7 min readEven to the untrained eye, it’s fairly easy to spot when a home has been designed around the idea of “resale value.” It’s void of character and typically follows the same cold color palette as any other builder-grade space. On the flip side, however, it’s also obvious when a house has been designed for the current homeowners, and this eight-bedroom, ten-bathroom one is definitely the latter.
Designer Sara Noble’s clients were ready to grow roots in their beloved Cedar Creek neighborhood, located just outside Kansas City, Kansas, but they didn’t want to sacrifice personality and playfulness for the sake of convenience. They wanted a house that did it all. Their 15,600-square-foot new-build had to handle constant little-kid chaos yet always look good enough to entertain friends and family, all while perfectly capturing their joyous lives. The journey to this end goal, Noble says, was not a short one.
Every single element had an intention behind it, and personal details were woven into each decision. The library ceiling, for instance, is decorated with elegant molding, but take a closer look, and you’ll discover the letter “D” incorporated, a nod to her client’s last name. Doorways weren’t treated as simple transitions from one place to another, but rather as whimsical design moments in their own right, with one taking the shape of a keyhole and another created as a passageway through an antique armoire in a Narnia-like moment of whimsy. Even the children’s bedrooms each boast a private window box for them to crawl into when they want to read, play games, or simply nap.
“With a project this rich in personality, the greatest challenge wasn't any single room—it was honoring the sheer volume of meaningful details without letting the design become overwhelming,” the founder of Noble Designs explains, though she knew when to pull back.
She balanced out the home's playful energy with ample luxury, opting for natural stone touches and jewelry-like accents across the home. Calacatta Paonazzo marble slabs serve as the kitchen countertops and wrap multiple fireplaces, putting the artistic veining on display in multiple rooms. For added elegance, Noble decorated some of the walls with intricate molding and trim, then covered the rest in artful wallpaper or plaster.
In the time it took Noble and her senior designer, Brent Thompson, to finish this project, the family of six had grown to seven, with the designers even celebrating the youngest’s second birthday before the keys were handed over. She turned a brand new house into a home with stories built in. “This wasn't simply a house being built,” she says, “it was a reflection of who this family is, how they live, and what they love.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Sara Noble of Noble Designs
Location: Kansas City, Kansas
The Space: A sprawling 15,600-square-foot new-build with 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms
READING NOOK
Whimsical wallpaper from Thibaut lines the shelves.
One of Noble’s favorite rooms, the reading nook came to be naturally. There was space left over after the architecture plan was completed, so she seized the opportunity to create something fun and memorable for the kids to enjoy. While the built-in shelving and tailored banquette are endlessly charming, the keyhole entrance adds a playful sense of discovery.
PLAYROOM
A French antique armoire opens to this kids-only space.
Though this wardrobe doesn’t open to Narnia, it does open to a secret playroom. Noble sourced the storied armoire from Glenwood Antique Mall and pushed hard to have it serve as the entrance before installation. “The result is something straight out of a storybook: whimsical, unexpected, and utterly unforgettable,” she says. “It's the kind of design moment that makes children's eyes light up every single time.”
CHILD’S BEDROOM
A custom window box comes with each of the kids’ rooms.
This little girl’s room perfectly captures the innocence and charm of growing up. There’s a vintage armoire that Noble found at a local estate sale and cleaned up across from the bed. The pink-and-white color palette feels youthful yet elevated—something that’ll age well as the daughter grows older—and the window bench creates such a magical space for daydreaming and watching the world go by.
DAUGHTER’S BATHROOM
Bows are a common theme in this darling space.
This soft pink bathroom mirrors the sweet tones found in the youngest daughter’s bedroom, providing a private space that’ll grow alongside her. Drawer hardware in the shape of bows ties back to the bow sconces, while pink penny tiles are used as accents throughout the room. “The overall look is very feminine and perfectly sweet for their youngest daughter,” Noble adds.
LIBRARY
Sunlight bounces off the deep green lacquer paint.
