“We flat-taped all the drywall to blend the trim and give it that modern feel,” Ryan says. “There’s a lot of extra work involved—believe it or not—in doing that, instead of putting wood trim around it, but it gives it a very clean look.”

In a nod to one specific element of the Prairie style, a cantilevered portion of the main floor juts toward the water and creates a roof for a patio below. Supported by angled steel beams, it’s a stunning piece of architecture. And it required Cecil & Ray’s utmost expertise in understanding structure and building science.

Jeremy and Nicki’s home is connected underground to his parents’ home by a basement-level corridor that’s full of surprises. A pool sprawls beneath the garage and, in another feat of building ingenuity, Ryan and his team installed skylights along the ceiling at the back of it. They draw sunlight down through speciality glass and precast-concrete pavers at street level to reflect off the pool’s water below. “You actually drive over the skylights as you go into the garage,” Ryan explains. “I think I can guarantee there’s not another house in Kansas City with this feature.”

On the basement’s walkout side, glass sliders can open fully to a patio that also overlooks the pond. Past the natatorium, there’s a full exercise gym, complete with a commercial water fountain. These amenities are not only enjoyed by the family but also by employees of the family business, Fry Orthodontic Specialists, and they can come and go via a private back entrance.

It’s this spirit of generosity that is the bedrock of the home. “One of the biggest testaments to the Frys and what they stand for is that they hosted a party for everybody that worked on the house—electricians, plumbers, anybody who had their hands on it—they invited them and their families here to a barbecue so the trades could show off their work,” Jessica says.

For Jeremy and Nicki, this comes from an open-hearted desire to share the enjoyment of their dream home with others around them. “At the end of the day, we’re just extremely grateful, especially for this team of Noble Designs and Cecil & Ray, and everyone who has done such a phenomenal job,” Jeremy says.

Rooted in nature and designed for gathering, the home is a reflection of a family with deep-seated ties to their land. An extension of its environment, an extension of the family who loves it.

@nobledesigns

@cecilrayhomes

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