2021 Top Instagram Posts

2021 will soon be a memory. What a year it has been! At Srote & Co., we are looking forward to all that 2022 has in store and hopefully that means connecting with you.

Did you know that Srote & Co has 2 Instagram accounts?!?!? Whether you are interested in architecture or interior design, we have you covered. Check out our top 5 posts from both accounts and make sure to follow us for a steady stream of inspiration.

Srote & Co. Instagram – @sroteco

Architecture based account featuring new construction and renovation projects in varying states of completion.

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The Composed Interior – @thecomposedinterior

Interior Design based account featuring interiors and local resource spotlights.

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Happy New Year!

Project Spotlight – Heritage House

Every space in this historic residence is incredibly unique! The focus of this Srote & Co interior design project was retaining the fundamental nature and character of the original historic brick house built in 1904, while updating it to meet the functional needs of today’s active family.

These areas, which include the foyer, parlor, study, butlers pantry, and powder room underwent complete restorations/renovations while honoring and maintaining the history of the home. The new bar and upper wine cellar are housed in the original kitchen. The new kitchen, breakfast room and great room are nestled within the home’s new addition with high, twenty-foot ceilings, creating a design challenge with high ceilings.

foyer interior design
home study design
home office design
powder room and butlers pantry design
home bar design
home wine cellar design

While the existing portion of the home is largely used when entertaining, an expansion of living space was added to the rear of the residence to accommodate the family’s daily activities including the primary bedroom and bathroom, kitchen, pantry, formal powder room and great room. Special attention was paid during the material and millwork specification process to seamless blend the old with the new.

master bedroom and bathroom design
bathroom interior design
kitchen design with high ceilings
butlers pantry design
great room interior design with high ceilings

For more details and images of Heritage House interior design project, and other Srote & Co projects,

visit the Interior Design Portfolio at Srote & Co Architects.

Project Spotlight – Bankhead Orthodontic Specialists

Today we are excited to share a recent renovation/addition to an orthodontic office in Wentzville. Our focus on this project was not only to provide a much-needed update to the aesthetics, but also to nearly double the square footage. The goal was to better accommodate their growing practice by enlarging the waiting area, provide more private office space, add another consultation room, and create seating in the clinic itself.  This project is an example of our interior and commercial architecture departments partnering to provide a seamless process from development through completion.

Check out the before photos at the end of this post!

The newly designed waiting area is almost the size of the old office! With all of this extra space we were able to create features such as a laptop bar and an arcade. 

The clinic updates focused on bringing in more natural and supplementary lighting, not only to improve the functional task lighting, but to also cheer up a previously dreary space.  By having the glass element on the partitions, we were able to increase patient privacy while also keeping things open and bright.

THE BEFORES……

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR COMMERCIAL OR INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES – visit SroteCo.com

Fall Prevention Tips for Interiors

Falls can happen at any age and for any number of reasons. Loss of balance can occur from trip hazards, unexpected changes in elevation and compromised depth perception. I happen to come from a long line of “fallers” that can (and will!) fall without warning or provocation. So in honor of Fall Prevention Month we are sharing designer tips to minimize the fall risks in your interiors.

ORGANIZATION

Keep yourself organized. We live an extremely fast-paced life. Many times we are running in the house only to turn around a few minutes later and head right back out. This does not leave a lot of time to make sure everything you just brought in the house with you finds its way to the appropriate place. Take the time to get yourself organized and make the commitment to stay organized.

family entry lockers home organization

TIP: Keep entryways and walkways clear of clutter. Create built-in storage opportunities to keep items off the floor and ensure everything has its place.

LIGHTING

A thoughtfully considered lighting plan is key to any well-designed interior.  With our constant connection to technology our eyes are working harder than ever! Layer the levels of lighting (ambient, task and accent) within your space to create the ideal ambiance throughout the day and night.  Check out our blog post A Well Lit Interior for more on layering your lighting and inspiring applications.

led lighting on stairs

TIP: Keep hallways and stairways well lit.  The use of indirect lighting provides an all over glow that helps reduce glare and shadows that can affect your depth perception.

