Many people can visualize their dream home, but how many have the ability to construct it with their own hands? Todd Kempf did just that. The one-of-a-kind property he shares with his wife, Sally, and their Aussie-doodles Archie and Addi is a product of creativity, skill, and a touch of irreverence.
Nestled in the woods just over the Vanderburgh-Posey County line, the Kempfs’ home is distinct for its silo-shaped master bedroom suite and open concept, complete with mezzanine.
And that’s just the inside. The outdoor environment is a paradise unto itself, tailor-made for playing children, family cookouts, and relishing nature.
Todd was an iron worker after high school and then co-owned the Kempf Group Real Estate & Development. Retired from that career for a decade, Todd these days sells classic cars and car parts — we’ll get to a discussion of his garage — and has time to admire
the living space he built. The frame was erected by Daviess County Metal Sales of Cannelburg, Indiana. For the most part, Todd took it from there. “I just helped with the decorating,” Sally says.
The entire job took about three years; the Kempfs lived with Sally’s sister and brother-in-law during much of that time. They moved into their new home four years ago, but the master bedroom suite took longer. Todd wrapped that up in August 2023. “I got so burned out that I kept putting it off. There was scaffolding in there for a couple of years. I told Sally I’d finish it by Christmas. But I didn’t say what year,” he laughs.
The bedroom has long vertical windows. Towering above are a ceiling and roof with 2-feet-thick foam insulation packed between them. Inspiration for the tall, circular design came from Todd’s heart. His father, the late Gregory Kempf, founded Empire Contractors (initially known as Empire Steel), but he also worked as a grain salesman. “I did that (the silo shape) to honor him,” Todd says.
Most of the Kempfs’ living space is unrestricted by walls — when you walk in the front door, you can see all the way to the back windows. Shiplap and some tongue and groove cover the walls. Befitting its setting outside, accents throughout are varying shades of green, from dining chairs to kitchen drawers to steps in the staircase. “I guess I’m a green freak,” Sally says. Kitchen cabinets were crafted by Allison Quality Woodworking; owner Clay Allison is a longtime friend of Todd.
The first floor contains a guest bedroom and Sally’s enclosed pottery room just off the rectangular dining room, which features a low ceiling to accommodate the walkway upstairs. The rest of the first floor gathering spaces are open with up to 16-foot ceilings. There is lots of roaming space, ideal for socializing or movie watching, whether from big comfy seats or beanbag chairs the Kempfs bought for their grandchildren. “We just wanted something really functional to hold everyone, the dogs and kids,” Sally says.
The second floor overlooks the first, the mezzanine hemmed in by a wrought iron railing. As with much of the rest of the house, it’s an open space, from their grandchildren’s play area to the sitting room. Additional bedrooms are tucked upstairs, and Sally, who works for Clarkston, Michigan-based Chase Plastic Services, has a second-floor office with windows overlooking their land. Todd says Sally wanted windows for her work area, and “I didn’t want her to feel like she was closed in.”
The Kempfs’ home is dotted with colorful objects and decor. They are fans of Evansville painter Michael Key, and many of Key’s abstract creations line the walls. A rendering of the Last Supper was painted by Sally’s niece, Whitney Oliver, who passed away more than two years ago at 36. “She worked in Chicago at Project Onward, which is a place for autistic artists,” Sally says. “They can sell their artwork. Half the proceeds go to Project Onward and half to the artist.”
Another artistic touch is a Mona Lisa created from Legos by the Kempfs’ grandson, Brooks Elfreich. “He was doing 18-year-old stuff at 6,” Todd says.
The Kempfs love their picturesque, natural setting, which abuts the surrounding forest-like area. They playfully call it Poison Ivy Park, but there really isn’t much poison ivy, they insist. “The kids call it Narnia,” Todd says. A large wrap-around porch is complete with a slide to the ground. On that level, there’s a large play structure and places to sit and eat or chat. Todd’s meat smoker, which he repurposed from a metal trash bin, stands ready for its next cookout. Sally added a creative flair by fashioning a sculpture with wine bottles and metal piping.
“We could come out here and had parties in the backyard area before we even had a house,” Sally says. “We enjoy the outdoor porch as much as we can. When it’s a little bit cool, we roast marshmallows.” Todd also made a hayride wagon to drive around the 10-acre property. The Kempfs’ five grandchildren “don’t want to leave when they are here,” he says.
The garages are all Todd’s and represent the home base for his classic car pursuits. Decorated with neon signs, an attached garage has a 1967 Shelby, a 1953 Ford pickup that was purchased new by his grandfather, and a 1966 Ford Bronco.
His unattached garage is a vintage gas station, with a welding shop that he uses frequently.
The Kempfs bought the 10 acres in 2009 after seeing an ad in the Tri-State Thrifty Nickel, and although it took time, they have since crafted it into their own slice of Southwest Indiana paradise.
Sally says she loves how the property can be enjoyed by friends and family all year long. There’s plenty of room inside when inclement weather hits, and the spacious porch has a roof.
The Kempfs are “super happy” with how all has turned out, Sally says — but she and Todd are leaving the door ajar to doing more.
“We feel like we nailed it,” Sally says, adding, “It’s always a work in progress. Who knows what the future brings?”
