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Pro Spotlight: Get the Ideal Home for Your Modern Family
A St. Louis architect shares how to craft inspired spaces that meet your present-day needs
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Who: Donna F. Boxx
Where: St. Louis
In her own words: “Your home is the most important space you’re going to have, whether you’re downsizing or starting a family.”
Several years ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a home without a designated formal dining room, but tastes have evolved. “We’re a casual society; we’re getting away from formal spaces,” says Donna F. Boxx, the principal at her namesake architecture firm in St. Louis. “Lifestyles have changed a tremendous amount since the ’80s and ’90s.” With this shift in mind, Boxx helps clients create homes better suited for today’s families.
Where: St. Louis
In her own words: “Your home is the most important space you’re going to have, whether you’re downsizing or starting a family.”
Several years ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a home without a designated formal dining room, but tastes have evolved. “We’re a casual society; we’re getting away from formal spaces,” says Donna F. Boxx, the principal at her namesake architecture firm in St. Louis. “Lifestyles have changed a tremendous amount since the ’80s and ’90s.” With this shift in mind, Boxx helps clients create homes better suited for today’s families.
Building a new path. “I always tell people it was an accident,” Boxx says of her architectural career. A former singer, she decided to switch professions and obtained an associate degree in drafting and technology. Boxx found a position at a firm designing banking and financial institutions, and the owner paid for her to get a bachelor’s in architecture. “The owner encouraged us to do our best,” she says.
Perks of the profession. Boxx, who founded her business in 1988, designed her first residential project for her sister-in-law’s parents. “I love creating something for people and making them happy and comfortable,” she says. “You’re really sharing a part of their life; you’re becoming a part of their everyday activity and improving things.” Boxx thoroughly enjoys getting to know her clients: “The trust people have is incredible; it’s a great feeling.”
Ready to have a home that suits your modern lifestyle? Read Boxx’s tips below.
Ready to have a home that suits your modern lifestyle? Read Boxx’s tips below.
1. Rethink Traditional Spaces
Unless you’re a staunch believer in separate formal rooms, try merging your dining room and kitchen into a casual open space. “The kitchen and the morning room are the most important everyday spaces,” Boxx says. “We like to open them up into a space that’s comfortable for everyone.”
A family outside of Clarksville did away with their formal dining room in favor of a casual dining area, seen here, connected to their kitchen and living room. “This is their country retreat, and they entertain a lot of people; they wanted an open yet warm atmosphere for larger groups,” Boxx says. The clients also chose a large sit-down island instead of a breakfast area.
See more of this project
Unless you’re a staunch believer in separate formal rooms, try merging your dining room and kitchen into a casual open space. “The kitchen and the morning room are the most important everyday spaces,” Boxx says. “We like to open them up into a space that’s comfortable for everyone.”
A family outside of Clarksville did away with their formal dining room in favor of a casual dining area, seen here, connected to their kitchen and living room. “This is their country retreat, and they entertain a lot of people; they wanted an open yet warm atmosphere for larger groups,” Boxx says. The clients also chose a large sit-down island instead of a breakfast area.
See more of this project
2. Create a Kids’ Area
If you’re adding to your family or have lots of grandchildren, design a special spot for the little ones. “When you bring kids together, it’s important for them to have their own place,” Boxx says. She often creates rooms with built-in bunks for siblings, cousins and friends.
Her team built a colorful space for visiting grandchildren on top of a garage in St. Albans. “The client wanted everything to be fun,” Boxx says of the room seen here. “All the kids’ toys and interests are well-organized, and we built a bed on each side of the dormers.”
See more of this project
If you’re adding to your family or have lots of grandchildren, design a special spot for the little ones. “When you bring kids together, it’s important for them to have their own place,” Boxx says. She often creates rooms with built-in bunks for siblings, cousins and friends.
Her team built a colorful space for visiting grandchildren on top of a garage in St. Albans. “The client wanted everything to be fun,” Boxx says of the room seen here. “All the kids’ toys and interests are well-organized, and we built a bed on each side of the dormers.”
See more of this project
3. Reinvent Your Laundry Room
Take the opportunity to transform your laundry room from an afterthought into what Boxx calls a family center. “I build family centers with laundry machines, computer desks, sewing materials, paper product storage and craft supplies,” Boxx says. These spaces are ideal organizational hubs and great spots for family bulletin boards.
Town and Country clients have a home office in their family center, seen here. They also store craft supplies and wrapping paper in the cabinets and island. Boxx often places these centers off the kitchen or garage: “The back-door area needs to be better thought out,” she says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Donna F. Boxx and examples of her work, visit her Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Take the opportunity to transform your laundry room from an afterthought into what Boxx calls a family center. “I build family centers with laundry machines, computer desks, sewing materials, paper product storage and craft supplies,” Boxx says. These spaces are ideal organizational hubs and great spots for family bulletin boards.
Town and Country clients have a home office in their family center, seen here. They also store craft supplies and wrapping paper in the cabinets and island. Boxx often places these centers off the kitchen or garage: “The back-door area needs to be better thought out,” she says.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Donna F. Boxx and examples of her work, visit her Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Donna Boxx EXCELS in residential architecture. With an eye for architectural finesse and 40 years experience,... Read More
Review by erhartlinda:
Donna is very personable, but she really let us down. Most of our attempts to contact her were completely ignored. As a result, our project is significantly delayed. We have decided to find a new a...More
The photo of the home exterior is down the street from me, and it is my favorite home in the neighborhood!
Beautiful exterior on the first house pictured. Absolutely beautiful interior of the home in Clarksville! CB, Clayton Mo.