ABODE Fall 2025

ABODE CO NT E NT S

Onthecover…

PhotographybyAlisonGootee, stylingbyNatalieWarady

Connect WITHABODEANDLADUENEWS

Follow Ladue News onFacebooktokeepup withthelatesthome décortrends.Each week, lookforwardto THERESET column, whichshowcases three piecesideal forupdating yourinteriordesign.

Seesomethinginthemagazine thatinspiresyou?FollowLNon Pinteresttosaveyourfavorite FEATURES for whenever you needacreativespark.

LN ABODE

PUBLISHER

IanCaso

EDITORIAL

MANAGINGEDITOR

AshleyKlein | aklein@laduenews.com

DIGITALEDITOR & STAFFWRITER

AmandaDahl | adahl@laduenews.com

ASSOCIATEEDITOR

EmilyStandlee | estandlee@laduenews.com

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS

BethanyChristo,DrewGieseke,AleciaHumphreys, ConnieMitchell,BrittanyNay,MeganRubenstein, AndreaSmith

ADVERTISING

VICEPRESIDENTOFSALES

KevinHart | khart@stlpostmedia.com

SENIORMEDIASTRATEGIST

KatieRay | kray@laduenews.com

MEDIASTRATEGIST

MichelleBrown | mbrown@laduenews.com

SPECIALPROJECTSMANAGER

MaggiePeters | mpeters@laduenews.com

CLASSIFIEDACCOUNTMANAGER

LisaTaylor | ltaylor@lee.net

CREATIVE

ARTDIRECTOR

Get apeekinside luxurious localhomesby following@laduenewson Instagram.Photosfrom the DESIGNELEMENTS column showoffstunning workbysomeofthe topinteriordesignersin themetroarea.

LauraDeVlieger | ldevlieger@laduenews.com

ASSISTANTARTDIRECTOR

ChristopherOth | coth@laduenews.com

CONTRIBUTINGPHOTOGRAPHERS

JessicaEkernPhotography,AlisonGootee, CoreyHogrefePhotography,ChrisKennebeck, ChristinaKling-Garrett,PeterLarson,MeganLorenz, JeannieLiautaudMaulPhotography, LisaMitchell,AliseO’Brien

CONTACT

901N.10thSt.,St.Louis,MO63101-1250 314.863.3737 | laduenews.com

9.02±ACREESTATE|NEARLY9KSQFTHOUSE|FAMOUSWILLIAMBERNOUDYDESIGN|LOCATEDINSUNSETHILLS

Thisextraordinary9-acreestateoffersnearly9,000squarefeetoftimelesscraftsmanshipandmoderncomfort.Builtwith22tonsofoaktimber joinedbywoodenpegs—adetailnearlyimpossibletoreplicatetoday—theresidenceisatrueworkofartdesignedtoendureforgenerations. Inside,you’llfindsevenbedrooms,sixfullbathrooms,andahalfbath,alongwithinvitinggatheringspaces,threefireplaces,andaflowing kitchenthatanchorsthehome.Thewalk-outlowerlevellivesasitsownresidence,completewithafullkitchen,twobedrooms,twobathrooms, awinecellar,andexpansiveareasforentertaining,exercise,orgames.Awalk-insafeaddsanotherlayerofdistinction.

Thepropertyalsoincludesaseparateguesthouse—idealasanoffice,suite,ormeetingspace—featuringtwobathrooms,afireplace,asinglecargarage,andanarchitecturaladditioninspiredbyWilliamBernoudy,apprenticetoFrankLloydWright.

Outdoors,Vallevueofferseightacresoffencedpasture,ahorsebarn,andabundantwildlife.Fromthehome’smanywindowsanddecks,it’s commontowatchdeerandwildturkeywanderingthegrounds,reinforcingthesenseofprivacyandretreat.

Vallevueismorethanahome—it’salifestyleofelegance,peace,andeverydayescape,allinoneofSt.Louis’smostdesirablelocations.

LN ABODE

PhotobyChristinaKling-Garrett

LETTERF ROM THEE DI TOR

ThismightjustbeABODE’scoziesteditionyet.Elevated comfortrunsthroughouttheentireissue,withwarm colorpalettesandtreasuredantiquesaccompanying modernconveniencesandluxuriousfinishes.

TakeAmyStudebakerDesign’sCapeCottageproject onourcover,forexample.“Thefamilyfirmlybelievestheirhome shouldbelivedin–nothingistoopreciousorperfect,”Studebakersays oftheredesign,which incorporates historic elementsofthecenturyoldarchitectureintotheexpansivenewaddition.Readmoreonp.25.

Thisissue’shighlightedtrend–sittingrooms–offersaplush waytoutilizethatoneroominthehousethatdeservesmorelove, whetherthatbeaformaldiningroomoraspaceopenedupbyarecent expansiontothehome. Learnhowtocreateyourperfect havenon p.15.

Ofcourse,thecoziestaspectofanyspacecomesfromtheloveand careinvestedinit. SomechannelthatTLCintoahomegarden–which, withthehelpofanexpert,mightnotbeasbigachallengeasitseems. Learnallaboutcustomkitchengardensonp.44.Fortheinterior,find inspirationonp.46,wherehomedécorandfurnitureshopPersnickety byJenFarleycuratesonlythemostcarefullyselectedandexquisite piecesforitsnewstorefront.

