How a local family transformed a 1917 concrete treasure into the ultimate multigenerational gathering place.
Story by Ann Butenas ~ Photography by Matt Kocourek
The Harshbarger’s 1917 Rockhill home tells two stories simultaneously: one of meticulous historic preservation, and another of a family creating space for future generations to gather, celebrate, and grow.
When Sonya and her husband Lance moved from Olathe in 2020, their three daughters were heading off to college and life beyond. Rather than downsizing, they made an unexpected choice: they purchased a 6,000-square-foot historic home with six bedrooms and three full floors. The decision was intentional.
“Everyone was going off to school, and we thought this would be a perfect time to come to the heart of the city, which we love,” Sonya explained. But the move was about more than location. “I really want a spot where the children have space to come home, not just the three of them anymore. It’s spouses, grandchildren, and all that entails.”
That vision has already materialized. The home has hosted one daughter’s wedding, numerous family celebrations, and remarkably, the birth of the Harshbarger’s first grandson in a third floor bedroom. The couple’s commitment to creating a multigenerational haven has transformed this century-old structure into exactly what they envisioned: a place where late-night conversations flow freely, where family gathers around the dining table, and where their nearly two-year-old grandson runs joyfully through rooms filled with art and light.
Understanding the Bones
Built in 1917, the home stands as an architectural anomaly in Rockhill, constructed almost entirely of solid concrete, making it one of only two such homes in the area. Before purchasing, the Harshbarger’s brought in a structural engineer who delivered surprising news.
“He said he’d never seen anything like this,” Sonya recalled. “He expressed that the foundation is something he would expect to see in a commercial structure.” The foundation’s commercial-grade construction and oversized floor joists speak to building practices from an era when homes were built to last centuries, not decades.
The home originally featured a radiant heating system with radiators that warmed the concrete walls themselves, an elegant solution that a previous owner inexplicably removed. Despite this loss, many original elements remain: hardwood floors throughout most of the house, solid mahogany doors with crystal doorknobs, and French casement windows, some still featuring the original cold-rolled glass.
“Those are original,” Sonya said of the hardwood floors. “Whenever they installed the floors, the planks were much thicker than what is installed today. You could refinish the floors many times and still have life left in the planks.”
A Canvas for Local Artistry
While the Harshbargers have carefully preserved historic elements, they’ve also collaborated with local Kansas City artists to create spaces that reflect their lifestyle and values. The dining room stands as the jewel of these collaborations. A hand-painted mural by mother-daughter artist team Kerry Stucky Decorative Arts transforms the space into an immersive garden scene.
The mural, featuring birds and botanical elements, took shape over time as Sonya, an avid gardener who participated in last year’s Rockhill garden tour, found ways to bring her outdoor passion inside.
“I just love carrying that theme through the house because it’s a part of who I am: gardening and enjoying nature,” she explained.
The same artistic team also executed gold leafing on the powder room ceiling, creating an unexpectedly glamorous moment in a small space.
“We really want it to be special since guests primarily use this bathroom,” Sonya noted. A custom marble sink from a Turkish artisan, rich wall color, and detailed molding complete the jewel-box effect.
The Heart of the Home
The kitchen embodies Sonya’s cooking-focused lifestyle. She had the range hood custom-built by Profile and installed a professional-grade range that suits her frequent entertaining. The wood-topped island serves multiple functions: a workspace during meal preparation, casual dining for everyday meals, and the “kids’ table” during large family gatherings when all three married daughters and their families descend on this Rockhill masterpiece.
“The kitchen is so functional; it’s been designed to serve me perfectly and is used extensively for large meals and entertaining,” Sonya said.
Above the island hangs an Allegri light fixture that complements the dramatic Crystorama chandelier in the entry foyer. Both pieces were selected to feel vintage and appropriate to the home’s era. Along one wall, a gallery of pen-and-ink drawings depicts Kansas City landmarks, all created by local artist, Douglas Fulks, whom the Harshbargers discovered at the Overland Park farmers market.
Thoughtful Transformations
The formal living room features a fireplace enhanced with ornamental plasterwork added by a previous owner who also installed Jerusalem stone throughout the bathrooms. While Sonya appreciates the craftsmanship, she noted the stone “is not appropriate for this house. This home is not Mediterranean at all.” Future bathroom renovations will address this mismatch.
Installing wall sconces flanking the fireplace presented unique challenges. The solid concrete walls required massive bolts and custom boxes, with visible cording running down to floor outlets. It was a creative solution that respects the building’s construction while adding necessary light.
What was once an exterior porch has been enclosed to create a music room off the kitchen.
“We relax in there, listening to vinyl, and it’s got such beautiful sunlight with southern exposure,” Sonya said. The space also allows conversation to flow naturally between rooms while she cooks.
Bringing the Outside In
Beyond the deck with its unobstructed views of the Nelson Atkins Museum, Sonya has created intimate garden spaces inspired by Charleston’s courtyard gardens. Fountains attract birds to the property, while fruit-bearing trees and evergreens provide both food and shelter.
“I really want them to come and have a nice spot to live,” she said.
Her 25 years of gardening experience, developed through the extensive gardens she maintained in Olathe, translated to this smaller, more urban space.
“I’ve tried to embrace the small garden element by creating intimate rooms,” she explained.
The home’s exterior also received attention. The Harshbargers replaced the composite roof with Italian Ludowici tile in green, an investment that dramatically elevated the home’s historic character and street presence.
A Work in Progress
The Harshbarger’s continue updating spaces throughout the house. They’re currently renovating the second-floor bathroom and plan to tackle the master bath next. They’re also planning to strip paint from the solid mahogany doors to restore their original wood finish.
“I’ll never be done,” Sonya acknowledged. “I think it’s difficult, at least for me, to make a lot of decisions until I’m in the space. Then the space starts telling me what it wants, and I tried very hard to listen.”
This philosophy of listening to the home, of serving as stewards rather than owners, guides their every decision.
“We really are just stewards here,” Sonya reflected. “I always have a mind towards the longevity of the home and what’s going to make sense for this home, for this space. Whenever these homes were built there was so much thought that went into every detail. I don’t see the need to change those things.”
Meanwhile, their grandson has already claimed the hand-painted dining room as his favorite space, searching for birds in the mural. It’s precisely the kind of moment the Harshbargers envisioned when they chose this historic house, a place where family memories layer upon a century of history, where past and future meet in rooms filled with art, light, and laughter.
“It is a home to be lived in, absolutely,” Sonya expressed. “While we’ve done what we can to try to honor the home and make it feel as elevated and elegant as we can, it really is designed for my grandson to run around here and do what he wants.”
These renovations truly are about family.
Resources
- Powder Room Sink: ONS Marble
- Gold Leaf Ceiling: Kerry Stucky Decorative Arts
- Dining Room Mural: Kerry Stucky Decorative Arts
- Dining Room Tablescape: Diebolt’s
- Custom Range Hood and Installation: Custom Wood Product, Profile Cabinets
- Wolf Range: Roth Living
- Lighting: Wilson Lighting
