My Houzz: A Kansas City Family Home Embraces Nature
An interior designer-architect couple design and build their home in the woods
Julie and Christian Arnold embraced the challenges they faced when choosing a steep, open lot in the Old Briarcliff neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, to build their family’s home. Julie, an interior designer and stylist who owns Place | Mindful Interiors, and Christian, founding principal architect of Clockwork Architecture and Design, wanted to live somewhere connected to nature so their family could explore their natural environment and still be close to Christian’s commercial architecture firm in the River Market area. “The design and building process was a bit of a challenge since the lot is on a steep hill, but we decided to embrace it,” Julie says.
Credenza: vintage; lounge chair and ottoman: Eames
Credenza: vintage; lounge chair and ottoman: Eames
“Our open living area, where we spend the majority of our time, overlooks the wooded treetops, creating canvases of nature,” Julie says. The couple planned their home to have the open layout of a loft with as much natural light as possible. The windows give their home a secluded feel as the house is nestled in a leafy surround filled with cottonwood and maple trees.
The couple designed the home together and worked with Faust Construction. “During the design process we were inspired by modern Australian homes, specifically from architect Glenn Murcutt, and open floor plans of loft spaces that we lived in while in Boston and the River Market before having children,” Julie says.
The couple designed the home together and worked with Faust Construction. “During the design process we were inspired by modern Australian homes, specifically from architect Glenn Murcutt, and open floor plans of loft spaces that we lived in while in Boston and the River Market before having children,” Julie says.
The area rug is leftover commercial carpet given to them from a friend. The couple had the edges bound.
Carved wood side table: West Elm; lamp: Flos; couches: Nebraska Furniture Mart; accent pillows on couches: Golden & Pine; artwork: Target; blue throw: Creative Women from Golden & Pine
Carved wood side table: West Elm; lamp: Flos; couches: Nebraska Furniture Mart; accent pillows on couches: Golden & Pine; artwork: Target; blue throw: Creative Women from Golden & Pine
The fireplace hearth is made of limestone slabs.
Julie draws her design and decorating inspiration from a number of sources, including, she says, “craft and texture of artwork, objects and surfaces that usually catch my eye and, of course, the natural world. My approach to design, in general, is to tell a story and craft spaces that reflect the client’s lifestyle and layer in cherished life memories and objects,” she says. “I’m not opposed to the latest design trends, but I do use them sparingly. I tend to look at decor objects and choose timeless pieces and ones that hold a great story or are ethically crafted.”
Pillows on couches: Golden & Pine
Julie draws her design and decorating inspiration from a number of sources, including, she says, “craft and texture of artwork, objects and surfaces that usually catch my eye and, of course, the natural world. My approach to design, in general, is to tell a story and craft spaces that reflect the client’s lifestyle and layer in cherished life memories and objects,” she says. “I’m not opposed to the latest design trends, but I do use them sparingly. I tend to look at decor objects and choose timeless pieces and ones that hold a great story or are ethically crafted.”
Pillows on couches: Golden & Pine
“The nature that surrounds us has definitely informed my style of decorating for this house. For the first few years our home was extremely minimal. We delighted in the nature that surrounded us, and I’ve slowly, mindfully, added furnishings, artwork and decor,” Julie says. “Most pieces hold a story, whether it’s an heirloom bookcase, a passed-down crocheted item framed as art or items collected from travels or local vintage shops.”
The African stool is an antique store find from the couple’s time living together in Boston. Christian gave the Vitra rocking chair to Julie as a present when she was pregnant with their first son, Jack. “A rocking chair for reading and rocking babies with an ode to modern,” she says.
Julie made the hanging wall sculpture. “I collected the branch and the bark that fell from my favorite sycamore tree in the backyard. I have quite a collection of bark and plan to do more. My kids are always collecting it for me since they know how much I adore it,” she says.
Art: framed watercolor blue abstracts, Target; rocking chair: T-Vac chair, Vitra; browse similar modern rocking chairs
The African stool is an antique store find from the couple’s time living together in Boston. Christian gave the Vitra rocking chair to Julie as a present when she was pregnant with their first son, Jack. “A rocking chair for reading and rocking babies with an ode to modern,” she says.
Julie made the hanging wall sculpture. “I collected the branch and the bark that fell from my favorite sycamore tree in the backyard. I have quite a collection of bark and plan to do more. My kids are always collecting it for me since they know how much I adore it,” she says.
Art: framed watercolor blue abstracts, Target; rocking chair: T-Vac chair, Vitra; browse similar modern rocking chairs
“We are in a new season of life now, and I’m focusing more on interior design and styling but still find joy in working from home every day and being here for my kids in this stage of their lives,” she adds.
