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Inside a Tucked Away Property in Southwest Springfield

One busy couple finds solace and comfort in a tucked-away wooded property in Southwest Springfield.

By Heather Kane Kohler

Feb 2025

Paula
Photo by Katy St. ClairPaula Adams keeps her remodeled 1980s cottage decorated with warm evergreen vibes throughout the entire winter season. Purchase Photo

At the end of a curvy tree-lined road sits the Craftsman style cottage of Paula Adams, president of Penmac, and her fiancé, Keith Morris, the VP of Buffalo Wild Wings. Their newly remodeled home on the southwest side of Springfield is a culmination of things they both love. It’s a secluded woodland setting, and its proximity to the city is one of the home’s biggest draws for the couple. “We wanted to be closer to family,” says Adams. “The acreage, the setting, this is close to where I grew up.” When the couple first happened upon the home that was built in the 1980s, Adams thought she could immediately move in, but after some daydreaming and a little Pinterest browsing the couple decided to make some changes to make their new home together suit their lifestyles and tastes. 

“We really wanted it to be more of a Craftsman style home, with modern features,” says Morris. Adams wanted a lighter feel to the home. The kitchen was opened up (and expanded, thanks to the removal of a laundry room and butler’s pantry), creating a large entertainer’s kitchen with expansive island. The drop ceilings were removed to reveal 12-foot ceilings.

Other changes included converting one of the bedrooms into a closet, and sprucing up the outdoor space with new landscaping, new decking and an upgraded pool. The home’s three fireplaces also got rustic cottage-style makeovers. The remodel took about a year and a half, and there are still some small projects on the horizon, like adding a pool cabana and covering part of the deck. “It’s our forever place, and we’re just making it our own,” Adams says.

Photos by Katy St. Clair Paula Adams keeps her remodeled 1980s cottage decorated with warm evergreen vibes throughout the entire winter season.

This busy couple spends a lot of time away from their home, so coming back to a cozy and tranquil setting is very important to them. Morris spends a lot of time in the kitchen cooking for their families when they come to visit. “He’s the chef,” Adams says. Morris can often be found cooking chili and grilled cheese on their state-of-the-art Wolf range. He says he likes doing burgers and taco bars on the flattop too. Entertaining is something Adams has always enjoyed, and their new home is set up to entertain perfectly. They’ve hosted family and had baby and wedding showers there, and the couple is particularly excited about summertime.

“The outside has been a work in progress, so this summer we will really get to enjoy the pool,” Adams says. “I can’t wait to have the grands out.”

For now the couple will settle for warm fires in their beautiful gas fireplaces, and lots of hot bowls of Morris’ chili. “This home is perfect for us,” says Adams. “It’s the perfect size, and I love all the extra storage.” Adams’ last home didn’t have a ton of storage so she had to rent spaces to store all her holiday decor. She decorates for every holiday, with the help of her daughter Nicole Miller. Being together and spending time with the people they love is at the heart of the home.

“It just feels good,” she says. “Its openness and warmness. I’ll never leave this place.”

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