March 2020

St. Louis Homes + LifestylesÂŽ

The Comfort Issue

v 25

stlouishomesmag.com MARCH 2020

no

2

LEGENDARY KITCHENS START WITH LEGENDARY APPLIANCES

Westport 11610 Page Service Drive St. Louis, MO 63146 (314) 373-2000

Fenton 1694 Larkin Williams Road Fenton, MO 63026 (636) 349-4946

O’Fallon 1660 Bryan Road O’Fallon, MO 63368 (636) 244-3844

I M A G I N E

L I F E

I N

A

ALISE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Meet the Designer, E M I LY CA S T L E , A S I D

314-727-6622

|

emilycastle.com

Your family’s new home is our family business

Design Build New Construction Basement Finishes & Additions Full House Remodel Demolition & Haul Off Kitchen & Bath Makeover

www.BurganConstruction.com 636-575-7776 717 Mclain Lane, St. Louis, MO 63122

Design by Chris Paul, chrispaul@glenalspaugh.com 2020 KITCHENS OF THE YEAR WINNER

9808 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO 63124 314.993.6644 • glenalspaughkitchens.com Anne Matheis Photography

contents March 2020

18

22 30

DEPARTMENTS

8 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 10 FAB FINDS 12 TRENDS 14 ARTISAN 16 INSIDER 18 DELISH DISH 38 OUT OF TOWN 52 DIRT 54 SHAW’S VISION 56 BRIGHT IDEA 58 SMALL SCALE 62 BEFORE & AFTER 68 SPOTLIGHT 72 CONNECT 80 CLASSIC OR CRAZE

38 FEATURES

22

JUST FOR US

30

BUILT TO EXACTING STANDARDS

12 On the cover page 28

Retirement offers a couple the chance to put their personal stamp on Spanish Revival beauty.

46

Both real estate professionals, this couple chose modern farmhouse styling for their own custom home in Richmond Heights.

46

HEAVENLY VALLEY

A 50-year love affair with a creek-crossed Kirkwood landscape.

House hunting in University City, the couple fell for a 1920s Spanish Revival.

Photography by Anne Matheis

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles (ISSN 1524-8755) Vol. 25, No. 2, MARCH ©2020 by Distinctive Lifestyles, LLC. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only. St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles is published nine times a year, monthly in MARCH, APRIL, MAY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER, and bi-monthly in JANUARY/FEBRUARY, JUNE/JULY and NOVEMBER/DECEMBER by Distinctive Lifestyles, LLC, 255 Lamp & Lantern Village, Town & Country, MO 63017, (636) 230-9700. Periodicals postage paid at Chesterfield, MO 63017 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles, 255 Lamp & Lantern Village, Town & Country, MO 63017. For change of address include old address as well as new address with both zip codes. Allow four to six weeks for change of address to become effective. Please include current mailing label when writing about your subscription.

4

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

B E S T. D E C I S I O N . E V E R .

For projects of any size, perfection often requires making difficult decisions. Allow the experts at Ferguson to make things easy by introducing you to an extensive collection of stylish products from

CHESTERFIELD F E RGUSON S H OWROOM S .COM

Š2020 Ferguson Enterprises, LLC 0120 1689152

prominent brands, all designed to bring your vision to life. Learn more at fergusonshowrooms.com

PUBLISHER/OWNER: Suzie Osterloh EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Melissa Mauzy ART DIRECTOR: Kim Dillon ASSISTANT EDITOR: Moe Godat COPY EDITOR: Carol Wayne CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tyler Bierman, Lucyann Boston, Jeanne Delathouder, Kim Hill, Gina Parsons, Barb Wilson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Jen Armstrong, Joe Fletcher, Benjamin Lowder, Anne Matheis, Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton, Emily Minton Redfield, Photographie by Li EVENT PLANNER + SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST: Lindsay Brooks-Shriver SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Marla Cockrell-Donato Colleen Poelker DISTRIBUTION MASTER: Barney Osterloh ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: sosterloh@stlouishomesmag.com EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: molly@stlouishomesmag.com FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: Call 636-230-9640, ext. 27 or email bosterloh@stlouishomesmag.com Visit www.stlouishomesmag.com St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles Magazine 255 Lamp + Lantern Village Town & Country, MO 63017 636-230-9700 www.stlouishomesmag.com ©2020 by Distinctive Lifestyles LLC. All rights reserved.

Permission to reprint or quote excerpts granted by written request only.

If you are the owner or designer of a brilliant bathroom, enter our BATHS OF THE YEAR (BOTY) contest.

Winning baths will be featured in the AUGUST 2020 ISSUE of St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MAY 4, 2020 Above: RSI Kitchen and Bath, 2019 BOTY Platinum winner.

Photography by Anne Matheis.

6

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Printed in U.S.A.

Missouri/Southern Illinois Chapter

PRESIDENT: Suzie Osterloh VICE PRESIDENT: Barney Osterloh St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles is a publication of Distinctive Lifestyles LLC

25

FIND US ONLINE CONNECT WITH ST. LOUIS HOMES + LIFESTYLES ON THE INTERNET... HERE’S HOW:

WEBSITE: stlouishomesmag.com BLOG: stlouishomesmag.com/blog FACEBOOK: facebook.com/stlhomesmag INSTAGRAM: @stlhomesmag TWITTER: @stlhomesmag PINTREST: pinterest.com/stlouishomesmag HOUZZ: St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles magazine + FREE WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER: sign up to receive it

at stlouishomesmag.com

web

When you see a Web dot, visit our website for additional information, photos or resources on that article or advertiser.

2020 CONTESTS: 2020 Baths of the Year: entries due May 4, 2020 For downloadable entry forms and detailed information about each contest, please visit www.stlouishomesmag.com.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Nine fabulous issues/year Only $15 Send check with name, address and phone number to: St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles 255 Lamp & Lantern Village Town and Country, MO 63017.

Or call Barney at 636-230-9640 ext. 27.

To subscribe online visit stlouishomesmag.com.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

7

slhl

HELLO

Watch our first client video in Doug and Esther Cohen's modern farmhouse. It's like being there in person and getting to know these real estate professionals in the home industry. Visit stlouishomesmag.com/expert/douglas-properties to view.

Enjoy,

8

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Suzie Osterloh Publisher/Owner

PAGE S

30 -37 PAGE S

62 -65

What's HOT for 2020? There is no getting around it. It's comfort. Comfort is the number one buzzword this year. From new homes and additions to historical and coastal abodes, homeowners are looking to their homes and gardens as a place of refuge.

After living in Washington University's Harbison House, the chancellor's residence, for 24 years, retiring Chancellor Mark Wrighton and his wife Risa Zwerling were more than ready to create their own unique home. At the top of their list was comfort, and as a result, their new home in University City is so comfortable, they never want to leave (pages 22-29)! Doug and Esther Cohen, owners of Douglas Properties, feel the exact same about their newly built home in the prestigious Ladue school district. The couple can't wait to kick off their shoes after work to chill and get comfy cozy in their beautiful modern farmhouse abode (pages 30-37). Colorful, coastal and comfortable describe a St. Louis couple's second home in Florida. With young children and pets in tow, Laura Lee, founder and principal at Laura Lee Home, had their home completely ready from top to bottom so the family just had to show up with their clothes and move in, making it even more comfortable from day one (pages 38-45).

Working on a St. Charles renovation, Jeanne and Keith Liston knew when designing a home as an "aging in place project," it required comfort levels that exceeded the norm. The happy homeowners reflect every day that they are "awed by the beauty, charm and comfort the Listons helped us create" (pages 62-65). C O M F O R T.....It's easy to see why it is the buzzword for 2020.

That being said, grab a glass of wine, get cozy and peruse this issue on comfortable design. Just don't get too comfortable and fall asleep. I wouldn't want you to spill your wine!

PAGE S

COMFORT....

22 -29

Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

COMING SOON TO

LADUE SCHOOL DISTRICT LIVING WELL

See our work on pages 30-37

Douglas PROPERTIES Building luxury homes in the central corridor, including Olivette, Frontenac, Creve Coeur, Ladue, Richmond Heights and Clayton

Meet Doug + Esther Cohen, watch our video stlouishomesmag.com/expert/douglas-properties Please visit douglasproperties.com or call 314.725.9911

NOW TAKING RESERVATIONS 30 UNIT TOWNHOME DEVELOPMENT IN OLIVETTE – 2,500 –2,700 sq ft per residence – Private 2-car rear entry garages – Total of 6 buildings, 5 units per building – Each townhome consists of 3 floors with large windows throughout – Elevator options available Preliminary pricing - $549,900 - $599,900

slhl

FAB FINDS

Pull up a

STOOL The kitchen is the heart of the home, and, when entertaining, the place everyone wants to be. Counter stools around the island allow for a comfortable place to be when spending time in the kitchen. With a variety of styles and materials available, you’re sure to find a stool to suit your space.

Broom counter stool, by Emeco, available at Centro.

By Melissa Mauzy

10

Juliet stool, available at Dau Furniture.

Frederick counter stool, available at Forshaw.

Marisol Seagrass slope stool, available at Restoration Hardware.

Camille anthracite velvet counter stool, available at Crate & Barrel.

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Jewel metal base leather counter stool, available at Ethan Allen.

Lorca bar stool, by Mr. Brown London, available at Design & Detail.

Corbin stool, available at Amini’s.

Durant armless counter stool, by Mr. Brown London, available at Design & Detail.

2 0 1 9 C O L L E C T I O N S A R R I V I N G D A I LY

PRE-SEASON PATIO SALE LARGEST SELECTION, BEST PRICES IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA

ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL FINANCING OFFERS 17377 Chesterfield Airport Road • Chesterfield, MO 63005 • 636-220-5836 • www.AMINIS.com

slhl

TRENDS 4

1

sipping in

STYLE 2

Whether entertaining a group or relaxing alone with a bottle of wine, a bit of tasteful barware will elevate any evening.

