New build blends in with the owners’ beloved Clayton neighborhood thanks to thoughtful design.
A modern family preserves the past with a loving restoration of a 1930s Tudor-style residence in their childhood neighborhood of Forest Park. 38. ABUNDANT CHARM
Home gardener Natasha Merchant-Pappu takes inspiration from her childhood to create a lavish garden packed with native plants.
On the cover page 33.
The foyer opens to an arched entry leading to the formal living room on the right, with stairs to the second floor straight ahead, and a central passageway to the powder room and kitchen.
Photography by Anne Matheis.
Formidable Resolve
To all the garden lovers out there, you will love this issue. It's practically exploding with outdoor living inspiration just for you! With the amount of rainfall we had this spring, we got a late start on planting, but with a little determination, our outdoor ideas can come to fruition. Colorful annuals and perennials planted into the ground, or into pots, will continue to debut, unfolding into a beautiful tapestry of color to be enjoyed all summer. In our Dirt article, learn the many reasons why hydrangeas, a perennial shrub, are considered the proverbial all-time favorite (pages 48 & 49).
One of the homeowners featured in this issue describes and shares her indecision during her home remodeling project… whether to keep the primary bath as it was and continue to live with the existing design (even though she really didn’t like it) or to do something about it. Thankfully, she decided not to just live with it, but went ahead with a total overhaul of the bathroom in addition to making major changes like knocking down a few walls. She customized her 100-yearold home with the help of Elizabeth Panke, of Elizabeth L. Panke Architect, and custom builder Tom Roberts, of Artisan Constructors, both having extensive expertise renovating old St. Louis homes (pages 30-37).
Pages 20-29.
Moving walls in the original plan of a new custom home is not uncommon for Jeffrey Bernstein of Jeffrey Homes LLC. As a custom builder, Jeff rolls with the punches, and if a homeowner wants to make a change to make a room larger, Jeff will make that happen. Andrea and Steven Rosenblum worked with Lauren Strutman, principal of Lauren Strutman Architects, P.C., to design their dream home but realized once the building process was underway that neither of the two bedrooms upstairs could adequately accommodate king-size beds. Their sons are 6 feet tall each, and Andrea wanted to be sure everyone was comfortable in the future with sleeping arrangements. Thanks to Jeff, there is now more than enough space for each son, including future family members (pages 20-29).
Lots of family memories are being made in our June/July featured homes, one old and one new. And having an architect, builder and interior designer paying attention to small details or seemingly insignificant requests raises the homeowners' joy meter tenfold.
Enjoy!
Suzie Osterloh Publisher/Owner
Pages 30-37.
Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton.
Frontenac GARDEN TOUR
PUBLISHER/OWNER: Suzie Osterloh
MANAGING EDITOR: Maya Brenningmeyer
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Kim Dillon
COPY EDITOR: Melissa Mauzy
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeanne Delathouder, Jessika Eidson, Julie Brown Patton, Kim Hill, Lucyann Boston, Michelle Mastro
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Andrew Pielage Photography, Anne Matheis, Beth Bombara, Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton, Emily Minton Redfield, Jimi Smith Photography, Julie Soefer, Karen Palmer, KIE
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By Maya Brenningmeyer
Take in all the benefits of alfresco dining with high-quality outdoor dining furniture and accessories.
1. Reims lantern in brass, available at RH.
2. Fiesta beverage dispenser by Earth & Nest, available at Hearth & Soul.
3. Newport console with beverage tub, available at Frontgate.
4. Ruffle melamine chip and dip set, available at Blue Dahlia Designs.
5. Bari bistro table in natural teak, available at Frontgate.
6. Summer soiree melamine serveware, available at Frontgate.
7. Wilder reclaimed teak rectangular outdoor dining table, available at Pottery Barn.
8. Avalon teak dining chair, available at Forshaw.
9. Cabo woven placemats (set of 4) in coastal blue, available at Serena & Lily.
10. Large green fish glass, available at Hearth & Soul.
11. Citronella sea salt hurricane by Skeem Design, available at Hearth & Soul.
12. Ixtapa rectangular plinth fire table in limestone, available at RH.
13. Somerly round pedestal outdoor dining table, available at Ethan Allen.
WINDOW SHOPPING
14. Modern eco outdoor cooler in white, available at Pottery Barn.
15. Puebla melamine dinnerware collection, available at Pottery Barn.
16. Palma dining chair, available at Forshaw.
17. Terrace round dining table in sandstone, available at Serena & Lily.
18. Calcutta dining chair, available at Forshaw.
19. 9’ single vent umbrella in white, available at Ethan Allen.
20. Villa Bianca dining table, available at Aminis
An artist takes inspiration from her home garden.
By Michelle Mastro
Plants have long been a source of inspiration for artists, representing everything from growth to beauty and strength of spirit. For artist Lauren Knight, her home garden is very much tied to her artwork. “I grow what I love, ranging from colors and textures to layers and even composition,” she says, explaining how she selects plants. While a hosta might offer bushy layers, an iris could produce a slender figure topped off with a pretty bloom. Beauty, even in the garden, lies in the eye of the beholder, which is why Knight photographs her garden in all states and seasons, then draws inspiration from those photos. “Oftentimes, I will paint an exact scene from the pictures I take, or a certain scene will inspire me to hone in on a color story.”
Knight’s artistic style leans into illustrative realism. And she is heavily influenced by children’s book illustrations, she says. Though her subject matter is realistic, she hopes to convey a whimsical quality that doesn’t feel too serious in that her work brims with vivid colors, interesting figures and plants, and scenes that feel alive. Her series of still life paintings that include flower arrangements on top of a stack of her favorite books, for example, seem to jump off the page.
While she never went to school for art, Knight has been creative her whole life. “It has always presented as a strong pull to share how I see the world, and at times it feels urgent,” she explains. “I have talked with other creatives about this phenomenon, and it seems to be a consistent feeling across many creative fields.” The impulse to create art wasn’t one she could easily ignore.
Self-taught, she learned to paint through trial and error and observation. But it definitely helped growing up in a family where art was valued and discussed often, she says. “My father was a photographer and fine arts professor, and my childhood home was often filled with various artists from many disciplines and walks of life. It was a wonderful way to grow up.”
For Knight, painting is a way to share a vision or appreciation of the natural world. “Most of all, I take considerable joy in witnessing others connecting with my work,” she says. Some of the most meaningful moments in her career so far have been interactions she’s had with individuals who are touched by a particular piece and reach out to tell her how it speaks to them. “It is such a beautiful reminder of how connected we all are.” See stlouishomesmag.com for more photos and resources.
Clockwise: December Still Life. Levitate. Quarantine.
Island Homes: Casual Elegance in Design by Peter Vincent Architects, published by ORO Editions. Island Homes presents the beautiful yet unpretentious new homes, residential renovations and commercial buildings designed by Honolulu-based Peter Vincent Architects. A boutique firm founded in 1992, PVA specializes in custom-built architecture in a broad spectrum of styles and genres. Each project responds to the unique needs and vision of its client as well as the physical, social and environmental opportunities and requirements offered by its site.
A View from the Top: The Viewpoint Collection, published by ORO Editions. An inspired collection of masterwork homes developed in the most iconic areas of Los Angeles, A View from the Top documents a singular body of work, the Viewpoint Collection. Located on panoramic sites and designed by renowned architects, the properties presented in this book epitomize sophisticated contemporary style.
SNAPSHOT
Get creative with interesting and inspirational photography books.
Edited by Maya Brenningmeyer
While We Slept by Pete Mauney, published by ORO Editions. While We Slept is Pete Mauney’s culminating book of a decade spent flipping his sleep schedule to obsessively photograph the firefly population near his home in rural New York State. Mauney’s masterful images depict accurate representations of time, space and patterns among the lightning bugs illustrating the magic that occurs while we sleep.
Street Beauty by Hannah Judah, published by ORO Editions.
Street Beauty is a high visual impact one-of-a-kind street art photography book by renowned international street art photographer Hannah Judah. Playfully designed and curated by ATMA, Street Beauty unlocks the wonder and beauty of large scale murals from hundreds of the world’s most recognized street artists today.
