When Alan Gaylin and Bridget Gram transitioned back to KC, they knew they wanted to recreate an aesthetic like the home they owned near Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona. After initially remodeling a home in Brookside, a few years later they found the lot in Mission Hills, started building in 2015 and moved into their dream home in November 2016.
“The neighborhood now has an array of eclectic home styles which makes it so interesting. It is quiet and well-maintained and located in the center of the city,” Alan says.
As the owner of StockHill Modern Steakhouse in Kansas City, Alan says the home facilitates his hectic restaurant schedule, making it easy to forget about the craziness of the restaurant business. It’s also designed as a headquarters with a full-size home office for Bridget, owner of b grams & associates, to continue to work from home. Together with their 6-year-old shih tzu, Ellie Rose, they built the home for work, play, rest and entertaining.
“We really love to entertain, and we built the house for that, so when we can put a group together to come hang out that is some fun times,” Alan says. “A really good bar and wine cabinet helps, not to mention having access to some great food products.”
Described as “Subtle Modern” in style, the house was designed to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out. “We accomplished that with a very large covered outdoor area complete with outdoor kitchen including a pizza oven,” Alan says. “The area is heated by two fireplaces and in ceiling heaters. The TVs and sound system all look out over the pool. Our favorite spot is the kitchen with two large islands with glass doors that open to the patio area. It really becomes one.”
The interior design was a collaboration between Alan and Realm Architecture & Design of Phoenix, AZ. Alan and Bridget worked closely with Realm to pick out new furnishings to incorporate with their beloved items from their Arizona home as well as their art pieces from their travels. They relied on Restoration Hardware for many lighting fixtures and some custom-made sofas and Mitchell Gold to customize other pieces.
Alan says the biggest challenge of the project, as expected, was the construction, but that every challenge always brought a solution. “After designing and opening many restaurants we had some experience, but you have to be flexible and find solutions. The City of Mission Hills was great to work with and gave us many options.”
Alan adds that the pandemic only reinforced the importance of loving your home.
“Bridget has always worked from home, and I think this home makes her days more pleasant. She is so awesome and maintains everything up-to-date and repaired if necessary. I did realize during the seven weeks I was home how much she does and how much I appreciate it. Getting to spend some time here certainly gave me a new perspective on enjoying your home and time. We really love this house and love spending our lives here.”