The large living space is sectioned off by a wooden woven screen to create an office and homework nook. “We knew that we wanted a home with large family spaces that create many opportunities to connect as a family,” Julie says. “This decision kept the children’s rooms smaller, and homework and family time happens in the open living spaces.”
Pictured here is the office and homework nook, which is partitioned off from the rest of the family room. To the left is another larger desk, and to the right is a sofa.
A half wall is painted in a rich blue, Dark Night from Sherwin-Williams, and Julie used a herringbone pattern stencil from Stencilit with Seaworthy from Sherwin-Williams as a contrasting color.
The dining table was handcrafted from salvaged pine wood from a barn and intentionally left unfinished. “This table is absolutely the most used piece of furniture in the house, and it shows. It really needs to be refinished, but it also holds nine years of stories with its Sharpie marks, fork dents, paint and scratches. I used a Tried and True furniture oil that really ages well,” Julie says.
She also designed and handcrafted the pendants above the table to save money. “Thankfully they are a timeless style that still works and adds in warmth and texture to the minimal white surround,” she says.
She also designed and handcrafted the pendants above the table to save money. “Thankfully they are a timeless style that still works and adds in warmth and texture to the minimal white surround,” she says.
The kitchen cabinets have Ikea interiors and custom doors with a walnut wood veneer for the exterior. “Our countertop with sink was built deeper to accommodate an appliance garage that eliminates the need for overhead cabinets and allowed more room for windows to let in the natural light.”
A small corner of the kitchen features functional items styled in a beautiful vignette. The two circular wooden objects on the wall were found locally.
Black ceramic: The Object Enthusiast; hand-dyed cocktail napkins: Owl + Mouse; ash paddle board: Target
Black ceramic: The Object Enthusiast; hand-dyed cocktail napkins: Owl + Mouse; ash paddle board: Target
“The products that we cherish the most are ones that hold a story, like our dining room table, found items that are beautifully crafted and some of the artwork purchased from HALO auctions.” HALO is a local organization that helps at-risk youth, and it puts on an annual art auction event.
The midcentury salt and pepper shaker set was a gift from Christian’s parents.
Vintage wooden scoop: Urban Mining; some of the white ceramics: Crestwood Flowers
The midcentury salt and pepper shaker set was a gift from Christian’s parents.
Vintage wooden scoop: Urban Mining; some of the white ceramics: Crestwood Flowers
“Most of our daily activities inside are spent in our open living area cooking meals, kids doing homework, artwork and reading. Since I work from home it can be somewhat challenging to divide areas for work and home life, so I decided not to,” Julie says. “I do have an office desk, but I like to move around and find other areas in our open space to work. Most often I chase where the natural sunshine is streaming in, and even outside when it’s nice.” The island also doubles as a work surface at times.
Julie decorated their master bedroom to make it a peaceful space with added warmth and texture through folk art and vintage decor.
The items displayed on the wall ledge from left to right include a Japanese abacus; four vintage ceramic cups from Coveted Home; vintage cigar molds on each side of a painting by a friend of the couple’s, Erin Arnold; two vintage wooden molds from the Hershey Chocolate Factory from a trip to Annapolis and a collection of vintage sewing needles. A collection of wood flooring samples is displayed on the ledge on the right. Julie saved them from when she was picking the floors for the house. She loved them and thought that they would make a great art piece and be a nice reminder of the design process to their home.
Pillows: Golden & Pine
The items displayed on the wall ledge from left to right include a Japanese abacus; four vintage ceramic cups from Coveted Home; vintage cigar molds on each side of a painting by a friend of the couple’s, Erin Arnold; two vintage wooden molds from the Hershey Chocolate Factory from a trip to Annapolis and a collection of vintage sewing needles. A collection of wood flooring samples is displayed on the ledge on the right. Julie saved them from when she was picking the floors for the house. She loved them and thought that they would make a great art piece and be a nice reminder of the design process to their home.
Pillows: Golden & Pine
bed and nightstand: Room & Board; striped blanket: Enrou, Golden & Pine
The grid of photographs on the wall to the right of the bathroom entrance are from various family travels.
The vintage army cot was found on Etsy, and Julie says it is the perfect size for the foot of a king-size bed. On top of it is a vintage indigo blanket Julie bought from Collection by Kate McConnell at a local pop-up boutique event.
Rug: Urban Outfitters; midcentury teak tray: Good Ju Ju
The vintage army cot was found on Etsy, and Julie says it is the perfect size for the foot of a king-size bed. On top of it is a vintage indigo blanket Julie bought from Collection by Kate McConnell at a local pop-up boutique event.