Women Photograph: What We See, curated by Daniella Zalcman and Sara Ickow, published by White Lion Publishing. Open your eyes to a new world view with 100 women and nonbinary photojournalists’ stories from behind the lens. From documenting major events such as 9/11 to capturing unseen and misrepresented communities, this book presents a revisionist contemporary history: pore over 50 years of women’s dispatches in 100 photographs. Each image is accompanied by 200 words from the photographer about the experience and the subject, offering fresh insights and a much-needed perspective.
Edward Weston: The Flame of Recognition, published by Aperture. Drawing on a decades-long collaboration between the photographer and Nancy Newhall, Aperture cofounder and Museum of Modern Art curator, this reissue of The Flame of Recognition brings together a sequence of Weston’s greatest works and excerpts from his now-famed Daybooks and letters. Sixty years after its publication, Aperture is pleased to present this elegant paperback edition, which continues to offer unmatched insight into the mind, life, and work of a twentieth-century icon.
Extraordinary Pools by Naina Gupta, published by Chronicle Books.
Extraordinary Pools is a visual feast of fifty wonderfully distinctive and architecturally astounding swimming pools from around the world. Highlights include Berthold Lubetkin’s modernist Penguin Pool at the London Zoo, the world’s largest infinity pool at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the landmark Julia Morgan-designed City Club pool in Berkeley, California, Luis Barragan's signature L-shaped pools at Cuadra San Cristobal in Mexico and many more.
Richard Misrach: Cargo, published by Aperture. Cargo presents Richard Misrach’s sublime meditation on the often-unseen patterns of global trade and commerce. In these monumental seascapes, cargo ships appear frozen in time, diminutive but stalwart, within an expansive, richly colored confluence of sea and sky.
Spacecraft and Rockets: Photographs from the Archives of NASA, photos by NASA, text by Nirmala Nataraj, published by Chronicle Books. This lavish hardcover book features hundreds of photos of spacecraft, rockets, rovers, satellites and space stations from NASA’s entire 60+ year-history, from the earliest Saturn and Gemini missions, to the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle, and all the way through the modern-day Artemis and HALO ships. The images are accompanied by expert explanations of the history, science and technological innovations that made each of these crafts special.
The Ocean Speaks: A Photographic Journey of Discovery and Hope, curated by Matt Porteous and Tamsin Raine, published by White Lion Publishing. The Ocean Speaks brings together more than 45 ocean culture life enthusiasts who have taken ocean protection into their own hands, documenting the unknown and telling stories that aim to connect humans with water. Each of these ocean lovers is playing a part in deepening our understanding of our planet’s largest life support system, 80% of which remains unmapped, unobserved and unexplored.
The Rainbow Home: Over 200 Ideas and Tips for Adding Color to Your Home by Laura Perryman, published by Chronicle Books. Laura Perryman can teach anyone how to incorporate color into their homes. The book features more than 600 images and more than 200 tips and easy DIYs from leading home influencers and designers, all of it adaptable to a wide variety of spaces and budgets. Learn about adding color to every room of the house, how certain colors can set a mood and more.
Planting Seeds
Abby Lapides, of Sugar Creek Gardens, gives us tips and tricks for summer gardening, advice for new gardeners and her insight into upcoming outdoor trends.
Easy Steps
Two of my favorite plants for easy care are hardy geraniums and sweet spire shrubs. Both grow just about anywhere and can handle different light exposure. Understanding how much light the area receives can be the trickiest part for beginner gardeners. Utilizing plants that can thrive in a variety of light exposure can help blunt that issue. At Sugar Creek Gardens, we offer free garden design consultations that are especially great for beginner gardeners.
Summer Solution
The biggest tip for gardeners trying to keep their plants alive during warm weather is to water! Newly established plants don’t have the root system available to access enough water yet, so we need to help them along. Every yard is different, but if it’s hot and we aren’t getting regular good rains, get that hose out. I recommend mulching in new
Edited by Maya Brenningmeyer
Portrait Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton.
Sweet Spire - Proven Winners.
plantings as mulch prevents evaporation and acts as a weed block. Also, when planting new plants, use a root stimulating fertilizer. This will get your root system established quicker so your plants can start accessing more water sooner.
All A Buzz
When it comes to attracting pollinators, there are so many great plants to choose from. Native plants evolved along with our local pollinators to create a symbiotic relationship. But, you don’t have to exclusively plant native plants. The most important thing we can do to support our pollinators is to have lots of flowers blooming all season long and to avoid using pesticides in our yard, including the lawn.
Pest Control
Certain plants will repel mosquitos and pests off them, but it does not expand out much
further than their local vicinity. You can plant some repelling plants in pots around your patio, but you need to keep them close for any true benefits. Lemongrass is what is used in citronella-based candles and some repellant sprays. You can use it to make your own repellant.
Secret Weapon
Height is so important in a garden! So many people want small plants to keep a tidy feel, but getting tall plants in the yard is so important to give you a sense of privacy and draw the eye upwards. If you’re low on space, you can use vines like clematis on a small trellis to add height. There are new shrubs available that can get 6’ plus tall but only 2’ wide, which can also add height without taking up too much space.
Creative Containers
It can be difficult to get plants to survive over the winter in containers, so hardy perennials and shrubs do much better in the ground. There are some exceptions, but overall, if you want a plant to come back year after year it should go in the ground. Container gardens are so fun because we can experiment with color and texture and if it doesn’t work out you get to try again next year. Most container plants are annuals that will bloom all summer and give lots of color but you will compost at the end of the year.
Blooming Ideas
As far as upcoming trends, gardening for pollinators is a trend that won’t die anytime soon. It’s a part that we can play in keeping our native ecosystem healthy. Another great trend I’m seeing is lawn replacement gardening. It goes hand-in-hand with gardening for pollinators. There are many small plants that can be used as lawn alternatives like the creeping thyme and sedum. While they won’t tolerate being stepped on like grass, they can give you that visual break that lawns offer while still benefiting pollinators, and they don’t need to be mowed! See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Milkweed.
Three Leaf Sedum - Midwest Groundcovers.
Geranium.
By Kim Hill
Photography by Karen Palmer
Interior Design by Renay Toronto
Home Builder Jeffrey Homes
Architect Lauren Strutman Architects
Opposite page: A magazine photo of a high-gloss home office with a library ladder served as inspiration for Andrea’s cheerful workspace bathed in Sherwin-Williams Quaint Peche. Detailed fretwork on the ceiling, jeweled hardware for the cabinetry and custom windows by Kirkwood Home Gallery throughout the home add even more appeal. This page: Lilac keeps a watchful eye on the family’s beloved neighborhood from a favorite padded perch in Andrea’s home office.
New build blends in with the owners’ beloved Clayton neighborhood thanks to thoughtful design.
Steven and Andrea Rosenblum’s Clayton neighborhood is more than a collection of houses owned by very nice people. It’s a community, where people have each other’s garage access codes and pet-sit for one another. An area where the proverbial cups of sugar are passed across backyard fences as easily as friendly chit-chat.
No wonder the Rosenblum family didn’t want to leave such a community, opting to stay in the heart of the neighborhood to build a new home, one that suits their needs now and can adapt to their needs in the future. Some time ago the couple purchased an older home five houses
down from the house where they’d lived for nearly 20 years. “We always knew we intended to knock that older house down and build a home with a first-floor primary bedroom,” says Andrea. “We took our time in making our wish list and getting things together.”
T heir first order of business: securing an architect. The choice of Lauren Strutman Architects was an easy decision, as Lauren had designed several other homes in the area. “Steven and Andrea asked me to design a charming traditional house, a ‘new old house,” with a classic, timeless look that would blend in with
their neighborhood,” says Lauren, the president of her architectural firm. “They liked cream-colored stucco, black windows, gas lights and diagonal window muntins that resembled leaded glass.”
I n early meetings, Lauren spoke glowingly of the work of builder Jeffrey Bernstein, with whom Steven had been acquainted for decades. “We knew of Jeff’s wonderful reputation as a builder, but when Lauren spoke so highly of him, that helped us make our decision,” says Andrea. And for design, the Rosenblums secured Scottsdale, Arizona-based interior designer Renay Toronto.
“My parents have a vacation home in Paradise Valley, and they were introduced to Renay, who completely renovated that home,” says Andrea. “We’ve used many decorators in our 25 years of marriage, but Renay is just unbelievable.”
