“We wanted to create a house for our kids and our grandkids to hang out and play,” said homeowner Cindy Baker. After working with Simon Pataky and his team of craftsmen at Simon Ashley Design Studio and Just Around The Corner Flooring on her previous home, Cindy naturally tapped Simon for this whole-home remodel. “Simon has an unmatched creative eye for space, light, and design,’ says Cindy, which is high praise coming from a person whose career was spent in the creative industry.
The kitchen is designed for real life with hand-scraped, prefinished hardwood flooring that flows through the whole home. Soft white cabinets reach up to the ceiling, with glass-front uppers that show off red dinnerware like art. A crystal-and-bronze drum chandelier hangs over a farmhouse table, while a black-topped island with a granite surface in warm neutral tones anchors the space and serves as a gathering spot with iron counter stools. Past a wall of French doors, a teal-and-white sunroom brings the outdoors in.
The real transformation happens downstairs. Instead of being an afterthought, the basement is a series of well-designed rooms. A billiards nook glows against a stacked stone accent wall in warm slate and rust colors, creating a quiet spot for focus. Nearby, a large great room features a deep oatmeal tweed sectional with rust and turquoise pillows that match a gallery wall of national park travel posters, all set on a richly patterned indigo rug. A built-in media wall in espresso-stained wood holds the flatscreen, books, and Western-inspired decor.
A little further in, a wet bar with a wine fridge and glass shelves for stemware is ready for guests, with leather recliners nearby that give the space a private club feel. A shuffleboard table, vintage arcade cabinet, and stadium seats add fun touches next to a full wet bar with a professional-grade refrigerator. A Missouri Tigers banner and Cardinals memorabilia case make it clear whose home this is. All these features add to the basement's cozy, lived-in feel.
The wide-plank flooring ties everything together, running seamlessly from the game room through the lounge to the bar. This is a signature of Just Around the Corner Flooring, which has been outfitting St. Louis homes for 36 years. The warm finish grounds each basement room and stands up to daily life, from pool cues to foosball matches and game-night traffic. This flooring beautifully connects the entire lower level.
Renovation can make an impact without being flashy. From the kitchen's brilliant luxury to the basement's cozy, lived-in warmth, every choice—cabinetry, stone, upholstery, flooring—supports a connected story about real family life. The best design-build partnerships do more than update a room; they transform a family’s love of Missouri sports and the great outdoors into a space where everyone can gather to play a game or watch one on the big screen. M-I-Z! Go Cards!
Design-build by Simon Ashley Design Studio (simonashleydesignstudio.com). Flooring by Just Around the Corner Flooring (jatcwoodfloors.com).