièce de resistance, however, is a 48-inch round ottoman of Julie’s design. “I strongly considered an acrylic coffee table because we already had a lot of color in here, and I didn’t want it to look like Pee-Wee Herman's Playhouse,” she says. “I wanted it to look sophisticated, but my practical side hit, too. I thought I would do a round ottoman, which wouldn’t have any sharp corners for our new grandchild and because we have so many rectangles and squares in this room.” She says finding a Samuel & Sons silk fringe in blue, gold and cream for the ottoman was like a sign from heaven. “It fit the color scheme I’d already started, so I thought it was just meant to be.”
To make the home uniquely theirs, Julie wanted to incorporate elements indicative of their lives. When the couple lived in Tokyo, the closest bus stop stood on a street lined with gingko trees. “Every day I stood waiting for the local bus and felt like the luckiest person to be living in Tokyo,” Julie says. To evoke a bit of the same feeling, Julie
and Tom worked with artist Susan Greene, owner of Paint Imagery, to create a largescale mural featuring abstract gingko leaves for the stairwell.
“I had never done gingko leaves before and I love large-scale, so for me, this was definitely original and unique,” says Susan. “The leaves are large and they are transparent, so you get a feel of the base color coming through. And the stairwell is at the entry, so it’s the first look at the house, which really brings the essence of who they are and what they wanted in the design of their home.”
The most gorgeous colors and artwork won’t resonate without good lighting. “Without that, things just don’t sing,” Julie says, and good lighting can’t be executed without the proper electrical work. In the Nelson home, electrician Gerard McGahan and Julie spent considerable time planning the stairwell’s lighting, which ultimately included the addition of multiple square lights.
“I wasn’t sure this could be done,” Gerard
“Our kitchen table and these wonky, Italian leather chairs came from Cool Stuff Period, and I could not have finished this home to my liking without important local shops like Cool Stuff, Mark O. Howald Antiques, Warson Woods Antiques and Link Auction,” Julie says. “They have so many beautiful items to really complete your home in a way that makes it yours.”
The dark, burl oak dining table and chairs and the matching breakfront belonged to Julie’s maternal grandmother. “I loved her home and how magical it felt every time I stepped into it,” says Julie, who’s pictured at left at age 19, standing next to the same table. Reupholstering the chairs in Casamance cut velvet provides a sense of playful sophistication for the formal room, which is adorned with a crystal chandelier left by the previous owners.
A mixed-media work by artist Carmon Colangelo pops against the green Thibaut grasscloth wallpaper. Cherished family pieces such as the chairs and cocktail table layered with a Stark rug and Clarence House fabric for the pillows create a collected, curated feel.
says of the design to light a mural in a large spiral staircase with a 22-foot ceiling. “But we installed one of the fixtures that was most accessible to show Julie what it did on the mural. She loved it, I loved it, and we proceeded. I tend to do a sample like that with all my designs and that way, you don’t end up with a full install that someone's not happy with for one reason or another.” Through such careful planning and thoughtful consideration, the design process has taken Julie nearly three years. “I was working on client homes as well, but I also really like the patient approach,” Julie says. “I took my time. And now our home feels like a permanent ray of sunshine, enveloping me in joy every day.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
“Tom is on Zoom calls all day and he really wanted something that spoke to him as the backdrop for his calls,” says Julie. “Fortunately, he fell in love with the Casamance wallpaper mural as much as I did. It’s in our color palette, it’s fresh and fun, and it’s lovely that the mural feels like a continuation of the outdoors, which are just outside the French doors to his office.”
Into the Bliss
A quaint hallway vignette adorned with custom millwork, an antique settee and a burled walnut chest of drawers defines the classic, traditional style the homeowners love.
A Frontenac couple experiences the joys of an intentionally well-planned forever home, renovated to suit their love of entertaining and their growing extended family for years to come.
By Jeanne Delathouder
Photography by Kim Dillon
Interior Design
by
Colleen Ertl Interiors
General
Contractor Greg Terbrock Luxury Homes
t. Louis residents Peggy and Tom Phillips naturally gravitated to a pristine Frontenac property when searching for their forever home. With Tom being a retired furniture industry professional, Peggy's natural eye for style and both having a passion for gardening, they were drawn to a home built in 1960 by the renowned local custom home builders at Higginbotham. The traditional structure had maintained its quaint architectural character, undergoing only a single renovation in 2006 by the previous owners that included adding a second story and a complete overhaul of the main floor.
" The homeowners were looking for a space that would allow them to comfortably host gatherings with their growing extended family, something they could enjoy for years to come," says Colleen Ertl, a designer formerly with Diane Breckenridge Interiors who recently launched her own company, Colleen Ertl Interiors. The homeowners were looking for an aesthetic that was elevated, but also comfortable and inviting."
After buying the home back in 2017, the couple made a few architectural improvements to the living room fireplace and added built-in bookcases to the family room with the help of Greg Terbrock Luxury Homes. "We converted the formal living room into a large dining room to accommodate our 14 children and grandchildren, all of whom live in St. Louis," says Peggy. "We also either painted or wallpapered every room in the house and changed the cabinet finishes in the kitchen, primary bathroom and guest bathroom."
