We’re just one week into January and there’s a lot to report on in the design sphere. Castle Design, St. Louis’s largest residential interior design firm, announced its acquisition of Kelly Johnson Design, a local firm with a reputation for creating timeless, classic interiors. Closer to my own home, The Lobby by Union Studio, located in the Delmar Makers District, took to social media recently to share the news that it won’t reopen. There are a few reasons for this decision. Read about both stories below.
Tune in to this throwback episode (published January 2025) for practical tips from local organization pros Janine Adams and Becky Buelow.Add to your queue on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify »
Design Digest
Castle Design Announces Acquisition
Castle Design, founded in 2003 and recognized for its portfolio of award-winning, high-end residential interior design, announced its acquisition of St. Louis-based Kelly Johnson Design on January 1.
Rooted in thoughtful, client-driven interiors, the two practices merge a roster of talent and years of experience.
“When I made the decision to move from Clayton to Olivette, the idea was that we needed additional space for growth for the company, and to service our existing clients in a better way,” says Emily Castle, founder and principal of Castle Design. “And we do have room to grow here. The fact that this acquisition came up quickly is just a great thing all the way around.” Read more in our online story.
The Lobby, on Delmar, won’t reopen after the tornado
Union Studio’s The Lobby, owned by Sarah Kelley and Mary Beth Bussen and located inside the MADE Maker Space, announced in a social media post on January 1 that it will not reopen.
“With sadness, we have decided to not reopen The Lobby,” they wrote. “We love the Delmar Maker District and will miss being a part of the neighborhood, but it just doesn’t make sense for us to reopen nor are we able to at this time.”
At the time of the tornado in May 2025, the shop, which was conceived as both a store and a gathering place for the community, had been open for eight months. Read more in our online story.
Sitting Room by Liz Basler. Alise O’Brien Photography
A MESSAGE FROM CASTLE DESIGN
Imagine life in a Castle Design
The Castle Design team creates award-winning spaces that are always stunning, welcoming, and customized to fit their clients’ needs. Connect with Castle Design to bring your vision to life.
Amy Madej grew up with a passion for the arts. The Florissant native gravitated toward graphic design classes at St. Joseph’s Academy and later pursued the subject as a major in college. But when a freshman-year elective at Central Missouri State University led her into a pottery studio for the first time, Madej was hooked.
“After working in 2D for so long, ceramics captured my imagination,” she says.
Are clients still asking for glitter on interior walls?
When Kirkwood-resident Marietta Caiarellii renovated her orange-and-white Formica kitchen 15 years ago, she chose a neutral paint color for the walls and extended the hue into the adjacent hallways, dining and living rooms. The beige shade with a hint of a pink undertone was the right choice for her small cottage, she says, but something was missing.
“I just thought the paint looked a little dull,” says Caiarelli. The living and dining rooms, at the time dressed in window treatments, also tended to be a little dark.
At Reineke Decorating Center in Des Peres, Caiarelli learned about a product from Benjamin Moore called Studio Finishes Glitter Effect, a top coat that’s applied over a base paint color for an iridescent shimmer effect.
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on the market
A home in Clayton hits the market
Original details blend seamlessly with modern updates.
Dutch Colonial Architecture: Clad in red brick, with cross-paned windows and a slate-tile roof, this restored cottage has plenty of curb appeal. Located in a historic Clayton neighborhood, the house is walking distance to Downtown Clayton, including Shaw Park.
English Cottage Coziness: Originality seamlessly blends with modern updates. Hardwood floors connect the living room to the dining room, and accordion glass doors open to the kitchen, where large windows light the space. A large island anchors the room, and granite countertops, wood cabinets, and new appliances make cooking easy. A charming breakfast room with a window seat, butler’s pantry, and a bar with wine storage expand the kitchen. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a laundry room complete the main level. Upstairs there are two more bedrooms, a bathroom, and the primary suite with walk-in closets and a bathroom with a glass shower, an air-jet tub, heated marble floors, and a heated towel rack.
Enhanced Luxury: The finished lower level allows much space to entertain with a family room and half bath. The backyard’s stone patio looks out onto the lawn, which is maintained by an irrigation system, and provides a place to relax. There is an oversized two-car garage with an electric vehicle charger. The sellers have made extensive updates to the house, including electrical rewiring, new insulation, drywall, paint, designer lighting and fans, and landscaping.
Join the excitement January 7–11 as world-class skaters take the ice in St. Louis. This unforgettable week ends with the Olympic Team Naming Ceremony. Be there for the moment. Buy tickets.
The House of The Art Doll, woman-owned, horror-themed tattoo studio located in the heart of the Delmar Loop. Offering Walk-In Wednesdays and Flash Fridays—bring your own design or choose from the flash board. Visit the studio.
In Closing
I’m excited to share the launch of St. Louis Magazine’s merch store. You can probably guess that I’m a big fan of one particular cotton tote from “House of Lou.”
St. Louis Magazine, PO Box 191606, St. Louis, MO 63119 United States
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