Color and Pattern Play Well in a Missouri Family Home
See how an interior designer helps a family of five add function and a vibrant palette to an addition
“This home will always have special meaning for us, being our first and where we have lived since getting married,” Mary Patel says. She and her husband, Mittal, bought their four-bedroom house on 3-plus acres in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2007. They moved in right before they were engaged and now have three sons. The couple loved their large lot and neighborhood, but wanted to make some changes to fit their needs.
The couple hired architect Dan Himmelberg of Xpress Ideas to help with an addition design that would create a new master suite, an additional bedroom and bath, a separate bonus space and additional garage space. They also used the remodel to make some changes to the existing floor plan, including converting a first-floor bath and a small laundry room into pantry spaces, designing a generously sized new laundry room and opening up an existing small bedroom into the addition to create a large playroom for their boys.
The couple hired architect Dan Himmelberg of Xpress Ideas to help with an addition design that would create a new master suite, an additional bedroom and bath, a separate bonus space and additional garage space. They also used the remodel to make some changes to the existing floor plan, including converting a first-floor bath and a small laundry room into pantry spaces, designing a generously sized new laundry room and opening up an existing small bedroom into the addition to create a large playroom for their boys.
The playroom at the top of the stairs to the addition bridges the gap between old and new. It incorporates part of a small guest room in the original house into the new open area.
The room features a neutral palette enlivened by a removable cactus wallpaper along one wall. Built-in bookshelves from Sadler Custom Cabinets flank the long window seat.
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The room features a neutral palette enlivened by a removable cactus wallpaper along one wall. Built-in bookshelves from Sadler Custom Cabinets flank the long window seat.
Find an interior designer on Houzz
Mary describes their home as being filled with a lot of activity. “You never know what you’ll get,” she says. Her goal is for the adult spaces to exude peace and welcome. She wants the kid and overall family spaces to radiate love and happiness.
The sofa is made for watching TV, with room for drinks and snacks on the small coffee table. The locker-style cabinets below the TV hold completed Lego projects.
How to Organize the Lego Chaos
The sofa is made for watching TV, with room for drinks and snacks on the small coffee table. The locker-style cabinets below the TV hold completed Lego projects.
How to Organize the Lego Chaos
One of the couple’s goals for the playroom was to have plenty of storage that still allowed their sons’ favorite toys to be easily accessible. There’s a mix of drawers and shelving in each bookcase. Wood crates on casters roll out from beneath the window seat. Baskets and pegs provide additional storage.
Shop for toy boxes on Houzz
Shop for toy boxes on Houzz
One corner of the playroom is a designated art area, with chalkboard paint on the two walls and a kid-size craft table. Floating shelves provide more storage for books and art projects.
Browse popular table-and-chair sets for kids in the Houzz Shop
Browse popular table-and-chair sets for kids in the Houzz Shop
A new bedroom for the couple’s two older sons is just off the playroom. One of Mary’s favorite touches in the room is the shiplap wall behind the twin beds. Although she loves the classic look of iron beds, she went with more practical imitations for this room since she knew that she probably will want to change them out in a few years.
Kids’ Room Colors and How They Can Affect Behavior
Kids’ Room Colors and How They Can Affect Behavior
The bedroom also has plenty of room for play. Mary and Mittal installed a floating wood laminate floor in both the bedroom and the playroom. “It may not be as grand, but to us, it looks good and we don’t have to constantly say, ‘Don’t do that; you’ll scratch the floor,’” Mary says.
Even more storage and a perfect spot to curl up with a book can be found in this cozy nook under a bedroom window.
How to Create a Wonderfully Inviting Window Seat
How to Create a Wonderfully Inviting Window Seat
A new bathroom connects to the bedroom the older boys share. “I wanted something masculine that would still be cool for the boys a few years down the road,” Mary says.
The walk-in shower features classic white subway tile all the way up the walls and on the ceiling in the shower area for easy cleaning.
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The walk-in shower features classic white subway tile all the way up the walls and on the ceiling in the shower area for easy cleaning.
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The couple turned one of the original upstairs bedrooms into a nursery for their youngest son, opting for a simple, midcentury-inspired feel. Their favorite piece in the room is the rug, which they found at a local antiques mall.
They painted the wall behind the crib and the window wall facing it a dark blue to help define the space. They left the other walls light so that the color wouldn’t be overwhelming.
A child-size chair nestles next to the dresser to create a cozy reading spot.
Browse popular chairs for kids
Browse popular chairs for kids
Mary seized the opportunity to do something different in the upstairs guest room. “As the only girl in the family, I needed some pink and flowers somewhere,” she says. They reused furniture they already had but went all-out on the floral wallpaper behind the bed. “It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it,” she says. She also added luxurious-feeling gray velvet curtains and a standout overhead light.
Key Measurements for a Dream Bedroom
Key Measurements for a Dream Bedroom
This custom console table was built by Sadler Custom Cabinets. It was originally designated for another area of the home, but Mary realized that it was the perfect fit for the hallway leading to the master bedroom.
Mary liked the height and look of this concrete console table, which sits in the front entryway. The photos of Central Park in a row above echo the color of the tabletop.