Peggy loves color and texture, so she used soft maize, ivory, sage greens and corals to provide a happy, warm and inviting décor.
Because their original exterior was traditional red brick, they opted to freshen the look by painting it in a putty-white hue, dramatically contrasted with black shutters. "We carried that traditional aesthetic throughout the home with touches of contemporary lighting and artwork, particularly in the dining room,” adds Tom. "Peggy loves color and texture, so she used soft maize, ivory, sage greens and corals to provide a happy, warm and inviting décor."
In the living room, the millwork in and around the large Palladium windows, looking out onto the gardens, frames and showcases the natural light the homeowners enjoy. They also especially love the three fireplaces on the main floor, which add architectural features to the living room, dining room and primary bedroom, providing a warm and cozy atmosphere in each space.
"We always strive to design spaces that reflect the personality of our clients and the colors they love to surround themselves with, all while being durable and beautiful," Ertl notes. "I was involved in some of the architectural re-design for a few spaces. In the great room, the fireplace was originally brick and very dated, so we renovated that space to allow for a beautiful natural stone surround with an elegant custom-designed millwork mantel to complement an impressive art piece that hangs above." Ertl transformed the original
Opposite page: The great room was redesigned with custom millwork, expansive windows and an updated fireplace crafted with a natural stone surround. A cheerful palette of soft maize, ivory, sage green and coral creates a warm and inviting aesthetic. This page: In almost every nook and hallway throughout the home, an artful vignette composed with antique furnishings and colorful framed prints creates a moment of reflection.
dining room into a comfortable den, with custom-built-in bookcases on either side of a doorway to house books and special accessories, along with bespoke millwork throughout. She also converted the original living room into a spacious dining room that can seat the entire family for dinner. "I worked with the homeowners to draft furniture layouts for each space to maximize seating and best utilize the spaces for entertaining and everyday living," adds the designer.
The color scheme for the main rooms on the first floor was inspired by the area rugs in the great room and the adjoining game room space. Based on dominant hues of sage greens, deep corals, golden yellows and soft maize, they crafted a cohesive palette of fabrics using pattern and texture that flows intentionally throughout the first-floor rooms. "The artwork is also essential in those spaces as it brings the color palette to the walls," says Ertl. "It was important to keep the wall color throughout the first floor soft and warm to showcase all the stunning architectural details without distracting from them. This approach also allowed the artwork's vibrant hues to shine and carry the color scheme throughout.
With a trained eye for style gleaned from years in the family's furniture business, Peggy deftly selected all the furniture, rugs, lamps, light fixtures, mirrors, artwork and tabletop accessories via her multiple trips to the International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, North Carolina. She also pulled in friend and design consultant Patsy Bartels, co-owner of Partners In Design, for her expertise with textiles, including upholstery fabrics, trims, pillows and wallcoverings. "Peggy and I have worked together over the last 30 years on their three different
This page: Built-in arched niches showcase family collectibles, cherished artwork and antiques. A guest bedroom dressed in colorful linens, pillows and framed botanical prints awaits overnight guests. A writing desk at the window forms a quiet corner for contemplation. Opposite page: The homeowners converted the formal living room into a large dining room to accommodate their 14 children and grandchildren, all of whom live in St. Louis.
houses," notes Patsy. "Since she was able to order furnishings, lighting, artwork and rugs directly from the markets, I was tasked with finding fabrics and trims for draperies, dust skirts, pillows and wallcoverings to finish off all the rooms. Peggy and I have very similar tastes, and she makes decisions easily. She loves to entertain their many friends and family, so we wanted the rooms to feel warm and inviting, which I think we certainly achieved throughout her lovely home."
After settling in and living in their new dwelling for nearly a decade, the couple has experienced firsthand just how remarkably livable, functional and welcoming their home has been over the years. "It's perfect for large family gatherings and parties—and we especially enjoy the open flow of the large kitchen, family room, dining room and living spaces," says Peggy. "We also love our spacious primary bedroom suite on the main level with a door leading out to the gardens and pool area."
Adds Ertl, "The result is a wonderful reflection of their style and personalities—warm and welcoming—just the result I hope for in every client’s home." See stlouishomesmag.com for resources
Coral and sage hues continue in the guest bedroom, generating warmth and coziness amidst the owners’ treasured collectibles. A large round mirror reflecting framed floral prints complements an antique chest of drawers with carved embellishments and a distressed light wood finish. A bright coral upholstered chair infuses color into the space along with a charming botanical print.
Grown
By Lucyann Boston Photography by Kim Dillon Hardscape by Gardens of Grace
HEARTfrom the
These Frontenac garden owners share the important relationships that helped create their lush landscape.
Ilike surprises!” declares Celeste Baxter as she strolls through her and her husband, Brent's, Frontenac garden.
She is sur rounded by the rich sunset hues of hundreds of daylilies, mounds of purple and gold created by plantings of different coneflower varieties and scarlet-centered, blush-colored hibiscus blossoms the size of giant saucers. All those vibrant, jewel colors are offset by the sparkling emerald green of approximately 350 lush-leafed hostas.