FLOORING

Consistency in material and/or material thickness will be the most beneficial considerations for this selection. Every flooring type has its pros and cons. It really is about using the materials you prefer and working with your designer and installer to determine the best product and application for your situation.

wood to tile threshold types

A raised and a flush transition.

TIP: The use of a single flooring materials throughout an entire residence is not necessarily realistic making transitions necessary to bridge the gap between the different materials thicknesses. Flush transitions are definitely preferred to a raised transition and tend to be more easily achievable in new construction than in a remodel.

TIP: When selecting a carpet the pile should be under 1/2 inch and a firm pad should be specified. Area rugs should always be secured to the floor tightly around the entire perimeter.

TIP: No tile can be entirely slip-proof there are industry tests and standards that determine the slip resistance of tiles. Next time you are in the market for tile consider a slip-resistant tile.

FALL FACTS – FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

  • Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide.
  • Each year an estimated 646,000 individuals die from falls globally.
  • Adults older than 65 years of age suffer the greatest number of fatal falls.
  • 37.3 million falls that are severe enough to require medical attention occur each year.

Diresco Belgian Quartz

Today we wanted to spotlight a company we are lucky enough to display in our Brentwood office kitchen! Diresco is one of the oldest and most well-known quartz manufacturers in the world and you can find it here locally at Stone Fabricators.

BIO-UV TECHNOLOGY

Diresco quartz is made of 93% natural quartz material and the remaining 7% consists of environmentally-friendly resin and pigment. Their new resin formulation is plant-based, making it healthier for your living environment and the world. The innovative BIO-UV technology also withstands damaging ultraviolet light from the sun, frost and corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor spaces!

ULTRA-THIN SLABS

Diresco is available in 3 sizes: 3cm, 2cm, and even 1.2 cm! The ultra-thin 1.2 cm size allows for so many application possibilities.

  • Counter-tops
    • The 1.2 cm thin style is all the rage for counter-tops in Europe. It will be interesting if the US will follow suit in the future.
  • Full Wall Backsplash
    • Provides a seamless look.
  • Floor Slabs
    • Allowing for extra-large format tiles.
  • Shower Walls
    • Fewer grout lines.
  • Stairs
  • Fireplace Surround

FINISHES

  •  Velvet
    • soft matte finish with a buttery, natural texture.
  • Polished
    • radiant and smooth.
  • Anticato
    • muted finish with subtle texture.

FAVORITES

1. Beach Medium Grey in Anticato | 2. Venato Delfino in Polished | 3. Belgian Blue in Velvet | 4. Benton Light in Velvet

Top: Beach Medium Grey in Anticato – I love the concrete look of this one!

Bottom Left: Venato Delfino in Polished – a light-medium gray with hints of white.

Bottom Center: Belgian Blue in Velvet – a dark charcoal color with beautiful blue tones.

Bottom Right: Benton Light in Velvet – My favorite! I love the large flecks of medium gray.

Our office kitchen got a makeover with another favorite color. We chose Belgian Buxy in the velvet finish. It looks so nice against our dark wood cabinetry and the texture is so velvety smooth.

 

Make sure to visit www.direscousa.com for more details on the products and to see their full line of colors. I’d love to hear your favorites!

Spotlight on Brentwood

While the exterior of our office at 2900 S. Brentwood Blvd is still under construction, the interior is finally starting to feel like home. In honor of our new location, today we turn our focus on a few of the amazing stores that we now share the 63144 zip code with.

  1. The White Rabbit

The White Rabbit is a mother-daughter owned boutique. The store offers unique gifts, home decor and accessories like old frames, whitewashed furniture, florals and sparkly chandeliers. They are animal lovers so don’t be surprised to see a furry family member when you visit.

