Suma Design and Construction
Modern Luxury Meets Timeless Design:
Suma Design’s Award-Winning Monterey Reimagined
Story by Ann Butenas
Suma Design and Construction Company, under the visionary leadership of owner Mark Sumada, continues to push the boundaries of luxury home design with their latest interpretation of The Monterey. This stunning 3,350-square-foot residence, located in the Montebella subdivision in Riverside, Missouri, showcases how thoughtful renovations and premium materials can transform a beloved floor plan into something truly extraordinary.
The home’s reverse layout maximizes both space and flow, featuring four bedrooms with an optional fifth, four bathrooms, and carefully curated living spaces that blend comfort with contemporary sophistication. What sets this version of The Monterey apart is Sumada’s meticulous attention to detail and his willingness to invest in premium upgrades that elevate the entire living experience.
Lighting as Art
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this design is Sumada’s commitment to exceptional lighting.
“I added really neat comfort living design lighting,” he explained, having invested $18,000 in innovative lighting features throughout the home. The formal dining room alone features $6,000 worth of custom lighting beneath its vaulted ceiling, creating dramatic ambiance that extends to views of the covered screened porch beyond.
The lighting design continues throughout, with distinct accent lighting highlighting the kitchen island and creating layers of illumination that transform the space from morning to evening. This investment in quality lighting demonstrates Sumada’s understanding that great design is as much about atmosphere as it is about architecture.
Material Mastery
Sumada’s decision to upgrade materials throughout the home reflects his commitment to contemporary luxury. Where the original Monterey featured white oak, this version showcases rich walnut throughout, from the kitchen beams to the primary bathroom cabinetry and flooring. The kitchen’s 19-foot vaulted ceiling, surrounded by windows on all four sides, creates a stunning backdrop for these walnut elements.
The kitchen itself serves as the home’s showpiece, featuring deep blue cabinets in a sophisticated soot-like color that appears to shift from dark grey to black depending on the lighting. The island countertop, crafted from quartzite with striking blueish sea-green coloring and brown veining, provides a stunning focal point. Above the range, a 3-D glass backsplash adds textural interest and reflects light beautifully.
Indoor–Outdoor Living
Sumada expanded the home’s outdoor living capabilities with a covered, screened-in porch and a 12 x 24 deck, both accessible from the great room through impressive scissor doors. The great room opens to the covered porch through a 10-foot scissor door and also connects to the deck via a dramatic 12-foot scissor door. The porch features a spectacular marble fire pit, creating an outdoor hearth that extends the home’s gathering spaces into nature.
Thoughtful Floor Plan Innovations
The main level thoughtfully positions a bedroom alongside the primary suite, with a cleverly designed Hollywood bathroom that connects the front bedroom to the formal dining room. Sumada added a doorway from the bedroom closet directly to the bath, eliminating the need to enter the hallway, a small detail that significantly improves daily functionality.
The great room, or hearth room, features soaring vaulted ceilings and a contemporary fireplace that serves as the heart of the home. In the lower level, Sumada created what he calls a “pretty cool” contemporary accent wall that has become a favorite feature.
“People love this accent wall and usually place their TV here,” he noted.
Award–Winning Results
This reimagined Monterey design proved its market appeal during the Spring Parade of Homes, where it earned the Distinctive Design Award’s second place and sold within the first week. The success has inspired Sumada to build two more versions of this enhanced floor plan at Lake Jacomo and Weatherby Lake, ensuring that more families can experience this perfect blend of luxury and livability.
Suma Design’s commitment to evolution and improvement shines through in every detail of this project, from the vessel sink in the hall bath to the walnut cabinetry in the primary suite. It’s this dedication to innovation that keeps the company at the forefront of luxury home construction in the Kansas City metro area.
