2009 Remodel of the Year Awards

Homeowners around Kansas City have braved the past year's economic “situation” snug in their own homes. Some have even been proactive, turning their homes into hideaways they once dreamed of. In the following pages, we pay tribute to them. Bathroom upgrades, master suite makeovers and room additions are just a touch of what you'll see from our 2009 Remodel of the Year award winners, as well as kitchen overhauls that should make Rachel Ray jealous, outdoor living spaces that are right at home with nature and upscale whole-home renovations that can pass for vacation-style resorts. You'll see high-quality materials and appliances, built-in audio and visual components, a mahogany conservatory, platinum/gold finishes, Swarovski crystal pendants and everything in between. With this level of quality, you'd never know the industry was in a down year.

Remodel of the Year Winner
Our judges' pick goes to Ostby Construction, Elswood Smith Carlson Architects and Janet Alholm Interiors.

Neil Ostby knew that the owners of this 1950s ranch home in Prairie Village — previous clients in the 1990s — wanted more than just a facelift this time around. They wanted a complete overhaul, including updated interiors and a modified exterior, using a mix of traditional and contemporary styles while staying in tune with the architectural style of the neighborhood. Their wish list also called for integrated technology and unobstructed views of the Indian Hills Golf Course in their backyard.

Within a year, the home was gutted, walls moved, ceilings raised, and Neil, with the help of Elswood Smith Carlson Architects and Janet Alholm Interiors, was able to present the owners with a completely new version of their once-familiar home. They kept the original geometry of the façade but incorporated wood-stained garage doors, an 8-foot-tall glass-paneled front door and a gable over the front porch. As promised, all updates maintain the architectural look of the rest of the neighborhood.

Each living area on the main floor gracefully flows into one another, making this a home that fits the owners' entertaining lifestyle. A bright terra cotta-colored dining room is directly to the left of the entry, with cast-stone columns. Built-in mirrored shelves and a box-vaulted ceiling outfitted in a platinum/gold finish make it a stunner whether dining there or just walking by. The kitchen on the other side of the wall features maple and alder cabinets, granite and tile countertops, a barrel-vault ceiling, and an island with chairs and pendant lights that visually separates the kitchen from the great room.

The great room highlights an oversized fireplace with cast-stone mantel and surround, piano, casual dining table and plenty of places to sit and relax. Just steps away, a bar area overlooks the media room and has access to an office and the garage.

The master suite's former bedroom became the closet, which transitions into the new bathroom and features heated floors, a walk-in steam shower and coffee bar. The new sleeping quarters were added to the back of the house, with 10-foot-tall ceilings and a cast-stone fireplace mantel as the focus.

Part of the addition included a new staircase to the basement, which was finished with a home theater featuring a 100-inch projection screen. With the touch of a button, the owners can start up a movie while motorized black-out blinds turn this room into a high-tech hideaway. The lower level also contains a wet bar, bathroom and second office.

Other changes to the home include revamped bathrooms and the addition of two outdoor patios.

Click here to see the Whole House remodel winners.

Click here to see the Kitchen remodel winners.

Click here to see the Bath remodel winners.

Click here to see the Master Suite remodel winners.

Click here to see the Remodeling Project winners.

Click here to see the Basement Finish winners.

Click here to see the Outdoor Living Space winners.

Click here to see the Room Addition winners.

Click here to meet the judges.

Click here for resources.