A masterful Prairie Village renovation seamlessly merges indoor and outdoor living, transforming a modest update into a complete reimagining of home connectivity.
Story by Ann Butenas ~ Photography by Matt Kocourek
“I was told we were just putting a roof over the existing patio,” homeowner Mike jokingly recalled about his home renovation project that would ultimately transform roughly 40% of this Prairie Village home’s first floor. What began as a modest improvement evolved into a comprehensive renovation that masterfully bridges indoor and outdoor living spaces, thanks to the vision of architect Matthew Lero of RDM Architecture Kansas City and the creative input of homeowners Mike and Macy.
A Home with History
The property’s rich history reads like a chapter of Prairie Village’s past. Parts of the home date back to the 1930s, with some of the original stone foundation still intact. In its earliest days, the home served as a greenhouse for the neighboring house. According to the current owners, the property’s original owner held title to a significant portion of Prairie Village, with this plot being part of a large farm. Throughout the decades, the home saw various additions up and through the 1960s before Mike and Macy purchased it in 2014, patiently waiting until the right moment to make their transformative updates.
From Simple Update to Complete Transformation
“This project really exemplifies how good design can create seamless connections throughout a home,” reflected Lero, whose initial scope of the project focused on adding a screened porch and visually connecting the kitchen and bar to it. That scope expanded organically as opportunities for improved flow and functionality became apparent. The project required significant structural work on the new and existing to accommodate the ambitious vision for the space, but it all came together beautifully.
The renovation’s centerpiece is the expansive screened-in porch, thoughtfully designed for year-round enjoyment. The space features multiple distinct areas: a dining section, a lounge area, and a bar space – all carefully planned to accommodate the family’s entertainment needs. Practical amenities include overhead heating housed in black I-beams, a ceiling fan, and a wood-burning fireplace with a gas starter. Entertainment options abound with two strategically placed TVs – one by the grill area and another above the fireplace. A large grill and pizza oven complete the outdoor cooking setup.
“We have all of our family here in town, so we love to have them over to watch games and just spend time together,” expressed Macy.
Interior Innovation
Beyond the patio and moving inside the home, the transformation is equally impressive. What used to be the children’s playroom has been reconfigured as a modern lounge area anchored by a blue sectional, with the former walls torn down to create an open flow. The kitchen underwent a contemporary makeover, with all the upper cabinets removed in favor of an elegant textured tile backsplash that adds visual interest while maintaining an airy feel. The existing lower cabinets were repainted, and all pulls were updated – a detail that exemplifies the thorough approach to the renovation.
“I am all about the details,” emphasized Macy.
A key breakthrough came in reimagining the space between rooms. Where a cramped walk-in pantry once stood, an open concept space now creates a natural transition throughout the first floor. This new open pantry area features copious storage spaces, quartz countertops, a coffee bar, and windows that open to the outdoor patio that previously did not exist there.
“This allows us to see the outdoor space from anywhere on the first floor,” noted Macy. Adjacent to the windows are two sliding glass doors that further blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. The bump-out wall at the end of the open pantry marks where the former closed pantry ended, a reminder of how far the space has come.
Design Details and Personal Touches
Macy, leveraging her professional background in interior design, was deeply involved in every aspect of the project. Before construction began, she created detailed scale drawings, selecting furniture pieces that would inform the structural changes. Her creative touch is evident throughout, from the installation of unique 2-D and 3-D wood wall tiles flanking the indoor fireplace which were sourced from a company in Poland to the modernization of that fireplace, where the former traditional fluted trim and mantel were removed in favor of a cleaner, more modernized look.
The design strategy reflects both functionality and flexibility. “I like to change things around a lot,” Macy explained. “As such, I wanted the main space more neutral in color with white walls and neutral flooring, so I can add in pops of color, art, and new upholstery easily whenever I want a change.” This adaptable canvas is enhanced by local art pieces that Macy carefully selected to elevate each room. The renovation incorporated both existing furniture pieces and new items, creating a perfect blend of old and new.
