Here's who is shaping the world of design in St. Louis, including our Visionary Award winner Amelia Bond.

On February 17, Design STL announced the 2022 Architect & Designer Awards honorees during the live virtual awards ceremony, presented by the Interior Design Center of St. Louis. Watch it now, or view the winning entries below.

Each year, the Design STL editors select a local individual or couple to honor with the Visionary Award. This person is recognized for his or her unique contributions to the design community, and, through their efforts and actions, help make St. Louis a more interesting and exciting place to live. 

This year, we’re thrilled to bestow the award on Amelia Bond.  

For the past 40 years, Amelia has dedicated her many talents to making St. Louis a better place to live—for all. As the president and CEO of the St. Louis Community Foundation, she’s helped increase donor grants to nonprofits nearly six fold, from $20 million to $117 million in 2021. Of those giving dollars, more than 80 percent remain in the St. Louis area. During the past two years, in particular, at a time when our community has been especially challenged, Amelia and the Community Foundation created the COVID-19 Regional Response Fund, rallying corporations and foundations to provide assistance to vulnerable residents affected by business disruptions. In addition, through the establishment of the Gateway Resilience Fund, the Foundation has lent its support to this donor-inspired effort to provide financial relief to small business employees who lost their jobs as a result of the shutdown. Amelia and her team work behind the scenes in neighborhoods all over STL, and three incredible initiatives come to mind. Connect STL is an effort to study the digital divide in our area, and make recommendations on how to bridge it; the Bridgeton Fund was established to support initiatives that contribute to the betterment of the environment, health, and safety of the Bridgeton community; and Give STL Day is a 24-hour day of online giving specifically geared for the region’s nonprofits.

Past Visionary Award winners include Esley Hamilton, Alise O’Brien, Carol and Pat Schuchard, and Susan Sherman.

Justin Maine and Michael Wyrock, Nistenhaus Design

This apartment was redesigned as a live-work space with a more user-friendly layout. The previous finishes, which had been showing signs of wear, were upgraded, and the designers built additional cabinetry and other storage space into the rooms. The neutral palette of materials showcases the building’s historic architecture. The finished product: a happy union of turn-of-the-century architecture and eclectic design.

Photography by Alise O’Brien

Situated in the sunroom of a historic 1916 home, this nursery, with a private balcony, holds a mix of elegant French accessories and such heirlooms as the pretty painted wooden crib and dresser. A local florist was hired to design the organic flower wreath above the crib; the owner purchased the hot air balloon pendants on a trip to Paris. Neutral elements, such as the natural woven rug and ivory linen draperies, add to the youthful yet refined atmosphere.

Dina Lamanna and Catherine Yatrakis, hok

A major renovation of Le Meridien Hotel has yielded a dramatic and intimate retreat, reflecting Clayton’s sophisticated residential character. Upgrades to the 17-story building include updates to the façade and a new window system and porte-cochère. The interior features check-in desks reminiscent of French writing desks, accented by lamps of blackened steel and polished brass. Each guest room is equipped with coffee and butler stations, plus a spacious bathroom with large shower. The hotel restaurant includes a private dining room, a buffet, a grab-and-go area, and a bar that transitions from breakfast to liquor service through the use of stylish sliding panels.

Within weeks of opening after a nine-month renovation, fire ravaged the main bar area of Brennan’s on Euclid. Six more months of reconstruction restored the neighborhood restaurant’s  luster as a favorite place to gather with friends. The new main bar’s 30 feet of solid American ash is matched by wide-plank ash shiplap on the back bar, which is illuminated with LED lights. A banquette, upholstered in rich leather, runs the length of the room, and Cruz barstools by Goebel accent the zinc bar.

Like a jeweler nestling a gem into the prongs of a setting, Goebel cabinetmakers “encase” cabinet tops within the legs of pieces in the Avec line. A multitude of possible configurations permits customization of both interior and exterior veneers. Similarly, the length of each piece can be adjusted for various uses, from credenza to nightstand.

Baur created an eclectic yet cohesive look by combining existing design elements with new statement pieces. A smoky green grasscloth wallcovering serves as backdrop to the cozy room. A neutral carpet by Stark and a cool light fixture by Moooi catch the eye but still blend effortlessly with the owners’ existing art and antique dining table and chairs.

Robert Srote, Srote & Co. Architects

Designing a new-construction home that looks like it’s been around for a century or so is no easy task. In this home, classical architecture informs a mix of traditional and contemporary elements. The elegant entryway, with bold checkerboard floors and double-arched doors, a library, plus a formal dining room fill nearly half the main floor; the remaining space is devoted to a large living area and open-concept kitchen with adjoining breakfast nook. Traditional millwork throughout is offset by transitional furnishings that create tension between old and new.

The sophisticated primary bedroom proves that calming hues don’t have to be boring. The designer paired soft French blue paint with crisp white linens and layers of textiles from Schumacher and Cowtan & Tout. That soothing palette continues into the main bathroom, where marble-clad walls, a soaking tub, and Old World-style fittings look just right.

