Walking into Laurie and John LeBoeuf’s Richmond Heights home, you quickly find that color abounds in the 11/2-story charmer. Serene shades of blue and gray provide a base while bold pops of color add a fun twist in various spaces. John and Laurie purchased the property in 2012, and after a few updates, they have made the house a home for their family of three.

Serene and stately from the curb, this lovely residence in Town & Country conceals the beehive of energy and creativity continually taking place inside. Owners Karen and Jim Castellano have a multitude of personal interests, and the 8,000-square-foot 1 1/2-story custom home built, by Bruning Homes, was tailored to their vibrant, active lifestyle.

Sharon Buchanan gardens on two acres that she and her husband Larry are transforming from an out-of-control wilderness into a native Missouri showplace. Her efforts already are getting attention. Last December, Creve Coeur recognized the Buchanan garden as the best in the city.

That type of recognition should be no surprise when you learn a bit more about Sharon, who cannot remember a time when she did not love being outdoors. The love of the natural world led her to pursue a career in forestry at the University of Georgia, where her family lived at that time.

“A web-based irrigation controller is great to have in the garden. We like the Irrigation Caddy. It has an app for irrigation instead of going to the control box all the time. You can use any web browser or the app to fully control your irrigation system no matter where you are.” Bob Graeler, Chesterfield Valley Nursery.

To spend time with Melanie Fathman, longtime Garden member and volunteer, is a delightful experience to say the least. Her vast knowledge and long history is admirable and has inspired many throughout the years to become a part of the Garden family – that is, its members. Melanie began volunteering at the Garden hosting children’s birthday parties in 1969. She served on the Friends Board and was a founding member of the Boxwood Society.

Born and raised in San Rafael, a small city in the southern part of the Mendoza region of Argentina, Adriana Astorga always hoped that she would travel the world, meeting people from cultures far removed from her own. Adriana prepared for this life by studying international business and marketing, graduating from the local university with a degree in foreign trade. During her senior year, she worked as an assistant to a customs broker in the area.