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Matt Treaster and his husband, Daniel Barna, love to entertain. With a tight-knit social circle of five couples and their kids, they regularly host parties and dinners. In addition, both have out-of-town family who visit throughout the year, so finding the perfect home to host all of these guests was important when they began house-hunting over a decade ago.
Treaster grew up on a big family farm in Farmington, Missouri, while Barna is from Hungary and his family is still based there. The two met in St. Louis, where Barna went to college and graduate school and Treaster, an emergency medicine physician, began his residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna renovated their home’s lower level to accommodate their love of entertaining and to create an apartment for Matt’s father, Thomas. Video by Hillary Levin
After transitioning into a new position with SSM Health, Treaster was working in many of the hospital system’s emergency departments and needed to find a centrally located home where he could easily get to all of its facilities. They searched for two years for the perfect spot.
“We wanted a large atrium ranch with a walk out and a pool on a private street and a big yard. It was a lot of wants, and that’s really hard to find,” says Treaster.
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Fortunately, they had a real estate agent who was very patient and in 2013, they finally found a perfect 1980s ranch home in Creve Coeur that checked all the boxes. They were the first ones through the day it came on the market and were able to quickly negotiate a sale.
The house offered plenty of living space for the couple, an in-ground pool, four bedrooms on the main level and an unfinished walkout lower level with over 4,000 square feet that they could eventually remodel to suit their needs.
“It’s a nice, big family house, so it’s great for my family who come out a lot, but also Daniel’s family who live in Europe and come to visit for several weeks at a time,” Treaster says. “We wanted a space that they could feel comfortable in but not feel like they were right on top of us, and that we’d have room to entertain.”
Treaster and Barna updated the main floor in a modern transitional style. In the formal dining room, they used metallic paint and a stencil to create the look of wallpaper, but with a slightly rougher edge.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
After moving in, they began making some general cosmetic updates to the main floor to inject it with their own personal style. In the spacious living room, which has vaulted, beamed ceilings and a great view of the backyard, they replaced the small, red brick fireplace with a new one of stacked stone carried all the way to the atrium ceiling. Throughout the main floor, they refinished the original pegged hardwood floors.
They had begun working on the lower level, having finished one small room in the front corner, when their focus shifted in 2015. Treaster’s parents were separating and his father, Thomas, needed more help than he could get living on his own. The 70-year-old (now retired) aerospace engineer was making long commutes from Farmington to his job in St. Charles.
“We had thought about having an in-law suite in the house, but it really took shape when it became apparent that it would be best for him to come live with us,” Treaster recalls. “Then we went full steam ahead with building his own apartment.”
Treaster and Barna love to entertain in the remodeled lower level. A comfortable and stylish leather Natuzzi sectional sofa faces the fireplace and TV. The gaming area is separated by floating glass shelves and includes pool, shuffleboard and pingpong tables.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
In addition to the separate living quarters for Thomas, the couple wanted to create an entertainment haven in the remainder of the lower level complete with a living space, focal point fireplace and bar, gaming area, bathroom and state-of-the-art home theater — all in a sleek, modern and tech-forward style.
Doing their homework, Treaster and Barna met with more than six different contractors before deciding to work with St. Charles-based Liston Design Build, a family business owned by Jeanne and Keith Liston.
“We primarily only use family-owned businesses so I wanted to keep it that way,” says Treaster. “Once we met Keith and Jeanne, we stopped the search. They were as excited about our space and the challenge as we were. Their team perfectly understood the vision we had for our lower level.”
Their biggest goal was for it to not feel like a basement. Large French doors leading out to the pool deck fill the space with natural light and loads of custom details make it feel just as important as the main level.
The father-in-law suite includes a modern, full-service kitchen and open living area, as well as a bedroom, fully accessible bathroom and a laundry room. As an extra-personal touch, Liston added a small indoor dog door topped with an awning and flanked by tiny topiaries between the suite and the entertaining area for the family dog, Buddy, to easily go in and out. Fully soundproofed walls allow Thomas to relax in the quiet even when Treaster and Barna are entertaining.
“It was a good move for me. I don’t think it could be done any better. Everything is at your fingertips down there,” Thomas says.
For the lower level remodel, Liston Design Build was awarded Design of the Year in 2021 from the Home Builders Association St. Louis.
“I wanted a space that had all the things we were going to use it for but with enough area that you don’t feel on top of each other,” says Treaster. “We really love this space.”
From left, Matt Treaster and his husband, Daniel Barna, with Buddy, and Matt’s father, Thomas, right, in their Creve Coeur home.
Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Ages • Treaster is 38, and Barna is 29.
Occupations • Treaster is an emergency medicine physician for SSM Hospitals, and Barna is an accountant.
Family • Treaster and Barna share the home with Matt’s 70-year-old father, Thomas Treaster, and their beloved rescue dog, Buddy.
Photos: At Home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
From left, Matt Treaster and his husband, Daniel Barna, with Buddy, and Matt’s father, Thomas, right, in their Creve Coeur home.
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The father-in-law suite includes an open living space with comfortable seating and a full-service kitchen with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, black countertops and blue glass pendant lights. Small windows provide natural light. With an adjoining bathroom and bedroom, the private apartment gives Thomas a space that he can call his own.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Thomas Treaster, the father of Matt, has moved into the lower level of the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The area has been remodeled into an apartment with living area, kitchen, bedroom, and full bathroom. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The beloved family dog, Buddy, has his own interior pet door leading to Thomas’ suite, where he spends a lot of time. This special entrance is complete with a tiny awning, personalized doormat and topiaries.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Thomas Treaster, the father of Matt, has moved into the lower level of the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The area has been remodeled into an apartment with living area, kitchen, bedroom, and full bathroom. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The photos on the wall of the lower level were taken in Hungary, Daniel Barna’s home country. They are made of material that allows them to double as sound-absorbing panels. The lower level in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur has been extensively remodeled to be an entertainment center, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The photos on the wall of the lower level were taken in Hungary, Daniel Barna’s home country. They are made of material that allows them to double as sound-absorbing panels. The lower level in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur has been extensively remodeled to be an entertainment center, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Treaster says he wanted a “hotel bar vibe” for the lower level entertainment space. Liston Design Build delivered with this sleek waterfall-edge white quartz bar. The gray-washed cabinetry was done by Beck-Allen and the modern light fixtures are from Metro Lighting. They chose durable Armstrong Vivero Plank luxury vinyl tile in Galvanized Gray for the flooring.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatrch
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Treaster and Barna love to entertain in the remodeled lower level. A comfortable and stylish leather Natuzzi sectional sofa faces the fireplace and TV. The gaming area is separated by floating glass shelves and includes pool, shuffleboard and pingpong tables.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Built-in gray-washed cabinetry by Beck Allen and Blanco Waves tile surround the Cambria Whitecliff fireplace to create a focal point in the lower level entertaining space.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The lower-level guest bath is easily accessed from the pool and designed in a modern palette of black and white with gold accents. Clear shower doors provide a view of the vertical metallic feature tile. Liston integrated LED lighting under the floating vanity for an added “wow” factor.
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The lower level bathroom is a design favorite of Matt Treaster in the home he shares with his husband, Daniel Barna, and his father, Thomas Treaster, in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Decor in the lower level in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur. The area has been extensively remodeled to be an entertainment center, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The lower level bathroom is a design favorite of Matt Treaster in the home he shares with his husband, Daniel Barna, and his father, Thomas Treaster, in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
A guest bedroom in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The glass-topped coffee table’s base is made from petrified wood and weighs more than 700 lbs., in the great room of the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Dramatic lighting fixtures can be seen all around the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The spacious living room has vaulted, beamed ceilings. Treaster and Barna had the original pegged hardwood floors restored throughout the main floor. A statement chandelier from Restoration Hardware hangs above the seating area. Treaster selected the tufted leather sofa and chairs from House of Denmark because they were finished on the back as well as the front.
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The study is just off the entry in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Statement lighting fixtures can be seen all around the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, such as this one in the guest bathroom, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Treaster and Barna updated the main floor in a modern transitional style. In the formal dining room, they used metallic paint and a stencil to create the look of wallpaper, but with a slightly rougher edge.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The dining room with its centerpiece lighting fixture, in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The kitchen is about to undergo a major remodel in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
A guest bedroom in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The gym in the lower level of the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The home theater features many custom appointments, like the sound panels, in the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
Thomas Treaster, the father of Matt, has moved into the lower level of the home of Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna in Creve Coeur, seen Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The area has been remodeled into an apartment with living area, kitchen, bedroom, and full bathroom. Photo by Hillary Levin, [email protected]
At home with Matt Treaster and Daniel Barna
The home theater in the finished lower level includes leather recliner seating, bar seating, a floating screen framed by LED lighting and automated can lights that dim when a movie starts.
Hillary Levin, Post-Dispatch
https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/creve-coeur-remodel-focused-on-entertaining-and-multigenerational-living/article_97bc2214-9054-50b9-a823-12824da7ddfa.html