The garden's beds, planted on an acre and a quarter of land, flow together beautifully. Celeste has worked over the years with Rita Diekemper and Craig Schrock of Gardens of Grace to create necessary hardscape, that while manmade, looks perfectly natural. To enhance that design element, she has in no way micromanaged her landscape. Celeste is adventurous enough to plant the unidentified bare roots of the daylilies, irises and hostas she loves, not knowing exactly what color flowers or leaf shades will emerge. She is equally inclined to let her perennials go to seed over the winter and be delighted where some new plant might break ground in the spring.
She believes the leaf cover and seed heads kept on her plants over the winter help attract birds and beneficial insects to her garden. To keep the birds happy, she offers up a spa-like heated bird bath that has enticed elusive bluebirds to her garden. In summer, hundreds of fireflies flicker throughout the landscape. “I’m fair and I can’t take a lot of sun,” she explains, “so I like
to swim at night. I can see all the fireflies and I also can see bats that are attracted by the pool lights. The bats aren’t scary because they don’t swoop that low.”
Gardening for over 26 years at her home in Frontenac, Celeste continually adds more and more native plants to her landscape. She attributes the milkweed, planted at the back of her pool sun border, for bringing monarch butterflies to her garden. “I got the milkweed in Michigan (where she and her husband Brent vacation) ten years ago,” she explains. “I saw one monarch initially and then others came back. I think that first one was a scout. They claim that monarchs can smell milkweed a couple of miles away.”
Celeste credits her stepmother, who was a Master Gardener, with getting her interested as an adult in gardening. But her gardening genes go back to a grandmother who came from Poland to Franklin, PA, and had “a massive vegetable garden” that fascinated Celeste.
Growing up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she moved to St. Louis after she was married and Brent took a job with Wetterau Foods. Initially, raising young children left her little time for yardwork but, as her children got older, she discovered her passion for plants, first at a home in Town & Country and then after the family’s move to Frontenac.
She has always loved daylilies due to the tremendous variety of brilliant colors created by the many different hybridizers. “Over time they seem to have created all the colors in the world,” she says. While living in Town & Country, she recalls a constant battle with the deer
nibbling her plants. “I would get up at 4 a.m. to see if the deer were eating my daylilies,” she recalls.
Many of the daylilies in her current garden came from the annual sale of the Greater St. Louis Daylily Society at the Missouri Botanical Garden. “I got there late,” she recalls from one particular year, “and they were just closing. As they were leaving they told me I could have everything they had not sold. It was very exciting!” she notes, thinking of the grab bag of beautiful blossoms that now grace her garden. Since she was given a leftover assortment of varieties, she was pleasantly surprised to see all of the unique colors and shapes of lilies when they bloomed the next year — an experience she never would have gotten if she had not been late to the sale!
These days she depends upon a combination of fencing, Deer Off spray and a granular deer deterrent to protect her garden. While she has help with the mowing and mulching of her yard, Celeste mostly maintains the garden herself, rising
at 6 a.m. “when it is cool” during the growing season to weed and look after the beds. Brent, who jokes he “gardens by marriage,” assists with chores like “digging holes” and heavy lifting. He credits Celeste with the beauty that surrounds him. “She has done a very nice job of having something blooming from early spring through fall,” he says.
A cedar gardening shed, complete with charming window boxes, serves as a separate landscape attraction, bringing its own charm to the landscape. “I got it as a kit and my lawnmower guys put it together. I decorate it with all the kitschy stuff you wouldn’t put in your house,” she says with a laugh. “I can go out there and feel like I am on vacation.” Complete with heat and grow lights on timers, the shed serves as a place to over-winter the fig trees that enhance the patio in warm weather months.
The fig trees are especially close to Celeste’s heart. “The fig was brought over from Italy by the parents of one of my best friends,” she explains. “When she found out she was dying of cancer, she drove the fig from Ohio to leave it with me.” Since then, Celeste has propagated additional figs to keep her friend’s memory alive. ‘It’s easy to root,” she says. “I basically just cut off a branch and pop it in the soil.”
The entire garden is a tribute to Celeste’s love of nature and her close observation of the plants and their surroundings. With a mostly shaded landscape, grow lights supplement the sun in a small, fenced vegetable plot, a gardening aid her grandmother would have found amazing.
A talented amateur photographer, Celeste has documented treasured outdoor events. A photograph of an owl, who hung out in a backyard tree, was transformed into wrought iron by Perpetua Iron. It now accents the railing of the patio steps. Other photographs of a monarch emerging from a chrysalis and an endangered American bumblebee, distinguished by the yellow hairs on the hind half of its abdomen (“I call him my ‘golden bee,’” Celeste says) are the subjects of a charming children's book she created.
Celeste sees the hours she spends in her garden as anything but work. “I enjoy being outside and I really like having my hands in the dirt; seeing the miraculous process of seeds turning into beautiful flowers or vegetables,” she says. “I have an acre and a quarter and I feel obligated to turn it into something other than just grass.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
Artful Foliage
Everyone loves a colorful garden, so here are some plants that add a pop of leafy color and texture to your landscaping.
