Traditional with a Twist

Summer 2025

Traditional with a Twist

June 4, 2025

Words by Meghan Craig | Photos by Matt Kocourek

Timeless charm meets equestrian elegance in this classic redesign of a Stilwell, Kansas, home.

his home is a sanctuary for a family of three boys, two dogs, a horse and a donkey. It also showcases a sophisticated blend of traditional design and eclectic charm. Since the family purchased the home in 2017, it has transformed.

“While it was beautiful, it didn’t quite fit our design style,” says homeowner Piper Bordegon. “We had the vision of what we wanted it to be long-term and knew it had the bones to fit our style.”

The vision for the home was clear: to introduce more character while maintaining harmony with the original design. They hired Renovations by Starr Homes and Bleu Grace Designs to curate and execute the project.

“The goal was to bring in an older aesthetic—one that felt grounded in history while complementing the home’s existing elements,” says designer Twyla Elmore.

To achieve this, the design stayed rooted in traditional elements, such as wainscoting, wood trim and classic lighting choices. However, the addition of eclectic touches gives the home a contemporary feel, making it ideal for both family life and entertaining.

“The primary design aesthetic was ‘Traditional with an Eclectic Twist,’” Elmore explains. “I focused on layering details from the handles and knobs to the trim work to ensure everything felt cohesive.”

The timeless exterior of this equestrian home reflects the traditional interior style, with clean lines and classic details that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings. “The renovations to the outside really make it feel like a whole new house,” Piper says. “I love driving up the drive and seeing the beautiful new entrance and double front doors.”

Featuring custom cabinetry and a grand piano, the music room blends vintage charm with sophisticated design details. Sherwin-Williams’ Slate Tile (SW 7624) grounds the fireplace’s flanking glass-fronted cabinets that showcase the family’s musical instruments.

A grand fireplace is the centerpiece of this spacious hearth room, creating a warm and inviting space for family and friends to gather. Equestrian references are carefully incorporated without getting too thematic.

This dining room is a striking blend of historical charm and contemporary elegance. It features a restored chandelier and carefully curated furniture that enhances the space’s original grandeur.

The welcoming entry combines traditional woodwork with fresh, modern elements, setting the tone for a balanced design.

This sitting room is a cozy retreat. It incorporates vintage books and heirloom pieces, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels both personal and timeless to the family.

“We had a particular design in mind for the library, or as we like to call it, our nook,” Piper says. “Growing up. I had Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s cousin’s house. We would all cram into this little wood-paneled room to have cocktail hour and watch some Sunday football, and my grandmother and cousin would be needlepointing and sipping their Manhattans. I wanted to try to replicate this nostalgic feeling.”

The sitting room and piano room feature Sherwin-Williams’ Slate Tile, a deep, sophisticated blue that grounds the space with a sense of history. These rooms share a similar vibe, where the richness of the color complements the family’s eclectic collection of heirlooms and vintage books.

“The color works beautifully against the wood trim, helping to anchor the furniture and decor,” Elmore notes.

For the laundry room, she opted for a softer shade—Debonair—bringing calm to this workhorse space. Meanwhile, in the primary bathroom, a serene shade of Lullaby was selected for the custom cabinetry.

“The coolness of the blue tones feels restful and soothing, especially in the bathroom where you want to unwind,” Elmore says.

The equestrian influence is subtly integrated throughout the home. From the custom cabinetry in the piano room to the thoughtful redesign of the hearth room fireplace, every detail reflects the family’s love for their animals and the outdoors.

The primary bathroom features custom cabinetry painted in Lullaby (SW 9136) for a tranquil daily experience.

The original doors to the bathroom entry had too much character to replace. “We loved the warmth and texture of the knotty alder wood and chose to incorporate them into the final design,” Elmore notes.

The primary tub became a statement piece, inspired by a photo the client shared early in the design process. “We tracked down the source and made it one of the first elements selected for the bathroom,” Elmore says. “Its rustic detailing, including the bolts, evoked the charm of horse stables and barns and blended the timeless appeal of a traditional cast iron tub with a modern spin.”

With an airy vaulted ceiling and French doors that open to the deck, this primary bedroom offers a serene retreat with a connection to nature.

The Bordegons already had a beautiful kitchen, so the project team focused on thoughtful enhancements like Old World-style hardware and a fresh coat of paint. They also refinished the butler’s pantry, tying it into the kitchen with matching hardware for a cohesive look.

Piper had a clear vision of incorporating a swing into the design, so the team brought the idea to life with a custom feature wall behind it. They also refreshed the space by updating the fireplace stone, adding a new coat of paint, and installing updated lighting, which created a seamless extension of the hearth room. It’s the perfect spot for the family to curl up with a book or enjoy a movie on a rainy day.

Practicality meets elegance in this laundry room, where soft blue Debonair (SW 9139) and thoughtful design make the space as charming as it is functional.

“The hearth room features one of the largest fireplaces in a home in Kansas City,” Elmore notes. “It’s a focal point of the home, designed not just for warmth but for the social life the family enjoys.”

The space is perfect for the whole family to gather, with ample seating and a design reflecting the home’s rural charm.

More privately, the project team opened up the primary bedroom, adding French doors that lead to a newly designed deck. The vaulted ceiling adds a sense of grandeur to the room, enhancing its openness and inviting natural light to flood in.

“It’s an airy, expansive space that connects the family to the outdoors while still feeling incredibly cozy,” Elmore explains.

The primary bath was updated in terms of style and usage, with custom cabinetry that ties into the home’s equestrian feel.

“With barrels for the overhead lights above the sink, the X details on the door fronts that mirror the Xs on the barn that you can see from the window…it really is a beautiful custom piece that I just love,” Piper says.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this project was Piper’s deep connection to the home’s design.

“The client brought so many personal pieces into the space, from family heirlooms to vintage photographs,” Elmore says. “There was a particularly touching moment when the client showed me a box she had made from keepsakes belonging to loved ones who had passed. Inside, she placed a pair of glasses, a small doll and a pin—a creative and heartfelt way to honor family members.”

Piper loves spending time among all her family’s memories.

“We snuggle up on the couch, put on the beautiful new fireplace, and I feel surrounded by all our loved ones that have passed.”

Through thoughtful design, the project team successfully created casually elegant spaces that are comfortable and reflect the family’s values. Every room tells a story.

“I feel like Twyla understood our vision, and we worked so well together to make the vision a reality,” Piper says. “We are so happy with the end result and our beautiful equestrian oasis!”

Contractor: Renovations by Starr Homes, @renobystarr

Interior Designer: Bleu Grace Designs, @hello.bleu

Resource

Architect/Engineer: HD Engineering
Custom Cabinets: Parks Cabinets
Cast Limestone Mantels/Surround: ADI Designs
Countertops: SCI Surfaces
Composite Decking/Handrails: KC Deck Supply
Custom Spiral Metal Railing: KC Forged Ornamental
Doors (Interior/Exterior): Builders FirstSource
Fireplaces: Midwest Fireplace Co.
Glass: Fountain Glass
Gutters: Gutter Cover Kansas City
Hardware: Locks and Pulls

Landscaping: Next to Nature
Lighting: Rensen House of Lights
Natural Stone: Semco
Paint: First Impression Painting
Tile: Central States Tile
Tile Installer: Lusso Porcelain & Design
Windows: Builders FirstSource
Wood Flooring: Kenny’s Tile
Porch Façade Stone: X/O Exteriors & Outdoors
Porch Façade Stone Installer: Builders Stone & Masonry
Plumbing Fixtures: Grandview Winnelson; Ferguson Home