Happy reading,

AshleyKlein

Designer INSIGHTS

WITHSTUDIO SWEET-SCHULER

ByMeganRubenstein

PhotosbyMeganLorenz

In2022,LaurenSweet-Schuleropeneddesignfirm

StudioSweet-Schuler specializingincontemporaryand moderndesign.Today,she’sleveragingher16yearsof experienceasaninterior designertocreatespaceswith a cleanlookandcomfortablevibe, aiming to helpevery client feelathome.

WespokewithSweet-Schulerabouthermethodsand inspirationforcreatingspacestailoredtothepeoplewholive in them.

Projectspotlight

InarecentrenovationIworked on,thehomeownerwasan architect, so it wasaverycollaborative effort. Itwasajoy to work withthatkindofcreativemind.It’sa 125-year-oldcraftsman-style house, so tokeeptheintegrityofthehouse whileinfusing thehomeowner’smodernstylewasa funchallenge.

Eachroomreflects eachpersoninthe family.Themainbedroom, whichhasasittingroomandbathroomoffof it, wastailoredto thehusbandandwife; you canseethattherearetwodifferent stylesthatcome together.Theirboys’bedroomsreflect eachof theirpersonalities. It’s fun to seethemidentifywiththeirspace.

Trusttheprocess

Wehaveaninitial consultation wherewegointo theclient’shome andaskthem to showus whattheyloveand whatthey’dliketo change. Indoingthat, youenduphearingstoriesofhowthey’ve gathered artworkorpiecesof furnitureorsomethingthatthey really [admire]. Youmighthearalittlebit ofhowtheygrewup and wheretheygrewup, andthatgivesussomeideasofhowwe couldinfusethatbackinto thenewspace.

We alsocreatealookbook. Whenwestartworkingwithaclient, weaskthemforimageryfrommagazinesorPinterestor wherever, becausewethink imagesworkbetterthanwords whenfiguringout whatapersonlikesand whattheirstyleis. Wetake thoseimages, findathroughlinebetweenthem,thencomewithourownideas to collaboratewiththeclient.

Inspiration

ItakeaninsaneamountofpictureseverywhereIgo,andI amconstantlytakingscreenshotsofanythingIseeonlineor onInstagramorPinterest.Wehaveourdreamboards–we alwayssortofjokeaboutthemintheoffice–thingsthatwe pinthatwehopetousesometime.Andthenwelovegoing throughdesignmagazines.There’salwaysinspirationor ideastosave.

Protip

Doyourresearchandfindaprofessionalwhoreflectsthestyle you’relookingfor.Whenyouhireateam,make sureyou’reclear aboutyourwantsandyour expectations. Beopen to lettingthem becreative, becausetheycouldshowyouthings thatyou’venever eventhoughtpossible. It’sabalanceoffindingpeople whoarethe right fit,but also allowingthem to be[adventurous]withyourspace. Thisinterviewhasbeeneditedforbrevityandclarity.

StudioSweet-Schuler,314-484-0903, studiosweetschuler.com

Designer INSIGHTS

WITHANNEMARIE DESIGNSTUDIO

ByMeganRubenstein

PhotosbyChrisKennebeckofDriveSocialMedia

ForAnneMarieDesignStudio,eachprojectisabout creatingaspaceperfectforthepeoplelivinginit. Theworkofaninteriordesigner,presidentand designerAnneMarieBoedgescontends,ismore personal thanit might seemat firstblush.

“Lifechangeshappen,”shesays.“SohowdoIcreatea spacesomeonecanenjoyasevenmorelifechangescontinue tohappen?Iliketounderstandeverythingaboutthe dynamicsofthefamilyorwhoeverthespaceisfor.”

Below,Boedgesdivesdeeperintoherteam’sprocess.

Ontrend

Ilovethatwoodstain cabinetryisback. Itnever quitewentaway withme, Iwillsay.I’ve alwaysleanedtowardwarm tones when I’mdesigningaspace–everyonewantswarmandcozy,right? Youwantpeople to feelinvited into thatarea,andwarmcolors andhuesthatjusthavealittlesoftness to themtakesthatbitter chill outofanything.

Inspiration

Everygenreofart. Icouldgetthatmusically orjustlookingthrough fashionmagazinesorevenfrom cars. You canfindinspirationfrom whatyousurroundyourselfwithonadaily basis. Whatclothingdo you putonyourbody? Whatareyougrabbingasyourhandbag? Andhowdothosepiecesmake youfeel? I alwaysjumpfrom what I’mseeing towhatthatreactionis[to theobjectorsource]. I’llnotice ifI’mfeelinghappyorenergized,orif it makesmefeel calmorsad. Alsobeingarounddifferentdesignstyles,whetherthat’sbeingon vacationorvisitingsomeone. Ihavealotof family thatliveina small townin Illinois, andthere’salotofold farmhousesthere withhistoryandcharacter.

Favoriteroom

Thebathroom.Importantlifemomentsoftenhappeninthe bathroom.Maybeyou’retakingapregnancytest,orplaying withmakeupwithyourkids,orhelpingyourdaughterputon earringsorshaveherlegsforthefirsttime.It’simportanttofeel comfortablewhenyou’reinthatspace.Youwanttofeellikeyou canhaveprivacy,andprivacymakesyoufeellikeyoucanbe you.Creatingabathroomforsomeonewhoreallydidn’teven knowtheyneededthatspaceisprobablythebestthing.

Finishingtouch

Idon’tliketo forget whatI callthe‘fifthwall,’ whichistheceiling. Ithink alotofpeopleforgetthattheyevenhaveaceiling, sothey justpaint itwhiteand call it aday.Itcouldhavetexture. Itcould haveacolor.Itcouldhavewallpaper.Itcouldhavebeamsadded toit. Itcouldberaised up. Itcouldhaveboxbeams. Ilove when peoplewalkinto aroomandimmediately lookupandsay,“Oh, that’ssocool!”

