Rustic Revival - Kansas City Homes & Style

Primary bath blends with its bucolic setting.

Story by Mollie Pfeifer | Photography by Laurie Kilgore

Set on ten acres of treed and grassy land in Pleasantville, Missouri, the home was already full of charm when the new owners moved in. While they loved the bucolic setting and rustic character, their primary bathroom did not quite fit their style. They envisioned a space that was lighter, brighter, and more timeless, while still nodding to the home’s rural roots.

Interior designer Amy Krause, who had worked with the clients on past projects, was tasked with making that vision a reality. “They wanted a more classic and easy-to-maintain space,” Krause explains. “We focused on materials that are both beautiful and low maintenance.”

The redesign not only transformed the look of the bathroom but also its functionality. Krause enlarged the shower, added a bathtub, and maintained every inch of storage, while also introducing heated floors and smart lighting. “With one wall plate control, they can program different lighting scenes, such as night lighting or a relaxing bath setting, each labeled for convenience,” she says. “It makes life seamless.”

To achieve this balance, Krause drew inspiration from the home’s natural surroundings while updating rustic character to feel fresh and easy to maintain. Large-format porcelain tiles in the shower minimize grout lines for easier upkeep, while custom cherry cabinetry with an onyx stain grounds the space. A new linen cabinet, crafted by DuraSupreme, features gray-tinted glass and push latches, fitting neatly into space reclaimed from an adjacent pantry. Practical upgrades are complemented by thoughtful details: reeded cabinet doors under the sinks, cheerful quartz countertops atop the vanity, and a lit toe kick that adds a soft nighttime glow. Overhead, a sculptural globe light above the tub ties the elements together.

Another standout feature is the bathtub, subtly rounded on one side. “A graceful curve eases the corner, offering contrast and balance to the angular lines of the shower opposite,” Krause notes. To reinforce the farmhouse theme, wood-look tile surrounds the tub, echoing rustic cedar used elsewhere in the home but rendered in a lighter tone for easy maintenance and a cohesive look.

The shower, too, holds its share of clever touches. Functionality meets style with discreet grab bars, one at the bench and another integrated with the handheld shower, which blend seamlessly into the tile. Krause discovered the award-winning design at KBIS. “They aren’t usually very attractive, but this one can be tiled to match the walls, eliminating the industrial look of typical models,” she says. Adding her signature touch, Krause designed the shower as a full glass enclosure with a bench that extends slightly beyond the glass line, creating both dimension and balance in the room.

Reflecting on the project, Krause emphasizes the importance of process. “Start with the designer, and allow enough time for the design phase,” she advises. “During this stage, we establish the investment, which becomes the foundation for the project. With the plan in place, we can order materials in advance and keep the remodel running efficiently. The relationship between designer and contractor is what makes it all come together smoothly.”

With its soft modern farmhouse style, the finished bathroom captures the best of both worlds: rustic charm and modern convenience, perfectly suited to its peaceful, pastoral setting.