With the team in place, the couple made their wish list. In addition to the first-floor primary suite, the couple wanted home offices for each of them, a large functional kitchen open to the living area, suitable space to display their artwork and thoughtful design to accommodate aging in place. “For example, our master shower has no lip,” Andrea says of the zero-entry design. “We could roll a wheelchair right in should we have health problems in the future. We also have an elevator.”
A wall of windows by Kirkwood Home Gallery bathes the entry stairwell, completed by Kirkwood Stair and Millwork, with natural light. “I think it’s one of the striking features of the home,” says architect Lauren Strutman. The cylindrical shape at the base of the newel post “is a little architectural detail that changes the elegance of the entry,” says designer Renay Toronto. “We had to have it.”
Angling the back edge of the kitchen island adds a modern touch to the traditional cabinetry. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” builder Jeffrey Bernstein says of the design choice. “It was a lot of fun to do.”
“The way we did the marble hood and backsplashes with the classic details in the traditional cabinetry creates a chic, architectural space that’s also unexpected,” says designer Renay Toronto, noting the collaboration with the architect, builder and designer Ken Henry of Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath. “Having two faucets in the long sink so two people can prep and cook together is a fantastic set-up.”
Custom upholstered pieces blend sculptural form with everyday comfort for the family room. “They’re very architectural and a bit more unexpected in a house that has many traditional elements,” says designer Renay Toronto. “We did this intentionally and with purpose.”
With its ceiling detail, neutral color palette and beautiful windows by Kirkwood Home Gallery, the second-floor media room is a sophisticated hangout space for the Rosenblum sons.
I n addition, Andrea wanted each bedroom to accommodate a king-size bed. “We have three sons and they are big, all of them six feet tall,” says Andrea. “Hopefully they will all come home for visits with partners someday, and I didn’t want a son and partner having to sleep in a full-size bed. I wanted everyone to be very comfortable.”
For the design, Renay describes the couple’s aesthetic as “traditional but with a little modern twist” resulting in a home that’s chic yet welcomes the family’s huge network of family and friends and brimming with special details throughout.
She points to the kitchen as an example. Designed in collaboration with Ken Henry, designer at Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath, the traditionally minded cabinetry and coffered ceiling with trim detail are timeless. “But when those classic elements are combined with the way we did the marble vent hood and backsplashes and the way we did the angled base of the island, it has a more modern twist,” says Renay. “It’s unexpected to see the marble fabrication done in a more modern way.”
Detailing can be found in functionality as well. “Steven and I both cook, and we entertain a lot,” says Andrea. “Our house is like a 3-ring circus with a lot of people in and out all the time.” Specifying two faucets in the island’s long sink makes prep and cleanup much easier for two cooks.
Left: A stackable washer and dryer unit on the second floor services the Rosenblum sons. “We have two laundry rooms,” says Andrea. “Ours is in our firstfloor master closet, part of our thought process to age in place, but this one is for our boys. They are responsible for their own laundry 97 percent of the time.”
Below: A dark and moody powder room gets a shot of Old-World glamour thanks to a Carrara marble sink that designer Renay Toronto found in Europe. “It’s an amazing piece,” says Renay, noting its light hue pops against the Schumacher Greek Key Sisal wallpaper and high-gloss lacquered wainscotting. “It feels very different in here than the rest of the home, and that’s what we wanted, for every single space to feel special.”
“Paneling the entire headboard wall gives the room a modern feel,” designer Renay Toronto says of the first-floor primary bedroom. “And by doing the whole wall, the fluidity makes everything feel bigger and enhances the architecture.”
And details take what would be a lovely home office to an absolute showstopper. Inspired by a magazine photo she’d seen of a Ken Henry-designed high-gloss office with a library ladder, Andrea told her team she wanted a similar idea incorporated into her home office. “I told them I wanted a high-gloss pink, and Renay picked the shade,” says Andrea. Renay also chose jewel-like knobs and handles of gold and pink acrylic mimicking marble for the cabinet hardware. “The hardware is just as important as every other detail in this house,” says Renay. “It’s like the handbag and shoes of the outfit.” Overhead, intricate fretwork adds another layer of elegance to the sophisticated, cheerful space.
Such details are part of what makes a custom home truly custom. “To me, the best thing about building a truly custom home is that if the client sees something they don’t like, we change it,” says Jeff, founder of Jeffrey Homes LLC. “We walk the house and move walls around if needed, and in this case, we did that. For a whole secondary
When you put marble everywhere, you really make an impact and that’s what we wanted,” designer Renay Toronto says of the primary bathroom clad in Calacatta Green marble.
bedroom and bathroom, we changed walls around to accommodate a bathroom layout a little differently than what was designed on paper.”
The detailed fretwork, trim carpentry in the foyer, stone masonry on the exterior foundation and many other aspects are visual examples of the skill of the countless tradespeople Andrea praises. “Literally every single person who worked on this home was incredibly talented, honest and hardworking, they really cared about their work, and the craftsmanship and level of detail they exhibited was unbelievable,” says Andrea. “I would use all of them again in a second.”
And Steven notes that the process, from design to completion, was seamless. “There were no missteps,” he says. “We loved working with the architect, the builder, Renay and were extremely pleased with all. It all came to fruition perfectly and has been everything we hoped and wished for. It’s made our lives much easier.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
A Nostalgic Renovation
A modern family preserves the past with a loving restoration of a 1930s Tudor-style residence in their childhood neighborhood of Forest Park.
By Jeanne de Lathouder
Photography Anne Matheis
Builder Artisan Constructors
Architect Elizabeth L. Panke Architect
Interior Designer Stephanie Brunt
With room for an eight-seater breakfast/casual dining table, the kitchen opens to a sunken family room. Filled with natural light, the space houses built-in media cabinets and bookshelves displaying decorative accents, art and books.
urchasing an old off-market home in mid-renovation after a leak caused significant water damage is not for the faint of heart. But for a St. Louis couple who had both grown up just a couple of streets away, it was a sentimental return to a neighborhood they loved. Located on the west side of Forest Park, the picturesque setting offers convenient dog walks, nearby golf, family picnics on Art Hill and frequent trips to The Boathouse and the Zoo, which the couple and their young daughter take full advantage of.
" When we acquired the property, the previous owners had demoed much of the main level," notes owner Stephanie Brunt, a self-made interior designer who detailed the home's renovation and new aesthetic along with her husband, Tim. "So, we took
over and started making this 1930s Tudor our own." Since then, Stephanie has been practicing her natural talent as an assistant interior designer for Wolff Interiors.
The couple's newly purchased home spans 3,200 square feet with a finished basement. It had undergone a major addition in the early 2000s, including the lower level, the main-level family room and the second-floor primary bathroom and closet. With both location and space going for it, the floor plan wasn't ideal for the new owners' modern family lifestyle, so they altered it and made it theirs. They also called in a team of professionals to help guide the remodel, including architect Elizabeth Panke, founder and principal of Elizabeth L. Panke Architect, and builder Tom Roberts, owner of Artisan Constructors. "I met Stephanie after she had purchased the house, and she had a clear idea of what she wanted to do," says
I adore our formal dining room,
says homeowner and interior designer Stephanie Brunt. “Set around a burlwood table under a large Visual Comfort chandelier, the room is just chef’s kiss.” Here, a monochromatic palette prevails with gray-green walls and trim. Brunt uncovered a set of 8 upholstered chairs from a local resale shop for $100 and reupholstered them in a plaid fabric from Etsy. The foyer opens to an arched entry leading to the formal living room on the right, with stairs to the second floor straight ahead, and a central passageway to the powder room and kitchen.
Panke. "I found her creative, focused and easy to work with. She took on a house with heavy plaster textured walls that we couldn't easily remove or hide—so she went with it!"
The couple had several goals in completing this renovation. The first was to marry the old part of the house with the new. Several modern elements in the three-story addition clashed with the traditional, almost 100-year-old original features like thick textured plaster walls, detailed trim and casework and arched doorways. The primary bathroom, also part of the previous addition, included outdated modern-minimalist features like dark cherry floating vanity cabinets and travertine tile embellishing a built-in Jacuzzi tub. So, they ripped everything out and started fresh with a traditional marblelook checkerboard floor, brass hardware and light fixtures and an elegant freestanding soaking tub.