Thisinterviewhasbeeneditedforbrevityandclarity.

AnneMarieDesignStudio,17014NewCollegeAve.,SuiteE, Wildwood,636-821-3395,annemariestudio.com

SitaSpell

ByConnieMitchell

Sittingroomsare havingamoment

–here’swhat distinguishesthem fromotherlounging areasinthehome.

“Sittingrooms”eludeprecisedefinition.OriginallyaBritish term,it’salsoknownasa“frontroom”or“parlour,”butmany Americansusetheterminterchangeablywith“livingroom.”Asit’s usedtoday,itmostoftendescribesaspacethat’ssmallerandmore privatethanatraditionallivingorfamilyroom.

“I’venoticedsittingroomsgainingpopularityoverthepast severalyears,”saysDebraBevard,ownerof1749Designs.“More andmorepeoplearelookingforacozy,intimatespacesetapart fromtherestofthehouse–somewheretocurlupwithabook, enjoyalittlequiettime,orevenhostcocktailswithfriendsona girls night.”

Carvingoutthatspacesometimesrequiresabitofcreativity, andsomehomeownersarelookingtorarelyusedspacesthatcan berepurposed.Occasionally,aformaldiningroomistargetedfor achangeofdesign,butmoreoften,sittingroomsresultfromnew homeadditionsthatreconfiguremultiplespaces.Forexample,a homemightbeexpandedtocreateagreatroomwithahearthand TV.“Thentheoldlivingroombecomesalongdiningroom,andthe olddiningroombecomesasittingroomorsometimesanoffice,” saysAllisonWilliams,ownerofTheCheerierInterior.

Althoughgreatroomsarealsospacesforrelaxation,asitting

room hasadifferent vibeandintention. Bevarddescribesthedifference: “WhenI thinkofagreatroom,Ithinkofmovienights withpopcornandsnacksona sectionalor familygatherings withlotsofchatterand movement. Asittingroomismeanttobean escape–aquiet retreatdesignedforcalm andcomfort. Thinkofaplushvelvet loveseat, rich leatherchairs,andthoughtfully chosen furnishings thatbringa sense ofluxury andintimacytothespace.”Williamsadds that sittingroomstend to bemoreformal thangreatrooms,butnotaspreciousas traditional parlorsor livingrooms. Sittingroomsarenotdesignedfor screentime,sotheyusuallydon’thaveTVs, andmanydon’thaveafireplaceasafocal point,sothespacemustbedesignedwith thepurposeinmind.Lush,richwallcolors inshadesofnavyorevencharcoalcanlend acozyfeeltothespace,andWilliamsoften

optsfor fourcomfortablearmchairsor a sofaandtwochairstoanchorthespace. Readinglamps,statementceilinglightsor chandeliers,andsoftfinishesandaccents helpgirdaninvitingspace.

Ifthehousedoesn’thaveaseparate room,spacecanstillbeidentifiedforsitting roompurposes.Eveninanopenfloorplan, Bevardsaysthatusingarug,furniture andachandeliercanmarkaspacewith purposeandpersonality.“Asittingroom comestolifewithanintimateseating arrangement,anchoredbyfurniturethat isbothstylishandcomfortable,”shesays. “Layeredtexturesandambientlightingset thetone,whilecurtainsandmoodycolors adddepthandwarmthtothespace.”

Tobeginthesittingroomdesign process, Bevardsaysshetalkswithclients abouthowthey seethespacebeingusedand whatkindofmoodthey wanttoevoke. Then

theyconsiderlayoutandstylepreferences fromformaltocozy.Williamsvisitsthe homesof clientswhoareconsideringthe conversion ofadiningroomto asitting roomor contemplatingwhere else to carve outspaceforasittingroom,soastohelp determinelayoutanddesignfeaturessuch as built-inshelving.

“Themostimportant thing to remember istocreateaspaceyou’lltrulyuse,”Bevard says. “Whenaroomisfilledwithfurnishings you’vethoughtfully chosen,colors that makeyoufeelathomeandartworkthat reflectsyourstyle, itnaturallybecomes aplaceyou’redrawnto–oneyou’lllove spendingtimein.”

1749Designs,314-566-0045, instagram.com/1749designs TheCheerierInterior,314-210-4300, thecheerierinterior.com

WHERESTYLEMEETS

FUNCTION

Transformyourkitchenandbathintostunning,smart spacesdesignedformodernliving.Fromconceptto completion,ourexpertteambringscraftsmanship, innovation,andelegancetoeverydetail.

Ma kea Splash

ByBrittanyNay DesignbyC&MInteriors, photobyCoreyHogrefePhotography

Optionsareendlesswhen choosingabacksplashbehind yourrange.Here’swhattoconsider.

Whetherit’sasleekslabofmarbleorporcelaintileswith apopofcolor,abacksplashcanbecomethefocalpoint ofakitchen,addingplentyofpersonalitytothehubof yourhome.

“Carefulthoughtneedstobeputintowhatyouwanttouse,” saysWendyKuhn,leaddesigneratSt.Louis-basedKarrBick Kitchen&Bath.“Eachmaterialhasadistinctfingerprintitwill givetothefinishedproject.”

