With the help of a talented team, this home became a reality.
Story by Judy Goppert | Photography by Paul Bonnichsen
Eric and Kristin are enjoying their new home after three years of planning and designing. Marrying in 2020, the couple not just started a new life together, but a new home too.
“The theme for the house is clean, simple, modern mixed with traditional,” Eric noted. “We really wanted a house where everybody can come and stay and have their own room with plenty of space to spread out. We didn’t like having everything in one room. We wanted more division between each area and when Russ Groshans with Casa Bella brought in architect Byron Sawyer, the floorplan really took shape. He is an amazing individual.”
ENTRYWAY
The showstopper of this home. Opening into the living room that hosts an impressive view of the backyard, one wall is comprised completely of white stone, allowing the unique light fixture hanging above the area to become the centerpiece. The staircase on the right offers a sweeping upward view.
MAIN KITCHEN
The open kitchen was designed with incredible lighting fixtures, cabinets, and counters, all done in clean white.
“We can change the colors to RGB (red, green or blue) anytime we want from our phones. We use red for Chiefs games!” Eric commented. “All our shelves were wired with LED lighting, underlit on ledges and cabinets. When you come home you, can actually walk into warm light all over the house and not need to turn the lights on.”
MASTER BEDROOM
“We wanted a smaller, intricate and comfortable master bedroom with a tiny sitting area so not to have a lot of empty space,” they noted.
“Dana did a tremendous job of listening and providing ideas on what would and would not work. Some of the color schemes, to lighten up a room or make it softer, turned out better than I could imagine.”
HALL BATHROOM
Kristin related that Dana Mulch with Home Style Design played an intricate part in really listening to what they wanted in the house.
“I had seen a black bathroom and wanted one in our house, so she pulled it together with the striking sink and mood,” Kristin noted. “I also love the color blue and wanted some splash of blue in every room. Dana did a great job bringing colors together, so we have blue in each room that is not over the top.”
Dana commented, “I was introduced to Eric and Kristin through Casa Bella as their designer for the build / selection process. Simply put, they are dream clients! They brought a specific vision and ideas for their home yet were always open to ideas and had complete trust in the execution. Besides that, they are just great, fun people to be around and work with. We truly worked hand in hand throughout the entire process, making selections, bringing the evolving design to life. The excitement they had throughout the entire process was so rewarding for me as a designer.”
SCREENED-IN PATIO
Just off the dining room, the screened-in patio is one of Kristin’s favorite areas in the house.
“It allows me to have my own space. I really like going out there in the morning to have my coffee. In the evenings we sit with our two goldendoodles,” she mused. “It is so peaceful. The way the outside is designed, you can hear the water rolling over the pool, trickling down the waterfall.”
OUTDOOR KITCHEN
Jesse also envisioned and created the layout for the outdoor kitchen, including the columns and bridge work, with the help from Dana on counter colors and such. With a fridge, grill, and smoker they have everything needed, including a fireplace.
“It’s a perfect place!” Kristin smiled. “Even when it’s raining you can sit out there.”
POOL
The idea for the pool was Eric’s, who has traveled extensively for his job and stayed in resorts where he had the opportunity to experience infinity pools and wanted to recreate that perfect getaway feeling.
“I wanted a walkout basement so we could step right out and enjoy the pool. We raised the lanai area which allowed me to include a hot tub at ground level, so while immersed in the hot tub, you are gazing across the pool and back at the bubbling waterfall,” he continued.
“The nice thing about having three infinity edges in the pool is it allows for an incredible view. The seat edge I designed is on the east side, so you can watch the sunset in the west. The sunken fire pit to the north of the hot tub is right below the waterfall. Jesse at Rolling Meadows Landscape created the entire landscape around the pool, bringing it to life. The hot tub and firepit definitely add to the outdoor ambiance.”
TROPHY CASE
As huge Chiefs fans, the couple has collected a nice array of memorabilia. Being creative, they designed a glass case downstairs to display their treasures while creating the image of a hallway.
“Dana did some research and found ideas for trophy cases,” Kristin noted. “She brought those to us, and we thought it would work. We have jerseys signed on both sides, so we actually have mannequins wearing them featured. We went to the Super Bowl last year and L’Jarius Sneed grabbed my phone and took a selfie with us which in turn I developed and had him sign. I had it framed so we have that!”
GAME ROOM
To complement the trophy case, a shuffleboard table complete with an arrowhead etched in it was incorporated, along with several other games to make this a true entertaining space.
A wet bar is in the back to tie those spaces in and grab a cold drink while the Chiefs are playing. “We wanted a full kitchen so someone could live downstairs,” Eric noted.
CONCLUSION
“What was great about the Casa Bella team is they did such a tremendous job of listening to us and coming up with the design of the house and flow of what we wanted,” Kristin confirmed. “We were blown away about how much time Russ spent with us.”
Russ Groshans, President, Casa Bella Construction, Inc., commented, “It was such a refreshing experience working with Eric and Kristin on this project. They were both dialed into the style of home they were looking for from the beginning. After a brief visit, it became clear which architect would be the perfect fit for their home. That person was Byron Sawyer, and he was easily able to bring Eric and Kristin’s vision to life. The entire design process felt very organic and came together quickly. Working with our project designer, Dana Mulch, Eric and Kristin didn’t miss any opportunity to maximize the visual impact of this home. The finished product is absolutely stunning, and the entire experience was something I thoroughly enjoyed!”
RESOURCES
- Builder/Contractor: Casa Bella Construction
- Architect: Byron Sawyer
- Interior Designer: Home Style Design – Dana Mulch
- Appliances: Factory Direct Appliance
- Plumbing Fixtures: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
- Audio/Visual/Home Security: Arrow Circle
- Cabinets / Wine Cellar: Miller Cabinets
- Countertops: SCI Surfaces
- Doors: Morgan-Wightman Supply Co
- Drywall: Star Drywall
- Electrician: Teague Electric
- Excavaction: Brinkley Construction
- Fireplace: Midwest Fireplace
- Flooring/Carpet: ProSource
- Furniture: Restoration Hardware
- Hardwood Flooring: SVB Wood Floors
- Foundation: Bill Long Construction
- Framing: Square Deal Framing
- Garage Doors: Raynor Garage Doors of Kansas City
- Glass & Mirrors / Wine Cellar Doors: Fountain Glass
- Hardware: Locks & Pulls
- HVAC: United HVAC
- Lighting: Wilson Lighting & Best Lighting
- Masonry: Toni Stone, LLC
- Painter: A/X Painting
- Plumbing: Robertson Plumbing
- Roofing: Imperial Roofing
- Staircase Railings: Austin Ironworks
- Stone: Toni Stone, LLC & Builders Stone
- Tile: ProSource & Imperial Tile
- Trimwork: Swift Construction
- Windows: Anderson
- Windows Coverings: 816 the Fix
- Landscaping/Hardscaping/Pool House & Kitchen/Firepit/Sprinkler System: Rolling Meadows Landscape
- Pool: Swim Things
- Outdoor Furniture: Restoration Hardware
- Fencing: Extreme Fence
