Builder McKelvey Homes Photography by Alise O’Brien
20. FEELS LIKE HOME
By enlisting the design expertise of family members and good friends, a couple reclaims their outdated home with a transformative renovation that finally feels like them.
28. FAMILY AFFAIR
Frontenac new build provides harmonious spaces for both private retreats and shared experiences for multiple generations of one family.
38. THE ART OF PATIENCE
Jesse Gilbertson combines his creativity and horticulture knowledge through the meditative study of bonsai.
On the cover page 23.
The extensive project included the entire main floor and three bathrooms, areas of the home the family uses the most. The Nulls enjoy everything about their renovation and how it feels upscale and complete while still being comfortable.
by Alise O'Brien.
Photography
A LASTING First Impression
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Alise O’Brien Photography, Anne Matheis, Ashley Giesking, Colin Miller/ Strauss Peyton, Jason O’Rear, Jay Baker, John Egan, Karen Palmer, Megan Lorenz, Matthew Werre, Melissa Gerstle Design
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—Unknown
How is everyone doing with their New Year's resolutions? I had given myself a realistic goal of two months to get my closet organized, and I'm almost there! They say that your life will become less hectic and more efficient once you tackle the task of putting things in their proper places. I can attest to that. Getting dressed in the morning already is so much easier with the omission of clothes I no longer wear out of sight!
We highlight two design firms in this issue that focus on the importance of utilizing spaces to their fullest. Chelsea Smith, owner of Chelsea Design Company, prioritized organization in order to maximize the functionality of spaces in a major remodeling project she recently undertook (pages 20-27). Molly Archeski, interior designer with Srote & Co, coordinated a multigenerational new build, taking into account the grandparents' and active teenagers' input
in order to meet the needs of all family members, resulting in one large, happy family (pages 28-37)!
A family's happiness can also be further achieved by securing a home in the neighborhood of their dreams. Infill custom home building has become extremely popular in the past few years, but there are some important guidelines you must keep in mind before making that leap. Our architect and builder partners share how to go about building that dream home in an established neighborhood. Plus, guidelines you need to adhere to if making the decision to remain in your existing home in a neighborhood you love but updating the exterior elevation and interior spaces extensively without rocking the boat with homeowner associations and the local municipalities (pages 16-17)!
Getting organized and staying organized are two goals I hope to conquer this year. I hope staying organized isn't as hard as getting organized!
Enjoy,
Suzie Osterloh Publisher/Owner
PAGES 20-27
PAGES 28-37
Luxury Living ON YOUR LAND
Build a Fischer & Frichtel home on your land! Simply choose a home design from our collection and customize it with our wide range of options. We will guide you through the entire process: evaluation of the land, financing, architectural and municipal requirements, construction and closing. Call or visit our website, and tour the stunning display homes in our master-planned communities and intimate enclaves throughout St. Charles and St. Louis counties. You will love the Fischer & Frichtel experience.
Shake off cold and dreary days with a springtime refresh.
to SpringLife
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Hand-blown glass taper candlestick candle holders, available at Blue Dahlia Designs.
Sarandi jute rug in natural, available at RH.
Blue hydrangea tidbit bowl, available at Blue Dahlia Designs.
Gavi jute chandelier, available at Article.
Rose garden wall art, available at Anthropologie.
Uttermost credenza, available at Metro Lighting.
Currey & Co. lamp, available at Metro Lighting.
Fluerie pillow cover, available at Frontgate.
Arbor taper candle
MacKenzie-Childs lumbar throw pillow, available at Three French Hens.
Como petite table lamp in coastal blue, available at Serena & Lily.
Alma smoky wall mirror, available at Article.
Washed cotton floral throw, available at Ethan Allen.
Gemma green pendant lamp, available at Article.
Kravet aboretum cachepot, available at Pottery Barn.
holder, available at Serena & Lily.
Uttermost ottoman, available at Metro Lighting.
Brilliant
Shades
Artist Sharon Marie Hayes does unforgettably colorful work.
By Michelle Mastro
Sometimes all it takes is great art to enliven a space. No one knows that better than artist and creative director Sharon Marie Hayes, recognized for her vibrant contemporary figurative and abstract oil paintings. Her impressive client roster as a creative director includes The Coca-Cola Company, The Kellogg Company, Hasbro and HBO Television, to mention a few.
A freelance artist since the 1980s, Hayes has regularly been commissioned for custom oil paintings. St Louis restaurant and business owners hire her for her artistic eye, but she has also been known for her line of Christian art collected by local priests for churches and private collections. Hayes was commissioned, for example, by Father Biondi when he was President at Saint Louis University for three
paintings later installed in the Busch Student Center.
Perhaps one of her greatest—and most recent—projects is a grand mural for St. Monica’s Church in Creve Coeur. This marks the first time she has created work specifically for a church, covering the walls in the church with smaller artwork as well as the sanctuary, which received a 40 foot wide and 17 foot tall mural she designed flanking the church's existing crucifix and illuminating Christ in pops of brilliant colors.
The mural was meant to usher light and life back into the space and be a visual extension of the Host during mass. St Monica’s Church experienced a fire many years back, leaving the sanctuary desolate and barren. A fan of her work, Father Sebastian Mandackal
Portrait photography by Colin Miller/Strauss Peyton Artwork photography provided by Sharon Marie Hayes
Let's Beach it! Light of Men
The Harbor Pelican
reached out to Hayes to create the artwork for the ambitious mural that would set the right tone for the building and inspire attendees. This was after she donated a painting in honor of Monsignor Schneider that was framed with a gold leaf wooden frame donated by The Great Frame-Up in Clayton.