Forpracticalpurposes,MariaHogrefeandChanning Krichevsky,co-foundersandprincipaldesignersatSt.Louis luxuryinteriordesignstudioC&MInteriors,saycleanabilityis animportantqualitytoconsider.“Betweenwater,foodandoil splattersthatcanhappenonadailybasis,it’salwaysniceto beabletowipethatsurfaceclean,”Hogrefesays,notingclassic handmadeceramictilesareafavorite.

Fromanaestheticstandpoint,“welovewhenabacksplash contrastswiththecabinets.Bringinginadifferentcolor, whetherit’sasoftneutralorapopofcolor,isalwaysaniceway tolayerinsomedepthandinterestinakitchen,”Hogrefesays. Forexample,arecentC&MInteriorskitchenremodelledby projectmanagerJessicaKilianincorporatedagorgeousgreen tilereminiscentofanEnglishgardenasasubtlenodtothe greenerysprinkledthroughoutthehome.

Anotherpopulartrendinvolvesfeaturingasingleslabof countertopasthebacksplash,Kuhnsays.Oneseamlesspiece, suchasquartzormarble,canbeselectedforthedesign’sfocal point. But, keepinmindboththecost–itcan doublethe countertop budget–andhowthestonewillholduptostove heat,shesays:“Somemanmadequartzmaterialmightdiscolor [when]closetoastrongheatsource.”

ForarecentKarrBickkitchenrenovationina localhistoric home, aclientdecidedthepricetagwasworthit. Thegoalwasto preservethetraditionalstylewhilealsomakingitmodern,Kuhn says: “Wehadfoundthemostgorgeouspieceofmarble, sowe wantedtohighlightthatasmuchaspossible. Runningitupthe wallsoyoucanvertically seethestonegaveustheimpactwewere lookingfor–abeautifulbackdroptothefocalpointpot filler.”

PoshUpgrade:PotFillers

Pot fillerscanbeastatementpiece, St. Louisinterior designers say.

“Wealwaysensurethefixtureisasspeciallookingasthe kitchenfaucet,”Hogrefesays.

Typicallymountedaboveastoveorrange,thefixture featuresanextendablearmthatcanbepulledouttofillpots withwater–directlyatthecookingarea,avoidingtheneedfor heavyliftingfromthesink–andfoldedagainstthewallwhen notinuse.

Apotfillerisintegraltoincorporate“iftherangeandthe kitchensinkarenotincloseproximitytooneanother,”Hogrefe

says.“Wealsocomeacrossclientswhohavebigfamiliesandlove toentertain,sohavingaccesstowaterwhilethey’recookingon theirrangecancreatealesschaoticenvironment.”

Toinstallapotfiller,ensureanewcold-waterlineisextended fromanexistingplumbingsourcetothechosenlocationabove thestovetop,Hogrefeexplains,addingthefixturecanrange from$1,000to$2,000,dependingonbrand,levelofdetail, productqualityanddesiredfinish.

JillWorobec,seniordesignconsultantatMosbyBuilding ArtsinSt.Louis,sayspotfillersofferconvenience:“It’shelpful formultiplecooksandmultitasking.”

Worobecadvisesthinkingaboutthefunctionandeaseof use,fromthefillerspeedanddistancetothesinkfordraining thepottotheamountofburnersthatneedtobereachedand thenumberofshutoffvalvesonthespoutandwall,asmorewill provideextraleakprotection.“[Also,]determinethecorrect mountingheight,stillwithinacomfortablereachbasedonyour tallestpot–usually16to24inchesabovethecooktop,”shesays.

Additionally,considerthefiller’sfinish,forbothaesthetic andcleanabilityfactors,andthenumberoffaucetjoints–single ordoublearm,Worobecsays:“[Ask,]‘Isthisfillerastatement piecebehindthecooktop,ordoyouwantittoblendin?’”

C&MInteriors,2855AccomacSt.,St.Louis, 314-328-1923,candmstudio.com

KarrBickKitchen&Bath,2715MercantileDrive, Brentwood,314-645-6545,karrbick.com

MosbyBuildingArts,115W.ArgonneDrive,Kirkwood, 314-909-1800,callmosby.com

ANortheastNod

Fresh,breezyAmericanameetsclassiccoastalcharminthis 1920scottagerenovationandadditionbyAmyStudebakerDesign.

ByBethanyChristo |PhotographybyAlisonGootee,stylingbyNatalieWarady

WalkingalongashadyhistoricSt. Louisstreetandglancingupat thehomeknownasthe“Cape Cottage,”withitscoastal-inspiredwood shakeshingles,whitetrimandwindows,one might think they’vebeen transported to a relaxedEastCoastsummerhouseretreat.

Steppinginside,thefeelingintensifies–soft,pastelhues;filteredlightthroughbreezy

curtains;delicatewallpaper and classic artaddinglayersofcharmandnostalgia; cozynooksfilledwithclassicfurniture; andtimelesshardwareandfinishesare layeredthroughoutthehome,whichbegan renovationsin2021.

“It’sfresh,airy,handsomeAmericana meetsclassiccoastalcharm–relaxed yetrefined,”saysAmyStudebaker,whose

eponymousdesignfirmcompletedthe whole-homerenovation andsubstantial additionthattooka1920scottageand reimagineditwithafreshandfound approach.Phaseonetooktheoriginal4,800 squarefeetandexpandedthattonearly9,000 squarefeetwiththeadditionsofakitchen, breakfastroom,butlers’pantries,family room,mudroom,laundryroomandtwo

bathrooms–plusaluxuriouspoolhouse withanadditional kitchen andbar.AmyStudebaker Design touchedessentially everyelementofthehome–bigandsmall–includingdesigning architectural componentsofthekitchens,bathrooms,bars and fireplacesaswellasinteriorandexteriorfinishes, furniture, rugs, windowtreatments, textiles, lighting, accessoriesandartwork.