"During the reno, I told my husband I could live with the primary bathroom the way it was but quickly reversed course on that statement and initiated a total overhaul," laughs Brunt. "I am so glad I did—living with is so different from enjoying! It's beautiful, comfortable and calming—the perfect place to get ready for the day in the morning and unwind before bed at night." The second goal was to improve the flow and layout of the lower and main levels. Adamant about having a main-level garage and mudroom, the couple creatively finished the basement, expanding the walkway from the garage and adding storage cubbies outside of the lower-level laundry room, thereby achieving the functionality of a mudroom. "I love how we were able to utilize the empty space under the staircase by adding custom cabinetry to optimize storage. It was also exciting to see the floorplan upgrade transform from your typical 100 year old style home to a modern open layout," says Roberts. A ccessing the lower-level playroom
The formal living room captures some of the home’s original Tudor characteristics, including leaded glass windows, arches, plasterwork, and trim. It also features the existing wood-burning fireplace with a large stone hearth for cozy nights. The kitchen features a large island with storage and seating, two sinks, chefquality appliances, and a butler’s pantry between the kitchen and dining room. The built-in desk nook conveniently stows mail, bills, keys, and other essentials.
also presented a challenge—the original stairs were positioned towards the front of the older part of the home. Reaching the addition on the lower level, which the owners knew would be their daughter's dedicated play space, required walking through a hall, a room and another hall.
" We realized that re-orienting the original staircase to a more central location would be impossible (or impossibly expensive)," jokes Brunt, "so we added stairs along the back wall of the addition, connecting the family room on the main level to the basement playroom. We're so happy with this decision and the convenience of having a second way to get to our refinished space below."
An awkward and narrow passage from the kitchen to the main-level family room prompted removing the wall separating these spaces. With the help of their architect to deal with several elevation changes, the couple added L-shaped stairs from the kitchen to the family room, creating an open, connected great room where the family
The challenges we came across was the fact that we were dealing with a very old home and old construction practices. This was a 100 year old home that we had to remove 14" masonry walls to open the floorplan. The home had concrete subfloors vs wood which presented unique challenges that require careful planning and execution. When renovating a home this old you come across the issue of not knowing what is behind the walls. This home needed updating and revamping of the electrical components as the original knob and tube wiring was present.
—Tom Roberts, Artisan Constructors
spends most of their time. A large outside deck captures blissful views of the yard's mature trees, including tulip, dogwood, ash and elm.
" The family room was added two owners ago and took on a distinct library feel," notes Panke. "Stephanie wanted that room to be more open to the kitchen, so we removed some masonry walls to make that happen. She also brought the space to life with updated family-friendly finishes and furnishings." Adds Stephanie, "I am obsessed with how opening up our family room to the kitchen turned out. It is bright and grand but comfortable—and the coziest place to watch a movie at night or read a book with the morning sun streaming in through the eastern-facing windows."
The renovation finale? Creating a laundry room in the original cedar closet right
outside the primary bedroom. Sad to lose this unique feature at first, the couple admits the convenience of a washer and dryer 10 feet from the bedroom is well worth it. "The original features of this home are so lovely—the leaded glass windows, arches, plasterwork and trim," says Brunt. "It also has a second-floor turret that makes the house look like a castle, and we're in the process of building a window seat for it. The formal living room highlights a wood-burning fireplace with a large stone hearth. Our home feels old, full of memories from the generations of families who have enjoyed it—I absolutely love that about this house."
Influenced by the home's original character, Brunt took style cues from the 1930s architectural elements while incorporating her signature layered-transitional aesthetic.
The couple's family members, with roots in Mexico and Europe, are also extensive world travelers, and they've collected unique items from all over the globe by way of grandparents, parents and siblings, as well as from their own journeys. "I am drawn to design that looks lived in and loved, with pieces that tell a story or have an interesting origin," Brunt notes. "New-looking home decor kind of gives me the ick. I love HomeGoods for certain things, but if I could spend my days scouring antique stores for all my home furnishings, I would." Adds Panke, "We changed the style of the windows and doors out to the rear deck and added new finishes and fixtures. Stephanie touched every room and really brought this old home back to life." See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
A sizeable primary suite includes the bedroom, a walk-in closet, a beautifully renovated bathroom with a double vanity, shower, and water closet. The free-standing soaker tub, surrounded on three sides by windows, creates a luxe spa vibe.
Abundant
Charm
Home gardener Natasha Merchant-Pappu takes inspiration from her childhood to create a lavish garden packed with native plants.
By Lucyann Boston
Photography by Kim Dillon
atasha Merchant-Pappu has lived all over the world. She is comfortable in Massachusetts and Connecticut, London, Bombay and Poona in India. But there is probably no place where she is more at home than in her Ladue garden.
I t is a space of her creation. In the past 13 years, she has taken the previous garden that was there when she moved in and transformed it into a showplace featured on the prestigious Missouri Botanical Garden Garden Tour. While beautiful, it is a landscape that is in no way intimidating. Rather than filling the one-acre space with needy perennials and shrubs that require extra care, she has opted for drifts of plants that are comfortable in the St. Louis extremes of summer heat and winter cold. Many are native to this area.
From the front of her garden to the very back she also has introduced plants that offer fragrance to garden visitors. “A garden without fragrance doesn’t feel fully alive,” she believes.
Natasha’s move to St. Louis came as a result of her husband, noted biophysicist Rohit Pappu, accepting an offer to join the faculty at Washington University. After living briefly in University City, they bought their home in Ladue.
There was never any question that she would have a beautiful garden. Natasha lovingly recalls growing up gardening under the direction of her “granny” in India. Due to her grandmother, who was a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Latin botanical names for plants come as easily to Natasha as daisy and dandelion do to the rest of us.
“She was a ‘hands in the dirt’ gardener,” Natasha says of her grandmother. “She had a big garden in Poona, and she would set me and all of us to weeding. She was the general and we were the troops.”
Summoning the gardening knowledge she had absorbed from her grandmother and her own self-taught experience, Natasha tackled her new landscape methodically.
“Essentially, I pulled out things that had ‘gone over’ and then left other things to see what would happen,” she recalls. “I wanted to establish the shapes and borders, then I began to fill in. I wanted the garden to look nice even in winter, and I approached it from that standpoint. I enlarged some borders and changed the shape of others.”
“Learning how to garden in Missouri (with the extremes of weather) was a new experience,” she admits. Fortunately, in trying to put together her first garden in University City, her realtor introduced her to landscape architect Susan Lammert, who became a trusted advisor and friend.
For the bones of her garden in addition to boxwoods, Natasha has learned to rely on Midwest natives. Masses of ‘Annabelle’ hydrangeas, with their dome-shaped white blossoms in early summer turning eventually to chartreuse, cascade down a hillside leading from the house to a creek that runs along the back one-third of the property. Stretching along the creek, soft, 3-foot-tall pillows of feathery blue star or Amsonia hubrichtii sway in the slightest breeze. Along with the movement it adds to the garden, the amsonia, sports clusters of star-shaped blue blossoms in early summer and turns bright gold in autumn.
Clethra alnifolia or summersweet is another native she enjoys. With fragrant, plume-like blossoms in late July and August, the large shrub does well in both sun and part shade and thrives in moist soils. Gold fall color is a bonus.
Natasha always makes sure that fragrant shrubs such as summersweet and Korean spice viburnum, which blooms in the spring, are planted at the back of the garden as well as near the house to draw visitors to the entire space. A bench in the back garden is her husband’s favorite spot to sit with his evening gin and tonic, she notes.
O ther unfussy shrubs and perennials that Natasha has grown to love for their adaptability and multi-season interest include:
Deutzia gracilis ‘Chardonnay Pearls’: Graceful lemon-lime foliage and a compact 2-3 foot height are an asset, but the best part of this small shrub are the small, pearl-like spring blossoms that open to dispense a honey-like fragrance.