By Lily Stassi
Hosta Lilies are a Missouri proof perennial that come in all sorts of sizes and range from variegated white and green to a silvery blue. Thriving in partial shade, these plants are easy to take care of and even produce purple or white flowers at the peak of the season. These shrubs make a great statement, even in just green and white, due to the size of the leaves and fullness of the plant.
Coral bells, or huechera, are another shrubby perennial that grow close to the
ground and can display variegated green, purple, pink, orange and even silvery black leaves. Just like hostas, some varieties will put out tall flowers in red, pink or white. Though they still do well in partial shade, most varieties tend to produce brighter colors with more sun. The frilled edges of the leaves add great texture to your garden even with the greener varieties.
Caladiums are tropical plants originally from the Amazon River basin, though they
Caladiums.
can be grown in pots and planters in Missouri, too! Preferring a warm, humid climate, caladiums can last from late spring through early August. The leaves come in an array of variegated combinations of green, white, pink and red. The two types are categorized by leaf shape: fancy-leafed with heart shaped leaves, or lance-leafed with narrow, elongated leaves. In contrast to coral bells, caladiums tend to produce brighter colors with less sun.
Coleus are members of the mint family. While they are a perennial, most do not survive Missouri winters due to the bitter cold unless they are overwintered in a greenhouse or as a houseplant. These are a great option if you are looking for a smaller plant with stunning texture, color and variegation. The frilly-edged leaves can
come in dark red, browns, greens, yellows, reds and oranges.
Croton plants are perhaps the most unique option to add leafy color to your garden. Their tall, leathery leaves can produce two to every single one of these colors at the same time: red, orange, purple, pink, yellow, green and white. Though typically grown as houseplants, crotons can thrive in a pot outdoors in the summer months, making them a great addition to your patio or porch.
Croton.
Coleus.
Hosta Lilies.
Patterns Nature in
“Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO" & "Patterns in Nature: LightForm" make an appearance at the Missouri Botanical Garden
By Jessika Eidson
Photography courtesy of HYBYCOZO
Star ting April 10, visitors of the Missouri Botanical Garden can witness the geometric and glowing art of HYBYCOZO, a unique artistic duo highlighting the intricate patterns of nature through awe-inspiring, intricately designed sculptures. Throughout the spring and summer, the Garden offers both daytime viewing and special illuminated evening hours to explore its newest art exhibition–"Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO."
Presented by PNC, “Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO” features 21 larger-than-life, interactive installations, including 6 new pieces curated specifically for the Garden and inspired by its living collections. Daytime visitation to “Patterns in Nature: The Art of HYBYCOZO” is included with Missouri Botanical Garden general admission.
“Patterns in Nature: LightForm” amplifies this artwork on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with an illuminated exploration of light and shadow.
Glowing from within, the patterns transform into portals of color and dimension, casting fields of light that feel immersive and otherworldly. Admission rates for “Patterns in Nature: LightForm” will vary by day and Garden membership, ranging from $10 to $22. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and live music is included in the experience.
When:
April 10–September 26
Where: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63110
Cost: Daytime exhibition included in Garden admission. Evening admission requires an event ticket; prices range $10–$22
Website: mobot.org/patterns
What's in BLOOM
This months-long exhibition will give guests an opportunity to see the artwork against several seasonal backdrops: from blooming spring ephemerals like bluebells, to early fall favorites like goldenrod. "Patterns in Nature: Lightform" also allows guests to enjoy nightblooming flowers such as water lilies.
Photography by Karen Palmer
Global Spirit
Organic Warmth,
Earthy materials and travel-inspired details transform a classic Clayton residence into a refined, modern retreat.
By Lauren Storment
When the homeowner purchased this Clayton residence in 2016, she partnered with designer Liz McGovern of June Rosselein Interiors to refresh the interiors with new paint and furnishings while preserving the home’s original architectural character. As her lifestyle evolved, she returned nearly a decade later for a more extensive renovation. This time, the goal was to modernize the home while maintaining its original structure, creating spaces that felt updated yet still true to its history.
Photography by Megan Lorenz Design by June Roesslein Interiors
Liz approached the project as a thoughtful evolution rather than a complete overhaul. Earthy tones and organic materials established a warm foundation, while the homeowner’s global travels — from Morocco and Cuba to Panama and the red rock landscapes of Sedona — shaped the overall direction. “Artifacts, textures and photography collected over the years were included throughout the home to really connect to the homeowner’s experiences,” Liz explains.
T he kitchen became the starting point for the renovation. Originally finished with light natural maple cabinetry, the space lacked the depth and character the homeowner desired. The redesign introduced darker cabinetry paired with lighter countertops to create contrast and balance. She had decided to work with Ken Henry of Alspaugh in order to make this happen. “We removed an existing beam and replaced it with a larger one to take the place of a structural support post, to open the kitchen to the adjacent rooms and make it feel more connected to the rest of the home,” says Ken. The window above the sink was lowered to bring in additional natural light and strengthen the relationship to the outdoors. A new butler’s pantry with a glass pocket door added storage and a dedicated prep area, keeping the main kitchen organized for everyday use.
