By now most of us are sick of the sticky, humid summer heat, especially plants and flowers. If your landscape is baking in the sun, consider adding plants and flowers that are heat and drought tolerant. Local landscapers share their top picks.

Catching up over a pint, a game of darts, enjoying a nibble in a casual, cozy atmosphere—who doesn’t love an evening at the pub? For one Chesterfield family, there’s no need to leave home for a such a night; Tom and Laura Polcyn need only head to their lower level, where brick arches, a dark wood bar and built-in banquettes around a fireplace evoke the look and feel of Soulard’s classic McGurk’s Irish Pub.

Faced with the task of updating the charming but outdated kitchen in their century-old Georgian-style Central West End home, Greg and Kim Minana made some dramatic changes. Envisioning a welcoming space, the Minanas melded modern amenities with classic finishes to retain the allure of their 100-year-old home. “Contemporary décor wasn’t right,” says Kim. “But, the functionality is still contemporary.”

When the temperatures soar into the 90s (or higher) and St. Louis’ humidity makes a hot day even more oppressive, a glass of cold, refreshing sparkling wine really helps a body cool down. The sparklers that are having a breakout moment this summer come from a country that knows all about hot weather – Spanish Cavas.

No longer just a place to scrub up and move on with your day, the bathroom is now a serene retreat where hours can be spent soaking up the tunes and relaxing.

St. Louis Public Library, St. Louis, MO
Photography by Timothy Hursley Photography
The St. Louis Public Library closed its doors in 2010 for a two-year restoration and renewal of the historic 1912 Cass Gilbert-designed building lead by Cannon Design. The transformative project increases public access, modernizes the library for the 21st century and enhances the building's stature as a cultural treasure.