2016 Home of Distinction - Kansas City Homes & Style

Giving hope of a lifetime to children bravely fighting to beat the odds of childhood cancers

Story by Ann Butenas | Photos by James Maidhof

Even though its impressive 10,963-square-foot footprint may seem overwhelming initially, this 2016 Home of Distinction is anything but intimidating. Yes, it’s impressive, but it was built with an express purpose in mind.

“We have three young children so our style is sort of a farmhouse glam,” noted the homeowners. “All the furniture can be eaten on, jumped on and well-loved. We have lots of ‘secret spaces’ for the kids to play in and be creative. And every room has a mix of family treasures, flea market finds and a few splurges where it counts. This is a house to be lived in and loved, to welcome friends, and not to be too fussy.”

From its initial curb appeal presenting with a classic Nantucket style boasting a strong mix of shake and lap siding, along with a large reclaimed brick front porch, one might feel as if he or she is strolling in an eastern seaboard neighborhood. Once inside, its menu of enviable amenities built with casual style and charm, instantly make you feel right at home.

With seven bedrooms, seven full baths, a five-car garage, chef’s kitchen, galley kitchen, home cinema, fitness gym, lounge bar, wine cellar (are you still with us?), mom’s office, dad’s study, game room, three hidden play nooks and so much more, it could take days to settle in, yet it offers a lifetime of memories to be made for the family who lives here.

This Home of Distinction also stands for so much more, as it championed a team effort between the homeowners, Starr Homes – the builder, Style and Grace Interiors – the interior designer, TLConcepts and many more key players including craftsmen and suppliers to benefit Braden’s Hope For Childhood Cancer. “The homeowners were gracious enough to agree to the tour for the charity, which is important to them and to us, and we were more than happy to facilitate,” noted Kit Starr, one of the owners of Starr Homes.

“The architecture and design was done collaboratively with the homeowners to achieve exactly what they wanted,” said Gerry Starr, also of Starr Homes. “As the Home of Distinction, it gives tour guests a peek behind the curtain, in a sense, of a variety of trends and styles that they don’t typically get to see in other model homes.” Additionally, Starr indicated that while many homes may not necessarily use every available space at all times, all spaces in this home have a specific purpose and each room was designed accordingly. “Even the children’s rooms were created with each child in mind to meet all needs in mind,” explained Starr.

Enjoy The Tour!

“If you see it and love it, let’s do it!” expressed the homeowners to Erica Rigdon, interior designer and owner of Style and Grace Interiors, who delivered an impressive amount of talent and expertise, producing a final product that has its own expressive and charming personality, perfectly showcasing the homeowners’ style and tastes.

“She wanted this home to be loved on and lived in,” noted Rigdon, who eagerly took to the task, taking hints of the masculine and rugged style of the husband and marrying them well with the more relaxed, beachy and coastal inclinations of the wife.

This great room is a definite show-stopper. Custom-made drapes adorn the tall windows. Two sofas facing each other, along with two spool chairs and two custom wingback chairs provide ample seating room for those casual, yet sophisticated, social gatherings.

This was designed with a chef’s kitchen in mind. As a family that loves to cook, entertain and enjoy the company of family and friends, this space – and the house as a whole – was created to cater to that desire.

The custom-made in-island banquette seating area with a hand-crafted table creates a strong focal point in the home. Flanked by grayish-white quartz countertops and confident cabinetry painted in Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore paints, this dining area is sure to become a central family gathering spot. The brick molding in the arched doorways add charming appeal, playing well with the lite grey backsplash subway tile and the hickory hardwood flooring, which is the predominant hard surface flooring throughout the home, with the exception of the bathrooms.

The entire home enjoys a palette of lite white, greys, and ivories enhanced by Kendall charcoal and revere pewter, which lend themselves well to the neutral undertones.

This delightful octogonal-like seating area contiguous to the kitchen is perfect for a table for eight. The beamed Wainscot ceiling adds a layer of warmth and also showcases the five hanging globe pendants. The round soft edges of the elements in this space suggest a cozy ambiance with a hint of elegant charm.

Is this a pantry or a second kitchen? Actually, it’s both, and this space is truly a chef’s dream, with extra appliances and ample counter space that make cooking, baking and preparing for entertaining guests seemingly effortless and fun.

The master bedroom is a full-on retreat in and of itself. One of its main talking points is the vaulted stinkwood ceiling, made of reclaimed wood placed on a thin veneer, offering a ship-lap feel. The stack stone fireplace and hickory hardwood flooring add the perfect level of warmth.

The master bathroom sports confident tile marble in a herringbone pattern, offset by his and hers vanities, a free standing soaker tub, a sophisticated chandelier (“elegant femininity”) and dark cabinets (the “masculine touch”).

Located on the main level, this makes a great kids’ study space but is also perfect for arts and crafts or even holiday gift-wrapping. The light fixture above the small table and three red chairs, holds three pendant lights created from vintage books.

This upstairs kids’ playroom has it all, from a kids’ old-fashioned soda fountain-inspired bar stocked with their favorite candies to vintage-inspired red stools, custom-fit bunk beds with touch lights on the walls, a lounge area and even a kids’ stage! Sliding barn doors open up the space to the hallway, and not to be overlooked are the ever-popular shiplap walls! This is the perfect recreation room for sleepovers, too.

The brick wall leading down to the fire place offers a glimpse of what is to come, as downstairs a rugged duet of brick and stone bring out the masculine side of the space as rich textures of those elements coordinate well with the honed granite counter top of the bar and the accompanying pendant lighting, accented by the rich, dark cabinetry and wood style tile flooring. The bar area also acts as a mini-kitchen, complete with a microwave, mini fridge and dishwasher.

Completing the abundant amenities of the lower level include a wine room, poker room and media center.

The covered lanai graciously invites the outdoors in. The gas stack stone fireplace, stained bead board wooden ceiling, travertine flooring and patterned area rug add balance to the space while the outdoor wicker furniture from Wayfair extends a welcome invitation to sit back and relax. The country farm table – one of the few pieces the homeowners brought from their former home, stands as a legacy piece, enjoying six newly-covered chairs to allow for a large group of people for a fun gathering spot.

This delightful young lady’s room, decked out in turquoise and white, is the perfect place for reading, studying, playing and having your friends over. Its whimsical appointments support a strong girly vibe and just might suggest a “No Boys Allowed” rule. The accompanying full bathroom owns a hot pink ceiling that is offset by the black and white vintage-inspired checkered floor.

And what girl’s room wouldn’t be complete without a secret hideaway? Just push back the bookshelf and lose yourself in the hot pink secret playroom, complete with chandelier.

BUILDING PARTNERS

Starr Homes: Builder | Braco Stone: Countertops | Christensen Lumber: Lumber, Wall Panels, Floor & Roof Trusses | Ferguson/Thermador/Blanco: Appliances & Plumbing Fixtures | Gameroom Concepts: Game Room | James Hardie: Siding | KC Building Supply/Weathershield: Windows & Trim | Naturally Wired: Home Automation | Next To Nature Landscape: Landscaping | Overhead Door Company of KC: Garage Doors | Wilson Lighting: Lighting

TOUR PARTNERS

Braden’s Hope: Charity Partner | Hen House: Ticket Outlet | KMBC/KCWE: TV Partner | KC Homes & Style: Magazine Partner | Style & Grace Interiors: Interior Designer