The adjoining hearth room now reflects the homeowner’s love of travel. A stone fireplace served as the focal point, while the surrounding wall — previously covered in ceramic tile — was redesigned to display artifacts and family photographs from around the world. Custom cabinetry throughhout the home from Alspaugh Kitchen and Bath creates visual continuity between the spaces.
I n the dining area, the home’s traditional architecture remained intact while contemporary updates introduced new interest. “Adding a light fixture above the table and cork wallpaper on the ceiling made a huge impact in the eating area,” Liz notes.
At the top of the stairs, just outside the primary bedroom, a loft-like sitting area provided a quiet retreat. “New cabinetry with display lighting made the room more functional while beautifully highlighting the objects the homeowner wanted on display,” says Ken. Mustard-colored chairs added warmth and echoed tones used throughout the home, while books, travel mementos and photographs contributed to the space’s collected, personal feel.
I n the primary bedroom, inspiration came from a Moroccan rug whose rich colors and patterns guided the room’s palette. Paneled walls painted in a muted green created a calm backdrop for a wood canopy bed that added architectural interest without overwhelming the space. Embroidered pillows and layered bedding introduced texture and personality while maintaining a restful atmosphere.
Throughout the renovation, natural materials — stone, wood, cork and textured textiles — helped unify the home’s organic aesthetic. With a strong passion for travel, the homeowner wanted a space that could display her growing collection of artifacts and photographs while still functioning comfortably for everyday life.
“The challenge was achieving a refined update without losing what made the home unique, ensuring the final result felt both timeless and uniquely hers,” adds Liz.
Nearly a decade after their initial collaboration, the home now feels cohesive and deeply personal — the product of a trusted partnership renewed to create a space that serves as both a comfortable retreat and a reflection of a life shaped by travel.
See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
BEFORE
Fashion & Function
Webster Groves homeowners bring their personality to this century home kitchen remodel.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Photography by Alise O’Brien
Interior Design by Joni Spear Interior Design
Architect Elizabeth L. Panke Architect
When it comes to fashion over function, these homeowners didn’t want to have to choose. With a busy work life and two young sons, they wanted a kitchen that was functional and colorful, while staying true to the age of the home. Looking for a designer to tackle this project, Joni Spear of Joni Spear Interior Design, was the perfect fit.
“Joni had been recommended to us by our architect, Elizabeth Panke, when we asked for a designer who liked working with color and who was comfortable working with older homes,” says the homeowner. Joni was more than happy to jump onto the project. “My design style lends more traditional, and this home is a century home,” says Joni. “The clients are so joyful, and it was important to the wife that we emboldened the space with color.” “ We had ideas that we had gotten from magazines and Pinterest and knew that we wanted a kitchen that was lighter but still had color and would be functional,” the homeowner continues. Working with Joni to develop a plan for the renovation, the two pored over wallpaper and fabric selections to create an overall vision for the space. “We wanted to honor the architecture of the home and did not want to build onto the space, so we borrowed square footage from other rooms,” says Joni.
To achieve this, the opening between the kitchen and family room was shortened to elongate the refrigerator wall and allow space for a china cabinet. Additionally, Joni crafted the kitchen island with seating on all three sides, and a hall closet was removed to create room for floor-to-ceiling pantry storage. “We utilized every inch of space in the kitchen,” Joni continues. “We had a couple of extra inches on the island. I had suggested wine storage, but the homeowner came up with the idea of a cookbook display.”
Every inch of the kitchen was designed with the homeowners in mind. Quartz countertops and wipeable vinyl on the counter stools made the space kid-friendly and easy to clean. Handmade zellige tiles line the walls and reflect light throughout the kitchen, and a small broom closet is tucked between the china cabinet and refridgerator. “I took inventory of every small appliance, gadget and cooking utensil to make sure we had storage for it,” says Joni. Another personal touch can be found on the range hood, where the cabinet maker added a wooden detail with a piece of weathered wood from his farm.
The family has continued to enjoy their new and improved kitchen. “Our project came out better than we imagined; we are grateful we were able to make the renovations happen,” the homeowner finishes. “Our kitchen is both much more functional and feels larger. We continue to look forward to seeing how we utilize the space over time.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Great Cover-up Design
Great Cover-Up Design
Teddy Karl, Past President, Allied ASID 9708 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124 314-995-5701 Greatcoverupdesign.com
Great Cover-Up Design is a full-service interior design and home furnishings boutique offering inspirational design services. With a true passion for fabric, Teddy will work with you to make any space both beautiful and functional.
Great Cover-Up Design is a full-service interior design and home furnishings boutique offering inspirational design services. With a true passion for fabric, Teddy will work with you to make any space both beautiful and functional.
Redesigning your space can be a fun combination of preserving beloved family pieces while refreshing with new drapery, wall coverings, furniture, accessories, or area rugs.
Redesigning your space can be a fun combination of preserving beloved family pieces while refreshing with new drapery, wall coverings, furniture, accessories, or area rugs.
Call us for a complimentary appointment to determine the scope of your interior design project or update. We strive to make each client’s experience both time-honored and unique. Visit Great Cover-Up Design to shop our in-stock accessories, furniture, lamps, art and thoughtful hostess gifts.