Calamintha nepeta ‘Montrose White’: A clump-forming perennial, ‘Montrose White’ features tiny white blossoms on graceful, gray-green stems that cover the plant from June through October. It has a compact 1-1.5 height and width and is lovely lining walkways or as a cut flower in bouquets
A llium ‘Millenium’: Looking like rosy purple Tootsie Pops, the round, long-lasting, fragrant flowers stand straight on strong stems. Growing in sun or part sun and
tolerating a wide variety of soils, this perennial, blooming in mid- summer, tops out at 20 inches in height and provides a long season of interest when the flowers turn to attractive seed heads. It also makes a good cut flower.
Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’: Native to Virginia and Tennessee, this heuchera species is noted for its large, sharply toothed mounds of green leaves and abundant, airy white blossoms in late summer that can reach 36 inches in height. It prefers part shade and will perform better than many heucheras in our hot, humid summers.
While the entir e garden is lovely, the vegetable, herb and cutting garden just outside the house gets Natasha’s special attention. Surrounded by her favorite ‘Elizabeth’ pale pink English shrub rose, zinnias and cutting annuals, Natasha tends the fenced space herself. Most of the vegetables she starts from seed in the bay window of her dining room. Herbs include lemon verbena, basil, chives and oregano. She grows calendula or pot marigold “to keep the bugs away.” The
strong scent is believed to deter mosquitoes, flies and other annoying insects.
T he charming garden “shed” with comfortable, pillow-filled furniture, lovely gardening books and tea making supplies was an outgrowth of the Covid epidemic. The couple’s daughter Minerva was a student at Washington University and allowed to shelter in place with 10 friends, who often made their way to the Pappu’s home. With 10 college-age girls almost continually around and finding herself constantly cooking, Natasha needed a place to be alone. She created what her husband calls “her sanctuary.” She still finds it an ideal place to read and reflect. Natasha uses Pinterest as a way to catalog her gardening and design ideas and have “everything on one page. In the old days, we would have cut pictures out of magazines and put them in a scrap book,” she says with a laugh.
Natasha’s expertise quickly endeared her to the St. Louis gardening community. She joined the Ladue Garden Club and went on to become president of the group. Beyond that, she became the Zone XI Conservation/ National Affairs and Legislative Representative, covering Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois for the club’s parent organization the Garden Club of America and was invited to serve on the Members Board of the Missouri Botanical Garden. She also is part of the floral ministry at Ladue Chapel.
For Natasha, the creation of her garden, which she loves to share, has a spiritual component. “When I am in the garden, I feel at one with nature,” she says. “It is very spiritual; I feel closer to God.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
stockellhomes.com / 636-938-5333
Stockell does commercial projects too.
A recently completed historic renovation of the old American Car Company on S. Vandeventer for GadellNet Consulting Services. We completely renovated from the basement to the roof with historic architectural accuracy and old-world craftsmanship. Replicating millwork, replastering, repainting, refinishing floors, everything back to its original glory. We also applied some modern building science practices, through improved insulation, air sealing, energy efficient heating/cooling, air filtration and good ventilation making for lower utility bills and healthier indoor air quality.
Hydrangeas are synonymous with summer, brighten up your outdoor spaces with these colorful, staple shrubs.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
A low-maintenance summer staple, hydrangeas are shrubs most recognized by their vibrant blooms. Often planted in early spring, these plants average around 2-feet of growth each year and will return every summer once planted.
Creating the Right Environment
The type of care a hydrangea needs depends on the variety of the plant and can often be found on the hydrangea’s care tag! Typically, they prefer moist, well-drained soil and watering every one to two days. It’s important to make sure the soil around the hydrangea isn’t too heavy as this can lead to root rot. It’s best to water early in the morning so the leaves and roots can dry throughout the day before the sun sets. If it rains, wait a day or two to water to
ensure the soil isn’t too soggy. Hydrangeas also prefer moderate to warm temperatures, but they are able to withstand low temperatures in the winter. To further protect your plants, you can wrap them in burlap and remove the covering once buds begin to swell in the spring for additional cold weather support.
Routine Maintenance
It’s best to fertilize hydrangeas in the spring so they’re ready to bloom around late June or early July. The best fertilizer to use is 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer, which is made up of a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. This is an organic, slow-release fertilizer that will help the hydrangeas grow strong roots. You can also use fertilizer that is made specifically for flowering shrubs. It’s
important to make sure you’re not giving your plants too much support. If the soil you’re using is already rich in nutrients, using additional fertilizer may cause less flowers to bloom.
When it comes to pruning your hydrangeas, first check to see if your plant’s buds are set on new or old wood. If they’re setting on the current year’s stems, they set on new wood. If they are setting on last year’s stems, they set on old wood. Old wood hydrangeas are reset by pruning when they’re over five years old. When it’s time to prune this variety, cut the hydrangea down by a third after it’s done blooming in the summer but before fall sets in. New wood hydrangeas can be reset by pruning every year. Do this by cutting them down to the ground in the fall, late winter or early spring so they’re ready to bloom in the summer.
Bountiful Blooms
St. Louis sits within a 6b to 7a growing zone, meaning we have a medium length growing season and our annual minimum temperature is around -5 degrees fahrenheit. These four varieties of hydrangeas are built to withstand Missouri’s variable weather conditions.
Annabelle (hydrangea arborescens):
A deciduous shrub that thrives in partial shade and a medium amount of watering, this new wood hydrangea will grow 3-4 feet high and 4-6 feet wide.
Incrediball Blush (hydrangea arborescens):
Another deciduous shrub that grows on new wood, the Incrediball Blush hydrangea prefers partial shade and medium watering to reach its standard 4-5 feet wide growth.
‘Bailmer’ Endless Summer (hydrangea macrophylla): This big leaf hydrangea requires partial shade and a medium amount of water. Growing on old wood, this plant will grow and spread 3-4 feet.
‘P11HM-11’ Bloomstruck (hydrangea macrophylla): Another big leaf hydrangea, this variety also prefers partial shade and a medium amount of water. The plant’s buds grow on old wood and will grow 3-4 feet in height and 4-5 feet in width.
‘Bailmer’ Endless Summer (hydrangea macrophylla): Availiable at Sugar Creek Gardens
Annabelle hydrangea. Photography courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
After being on hiatus since 2019, the Wildflower Concert Series makes its return to the Nature Reserve this summer, offering three nights of performances by local artists surrounded by Missouri’s beautiful outdoors. Performances will take place on the lawn of the Nature Reserve’s Bascom House surrounded by the beautiful Whitmire Wildflower Garden. This free event occurs on June 27, July 25 and August 22. Visitors can
June 27: Riley Holtz
A local, professional vocalist and guitarist with over ten years of experience, Riley Holtz brings any party to life with his music. His song catalogue spans the entire history of modern American music, from 50s doo-wop to 90s R&B, Sinatra to Eminem, Riley's setlist encompasses all genres but always done with a style his own.
Summer Concerts at Shaw Nature Reserve
Shaw Nature Reserve will be hosting a series of free, outdoor concerts this summer to celebrate its centennial year.
Photography courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden and Beth Bombara By Jessika Eidson
arrive at 5 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m. and the concert ends at 8 p.m. Free parking is available at the Nature Reserve. 307 Pinetum Loop Rd, Gray Summit, MO 63039. Advance vehicle registration is recommended to guarantee a parking permit; a limited number of additional parking spaces will be available day of on a first-come-first-served basis. Carpooling and rideshare are encouraged.
July 25: Nick Pence and Friends
Nick Pence and Friends is a St. Louis-based acoustic group specializing in traditional, old-time, early blues and roots music. The group prides itself on filtering obscure songs from the 20s and 30s while bending, blending and defending the lines between traditional American music to bring a sound that is both fresh and familiar.
What’s in Bloom
As you enjoy the music at the Bascome House grounds, enjoy Missouri's beautiful wildflowers in the nearby Whitmire Wildflower Garden. The Wildflower Garden includes Carolina pink, Bush's poppy mallow, wild bergamot, bee balm, purple coneflower, many species blazing stars, sunflowers and milkweeds in bloom throughout the summer months when the concerts take place.
August 22: Beth Bombara
Beth Bombara is a local singer-songwriter and past performer at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Whitaker Music Festival. Bombara’s Americana Folk Rock album “It All Goes Up” features songwriting first and foremost with a voice that connects on a raw, emotional level.
