Prairie Village abode is a cozy sight to behold.

Story by Judy Goppert | Photography by Matt Kocourek | Pictured Above: Anne Epstein

What do you get when you unleash a talented Nell Hill’s designer on her own home? The WOW factor!

Anne Epstein is a designer for Nell Hill’s, and she and her husband, Andy, purchased their Prairie Village home six years ago. This home, built in 1962, has received a loving update in all areas.

“We purchased this house after living in a much larger house for 8 years in the Reinhardt neighborhood in Fairway, Kansas,” Anne notes. “We decided we needed to downsize when the first of our three daughters moved out. We sold our old house quickly at the peak of the market, and then found this house which was in terrible shape. We gutted it, downsized and made it our empty nest house!”

The ceilings were vaulted while the kitchen was completely remodeled. It is truly a focal point in this sprawling ranch-style home, offering a bright and airy space with sleek built-in refrigerator and six-burner stovetop. Beautiful, muted vintage rugs anchor the space, with the runner recently purchased from a vintage rug vendor on a buying trip to High Point Market. The stools were reimagined with beautiful Schumacher fabric and navy double-welt edge.

“I love bright white kitchens but then I like adding antiques, art and rugs to warm up the space to make the kitchen feel more lived in! Most meals are spent at the island, eating and watching TV,” she continues. “I often tell my customers that I highly recommend investing in comfortable bar stools because we tend to sit here more than any other spot in the home.”

Anne lives for preppy chinoiserie, so the burnt orange vase makes sense as the focal point of her kitchen island. A rustic vintage-inspired buffet is layered with everyday pieces and dainty dishes and Anne changes the decor with the seasons, Easter and bunnies are a favorite of hers.

“We decided to feature this home because of Anne’s charming new traditional style, we knew it would be a big hit!” notes Aubrey Young, creative brand strategist for Nell Hill’s. “Most everything you see is from the shop at one time or another.”

As noted, Anne designed the home herself. If Anne had to describe her style in three words, it would be classic, colorful and preppy. She has a special appreciation for all styles, but her favorites are traditional with touches of color, whimsy and most of all, fun! Once a customer falls in love with an item, whether it’s a fabric, light fixture, or even just a photo, Anne is able to expand and create a beautiful design made just for them. As a designer, she loves having the opportunity to work with amazing textiles and has earned the title of Fabric Fanatic!

Speaking of fabric, the sitting room walls are dressed in a rich navy, complementing the butter velvet ottoman in the center of the room. Black and white buffalo check curtains add preppy detail and lend to the casual elegance of this relaxing room.

“What I like best about this room, is that I can close the French doors, and the room feels separate from the rest of the living space,” she smiles.

The back cushions of the down-stuffed ticking stripe sectional sofa are a favorite napping spot for Anne’s pup, Oliver.

The monogrammed pillow made by Anne’s daughter brings out the lush pink tones in the matching tiger pillow, custom-made from a famous fabric house and available through Nell Hill’s. Trays and beloved artwork complete the room and mesh with the striking navy wall.

The hall powder room is a sight to see, she explains, “It features Thibaut grass cloth on the walls which provides a neutral background for artwork and the vanity, which is a black bamboo. The chest was purchased from Nell Hill’s and re-done as a vanity by my contractor, DP Hudacek. This is the third project I have done with my contractor, Deb! The light fixtures are Kate Spade from Visual Comfort.”

“The dining room is a casual but elegant dining space,” Anne says. “The fireplace has custom painted tile and a reclaimed wood mantle. I love adding a dining bench or settee on one side of a dining table, it also helps when I need to pile family around the table for holidays and Sunday night dinners. The host and hostess chairs done in a unique fabric, like this Schumacher fabric, makes a dining room feel more comfortable and adds softness to the room. The light fixture is by Visual Comfort.”

The living room is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door. Bold expressions of texture and color greet you with a combination of preppy and new traditional elements reflecting Anne’s style. The walls are covered in botanical-inspired Schumacher wallpaper, and the artwork adds in a dash of prep. The blue and green rug is a customer favorite, with twin chairs opposite the couch are green gimp and nail head trim adding stately detail. Pops of pink are found throughout. The coffee table and buffet are both Nell Hill’s, adding in rich warm tones. The pair of ottomans covered in green animal print add fun detail to the space, and she can pull the stools into the seating space when she has a larger gathering. They also double as a dining chair when she needs more seating at the dining table.

Anne’s collection of blue chinoiserie top the console, with a tiny delicate tea set she purchased in Boston at the Boston Tea Party Museum for her nieces and nephews to play with. The pair of lamps feature a collection of insects and vintage-inspired statues. In the fall and winter, she adds tartan pillows and a plaid throw to complement Christmas decorations.

This home is a welcoming change for Anne and her husband, with plenty of room for their visiting daughters. The basement has an extra bedroom for them to stay in, and the wide-open space allows for gathering. Personal touches throughout comfort and inspire her and she can add as she goes.

“I was inspired by a French country style, so I painted the exterior of the house a soft white and added French blue European style shutters and window boxes. I love pink flowers, so I try to keep shades of green and pink in the landscape, window boxes and planters. My home is always a work in progress, and I am always thinking about what to do next,” she concludes.