ThehomeownersapproachedStudebaker knowingitwas goingtobealoftyundertakingbuttrustingshewouldkeep themgroundedthroughouttheprocesswhilefocusingonwhat theyvaluemost.

“Thefamilyfirmlybelievestheirhomeshouldbelivedin –nothingistoopreciousorperfect,”Studebakersays.“Itwas builtwiththefamily’sfunctionalityandlovetoentertainand hostatthefocusofthedesign.”

ApotentialchallengewiththeCapeCottageproject requirednavigatingbetween maintainingthetimelessnessof the1920scottagefootprintandbalancingitwiththeaddition andcontemporary updates.Studebaker paidparticular attentiontoappliedmoulding,crownandtrimdetails,and carryingthroughnewandexistingbeams.Architecturaldetails likeplankingandovalwindowsplayedwellwithdormersand woodshakeshingles,andjoist-stylebeamsinthekitchen, familyroomandbreakfastroomaddedinteresttothevolume oftheadditions.

“Addingtoahomewithhistorymeanscarryingdetailsfrom existingtonewinordertobalanceaninteriorfullofcharacter whilestillbreathinginnewlifeandfunctionality,”shesays.“It wasimportanttokeepthescaleofcharmandbalanceofthe originalfootprintwhilejuxtaposingamassivekitchenhoodand

oversizedislandwithbeautifullythoughtful butlers’pantries.”

Intheir testimonial,thefamilynoted this careful curation andoriginal-versus-updatedsymmetryarewhatmaketheir housefeellikeahome.

“Thelevelofthought,detailandartistry[Studebaker] broughttoeverydecisioncontinuestorevealitselfovertime,” theyshared.“Evennow,twoyearsafterphaseoneoftheproject iscomplete,Istillfindmyselfpausingtoappreciatetheway shestyledaparticularroom,arrangedabookshelforselecteda throw pillow.”

Anexampleofthisisthetall,narrowantiquehutchin thefamilyroomthatStudebakerandherteamdiscoveredin Atlanta.Theysearchedformorethanayeartofindsomething fittingtheparticularspecifications:shallowenoughtonot encroachonthepathtowardthepoolhouseandgameroom yetaddingwarmthandanchoringtheroom.Thereneededto beglassatthetoptodisplayfamilyheirlooms,antiquesand photos,aswellasafunctionalbaseforquickaccesstoblanket storage,boardgames,andtoysforthefamilydog.Ithighlights justoneexampleofStudebaker’sabilitytomixfreshandfound, oldandnew,charmandusefulnesstothenewadditionthat couldotherwisefeelcoldanddisconnected.

“Thishomeisasfunctionalasitisstunning,andyoufeel thatimmediatelywhenyouspendanyamountoftimeinside orout,”Studebakersays.“Ahomeshouldbelivedin,andthis houseissuchabeautifulexampleoftheproperwaytodoso whilestillvaluingthebeautyofahome.”

AmyStudebakerDesign,9749ClaytonRoad, 314-440-0853,amystudebakerdesign.com

https://autcohome.com/

https://marcchristian.com/

https://wspaces.com/

https://premierplumbingstudio.com/

https://www.kdrshowrooms.com/

Modern

MOOD

However,mostwouldlikelyagreethetransformationofthe powderroomwouldreceivefirstprizeformostunexpectedspace.

“Wefellinlovewiththeblushconcretesink, andthenwe wanteda wallpaperthat wasgoingtotakeitoverthetop,” Templesays. “Wefoundthis wallpaperfromOsborne&Little, andit wastheepitomeofwhat[theclient] loves. You’renot goingto seethatpaperinanyoneelse’shouse. It’sveryuniqueand reallytouchesonherstyleandinterests.”

Temple selectedanivoryVilla&House mirrorandKateSpade lightfixturetopolishoffthepowderroom.

“IlovetheKateSpadelightinginthere,”Templesays. “I thoughtitjustaddedtheperfect amountoffemininetouch.”

Stepintothediningroom,whereadditionalmolding was added beforebeingcolor drenchedin SlateTilepaint from SherwinWilliams. “Obviouslythestatementhereisthechandelier from Visual Comfort,”Templesays.

Alacquered burlwoodtablefrom RestorationHardware offsetsthedark walls, whileDanaGibsonartprovidesapopofpink.

“Myphilosophyistodecidewhatyouwanttobethestatement andlettingthatdoallthetalkingversushavingeverythinginthere tryingtoworkhard,”Templesays. “Ithinkthatwhenpeople seethe finishedproduct and seehowlittlethings canreally pulleverything together,they’realwayssurprisedandexcitedthatit’stheirs.I thinkthat’sthecase here: Theyloveit, theyareproudofit, andit’s functioningreallywellfor them.”

MeganTempleDesign,124W.JeffersonAve.,Kirkwood, megantempledesign.com

Foundobjectsandfineriesfill C&MInteriors’historichome designwithcharacter.

Asthey setouttotransform awell-done builderflipinto aspacethatcouldtrulyfeel likehome,principaldesigners ChanningKrichevskyand MariaHogrefe–co-foundersofSt.Louisbasedluxuryresidentialdesignstudio C&MInteriors–quicklyrealizedthattheir client hadfullconfidenceintheirvision: “Wehadalotofrangetobecreative,play withcolorandmixpatterns,”Hogrefesays. “Itwasabreathoffreshairtohaveaclient cometousandsaythattheylovedourstyle and[wantedusto]puttheC&Mtouchon theirhome.”