The couple describe their first-floor master suite as a dream come true. “We wanted a minimal look that felt light and airy but somehow also had plenty of storage,” Mary says. The new master suite includes a sitting area, complete with a fireplace. It’s a warm and inviting space, but “we haven’t had much chance to sit there yet,” Mary says.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings fill the room with plenty of light. “We love the feeling of openness,” she says. The accent pillows are from local retailer Golden & Pine.
Armstrong chandelier in brass: Kichler Lighting
Armstrong chandelier in brass: Kichler Lighting
The wall opposite the bed houses a TV. Built-in shelves on both sides provide storage and display space.
The master bath has clean lines and dark wood balanced by a soft rug. One requirement for the space was plenty of storage, which the long built-in vanity provides. The couple opted for smaller sinks to give them more countertop space.
Shop for a vanity
Shop for a vanity
Another antiques-store find, the rug spans the length of the tub and adds subtle color to the otherwise mostly neutral space.
Hex Appeal floor tile: Mission Stone & Tile
Hex Appeal floor tile: Mission Stone & Tile
Just outside the shower are towel hooks and additional shelving. One of the couple’s favorite features is the rain shower head.
Shop for a rain shower head
Shop for a rain shower head
A custom vanity sits just outside the new master bedroom closet.
The master bedroom closet, the starting point for the remodel, is Mary’s dream space. “Jami made it come true, getting an amazing amount of custom cabinets in there so we can truly see everything and that’s also beautiful,” Mary says. She was unsure about the size of the mirror at first but now believes that going as big as they could was the right decision.
The custom island includes slimmer drawers on the top two rows to accommodate jewelry inserts. “I never want to give up our master closet,” Mary says. “It has set the bar very high.”
How to Get the Closet of Your Dreams
The custom island includes slimmer drawers on the top two rows to accommodate jewelry inserts. “I never want to give up our master closet,” Mary says. “It has set the bar very high.”
How to Get the Closet of Your Dreams
The couple didn’t like the location of the guest bathroom on the main floor, which was right off the kitchen. Instead, they added this new powder room off the hallway that leads to the addition.
Photo Flip: 102 Eye-Popping Powder Rooms
Photo Flip: 102 Eye-Popping Powder Rooms
The original bathroom was converted to this butler’s pantry.
The couple also converted the tight laundry room that sat opposite the bathroom into a walk-in pantry. It replaces the dark and cavernous pantry cabinet in the kitchen, where it was difficult to see or arrange food items, Mary says. The new space is larger, brighter and far more functional.
The couple converted one of the bays of their three-car garage into a spacious new laundry room. It’s a space Mary appreciates on a daily basis, as she is always doing laundry for the active family. The couple added two additional bays to the garage during the remodel so that they still have room for cars.
A unique room in the addition is the golf room. “It’s basically a golf lover’s man cave,” Mary says. It was designed to meet the specifications of a golf simulator program. “The program, called TrackMan, allows players to virtually play more than 80 courses and set weather conditions to their preferences. The large screen also can be used for movie nights or to watch sporting events,” Mary says.
The golf room is accessed through the garage. “We did that so, when the guys are over, they kind of have their own space, and it keeps it quieter for the kids,” Mary says. In addition to the simulator program, the room also includes an alcove with a large table and chairs, additional seating and a custom tall bar tablecreated by Got Barnwood. The dome light has a variety of color settings, and the shades can be adjusted automatically via remote, phone or iPad.
“One of the best things we did was to hire Homedia, a local audiovisual company that automated all of our lighting, custom shades in the golf room and upper windows in our playroom, TVs and TrackMan equipment. The Savant system is basically a smart way to turn on-off and adjust lighting,” Mary says. “You can even program scenes where you simply push a button on your smartphone or programmed iPad, and you can have the TV and certain lights come on at certain times.
“When we first talked about doing this, I thought it was unnecessary, but now I’m so happy we did it, and I use it every single day. The team at Homedia has also been great to work with if we ever have questions or even when they need to come out to make an adjustment, they get us right in.“
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“One of the best things we did was to hire Homedia, a local audiovisual company that automated all of our lighting, custom shades in the golf room and upper windows in our playroom, TVs and TrackMan equipment. The Savant system is basically a smart way to turn on-off and adjust lighting,” Mary says. “You can even program scenes where you simply push a button on your smartphone or programmed iPad, and you can have the TV and certain lights come on at certain times.
“When we first talked about doing this, I thought it was unnecessary, but now I’m so happy we did it, and I use it every single day. The team at Homedia has also been great to work with if we ever have questions or even when they need to come out to make an adjustment, they get us right in.“
See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More on Houzz
Read other home tours
Find an interior designer
Shop for home products
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Mary and Mittal Patel and their three sons
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Size: 3,900 square feet (362 square meters), plus an addition of 3,500 square feet (325 square meters) and more garage space
Designer: Jami Meek Designs
The only place where an addition was feasible was on the opposite side of the house from the existing master suite. Himmelberg of Xpress Ideas helped with a design, which came to encompass much more than a master suite. “While we were at it anyway, we decided to address some other concerns or dreams,” Mary says.
The homeowners searched on Houzz for an interior designer to provide additional help with their new space and found Jami Meek. “Most were scared away by the size of our project, but Jami saved the day,” Mary says. The couple also hired general contractor Curt Ulreich of Ulreich Custom Homes.