Call us for a complimentary appointment to determine the scope of your interior design project or update. We strive to make each client’s experience both time-honored and unique. Visit Great Cover-Up Design to shop our in-stock accessories, furniture, lamps, art and thoughtful hostess gifts.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Jessie D. Miller Interior Design
@jessiedmiller | jessiedmiller.com | 314-494-1398
Jessie D. Miller Interior Design offers full-service, concept-to-completion interior design for clients who want something far beyond the typical St. Louis aesthetic. With a fashion-forward perspective and an editorial eye for detail, I create homes that are richly layered, highly customized, and intentionally curated from the architectural foundation to the final accessory.
My process is designed for clients who value expert guidance, trust in a cohesive creative vision and appreciate the ease of having every detail thoughtfully managed—from floor plans and custom furnishings to finishes, art, and styling.
The result is a space that feels elevated, expressive and unmistakably unique—refreshingly unlike the majority of most Midwestern designed homes.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath
Ken Henry, CKD, CBD 314-993-6644 • kenhenry@glenalspaugh.com
Ken Henry is a senior designer at Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath and has been designing and selling projects for Alspaugh for 39 years. His art and architecture education, coupled with his work experience, has allowed Ken to express his creativity through his high-end kitchen and bath designs — always with fastidious attention to detail and exceptional organization. He has designed many other spaces in the home besides the kitchen and bath: closets, family rooms, complete lower levels, study’s, bars and more. Ken’s construction experience is an added benefit to builders, homeowners and interior designers he works with to complete projects that meet the highest expectations of the clients he serves.
KH Interiors, LLC
Krista Howard, Allied ASID khinteriorsstl.com • 314-517-5502
KH Interiors, is an award winning design-remodel collaborative. We create interiors that are comfortably classic, rich and relaxed. Interiors that reflect your spirit and give you a place to call home. It begins with listening to our clients about their dreams of how they see themselves in their surroundings. We share how design can make their home flow more beautifully and give meaning to their space. Our team then gets to work instinctively to recreate the home they once knew into a haven that reflects their true essence.
At KH Interiors, we ensure that every detail, every decision, and every moment is meaningful, intentional and gorgeous!
Alise O’Brien Photography
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Three French Hens
Rae Sutton 636-458-8033 / threefrenchhenswildwood.com
Three French Hens is St. Louis’s most beautiful furniture store! With Rae Sutton as lead designer, our 10,000 sq.ft. showroom is always changing and evolving. You’ll rarely find the same thing twice. Rugs, lighting, decor, fabrics, art, custom furniture and more can be found at Three French Hens with our fun and brilliant designers with 21 years of experience ready to pull it all together. If it’s not at our store we can surely order you a custom piece to make your interior dreams come true. In-store or at home, our design services are available for projects from space planning to custom furniture to accessory overhauls.
At Yours by Design, you'll fall in love with your home all over again. With over 25 years of experience, Interior Designer C.J. Knapp, A.S.I.D., specializes in creating spaces that transform houses into homes. From kitchens that are as functional as they are beautiful, to cozy living areas that envelop your family in comfort, Yours by Design crafts timeless spaces that reflect you, your family, and your unique experiences. Our designs are not just trendy; they grow with you, reflecting your interests and travels over the years. Yours by Design is conveniently located at the Interior Design Center of St. Louis, offering a comprehensive shopping experience. From kitchen and bath appliances and plumbing to custom draperies, furniture, and rugs, we provide everything you need in one place.
Anne Marie Design Studio
Anne M. Boedges, President and Designer of Anne Marie Design Studio, LLC has been helping clients fall in love with their homes all over the St. Louis area since 2001. She obtained her BFA in Interior Design from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. She has previously taught the NKBA Bath Design Certification Course at St. Louis Community College. Specializing in Kitchen and Bath Design, Anne’s positive and down to earth approach helps clients feel anything is achievable, and her unique attention to detail distinguishes her work amongst the rest.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
karrbick.com •
Creating #NothingOrdinary spaces is Karr Bick’s mission. Their team combines creativity with craftsmanship, listening deeply to each client and translating their desires into a space that feels uniquely their own. With integrated services that span design, interiors, and construction, they offer a seamless experience from concept to completion. Their St. Louis design showroom is the perfect place to start with a free design consultation. Whether you need a new kitchen, bath, office, or mudroom…every space they create feels personal and anything but ordinary.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Joni Spear Interior Design
314-614-9080 / joni@jonispear.com / jonispear.com
Timeless design looks to the past to anchor an elevated modern life. No one embodies the essence of time-honored design quite like Joni Spear Interiors. The St. Louis Missouri-based designer offers three decades' experience transforming houses into well-heeled homes that reflect grace and confidence. Her work is an enduring investment that eschews the ephemeral.