By Moe Godat

5

6

3

12

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

1. Tequila station, by Zodax, available at Marketplace at the Abbey.

2. Frankie cocktail glass, available at Crate & Barrel.

3. Pewter goblets, available at The White Rabbit.

4. Annette cocktail picks with holder, by AERIN, available at Neiman Marcus.

5. Shagreen ice bucket with tongs, by AERIN, available at Neiman Marcus.

6. Lucas coasters in lapis, by AERIN, available at Neiman Marcus.

7. Gerard gold bar cart, by World’s Away, available at Design & Detail.

7

9

11

10

8

12 8. Danton bottle stopper, by AERIN, available at Neiman Marcus.

9. Danton bottle opener and corkscrew set, by AERIN, available at Neiman Marcus.

10. Tall glass ring decanter, available at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

11. Vodka serving bowl, available at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.

12. Light sugarcane tray, available at Ethan Allen.

13. Ranna alabaster tray, available at Ethan Allen.

14. Metallic stripe cocktails glasses, available at Crate & Barrel.

15. Colorful bar assortment, available at Rusted Chandelier.

15

13

14

17

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

13

slhl

ARTIST

Rebirth to BRILLIANCE The story of Matt Schiermeier takes him from shampoos to stone carving.

By Tyler Bierman Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

For Matt Schiermeier, art has always been something that fascinated him. From his humble beginnings in the small town of New Melle, MO, he was encouraged to create, so he always did. This eventually led him to a career as a hairstylist where he could use his skills to transform lackluster hair-dos into masterpieces, but after 15 years something changed; he was looking for a new creative direction. As he explains, “I found out that a fellow hairstylist’s father was a stone carver, and this really piqued my interest. She encouraged me to reach out to him, and I did. They invited me to check out Abraham Mohler’s studio. It was at this point that I knew I had found a new passion and began to apprentice with him.”

Four years later, Schiermeier is well on his way to becoming a master sculptor in his own right. He’s carved sculptures that range from solid stone carvings of abstract yet recognizably anatomical designs to mixed-media pieces that combine stone with laminated wood to produce a wholly different type of effect; a new evolution that’s fairly recent, but one he’s dying to explore more.

The experience that brought forward this change in style actually came from a failed sculpture ironically titled Rebirth. He explains, “One of my limestone pieces had an unfortunate break down the center of the piece.

Instead of giving up on it, I chose to create something new. Considering my love of nature, I decided to combine different elements to bring Rebirth back to life.”

14

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

As for what’s next, Schiermeier plans on continuing to explore new ideas and share his vision with the St. Louis art scene. He states, “I can’t wait to bring my new ideas to life. There is a rhino and an elephant in the near future. Both are very eye catching, colorful multi-medium concepts. These pieces will really give everyone a great sense of where I’m headed as an artist/sculptor and what has me so inspired,” he continues, “I am excited to make new connections and meet other fellow artists. I enjoy getting to know other artists and truly appreciate others' creativity and talent.”

When he’s not honing his craft, you can usually find him at the gym honing his body or at home with his husband and two dogs.

To follow Schiermeier’s budding career, find him on Facebook, Instagram and Etsy at Matt Schiermeier Art or swing by the studio—run by his mentor, Abraham Mohler—located in Soulard at 1220 Allen St. See stlouishomesmag.com for more photos and resources.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

15

slhl

INSIDER

Dedicated, Detailed Design Candice Wideman, owner and lead designer at Youtopia Designs, sheds some light on the hottest trends of 2020.

Q

A

Edited by Moe Godat Portrait photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton Interior photography by Candice Wideman.

SLHL: How did you get into interior design?

Candice: I have always enjoyed interior design from a young age. I remember as a kid constantly switching rooms with my brother and transforming our rooms into a range of different looks. I learned a lot about space planning due to living in nine different homes; my mom would purchase furniture that could work in multiple configurations and also be incorporated into different rooms. If we weren’t moving due to a relocation for my dad's job, it was because my parents enjoyed remodeling and building homes and then selling. The passion for design has stayed with me since, and I can’t imagine wanting to do anything other than interior design. Since graduating from Maryville University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, my ambition for interior design has grown into a successful venture.

SLHL: What have you seen trending so far in 2020? Do you think any of these trends could become a classic?

Candice: Mid-century Modern paired with rich jewel tones is without a doubt going to be a big trend in the St Louis area in 2020.

We are also going to start seeing appliances with bold colors in the kitchen paired with a mix of materials incorporated within the cabinetry, such as painted cabinetry and wood accents.

16

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

SLHL: Are there any new products that you’re excited to incorporate in your projects?

Candice: I have had my eye on a product called “Click Light” by Studio Knob. It combines lighting and shelves as a functional piece of art and allows the user to interact with it. I’ve been waiting to incorporate this into the right clients' home.

SLHL: What is there to consider when decorating with wall murals?

Candice: Wall murals are the focal point of a room and set the tone for the overall design. Taking into consideration the client's lifestyle, budget, timeframe and overall design aesthetic dictates the type of mural we will source (vinyl / fabric / paper / commercial grade/ etc.) and where we will place them in a home. Once we have established the type of mural, we then choose a paint color to complement the mural. The paint color needs to be an accent color that brings the entire design together.

SLHL: What is an accessory that every home needs?

Candice: A unique light fixture! It can be a wall sconce, ceiling light, table lamp, etc. Light fixtures can create an amazing conversation piece. In addition to the Click Light I mentioned above, the Helios Touch is truly a unique light fixture that can be made in any configuration you want by incorporating multiple pieces, and it is also interactive.

SLHL: Is it important for homeowners to get out of their comfort zone? If so, how do you encourage them to take those steps?

Candice: We believe in the power of “What If?” by combining our expertise to help clients think beyond the ordinary.

We’re fully aware that we’re rattling some cages but know that the best work comes from it and the people behind it.

SLHL: What’s the most unique way you’ve overcome a design problem?

Candice: People who obtain interior designers have intricate, complex wishes, and while most clients have the same wants in a design that is one of a kind and incorporates high-quality items, all nationalities have their own culture that shapes their way of life. The United States is a melting pot of numerous cultures and incorporating cultural knowledge and research into my designs allows me to meet and even exceed their expectations. Expanding my education by researching and taking courses to understand a diversity of cultural groups around the globe has strengthened how I design for my clients.

SLHL: How do you take a project from ordinary to extraordinary?

Candice: We have brought together a team of smart, talented thinkers and unleashed their creativity on the world. We pride ourselves on our process, craft and attention to detail.

At Youtopia Designs, you will have your dedicated designer who is your main contact. However, all three designers at Youtopia Designs simultaneously work on each others' projects, ensuring that no detail has been overlooked.

See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

17

slhl

DELISH DISH

18

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Historic ambience served here Old Barn Inn Restaurant is one part of a memory-making destination.

By Gina Parsons Photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton

The vision for the newly opened Old Barn Inn Restaurant in St. Albans is all about quality food and helping diners create memories. “We want people to experience the food and have an appreciation of the food. It’s an homage to the past,” says Beth Williams, who was tapped to lead the culinary adventure.

German settlers built the building in 1843 and used it as a barn. In 1928, Irene Walter Johnson converted the barn into the Old Barn Inn Restaurant. It closed in the 1950s. The Malmaison restaurant was in the space in the late 1980s through the 1990s.

In 2004, Datra Herzog purchased the building as part of the Inns at St. Albans. Williams and her team will now run the food and beverage operations. They opened the Old Barn Inn Restaurant in December.

Williams has nearly three decades of experience in the restaurant business, most recently as owner of Table Three in Wildwood. With the move to Old Barn Inn, Williams went from a 200-seat restaurant open six days a week, to a 60-seat restaurant open only Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. This will allow her to focus on being creative.

“The quality and experience is everything,” Williams says. “We want people to walk away feeling like they’ve experienced something unique.”

The menu will change six times a year to take advantage of seasonal produce, and to provide visitors a different experience every time they come. The restaurant will utilize farm to table.

“We are working with local farmers to source the produce and dairy,” she says.

St. Albans also will have its own herb and produce gardens.

There is a smokehouse on site, a vineyard on the property and a wine garden will open in May. An on-site cooking school will draw on the expertise of different chefs, who will teach students new skills and allow them to explore as well.

During the restaurant’s first month, chicken and dumplings was a popular menu item. Other favorites were butternut squash risotto and a farmhouse burger.

Williams explains that when Johnson operated the original Old Barn Inn Restaurant so many years ago, she felt that every holiday was a major event. The current owners plan to capture that same tradition and create a special destination for families.

Williams says that at Christmas, St. Albans will have Christmas village. It will be a festive place where people can shop and dine.

“We’re creating the experience for people to come out and enjoy,” Williams says.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

19

slhl

DELISH DISH The Inns' property provides a premier outdoor venue, Williams says. Herzog has a vision to restore the property as a destination for families, weddings, bridal parties, overnight stays and corporate retreats. In addition to the Old Barn Inn Restaurant, the Head’s Store will open this spring with casual dining. New lodges will come in 2021.

Old Barn Inn Restaurant is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Make reservations online at innsatstalbans.com/old-barn-inn-restaurant.

See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles

OLD BARN INN Pay homage to the past at the Cooking School 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Location: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery, 17895 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63005 Seating is limited RSVP by calling 636-230-9640, ext. 27 or email bosterloh@stlouishomesmag.com

COOKING SCHOOL MENU Baked Crab & Pimento Cheese: This brown and bubbly delicacy features jumbo lump crabmeat with plenty of cheddar cheese. Served with rustic grilled bread and butter sweet pickles.

