Building a transitionally styled house in the heart of Kirkwood’s historic downtown was done with special care and homage to the neighborhood under the tutelage of homeowners Maryann and Steve.
After all, this duo became caretakers of land originally owned by Kirkwood co-founder Hiram W. Leffingwell, whose gardener was Henry Shaw, founder of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The location is part of the Jefferson-Argonne Historic District, which is one of four Kirkwood historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, among the city’s nine total historic districts.
“We saved bricks from the property’s original house, built in 1880, and had plaques made to accompany them, which are offset in our garage,” says Steve, a former Webster Groves resident who appreciates the area’s interest in historic preservation, community heritage and distinct character.
After Maryann and Steve had the lot cleared in August 2023, construction began and was completed in May 2025. Allied architect Nick Adams, co-principal of Mademan Design, was careful to include stylistic elements of nearby buildings, such as a chimney made of stone similar to the exterior of next-door Eliot Unitarian Universalist Chapel. “Our house also is deliberately the same height and building outline to mirror what we call the adjacent ‘sister house’ constructed by the same builder. We were very mindful of blending into the neighborhood,” Maryann says.
Maryann and Steve initially set about considering the flow of the conceived house, knowing the primary bedroom had to be located upstairs. So, they had an elevator installed, with the intention of successfully aging in place in their dream house.
Creating an internally modern, yet “easy to live in” home was the goal, according to Maryann. They accomplished that by planning open, airy spaces with plenty of windows for natural light. Next came details that make solid use of heights to yield a functional, but copacetic and appealing, house.
“Our vision was simple. We wanted a beautiful, welcoming home built for fun and to be a place where people could relax, connect and make lasting memories. We think of it as a party house, complete with a double patio, great for entertaining,” she says.
As a St. Louis native, Nick sees this particular transitional house exterior as representing a “bridge between old and new styles of homes, intentionally blending characteristics” of the region.
“The challenges come from incorporating elements to make houses look like they’re built during the 1900s, but with the best, new materials,” says Nick. “For this home, we did variations within what’s appropriate to preserve the streetscape.”
Luxury homebuilder Monte Herring, founder/owner of Herring Design & Development, is a fellow Kirkwood resident and designer of several other homes in the area, so he swiftly envisioned this house’s possibilities in its context.
“Upon our first engagement, I felt called to create a home that honored Steve and Maryann’s character and presence within the community,” he begins. He recalls being cautious yet open upon learning that the couple’s architect was a family relative. But any flight of concern was short-lived. Monte proudly asserts, “Nick is extremely talented, and I was incredibly honored to discover he was modeling design elements in the home after other Herring built homes in the neighborhood." This was the perfect team, destined for great things.
Monte says working with Steve and Maryann was absolutely delightful, enabling him to enjoy the entire process and following fulfillment. “As I cultivated a relationship with them, I developed a keen sense of which rooms spoke to them as individuals,” he says. Knowing that at the core of these rooms was the desire to share a space together and with loved ones, he continues. “I infused the energy of them as a couple to curate a space that felt like them both. It has been an honor to bring their love to life.”
After Monte’s guidance in choosing paint colors, flooring and tiles, Maryann and her designer, Susie Sheahan of Property Enhancements got to work in selecting furniture and a warm, vibrant color palette. “Developing a lively color story for this cheerful home was my favorite part of the project,” Susie says. She describes the scene with plum, orchid, gold and rich wood finishes as the driving foundation of the design. Flirty geometric and floral shapes, accented with orderly blacks and navy, as well as black and stainless-steel appliances all anchor the room and create a warm and strong space to act as the focal point of the home.
To complete the internal vibe and feel of this new home, Maryann commissioned one-of-a-kind glass artwork of orange and welcoming jewel tones by Sharon Aach, creator and owner of SaachArt in Belleville, Illinois. Sharon follows a unique process of painting in reverse, on the back of glass.
“To bring warmth, personality and a sense of joyful celebration, we wanted something special for the main gathering space, our kitchen,” explains Maryann. “Sharon designed a dramatic centerpiece for our wall, drawing inspiration from our home’s interior fabrics. She thoughtfully created a grand piece that feels both intentional and effortlessly integrated into the open main level.”
Additionally, hand-blown glass plates from Central West End-based Third Degree Glass Factory cascade up the home’s stairwell providing movement and a touch of whimsy to the space. Bold and bright, the glass plates lead the eye toward the second floor.
“I do love the primary bedroom,” Susie notes. There on the upper floor hides a serene retreat, filled with morning sunlight and soft blues. A tailored upholstered bed beckons as its focal point, framed by a feathery abstract blue feature wall. “Sophistication blended with a sense of sanctuary,” she calls it.
Back downstairs, the dwelling’s “party house spirit” carries into the lower-level game room. The space is outfitted with a state-of-the-art golf simulator, Avenger pinball machine, St. Louis Blues bubble hockey, bumper pool and shuffleboard, with each piece chosen to spark conversations.
An outdoor ping-pong table completes the pool area’s magnetism. However, Steve would assert it’s the 1800-era, handmade horseshoe they discovered when the pool was dug.
Like each new ‘aah’ feeling when slipping into love-worn blue jeans, Maryann and Steve adore every corner of their custom residence.
Susie finishes in appreciation for all the little details that complete the home: “The couple surrounds themselves with pieces that hold meaning and celebrate their family’s history.” And in even fewer words, Monte would say: “This is a home that was made for making memories."
Resources:
Cabinetry: Das Holz Haus
Floors: RW Supply & Design, Relawoodfloors.com
Closets: California Closets
Fireplace: Foreshaw
Granite Fabricator: Hallmark Stone
Granite Supplier: Architectural Surfaces
Technology: HD Media
Staircase: Builders Stair Supply
Appliances: Authorized Builders Sales
Plumbing Fixtures: Immerse
Tile: Virginia Tile
Window/Door: Marvin Window & Door, Fischer Window & Door
Landscape: Westchester Gardens
Pool: Trinity
Heating: Sigman