The Porch in Wildwood
16957 Manchester Road, Wildwood, MO 63040 theporchwildwood.com • 636-273-3745
A visit to The Porch offers a comprehensive experience for every phase of your design journey. With an eye for detail, Jan Coffman Interiors, Owner of The Porch ensures that each project is executed with precision, leaving you with a beautifully transformed space. Whether you're looking to create a custom design tailored to your style, embark on a full-scale remodel, or curate the perfect décor for every room in your home, The Porch has you covered.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Modern Kitchens & Baths
14381 Manchester Rd., Manchester, MO 63011 636-394-3655 / modernkitchensandbaths.com
Established in 1950, Modern Kitchens and Baths serves as the premier showroom for kitchen and bath remodeling products. Browse through our showroom in Manchester to see premium remodeling products in the latest designs and with innovative features. We offer an impressive selection of products that includes cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and flooring, and continuously update our product offerings. At Modern Kitchens & Baths, we know that remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is an exciting investment—but it can also come with plenty of questions. Whether you’re upgrading your countertops, transforming your kitchen or completely renovating your bathroom, we’re here to make the process smooth and stress-free. Plus we can work within your budget big or small!
Nelson Interiors
Julie Nelson Interiors is a boutique interior design studio known for its artistic perspective and highly curated approach to design in St. Louis, New York City, and beyond. Julie’s confident use of color and layered compositions create interiors that feel vibrant, sophisticated, and deeply personal. With a passion for sourcing distinctive art, antiques, and vintage pieces, Julie designs homes rich in character, texture, and soul. Trained at the New York School of Interior Design, Julie brings a refined eye and disciplined process to every project, ensuring a seamless and collaborative experience from concept to completion. See my project on pages 16-25.
Stairway to
WHIMSY
Turning a dark stairwell into a light and colorful transitional space may be the final touch your home needs!
Edited by Lily Stassi
JCR Design Group
The designers at JCR Design Group selected this stair runner to bring depth and personality to what is otherwise a very classic architectural setting. The bold, graphic pattern creates a dramatic focal point and adds movement as you ascend the staircase, while the dark tones ground the bright white millwork and balance the warmth of the wood floors. It’s a great example of how a runner can feel both timeless and statement-making at the same time. Photography by Karen Palmer.
DFW Textile Sourcing.
This Lhasa rug makes a striking statement as an 82-foot stair runner, bringing movement, color and craftsmanship to every step. Inspired by traditional Tibetan tiger motifs, the pattern feels both storied and bold, with a colorful palette that adds depth without overwhelming the space. Each knot is meticulously tied by hand in wool, giving the runner texture, durability and a sense of quiet luxury underfoot. The finished installation turns the staircase into a true design moment, blending heritage inspiration with a modern, tailored finish. Photography courtesy of DFW.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Ellie Redders Interiors
Ellie Redders, CEO + PRINCIPAL DESIGNER elliereddersinteriors.com • 636-220-8144
Ellie Redders Interiors is a luxury full-service design firm that specializes in new construction and large-scale renovations. For over a decade, Ellie Redders has earned a widespread reputation for her partnerships and her innate ability to design elevated yet comfortable family spaces. Ellie is supported by her talented team of designers, project managers & office staff that have developed a highly organized process paired with the use of cutting edge technology to build their clients’ path to livable luxury.
Chair Whimsy. This designer decided to do a full makeover of her own stairway to better match her personal style. Originally an already colorful design, she sought to redo the wallpaper on the risers and paint the oak trim. The vibrant striped wallpaper acts as a visual bridge between the bold florals in the entryway and dining room, making the whole space feel more cohesive and joyfully designed. Painting the oak finishes blue has brought out the detail in the trim and helped lighten up the space immensely. Photography by Wendy Conklin.
Grace Design Studio. This staircase reimagines a compact passage as a moment of character and craft. Glossy green ceramic risers nod to Spanish Revival tilework. The custom iron railing pays homage to the client’s Texas cattle ranch heritage, layering personal narrative into the architectural detail. Photography by Darlen Halaby.
Arsenic Lace. Painting the stairs was by far the biggest upgrade to this space. When the owners moved in, the banister was white and the stairs were painted a mustard yellow. It was dark and the paint job was simply unappealing. The stairwell was the only area in the whole house with no window and therefore the darkest. The designer picked a light and airy wallpaper for the accent wall and created a landing area. A bench was added, along with the coat rack and baskets, which solidified the space’s new additional functionality. Photography by Thaddeus Rombauer.
Ben Pentreath. “I wanted to give this tall, narrow stair a sense of scale and drama, so we painted it in strong, architectural 'Cooks Blue' from Farrow & Ball. The fine Regency mahogany handrail and oak stair is set off by this patterned runner, which I designed and coloured based on a David Hicks original." - Ben Pentreath, from his book An English Vision. Photography by Ben Pentreath.
Banyan Bridges. This stairwell to the basement felt like a portal to the pit of despair. And with a bit of color and paint it now feels vibrant and welcoming. This makeover shows the power of paint and how beginner friendly a painted design can be. It may not require major artistic skill to pull off, but the difference that a little bit of color makes is immense. Photography by Racheal Jackson.
Above: 2025 Gold Winner, Alspaugh Kitchen and Bath. Photography by Megan Lorenz.
GLOW & BEHOLD
Details originating from the Art Deco period still show their influence in modern design, especially in lighting.
By Lily Stassi
A modernized version of the natural forms seen in the Art Deco period.
Metropolitan Arboles pendant in heritage bronze, available at Metro Lighting.
