For Laura McCroskey, the heart of a home has always started in the kitchen. Long before she became the founder and principal designer of McCroskey Interiors, Laura was learning the rhythms of the kitchen the same way many of her clients do, by cooking, baking, hosting, and gathering the people she loves around a well-used island or a carefully planned prep space. That hands-on relationship with food is one of the reasons she’s now so widely respected for her kitchen designs and why her spaces feel as good to live in as they look in photographs.
"Cooking and baking are very personal for me, and that experience deeply informs how I design kitchens,” says McCroskey. “A beautiful kitchen should first and foremost work. Movement, storage, appliance placement, and workflow all matter. When a kitchen is designed well, it supports daily life, whether that’s preparing a quick family dinner or hosting a holiday gathering. Aesthetics are important, of course, but functionality is what allows a space to truly shine. The best kitchens balance form and function so seamlessly that using them feels effortless."
That balance between beauty and usability defines not only McCroskey Interiors’ kitchens, but the firm’s entire design philosophy. Their team approaches every project with an eye toward longevity and livability, which is based on the belief that homes should support real life and not just impress on first glance.
"At McCroskey Interiors, we believe great design is about longevity and livability. Our goal is always to create spaces that feel elevated yet approachable. We design homes that are beautiful, functional, and designed to grow with the people who live in them."
It’s a mindset that resonates deeply with today’s homeowners, many of whom are looking for spaces that can evolve with their families, careers, and lifestyles. It’s one of the reasons McCroskey Interiors has become a major name in the regional design world, trusted for projects that feel refined without being rigid.
A large part of that success comes from Laura’s ability to guide clients toward choices that won’t feel dated five, ten, or fifteen years down the line. While trends come and go, their approach stays grounded in classic architecture, quality materials, and smart planning.
"Timeless design starts with restraint and intention. I always advise clients to invest first in classic architectural elements. Think well-proportioned cabinetry, quality millwork, natural materials, and thoughtful layouts. Trends can absolutely have a place, but they should live in areas that are easy to update, like lighting, textiles, or decorative accents. When a space is grounded in quality craftsmanship and neutral, enduring finishes, it remains relevant and beautiful for years, even as styles evolve."
That philosophy is especially evident in the kitchens that have helped build her reputation. Rather than designing for show alone, Laura designs for movement, for the way someone carries groceries from the garage, how two people pass each other at the sink, or where guests naturally gather during a dinner party. It’s the kind of planning that comes not just from training, but from lived experience.
While McCroskey Interiors works on a wide range of residential projects, Laura admits that her favorite jobs tend to share one important quality: trust.
"Each project brings something unique. My favorite projects tend to be the ones where clients trust the process and allow us to design holistically, from the layout to the smallest details. Those are the projects where the result feels cohesive, personal, and timeless, and where the space genuinely enhances how the client lives in it every day."
That sense of collaboration is central to the firm’s culture, guided by Laura alongside KJ, who together serve as key points of contact for clients. From the earliest planning stages to the final styling details, their team works closely with homeowners to understand not only how they want their spaces to look, but how they want them to function on busy weekday mornings, during quiet evenings at home, and when the house is full of family and friends.
This deeply human approach to design sets McCroskey Interiors apart. Kitchens become gathering places. Living rooms become backdrops for memory-making. Bedrooms become retreats that truly restore.
For more information, visit mccroskeyinteriors.com.
Article by Allison Swan
Photography by Nate Sheets
Originally published in Leawood City Lifestyle