Nicole (Nikki) Lemkemeier is the equivalent of two artists in one body. She is an accomplished painter, as well as a ceramic artist. She has combined these two arts into one by making painted-tile mosaic installations. Her work is a combination of classic painted tile work, plus the originality of handmaking the tiles and cutting them into small, irregular pieces that fit together almost magically – like a puzzle – into an appealing, intricate work of art.

Baygents Company is St. Louis’ oldest kitchen and bath firm specializing in attention to quality, form and function.

SLHL: What is the latest trend in kitchen design?
Emily: In recent months, I am finding that clients want a classic design for their kitchen. We are seeing more all-white kitchens and matte finishes on countertop surfaces. We are also seeing more interest in wood countertops.

Gardens at Malmaison sit deep in the countryside in St. Albans, Mo., in Franklin County just over the St. Louis County line. The restaurant’s fine food and beautiful setting long ago won the hearts of St. Louis diners, but its distance from the city kept many fans from becoming regulars.

For most people, bringing work home with them is a bad thing. Not so for James Afflixio, co-owner of Maplewood Galleries, a design showroom of art and antiques that opened last spring in downtown Maplewood. The home he shares with his partner, Gary Boyson, in the Cathedral district of the Central West End is filled with treasures from a lifetime of traveling and collecting.

“We’re the caretakers for this home and will pass it on to another generation.” That’s the commitment made by these homeowners on moving into their magnificent three-story Colonial in 1999. Located in a Clayton neighborhood that celebrated its centennial in 2013, the residence was built in 1927-28, designed by renowned Chicago architect Chester H. Walcott, and holds the distinction of a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

This winter, brush up on your plant and flower knowledge with a garden and landscaping book. Start planning for spring by selecting species to plant, get tips for garden design or simply brighten a dreary winter day by flipping through the colorful pages. SLHL asked local landscapers their favorite garden and landscaping books.