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    When designer Julie Reinecke and her husband, Pete, found their dream home, it had been on the market for well over a year. But, where most prospective buyers saw problems, Julie saw potential. An interior designer for more than 20 years, she discovered at an early age her inherent flair for completely changing the look of a room. Today, she is widely recognized for a distinctive signature style that blends the old with the new, the refined with the eclectic and unexpected materials with objects that are deeply meaningful to her clients.

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    Half of the dynamic duo who own this Chesterfield villa had previously owned a Eureka home so well-appointed, it graced the pages of this magazine in 2009. Working with interior designer Ellen Wortham of JE Design Group, the businessman and guitarist had created a home with character and personality, one that combined his appreciation for vintage furnishings and décor with his long standing passion for music and guitars in perfect harmony. The gentleman and lifelong bachelor was very happy in Eureka, until a high school classmate glided back into his life.

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    When the homeowners moved from a 3,400-square-foot home in Houston to the 1,260-square-foot condo in St. Louis they wanted to remodel the space before moving in. After interviewing a few designers, they chose to work with Jenny Rapp of JCR Design Group because she was willing to let them be part of the design process every step of the way.  “They had a wonderful art collection. That was from the beginning what we wanted to build around,” Jenny says.

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    It might seem impossible to construct a 12,000-plus square-foot French country chateau with an intimate feel, but this creative St. Louis design team did just that. Situated in a posh setting just minutes from the city, the elegant property needed to complement the neighborhood context while meeting the design parameters established by the homeowners.

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    Clad in stucco and stone with three distinctive archways and a strikingly tall window in the stairwell at the front of the house, this Town and Country dwelling immediately exudes an air of timeless, classic style. The inspiration for this exquisite St. Louis home? The homeowner’s impeccable eye for design and her desire to create an inviting, idyllic little haven where family, friends—and even the family dogs—would always feel welcome and comfortable.

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    Sometimes it’s the slightest things—a chance encounter, an inspired purchase, hiring the right professional—that can change the direction of our lives or a project.

    So it was for the homeowners of this sleek, sophisticated home. As they were planning their new house, Tom Shipp and John Callahan were browsing at Metro Lighting when a Metro representative realized the two were overwhelmed at the daunting aspect of selecting every element for a custom home. The Metro rep referred them to interior designer Julie Reinecke.

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