A bespoke project from the ground up, this elegant new build in St. Louis’s posh Town & Country neighborhood was fueled by the owners’ vision of a dream porch. Situated next door to their previous home—which lacked a screened-in porch—the adjacent lot had been on the couple’s wish list for nearly a decade. So, when it finally became available, they were quick to act.

Growing up we bounced around a lot,” recalls Greg Meyer of Defiance, noting that his family’s moves often involved an apartment complex or a duplex. 

Two of the upsides of that time in his life, Greg continues, were the apartment complex swimming pools and playing in a creek near one of the places he called home. 

It is no wonder that three years ago, when Greg and his wife Lisa decided to build their “forever” home on three acres, the finished project included both a swimming pool and a creek. 

Topiary is a common style of landscaping used to complement hardscapes and architecture. The often soft curves of the hand-shaped bushes help contrast with the sharp angles of buildings and other architectural structures. While topiary is often associated with luxury landscaping, you might find it to be less intimidating than it seems.

For three decades, this enduring partnership between the Garden and the local community has created a weekend filled with colorful Chinese pageantry, art, music and dance, history and legends and wonderful food. 

New this year: 

After downsizing into a “right-sized” high-rise, Emily Castle sought to combine the luxuries of a home and the conveniences of apartment living. “Working with a smaller space meant being very intentional with every square inch to maximize function and form,” says Emily, owner of Castle Design. 

This “shed,” as the homeowner calls it, has evolved into more than just a place to park and store cars; it has become a gallery of personal style and entertainment. With the help of semi-retired designer Carole Hiatt, the space has become a reflection of the life the homeowner has built. As a lifelong car enthusiast, his passion began early, shaped by growing up in the 1960s, a time when a love for well-designed, powerful cars was almost a rite of passage.