Cast Iron Roasted Chicken and Dumplings: A new take on an old favorite, cast-iron roasted chicken paired with simple Amish dumplings are complemented by root vegetables and a thyme pan sauce.

Crème Brulee: Made with honey and goat cheese, this creamy crème brulee gets its crunch from candied pistachios.

20

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Chesterfield Valley 636.532.3303

Kingshighway 314.773.3636

Henrykb.com

Des Peres 314.984.0005

Edwardsville 618.248.6161

Imported from Italy, Risa’s glass, brushed chrome and cherry table, a treasure for more than 20 years, found a new home in the addition. The contemporary chandelier is new; it’s the Heracleum II Suspended Lamp from Moooi and takes its name from the plant that inspired the design. The signed, limited edition Will Barnet lithograph above the credenza is entitled Reclining Woman. “I’ve been collecting Will Barnet lithographs and serigraphs for a long time,” says Risa. “All the artwork in the family room is by him.”

22

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

just for us

Retirement offers a couple the chance to put their personal stamp on Spanish Revival beauty.

By Kim Hill Photography by Anne Matheis

For more than 24 years, Mark Wrighton lived in Washington University’s Harbison House while serving as the university’s chancellor. He and his wife, Risa Zwerling, “loved every minute” of living in Harbison House, but upon Mark’s retirement in May 2019, they looked forward to putting their stamp on a home of their own.

House hunting in University City, the couple fell for a 1920s Spanish Revival. “It was clear the home was very well cared for, but there was no room to lounge in,” Risa says of the lack of a modern kitchen/family room open concept.

Even before making a final offer on the home, the Wrightons were introduced to Ladd Suydam Contracting to explore the feasibility of building an addition. “It’s a sizeable house, but it was blocked up in a way that didn’t meet their living desires,” Suydam recalls. “They wanted a new ‘hub’ of the house—a gathering place where they would spend most of their time on a daily basis.”

Architect: SPACE Architects Contractor: Ladd Suydam Contracting Interior Designer: Wolff Interiors

Capitalizing on the beauty of a large back yard, the design team brought the outdoors in through a bank of 8-foot-tall windows and French doors installed on the rear wall of the new addition. The addition’s family room invites with his-and-hers matching sofas paired with modern chairs. The homeowners say they spend most of their waking hours in the new “hub” of the home.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

23

The kitchen dimensions didn’t change through the remodel, but sleek, modern cabinets make the space feel larger. A waterfall of quartz on the peninsula creates a breakfast nook. Builder Ladd Suydam notes fabricator Titan Granite’s impressive attention to detail in lining up the veins of the quartz. The homeowners wanted space to display their cherished art collection in the addition; a dark wall serves as backdrop for artworks displayed on wood shelves. Flooring by Custom Floors & More.

24

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

The Wrightons didn’t just want space, however. They wanted something dramatic—to be “wowed” every time they walked into the house. “They didn’t know what that ‘wow factor’ would be,” Suydam says. “That’s part of our process, to listen to the clients’ goals and in this case, figure out how to bring that drama.”

Capitalizing on the beauty of the large backyard, Suydam and architect Jay Reeves of SPACE Architects brought drama through light. The design/build team replaced the back wall of the house with a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors, bringing light in and helping the space feel as large and open as possible. By strategically locating the windows and doors, the team established two major sightlines from the front of the house to the back yard. “The wall of windows faces south and allows us to look out on a sea of green,” says Mark.

Removing the back wall to add the approximately 615-square-foot addition presented some challenges, however.

“Any time you deal with a load-bearing wall that’s masonry, as in this case, you have to figure out how the load will be transferred to support the second story,” says Suydam. During demolition, contractors discovered the second story exterior walls were thinner than the main level walls; therefore, the steel beam that had been ordered to support the second floor was too thick and would protrude into living space on the second floor.

Re-ordering the beam or re-engineering it would mean additional costs and time. “We solved this challenge by essentially building another interior wall in the second-floor bedroom and on the landing to the main staircase,” explains Suydam. “In the bedroom, the walls were furred out creating a ledge underneath the window to hide the beam intrusion. Custom base was milled to match the existing trim.”

Removing the back wall of the home required reconfiguring the kitchen. New cabinetry includes a mix of stained and painted surfaces. Upper cabinets are maple – a species chosen for its clear, straight grain, which also lends itself to the Wrightons’ modern aesthetic. The island and a peninsula seating two people were painted Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore. A quartz waterfall edge—a hot trend—covers the peninsula and is visible from multiple vantage points in the family room.

The addition’s open concept—a popular trend for some time now—can bring challenges. “While we appreciate the generalities of the open concept mindset, we also like to bring in ways to make rooms feel like a room,” says Suydam. Planning for task and personal lighting, for example, helps delineate spaces for actually living in them, he says.

And live in it they do. With a serene blue color palette, the new “hub” of the home is cozy and inviting. His-and-hers matching sofas, for example, means no one is bickering over the most comfortable spot to watch TV or nap. Even with all the windows and doors, it’s a comfortable space year round. Energy efficiency was a top priority, says Suydam, who helped the couple select thermally efficient Marvin windows and French doors

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

25

26

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Color makes a big impact in the living room through shades of orange, pink and gold. “Having our own home gives us a chance to express ourselves,” says homeowner Risa Zwerling, who lived in Washington University’s Harbison House while husband Mark served as chancellor.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

27

“I like to be bold with color,” says Risa Zwerling. She chose Clarke and Clarke fabric in Casanova Chartreuse to cover new Century Iris Brass chairs for their dining room. “It just so happened the large yellow painting matched beautifully.” Risa painted the work more than 40 years ago; it previously enjoyed a home in her daughter’s bedroom. The blackened walnut and oil-rubbed bronze dining table is Baker’s Liquid Dining Table by Kara Mann.

28

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

A centuries-old material, the terrazzo floor pairs beautifully with the homeowners’ modern taste in furnishings. Here, the sunroom features contemporary stylings in cheerful hues of pink and orange.

from Fischer Window and Door. Suydam used spray foam insulation in the walls and ceilings and added additional insulation in the garage and other existing areas of the home. Since the project’s completion in February 2019, solar panels have been installed on the flat roofs of both the garage and the addition.

“We are generating about 15 to 20 percent of our electrical needs,” says Mark, whose research interests prior to his university administrative career were in inorganic photochemistry, photocatalysis and the use of solar energy in photovoltaics. “Creating energy from these photovoltaics just thrills Mark to the core because it’s his life’s work,” says Risa.

One of the Wrightons’ priorities for the addition was space to showcase their art collection. SPACE Architects designed a wall with maple shelves to display several pieces. “We focused light on these works but wanted to keep them approachable,” says Suydam. “It’s not a museum.”

At Harbison House, works from Washington University’s collections were rotated routinely. In their own home, Mark and Risa love seeing their own collection every day.

Mark credits Risa and interior designer Tina Wolff of Wolff Interiors for selecting new furnishings for their home. He particularly loves the interesting, unique light fixtures selected for each space. “The light fixtures add a great deal to the first impression when you first come into the home,” he says.

During Mark’s time as chancellor, the couple were “in service,” Risa laughingly says. “Now we are ‘civilians,’ and so having our own home gives us a chance to express ourselves,” she explains. Mark says when they are home, they spend most of their waking time in the new space. “We just can’t tear ourselves away from here, and we find we are neglecting the other beautiful rooms in the house a bit,” Risa adds. “Every time I walk into the house, it’s thrilling.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

29

BUILT TO EXACTING STANDARDS Both real estate professionals, this couple chose modern farmhouse styling for their own custom home in Richmond Heights.

By Barb Wilson Photography by Photographie by Li

The dining room’s bold black and white color scheme is softened by a built-in sideboard in wood tones that match the oak flooring, textural art pieces, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and wishbone style chairs with natural jute seats.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

31

A

Open and free-flowing, the kitchen, hearth room and casual dining area showcase the uncluttered design, mixed metals, unique lighting fixtures and various motifs that establish this home’s contemporary farmhouse styling.

Every one of this home's windows from Anderson Windows and Doors makes a statement both inside and out.

A

Architect: Jim Bulejski Builder: Douglas Properties Interior Design: Esther Cohen

native St. Louisan, Doug Cohen had been in the local real estate industry for more than a decade before founding his own company in 1998. Douglas Properties offers a broad range of services, including acquisition, renovation and construction of upscale mid-rise condominiums and luxury homes, primarily in the central corridor.

Throughout its history, Douglas Properties has earned a reputation for unique architectural design, superior craftsmanship and the high-end finishes Doug refers to as his “company trademark.” As chief decorator, wife Esther adds her skills to various projects, and the Cohens’ personal residence reflects their combined expertise and thorough familiarity with the latest design trends.

Among the desirable properties under development by the firm back in 2016 was a one-acre lot in Richmond Heights, set high up and encircled by trees. The intent was to build a spec home on the site, and ground was broken the following year.

But once the land had been cleared and the foundation poured, Doug and Esther found the property irresistible. Even though they hadn’t been planning a move, the couple decided to purchase it for themselves.

Designed by architect Jim Bulejski, the Cohens’ 6,000-square-foot residence is ideal for the family’s active lifestyle—a free-flowing, open-concept plan the owners describe as a “modern farmhouse, traditional with French Country flair.” Key components include high-efficiency HVAC, 10-foot ceilings, laundries on all three levels, a main-floor master suite, deluxe kitchen appliances, an entertainment/game area, exercise room, guest suite on the lower level and a spacious patio with grill and hot tub.

The couple’s goal was to showcase the various spaces to their “fullest potential,” making each room unique by size and décor.

