Summer 2026

Skybound Luxury

Rooms We Love

A penthouse on the Country Club Plaza blends walkable urban living with a calm, collected interior.

Words
Gloria Gale

Photos
Laurie Kilgore
@lauriekilgorephotography

Designer
ML Designs
@mldesignskc

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We’re like homing pigeons,” says Cindy Shelby, a former Kansas Citian who, after two decades in Houston, felt the pull to return.

Cindy and her husband, Tom, spent 20 years in Texas before deciding it was time to come back. “Our daughter lives here and we wanted to be close by,” Cindy explains. “And honestly, I missed the seasons. I love fall, and there’s very little of it in Houston.”

After selling their home, the couple made a decisive move: they sold nearly everything and started fresh in Kansas City. “It turned out to be the right choice—we’ve been here since 2013,” Cindy says.

The couple began exploring properties in the Kirkwood condominiums near the Country Club Plaza. “Our Realtor showed us several units in the high-rise, but we fell in love with a condo in the four-story Kirkwood Circle,” Cindy recalls.

The space suited them well, and they stayed for four years. Its walkable location and views of the Plaza were ideal, but eventually, they wanted more room. When a penthouse in the same building became available, the decision to pack up again was easy.

“It was cozy, checked all the boxes, and was just one floor up,” Cindy says.

To shape their new 2,100-square-foot space, the Shelbys enlisted Maureen Lindstrom, principal of ML Designs, along with co-designer Heather Gormsen. “Understanding how clients live and how they imagine their future home is essential,” Lindstrom says.

There’s no need for splashes of color when luxury is defined by a range of monochromatic motifs. The sitting room is a case in point, blending a series of muted textures found throughout the condo. This neutral palette brings its own polished appeal.
When the Shelbys first viewed the largely unfinished condo, the kitchen was one area that had already been remodeled. ML Designs added the eye-catching overhead lighting.
An ample dining room is enhanced by light from adjacent window walls, creating an inviting ambiance. Once again, a monochromatic color scheme is used, with dramatic overhead lighting serving as the focal point.
Textured surfaces play a significant role throughout the condo. “I love beautiful wall coverings and fancy lighting,” Cindy admits. Even this diminutive space becomes a focal point with highly textured porcelain lamps and a lacquered wood console table set againsTextured surfaces play a significant role throughout the condo. “I love beautiful wall coverings and fancy lighting,” Cindy admits. Even this diminutive space becomes a focal point with highly textured porcelain lamps and a lacquered wood console table set against a mirrored wall.t a mirrored wall.
The overlook from the fourth floor provides a perfect vantage point in this midtown condo. One of the penthouse’s key attractions is its expansive windows, which maximize the view.
ML Designs color-drenched this room in Sherwin-Williams’ Accessible Beige to give it a warm, luxe feel, and anchored it with a tribal rug that lends a distinct personality.
“No matter how big or small a space, attention to detail can transform it into a jewel,” says Maureen Lindstrom, owner of ML Designs. This brass-based vanity sink and Greek-key patterned wallpaper command the tiny powder room.
Every surface in the primary bedroom emphasizes softness—from the subtly nubby textured rug to the delicate wall covering and upholstered bed—creating a heavenly retreat.
Adding an element of charm, a brass starburst fixture provides an unexpected, playful touch, echoed in the hardware on the dresser.
Rhythmic veins of marble grace the vanity top in the primary bathroom. The walls are highlighted with patterned coverings that continue the theme found throughout the condo, resulting in a sophisticated mix without visual intrusion.
In today’s marketplace, myriad wall coverings are available for the discerning homeowner. In the sitting room, attention to detail is evident in the subtle print displayed across the walls. Nearby, a side table upholstered with nailhead accents complements the elegant surroundings.
Lindstrom and Shelby prioritize textural definition in their design approach. “We look for interest in fabrics, detailed elements, or collections that tell a story, using just a blush of color to define the look,” Lindstrom says.

The brief was clear: nothing overly formal. “We wanted a welcoming space with a relaxed, collected feel,” Cindy notes.

The condo’s clean architectural envelope provided a flexible canvas. The couple preferred a neutral palette with only the slightest hint of color, allowing texture to take the lead. Even the art the couple selected is subdued.

An eight-week renovation introduced subtle but impactful updates.

In the main living areas, Lindstrom layered in a velvet wallcovering, along with a metallic treatment on the ceilings to create a cohesive, enveloping effect.

Just off the elevator, a small foyer niche needed purpose. Lindstrom hired Ryan Parks of Parks Cabinet to craft a custom wood bureau—an elegant landing spot for keys, mail, and daily essentials.

Parks’ work continues throughout the home, including a custom TV console with a concealed lift mechanism and a tailored credenza that adds architectural weight to the living room.

Not everything went smoothly. “We bought a large armoire for the primary bathroom,” Cindy says. “When it arrived, it wouldn’t make the turn into the room. ML Designs had to hire a crane to hoist it over the balcony. I’m sure the neighbors wondered what on earth was happening—but it fits.”

While natural light fills the penthouse, layered lighting defines its atmosphere. Chandeliers and table lamps add warmth and sculptural interest. Cindy’s preference for dramatic lighting shows up throughout the condo. In the dining area, a cluster of glass globes introduces a playful note. In the primary bedroom, a sculptural starburst fixture adds a touch of whimsy overhead. The kitchen, previously renovated, is now anchored by pendant lighting appropriate for culinary tasks.

Table lamps in porcelain, metal, and glass complete the scheme, casting a soft, ambient glow.

In the end, the finished penthouse became exactly what the Shelbys envisioned: a refined yet relaxed retreat above the city.

“It’s a wonderful semi-urban retreat,” Lindstrom says. “A place where they can unwind and feel completely at home.”

For the Shelbys, it’s simply that—and more.

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