My Houzz: A Burst of Happy Colors in Missouri
Jewel tones, graphic wallpaper and a music poster collection sing in a family’s Lake Lotawana house
Traci and Joe Leuritsen consider themselves big music fans. So much so that the decorating inspiration for the interior of their family’s Lake Lotawana, Missouri, vacation home came from a collection of colorful special-edition posters from every Widespread Panic rock concert they’ve ever been to. A gallery wall that pays homage to their favorite rock band is now the focal point of the lakeside home.
The couple live in nearby Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and in 2011 bought this house along the water with easy access to the docks. Initially, Traci says, “the home was very livable, but it just wasn’t my taste. Olive green walls; mustard yellow walls and carpet. It also had a partially walled-off kitchen that we wanted to open up, and the sink faced the living room — I wanted to look at the lake when I was doing dishes.”
The couple live in nearby Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and in 2011 bought this house along the water with easy access to the docks. Initially, Traci says, “the home was very livable, but it just wasn’t my taste. Olive green walls; mustard yellow walls and carpet. It also had a partially walled-off kitchen that we wanted to open up, and the sink faced the living room — I wanted to look at the lake when I was doing dishes.”
Traci, pictured on the right, and Joe worked with their friend and stylist Melissa Rodgers, left, to make their home a vibrant weekend escape with a jewel-tone palette. “We agreed to do one room at a time and chunk away at it,” Traci says.
Rodgers is also helping to style and decorate the family’s main home, built in 1976, which is decorated in a Southwestern-inspired style.
Rodgers is also helping to style and decorate the family’s main home, built in 1976, which is decorated in a Southwestern-inspired style.
Engage upholstered accent chair in color Sunny: Modway
The concert posters were originally stored away in boxes, and Rodgers helped to get all of them framed and displayed in the main living space, which has a high vaulted ceiling.
Two magenta patterned area rugs warm up the oak flooring.
Classic Parsons dining table: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; Anime dining armchairs: Modern Selections
Two magenta patterned area rugs warm up the oak flooring.
Classic Parsons dining table: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; Anime dining armchairs: Modern Selections
The couple worked with architect Lisa Sanford Duncan to design and create the initial computer-aided design drawings for their new open floor plan. Duncan also helped design the ceiling beams in the kitchen and pick out new appliances. The homeowners also worked with general contractors Ray Vaughn and Henderson Cummings for their kitchen remodel.
The countertops are soapstone.
Elsa capiz mini pendant lights: Vaxcel
The countertops are soapstone.
Elsa capiz mini pendant lights: Vaxcel
Rodgers had custom slipcovered cushions made by Michelle Van Der Water of Rockin Cushions in California using fabric from Hobby Lobby. It was a budget-friendly way to add color to the Henriksdal bar stools from Ikea, which originally had cream-colored cushions.
The family spends many of its summer weekends here. “It’s just a really peaceful place to be. I keep inviting our friends from all over to come have a vacation with us,” Traci says.
“We love to have parties out here, because it is always clean and ready to entertain,” Traci says. “Joe grew up near Lake Okoboji, Iowa, on the water and loves to fish. Joe’s parents come down from Iowa in the winter months and live here. They love cooking for all of us in the kitchen and just living the lake life of boat rides, fishing and relaxation.”
The family also has a Newfoundland named Snuffleupagus (“Snuffy” for short). Traci says, “Her favorite things to do are swim and go for a boat ride.”
The family also has a Newfoundland named Snuffleupagus (“Snuffy” for short). Traci says, “Her favorite things to do are swim and go for a boat ride.”
The couple hired local painter Robert Lewis to paint the interior walls and give the stair rails a blue ombre effect. The rails were painted using Jamaican Aqua by Benjamin Moore, mixed with Decorator’s White by Sherwin-Williams to create the lighter shades.
Online wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
Online wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
The intricate floral lamp on top of the family’s piano belonged to Traci’s grandmother Pearl Davis, and is one of several lamps in the home passed down to her. “My grandmother Pearl was really fancy — had great taste in lamps and furniture and interior design. I’ve moved the lamps with me over the years from Iowa to North Carolina to New Mexico and back,” Traci says.
The black matte upright piano is a Mason & Hamlin Model 50. “I played through college and bought it used in Santa Fe,” Traci says. “Marliss has started lessons and hopefully Van will too.”
The black matte upright piano is a Mason & Hamlin Model 50. “I played through college and bought it used in Santa Fe,” Traci says. “Marliss has started lessons and hopefully Van will too.”
This colorful powder room is located right off the front entry. The couple worked with D Smith Wallcoverings for all of their wallpaper installations.
Jamaican Aqua door paint: Benjamin Moore; Fruit Doves by Palau wallpaper: Walnut Wallpaper
Jamaican Aqua door paint: Benjamin Moore; Fruit Doves by Palau wallpaper: Walnut Wallpaper
The second-floor bathroom also features a bold and graphic wallpaper.
Three-light vanity: Capital Lighting Fixture Co.; Real Red vanity paint: Sherwin-Williams
Three-light vanity: Capital Lighting Fixture Co.; Real Red vanity paint: Sherwin-Williams
Turquoise Otomi wallpaper by Hygge & West covers the walls of the upstairs guest bedroom.
Tracy king bed: Modway; shiny pineapple ceramic table lamps: MyFun Corp; Juna rug in pink: NuLoom; “Impossible Contour Map” art print: Picomodi
Tracy king bed: Modway; shiny pineapple ceramic table lamps: MyFun Corp; Juna rug in pink: NuLoom; “Impossible Contour Map” art print: Picomodi
All of the interior doors are painted in Jamaican Aqua by Benjamin Moore, the same color used on the ombre stair rails.
The floor lamp came from Traci’s grandmother.
The floor lamp came from Traci’s grandmother.
Pompom blanket in pink: Indigo&Lavender
Also upstairs is a second guest bedroom with walls covered in a graphic wallpaper. “Living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for 10 years influenced my preferences for Southwestern design and decoration,” Traci says.
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Who lives here: Traci and Joe Leuritsen with children Marliss, 5, and Van, 2, and their Newfoundland, named Snuffleupagus (“Snuffy” for short)
Location: Lake Lotawana, Missouri
Size: 3,300 square feet (307 square meters); three bedrooms, four bathrooms
Year built: 1997