DINNER WITH A VIEW
These timeless outdoor dining projects offer endless inspiration for your next outdoor upgrade.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
By Hollenbeck Architects.
Designed by Houston architect, Brad Hollenbeck this amazing outdoor living space reflects a laid-back serenity with a West Coast vibe. Spanish-colonial inspired, it has polished concrete floors, a wood plank ceiling and a beautiful stone fireplace. Great for entertaining, it has a custom screen system to ensure comfort on sunny Houston days. Photography by Julie Soefer.
By Unique Landscapes. This serene outdoor retreat blends Mediterraneaninspired design with modern sophistication, featuring a white stucco fireplace, built-in seating with striped cushions and a canopy-draped pergola. A natural wood dining table anchors the space, complemented by a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and relaxed woven textures throughout. Framed by lush greenery, the setting invites effortless entertaining and quiet moments alike. Photography by Andrew Pielage Photography.
By Laura Lee Home.
Designed for a young family in the Tampa Bay area, this covered outdoor space features a concrete topped table and long bench for the kids to pile onto after a swim. The sunny yellow and navy blue create a happy vibe for this busy couple and their kids. An added mirror bounces the light and reflects the plants and flowers. The sheer drapery creates a private space off the primary suite with a pair of chairs for an evening cocktail after the kids head up to bed. Photography by Emily Minton Redfield.
By Liston Design Build. Initially this screened-in porch and deck were built for outdoor seating/entertaining. The clients wanted the area to feel like an extension to their home. The stained tongue and groove ceiling, and the board-and-batten set the stage for the space. The attached deck also provides a nice overlook to the pool area below. All the outdoor areas are now functional and beautiful, extending the interior to the exterior.
From Barbecues to Backyard Toys
Transform your outdoor living experience with our expert design solutions, executed from concept to completion.
At Dana King, we listen to your needs and dreams to create a space that fosters together-ness. Whether that’s making pizzas on the patio, or admiring a luxury car in a custom garage, we bring together a team of partners that will achieve a fun and beautiful, open-air extension of your home.
Explore innovative and curated outdoor products like outdoor speakers that blend into nature, porcelain countertops housing an invisible cooktop, and durable finishes and textures that are easy to maintain. As a NARI Certified Remodeler, we are recognized for excellence in design, quality, and customer satisfaction. Join the chorus of over 200 satisfied homeowners who have engaged with us to bring inspiration to interiors and exteriors.
Photography by Karen Palmer
Elevating the Everyday
In a market full of pool companies, Oasis Pools has carved its own lane, blending technical precision, creative design and a client-first approach that’s redefined luxury outdoor living in the St. Louis region.
Oasis has grown into one of the Midwest’s most respected custom gunite and shotcrete builders, with over 1,000 completed projects and a long list of national accolades.
More than pools, Oasis creates fully personalized environments. As one of the few offering a true turnkey experience, they handle everything from outdoor kitchens to lighting, landscaping and beyond.
Their craftsmanship and innovation have earned features in national publications and awards including the 2024 Pinnacle Award from Luxury Pools + Outdoor Living and a spot on Pool Nation’s Top 25 Pool Builders.
Oasis also operates a full-service pool supply store as well as a spa and wellness showroom, providing maintenance, repairs and seasonal support with the same care they bring to construction.
At Oasis Pools, it’s not just about water, it’s about creating spaces that elevate everyday living.
Tech Savvy
Looking for some garden assistance? New advancements in gardening tech have opened the door to a whole new planting process.
Technology has made it easier for users to do almost anything around the house. It’s also making big waves in the gardening community. Innovative new tools utilize technology to track plant growth, create flexible watering schedules and act as a visualization tool during the planning process. These additions to your gardening routine can improve your garden’s efficiency and give you more insight into the inner workings of your plants.
Soil Monitoring Systems
These standalone systems allow you to measure multiple factors, including soil temperature, air temperature, light, pH, moisture and nutrient levels. The device is planted into the soil near your plants and will send the data it records directly to your smartphone or computer.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Automated Greenhouses
Automated greenhouses utilize sensors to optimize watering, fertilizing and growing conditions. These tech-forward structures are often paired with a hydroponic system, or a growing system that suspends plant roots in a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil, for added efficiency.
Automated Watering Systems
Along the same lines as an automated greenhouse, these watering systems use technology to take some of the guesswork out of gardening. These systems are connected to sprinklers or hoses, and adjusted by plant growth, weather and soil conditions. They can also help reduce water waste and lower the risk of underwatering.
Gardening Apps
Gardening tips and tricks at your fingertips, gardening apps can provide home gardeners with 24/7 assistance. Some apps, like Garden Manager, can help you visually plan your garden before you plant the first seed. By adding additional information like your planting zone, soil and average amount of sunlight, the app can also provide recommendations for the best types of plants to use. Other apps, like Veggie Garden Planter, can help you keep track of your plant’s growth and offer recommendations for plants that mesh well with each plant according to their profile.
636-256-2600
Committed to Quality Design and Craftsmanship
At Poynter Landscaping, we’ve been in business since 1992, completing thousands of projects throughout the St. Louis area. Over the years, we have developed detailed processes to ensure a high-quality project from the initial meeting to the completion of construction. We provide a detailed set of plans customized to your unique property, ensuring the design aligns with your vision. We carefully consider your feedback and make adjustments as needed. Additionally, we pay close attention to HOA requirements and city codes to ensure that the final design is both practical and implementable.
Our team of expert project managers are dedicated to ensuring your project is executed as planned. They will keep you informed throughout the construction process and your designer will remain connected to your project until its completion. We pride ourselves on excellent communication and believe it is key to ensuring your project runs smoothly and that all your needs are heard and met. At Poynter, we are committed to providing exceptional service from start to finish. We stand behind our work and look forward to building lasting relationships with all of our customers.
An Extraordinary Dip
Sapphire Shores pool makes a huge splash in design.
By Julie Brown Patton
Photography by Jimi Smith Photography
Swimming pools can be works of art unto themselves, as evidenced by the ‘Sapphire Shores’ pool created by custom construction company Oasis Pools for Frontenac homeowner and former St. Louis Cardinals iconic ballplayer and sports broadcaster Jim Edmonds.
Nicole Newkirk, co-owner of Oasis Pools, says this stunning shotcrete pool features a sunken fire pit with flagstone patio framed by lush landscape stone planters and a striking waterfall spillway that flows beneath an in-pool pathway. “It’s a space where water meets flame, luxury meets playfulness and comfort meets sophistication, a true embodiment of Sapphire Shores."
“Other highlights include a spacious Baja sun shelf, a gray-colored Dolphin WaterSlide designed to be both playful and elegant, an attached custom spillover spa for ultimate relaxation and comfort and two stone columns with both water spouts and fire bowls for an elegant fire-and-water effect,” she elaborates.
Oasis Pools co-owner Chip Unnerstall adds that one of the design’s captivating features is custom Valders Steppers traversing the pool near the overflow of the fire pit area.
“ These meticulously crafted stones offer a seamless blend of form and function. Their placement serves as a striking visual focal
point while inviting guests to engage with the space in unique, dynamic ways. With the refined texture of Valders’ stone, each step feels like an intentional act, as though walking on water itself,” he states.
A three-tiered retaining wall seamlessly integrates with beautiful landscaping, creating what visitors have called “a showstopping outdoor retreat.”
Elements change quickly in the outdoor living, pool design and construction arena; Nicole and Chip state they continuously learn new techniques and stay on cutting edges of design concepts. She says quality-driven plans and luxury craftsmanship are at the core of their Oasis mission, with this Sapphire Shores execution being a prime example of those attributes.
“A bespoke feature that sets our Oasis Pools apart is the exquisite tile blend sourced directly from Spain. This premium glass mosaic is meticulously curated to elevate our designs, creating a mesmerizing interplay of
color and light. Each iridescent tile gleams, ensuring pools become statements of elegance,” says Nicole. “Our commitment to selecting the perfect tile blend ensures a design that captivates and remains unparalleled in sophistication.”
Part of the charm of this pool’s outdoor living space comes from multiple, tropical palm trees waving in the wind—trees that continue to dance in spotlights while lit up in evening hues.
