There is a special magic in the lazy Sunday drive. Without agenda or destination, the city opens up in a way that is impossible during the hustle and bustle of the week. That left-turn down a road you’ve never explored might reveal a new favorite restaurant. A quick fork in the road can lead to next year’s family photo shoot location.
One summer day in 2011, a leisurely drive around Liberty, Missouri revealed the forever home I didn’t even know I was looking for. In fact, my husband and I had only just recently moved to the city from the Kansas side. Though we were perfectly happy in our home, the interior designer in us simply wouldn’t allow for us to stay still long. We felt pulled to drive around on the weekends, making a game of exploring nearby homes and chatting through the changes we would make if they were our residences.
That fateful day our car wound through the Camelot neighborhood and slowly crested the top of a steep hill on Kings Ridge Drive. Suddenly there it was, perched proudly on the corner of the intersection — our dream house. Angels sang and sunlight beamed off the roof. It had to be ours.
As a two-story 80s contemporary, the architecture was a stark contrast to the traditional homes that lined the street. Brad and I both felt a zing of electricity as we surmised the original condition, barely touched by its owners. This meant it was flush with our favorite characteristic: potential.
We wanted to move in right then and there and actually considered knocking on the door to ask if the owners would consider selling. But it wouldn’t be until six years later that the dream of living of making this house our home became a reality. It was Brad’s addiction to bedtime scrolling on Realtor.com that made it all happen. He shook me awake at midnight, whispering excitedly, “Kim, it’s the house. The house. It’s for sale.” Our offer was accepted 48 hours later.
Built in 1984, the 4 bed, 4.5 bath corner home was built atop “Pill Hill”, a moniker earned thanks to the several physicians that lived on the street at the time. The design was all 80s, where excess reined supreme. Each bedroom seemed to be bigger than the next and there was no shortage of extra space – a feature we relished knowing our two-year-old son could run amok. The largest selling feature was the main living area - a massive volume complimented by sky-high ceilings and a second-level loft that looked down on the living space. Natural light flooded every nook and cranny thanks to enormous picture windows overlooking the backyard.
Though we respected the home’s long history, changes had to be made to accommodate our family. Wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the entire home was torn out and replaced with oak hardwood floors. The rainbow explosion of color on the walls – though creative – was replaced with a primarily fresh white hue, with the exception of the dining room and main bedroom, which were coated in dusty rose and cozy green. Trees in the front yard were removed due to bug infestation and the entire back deck was replaced with a covered solution to support BBQs and warm weather fun.
Unlike many house renovations of today, our intent was to leave the floor plan largely the same. Moving walls is not only expensive and time-consuming, but in this particular home, it was simply unnecessary. One exception was the existing wall from the kitchen to the living room that constricted sight lines and the flow of traffic. It was an easy decision to bring the wall down and put support beams up, creating an optimal flow of energy, light, and function.
The dark and dingy kitchen had the largest potential for positive change, with its outdated appliances, inefficient corner sink, and angular floor plan that simply did not function for our family of five. Tiny cabinets were removed and re-purposed in the garage for tools and toys. Spacious soft-close cabinets and an oversized large kitchen island were added, perfect for meal preps and the inevitable hurried lunch packing that would occur once our son was older.
As interior designers, Brad and I were acutely aware of how fast trends can change, so the kitchen palette became a simple black and white with an accent of green to add contrast and warmth. A simplistic staggered 6x6 tile kept the aesthetic from going stale, and rattan stools found on Facebook Marketplace kept the 80s contemporary vibe alive and well.
Over the six years that we’ve lived in this home, every inch has been handled with love and intention. Rooms have changed uses and occupants, our daughters have grown up and out, and our son has become a full-on adolescent within these walls. But what has remained steadfast is the community of people in Liberty who share this neighborhood with us. They’ve never failed to offer advice when the grass won’t grow or remind us how far we’ve come since it all started and how much they appreciate the work we’ve done.
And to think it all started with just a Sunday drive.
Kim Antisdel lives in Liberty, Missouri with her husband and son. Drive by their house anytime and say hello.
And to think it all started with just a Sunday drive.
Suddenly there it was, perched proudly on the corner of the intersection — our dream house.