Founded in 2010 by Larry LaBrier and Elliot Uchitelle, Unique Stone Concepts offers a most unique natural stone selection. Their gallery-style showroom features marble, granite and other natural stone slabs, and the staff will assist you with design and selection.

Abstract artist Marian Steen vividly remembers the moment that ignited her lifelong passion for telling a personalized tale through her art. “In third grade, I received a shimmering gold star on one of my paintings,” she says with an infectious grin. What may seem like a small act of grade-school recognition to some is a cherished moment by the now wildly successful and innovative painter whose colorful creations tell stories decades in the making.

Salt + Smoke’s name represents half of the recipe for its signature dish. Add beef and black pepper, then cook for 12 - 18 hours for well-flavored, meltingly tender, Texas-style brisket. “Our calling card really is the brisket,” says owner Tom Schmidt. His recipe is simple yet exacting. The beef comes to room temperature while it’s trimmed of excess fat. Then it’s coated with a two-ingredient rub, coarse kosher salt and pepper straight from the grinder.

We’re living in the age of widespread modular DIY. Cabinets come in boxes, bookshelves begin as slats and are built bare handed with the help of poorly illustrated instructions, a one-size-fits-all Allen wrench and prayer. Living-room furnishings are sold in a bag, ready to be aired out and arranged on moderately priced, tonally neutral love seats. Curtains are functionally significant, but crafted in a process akin to afterthought. But if afterthought doesn’t suit your color palette, you’re in luck. There is a realm beyond ready-made.

After 20 years in their spacious Frontenac home, the owners were ready to scale down, savor their achievements and enjoy a less-demanding lifestyle. Privacy, easy-maintenance living and “good neighbors” were at the top of the couple’s list as they searched for a new location. 

Ultimately, the country-club atmosphere of a luxury-villa community, under construction by custom builder Simon Homes in West County, met the couple’s qualifications.Decision made, “We hired Eddie first,” says the husband.

Miller’s house wasn’t exactly on the market when she and her husband made an offer. The duo heard the University City property was coming soon, and they jumped at an opportunity to buy the residence designed by Thomas P. Barnett, the St. Louis architect famous for the Palace of Liberal Arts for the 1904 World’s Fair, along with a number of important religious buildings, including the Cathedral Basilica.