Since 1977, the Garden has proudly hosted the Japanese Festival, which now attracts around 50,000 people each Labor Day Weekend. It is widely considered one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the United States.

    The festival results from prolific collaboration between the Missouri Botanical Garden and several Japanese-American organizations in St. Louis. This fruitful partnership provides an authentic experience highlighting Japanese music, art, dance, food and entertainment throughout the Garden.

Glendale residents Kalie and Tom Baucom’s 2018 home addition created a family room, powder room and primary suite. “But our sitting room became forgotten,” explains Kalie. “However, it was where my husband and I gravitated to for peace, and we wanted to elevate that experience.”

    Consequently, the couple sought advice from interior designer Megan Temple, owner of Kirkwood-based Megan Temple Design. She agreed the 12x17 foot room was underutilized as a "holding space for leftover furniture,” but recalls immediately seeing its potential to be uniquely lively. 

Krista Howard, KH Interiors, LLC

Seasoned designer Krista Howard is the owner and founder of KH Interiors, LLC, a well-renowned boutique design-build firm in St. Louis. She jump-started her career with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and a Bachelor's in Marketing from Illinois State. She is additionally a past president of the 2024 ASID Missouri East Chapter.

Keith Gegg, Gegg Design & Cabinetry

(1) By Andrea West Design. 

This contemporary bathroom in Salt Lake City features a unique tile design that creates a visually stunning and functional space. The combination of textures and patterns adds depth and interest, while the neutral color palette ensures a timeless appeal. To optimize design aesthetic and functionality, the designer wrapped the floor tile up onto the ceiling to make an extra dramatic statement to this wet room.

Photography by Lindsay Salazar Photography.

(2) By Gonterman Custom Homes and Laura Brophy Interiors. 

After having to move away from their first dream home due to personal and job-related circumstances, the Bain family reached out to their original designer, Anne Marie Boedges, to create a new home to fill the gap in their lives left by their departure from the original.