The sunlit living room in Ben Easter and Mitch Kunert’s south-side home balances fun and function with a vintage orange Feltri chair by Gaetano Pesce, a checkered table by Milo Baughman and artwork on the wall by local artist Larassa Kabel (left) and BNS (right). Easter and Kabel designed the yellow blanket together.
Writer: Melissa Guerrero
Photographer: Ben Easter
Tucked into a leafy stretch of Des Moines’ south side, Ben Easter and Mitch Kunert’s mid-century modern home is a canvas for their creative lives.
Easter is a commercial and art photographer (whose work often appears in this magazine), and Kunert is a successful defense lawyer. Together, they’ve turned their 1951 house into a modernist retreat filled with stories and vintage furnishings you won’t find in a standard design catalog.
When they first toured the home, in 2017, they immediately knew it was something special. The house stands on 1.37 acres with lots of trees, and they envisioned themselves sitting outside in the evenings, enjoying the sunset. The house is also close to urban trails, with easy access to Gray’s Lake.
The exterior siding is redwood with brick and sits low in the leafy landscape. The circle drive adds an element of luxury and leads to a roomy garage.
Step inside and the foyer welcomes you into the heart of the home and the sunlit living room, a perfect place to entertain company or simply relax with a morning cup of coffee. A bright orange chair beckons you to sit and ponder the space. Neutral tones in the rug complement the black and white squares of the vintage Milo Baughman coffee table. Across the room, a vintage black leather Barcelona couch looks perfectly at home in its location. The backdrop has more original redwood paneling with brick around the hearth, adding classic mid-century modern texture. Local art by Larassa Kabel, one of Easter’s frequent collaborators, hangs on the wall near the piano.
Deeper into the house are five bedrooms and two full and two 3/4 baths the couple shares with Kunert’s children, Annabelle, 16, and Hayden, 15, and their three Chihuahuas: Ozzie, Harriet and Ricky. The interior trim is original redwood with built-in cabinets that provide abundant storage throughout the home.
Big windows frame views of the backyard and let in lots of natural light that enhances their eclectic furnishings, art and adornments.
Easter and Kunert initially connected through their design interests and continue to enjoy curating art and thoughtful furnishings that help make their home both welcoming and beautiful. They especially enjoy finding pieces that have a history, even if they show a little wear and tear or a patina. The couple decided not to reupholster a 1960s Eames sofa, for example, because they appreciate its faded original fabric. In fact, they enjoy searching for vintage items and often request guidance from vendors in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Mixing history and creativity, Easter and Kunert have created an energetic environment for design to flourish. Their thoughtful approach has turned their home into a place where everyday living inspires ideas and stimulates the senses.
A comfy Togo sofa dominates the room where Hayden, 15, often plays video and virtual reality games. The original wood-clad walls complement the black and white rug, while the glass coffee table offers a bit of sculptural character.
Mike Little’s colorful “Astronaut” overlooks a vintage black leather Barcelona couch.
Sunlight casts a warm glow over the wood-paneled entryway.
Ricky takes a luxurious nap on a stylish blue Togo sofa, which ties together the other primary colors in this playful room. That’s a red Eames elephant and vintage red Mira lamp by Mario Arnaboldi.
TIn one of the bedrooms, Harriet relaxes on a vintage Eames recliner. A vintage Brown Saltman bench is at the foot of the bed, a curvy Lumalight lamp from the early ’70s stands on the cabinet, and a Ball Bubble Pendant designed by George Nelson hangs overhead.
Melissa Guerrero owns Melissa Guerrero Design and is a 2025 dsm Home Design Award winner.
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