Seventeen stories above street level, this spectacular penthouse offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline, Mississippi River and the historic Saint Anthony Falls.  Wait a minute…Where are we? Well, in Minneapolis, but the links with St. Louis will soon become apparent.

Emily Castle established Castle Design in 2003. In addition to an associate’s degree in art and interior design from St. Louis Community College, Castle has a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Washington University. Emily is NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Designer Qualification) certified, a registered interior designer in the state of Missouri and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. At Castle Design, Emily leads a team of eight designers.

Historic houses are beautiful, with their high ceilings, intricate moldings and gracious Old World touches. They’re not always practical, however, especially when it comes to kitchens and baths, where modern layouts, plumbing, fixtures and materials are not just stylish but essential to daily life.

But that doesn’t mean that fans of stately old homes need to forego the classic. Given knowledgeable contractors and experienced interior designers, these charming old spaces can be given a facelift that adds the best of the new while preserving the past.