Kansas City Star Logo

Five Questions... | The Kansas City Star

spaces Logo

Five Questions... | The Kansas City Star

spaces Logo
×
  • Home
  • Featured Homes
  • Design
  • Food
    • Food News
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
  • Advice
  • Digital Edition
  • More
    • Entertaining
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Fitness
    • Art
    • Events
    • Partner
    • Style
    • Subscribe
  • E-edition
  • Featured Homes
  • Design
  • Advice
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • Food News
  • Entertaining
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Fitness
  • Art
  • Events
  • Partner
  • Style

Design

Five Questions...

By Melissa Graham

    ORDER REPRINT →

June 20, 2017 10:06 PM

…for interior designer Kurt Knapstein on renovating old homes

Kurt Knapstein, owner of Knapstein Design, has renovated four older homes for his personal use and countless others for clients. His newest project is a 1935 Tudor near Brookside.

What draws you to old houses?

I’m drawn to established neighborhoods, but what I really love is the challenge. I get excited transforming an older home for modern living.

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Kansas City Star

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

What are the biggest challenges?

It’s important to think through the reconfiguration of existing spaces. Typically, kitchens were much smaller and sometimes designed for hired help. Obviously that’s not how most of us live today. In the new house I’ll incorporate the former maid’s quarters to make the kitchen a place to entertain friends. Bathrooms usually require the same sort of rethinking.

How do you decide what to keep and what has to be reconfigured?

There are elements of old homes that need preserving. The woodwork in the breakfast room of the new house is charming. I wouldn’t think of taking it out. But I’m planning on making that space a little library. The wood paneling on the fireplace wall of the living room will stay, but its finish will change.

What are the greatest rewards?

Seeing these old homes that have gotten tired come to life again.

Will you renovate again?

Absolutely. But not for a while!

  Comments  

Videos

Sporting KC’s Peter Vermes on CCL: We drew most difficult opponent

K-State football coach Chris Klieman on KC media tour

View More Video

Trending Stories

West Virginia’s Bob Huggins poked fun at Bill Self about KU facing adversity

February 19, 2019 11:58 AM

Iowa State fans chide ESPN reporter about Fred Hoiberg comment

February 19, 2019 09:20 AM

Self on Vick’s return: ‘Whenever he gets his stuff handled we’ll welcome him back’

February 19, 2019 07:17 PM

‘Stay home’: Ahead of snow storm, KC drivers urged to keep off roads while plows work

February 19, 2019 04:23 PM

Here are Kansas City-area schools canceling classes Wednesday due to snow

February 19, 2019 06:04 PM

Read Next

The owners of Tom’s Town Distilling Co. show off the stylish ‘house that booze built’

Spaces

The owners of Tom’s Town Distilling Co. show off the stylish ‘house that booze built’

By contributing writer Andrea Darr; photos by Judy Revenaugh

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 08, 2019 11:31 AM

David Epstein and Wade Tajerian moved from New York to Kansas City to open Tom’s Town Distilling Co. They call their beautifully appointed Georgian Revival home near Ward Parkway “the house that booze built.”

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Kansas City Star

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE DESIGN

‘Nothing cookie-cutter’: This renovated Lake Quivira home is perfect for entertaining

Spaces

‘Nothing cookie-cutter’: This renovated Lake Quivira home is perfect for entertaining

February 08, 2019 08:51 AM
From the NFL to ‘Fixer Upper’: This former Chiefs linebacker makes art from old glass

Spaces

From the NFL to ‘Fixer Upper’: This former Chiefs linebacker makes art from old glass

February 07, 2019 09:24 AM
Beyond Brookside: Farmdog Studios celebrates neighborhoods with handmade signs, decor

Spaces

Beyond Brookside: Farmdog Studios celebrates neighborhoods with handmade signs, decor

February 07, 2019 10:19 AM
These beautifully designed Kansas City boutique hotels have become hotspots for locals

Spaces

These beautifully designed Kansas City boutique hotels have become hotspots for locals

February 07, 2019 07:47 AM
Obsessed: Westside Storey owner Chris Harrington can’t get enough vintage art posters

Spaces

Obsessed: Westside Storey owner Chris Harrington can’t get enough vintage art posters

February 07, 2019 05:50 AM
Ask a designer: Seven questions for Katy Cassaw of Nest Interiors in Mission

Spaces

Ask a designer: Seven questions for Katy Cassaw of Nest Interiors in Mission

January 24, 2019 03:39 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
Advertising
  • Advertising information
  • Print
  • Digital
  • Place a Classified
  • Local Deals
Copyright
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story