As the online sponsor of the Junior League’s Kitchen Tours, we are able to give you a sneak peak into some of the homes on the tour! Here’s Vicki’s perspective on this amazing kitchen renovation!
Jenny and Todd Rausch are renovating a one hundred year old house. The house, located in a historic area of Kirkwood, sat empty for three years. When they purchased the house Jenny was pregnant (with twins). The strong odors (stench) from the house kept her from seeing much of it before they made the purchase.
The renovations began, the twins were born. Their first Kirkwood home sold quickly leaving the Rausch family without a St. Louis home. So Todd, Jenny, daughter Ellie, and the twins, Jack and Maggie began shuffling between a relative’s home in south county and their summer cottage in Illinois.
The kitchen and sunroom are part of the first phase of renovations. Since Jenny and Todd are the owners of Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath, the kitchen is a very important part of the home. It is the heart and soul.
The kitchen has been designed for an active family. Because there wasn’t a single wall large enough to accommodate the refrigerator innovative design and clever planning prevailed. There are two smaller refrigerators flanking a doorway. Each one is enclosed with the same wood panels as the surrounding cabinets.
Great attention to detail is found in the kitchen. The panels on the island have the distinctive linen fold pattern. The linen fold detail was originally used in larger homes to designate space used to hold the households linens. The beautiful folded linen is a lovely, unique detail on the kitchen island. The perimeter cabinets and wood work have a custom time worn finish that adds character and charm.
The floor in the kitchen and sunroom is a limestone laid in a herringbone pattern. The look is reminiscent of a French country terrace. The soapstone counters, limestone floor, custom finishes, linen fold detail, on demand water heat and historical location all add to the ambiance and functionality of this extremely well designed kitchen. The home, the kitchen is amazing.
You can view the Great Day St louis segments featuring the Rausch home here.
Check out more of Vicki’s work and view her portfolio here.
Don’t forget to order tickets to the kitchen tours on April 2nd! Click here for more info.