N icole says the name Sapphire Shores surfaced organically, inspired by the project’s interaction of shimmering blues and reflective surfaces. “Standing by the pool, the brilliance of the sapphire-like water evokes a sense of opulence and tranquility, qualities we wanted to encapsulate in the name. Additionally, this name nods subtly to the elegance of coastal living, with every project detail designed to bring an elevated, oceanside ambiance to the heart of Missouri.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Tailored to
PERFECTION
With tasteful touches and a clear vision, Clayton homeowners transformed their back yard to perfectly fit their aesthetic.
By Maya Brenningmeyer | Photography by Karen Palmer Pool design and maintenance by SunTan Pools | Landscaping by Sundown Landscaping
Looking for a property with a peaceful, inviting outdoor space, the homeowners were immediately taken by their home’s outdoor area. “The pool’s unique shape, lush landscaping and soothing fountain created a serene atmosphere that felt like a retreat,” says Sarah, the homeowner. “It also beautifully echoed the blue and green tones we envisioned throughout our home, creating a seamless visual connection between the indoors and out.”
T he previous homeowners originally installed the quatrefoil-shaped pool. Four connecting foils elevate the symmetrical design by creating a shape similar to a four-leaf clover or four-petaled flower. Four inward-facing fountains and two entry and exit points
complete the layout. “We learned it (the pool) had been designed and built by SunTan pools, whose craftsmanship brought a distinctive elegance to the space,” says Sarah. Not only providing design expertise, SunTan Pools also maintains the pool to ensure it is performing and looking its best.
When it came to furnishing the space, Sarah knew she wanted a mix of modern and eclectic to make it feel like theirs. “We updated the area with a curated mix of contemporary pieces from CB2 and Williams Sonoma,” she mentions. “We love blending modern elements with subtle traditional touches to create a space that feels fresh yet timeless.” Comfortable, wide lounge chairs circle the pool, complete with white cushions
and black outdoor pillows. A long outdoor dining table with an umbrella provides an additional gathering space, and carefully trimmed hedges and blooming hydrangeas add greenery to the paved areas.
“Although the design is still evolving, it has quickly become a favorite place to unwind and entertain,” says Sarah. “Looking ahead, we plan to continue layering in more plantings, furnishings and playful additions like a volleyball net and a basketball hoop to make the space even more dynamic and welcoming.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Anne Marie Design Studio
annemariestudio.com • 636-821-3395
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.
Wolff Interiors
Tina Wolff, Principal 314-974-7023 • www.wolffinteriors.com
Wolff Interiors is a full service design firm specializing in residential projects across the St. Louis area. We take on projects ranging from small scale renovations to new build custom homes, seeing every job through to completion and making sure no detail is overlooked.
Every step of the design process including presentations, sourcing, ordering, receiving and finally installation, is handled by Wolff Interiors to make our clients transition into their new space as smooth as possible. We balance practical design and originality to curate a timeless and collected look.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Liston Design Build
1106 First Capitol Drive St. Charles, MO 63301 636-940-9417 listondesignbuild.com
Liston Design Build offers clients throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties premier concierge remodeling services that extend from award-winning design to best-in-class construction. With over 40 years in business, its team specializes in creating elevated spaces tailored exactly to your visions and preferences through innovative design-build expertise and execution. Trust Liston Design Build to bring your dream home to life with precision, professionalism, and a passion for excellence by reaching out today.
For over twenty years Chris has worked as a designer for Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath with the goal of creating highly functional, beautiful spaces based upon her clients' personal needs. She brings her educational background in interior design to the kitchen and bath industry, providing a valuable and comprehensive perspective. Chris' passion for design drives her to explore current trends, keeping abreast of the latest innovations to educate and inspire her. Chris builds relationships with her clients, providing excellent customer service from the initial design process through installation.
Alise O’Brien Photography
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
Tamsin Design Group
314-282-0035 • tamsindesigngroup.com
Tamsin Design Group is an award winning interior design firm that creates both beautiful and functional spaces for their clients, from custom homes and remodeling, to space planning and furniture selections. We bring over 25 years of experience and knowledge to guide you through the design process and help you realize your vision. We strive to keep projects organized, on time and stress free. Our passion for design is reflected in the warm and inviting spaces we create for our clients.
Joni Spear Interior Design
314-614-9080 / joni@jonispear.com
It is often said that we must look to the past to set a better course for the future, and no one embodies this more throughout her work than Joni Spear of the St. Louis, Missouri based — and eponymously named — design house, Joni Spear Interior Design. Joni’s approach includes thoughtfully designed interiors that are stylish, yet never trendy because she balances the aesthetic with pieces and antiques from the past. These special finds are curated from salvage yards or auctions and are often the focal point of the room from which the space’s design simply falls into place.
DESIGNERS IN DEMAND
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!
The Great Cover-up
Teddy Karl, Past President, Allied ASID 9708 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124 314-995-5701 • greatcoverupdesign.com
The Great Cover-Up 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.
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 the Great Cover-Up to shop our in-stock accessories, furniture, lamps, art and thoughtful hostess gifts.
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.
CLEAN SLATE
Building a new home can bring homeowners a wide range of amenities and benefits.
Edited by Maya Brenningmeyer
The real estate market can be unpredictable, and its constantly changing rates can feel daunting to first-time buyers and seasoned homeowners alike. While some are willing to wait for the perfect pre-owned home, a newly built home is a great solution for those unready to commit to that journey. In St. Louis and St. Charles County, there are many quality home builders ready to help you build your dream home.
One of the largest differences between buying pre-owned homes and building new is that, with newer homes, you are purchasing a lot within a builder community. This first-come, first-serve process takes away the stress of bidding wars or paying over the asking price, just one of the many benefits of buying a new home!
Middle: Pin Oak, photography courtesy of Mcbride Homes. Bottom left: Photography courtesy of Consort Homes.
Consort Homes.
Stress-Free Guarantee
A benefit of purchasing a home from a builder is the warranties offered by the company. These warranties cover the structure, systems and other parts of your newly built home for a certain period. This guaranteed coverage alleviates some of the worries that accompany moving to a new space.
New and Improved
Newly built homes come with the newest technology and newest advancements in homebuilding. From smart-technology to high-tech home security systems, these added amenities will instantly level up your new home. New technology means fewer chances of surprise outof-pocket expenses and new components are more likely to deliver years of service.
True to You
Starting with a newly built home means starting with a blank slate! New home builders let you add your own personal touch to your home. From cabinetry, countertops, tile, paint colors and so much more, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
Building Your Community
New homes boast many benefits including higher ceilings, eat-in kitchens and more beneficial bedroom/bathroom placements. With an updated layout, you can design a home that’s better fit to your modern lifestyle. New homes also come with community settings such as pools, paths and playgrounds, making these communities the perfect spot for families.
“We’ve been building more new home communities in St. Charles County and beyond, as buyers continue to show interest in moving further west. Improvements to the highway system have provided easy access to it all— great parks, healthcare, shopping, dining and entertainment, and it’s only a short trip back to the city for ball games and special shows.”
—Pat Sommer, Director of Marketing for Fischer
& Frichtel Homes.
Homeowners from all walks of life can find benefits in buying new. From growing families to empty nesters, the master-planned communities offer owners comfort, customization and community. With amenities ranging from lakes, pools, walking trails, sports fields, playgrounds and more. Planting new roots has never been easier! See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Looking West
Now more than ever, new home builders are expanding their communities west of St. Louis. St. Charles County, especially, is seeing an increase in the number of new build communities in areas such as Wentzville, Lake St. Louis and Cottleville.
The Preserve by McKelvey Homes
The Preserve by McKelvey Homes
BUILDING NEW
314-336-0207 • McBrideHomes.com
McBride Homes builds in 40+ communities in the St. Louis area and is the largest home builder in Missouri. With over 75 years of homebuilding experience, McBride’s mission is to provide a wide range of home styles and price points, while offering the best locations and value in St. Louis. McBride also provides unparalleled customer offerings, including their world-class Design Studio where buyers get to personalize their new home with a wide array of premier quality selections. As your hometown home builder, McBride Homes is a name you can trust to build your dream home.
