From House To Home

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Denise Ogden’s home, nestled into a wooded acreage outside Joplin, is the fifth she has built. It is the sum total of the experience she’s gained from building and living in each over the past 20 years.

“I have a certain idea of what works for our family,” says Ogden. “I feel like finally after the fifth house, it all flows.”

To achieve these results, she did a lot of pre-planning before meeting with Kenneth Middick, the draftsman. He had been her daughter’s fourth-grade teacher and was launching a new career.

Middick, who is now a draftsman with Goodman Architectural Services LLC in Joplin, says they needed to stay flexible as they paired Ogden’s ideas with her chosen lot. Middick created 3-D, computerized plans so Ogden could see all of its aspects and angles.

Red oak floors and faux-finished and tea-stained stucco walls add timeless beauty.

The slope of the lot was more significant than originally thought. They revamped the plans to include a walk-out basement with square-footage equal to the main floor. They also highlighted the natural landscape behind the home.

“By the time she and I had worked it out on the computer, she knew exactly what to tell the builder,” says Middick. Jerry Harnar, her business partner at Diamond Development and owner of Jerry Harnar Construction from Arkansas, built the home from Middick’s plans.

Ogden wanted this home to be her family’s castle. A wooden bridge draws guests over natural drainage to the front door. The exterior’s stone, copper, and wood trim create an aged, European feel. Multiple gables and a turret seal the old-world design.

The entry’s ceiling is initially low—emphasizing a cozy welcome—and then transitions to a soaring 20 feet. A grand staircase ascends to the second story and into the sitting room that is the turret. Here, windows give a panoramic view of the front yard.

The formal dining room and a second-story balcony outside a child’s bedroom are also visible from the entry. Red oak floors and faux-finished and tea-stained stucco walls add timeless beauty. Ornate area rugs, in black, gold, burgundy, and sage create a foundation amid the soaring spaces.

Alcoves are found throughout the house. In the dining room, it’s draped with the same material as the windows and holds a picture and table. “I included a lot of personal spots like this because that’s what gives the house character,” says Ogden.

A butler’s pantry between the dining room and kitchen helps Ogden “organize entertaining,” which she fully enjoys and does frequently.

Although the kitchen is full of stone and dark, rich woods, it’s very light. Cream Bordeaux granite and a light wash on the upper cabinets reflect light from abundant fixtures and the breakfast nook’s windows.

Although the kitchen is full of stone and dark, rich woods, it’s very light.

Ogden positioned the breakfast nook on the east side of the house “so everyone could enjoy the sun in the morning.” Bright and cheery, an exterior overhang and nearby trees filter just the right amount of light.

The old-world, European motif continues in the master suite. Rich burgundy, gold, and silver tones dress up and soften the stone walls in the bedroom.

Romantic and relaxing, the master bath combines old- and new-world finishes. Castle stones surround the spa air tub. Gold brocade flows from the window through the corner to the window-sized mirror.

Mature trees surrounding the home underscore its timelessness. Its many windows create a feeling of being in the trees, says Middick. Even the design has benefited from the surrounding landscape. From all points within, a person feels drawn to the views, especially those from the back of the house.

“I feel like the home flows well,” says Middick. “Whatever door you come in, whichever direction you travel, it doesn’t feel chopped up. The design pulls you in the direction you need to go.”