A pastoral slice of land in Ladue held far too much nostalgia for the homeowners ever to consider moving. Having lived here for more than 20 years while raising their family, it seemed unimaginable to leave behind all those memories. So, they decided to reimagine the property by tearing down their original house and building a new, forever home on the same lot. Custom-designed by builder Harry Freeman Jr., owner of the premier St.

It was the lot that sold them. A Chesterfield couple with children still at home had been thinking of building a custom home when the wife happened across a site in Town and Country. Once part of an equestrian estate, the lot's unusually large two acres held many mature trees in a desirable area closer to the children's schools. And the estate's old horse barn, although in rough shape, had massive potential. "I just kept driving by the location and could not stop thinking that this was meant to be." The wife said. "We thought this could be the perfect property for us."

For the homeowners who love to entertain their large family and many friends, having a home that could refresh the layout for modern life while keeping in tune with its classic tradition was essential. The project was guided by a primary objective: to reimagine the layout as tailored, well-appointed, light-filled, and equipped for hosting. The previously large kitchen was transformed into two spaces: a smaller, more functional kitchen and a handsome barrel-vaulted butler’s pantry, to better accommodate the client’s use of space.

This inviting kitchen emphasizes balance, symmetry, and classical elements. A textured gloss cream backsplash with a herringbone pattern accent contrasts warm tones in the walnut wood and quartzite island and brass hardware. The primary objective and challenge of this renovation was to brighten and balance the room and center the island to the range and to the hearth area, maximize storage and provide an overall inviting feel for entertaining family and guests. Now the homeowners can admire their elegant, inviting and spacious kitchen while sipping coffee in the sunlight.

Located in St. Louis’s historic Shaw neighborhood, this “Shaw Chic” kitchen is a seamless blend of modern luxury and everyday functionality. Custom cherry cabinetry, meticulously grain-matched in a horizontal direction, creates warmth and visual continuity. Full-slab Italian Calacatta Paonazzo marble defines the countertops and backsplash, with the island crafted as a butterfly match of two slabs. Other thoughtful details include terrazzo-inspired heated floors, a marble-topped shoe bench at the back door, and a full-height cherry bookshelf to hold cookbooks.