Currently coveting:

 

THE WHITE RABBIT  |  9030 Manchester Road

 

2. The Refind Room

The Refind Room is an eclectic mix of vintage, modern, contemporary, mid-century furnishings. Each of their one-of-a-kind pieces is showcased in a designer inspired setting that is fresh, interesting and full of personality. If you love brands like Baker and Henredon or original mid-century art, you’ve found your home.

Currently coveting:

 

THE REFIND ROOM  |  2525 S. Brentwood Blvd

 

3. The Gifted Gardener

The Gifted Gardener is your entertaining HQ. They have gifts, decorative accessories, candles, pillows and more for every occasion and season. Garden accessories including statuary, urns, fountains, birdhouses, architectural remnants and more.

Currently coveting:

 

THE GIFTED GARDENER  |  8935 Manchester Road

 

4. K. Hall Designs

K. Hall Studio brings high quality and uniquely handcrafted home fragrance and personal care goods to the marketplace. This Midwest based company has expanded over recent years to include five brands and hundreds of products. Throughout its growth, K. Hall Studio has continuously maintained its core focus on producing the highest quality products with unique and appealing fragrance and timeless packaging.

Currently coveting:

 

K. HALL DESIGNS  |  8416 Manchester Road

 

Do you live or work in Brentwood? We would love to hear about your favorite places!

The Principles of Design – Unity & Harmony

Have you ever walked in a home where each room had its own color scheme or style? It can feel a bit overwhelming and disjointed. Many of my clients may not have a clear vision of what they want their space to look like they always tell me they want it to feel cohesive and inviting. With the direction in new construction over the last 10 years leaning towards large open spaces versus the separate, clearly defined rooms of the past, unity and harmony are move important than ever.

UNITY & HARMONY

Unity in design occurs when the elements in a space work together in such a way that the resulting look is balanced and harmonious. It is difficult to achieve unity without harmony.  Harmony is accomplished by the repetition of a particular design element, such as color, shape, texture, etc… that harmony is what creates the sense of unity. DIY’ers beware, too much unity in a room can lack personality and interest.

So what do unity & harmony look like in interior design?

bedroom with custom furnishings and drapery

Designed by Srote & Co

Using the same color in different intensities and items in a similar scale give this room a restful feel with visual interest.

Make sure to visit SroteCo.com to see how we incorporate unity and harmony everyday into our own projects.

Srote & Co Architects | Latest Completed Projects!

I can’t believe summer is already coming to a close! We have been quite busy here at Srote & Co Architects | Planners | Interiors! We have so many exciting new projects in various phases of design. While planning, drawings, sample ordering, pricing, etc. are all important steps in the home building/renovation process, nothing is more exciting than seeing the final product! Seeing your vision and plans come to fruition is a magical feeling!

Here’s a peek at a few projects we have completed this year.

SACKSTON PRAIRIE

This custom home architecture was planned and built based on a modern prairie style home design concept. I love the exterior of this home with its strong horizontal lines complimented by natural stone and stucco. Inside, the floor plan is open and the decor is cool and contemporary!

LAUREL FARMHOUSE

The essence of cool. This modern farmhouse design is clean and classic, yet modern and fun! Check out the floating staircase, beautiful planked fireplace and vaulted ceiling.

SUNSET HILLS OUTDOOR ADDITION

I’m sure this custom home addition design is getting lots of use this summer! It includes an extended garage with a large grotto located directly beneath it. Equipped with a bar, dining and lounge area, bathroom and changing room, this grotto has everything you need for a summer gathering.

TWIN FAWN CUSTOM

This custom design spec home is currently FOR SALE!  It is situated on a 1 acre level lot and offers over 5,000 sq ft of living space. It was completed with neutral finishes with textural interest to create a relaxing interior and serve as the perfect backdrop for future home owners.

We have quite a bit more in the works so stay tuned for another update in the future! Or check out our architecture and interior design portfolio.