The designer was tasked with unifying the homeowners’ existing collection of Brazilian Midcentury Modern furniture, including two side tables by architect Jorge Zalszupin and a bench designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Smart use of color, materials, and pattern helped achieve this purpose. Of note is the recovered golden suede of the armchairs, which complements the tones in the console, and the emerald mohair that’s transformed the sofa. The finely rendered floral pattern in the rug creates interest.

This stately Tudor Revival manor features soaring ceiling beams, a curved main hall staircase, and a dramatic second-floor balcony. Built in 1927, it presented the new owner with a wonderful opportunity to work on a grand, historic home. Restoring original elements such as the mahogany doors and trimwork, stone fireplaces, and iron windows immediately gave new life to the house. By adding touches of Scandinavian design—natural materials; clean, elegant lines; a delicate color scheme—the designer has imparted a modern, youthful atmosphere.

Jenny Rausch, Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath

Inspired by her travels to Yellowstone National Park, a love of Native American culture, and the West in general, Rausch has designed a room, dressed in antiques and richly colored Pendleton woolens, that commands attention. The cozy office retreat beckons you to stay a while.

Tullock chose a custom wood vanity, tall medicine cabinet, and wainscoting designed to evoke an earlier time. The vivid blue paint on the trim and wainscoting makes for a lively feel, and black-and-white mosaic floor tile adds interest. Antique brass fixtures give the finishing touch.

Janelle Helms, Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath

Pete Hennessey, Hennessey Development, Inc.

The designer transformed this room from a dated 1970s bathroom to a soothing retreat. By selecting a mix of green-blue tiles, warm wood, and unlacquered brass fixtures, Helms created a calm and inviting feel. The starting point was the glazed terracotta floor tile in a geometric shape, which the designer paired with cabinets made of knotty alder stained in cognac. A chiseled-edge on the Quartzite tops and on the bench seat add an organic element to the space. The Zellige backsplash tile is also a fine choice. Not only is it all the rage right now, but here it offers interest and dimension to a couple of contemporary mirrors and sconces.

The design team, challenged by 45-degree angles, corner entry doors, an angled tub alcove, and plate mirrors in this circa-1990 bathroom, made the decision to reorient the space with a single-door entry. In light of the limited footprint and the homeowners’ desire for a steam shower and soaking tub, it was determined that a wet room, with a freestanding tub placed inside the shower, would be the best solution. A custom floating vanity with white oak slab drawers is illuminated by a motion-sensing footlight for accent and dim night-lighting. The homeowners selected wallcovering by Brooklyn Toile, the company owned by former Beastie Boy Mike D, for the water closet—the perfect touch of pop-art charm.

Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design

This spare, tastefully designed home was planned as a sanctuary for a couple who likes to live quietly and simply. The exterior stone cladding extends into the interior. All surfaces are durable and easily cleaned. The flooring, which is large-format tile, runs throughout the house; it’s matched in dimension by the wood ceiling panels in the living and family areas. The kitchen cabinets are custom built, their cladding a recomposed walnut that was also used on the home’s trim and doors. The furniture is sculptural, and beautifully blends into the house.

A bright, airy kitchen serves as the main entry and gathering place in this newly constructed guesthouse. It was conceived as a space where visitors could flow freely in and out, with full-height glass doors that enhance the feeling of openness. The team chose porcelain tile flooring. Bright whites, soft tonal grays, and vibrant aqua and orange accents yield a fun yet also serene atmosphere. A live-edge walnut dining table with a marble waterfall-edge island provides a dramatic contrast to the cool, crisp interior.

James Howard and Ken Henry, Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath

Gigi Lombrano, Gigi Lombrano Interiors

Subtle but important changes transformed this kitchen. The designer was inspired by the existing maple floors to choose a composite zebrawood veneer for the cabinetry. A horizontal grain orientation balances the 10-foot cabinets, which replaced the existing cabinets and soffits. Interior lighting and metal-framed doors with back-painted glass panels make these cabinets shine. Central to the design is a waterfall edge, which grounds the island and extends the quartzite pattern onto a different plane for contrast.

Derek Hoeferlin, Derek Hoeferlin Design

This live/work studio was designed for an electrical engineer–turned–artist. The client built most of the house himself, using prefabricated structural steel bays clad in a steel rainscreen over insulation and metal framing. The 4,300-square-foot form fits in with the surrouding 19th- and early-20th-century brick buildings, but the oxidized steel also presents a modern contrast. The building’s short elevation aligns with the front faces of the neighboring row houses. The longer elevation holds the edge of the site boundary next to the sidewalk. Inside, double-height spaces downstairs give the client space to build and test his designs. The interior’s rendered in a monochrome palette: black, stark white, silver, cement. The owner displays his sculptures in a gallery space with wood floors taken from old semi-trailers. The living spaces—kitchen, living room, office, bedroom—are located on the second floor.