DubbedtheMarylandHistorichome, thepropertyhadbeenrevampedbythe builder,combining original architecture withfeaturesdesignedformassappeal. “Allofthehistoricdetailswerethereand thepreservationupheld,”Krichevsky explains,“butitwasourjobtomakeit exciting,vibrantandhomey.”Todothis, thedesigners–astheyoftendo–started withahigh-levelcolorpaletteorsingle “maincharacterfabric,”asKrichevsky callsit.TheyfoundaZak&Foxfabricwith Japanesesnowmonkeysandpersimmons woventogetherwithyarn,usingitasa “jumpingoffpoint”fortheentireliving

room.“It’s upholsteredbeautifully on an accentchairandmakesour client sojoyful everytimeshegetshereyesonit,”she says.Hogrefeadds,“We’reobsessedwith texturearoundhere–weaimtohavea hugevarietyineveryproject.It’sthebest waytogiveaspacedepth.”

Theseplayful componentscomplement themoodyflowofcolorthreadingthrough thelivingroom,movingtheeyearound using rich indigoes in thefurniture and area rug and earthyochre amongthe draperies, pillows,glassyvasesandlampshades. “Weworkedonthediningroom,foyer, andmainlivingroomandeat-inkitchen,” Krichevskysays.“The[combined]living roomandeat-inkitchenwasachallenge becauseit’sdirectlyconnectedtothe kitchen.Wehad to strategicallydelineate space…andtheendresultisacozy[area] theentirefamilycanbetogetherin.”

Thecustombanquettehereisthe team’sfavoriteaspect ofthewholedesign. Itsmetalandlight-wooddetailsinfloor

lampsandchairlegs, brightwhitetableand ofcourse, thebanquette’sindigo-and-white nature-themedmotif all createcontrast withthenearbylivingarea.“Itfeelsso inviting, packsa punchwithpatternand isextremelycomfortable,”Krichevskysays. “You couldlingerthereforhours.”

HogrefeandKrichevskywereable topulltheclient’s“makeitfun”request intothehome’sfoyerandstaircasewitha walldisplayofphotosinvaryingframes, pluswovenbasketsandothertextural flourishes.Thenatureandanimaltheme fromthelivingroomcontinueshere, whereaflamingoandpairofgilded snailbookendstakecenterstage.These objectsmaketheroomfeellivedin–and exemplifieshowtheteamusedaccessories topulltheoveralldesigntogether.

“There’sastorybehindeveryobjectwe sourceforclients–wegenuinelyfeellike thesetinydetailsgiveaspacepersonality,” Krichevskysays.“Wesourceartwork throughtradevendorsandlocalartisans

andoftenpickupvintagepiecesifthey speaktous.”Theteamhasbeencollecting theseitemsforthelastdecade–amixof newandoldpersonalitypiecesjustwaiting for therightclientto welcomethem into theirhome.

Overinthediningroom,thewalls areadeep,glowinggreenthatnever becomestoodark.Here,anunderstated chandelierfloatsaboveadarkwood table;surroundingitaredynamicblackand-whitechairs,darkerearth-colored draperies,darkgreenwainscotingthat slightlyoffsetsthewallcolorandmore blackordarkwoodfurnituretorounditall out.“Theclientwantedfun,andwetook thatveryseriously,”Hogrefeexplains.“She alsowantedthespacetofeelwarmand inviting;themoodycolorsaddsomuch warmth.Nottomentiontheymakeforthe bestbackdroptoacandlelitroom.”Ina word:flawless.

C&MInteriors,2855AccomacSt.,St.Louis, 314-328-1923,candminteriors.com

Island

ByAndreaSmith |PhotosbyLisaMitchell

KarrBickcrafts awarm,inviting kitch enfor homeowners serious about enter tainin g.

Nomanisanislandinthiskitchen.Withnotone buttwoquartziteTajMahalstoneislands,Karr Bick’sdesignandconstructionteamfashioneda kitchen that offers amplespace for cookingand congregatingintheheartofthehome.

“Theyliketoentertainalot,”designerJanelleHelmssaysof herclients.“Thespacewasverylarge.Thoseareactuallytwo,13 foot-by-4.5footislands,andtheyfitthespace.…Itjustmakes senseinthehouse.”

Thekitchenopensupintoadiningareaandhearthroom withacozyTVarea,sothedesignneededtocomplementthe flowofguestswholingerforabitetoeatorwalkaroundwitha glassofwine.Helmsandherteamworkedintothefallwiththe holidayseasoninmind,preparingaspacethatwouldbemerry andbrightallyearround.

“In[thehomeowner’s]priorkitchen,wehaddoneallblack andwhite,andIthinkshereallywantedtowarmitupinthis space,”Helmsdescribes.“TheTajMahalstoneisnicebecauseit givesitamodernfeel,butitstillhaswarmgraysandneutralsin it,soitdoesn’tfeeltoocoldwhenyou’relookingatit.”

StoneFabricators inOlivettecollaborated on thisprojectto ensurethattheluxuriousislandswithwaterfalledgeswouldstand thetestoftime. Anaturallyoccurringstone, quartzite“combinesthe veiningofmarblewiththestrengthofgranite,”StoneFabricators’ websitestates. “Quartziteisasmartchoiceforhomeownerswho wantasurfacethat’sbothelegantandhard-wearing–especiallyin high-use areaslikekitchenislandsandbathroomvanities.”

