A masterful blend of traditional facade and modern luxury creates the ultimate entertaining destination in Old Leawood.
Story by Ann Butenas | Photography by Matthew Anderson
In the heart of old Leawood, where tree-lined streets showcase Kansas City’s architectural heritage, a striking transformation has taken place. Where a modest mid-1960s ranch home once stood, a stunning 7,882-square-foot colonial masterpiece now rises, perfectly balancing timeless elegance with contemporary living.
This six-bedroom, nine-bathroom estate represents the collaborative vision of Tim Hauschild of NSPJ Architects and the husband-and-wife team of Scott and Molly Koenigsdorf of Koenig Building + Restoration. Together, they’ve created more than just a home. They’ve crafted an entertainment destination that honors the past while embracing the future.
Architectural Brilliance Meets Prime Location
“This is a prime, large lot in Old Leawood,” explained Hauschild, whose three decades of experience shine through every carefully considered detail. “This is a unique lot and good sized, so we needed a plan for this, and the design we came up with just makes sense for this lot.”
Hauschild’s expertise in custom residential design and historic preservation becomes immediately apparent in the home’s facade. The traditional colonial styling pays homage to the neighborhood’s character while concealing thoroughly modern amenities within. Hauschild’s pride lies in the home’s central core: a main living space that’s one room deep, allowing natural light to flood from front to back throughout the day.
NSPJ Architects, headquartered in the Kansas City metro area, has built its reputation on respecting context while delivering carefully proportioned, richly detailed architecture. This project exemplifies their philosophy, proving that new construction can enhance rather than disrupt established neighborhoods.
The Art of Entertaining
Designer Molly Koenigsdorf’s vision transforms this colonial beauty into what she proudly calls “a true party house.” Her traditional design sensibilities create seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living spaces, with both doors in the living room opening to reveal the patio and pool beyond.
“This home was designed to be an entertainment home,” Molly emphasized, and every square foot reflects this philosophy. The thoughtful layout accommodates large gatherings while maintaining intimate spaces for daily family life. The basement, with its impressive 10-foot ceilings, never feels subterranean. Instead, it serves as a sophisticated lower-level entertaining space complete with a theater room, custom bar, and wine cellar.
The great room features a wet bar with a pass-through window, allowing hosts to serve drinks directly to guests lounging by the pool. This attention to entertaining details extends throughout the home, from the butler’s pantry that keeps kitchen operations seamless during parties to the wine cellar that promises the perfect vintage for any occasion.
Color Stories and Vintage Charm
Molly’s design philosophy centers on gathering elements she loves and weaving them into cohesive narratives throughout the home. Multiple color palettes work in harmony, each space telling its own story while contributing to the overall design symphony.
The green powder bath stands as a testament to this approach, featuring a metal partition wall that creates vintage appeal. A console sink vanity in satin brass ties beautifully to the marble flooring and sink surround, while unique wainscoting elevates the space from functional to fabulous.
The basement powder bath near the theater room showcases another design triumph: a custom marble sink imported from Turkey, surrounded by walnut walls that have been clear sealed for a vintage feel. Glass round doorknobs throughout the home provide consistent vintage touches that unify the design narrative.
The Heart of the Home
The kitchen claims the title of Molly’s favorite space, and it’s easy to understand why. Sub-Zero Wolf appliances provide professional-grade performance wrapped in elegant design, while marble countertops echo the material palette found throughout the home’s most important spaces.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the sitting area features a fireplace framed in marble with radius millwork that creates architectural interest and visual warmth. The butler’s pantry ensures that even the most elaborate dinner parties can be executed with grace and efficiency.
Thoughtful Details Throughout
The home’s red oak hardwood floors, stained in rich dark walnut, provide a sophisticated foundation throughout the main living areas. Upstairs the stunning hallway that Hauschild particularly admires serves as an elegant transition between the four bedrooms.
The pink bathroom—strategically located near the mudroom and pool—serves as a practical luxury for families who embrace active lifestyles. Complete with an area for stacked laundry specifically for pool towels, this full bathroom features scalloped details on both the vanity and lampshade, marble flooring, and even scalloped shower floor tiles that add playful elegance.
Storage and Organization
Recognizing that true luxury lies in functionality, the design team incorporated thoughtful storage solutions throughout. The mudroom features lockers with vent holes for proper air circulation, while the wine room adjacent to the basement bar ensures proper storage for any collection.
The primary suite bathroom treats the vanities designed like furniture pieces, elevating daily routines with marble flooring in both the shower and throughout the space. Most of the home’s bathrooms feature marble countertops, while secondary spaces utilize quartz for durability without sacrificing style.
A Four-Season Lifestyle
The four-car garage ensures that vehicles are protected from Kansas City’s variable weather, while the extensive outdoor entertaining spaces promise year-round enjoyment. Whether hosting summer pool parties or cozy winter gatherings around the fireplace, this home adapts to every season and occasion.
The study/playroom/family gathering space upstairs provides flexibility for growing families, while the basement entertainment space offers a climate-controlled environment for any weather.
Collaborative Excellence
The partnership between Hauschild and the Koenigsdorfs represents more than professional collaboration. It’s also a meeting of minds that produces exceptional results. As Hauschild noted, “They are good at combining their expertise with ours,” and this project showcases that synergy perfectly.
Living the Dream
“We feel fortunate to create something someone wants to purchase,” Molly reflected, adding that the new homeowners are ecstatic with their colonial masterpiece.
From the stately curb appeal that welcomes guests to the sophisticated entertaining spaces that keep them engaged, every element works in harmony to create not just a house, but a lifestyle destination. In Old Leawood, where tradition meets innovation, this home stands as a testament to what’s possible when vision, expertise, and craftsmanship converge.
Resources
- Builder/Contractor, Interior Designer, Project Designer: KOENIG Building and Restoration
- Architect: NSPJ Architects
- Appliances: Ferguson Home
- Art: Refined Interior Staging
- Cabinets: Custom Cabinets by Lawrence
- Countertops: Summit Stoneworks
- Doors: Teague Lumber and Millwork
- Fireplace: Midwest Fireplace
- Flooring & Carpeting: Prosource
- Flooring Hardwood: SVB Floors
- Foundation: Premier Foundations
- Furniture: Refined Interior Staging
- Garage Doors: Radio Controlled Garage Doors
- Garage Flooring: Granite Garage Floors
- Glass & Mirrors: Westport Glass
- Hardware: Emtek
- Heating & Cooling: United Heating and Cooling
- Home Security: Teague iControl
- Home Theater: Teague iControl
- Light Fixtures: Ferguson Home
- Lumber: McCray Lumber and Millwork
- Metal Pantry Door and Powder Bath Partition: Scout Metal
- Paint / Painter: Gecko Painting
- Plumbing: Miller Plumbing
- Plumbing Fixtures: Ferguson Home
- Roofing: Gentry Roofing
- Staircase Railings: Austin Ironworks
- Stone Company: Bell Masonry
- Tile: Prosource
- Trim Work: Lingner Carpentry
- Windows: Andersen
- Window Coverings: Blind Broker
- Wine Cellar: KOENIG
- Wine Cellar Doors: Westport Glass
- Landscaping / Landscape Lighting: Smith Brothers
- Hardscaping / Stone Company: Bell Masonry
- Pool / Spa: Midwest Pools
- Pool Decking: Mike Dusselier Concrete
- Stone Company: Bell Masonry
- Sprinkler System: Smith Brothers
- Outdoor Furniture: Refined Interior Staging
- Outdoor Kitchen / Grill: KOENIG – Wolf
- Fencing: Elite Fence