Kelly Johnson and Morgan Brown, Kelly Johnson Design

A round window worked well as an architectural element for the front elevation of the home, but its location on the vanity wall of the powder room presented a challenge. In lieu of a framed mirror, the wall above the black marble vanity was covered in large squares of antique mirror. The remaining walls were accented with a dramatic patterned-silk paper. Statement lighting and fixtures in gold and black enhance the moodiness of the space.

Julie Abner, Julie Abner Interiors

The client wanted a new look for her wet bar that would complement the décor of two adjoining rooms. A patterned wallpaper and glass backsplash tile from Ann Sacks satisfied the client’s desire for color and pattern. Ample cabinet and drawer space, plus room for appliances—an under-counter wine refrigerator, beverage refrigerator, and icemaker—put the essentials for entertaining within easy reach. The metal grilles in the upper glass-front cabinets are set off by the client’s enviable glassware collection, and the two-tiered gold chandelier makes a fine statement.

Jenny Rapp, JCR Design Group

This primary bath used to have a distinct 1980s vibe, with sunflower-yellow tile, overpowering wallpaper, bad lighting, and an inefficient use of space. Redesigned for better flow, the layout now includes an enlarged shower and separate water closet. Recessed lighting and decorative overhead and vanity sconces rectify lighting issues, and heated mats beneath the marble floor warm up the space. The shower walls, clad in oversized Carrara marble tile, complement the magnificent floor. The freestanding tub offers a relaxing spot to soak.

Photography by Alise O’Brien

Photography by Alise O’Brien

Photography by Alise O’Brien

The homeowners moved from the city to the county a few years ago when they realized that they needed a larger home and yard for their growing family. Though the house they found, and loved, needed a lot of work and posed several challenges for a modern family, the couple saw opportunity, too. The wife is from the South, and the home’s charm and architecture instantly made her feel at home. A collaboration between the homeowner and designer quickly ensued. The result is simply stunning.

Photography by Alise O’Brien

Rebekah Murphy, Stone Hall Cabinetry

Randy Renner Jr., Period Restoration

By opening up the ceiling, and doubling the original size of the kitchen, the designer added value and beauty to this early-1900s house. The new kitchen leads to a patio and pool, giving the owners another option for where to gather when entertaining their guests. A striking hood with applied brass moldings and built-in fridge and freezer columns have the look of high-end furniture. The team elected to do less with wall cabinetry, instead choosing to maintain symmetry by flanking the sink with equal lengths of counter space. Brass fixtures, a walnut island, and pretty sconces add just the right touch of glamour.

Caroline Kerckhoff, Stone Hall Cabinetry

Randy Renner Jr., Period Restoration

The kitchen of this 1847 home, with its small footprint and insufficient storage, was lacking in appeal. A family room addition provided the needed space for a new, larger kitchen with a hidden pantry, and the old kitchen was transformed into a butler’s pantry. The designer chose a lacquered green for the cabinetry and a black floral Scalamandre wallpaper that gives the windowless room this dramatic look.

Jessie D. Miller, Jessie D. Miller Interior Design

The lobby in a prewar apartment building was begging for a swanky makeover. The designer started by introducing a custom fringe-trimmed saffron sofa and two antique French armchairs upholstered in tangerine to ground the room in glamour. Custom drapery, sconce shades that mimic the chairs’ earthy hue, and an antiqued mirror and chandelier impart a classic feel. The emerald-painted plaster walls complement the building’s traditional architecture to brilliant effect.

This bathroom was intended for young girls, giving LeBoeuf a perfect opportunity to play with color and pattern. The beaded chandelier adds a beachy vibe, and the lavender vanity, purple-and-white Quadrille Fabrics wallcovering, and bow-detail sconces make the room delightfully girly. Two arched medicine cabinets provide additional storage, keeping this small space functional and organized. A simple white subway tile above the sink vanity keeps the look classic.

The views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s storied skyline attracted the homeowners to this high-rise property. By creating a backdrop of neutral tones, the designer was able to highlight the owner’s art and reflect the scenery. Green marble kitchen countertops call to mind deep water, and the living room sofa is the color of the lake on a cloudy day. In the primary bedroom, two chairs in dusky pink were inspired by the sunset. The hand-made quality of the accessories offsets the condo’s clean lines and contemporary finishes.

Bob Burmeister, Marc Christian Fine Cabinetry

This bathroom evokes a glamorous garden party and celebrates light, color, and pattern. Challenged by the small, dark footprint of the original bathroom, the designers added a gracious bay window to expand the space, and their options. From the balloon shades, featuring Gracie’s chinoiserie-printed linen, to the intricate marble mosaics, the details bring to mind a lush, layered landscape. A three-centered arch frames the soaking tub and adds architectural interest. The custom cabinetry, with curved front doors and intricate detailing, emulates the craftsmanship of old-world cabinetmakers.

Theodoro is editor-in-chief of Design STL. Like this story? Want to share other feedback? Send Theodoro an email at vtheodoro@stlmag.com.

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