Thehanginglightpendants and wallsconcesfeaturea

TajMahal-likestonetoothatcoordinateswiththefull-height backsplash.From floortoceiling, oakwoodcabinetswarmthe neutralcolorpaletteanddisguise appliances, includingapaneled fridge, freezer,icemakeranddishwasher.It’safunctionalspace forhostingfamilygatherings andsizabledinnerparties, equipped witha doubleoven,twosinks, apot-fillerfaucetandawinefridge.

“Ina lot ofthekitchensI do, weuse theintegratedcabinet doors withtheappliances. Itgivesitanice,seamlessfeel–especiallyina kitchenlikethiswhereit’spartofthehearthroom,”Helmssays. “It doesn’tfeellikeyou’rejust lookingatabigwallofstainlessappliances.”

Black-and-goldbarstoolsaddtothesleekaesthetic,along withbrushedgoldhardwarethroughoutthekitchen.Evenwith somewhitecabinets,thedesignfirmavoideda“stark,white kitchen”bybalancingsofttoneswithbright,modernfinishes. “Thetrendingeneralistowarmthingsup,”Helmsnotes,“whether itbethewood,orthestone,orthebrass–itseemslikepeopleare reallygravitatingtowardthatlately.”

KarrBick,2715MercantileDrive,Brentwood, 314-645-6545,karrbick.com

POLISHED . REFINED . SERENE .

EXCELLENCEANDEFFICIENCY

ExpertlyCrafted

Weareproudtoofferexpertlycrafted homesusingqualitymaterialsandthe bestmethodsofconstructionthatmodern buildingsciencehastaughtus.Theresults arehomesthatrequirelessmaintenance, havelowerornoutilitybills,andhave muchhealthierindoorairthanthe averagenewhome.

FoundationinCommunication

Webelieveinacollaborativeapproach tohomedesign.Itbeginswithclearly understandingthevisionofourclients. Weaskfortheirideas.Weaskthemto sharepicturesofdesignideastheylove, andweincorporatethoseintothehome design.Thehomeowner’sideasarethe basisofdesign.

Award-WinningInnovation

Wehavewontwonationalawardsfromthe USDeptofEnergythroughtheirzero energyreadyhomesprogramforinnovation incustomhomebuilding.Thisawardwas basedonachievinghigherlevelsofenergy efficiencyandindoorairqualityusing innovativemethodsforboth.Wehavea nationalawardwinninglevelofinnovation.

Thetimeisripeforbuildingor renovatingyour kitchengarden–

here’swhat youshouldknow about workingwithapro.

Winterisoneofthebest timesoftheyeartorevamp your garden forthespring plantingseason.Preparationiskey;as any greenthumbwilltellyou,there’smoreto growingagardenthan simplytossingsome seedsinthegroundandhopingforthebest.

Here’swhatto consider when seeking aprofessionallydesignedgardeningspace forgrowingvegetables and edible plants, includingtheconstructionprocess, upkeep requirementsandoptionsfor customizing itsappearance.

BEFOREYOUBEGIN

Dispelthenotionthatyou’llbeableto plantagardenthatrequiresno effort and nomaintenance. Eventhehardiestplants demandyour attention andeffortfrom timetotime.

“Gardens canbe incrediblynourishing andbeautiful, butthere’snosuchthing asano-maintenancegarden,”Custom FoodscapesfounderMattLebonsays. “Agardenisaninvitationtospendtime outside, observingthemiraclefrom seed toharvest.”

Lebon recommendsnewcomers start witheasierplants, suchasvegetableslike lettuce, peppers, greenonions, radishes andherbs, andfruitslikeblackberries, strawberriesandserviceberries.

Hesaysthatoneofthesimplestand most affordable upgradesfor anygarden is dripirrigation.Thisslowtrickleof waterallowshomeownersto spendmore time planting andharvesting– andeven traveling–withoutworryingaboutthe gardendrying out. Plus, dripirrigationisa moreecologicaluse of waterandresultsin lessplantdisease thansprinklersystems. Finally,asunnylocation isessential Mostfruitsandvegetablesneedatleastsix

hoursofdirect sunlightperdaytothrive, sopickingtherightspotforyourgarden makesabigdifference.

GETTING STARTED

Askyourselfwhatyouwantfromyour garden andwhatkindsof plants and food youwanttogrow.These detailswillhelp you bettercommunicateyourvisiontothe professionalsand set expectationsforthe project fromthejump.

“Westartbylearningtheclient’s visionandaskingwhowillbeusingthe gardenmost,”Lebonsays. “Forsomeone withlimitedmobility,wemight buildin seating or bencheswithinthegarden beds. Forfamilieswithsmallchildren,we mightdesignlowerbedsandplanteasy-topick berrieslikestrawberries,blueberries andraspberries.”

Lebon’steam also encourages clients touse aPinterestboardorothervisual toolstohelpthemorganizetheirvisionin a waythatinspiresthemandharmonizes withtheiraestheticpreferences. Once they’vefinishedtheirconsultation, foodscaperswillworkwithinyour budget tocreateamulti-layeredsiteplanshowing the locationof plants andlandscape features. Designsaredrawnto scaleusing professionaldesignsoftwareorbyhand.

Constructionbeginsonceyou’ve workedwithyourproviderto settleona visionforyourgarden.CustomFoodscapes sourcestimberfromrightoutsideof St.Louisandcustom-buildsallstructures to fiteachclient’sspaceperfectly,including trellises,pathwaysandmore.

