In business for more than 15 years, Green Guys specializes in personalized landscape and hardscape design, installation and maintenance, as well as home construction and remodeling, pool design and property management.

Marc Del Pietro doesn’t like to be the guy who buys up the best tomatoes at the farmers market. And much of the time, he sources all the tomatoes and other foods he needs for his restaurants straight from the farmers.

Yet, when the need arises, he’ll hit a local growers’ market and stand in line with the rest of us. He knows that the people queued up behind him might be planning the week’s gazpacho or Caprese salad or panzanella. He feels bad about what he’s about to do. And then he asks for every last tomato.

Set on nearly two acres that were once part of the World’s Fair site, the majestic, all-brick multistory was built in 1925 and already had undergone several renovations before attracting the attention of Steve Katz six years ago.  

Steve is a St. Louis attorney, born and raised in Belleville. His wife Bonnie’s retail career brought her to St. Louis from Virginia in 1989, and their 22-year marriage has been characterized by extensive international travel, a zest for entertaining and a fascinating variety of mutual and individual interests.  

Ten years ago, when they built their stately, brick, European-style home, the owners of this Ladue residence may not have moved heaven, but they certainly moved a lot of earth to do so. A backyard pool and a large space to entertain family and friends was a priority. “We had a long, sloping yard, and we had to push back a hillside to create a flat space,” the homeowner explains.

In the middle of the summer heat, nothing beats a cool, peaceful spot in the shade. Planting a shade tree or two in your yard will give you that much-needed protection from the sun during the steamy St. Louis summers. Check out local landscapers’ favorite shade trees.

It’s the season for outdoor entertaining, and we’ve got your primer for creating the perfect outdoor space to enjoy with your family and friends this summer.

When creating your outdoor oasis, consider how the space will be used. Dinners alfresco? S’mores by a cozy fire pit? Or, pool parties with seating for a crowd? “Comfort and style are king, but the space has to function the way you need it to,” says Peggy Pond, outdoor furniture manager with Amini's Home, Rugs, Game Room and Jaffe Lighting.