Stories are like children…there are no favorites. But for the sake of compiling this end-of-the year roundup, I’ll do my best to select a few that stand out to me. Here are the five stories and/or podcast episodes that were a pleasure to either write or assign in 2025.
Sappington House Foundation charts a new beginning for 210-year-old log house
We were two weeks into the New Year when I learned about the restoration of a log house dating back to 1816, and in danger of being torn down and lost to history. When the Sappington House Foundation learned about the log cabin, it made the decision to preserve it, paying $172,000 to disassemble it and move it to the Historic Sappington Park in Crestwood.
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At home, scent is in the air
In this story, writer Kathy Roberts digs into the topic of home fragrance or scentscapting. In her interviews with local shop owners and interior designers, she discusses the various forms of delivering scent to a room, the hospitality industry’s impact on the home, and how scent helps homeowners deliver an added layer of personality to their homes.
How Ali Rand is helping rebuild St. Louis after May’s Tornado
This episode of House of Lou is one of my favorites of 2025 because it gave me the chance to meet and talk to Ali Rand, a wife, mother, decorator, and resident of the Central West End. Since the tornado on May 16, Rand has worked tirelessly to bring attention to the plight of homeowners impacted by the devastating storm. Through her efforts, Rand galvanized a group of equally committed neighbor-volunteers who, more than six months later, have yet to stop working and fundraising on behalf of their neighbors.
At Forsyth, vintage and contemporary furniture share space in the showroom
It was a pleasure to visit the Forsyth showroom earlier this year to preview the addition of contemporary furniture lines. Thinking beyond vintage one-offs, the owners had been quietly reaching out to some of their favorite brands to add to their inventory. The combination of old and new reflects the spirit of today’s interiors–one I work in to my own home.
Ask Veronica: How do I choose the best paint color for my front door?
This was a fun question to answer because so many homeowners can relate to the challenges inherent in choosing paint colors for the house. When it’s the front door we’re talking about, the dilemma becomes even more pressing. My source for the story, Decorative Product Specialist Jacqueline Shelton of Sherwin-Williams in Creve Coeur, had a lot of wisdom and experience to share with our readers. I learned a lot about color through my conversation with Shelton, and will refer to her insights if and when the need arises.
