Often small things can spark major transformations. It was a series of what were thought to be small concerns and simple ideas that lead to the creation of one of the most spectacular gardens in the St. Louis area; one that was a highlight of the recent Missouri Botanical Garden Garden Tour and is the St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles’ Garden of the Year.

Remodeling is on the rise in 2014 as more and more homeowners are taking the steps to improve one, if not several, spaces in their homes. Careful planning, sticking to a budget and enlisting the help of an architect and/or remodeling professional will ensure a successful end result. If you are considering embarking on a remodeling project, we want you to be inspired. This special before-and-after section highlights innovation and clever design at its finest, from kitchens and bathrooms to living spaces and an exterior.

After creating dream kitchens for countless clients, Sheri Finkelstein, owner of REDECORIZE LLC, decided it was time to have one of her own. Her husband was set on staying in their St. Louis home, but the cramped kitchen space wasn’t going to cut it for their growing family of children and grandchildren. Last September, Sheri set out to construct her tailor-made kitchen.

After years of living in their Ladue home with three young children, this vivacious couple decided a main-floor overhaul was necessary to better accommodate their active family. They called in experienced husband-and-wife builder/designer duo Randy and Davey Mayer, who have been in the business for more than three decades and partner together at RJ Mayer Development Corporation and Davette J. Mayer Design, to tackle the project.

Sometimes a home needs a facelift to freshen up, but with so many facade-fixing options, it’s hard to know where to start.

Every winter, homeowners Gary and Joyce Shaw leave the harsh Midwest temperatures behind by escaping to the warmer climes of temperate Tucson, AZ. Thus, a downsizing of their St. Louis living arrangement seemed logical.

The couple sought a smaller space that would maintain the quality of life they were used to and accommodate the furnishings from their previous, larger home. They wanted to be close to their places of work, shopping and downtown St. Charles, while also having easy access to downtown St. Louis.