Ready to upgrade their house and their furnishings, Kathryn Pfeiffer and her husband landed the right place at the right time. After their house sold, an inventory home being built by McBride & Son Homes became available. It was near their previous home and the subdivision backed to their children’s school. One of the last homes available in the neighborhood; the couple snagged the 1.5-story when it was nearly complete.

Carved from eight gloriously wooded acres in western St. Charles County, this scenic haven has been home to Jim and Amy Cook’s family for 18 years. The custom-built, Old World-styled residence complements its natural surroundings and features an architecturally consistent detached garage, spacious pool complex and a fenced play area and sports court. At 7,500 square feet, the expansive 1.5-story has been ideal for the couple’s growing family and includes generous office space, from which the owners operate their numerous business holdings.

Well-known and respected throughout the local design community, Barb Slavkin has earned her enviable reputation. Awarded a B.S. from Indiana State University, she launched her design career in 1990 as an intern with June Roesslein Interiors, where she spent the next 20 years, ultimately rising to company president. In 2010, she founded her own firm, Barbara Slavkin Interiors, specializing in residential interior design, custom homes and renovations.

First-time visitors to designer Kris Keller’s home are often surprised. Perhaps they expect something classically elegant or ultra-lavish. Or an array of today’s latest design trends. Instead, guests find a living environment that’s as warm and personable as its owner, especially when decorated for the holiday season.  

For homeowner Olga Mandis, tradition is everything. From her interior décor style to the family memories she recreates each holiday season, tradition is sprinkled throughout her charming Illinois home. Mandis and husband Nick purchased the house nine years ago and immediately knew they were going to put their personal stamp to reinvent the place. The couple hails from Europe and Olga has always been inspired by history, architecture and traditional décor, so it made perfect sense that their new home embraces their European roots with an Old World feel.

Claudia Riley never imagined that moving just a few miles down the road from her former Ladue residence to her newly built home in downtown Clayton would have such a different feel. “When the sun goes down and the lights come on, it feels so cosmopolitan,” she says. The gorgeous city skyline, with its high-rise buildings, inspired her to go for a totally different style than she was used to. The home and its Clayton location called for something more modern with glitzy touches. A style she describes as cosmopolitan…“something you’d see in New York.”