Doug’s emphasis on fine finishes is clearly illustrated by the decorative and beamed ceilings, cased openings, wide-plank, wire-brushed European oak hardwood flooring throughout the main floor and beautifully crafted Markus Cabinets.

For Esther, however, selecting the interior colors and furnishings presented a challenge. Their previous home had been distinctly contemporary, and “mixing the old with the new” for a more casual look required substantial creativity.

Since classic farmhouse décor emphasizes a basically neutral color scheme, natural materials, and uncluttered design, subtle themes were used to link the individual spaces. For example, all interior doors and the window grilles are black. Metal accents on the main level are mixed, but all metal finishes on the lower level are chrome. While woven wood shades lend a natural feel to the activity areas, plantation shutters provide additional privacy in the bedrooms, and the cased openings to several areas are framed with oak floor planks.

Top: A wood plank desk, hide throw rug and dramatic Hague Blue walls and cabinetry give the husband’s office an ambience that is both rustic and sophisticated. Bottom: In the main entry, a leather bench, circular mirror and accent pillows offer hints of the décor to come.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

33

34

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Reminiscent of the wife’s Southwestern origins, the gathering room features a raised hearth with cement terrazzo tiles in a Tulum design, leather seating, a weathered wood coffee table and cabinets and display shelving.

Off the foyer, the dining room immediately establishes the home’s unique ambiance. A tray ceiling, Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and a striking black-and-white area rug create visual interest, and against the main wall, a built-in sideboard repeats the flooring’s wood tones. The table base and natural jute chair seats also introduce a recurring “X” motif that Esther used throughout the home. “Lighting is really important to me,” she added, indicating the contemporary chandelier and noting that the light fixtures vary from room to room, enhancing the individuality of each space.

Opposite the dining room, Doug’s office is a sophisticated blend of rustic and contemporary styling with its beamed ceiling, rich Hague Blue walls and cabinetry and brass hardware.

Originally from Texas, Esther introduced a bit of Southwestern flair to the gathering room, while staying true to the basics of classic farmhouse décor. Set against a stucco wall, the river rock fireplace has a whitewashed barnwood mantel, and the hearth becomes a focal point with its cement terrazzo tiles in a distinctive Tulum design.

Niches on either side of the fireplace are filled with cabinets and display shelves, and leather seating and a weathered wood coffee table complete the effect.

Clearly the hub of family activity, the open kitchen, casual dining area and hearth room showcase the Cohens’ combined expertise.

Surfaced in black suede granite, the kitchen’s white perimeter cabinetry incorporates high-end stainless appliances and revolves around a 12-foot island with Hague Blue base. White quartz tops the island, which includes a dishwasher, farmhouse sink and handy dustpan vacuum base.

The kitchen fixtures and cabinet pulls are brass, and the “X” motif is cleverly integrated into an upper wall cabinet, the island base and open-weave contemporary chairs positioned under the overhang.

Suspended above the island, massive bell-shaped pendant lights with a weathered iron look add a dramatic touch, and the theme is repeated in the family dining area, where the circular glass table is set on a custom iron base and surrounded by textural molded white chairs.

Cozy yet classic, the adjacent hearth room is perfect for TV viewing and gives a nod to farmhouse décor with its white brick fireplace surround and shiplap walls. Velvety sectionals and streamlined accent chairs from Arhaus are arranged around a large leather ottoman, and patterned throw pillows and artwork provide Southwestern accents.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

35

This page: Simple and serene, the master bedroom is furnished with a wrought-iron bedstead, West Elm side chests, a wood blanket chest and wallpaper simulating white brick. Opposite page top: Hexagonal floor tiles create visual interest in the master bath, which features a freestanding tub, separate tunnel shower and smoky brown cabinetry with wrought-iron hardware. Bottom: Subway tile covers the walls of the vanity area, which adjoins a spacious custom closet/dressing room by Beyond Storage.

36

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

In the main-floor master suite, a deep tray ceiling adds dimension to the bedroom, and the simple, predominately white décor achieves a remarkable sense of serenity. The wallpaper simulates white birch, contemporary West Elm side chests flank the wrought-iron bedstead from KDR, and a wood blanket chest at the foot adds a touch of warm color. Even the master bath conforms to the modern farmhouse look. Filled with natural light by windows and skylights, this spa-like retreat includes a freestanding, matte-finished soaking tub, spacious tunnel shower, smoky brown cabinetry, display shelving, bold hexagonal floor tiles and wrought-iron accents.

If you’ve ever wondered how a successful builder’s family actually lives, the Cohen residence should certainly give you some idea. Ranked among today’s most popular residential trends, farmhouse styling is open, spacious and well-suited to entertaining. (“We had 60 guests for Thanksgiving,” Esther remarked.) The décor is simple, uncluttered and flexible, allowing for a mixture of organic materials, textures, metals and furnishings. Above all, however, modern farmhouse design focuses on comfort—the relaxed, informal lifestyle preferred by most contemporary families.

See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

37

slhl

OUT OF TOWN

C

C O LO R F U L C O A S TA L CHARM

C

omfort and luxury were top priorities for a St. Louis couple designing their second home in the gorgeous sunshine state of Florida. Nestled within a picturesque neighborhood just north of Tampa, the house dictated a sophisticated coastal aesthetic along with a casual approach to everyday living. Working with interior designer Laura Lee, founder and principal at Laura Lee Home, they aspired to create cozy grounded spaces and unique personalities in each room through intentional furniture placement and a thoughtful layering of colors, textures and finishes.

“With young children and pets in the home, the couple embraced easy-to-care-for furnishings without sacrificing style,” says Laura. “The interior is an open concept floor plan, which I find a bit more challenging. All the common spaces on the main level are open to one another as well as to the large covered patio and pool,” she notes. “Since this was the second home I designed for this couple, they were ready

Located in a blissful Florida setting, a St. Louis couple’s second home combines casual elegance with eye-catching hues.

By Jeanne Delathouder Photography by Emily Minton Redfield

Interior Designer: Laura Lee Home

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

39

slhl

OUT OF TOWN

to explore a more whimsical and colorful palette that would capture the property’s sunny Florida vibe. We selected shades of navy, aqua and teal accented with shots of citrusy yellow for contrast,” she adds.

Using original artwork as her favorite design inspiration, Laura guided the couple in collecting unique pieces for their home. The breakfast room displays two abstract canvas works with varying shades of blue, aqua and gray complemented by aqua leather and geometric fabric for the upholstered dining chairs and an aqua sea glass chandelier above the table. An original piece in the great room features abstract figures in navy and bright yellow. A navy velvet sectional sofa fabric, yellow swivel chairs, accent pillows and accessories work to carry the colors throughout the space. The gray tones of a Greek key-patterned area rug and a custom alligator textured leather ottoman anchor the room. To create a vertical element and focal point, Laura’s team fabricated a floor-to-ceiling gray stacked-stone fireplace surround with a floating reclaimed-wood mantel.

“In the master bedroom, the clients requested a dramatic and sophisticated space of their own,” says the designer. “We created a focal point by fabricating a white stacked-stone fireplace with an LED crystal rock insert flanked by lacquered bookcases. Dark Prussian blue grasscloth wallpaper wraps the space in cozy luxury, and the doors and window

40

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

41

slhl

OUT OF TOWN

42

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

frames are all lacquered in the same shade,” she notes. “A jaw-dropping two-tier crystal link chandelier creates an unexpected touch of glamour and works to counterbalance a blackened stainless-steel-and-wood bed frame with a tufted upholstered headboard custom made by Amish craftsmen. We layered light-filtering shades with draperies to block out sun on the rare occasion the couple can sleep in late,” she laughs.

A modestly scaled dining room seats eight people, and to accommodate larger groups, Laura designed a tall upholstered bench that sits next to the dining table. A console table from the great room flips open to become a second dining table, and with four chairs borrowed from the breakfast room, the family can comfortably seat 14 people. In the kitchen, a striking herringbone marble backsplash takes center stage. The electrical outlets were moved to a strip under the upper cabinets to keep the sleek design intact.

For the children’s bedrooms, Laura ensured the color palettes, furniture selections and décor reflected the personality of each occupant. In the guest bedroom—designed to be a surprise for the wife—she

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

43

44

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

chose a large, bold floral fabric for the upholstered bed and painted the walls a deep grey blue. “She loved the space and even more importantly, so did her mom who would be staying here during visits,” says the designer. “My favorite part of creating this home was the collaboration at the outset for the design direction and that they entrusted us to handle all the details and selections,” she adds.

Laura and her team not only furnished each space of this home, but also outfitted every room so the clients would be able to show up with their clothes and move right in. They selected dishes, pots, pans, drinkware, silverware, kitchen appliances, towels and sheets, and even monogrammed bathrobes and purchased every accoutrement a guest could possibly need down to a stack of classic and current books and magazines.

“We were on site completing construction and installing the interiors for well over a month,” Laura recalls. “Our St. Louis-based team of craftspeople made the trip to Florida to install wallpaper, area rugs, carpet runners, draperies,and about a hundred things I couldn’t begin to name,” she laughs. “It took all of their talents to deliver our vision for this home, and now that the couple and their children are finally settled into their new space, they are undoubtedly enjoying each day close to extended family and soaking in the Florida sunshine.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

45

Heavenly

VALLEY A 50-year love affair with a creek-crossed Kirkwood landscape

By Lucyann Boston Photography by Kim Dillon

46

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

47

I

48

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Photography by Judy Ward

t was over 50 years ago when Judy Ward stepped through the front door of a 1950s bungalow on Friar Lane in southwest Kirkwood. She still vividly remembers walking past the kitchen at the front of the house, drawn immediately to a treetop vista of a one-acre, creek-crossed valley framed by a picture window at the back of the home. “I loved the view from the minute I saw it,” she recalls. While others might have been put off by the heavily wooded lot that sloped down from the street above to the origins of upper Sugar Creek below, Judy was entranced. The fact that the lot backed up to several other large, forested properties only increased her enchantment.