Lighting in the Art Deco Period was defined by stylized geometric interpretations of natural forms, such as tiered, stacked and elongated shapes. The concept was influenced by a variety of artistic movements, namely Cubism, Futurism and Constructivism, and emerged after the end of WWI as a refreshing, modern style. Sunbursts, chevrons and fan designs were popular motifs of the period, and materials like glass, brass, nickel and chrome were common.
The Tiffany lamp was a popular lamp style often placed on desks and buffet tables. The intricate stained glass design was a luxurious and artistic statement in home design.
Meyda Tiffany hanginghead dragonfly buffet table lamp, available at Ferguson Home.
Savoy House Rivage tall bathroom sconces, available at Ferguson Home.
Slipper or Slip shades were common among chandeliers and pendants and featured a curved milk glass shade that produced soft light. Vintage Art Deco chandelier slipper shade, available at Rejuvination.
Skyscraper pendants, lamps and sconces were a common sight in the Art Deco period. They featured an elongated, tiered design reminiscent of their namesake. Vintage Art Deco skyscraper pendant, available at Rejuvination.
Geometric designs, brass detailing and colored glass made its mark upon Art Deco. Classic Art Deco close ceiling light, available at Antique Hardware Supply.
The classic Banker’s lamp, often seen in movies and TV shows, originally became popular during the Art Deco period and is highly associated with the style due to the use of similar materials and sleek, yet colorful design concept. Shelburne House of Troy Banker table lamp in polished brass, available at Metro Lighting.
Photography courtesy of Vakker Light.
Livable Art
Immerse yourself in the color and whimsy of this residential pool, where luxury living becomes a one-of-a-kind art installation.
By Lily Stassi
Design by Studio Proba
Tile Manufacturing by Ceramica Suro
Photography by Ori Harpaz
I nternationally famed artist Alex Proba, founder of Studio Proba recently unveiled her newest artistic medium—mosaic pools. Originally starting off as custom painted mural pools, this newest iteration uses hand crafted tiles to maximize longevity and structural quality.
Proba’s pools are meticulous labors of care and precision where permanent art installations can become functional features of luxury living. Whether striking as a conversation piece, immersive experience or a place to reflect—no pun intended— these pools are certainly one-of-a-kind landmarks carving out colorful footprints in residential spaces.
I nspired by nature through the lens of color and shape, the organic forms that intermingle throughout the basin of the pool are intended to be reminiscent of coral reefs and other ocean life. Proba’s art follows a recurring theme—it urges the viewer to be
I can’t wait to bring more color into the world and hopefully create more of these magical pools. — Alex Proba
involved in its own presentation, to notice each detail and feeling it invokes, to act on curiosity. In the case of the Proba Pool, she invites the viewer to be physically immersed in the colors and forms, viewing them as the filtered light shifts and warps each shape into familiar silhouettes dancing through the water. The bright colors mimic the energy and life of the city of Miami, allowing the art to be fully at home in the context of its environment.
This particular Proba Pool was the first to use custom handmade ceramic glazed tiles to form a mural. Proba was able to collaborate with Ceramica Suro in Guadalajara, Mexico to make high quality, precisely shaped and colored tiles to fit each angle and curve of the pool’s basin. Though the installation takes much longer, Proba emphasizes her respect and appreciation for the process and the work that the artists at Suro put in to make this pool a reality.
“I t was so worth it in the end,” Proba reports. “You don’t see this kind of art every day, and it’s been incredible to create something so unique with people who truly understand it. I can’t wait to bring more color into the world and hopefully create more of these magical pools.” She continues to spread curiosity and whimsy through her murals, sculptures and countless other mediums all over the world. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
RAZCE CLASSIC
Swimming in Saturation
COLOR DRENCHING is a style of interior design that seems to be heavily debated this year, especially after Pantone’s color of the year was announced to be a shade of white. Here is some insight into what our featured designers think about the topic:
By Lily Stassi
“Color drenching is the design equivalent of a magic trick,” says Julie Nelson of Julie Nelson interiors. “It can stretch a small room, soften a cavernous one and breathe life into spaces starved for sunlight. Bold can even play well with both minimalist and maximalist schemes.”
“It has been a popular trend but has been used for decades to add depth, drama or sometimes softness to a room by eliminating sharp contrast,” says Liz McGovern of June Roesslein Interiors. “A dark color will make a room moody or dramatic and light colors will give a calming effect. It’s a technique that will transcend the test of time, if used correctly.”
Joni Spear of Joni Spear Interior Design expresses the caution of using so much bold color. She says, “executed well in the right space with judiciously chosen hues and textures, color drenching has a unique power to ignite a room. There is a science to its mastery and left to inexperienced hands, the well-intended effort often proves disastrous.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
We’ve gathered the perspectives and knowledge of our featured designers to inform you on this topic, and now we want to know your opinion on color drenching. Scan the code below to submit your “classic or craze” vote and check back here in the next issue for the results!
Results revealed in the May issue.
The March survey results are in! The majority of our readership has determined that BOUCLE FABRIC is a craze.
CLASSIC
42%
CRAZE
58%
Have more to say about the topic? Keep an eye on our social and leave your thoughts in the comments!
Fitz channeled rose velvet swivel chair, available at C2B.