636-489-8384 • Consort-homes.com
Prairie Bluff by Consort Homes is a picturesque community in Cottleville, Missouri, offering a blend of modern living and natural beauty. Situated near Old Town Cottleville, it provides residents with easy access to local shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. The neighborhood features thoughtfully designed homes ranging from 1,870 to 3,546 square feet, with 3 to 5 bedrooms and 2 to 4 bathrooms. Prices start at $551,900, catering to various lifestyles and budgets. Residents enjoy amenities like landscaped common grounds and proximity to lakes, enhancing the serene environment. Located within the acclaimed Francis Howell School District, Prairie Bluff combines quality construction with a family-friendly atmosphere, making it an ideal place to call home.
McKelvey Homes has been building exceptional homes in prime St. Louis locations since 1898. Our legacy is rooted in legendary quality, personalized service and a commitment to craftsmanship. We thoughtfully design communities with walking trails, lakes and green spaces—not crowded developments. With homes in top-rated school districts and tailored design services, our expert team helps bring your vision to life. From start to finish, our hands-on project managers and knowledgeable staff guide you every step of the way. With McKelvey, you're not just buying a house—you're joining a tradition of excellence trusted by thousands of families for over a century. 314-283-6510 • FandFHomes.com You’ve
Fischer & Frichtel Homes is a family-owned company which was founded in St. Louis in 1945. We build stunning homes and villas in master-planned communities, intimate enclaves, and on private lots. Our distinguished reputation is due to our legendary construction quality and outstanding customer service. When you walk into a Fischer & Frichtel home, you can see the difference in quality, thanks to our on-staff team of union carpenters and highlyexperienced, long-time employees. Please visit our new home communities throughout St. Louis and St. Charles counties, or call 314-283-6510. Display homes are open daily, from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. 636-628-7627
Outdoor Living
OASIS POOLS
Oasis Pools is your go-to destination for unrivaled outdoor living spaces, and custom 3D designs that bring your dream pool to life. As a recognized Top 25 Pool Builder two years in a row, and a favorite of local celebrities, we offer personalized designs tailored to your desires. Our dedication to crafting custom pools and spas ensures that each project is a unique work of art. Oasis Pools—where luxury outdoor living becomes a reality. 314-522-3394 (MO,) 618-655-9510 (IL), getoasis.com
SCHMITTEL'S NURSERY
Since 1994, Schmittel’s Nursery has provided a complete solution for all your landscaping needs. Our professional landscape services our second to none, we focus on delivering the highest level of customer service and offer only the absolute finest nursery landscaping products and materials. Our landscaping services include landscape design and landscape installation as well as what is known as hardscape services. Our hardscape services include retaining walls, paved patios, firepits, and water garden construction. 314-469-8900, schmittelsnursery.com
AMINI’S
Amini’s Cold Plunges offer numerous health benefits, including improved circulation, brain cell regeneration, reduced inflammation, enhanced muscle recovery, boosted immune function, increased energy, and improved skin and hair health. Make your wellness top priority with a cold plunge from Amini’s. 636-537-9200, AMINIS.com
VIRGINIA TILE
Virginia Tile is the ultimate destination for your outdoor tile needs, offering a vast selection of tile options and comprehensive solutions for every project. Whether you want to create an outdoor kitchen and living space for loved ones or designing a tranquil retreat, we transform outdoor spaces into seamless extensions of your home. Elevate your outdoors with our stylish and resilient offerings. 314-995-9900, virginiatile.com
CLASSIC METAL CRAFT
Think out of the box when enclosing your outdoor patio. This decorative ornamental panel provides an elegant solution to limit access to your pool spa. This design can be duplicated on handrails and gates to provide continuity on all your ironwork needs throughout your property. Please give us a call or email me with any questions you may have. 314-535-2022, classicmetalcraft.com
BAUER FALLS
In addition to creating luxury waterfalls, Bauer Falls also specializes in paver patios, natural stone retaining walls, bridges, stairways and landscape lighting. All of our work is created at the highest quality; we take pride in everything we do and customer satisfaction is our top priority. 314-974-1360, BauerFalls.com
DESIGN & DETAIL
We represent the top vendors and offer the best design resources in the industry. Jensen Outdoor has the highest quality wood furniture. Each collection is tailor made to suit a unique aesthetic and intended use in your life. 314-781-3336, designanddetailstl.com
Outdoor Living
FORSHAW
At Forshaw, we are your outdoor furniture and grill experts. We’ve been selling patio furniture since the 1950s, so we know what works best in our area for durability, style and value. We’ve been selling grills since they were site-built out of masonry and now offer the most cutting-edge features from the best brands. Our sales team members average over 10 years of experience with us, so you can be sure you are working with an expert to find the right product for your home. Our delivery and service technicians are all masters of their craft to ensure you’re happy with the final product. 314-993-5570, forshaws.com
TRITON STONE GROUP
Transform your outdoor living space with Triton Stone Group. Discover a stunning selection of slabs, tiles, and sinks that will elevate your design to new heights. Our experienced professionals are here to guide you every step of the way on your design journey. Visit our St. Louis Showroom and let us help you bring your vision to life. 314-432-7522, tritonstone.com
SLIDE INTO SERENITY
Places to go, things to do and see and people who are leaving their mark on the world of style.
Playfulness and movement shine at the Akashi Residence.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Architecture and design: Alexis Dornier
Construction: Adi Jaya Utama
Interior: Severiano
Landscape: Bali Landscape Company
Photography: KIE
Pererenan, Bali
Designed to celebrate playfulness and movement, the Akashi Residence is a six-bedroom home where modern architecture and creative design choices combine to emit a bold and airy feel. Set within the backdrop of Bali’s tropical surroundings, the home’s indoor/ outdoor balance ties its design to the local environment. The architects found inspiration in the idea of the home existing in conversation with its inhabitants, utilizing open circulation and an airy layout to convey this theme. “The void evokes a feeling of being within a whirlwind, where movement and light dance across the architectural surfaces, heightening the sensory experience of the space,” says Alexis Dornier.
At the center of the home, an open area holds a small pool and accompanying slide. “Beyond its functional purpose,” says Alexis Dornier, “the slide serves as a symbol of playfulness, encouraging interaction and evoking a sense of fun and curiosity.” This unique fixture amplifies the creative energy of the space. Dark wood floors, an intricate handrail and multiple sets of comfy lounge chairs with umbrellas adorn the lower level. Lush interior landscaping provides shade for those lounging by the pool, and
additional seating can be found under the protection of the second level’s overhang. Each detail is expertly curated to enhance the inhabitant's experience. Even the handrail system which “with its flowing, conveyor-belt-like design, amplifies the energy of the void.”
The home’s comfortable design extends into the bedrooms where large windows and outdoor balconies bring the outdoors in. Minimalistic furniture allows the elegant light fixtures, built-in amenities and artwork in each room to
shine. A large dining room with ample seating, a centrally located lounge area complete with a pool table and an outdoor gym adds a sense of community to the three-story home.
T he exterior remains minimalistic in comparison to the home’s unique indoor areas. A modern design featuring straight edges, smooth stone walls and dark wood doors, the exterior provides a sense of serenity that carries into the rest of the house. “Akashi Residence is a home designed for exploration and joy,” explains Alexis Dornier. “It offers its inhabitants a unique living experience, one that is both functional and inspiring, without losing sight of the importance of fun and human connection.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Craze
It could be called a classic if you lived in Italy, here in the U.S. it is more of a fad. Not that many people have a built-in pizza oven and over the many years of doing interior design, I was never asked to design one. Linda K. Kusmer, Interior Design Consultant
I am the first to say having a built-in pizza oven sounds intriguing, since I love pizza, but I would prefer to have that outside if it is in a residential environment. Or I head over to a restaurant that I know prepares their pizza in that way to enjoy the pizza oven taste since it may not be great for resale for a home. Wendy Noory, Chromatix Hue
I don’t think built-in pizza ovens are a passing craze at all. People have realized they can achieve restaurant-quality pizza at home, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s a great activity for parties, or just to let everyone customize their own pizza for dinner. While it might not be an everyday appliance, it’s a blast when you do use it. Steve Beinart, Lead Craftsman, Anne Marie Design Studio
A SLICE OF HEAVEN
Are built-in pizza ovens a new kitchen staple or are they just a craze?