“The property drew me from day one. I’ve always loved the outdoors,” she says, “and always appreciated gardens. Not so much display gardens as looking at vistas. I started out to go into architecture, but if I were to plan my career over again, I would like to be a civil engineer working with building sites and views.”

As a young mother working from home for a Georgia-based manufacturing company, she began every morning looking out into the woods as she sipped her coffee. In those days, the property was a wilderness. “The yard was very overgrown. Some of the features like stone walls and pathways (put in by a previous owner in the 1950s) weren’t even visible until I began clearing the land,” Judy explains.

“There wasn’t a lot of gardening going on,” she adds with a laugh. “I was a young mother with two kids and not a lot of resources. At first, I just cleaned up the yard. “ But gradually, the planting began with the help of neighbors and friends. “Alice Soliday lived behind me. She was quite a bit older, but we became good friends. She taught me the importance of augmenting the soil and she gave me some of my first plants, like hellebores (also known as Lenten roses), which are blooming now. They self-sow and are all over my yard.”

Judy can’t remember quite how it happened, but she also had the great fortune of becoming a friend of another Kirkwood resident, famed naturalist and conservationist Edgar Denison, who wrote the handbook Missouri Wildflowers, published by the Missouri Department of Conservation and now in its 6th printing. Denison was a huge proponent of using native plants in cultivated landscapes.

“I would be visiting him in his garden and say, ‘What is this?’ when I saw a plant I wasn’t familiar with. He would say, ‘Oh, you don’t have any of that?’ and grab a shovel to dig some up for me.”

“Edgar was always big on native plants, and in the spring my garden shines with big drifts of yellow celandine poppies, Virginia bluebells and daffodils. He gave me the start of many of the plants that are still naturalizing in my garden.”

Another neighbor, Bill Meyers, invited Judy to salvage the plants from his mother’s garden at the old Meramec train station.

The white-flowering native dogwoods that now float ethereally each spring outside the recently added, floor-to-ceiling windows at

In her 50 years of gardening and 15 years of fighting deer, Judy Ward has amassed a list of favorite plants.

Here are some of them:

– Baptesia or blue false indigo, a native plant that grows 3-4 feet tall in rich woods and along streams; spikey blue flowers in spring but there also is a yellow version that Judy loves.

– Geranium microrrhizum (big root geranium or cranesbill) forms clumps 12 inches high by 24 inches wide. Lacy, rounded, grayish green leaves and purple flowers in spring.

Good, thick, weed-preventing ground cover. Deer and drought resistant.

– Hydrangea quercifolia, commonly known as oakleaf hydrangea and growing 6-8 feet tall and wide, this Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit thrives in moist, well-drained soil in woodland settings. Cone-shaped white flowers in May that change to pinkish purple. Brilliant, burgundy fall color.

– Juniperus “Parsoni” and “Gray Owl” Spikey, low-growing

junipers that tolerate a wide variety of conditions.

– Myosotis. These blue forget-me-nots are self-sowing and bloom in spring. They like moist soil and full sun to part shade and should be grown where naturalization is desired. In some midwestern states they are considered invasive.

– Pulmonaria longfolia, commonly known as long-leaved lungwort, this woodland groundcover features white-splotched leaves and blue flower in spring. They have self-sown throughout Judy’s garden and are hardy and deer resistant.

– Viburnums Mapleleaf and Burkwoodii Both the shorter maple leaf and taller Burkwoodii have white flowers in spring and good fall color. Maple leaf virburnums will naturalize in a woodland setting.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

49

the back of her home began as “coffee can” seedlings purchased in the 1970s from Sunset Plantland, then on south Lindbergh.

There were times as a working mother of young children “the garden was a place of refuge” when she needed a bit of time to herself, even if that meant getting up at five in the morning to do what was needed in the garden before her workday began.

Through the years, providing those plants with a happy home has often been a challenge. The sloping topography of her lot and the convergence of two creeks makes erosion a continual problem. “It is a job keeping the creek bed in place. I’ve had to terrace almost the whole thing,” she says, recounting the boulders and bobcats required to shore up the back yard through the years. Swollen, rushing creek waters due to heavy rains twice have required her to replace the bridge over the main creek.

Another challenge in the past 15 years has been the deer that found their way into Kirkwood and Judy’s garden. Gone are the deer-delectable daylilies she loved. Peonies, which the deer leave alone, now replace them. Included in her collection are the old fashion herbaceous peonies, more shrub-like tree peonies and the recently hybridized Itoh peonies that are a cross between the two.

“I’ve become an expert on what deer don’t like, including anything minty or with pubescent (fuzzy) leaves.”

When she retired 10 years ago, Judy’s love of gardening took her directly to nearby St. Louis Community College at Meramec where

50

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

she began taking horticultural classes and now has over 20 hours of credit.

Other than moving boulders and heavy terracing, Judy does the work in her garden herself, some days working as many as four to six hours and other times letting the garden take care of itself. “I will try just about anything in terms of plants,” she says. “If it is happy and does well, I go with it,” but she is not inclined to baby plants that struggle. She also loves the “random wildness” plants that self-sow contribute to her garden.

When it comes to extra care, she makes an exception for tall, evergreen Canadian hemlocks for the graceful presence they add to her landscape. “You have to fertilize them every year with an evergreen fertilizer. If we have a dry summer, you have to put a lot of effort into watering them, but there is nothing more beautiful than hemlocks with snow on them.”

Judy remains as passionate about her property today as the first day she day she walked through the front door and took in the vista at the rear.

“Everywhere I look, there is history, a connection with a special friend or a special trip or special times. This little woodland valley has been a piece of heaven for me and for my family for over 50 years,” she affirms. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

MARCH 2020

51

slhl

THE DIRT

WE’VE GOT IT COVERED From sun-bathers to shade-lovers, these grounds covers will help with erosion, drought and much much more. Here are our local landscapers’ favorites.

IRISH MOSS Also know as

CHONDRUS CRISPUS

Information provided by Andria Graeler at Chesterfield Valley Nursery.

WATER Give it even moisture

SOIL REQUIREMENTS Well-drained

LOCATION + LIGHT Versatile, sun and shade

THINING TIPS Thin out when the bed starts to become crowded

Check out one of our newest plant selections! This up and coming groundcover gives you the natural look you've always wanted. Irish Moss is semi-evergreen so depending on how cold it gets, the color lasts year-round! Get the grass look without all the upkeep. In the summer, this moss sprouts delicate, small white flowers providing a refreshing, summer look for your landscape. This moss can be used in pots, between stepping stones, living walls, and more! The moss is perfectly capable for traffic areas; stepping on this soft groundcover will not harm the plant! Not only is this moss able to be used in a variety of ways, it is also deer resistant!

52

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Phlox Subulata (Creeping Phlox) is very hardy. It likes full sun and blooms mid-spring with many colors to chose from. It is also deer, drought and salt tolerant. David Sherwood, Sherwood’s Forest Nursery.

Packera obovata-golden groundsel, a Missouri native, makes an excellent ground cover for dry shade. Rounded, evergreen foliage hugs the ground all year. Bright yellow blooms appear in late spring. Groundsel is deer resistant and attracts butterflies and beneficial insects.

Anne Deutch, Garden Heights Nursery.

Vinca minor is a great groundcover for shady areas. It spreads easily and is easy to transplant. One of the best parts about this groundcover is that it’s evergreen and blooms in early spring with purple flowers. Jake Roeckle, Kirkwood Gardens.

A fantastic, low maintenance groundcover or lawn alternative, “NoMo” Lily Turf, Liriope, gives you all the luxury of a fine lawn without all the mowing, fertilizing and watering. Its fine-textured, emerald green grass-like leaves only grow 3-6" tall. It’s ideal for your toughest spots–slopes and hard to get to areas, anywhere you don’t want to drag the lawnmower, trimmer or hose. This gorgeous evergreen ground cover looks beautiful around shrubs, edging walkways and in between stepping stones. Its thick foliage smothers weeds, and it’s never bothered by diseases or pests. It thrives in sun or shade, and seldom needs watering once established. Resists deer and rabbits. Ann Lapides, Sugar Creek Gardens.

Pachysandra termanalis, Japanese pachysandra is a lush evergreen groundcover that provides a glossy carpet through the landscape.

Pairing this groundcover with a bristled conifer or natural stone in the landscape provides a stunning appearance. Pachysandra is also low browse for deer, which makes it an excellent selection for an area in the garden where deer may browse. Justin Verbryck, Frisella Nursery.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

53

slhl

SHAWS VISION

MARCH

Stay up-to-date in your landscape with planning tips and events from the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Early March Fertilize bulbs with a "bulb booster" formulation broadcast over the planting beds. Hose off any granules that stick to the foliage.

Dormant mail-order plants should be unwrapped immediately. Keep the roots from drying out, store in a cool protected spot, and plant as soon as conditions allow.

Cultivate weeds and remove the old, dead stalks of last year's growth from the asparagus bed before the new spears emerge.

Seeds of hardy annuals such as larkspur, bachelor's buttons, Shirley and California poppies should be direct sown in the garden now.

Asparagus and rhubarb roots should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked.

Mid March Continue pruning grapes.

Bleeding causes no injury to the vines. Tie vines to the trellis before the buds swell to prevent bud injury and crop loss.

Raise purple martin houses to prepare for purple martins' return to the St. Louis area.

Gradually remove mulch from strawberries as the weather begins to warm.

