Elevating Accessibility

How one Overland Park couple reimagined their residence for multi-generational enjoyment and future needs.

Story by Ann Butenas / Photography by Matt Kocourek

When an Overland Park couple decided to remodel their home, they weren’t just thinking about current family gatherings. They were also planning for years to come. Working with Lauren Balestrieri of L Marie Interior Design, they transformed their residence into a space that seamlessly blends contemporary style with forward-thinking accessibility. The renovation opened the kitchen and dining room to create flowing spaces, perfect for when their grandchildren arrive, while simultaneously incorporating age-in-place features including an elevator serving all floors and a future primary suite on the main level complete with roll-in shower. The remodel strikes a delicate balance: celebrating family togetherness today while quietly preparing for tomorrow’s needs through thoughtful design choices that don’t sacrifice style for functionality.

Family First: The Heart of the Renovation

What started as a consideration to downsize to a condo took an unexpected turn when the homeowners’ two oldest grandchildren, then 10 years old, burst into tears at the news. That emotional response changed everything. Now, a decade later, one of those grandchildren even wrote a college entrance essay about what the home meant to her growing up.

The family has lived in the home since 1996, when their two children were in high school. Over the years, it has become much more than just a house. It is the central gathering place for their growing family. With seven grandchildren ranging from college-age to grade-school, all living within a mile or two, the home has become a hub of activity and memory-making. The grandchildren consider it “their” house and frequently bring friends to visit.

“The house was luckily large enough to accommodate the additional family that comes over all the time,” indicated Balestrieri. “The additional master suite on the first floor provides another separated space for family or friends, as well as assist the parents in the future.”

This multi-level home, originally built in 1973 as a ranch-style residence before a two-story addition in 1980 transformed it into a front-to-back split level with four distinct floors, has been thoughtfully renovated to allow the homeowners to age in place. The elevator was incorporated by utilizing space from two bathrooms that were stacked on top of each other, a clever architectural solution that preserved the home’s flow. While installed with an eye toward the future, the elevator already serves as a daily dumbwaiter for moving laundry, suitcases, and even Christmas decorations between floors.

Thoughtful Design with Longevity in Mind

According to Balestrieri, the design philosophy for the renovation was “simple, but warm and welcoming,” incorporating bold tones and rich wood stains balanced by lighter walls and abundant natural light. After years of living with an all-white kitchen, the homeowners were ready to introduce stained cabinetry and black/charcoal accents that elevate the kitchen design.

“We wanted to bring in some bold tones and great wood stains that we balanced out with lighter walls, large windows, skylights, and the natural feel of the stone,” Balestrieri explained. “We wanted some great accents that draw your eye throughout the space.”

A standout feature of the renovation is a two-story, stacked-stone wall by the stairwell, designed to coordinate with the existing stacked-stone fireplace and atrium. This addition came about when the project foreman suggested adding stone instead of just painting the stair wall. Finding a stonemason who could match the original stonework added six weeks to the project timeline but resulted in a seamless integration that enhances the home’s character.

“We did not want to lose the statement of the stone fireplace and atrium,” noted Balestrieri. “Bringing the stone to the elevator allowed us to showcase the natural elements even more. We stained columns to pull in the wood from various other sides of the room to create balance.”

Careful attention was paid to aging-in-place elements throughout the renovation. Beyond the elevator and roll-in shower, subtle features include wider aisleways in the kitchen, thoughtfully designed pathways throughout the house, a widened stairwell to meet current building codes, hardware selected with aging in mind, and strategically placed lighting to ensure clear visibility anywhere in the home.

The main-level guest suite, which will eventually become the primary bedroom, was designed with wider doorways and a roll-in shower to ensure the homeowners can remain in their beloved home regardless of future mobility needs. These accessible features benefit all guests in the meantime, making the space universally welcoming.

“This design preference was to ensure that the homeowners would be able to stay in the home regardless of the elevator and their physical well-being,” said Balestrieri. “This is the main guest room which is nice for all guests no matter what their accessibility.”

Reimagined Spaces for Gathering and Living

The renovation maintained the home’s original open concept while updating crucial details. The kitchen was expanded, and a large island was added that can seat eight people. The layout includes two sinks and two dishwashers to accommodate multiple people working in the space simultaneously, perfect for family cooking sessions. Innovative storage solutions hide small appliances like the coffee maker and smoothie machine inside cabinets with electrical outlets, maintaining a clean, uncluttered look.

“The hidden countertops and electrical in the kitchen towers are included for keeping clutter off the main countertops,” Balestrieri pointed out. “The spices are hidden in the end of a tower cabinet near the fridge. The fridge and the most viewed dishwasher are covered in cabinet panels for a cleaner look. The ice machine is hidden in a storage cabinet to keep out of main sight.”

The dining room comfortably accommodates 14 people, although they’ve managed to squeeze in 15 on occasion, making it ideal for the weekly family meals that anchor their busy lives. A new bar area adjacent to the dining room provides easy access to beverages, creates a second serving area when needed, and offers storage for platters, dishes, and stemware.

“The bar area being added to the dining room side allows for beverages to be easily accessible, two serving areas if needed, and storage for additional service platters, dishes and stemware,” stated Balestrieri.

The atrium, a distinctive feature of the original home, was adjusted in size to allow for an expanded staircase. Enhanced with additional natural light through new skylights and windows, it showcases the homeowner’s collection of lovingly tended plants and a refreshed waterfall feature, providing a stunning natural backdrop to the first floor.

“The atrium was existing in the home, but natural light was added to highlight the space more,” explained Balestrieri. “The plants are a labor of love for the homeowner and provide a wonderful backdrop to the first floor. The waterfall was slightly adjusted and brought back to life with all the plants.”

Material selections throughout the home were made with longevity in mind. White oak with linear grain was chosen for cabinetry and columns, oriented in the same direction to create visual flow. Countertops featuring thin veining complement the dramatic Nero Orion island stone, creating a timeless look. The designer incorporated the 2024 color of the year as an accent in the first-floor master suite, while using a mix of cooler and warmer tones throughout to provide flexibility for future design updates.

“The use of the white oak is going to keep the trend in style longer as the tones of the wood won’t yellow or redden after time,” Balestrieri emphasized. “The thinner veined counter tops mixed with the Nero Orion island will provide longevity to this space.”

Planning for the renovation was an extensive process that began in 2013, with architect Ron Stallbaumer creating comprehensive building plans. After years of collecting ideas and refining their vision, construction finally commenced in August 2022 with builder Brian Gillespie of Gillespie Renovations at the helm. The project was completed in April 2024 after 20 months of work, with design touches following. Throughout the renovation, the homeowners relocated to a nearby apartment.

The homeowners are thrilled with the results, particularly loving the kitchen and improved access to the backyard spaces. A thoughtful detail — a gate in the railing to access the atrium for plant care — delights the gardening enthusiast of the household. While they have always loved their family home, they now feel they can enjoy it without worries, secure in the knowledge that it will accommodate their needs for years to come.