Rug: Urban Outfitters; midcentury teak tray: Good Ju Ju
The countertops in the master bath are reclaimed walnut from a tree that Julie’s grandfather cut down almost 50 years ago.
Freestanding tub: Duravit; find similar bathtubs
Freestanding tub: Duravit; find similar bathtubs
Pictured here is a hallway from the main family space to the two children’s bedrooms. The very top of the wall to the right is lined with a row of clerestory windows to let in natural light.
“Since this was a new construction nine years ago, we really basked in the architecture of the interior of the space and kept it very minimal,” Julie says.
“Since this was a new construction nine years ago, we really basked in the architecture of the interior of the space and kept it very minimal,” Julie says.
Seven-year-old daughter Emma’s bedroom features high ceilings and plenty of room for her toys, kept corralled in baskets. She has a small table for creativity time.
The bed and floral bedding are both hand-me-downs from a family friend.
Front pillow: Golden & Pine
The bed and floral bedding are both hand-me-downs from a family friend.
Front pillow: Golden & Pine
The boys, Jack and James, used to share a room until the couple created their basement loft. Now James’ room features minimal amounts of furniture, leaving lots of room for activities.
“Family time is also spent assisting my boys in a project very dear to us where they sell Banana Leaf Balls made in Uganda, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward school fees for the children there. This project and also time spent creatively helping out with HALO, a local nonprofit, keeps our family life focused on positive social change. I find that keeping the interior of our home minimal and somewhat neutral makes it easier to work creatively and take on new projects that come our way.”
Bunkbed: Mydal, Ikea
“Family time is also spent assisting my boys in a project very dear to us where they sell Banana Leaf Balls made in Uganda, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward school fees for the children there. This project and also time spent creatively helping out with HALO, a local nonprofit, keeps our family life focused on positive social change. I find that keeping the interior of our home minimal and somewhat neutral makes it easier to work creatively and take on new projects that come our way.”
Bunkbed: Mydal, Ikea
“We’ve slowly added in other furnishings, but keeping the kids areas small with built-in closets has minimized the need for an abundance of furniture and given us more room for adding in layers of texture and color with artwork and objects,” Julie says.
“All of our doors were made by Koch and Co. in Seneca, Kansas, the hometown where I grew up,” she adds.
“All of our doors were made by Koch and Co. in Seneca, Kansas, the hometown where I grew up,” she adds.
Pictured here is James’ collection of rocks and treasures.
This lofted space is in the basement and is currently 14-year-old Jack’s bedroom. Underneath the loft are bars that were installed so the children can swing from them.
Inside the loft is Jack’s bed and desk.
Desk: Ikea
Desk: Ikea
Pictured here is the tree-filled, steep, hilly lot the house was built on. The home almost seems to float in the space.
The roof is made of recycled metal roof, and the siding is natural slate for zero maintenance. All of the windows are commercial grade, which are more efficiently insulated. Julie says they also used soy-based foam insulation, recycled rebar from the construction of the house and salvaged wood timbers from Christian’s family farm for the front entry walkway. “The passive orientation of the house harnesses the shade trees, and we harvest rain water,” Julie says.
Julie and Christian’s two sons were 2 and 5 years old when they started their building process. “I stayed home with the kids during their early years and worked on a blog and some freelance work as my creative outlet. This home and the abundance of natural light was inspiration for so much of the content on the blog, where I mostly shared creative moments at home with my kids,” Julie says. She adds, “It was a dreamland with the excavated piles of dirt and cranes that came to set the steel posts.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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The roof is made of recycled metal roof, and the siding is natural slate for zero maintenance. All of the windows are commercial grade, which are more efficiently insulated. Julie says they also used soy-based foam insulation, recycled rebar from the construction of the house and salvaged wood timbers from Christian’s family farm for the front entry walkway. “The passive orientation of the house harnesses the shade trees, and we harvest rain water,” Julie says.
Julie and Christian’s two sons were 2 and 5 years old when they started their building process. “I stayed home with the kids during their early years and worked on a blog and some freelance work as my creative outlet. This home and the abundance of natural light was inspiration for so much of the content on the blog, where I mostly shared creative moments at home with my kids,” Julie says. She adds, “It was a dreamland with the excavated piles of dirt and cranes that came to set the steel posts.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Who lives here: Christian and Julie Arnold and their three children, Jack, 14, James, 11, and Emma, 7
Location: Old Briarcliff neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri
Size: 2,500 square feet (232 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a small sleep loft in the basement
Year built: 2008