Late March Aphids begin to hatch on fruit trees as the buds begin to open.

Spray peach trees with a fungicide for the control of peach leaf curl disease.

Mulch all bramble fruits for weed control.

EVENTS Through March 22 Orchid Show at the Missouri Botanical Garden March 5 Orchid Nights Through March 31 Morpho Mardi gras at the Butterfly House Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

March 14 Science open house March 28-29 Seasonal reopenings of the Children's Garden, Trams, Tower Grove House and CafĂŠ Flora

54

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

BAUER FALLS BauerFalls.com 636-357-3495 Bauer Falls uses a unique, organic filtration system that yields sparkling clean water without the maintenance and expense of traditional water gardens. Growing up on property bordering the nearly 6,500-acre Cuivre River State Park, Josh and Caleb Bauer learned to harness the power of plant roots and beneficial bacteria without the use of any added chemicals. The Bauer brothers' lifelong passion for nature led them into an exclusive artistry designing and creating natural luxury waterfalls, water gardens, and koi ponds. Their elite artistry is highlighted in their award-winning Garden of the Year that features nearly 1,000 tons (37 semi loads) of natural stone boulders that pump 48,000 gallons of water per hour.

CHESTERFIELD VALLEY NURSERY 16825 North Outer 40, Chesterfield, MO 63005 chesterfieldvalleynursery.com 636-532-9307 Having an outdoor space provides more opportunity for you to spend time with your friends and family this spring, summer, and many more seasons to come! An outdoor living space can create an extension of your home. A multi-seasonal patio can create a more interactive landscape design for your back yard. Accessories like firepits make your yard a great place to relax around the fire on cooler spring, summer, and fall nights. These spaces can be spruced up with elegant string lights and other outdoor living accessories to make the space even more dynamic!

POYNTER LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE 636-256-2600 PoynterLandscape.com Landscape Architects, Craftsman Builders, and Gardeners.

Serving St. Louis and the surrounding 100-mile area for 28 years. We design, build and maintain complex multi-trade outdoor living spaces be it a single area or everything under the sun including fireplaces, terraces, kitchens, pergolas, pavilions, pool houses, swimming pools, decks, walls, water features, lighting irrigation and more. The Experts in Outdoor Living!Â

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

55

2

slhl

BRIGHT IDEA

1

HOT IN THE HOME For a tranquil respite away from the daily stresses and challenges of life, an in-home sauna is just what the doctor prescribed. Proven to reduce illness and stress while eliminating toxins from the body, a steam in the sauna each day can improve your overall health. Check out these in-home havens.

By Melissa Mauzy 1. Warmth and Texture. By Birdseye Design.

3

4

Custom built by Birdseye out of Richmond, Vermont, this lakeside residence features a full spa with sauna. The western red cedar interior of the sauna, as well as the reclaimed barnboard exterior finish, bring the warmth and texture of wood to the spa experience.

2. Multi-Sensory Experience. By Nordic Sauna. The sauna was designed to create a

multi-sensory experience as saunas are now a focal point in many households based on the many health benefits one can achieve.

With the new and modern saunas it's not just about the heat of the room but a unique experience for each user. When you have the ability to adjust and change multiple factors in the sauna you are able to create the ultimate escape for each user in the household.

3. All About the Bench. By Forum Phi Architecture. A custom-crafted sauna was

designed for a luxurious residence in the heart of Aspen, Colorado. The final design resulted in unique bench configurations, glass doors and accented wood features inside and out.

4. Magnificant Master. By Leslie Saul & Associates. This bathroom was for a single

male client who wanted to make a dream home to honor a new girlfriend. The condo is part of an old brick warehouse located right on the Boston Harbor. The bathroom included a walk-in shower with dual shower heads, double vanities, a sauna and a separate toilet room. Also accessed from the master bath was a large dressing room with mirrored inlaid doors on the numerous closets. Every girl's dream!

5 1. Photography by Susan Teare. 2. Photography courtesy of Nordic Sauna. 3. Photography by David Marlow. 4. Photography by Steve Carroll. 5. Photography by Isabelle Eubanks Photography.

56

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

5. Custom Cedar. By Lee & Co. Contractors.

This custom cedar sauna in a redesigned master bathroom was created by Mark Reilly Architecture. The design of the bathroom flows seamlessly from tub, shower to sauna.

SCHMITTEL'S NURSERY 13801 Marine Ave Maryland Heights, MO 63043 schmittelsnursery.com 314-469-8900 Early Spring is predicted! Great time to start planning and seeing your outdoor dreams come to life. Patios are the center of outdoor living and entertaining. The new trends are using the natural element of Flagstone, to create a warm, earthy, organic space for you to enjoy in every season. Let Schmittel's Nursery, design and install the perfect patio for you. We will be there every step of the way. There is a flagstone choice for every backyard, a shape to fit every need. Give Schmittel's Nursery a call to make your outdoor living areas a reality this season.

5TH ANNUAL

Informational lectures, snacks, refreshments and fabulous door prizes!

SAVE THE DATE!

SATURDAY APRIL 25, 10AM — 3PM STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

57

slhl

SMALL SCALE

PRESERVING HISTORY

West County homeowners transform a historic cottage and barn on their property.

By Melissa Mauzy Photography by Anne Matheis Barn Builder: Artisan Constructors Cottage builder: Brian LaBeau

The Busch family has been an integral part of St. Louis history since the late 1800s when Adolphus Busch emigrated to our city from Germany and began brewing beer. In 1921, he purchased land and built a cottage for one of his descendants. Almost 100 years later, this small slice of history still exists, and several years ago a St. Louis couple was lucky enough to purchase the land on which the cottage sits.

Not only did the couple think the property was a great investment, it also had a five-car garage originally built as a carriage house that would be a perfect home for their two miniature horses, Dandy and Titan. At the time the couple purchased the property no home existed, but they have since built a home and now reside there full time.

The cottage had fallen into disrepair over the years, and the wife began a full renovation to make the space more usable. “I wanted to preserve the cottage as much as I could while renovating it. It was my fun little project for a year,” she says. Given its age, the cottage needed a new roof and there was no insulation. The wife also says

58

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

there were many more walls than there needed to be. “Originally it was five or six separate rooms, but we took down many walls and now it is just two or three,” she explains.

Working with contractor Brian LaBeau, the cottage was transformed into a one-bedroom, one-bathroom space with a kitchen and entertaining area, which the couple uses all the time. “In the summer we always host Huntleigh Happy Hour, and people will ride up on their horses or bring their dogs. It is just so fun,” she says.

Some original elements were retained including the light fixtures on the front of the home and the railing and raised patio on the back.

The cottage also has one of the original stork statues the Busch family brought from Germany. Only a handful exist in St. Louis, and it was a special piece that can’t be touched. The hardwood floors needed only minor repairs.

With the structure intact and the cottage opened up, it was time for the wife to add her personal touch to the space. “It’s a cottage,” she

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

59

slhl

SMALL SCALE

says. “It wasn’t ever going to be anything terrible fancy, but we wanted a warm, cottage feel… think Ralph Lauren.” The furnishings are a mixture of family pieces and antiques, which the couple love to collect. Warm taupe walls make the space feel cozy and inviting. Rustic wood trusses stand out against the white beadboard ceiling treatment and add to the cottage feel.

A much bigger undertaking than the renovation of the cottage was the overhaul of the five-car garage and its transformation into a barn. The couple needed a place to house their two miniature horses, and the garage seemed like the perfect spot. “My husband was very hands-on in the design of the barn,” the wife says, “He drew up the design himself and worked with our contractor to bring the vision to life.” Working with Tom Roberts and his team at Artisan Constructors, they created a three-room barn that includes a stable, tack room and storage space.

The stable is every horse’s dream with two stalls for Dandy and Titan plus an additional third stall in case they decide to add another equine to the family. The homeowners saved all the old timber and wood in the attic to help make the barn more authentic. “The wood ceiling is original in areas over the tack room and the utility area and needed very little repair,” she explains. “We saved all the old scraps to make stairs and trim around windows and doors and baseboards using it wherever we could. The couple also added some windows near the ceiling to let natural light in. Black iron trims the stable stalls for a finished look. “I just love it for my little horses,” the wife says happily.

The adjoining tack room is adorned in equestrian-themed décor and houses saddles and supplies, and it also includes an interior window that opens into the stable. “The minis love to stick their head in to see what is going on when we have the window open,” the homeowner says.

Now just steps from their back door, the cottage and barn on their property are two places the homeowners love to spend time. Whether caring for Dandy and Titan in the barn or greeting guests arriving on horseback at the cottage for cocktails, the homeowners are proud to call a piece of St. Louis history their own.

See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

60

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

REMODELING ALETO CONSTRUCTION GROUP 314-352-0507 • ALETOGROUP.COM

There is a narrow space where artistry and architecture exist in harmony. This is where Aleto operates. From design to delivery, Aleto approaches every project with a singular passion for creating the space you see, both in your heart and in your mind. From a completely new home to a re-imagined room, to a single thoughtful detail, we understand that great things can happen when artistry meets architecture.

LADD SUYDAM CONTRACTING, LLC 314-324-1537 • LADDSUYDAM.COM

We specialize in historic renovations, kitchens, baths, exterior facades and porch rebuilds. We use technology to promote organization and communication. Passion for detail, quality and design drive our team. We value building relationships while building our projects.

ROESER HOME REMODELING

314-822-0839 • ROESERCONSTRUCTION.COM

Roeser Home Remodeling is a design-build residential remodeling company. Our design-build process engages the homeowner, remodeler, design team, craftsmen, and trade contractors to create a single shared vision for your project. One that is unique to each homeowner and will withstand the test of time.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

61

slhl

BEFORE & AFTER

WEAVING OLD AND NEW Liston Design Build helped the owners of this historical home make their space brighter and more accessible for years to come.

