With a rare blend of design talent and business savvy, KOBEL + CO has grown from a Kansas City–based studio into a firm with work spanning coast to coast.
Whether it’s a recent project in Miami or Los Angeles, or a stately architectural home in the heart of Kansas City, once a space has been touched by KOBEL + CO owners Elizabeth Bennett and Mallory Robins, there is no mistaking their presence.
“It’s really important to us that each project feels like someone’s home—not just a pretty house. Art, proportion, and livability are all elements we focus on threading throughout our work.”
Partners since 2019, Bennett and Robins have steadily grown the studio. Even amid the pandemic, they leaned into innovation, launching Shoppable Design—a virtual offering created to tackle one room at a time. Today, it continues to serve clients nationwide, providing a mood board, floor plan, and curated shopping list for each space.
It was a natural fit from the start. Self-described as the perfect yin and yang, Bennett and Robins are adept at maintaining the integrity of every home while thoughtfully incorporating their clients’ tastes—each working within their own distinct strengths.
“Mallory and I really pride ourselves on being great stewards of our clients’ visions, but we also see ourselves as stewards of the home itself,” Bennett shared. “That’s when we feel we’ve truly succeeded.”
One of their most recent Full Service projects took place in Kansas City’s Sunset Hill neighborhood. Perched atop a hill, the home had long been an architectural favorite of the duo, even before the client purchased it. The project became a favorite of Bennett and Robins, who focused on resetting the home’s stately character while introducing a more livable, family-friendly layout.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity and the privilege to work on it and make this, hopefully, their forever home,” Bennett said. “The owners didn’t necessarily know how to bring it to life with two teenage boys, and we took pride in helping them reimagine the house in a way that truly suited their family.”
Bennett shared insights from the renovation below:
KITCHEN AND FAMILY ROOM
The house featured grand proportions, reflective of a different era. One of our first moves was adding a new window to give the space a more traditional feel. We carried tongue-and-groove detailing throughout to evoke a subtle New England sensibility. In the kitchen, we replaced a single long island with two separate islands, allowing for better circulation. The cabinetry was inspired by an original second-floor linen closet with latch-style hardware; we echoed those exposed hinges and bin latches here, finished in a high-gloss white paint.
LIVING ROOM
We love the swanky feel of this space—it has the intimacy of a boutique hotel. The original mahogany woodwork had a redder tone, which we deepened to achieve the rich brown hues seen today. During onboarding, the clients emphasized their love of entertaining, which led to the concept of a built-in bar seamlessly integrated into the existing woodwork. The remaining walls were wrapped in a fabric wall covering to soften the space and add depth.
DINING ROOM AND BREAKFAST NOOK
The dining room’s original plasterwork was preserved, in keeping with our commitment to stewarding the home’s history. The client has a deep love of blue, which we expressed here in a refined and elegant way. For the photoshoot, our friend Kristin Holton of Estately—a local tabletop company—styled the table beautifully.
In the breakfast room, just off the kitchen, we wanted the space to feel both old-world and informal. The original leaded-glass cabinet remained, paired with a floral wallpaper—a rare feminine moment for this client. We designed the marble floor pattern, used here and echoed in the entryway, to create a consistent line of sight throughout the home.
PRIMARY SUITE
The primary suite marked the most extensive transformation in the home. We reconfigured the bedroom, bathroom, and closet to better allocate space within the wing, creating the hallway seen here. The icy blue tone of the bedroom was drawn from the wallpaper mural; in person, the entire suite reads as a serene, tree-lined escape.
It’s really important to us that each project feels like someone’s home—not just a pretty house.
Looking ahead to this summer, KOBEL + CO will open a new studio in the Gregory Design District, complete with a showroom designed to reflect the firm’s thoughtful, livable approach. To reach the studio, contact them at hello@kobelandco.com or follow them on Instagram @kobelandco
KOBEL + CO has been featured in publications across the country including: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, House Beautiful, Homes & Gardens, House & Home, Aspire and Martha Stewart.