Brimming with imaginative elements, every corner of this home has a purpose.

Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matthew Anderson

It has been said some people look for a beautiful place while others make a place beautiful. In the case of this magnificent abode, it appears both approaches have been dutifully fulfilled.

Sitting among 20 acres of land in Stilwell, Kansas, this 6,200 (above grade) square foot home checks all the boxes with respect to style, features, innovation, and functionality. Designed and built by luxury custom home builder Todd Hill, owner of Todd Hill Homes, in coordination with architect Scott Bickford of Bickford & Company, this home takes its cues from the surrounding landscape and the homeowners’ preferred style of living.

“We wanted a modern/industrial style of home, yet really didn’t want a set style that could be easily named,” expressed Hill, who chose a color palate of black, warm white, and natural wood to set the inviting and relaxing ambiance. Hill and his wife also pulled appreciable inspiration from out West, including influences from Utah, Wyoming, Arizona and Lake Tahoe.

“Our goal was to create more than a show home,” expressed Hill. “We looked at every last space – every square foot – to see what we could do differently. We wanted to incorporate creative elements into every corner and we wanted everything to be custom.”

With four bedrooms and four and-a-half bathrooms, embracing an open floor plan, there is plenty of space to move around. However, despite its spaciousness, the interior design seems to draw everyone closer. The details in this design are truly what set this place apart. Hill and his wife worked directly with interior designer, Groover Interior Designs, to ensure they got exactly what they wanted in terms of style and décor. Even as you approach the front door, you can see creative genius fast at work, from the stucco, stone and wood facade combo to the grand, two-story entrance and the pathway that leads to the main entrance.

“The sidewalk was too long to just leave plain, so we incorporated the design aspect of some offset squares with decorative rock nestled around them,” noted Hill, who also referenced the all-metal, lifetime roof that provides comforting background noise when the rain dances upon it.

Upon entering the home, a standout on the main level is the massive great room, complete with a barrel-shaped ceiling accented with wood planks and a wood-burning fireplace framed in metal and embellished with a striking patina.

“This fireplace really heats the majority of the house well,” stated Hill. “It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of the house.”

The three-hoop chandelier provides a contrasting focal point. The main staircase outfitted with cable railing was custom-fabricated on site and is complemented by solid white oak stair treads. Its seemingly floating designs allows light to dance through the main level with ease. Ample lighting, especially natural, is a common theme in many areas of the home, as well as the application of under counter and under cabinet LED lighting for additional ambient accents. Hill also installed opaque paneled doors leading to several individual rooms to coordinate with the play on lights.

“This entire home is focused on light all around and throughout,” expressed Hill.

The open kitchen is situated in a diagonal plane from the living room. The island displays its impressive personality with its live-edge maple perimeter counter and the accompanying marble countertop quarried out of Springfield, Missouri. That same marble is seamlessly applied to the perimeter countertops and to the backsplash behind the range. The oversized refrigerator is flanked by storage cabinets, that when opened, offer a variety of drawers for functional storage.

“They look like big doors, but when you open them, they function like drawers,” noted Hill.

The black-stained maple cabinets pull double duty in their minimalist look while still sporting a rustic appeal, as the grain subtly presents through the stain.

Not to be outdone by the other unique features in the home, the master suite presents an award-winning style with a vaulted wood plank ceiling accented by welded steel beams and a cozy daybed, tucked in perfectly by the window to capture those amazing outdoor vistas.

“That little spot was my wife’s idea and design,” said Hill

The master shower has a zero-entry threshold and an invisible linear drain on one end. The black, large format tile wall works in harmony with the over-sized soaker tub, which sits upon decorative river rocks (the same is incorporated on the exterior sidewalk), a nod to the desired rustic vibe. The decorative ceiling light fixture anchors the room and provides a sculpted touch, pouring the right amount of ambient light into the area, working in conjunction with the natural light. A long, suspended trough sink with an invisible drain in the back of it completes the minimal yet rustic look.

“We also have a floating sink in the half bath which is flat on top,” said Hill. “My wife and designer refer to this as the Kardashian sink, as apparently one of them has this sink in their home. It looks like concrete but is actually marble.” A black floating shelf rests beneath the sink, offering the perfect amount of storage.

A home office presents as an exercise in minimalism, with a complete wall of glass and a cowhide rug, creating a modern and clean look with a warm and comfy vibe.

One of the biggest hits in this home is the dining room. Two large, commercial grade windows/sliding doors open up to the corresponding lanai, which is highlighted with stone accents and a wood fireplace, all screened in with a low-maintenance concrete floor.

“Our overall goal was to build a home that makes us feel relaxed and as if we are on vacation every day, like at a modern mountain resort,” commented Hill. It seems as if he has hit that high note, and with an anticipated backyard pool with spa-like amenities to come in the future, as well as a private gate at the entrance, it seems every day will be a vacation day for Hill and his family. No detail was left unturned, yet Hill still left the door open to invite more creativity to reside within and around.