COMMONMISTAKES

Lebonpoints outthatthemost common gardening mistakesfallinto three categories:irrigation adjustments,pruning hesitance andreplacingsoil unnecessarily.

“Waterneedstochangewiththe seasons,”hesays.“Increasingordecreasing irrigation isessential asrainfalland temperaturesshift.”

Likewise, somegardenersarehesitant to cutback plants forfearofharming them.Thoughtful pruningoften stimulates growthandleads to healthier,more productiveplants, sodon’tbeafraidto break out the clippers.

Finally,Lebonsaysthesoilhisteam installsisdesignedtolast. Itdoesn’tneed tobereplacedeachyear, butitdoesneed care,likeaeration,compostadditionsand occasionalorganicfertilizer.

MAINTENANCE

Upkeep variesdependingonwhat’s planted.Vegetablegardenstypicallyneed weeklytending,whereasperennial plants such asasparagus or fruittrees mightonly need attentiononceamonth.

Lebon adds:“Forclientswhodon’t havethetime, wealsoofferongoinggarden maintenanceservices to helpthem reach theirgoals.”

CustomFoodscapes, customfoodscapes.co

Fortheeponymousownerof PersnicketybyJenFarley,ahome décorandfurnitureboutique inAlton,Illinois,anexactingaesthetic sensibilityhasbeenpasseddownlikea familyheirloom.

“Igrewupnextdoortomygrandparents, andmygrandmotherhadexquisitetastein fashion,fine china,porcelain,art, crystal,

etc.”Farleysays. “Ispentalotoftimeon shoppingtripswithher.WhenI wasvery little, Iwouldgotoherhouse toplay,and shewouldallowmeto‘redecorate’her rooms. Shewould putallthepiecesback afterIleftsoIcouldcomeoverthenextday anddoitalloveragain.”

TheshoppayshomagetoFarley’s grandmothernotjustwithitsvintage fineries,butalsothroughtheowner’scareful curatorialprocessofsourcingits wares.

“[Mygrandmother]wasveryparticular withhowshedressed,thepiecesshewould purchaseandhowshewoulddisplaythem inherhome,”Farleysays.“Onemightsay shewas‘persnickety.’Thenameofthe boutiqueisanodtoherandtheinfluence shehadonmypersonalstyle.”

PersnicketybyJen Farleylaunched inMarch 2024 insideAltonantique storeHoneybeeVintage,located on EastBroadway.Quickly outgrowing her 100-square-footspacethere, she moveddownthestreet tothehistoric Mineral SpringsHotel fivemonthslater. Customers’responsesproved“positive andoverwhelming,”soFarleymadea finalmovetoherown 1500-square-foot brick-and-mortar,stillonEastBroadway, inSeptember thisyear.Farleycontends that her nativeAlton is“experiencinga renaissanceofarchitectural renewal and asmall businessexplosion,”makingitwell worththeapproximately 30-minutedrive forvisitorsfromLadue. Inkeepingwith herhometownloyalty,Farleydonates 5% of grosssales to alocal nonprofiteach month.

Theshop,whichreflectswhatFarley describesasher“classicmasculine eclectic”style,blendsvintageandantique décorandfurniturewithnewpieces frombrandsthat“reflectthewhimsical, sophisticatedandeclecticvibethatis Persnickety,”Farleysays.Thisincludesa collaborationwithEdwardsville,IllinoisbasedKeepsakeCandlecompany,through which Farleyhelped crafttheexclusive “PersnicketyHome”scent,which shesays blendsnotesof“library,tobacco,saffron

andotherfragrancestocreatethefeeling ofwalkingintoyourgrandfather’slibrary.”

“Iliketomixandmatcheverything,” shesays.“Idon’tfeelaspaceneedsto looklikeamuseum.Itshouldreflectthe personalityoftheperson wholivesthere.”

Atthenewstorefront,adedicated roomhousesEuropeancottage-styledécor soldbyEricaSwagler,ownerofAltonbasedLandmarkVintage.EveryThursday, freshflowersaredeliveredtothestore’sbythe-stembouquetbar,whereshopperscan createtheirown(orgethelpcreatingtheir own)bouquets.Perhapsthemostexciting additiontothenewspace,however,isthe chinabar.

“Ibelieveitwillbethefirstofitskindin theSt.Louisarea,”Farleysays.“Theseare becomingpopularinNewYork,Chicago andTexas.…Peoplearefallinginlove withvintagechinaagain.Formalsetsare available,oryoucanmakeanappointment for aprivateconsultationtocreatea blendedcollection ofdifferent patterns, piecesandmakescuratedtoyourspecific styleandneeds.”

Withtheexpansivefootprintofthe newstorefront,Farley alsohopes to begin hostingrecurringevents.“The firstevent I’mlookingtohostwillbesimilarto AntiquesRoadshow;you canbringina smallpieceandhaveitevaluatedforits history,”shesays. “Keepaneyeonmysocials [on Instagram@persnicketybyjenfarleyand on Facebook at facebook.com/persnickety. by.jen.farley]for moreinformation and datesfor thisparticularevent.”

Withcustomizableandinteractive serviceslikethese, shopperssprucing uptheirhomescanbeaspersnicketyas theyplease.

Farleysays:“Pieceshaveastorytotell andalifeandpersonalityalltheirown.I feelmypiecesfindmetohelpthemfind theirperfectowner.”

PersnicketybyJenFarley, 413E.Broadway,Alton,Illinois, 618-908-9393

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