The Ultimate Bride (under construction)

If you have been on Big Bend between Clayton Road and 64/40 you surely have noticed some changes happening.  Soon you can expect to see a brand new home for The Ultimate Bride! 

Progress is going smoothly transforming an old hardware store into an upscale bridal boutique.  The building had been sitting empty for several years and was quickly turning into an eyesore for the community. 



The exterior has undergone a major overhaul with a new façade to give the building more street appeal.  




new front facade



the abandoned hardware store (view from Big Bend)



The in the front we demolished an old roof that was awkwardly attached.  After the roof was gone we raised the parapet and added a brick and stone veneer.   While we completely transformed the street façade we were able to maintain the original side and rear elevations.  Some of the salvaged elements included some clerestory windows that have been reglazed and will be incorporated into some custom displays. We also added a raised patio to help provide a buffer from the street traffic on Big Bend as well as adding some great outdoor space for the building.  This area will be highlighted with attractive fencing and landscaping. 



original clerestory windows

Progress on the interior is coming along nicely as well.  The walls are up and it is really taking shape.  The owner wanted a high class space on a cost-conscious budget.  We were careful in the selection of materials selecting specific areas to add a punch to maximize the impact.  The focus in the space will be the dresses on display and the finishes were selected to highlight those as much as possible. 

interior under constuction

The Kirk of the Hills

It has been a busy and exciting time at St. Louis Design Alliance.  Our work on the Sanctuary at the historic Kirk of the Hills in Creve Coeur, Missouri is complete and it looks great. 

In the entry foyer we replaced the worn out carpeting with a vinyl tile.  This flooring choice will not only be a functional and easy to maintain product to welcome the members as they come in from the elements, but the vinyl tile provides a perfect transition piece between the existing fellowship hall and the revamped sanctuary. 

The most noticeable difference in the Sanctuary is the new carpet.  Replacing the traditional “church red” carpeting with a blue helped to update the look of the Sanctuary without sacrificing the tradition of this historic church.   A fresh coat of paint helped to highlight the original woodwork and give the sanctuary a fresh face. 

Another large change was the re-configuration of the pews.  By taking out some of the pews in the middle of the sanctuary it helps to break up the long and narrow architecture and bring the congregation closer to the pastor speaking.  It also promotes fellowship before and after the service as people can visit without blocking the aisles. 

There are future plans for an extension of the stage to even better serve the ever-changing trends in worship.  We look forward to working with The Kirk of the Hills on that phase of their project as well

7th Annual Loop Ice Carnival

The 7th Annual Ice Carnival was held last Saturday in the Loop, with several of our own in attendance. A pub crawl, games, ice sculptures, food, drinks, and lucky for us, a balloon artist right in front of Design Alliance!

Thanks to Reggie Victor at Big River Creative for snapping the pictures.  Hope to see you next year!

Confluence Preparatory Academy Gymnasium Ribbon Cutting

We had a blast from the past on Thursday when Jeff, Clinton and Kristin attended a pep rally at Confluence Preparatory Academy...it had been a while since we had gone to one of those!  The gathering was in celebration of the new roof top gymnasium at Confluence Preparatory Academy.  The entire student body, the Confluence Academy Board, Paric Construction and St. Louis Design Alliance were in attendance as the new gym was officially opened, and we could all feel the students' excitement.  Scholar athletes were recognized, games were played, and a bit of friendly class rivalry was exposed.  The Class of 2012 was so pumped about their new digs, they made an impromptu rush from the bleachers to the gym floor! 



A special thanks to Paric for managing all the tricky details of a roof top addition, and to Sarah Smith from Confluence Academy for the invitation.  Congratulations to Confluence Preparatory Academy on your new gymnasium...Go Titans!