Interested in some plants that are both ornamental and edible? There are plenty of options that can grow here in the Midwest. With a little extra care and some ancient harvesting tips, you can proudly drink and serve tea straight from your own garden!

You and your little ones don't have to travel far to enjoy a tropical escape during spring break this March. The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House welcomes guests of all ages to enjoy the lush, colorful atmosphere of its Tropical Conservatory, where vibrant, free-flying Blue Morpho butterflies fill the air.

I am a terrible artist. I can’t paint, I can’t draw and I can’t sculpt. But gardening has given me a creative outlet,” says Don Richardson. “I can put things in the ground and, hopefully, they will grow. I can see the garden evolve and I can share it with others.”

hink Cinderella, My Fair Lady and the story of The Ugly Duckling. Joe and Cara Reinberg can totally relate to these transformational tales.

In their case the Ugly Duckling was the over one-acre yard of their Frontenac home. Not only was the back yard open to the street traffic of a main road, a Metropolitan Sewer District creek/culvert designed to channel run-off rainwater bisected the property.

When a project begins with partnership, both the homeowner and designer share equal satisfaction in watching the vision come to life. Julie Abner and her client have spent years creating spaces that lead with both function and beauty. 

“This is a client I have worked with for many years, and it has been very fun and rewarding to get to know them,” Abner said, having helped them design their previous home. “When I met them, their family was young, and I have gotten to see how their home has changed and grown with their evolving needs.”

The intention for every room is to create a dreamy escape that also brings functionality to everyday life. This attic in a 1938 St. Charles home was once a cluttered, forgotten space and now beams with eclectic warmth, seamlessly matching the rest of the house. In a compact room, the inspiration was to construct a functional area that corresponds with the owner’s lifestyle. In older St. Louis homes, ripping down walls is not always the solution.