When the homeowners moved from a 3,400-square-foot home in Houston to the 1,260-square-foot condo in St. Louis they wanted to remodel the space before moving in. After interviewing a few designers, they chose to work with Jenny Rapp of JCR Design Group because she was willing to let them be part of the design process every step of the way.  “They had a wonderful art collection. That was from the beginning what we wanted to build around,” Jenny says.

It might seem impossible to construct a 12,000-plus square-foot French country chateau with an intimate feel, but this creative St. Louis design team did just that. Situated in a posh setting just minutes from the city, the elegant property needed to complement the neighborhood context while meeting the design parameters established by the homeowners.

Clad in stucco and stone with three distinctive archways and a strikingly tall window in the stairwell at the front of the house, this Town and Country dwelling immediately exudes an air of timeless, classic style. The inspiration for this exquisite St. Louis home? The homeowner’s impeccable eye for design and her desire to create an inviting, idyllic little haven where family, friends—and even the family dogs—would always feel welcome and comfortable.

Sometimes it’s the slightest things—a chance encounter, an inspired purchase, hiring the right professional—that can change the direction of our lives or a project.

So it was for the homeowners of this sleek, sophisticated home. As they were planning their new house, Tom Shipp and John Callahan were browsing at Metro Lighting when a Metro representative realized the two were overwhelmed at the daunting aspect of selecting every element for a custom home. The Metro rep referred them to interior designer Julie Reinecke.

Titans of Industry: The industrial revolution heavily influenced the Art Deco design era after large quantities of sleek metal became more available. Incorporate metal work into your space in both furniture and accessories, adding a sleek and shiny finish to your decor.

Joy Tribout is a design pro in many, many ways. The founder of Joy Tribout Interior Design in Belleville, Illinois, she’s a 30-year veteran of the industry, having designed primary residences and vacation homes coast to coast. She started a custom pillow line. A few years ago she moved into real estate, designing new homes from the ground up. And she’s begun a heavy focus in Naples, Florida, where she’s renovated multiple condos and worked with several local clients.