The beauty of working on a new build is the ability to infuse personal touches into every detail. Glance up at the ceiling and see beautiful molding that gives the space even more character. Take a longer look, however, and find that the custom molding subtly incorporates the letter “D” for the clients’ last name, “transforming an often-overlooked architectural element into something deeply personal and artful,” Noble adds.
WET BAR
The perfect greeting after a dip in the pool.
Anchoring the spacious basement is a large wet bar, which Noble wrapped in a rich red hue and decorated with brass and walnut accents. From the golf simulator room to the dedicated dance room to the pool just outside the glass doors, this sophisticated lounge is where adults and kids can meet and relax, each with their age-appropriate drinks in hand. Noble describes it as “the kind of basement that makes adults feel like kids and kids feel like the luckiest people on earth.”
FAMILY ROOM
Double swivel chairs can easily turn to be part of the kitchen.
Don’t overlook the fireplace in this family room, as it actually took the most design meetings to capture the final look. The marble surround was created using the same Calacatta Paonazzo slabs as the kitchen countertops, and the unique veining is simply breathtaking. Nearby, matching velvet sofas pack in the drama and provide enough seating for the whole family.
KITCHEN
Wood beams and natural stonework meet in cozy and inviting harmony.
Noble and her team created a custom ceiling beam design to work with the deep green range, wall cabinetry, and small flush mount fixtures. There’s no such thing as sacrificing beauty for function in Noble’s world, especially when the kitchen is for a family of seven.
The double islands fill in the large space and serve different purposes. Barstools line up against the black one, offering a stretch of seating to accommodate the endless flow of family, friends, and guests. Behind that is the one nearest the stove, and the designer knew this had to be the workhorse. It has a galley sink, trash cans, paper towel drawers, and more, so whoever’s cooking doesn’t have to run back and forth.
DINING ROOM
Jewelry-inspired crystal light strands add drama.
The most important aspect of this dining area was having seating comfortable enough for guests to want to linger and converse after meals. While the design is impressive, it’s the view that truly stands out.
LIVING ROOM
Beams on the vaulted ceilings accent the room’s impressive height.
Though the living room features a more neutral palette, Noble ensured it carries depth by layering in a variety of textures and materials, from the ceiling to the floor. The fireplace wall is wrapped in a custom Venetian plaster, and the custom ceiling beams combine metal and wood for a unique visual. “Built-in lower cabinets with large mirrors were created to add a backdrop to large-scale sconces—necessary for the scale of this room,” she adds.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
A tall black ceiling mimics the never-ending night sky.
Noble started this primary bedroom with the floral wallpaper. Deep greens, rich magentas, and slate blues make up the color scheme, but the designer kept it bright with the creamy bed frame and light rug.
Across from the bed is a two-sided walnut fireplace with two armchairs nestled around it on this side, and a separate seating area with a TV on the other.
PRIMARY BATH
Glass ball chandeliers resemble soap bubbles for a playful touch.
Noble designed this primary bath to be the ultimate getting-ready spot. Walnut cabinetry holds makeup and skincare products, while a Venetian glass mirror layered over the wall mirror creates such a unique, almost regal effect. On the other side of the bathroom, there’s a built-in coffee maker for that first hot sip as the homeowner prepares for the day.
LAUNDRY ROOM
A whimsical space can make any chore fun.
At first glance, this green wallpaper looks like any other diamond pattern design, but they’re actually frogs. Noble wanted the wallcovering to set the tone, making a drab chore a little more tolerable. For the rest of the laundry room, she chose a pale pink to coat the custom cabinets, which hide away the hampers.
ENTRYWAY
Guests get a glimpse of the excitement to come.
Though this entryway is very modern and neutral in tone, Noble wanted the whimsy hidden inside to be hinted at from the first step.
About the Designer
Sara Noble started her interior design firm, Noble Designs, over 20 years ago and has been creating beautiful, thoughtful homes for her clients ever since. Though she’s based in Kansas City, Missouri, she designs stunning houses all across the country, from full new builds to finishing touches. Her signature style feels classic with modern touches and just a bit preppy.