“We love this Saint Charles historic area because of its architectural diversity, great neighbors and convenient location,” says homeowner Sue Kurtz. “We enjoy walking, and we have quick access to banks, grocery stores and restaurants.” While the location of their home had suited them well for the past 20 years, Sue and Roger knew they’d have to make some changes to the home’s interior in order to age easily in the space.

Originally built around 1870, their home needed a few “tweaks,” Sue says. Their remodeling wish list included better access to the cellar, a main-floor bathroom with a walk-in shower, a dedicated laundry room with sink and a larger closet for Roger.

To check off these must-haves from their list, the homeowners reached out to Keith and Jeanne Liston of Liston Design Build, a 35-year-old firm.

“Our clients live in close proximity to Liston Design Build’s office,” explains Jeanne. “Our clients would walk by each day on their way to the yoga studio, and they watched the remodeling progress [of our office space].

62

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

BEFORE

By Moe Godat Photography by Anne Matheis

« The original installation date of June 2, 1950, and the signatures of the two carpenters who built the cabinets).

BEFORE

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

63

slhl

BEFORE & AFTER

BEFORE

Impressed by the changes, they inquired about a possible remodel, and one thing led to another, resulting in a beautiful transformation to their home.”

The design team suggested including a new kitchen in the addition; this allowed the conversion of the previous kitchen into the laundry room, bathroom and walk-in closet that they’d originally requested. “At the beginning of the planning process, we knew we needed to build an addition, but we never expected to include the kitchen in our renovation project,” comments Sue. “When Keith suggested that we put the kitchen into the new addition, we thought his idea was brilliant!”

When construction began in October 2017, the team and homeowners tried to save as many materials as possible, including the Corian countertop from their old kitchen island, which they used for the countertop in their pantry. They also saved three of their old kitchen drawers, using two for hanging shelves in the laundry room while the third (which has the original installation date of June 2, 1950, and the signatures of the two carpenters who built the cabinets) sits on their kitchen counter by the stove.

By repurposing existing elements in the home, Sue and Roger were able to keep some of their personal histories from the home while preserving the historical integrity.

“This home is registered as a historical home and required approval via the city of St. Charles Landmark board,” explains Jeanne. “Additions on the exterior must reflect the original structure

64

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

BEFORE

and meet historic preservation requirements. On the interior, Liston Design Build used trim materials to match the original window and door casing details as well as base molding. Where original interior brick walls existed, we left them exposed.”

Sue worked with Jeanne to spice up her space with inspiration from cozy British kitchens and Scandinavian design, incorporating their varieties of reds, yellows and blues. “The owner had a vision and design direction before we even began—very creative, eclectic and artistic details that blended with the other rooms in their home,” says Jeanne.

“Each day we are awed by the beauty, charm and comfort the Listons helped us create,” says Sue. “Liston Design Build helped us weave a blend of old and new in our historical home with an addition that respects the integrity of our 150-year-old residence. Jeanne and Keith are delightful, and they treated us like family right from the beginning.”

See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

65

From your imagination, we forge reality.

7 Capper Drive Pacific, MO 63069 info@eurekaforge.com 636-271-3200 EurekaForge.com

Artist & Architectural Blacksmiths

100% Custom Forged & Fabricated in STL

Stairs & Balustrades, Driveway & Garden Gates, Railings, Balconies, Historic Restoration and Reproductions, Monumental Sculpture

503 N. Washington Ave., Union, MO 63084 Office: 636-583-2114 • hallbroslumber.com

slhl

SPOTLIGHT

By Barb Wilson Photography provided by Dick Busch Architects

Vive La FRANCE!

Still a homeowner favorite, French provincial styling has influenced American architecture for generations.

Settled by the French and named for King Louis IX, St. Louis’ enduring affinity for all things francais was probably inevitable. Drive through the metro area’s upscale neighborhoods and custom home developments today, and you’re almost sure to find at least one residence that could be described as “French provincial.”

The origins of this architectural style can be traced to the grand chateaux and large farmhouses built in the rural provinces of France during the 17th and 18th centuries. This was a crucial period in French history, coinciding with the Age of Reason and eventually leading to the French Revolution.

In architecture, the era culminated in a return to the simplicity and symmetry of Neoclassicism.

Home elevations of the time tended to be symmetrical and flat, with at least two stories, steep-pitched roofs (originally slate or clay tile), matching chimneys and tall multi-paned windows with wood shutters or rounded arches. Materials and colors were drawn from nature, ranging from the grays and whites of stone to warm browns, beiges and the deep reds of brick and clay. Since France consisted of many provinces, however, certain architectural features varied from region to region.

68

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

A door that leaves a lasting

First Impression

CUSTOM ENTRY DOORS Design • Build • Install

137 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd. Chesterfield, MO 63005 636-530-7545 / scobiscompany.com

BEFORE

BaumHouse design

KITCHENS • BATHS • INTERIOR REMODELING Call to schedule an in-home appointment to discuss your project and visit our website BaumHouseDesign.com for inspiration 11 Vance Rd, St. Louis, MO 63088 • 636-225-9000

AWARD WINNING KITCHEN DESIGN

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

69

slhl

SPOTLIGHT

Here in the U.S., French provincial design gained its foothold in the 1920s, brought back by soldiers returning from the European theater following World War I. Early American versions were an amalgam of features, referred to as “French eclectic” and embraced by affluent owners building their country homes. The style experienced a revival in the 1970s and, since then, has been a consistent favorite with homebuyers of all types.

French Country is usually associated with the design and décor typical of cottages in sunny Provence, where landscape colors— golden yellows, rich reds and browns, dark greens and blues—are emphasized. Other provincial features that have been popular at various times are balconies and stone towers with conical roofs, reminiscent of the silos often attached to traditional farmhouses in Normandy.

Whether inspired by Provence or Normandy, characteristic architectural features may include a mansard, hip, or flared roof, combinations of brick, stone, and/or stucco, round-topped dormers, arches, keystones, corner quoins, wood and painted shutters, copper-roofed bays and windows or gables that break through the eave line.

Reflecting the rustic warmth and casual elegance of the French countryside, these designs translate well to the relaxed lifestyle preferred by many of today’s homeowners. Basic elements focus on soft lines, stonework and colors taken from nature. Texture is similarly

70

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

important and may carry through to the interior with distressed wood beams and plaster or stone walls. Perhaps best of all, the design is highly flexible, allowing for numerous exterior options and a wide range of furnishings, from formal to farmhouse cozy.

Timeless and sophisticated, yet eminently comfortable, French provincial styling is likely to remain popular with St. Louisans for many years to come. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.

Donna F. Boxx, Architect, P.C. boxxarchitect.com

FORNEY + architects, LLC FORNEYplus.com

Dick Busch Architects dickbuscharchitects.com

A RC H I T EC TS

These architectural firms are doing some of the best work in the Greater St. Louis area.

We’re proud to call them our architect partners. Look to them first for your next project.

Jeff Day & Associates jeffdayllc.com

William D. Cover, Architect LLC williamdcoverarchitect.com

Lauren Strutman Architects P.C. laurenstrutmanarchitects.com

Schaub+Srote Architects schaubsrote.com

Brendel Architects, LLC brendelarchitects.com

DL Design DLDesign.com

slhl

CONNECT

SERENE SCENES: YOGA & MEDITATION STUDIOS

By Moe Godat

Places to go, things to do and see and people who are leaving their mark on the world of style.

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability, Edwardsville, IL Photography by Benjamin Lowder

Mill Valley Cabins, Mill Valley, CA Photography by Joe Fletcher The main focus of the design for the Mill Valley Cabins was to inspire imagination and creativity after retirement. They worked with the concept of biophilia, or the theory that an intrinsic bond connects human beings to living systems around them. The architects at Feldman Architecture had to work with the sloping of the site’s land and used the grade to create two small cabins overlooking the surrounding forest, allowing for a perfect view and sense of closeness with the landscape. Nestled comfortably between pines and redwoods, the two cabins, one a yoga studio and the other an artist’s studio, harbor a quiet serenity and connection with nature that gives the owners the atmosphere for reflection and creativity they desired. Because the yoga studio sits lower on the hill, the owners planted a garden on its roof to serve as inspiration for the artists above; the garden also serves to divert rainwater from the studio’s foundation and back safely down the slope. The owners now enjoy a quiet life as part of their beloved forest.

72

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Just outside St. Louis on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville stands The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability. The Center acts as a spiritual center, meditation space and yoga studio for all faiths. The geodesic dome-shaped Center uses natural light and transparency to create an accurate representation of the earth; however, the dome’s designer, Buckminster Fuller, wanted visitors to experience the globe as if they were at its center looking out, meaning all continents and bodies of water are mirror images to what is seen on a map. The planetariumlike nature of the space allows for a sense of orientation within the universe for each individual who enters, making the Center an ideal place for spiritual contemplation while also providing a feeling of “centeredness” for those practicing yoga or meditation. Those who enter the building should use the space to experience something outside of themselves; by looking out at the earth from within, the dome encourages a new, interactive form of self-reflection. Events, devotions celebrations and public programs are held each year by Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Baha’i and Native American faith traditions.

