The new homeowners of a two-story brick home located in an established neighborhood south of greater St. Louis bought the house for its high ceilings, sprawling rooms and otherwise great bones. But the house hadn’t been touched since it was built in 1971 and much of its interiors, including the dining room and kitchen, felt dated, dark, and lacked the classic elements to create a timeless aesthetic the couple craved in a more modern abode. To help with the lengthy renovations, they hired Barbara Collins of Barbara Collins Interior Design, who they trusted with turning their vision into a reality.
The 1970s era kitchen was completely stripped down to the studs to make way for a fresh start. “New windows and an exterior door were installed to flood the space with natural light and create a seamless connection between the interior and the backyard,” says Collins. Mirrors were also included on a few of the cabinet doors so that the natural light ushered in from the yard would bounce around, illuminating the room even more. Glamour sconces and chandeliers made from stunning glass baubles were also added to herald the kitchen to a new level of elegance. “The kitchen is our favorite place to be in the house,” reveals the homeowner. “It is filled with light and feels like an extension of our courtyard garden. Barb worked magic in that room.”
The dining room was also transformed from its previous state. The original floors were decked out in a discolored carpet, and the walls were adorned in outdated wallpaper, old picture moldings and outdated mirrors. The aged carpet was replaced with light hardwood flooring for a timeless feel, the wallpaper scraped off and the dated mirrors removed. “Barb and I reviewed several wall covering options, but our final selection was the perfect complement to our new dining room,” says the homeowner.
The hand-painted mural created a showstopping focal point in the dining room. And to this, Barb added trim moldings and crown to the built-in cabinets as well as to above the windows and doors to add architectural interest. Gold elements and a modern crystal chandelier pepper the space with a sense of glamour, further complementing the timeless wallcovering in the dining space. “The homeowners entertain here often, and their guests always comment that they feel like they are transported to a glamourous New Orleans home,” says Collins. As for the homeowners, “We could not love our renovation more.”
Resources:
Appliances: Kitchen Aid/Kelso Supply Co.
Cabinetry: B & B Door Company
Carpet / Wood / Floor Coverings: Wood Flooring/Ultimate Flooring & Finishes
Quartz Fabricator: Countertops, Etc.
Quartz Supplier: ASMI
Lighting: Mitzi/Southfork Lighting
Plumbing Fixtures: Delta Faucets/Ferguson Supply
Tile Supplier: Tile Bar
Window/Door: Sierra Pacific/C & K Lumber
Wallpaper: Kitchen-Cole & Son/Royal fernery/KDR Showrooms, Dining Room Mural-Iksel/Swan Lake/Schumacher