Myriad architectural details abound. For example, a pocket door separating the living room from the lounge allows for simultaneous TV viewing without sound interference. The living room ceiling, once flat, now features an elevated design with decorative wood detailing.
“This was a complex endeavor,” Mike said. “However, the space looks more finished this way.”
Additional walnut pieces throughout the first floor complement the statement wood wall beside the fireplace, creating a cohesive design language.
Living Through the Renovation
During the 18-month project, the family found a unique solution to the typical renovation disruption. The property’s back house – a separate structure with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and its own kitchen – served as their temporary home. This space now pulls double duty as Mike’s home office and a space for guests to stay.
A New Chapter
This stunning transformation has fundamentally changed how the family uses their home.
“We use every single inch of our home now,” Macy reflected. With all their family living in town, the space has become a hub for entertaining and watching professional sports. The layout now flows seamlessly from the front door through the living room, into the lounge area, and out to the patio. On pleasant days, the sliding glass doors remain open, allowing fresh air to flow through the screened porch and creating the seamless indoor-outdoor living experience the couple envisioned.
The project stands as a testament to how thoughtful architectural design, coupled with personal vision, can transform a space while respecting its historical character.
As Lero noted, “What makes this project special is how it respects the home’s history while bringing everything together more cohesively. The exterior seamlessly blends with the neighborhood, while the interior shines with a newfound sense of connection and flow.”
Through careful planning, creative vision, and attention to detail, Mike and Macy have created a home that honors its past while embracing modern living, proving that sometimes the best renovations are the ones that grow beyond their original scope.
Resources
- RDM Architecture ~ Homeowners Mike & Macy Cargnel
- Architect ~ RDM Architecture – Matthew Lero
- Builder/Contractor ~ Hurst Construction
- Project & Interior Designer ~ Macy Cargnel
- Appliances ~ Big Ass Fans: Patio – Haiku, Blaze: Patio Grill/Storage
- Custom Art Pieces ~ @jennymeyermccallpaints, @ashleylata_art, @erinkmcallister_art, @hannahfinnan.art
- Cabinets ~ Materia Custom – Color: Benjamin Moore, Iron Ore
- Countertops Indoors ~ Central Surfaces: Pantry – Metro Quartz Lux Noir; Lounge – Enchanted Rock
- Countertops Outdoors ~ Eurostone Select: Mont Blanc Leathered Marble
- Doors & Windows ~ Pella
- Fireplace – Indoor ~ Form At Wood: Triangle in Walnut
- Fireplace – Outdoor ~ The Hayes Co. : Italian Plaster in Sherwin Williams, Simply White
- Furniture ~ Crate & Barrel: Patio Sofas – Batten
- Hardware Kitchen ~ CB2: Lavau
- Hardware Pantry ~ Etsy: Handmade
- Hardware Lounge ~ My Knobs: Knurled Bar
- Light Fixtures ~ Wilson Lighting: Lounge – Mitzi, Jena; Patio and Outdoor Sconces – ET2, Alumilux Line; Living Room – Mariana, Lunar. Crate and Barrel: Dining Room – Beau Loop. Lumens: Pantry – Navada LED Pendant
- Lumber ~ Elmwood Reclaimed Timber: Living Room Ceiling, Patio Mantle
- Linens ~ Calico Corners: Ottoman – Zeppelin, Drapery – Himalaya Natural, Hamilton
- Paint ~ Sherwin Williams: Simply White, Benjamin Moore: Iron Ore
- Roofing ~ Royco Roofing
- Stone Company ~ House of Stone
- Tile Patio ~ TileBar.com: Kenridge Ribbon Maple, Kenridge Chevron Maple, Rework Grey Blue. Floor & Décor: Doral Night
- Tile Indoor Fireplace ~ Floor & Décor: Doral Night and Alexi White
- Tile Kitchen ~ TileBar.com: Colorplay Inflex
- Tile Pantry ~ Floor & Décor: Adessi, Kavala Tile
- Tile Lounge ~ Floor & Décor: Gatsby Ceramic Tile
- Tile Installer ~ Mike Brown Tile
