Whether you’re building a new kitchen or remodeling the one you’ve got, choosing a countertop is a big – and expensive – decision. National Kitchen & Bath designer Ashleigh Schroeder weighs in on the pros and cons of five popular surface materials for your home’s busiest space. 

After the last of their three children flew the coop, Kathleen and Jack Davis decided it was time to scale back and build the cozy forever home they dreamed of.  The pair found an empty lot in Kirkwood three blocks from the lively downtown scene and immediately started envisioning a beautiful bungalow and weekly trips to the Farmer’s Market. When the Davis duo met the owner of the lot, Monte Herring of Herring Design and Development, their dream quickly changed from a bungalow to a modern farmhouse. Why the sudden change of heart?

Ditch the upper cabinets in favor of sleek, open kitchen shelves that will display your dinnerware, pots, pans and more. Open shelving keeps your kitchen feeling light and airy.

1. Cook's kitchen, by Artichoke, Photography by Marcus Peel.

2. By Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath. Photography by Alise O'Brien.

3. By Mhouse, Inc. Photography by Stephani Buchman.

Peabody Opera House, St. Louis, MO
Photography by EverGreene Architectural Arts

Everyone surely remembers the terrible wood paneled walls of the '60s. Brown, brown and brown. Homeowners couldn’t wait to rip it down or paint over it. But gone are the days of dark, dreary wood. Today, homeowners are incorporating rustic, retro vibes into their modern spaces by reviving a trend that has been deemed outdated for several decades. So is it a classic or is it a craze? Here’s what local design professionals had to say.

1 Antler napkin ring, available at Pottery Barn.

2 Prancer napkin ring, by MacKenzie-Childs, available at Three French Hens and B. Davis.

3 Feather napkin ring, available at House in Style.

4 Snowy pine cone napkin ring, available at The Jeweled Cottage.