The Sanctuary Thailand, Koh Phangan, Thailand Photography by Jen Armstrong Located on the beautiful Koh Phangan Island in Thailand, The Sanctuary is a place to detox, recharge and find your center again. While this location offers several other experiences, such as massages, their yoga experience is next to none. Connecting with nature is easy on the remote beach of Haad Tien while surrounded by the hundreds of years old Tien trees that grow along the beach line. The yoga studio itself, also called Buddha Hall, has large windows to keep participants immersed in the closeness of the sea and the might of the jungle. While several yoga classes are offered, they are designed to accommodate and assist students who are fasting or detoxing, which many resort visitors do. One interesting aspect of this resort’s location and experience are the ancient granite quartz crystals that it is built on. Tumbled for centuries by the ocean, the crystals’ the duality of ocean and land promote the strong basis of connectivity the resort embraces. The Sanctuary describes itself as a place to simply “be” by exploring yourself thoughtfully and energetically.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

73

find an

EXPERT

stlouishomesmag.com

BAUER FALLS

The Gilder’s Tip FINE FURNITURE FINISHING & RESTORATION CUSTOM BUILT FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES

Clockwise • 18th century japanned tall case clock with a complete hand-painted restoration • Two modern custom-built chairs finished in satin black urethane • A hand-made shagreen and silver box • A custom-made triple vanity

6026 Lloyd Avenue Saint Louis, MO 63110 Gilderstip@gmail.com 314-645-7024 www.thegilderstip.com Instagram @gilderstip

ST. LOUIS’ GOLDEN TICKET

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER RECEIVE AN ENTIRE YEAR OF SLHL FOR ONLY

$15

To take advantage of this offer, send your check along with name, address and telephone number to: St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles, 255 Lamp & Lantern Village Town and Country, MO 63017 Or call Barney at 636-230-9640 ext. 27 Online: stlouishomesmag.com/content/subscribe

MARCH 17-29

FABULOUS FOX THEATRE METROTIX.COM

314-534- 1111

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

75

Outdoor Living

Chesterfield Valley Nursery

With spring coming up, it’s the perfect time to start creating that dynamic outdoor space that the whole family can enjoy. We offer outdoor kitchens that can include anything from a custom countertop, pizza oven, cabinets, barbeque grill, ceramic grill, and mini fridge to a simple yet cozy firepit. Having an outdoor area like this gives you a place to relax and enjoy in the spring, summer, and fall without having to leave your backyard! Other features such as pergola or overhead structures can add a more finished look to a customized outdoor kitchen and/or patio. With these outdoor living spaces, Chesterfield Valley Nursery can create a unique space that feels like an extension of your home. 636-532-9307, ChesterfieldValleyNursery.com.

Bauer Falls

Imagine an organic luxury koi pond that sits five feet deep with a floating patio and stairway overlooking a waterfall that pumps 14,000 gallons of water per hour. Imagine a sheet waterfall that dives into a 100 foot split stream and stumbles down vertical fall, tumbling under an artisan bridge. Imagine your backyard bursting with natural springs that fall gently and spill beneath oak and dogwood trees. Bauer Falls recreates nature at its finest. 636-357-3495, BauerFalls.com.

76

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

Amini’s

St. Louis’ Most Sophisticated Furniture and Lighting Gallery.

Inspired by geometric tile carvings, the BARCLAY BUTERA SIGNATURE COLLECTION for CASTELLE features intricate fretwork, curves, and engineered castings. The designer’s vision is apparent from foot to finial on deep seating, cushion dining, and dining and occasional tables. Within this designer collection, Barclay’s signature white and navy blue color story is impressively presented in the finishing and textile selections. 636-537-9200, AMINIS.com.

Design & Detail

We represent the top vendors and offer the best design resources in the industry. Featuring the Etna Collection from Seasonal Living. 314-781-3336, designanddetailstl.com.

Classic Metal Craft

An ornamental iron drive gate will look beautiful at the entrance to your home. Call on Classic Metal Craft to design a custom gate just for you that works perfectly for your driveway entrance. Or see the large selection of gate designs shown on our website. We can meet with you in person to discuss or we can provide a budget quote based on photos and measurements provided to us of your driveway entrance.

314-535-2022, classicmetalcraft.com.

Forshaw

Inspired by the simplistic curves found in Italian antiques, the Roma collection weaves together richly colored wrought aluminum with subtle details of gold embedded within the frame. Sturdy and timeless, this collection stands the test of time, just like Italian style.

636-527-7655, summerclassics.com/collections/coast.

Poynter Landscape, Architecture & Construction Talented Landscape Architects and Craftsman Builders, right here in St. Louis. Serving St. Louis and the surrounding 100 miles for over 25 years. We design and build complex multi-trade outdoor spaces be it 1 or 2 items or everything under the sun including fireplaces, terraces, kitchens, pergolas, pavilions, pool houses, decks, walls, pools, water features, lighting, landscaping, and more. The Experts in Outdoor Living! 636-256-2600, PoynterLandscape.com.

Schmittel’s Nursery

Early Spring is predicted! Great time to start planning and seeing your outdoor dreams come to life. Patios are the center of outdoor living and entertaining. The new trends are using the natural element of Flagstone, to create a warm, earthy, organic space for you to enjoy in every season. Let Schmittel’s Nursery, design and install the perfect patio for you. We will be there every step of the way. There is a flagstone choice for every backyard, a shape to fit every need. Give Schmittel’s Nursery a call to make your outdoor living areas a reality this season. 314-469-8900, schmittelsnursery.com.

STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

77

Marketplace

natural stone & quartz countertops 4160 Meramec Street, Saint Louis, MO 63116 314-771-1234 ∫ www.russostoneandtile.com

See our work on pages 30-37

Kitchens Vanities Bookcases Closets

See our work on pages 16 & 17

Two convenient locations St. Louis, MO • Aviston, IL Call for a free design consultation 314-556-9811 • youtopiadesigns.com

78

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

314-436-1494

markuscabinet.com

Marketplace

afternoon tea The perfect place for

3128 Morganford Road,1 block south of Tower Grove Park 314-241-6556 • thelondontearoom.com

See our work on pages 38-45

Call us for new iron projects and repairs to existing handrails and fencing.

Fresh Interiors. Historic Perspective

314~535~2022

314.324.3182

1315 S. Vandeventer St. Louis, MO

Visit our Showroom:

lauraleehome.com

Laura Lee H O ME

classicmetalcraft.com STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM MARCH 2020

79

slhl

CLASSIC OR CRAZE

Flirting with FILAMENT Made to look like Thomas Edison’s original light bulb, the Edison bulb of today comes in many styles. Local design professionals shed some light on what they think of them.

Edited by Moe Godat

CLASSIC

The Edison bulb has become a staple for an elegant look to warm up any room with its warm glow. It emulates the warmth of a candle and can be very flattering, making a warm and cozy look, no matter what your style, be it Victorian, Farmhouse or turn of the century 1900s. Incandescent Edison filament uses 5 -10 times more power than any bulb on the market. We now have LED Edison bulbs that are far more efficient than the incandescent filaments. They offer a warm color as the incandescent, coming in at 2000K. The standard Edison will last 3000 hours compared to 15,000 LED. The shape is also more appealing than our standard incandescent bulb. Elizabeth Darrish, Amini’s.

Thomas Edison’s contribution to the electrical and lighting industry cannot ever be diminished or overlooked, it changed the way humanity lives. So, I say yes, the Edison Vintage Lamp deserves to be a part of every advancement in design and style! Mike Craft, Metro Lighting.

The Edison bulb is a classic because it can work in many different designs, whether it’s a modern eclectic look, a rustic farmhouse vibe or a streamlined transitional design. Our customers who want a return to authenticity are drawn to the nostalgic look of the bulb. Many of our customers enjoy the look of the Edison bulb cluster together in a foyer or over a dining table. The only location to not use the Edison bulb is the main bathroom in that amber light is not ideal for applying makeup or shaving. Lars Johansen, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery.

I feel this look is timeless. With the number of outdoor kitchens, living areas and wineries being so popular, we believe this look will be around for a long time and is a classic. Michael Horwedel, Mary Tuttle’s.

BOTH

Both! Many light fixtures have been designed specifically for the use of exposed Edison bulbs, so though it may have been a craze for the past few years, we think people will continue to use Edison style lighting in the future. Mary Price , Brody’s.

80

MARCH 2020 STLOUISHOMESMAG.COM

CRAZE

Craze. We are always looking back at history for inspiration, seeking a different take on the mundane.

And let’s face it: light bulbs are not at the top of your decorating list, but they are an element in the design of every room. Adding an Edison bulb to the clear glass hanging pendants over your island instantly changes the look. They are fun and of the moment, but the public will grow tired of looking at the mechanics and eventually switch back to frosted bulbs to create a softer illumination for their rooms. CJ Knapp, Yours By Design.

The Edison light bulb is a craze that is on its way out along with the "farmhouse" and "industrial" design fads that you normally see them in. I have never used these lamps simply because they are incredibly inefficient, producing far less light output (lumens) per watt than other standard lamps. I also think they look "busy" and detract from the light fixture itself. I tend to select lamps that distribute light evenly and are easy on the eyes if exposed.

Kerry Russell, Youtopia Designs.

Edison lighting is totally trendy. The biggest draw in using the exposed Edison bulb is the squiggly filament, which emits an amber or orange-ish glow for a vintage look. The exposed Edison bulb has been a popular choice in restaurants that want an old-time, almost candle-like atmosphere. The light emitted from an Edison bulb provides a very unique ambient glow but is not an ideal choice for task lighting. If using Edison bulbs in a residential space, other layers of light are needed. Again, Edison lighting is a trendy lighting choice that works well in certain applications but is not a classic design element.

Barbara Collins, Barbara Collins Interior Design.

D E S I G N | S O U R C E | C R E AT E

125 years of Quality Custom Cabinetry Plato Cabinetry Interior Designer Bobby Slavin, Builder Slavin Homes Alise O'Brien Photography

Award-Winning Designs • National Recognition 16668 Old Chesterfield Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017 (c) 314-482-5590 ⠄ (o) 636-778-3008 www.accentoncabinets.com