I recently had the opportunity to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park—the Kraus House in Kirkwood — with friends who helped sponsor the experience and are friends of our company: Jamie Briesemeister of Integration Controls and Ted Wight of Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty. Exploring the heritage architecture was wonderful but it also inspired me with principles for our own residential remodeling projects.

Exploring an Architectural St. Louis Gem that Exemplifies Living Better at Home

For the last 35 years in interior design and 15 years in design-build residential remodeling, I have learned from so many fantastic experts. I always jump on opportunities like this, because I’m never done learning. And, I happen to think we can learn as much from preserved home design that lasts through the decades as we can from futuristic innovations from our trade partners. I left the Kraus House grateful for the preservation work that has been underway since 2001 to protect this architectural gem in the St. Louis area. It is one thing to study a Wright home in photographs; it is another to walk through it and experience how deliberately it meets the land.

The house seems to nestle into its environment, surrounded by greenery and beauty rather than simply sitting on top of the site. 

That is what I have always expected from a Frank Lloyd Wright home: a strong architectural point of view that still feels grounded, warm, and connected to nature.

What struck me most was the intentionality behind it all. The sightlines. The relationship between the rooms and the terrace. The way daylight enters. The built-ins. The furniture and its placement. Nothing feels accidental.

Principles to Inspire for our own Residential Remodeling Projects in St. Louis

Wright was not just designing shelter. He was shaping a home around the people who would live there—how they would gather, move through the space, look outward, rest, and experience the changing seasons.

That is a useful lesson for remodeling today! In many traditional St. Louis homes, we are seeing a growing desire to strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor living. Homeowners want more natural light, better views, easier access to patios and gardens, and rooms that feel connected to the landscape rather than separated from it. (See also: “3 home design ideas inspired by Forest Park
St. Louis designer and remodeler Dana King shares expert insights for bringing outdoor elements into a home.” in St. Louis Magazine.)

Frank Lloyd Wright was known in the design world and beyond for the “Usonian Idea,” which is about adopting a more intentional approach to design. It is:

• Make every square foot purposeful with things like built-ins to improve function and add depth and visual interest. The lines and texture created with built-ins add a craftsmanship that is timeless and feels inviting.
• Bring in natural light and connection to the nature at the center of the plan- the Kraus House has such cool skylights! Most if not all of FLW structures do.
• Favor a color and materials palette and durable details with minimal, purely ‘ornamental’ features. And if you are going to bring in ornamental details make them iconic– like the stained glass!
• Treat comfort systems—heated floors, shading through tree canopies and installed window treatments, temperature control with ventilation and insulation, consideration of solar orientation throughout the day and its impact on temperature – all as part of the grand architectural idea, not an after-thought.

These principles can be applied and remain consistent no matter the architectural design of the home: traditional, mid-century mod, contemporary, craftsmen or prairie — Usonian design principles aren’t confined to a time period or style. And they can be incorporated into a large-scale home remodel, or into a targeted bathroom or kitchen remodel.

To recap why designers geek out over Frank Lloyd Wright homes– it’s not because we want to make every house a copycat of his style. It’s to create homes that feel more thoughtful and intentional, more connected to nature, riddled with craftsmanship that stands the test of time, and ultimately create a home that is more human-centered.

At Dana King Design-Build Remodeling, that aligns with our values as well! We want to help you live better at home and can’t wait to collaborate with you to plan your next project.