The mural would prove a massive undertaking, but one Hayes couldn’t wait to start. “Although many people sought the priest’s advice and attended church, it was the sort of space that no one wanted to get married in,” Hayes reveals, describing what the sanctuary looked like when she stepped in to review it. “There were just banners in the sanctuary, and they looked like they were from the 1970s and a bit outdated,” she adds.
“But that was all they could do to cover what the fire had left.” The side walls were painted blue to which she added a gold leafing effect. Next, she layered in the crescent shaped colors surrounding the figure of Christ on the sanctuary wall. The designs were then installed by Image 360.
The work for the church follows another recent piece she’s created, a contemporary figurative oil painting called “The Ascension” and depicts Christ being lifted into the heavens by a band of singing angels. For Hayes, she sees the two works as complementary, as both depict Christ but offer two very different styles she excels in: abstract pieces and more contemporary figurative oil paintings. While the church
mural looks at the glory of figure, the oil painting reminds viewers of the arduous experience he underwent, with the black background noting the darkness Christ is being lifted from, his wounds have been healed, but signs of exhaustion are evident in his expression. “The oil painting will be at auction and the money raised will be donated to a charitable foundation in honor of Monsignor Nicholas Schneider, who passed during Covid, but no formal memorial could be held,” she says. As with her mural in the church, Hayes hopes her art can bring light from darkness. See more of her work at HayesFineArts.com.
See stlouishomesmag.com for more photos and resources.
Clockwise: Vivienne, Sharon at St. Monica Church, Smoking Pens, The Gathering.
We’ve lived in a lot of houses, all fairly new. This is the most comfortable home we have lived in. The air is always fresh and clean and the electric bill is the lowest. Whatever you’re doing through ZERH, it’s working.
—Karen - Houzz
It’s not about how many homes we build a year, it’s about ensuring each of our homes is constructed, inspected, and verified to the most rigorous standards in the country – DOE, Zero Energy Ready Homes.
Call us today to set up your free consultation.
glenalspaughkitchens.com Cabinetry Design by Christine Paul, chrispaul@glenalspaugh.com Interior Design by Laurie LeBoeuf, Castle Design Alise O’Brien Photography See our work on pages 56 & 57.
Enhancing Your Home
Neighborhoods are made of people and the character of the buildings. If you like both and want to imitate the existing character—you are set. If you want to change the character of the building to something different, like something more modern with larger glass
Setting Down ROOTS
Design professionals talk about the many benefits and opportunities that come from infill construction.
Edited by Maya Brenningmeyer
Infill construction is the construction of new homes or buildings on previously unused land in an existing neighborhood. This process can help homeowners stay in neighborhoods they love while upgrading their living spaces. Infill construction can also involve the construction of a new home in the place of an older home that is unsafe to renovate, as well as the creation of a neighborhood development on an unused property. This construction process has added environmental benefits as it lowers the amount of open space or agricultural land used for construction and brings new opportunities to the surrounding community. We’ve asked local architects, builders, interior designers and professionals to give insight into infill construction and its many benefits.
in the front of the home, then make sure you can do that by checking for indentures, homeowners regulations and architectural review boards. They may have regulations that will prevent or restrict what you’d like to do.
—Susan Bower, Bower Leet Design
A Careful Balance
Designing a custom home in an established neighborhood requires careful planning to balance your vision with zoning regulations, neighborhood character and site constraints. Engaging Srote & Co's team early to navigate approvals, optimize
the design for the lot and ensure a smooth design process is critical. Thoughtful design, clear communication with neighbors and strategic planning will result in a home that feels distinctive and harmonious with its surroundings.
—Robert Srote, Srote & Co Architects
New and Noteworthy Builds
Building a new home in a neighborhood you've always dreamed of living in can easily come true if you move fast. Architects, custom builders and homeowners can closely watch the real estate market for that single lot to become available in your desired location. For example, we had our eyes set on a prime Sunset Hills 28-acre parcel of land that backed up to Sunset Country Club and quickly purchased it once it was available. At our Sunset Reserve home site, homeowners can choose the architect and build their custom home in an established municipality. With infill custom building, prime building opportunities are scarce and the buyer has to move fast in order to secure the neighborhood of their dreams when purchasing their lot.
—Mike Borzillo, A.J. Borzillo
Design Guidelines
Tips we would offer to an owner thinking about embarking on an infill project are: review local zoning laws, setback requirements and design guidelines to ensure your project complies with neighborhood regulations; prioritize a design that respects the neighborhood’s character while ensuring the home meets your family’s
A Combination of Personalization and Character
Building an infill home within an existing neighborhood in the St. Louis area can be an exciting journey, blending personalized design with the character of existing homes. The process usually begins with finding a suitable homesite accounting for factors like buildable area, existing easements, utilities location, zoning laws and the architectural style of the surrounding homes. Collaborating with a reputable builder familiar with local regulations and community standards is crucial. The process involves designing a home that is in harmony with the neighborhood while also meeting the specific needs and tastes of the homeowner. — Jim Brennan, McKelvey Homes
unique needs for space, light and privacy; and lastly, communicate with local officials, neighbors and your architect early in the process to address concerns, streamline approvals and foster a positive relationship with the community.
—David Schaub, Schaub Projects
INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
The Sound Room provides complete solutions for home theaters, audio video systems, smart home automation, outdoor entertainment, lighting, motorized window treatments and security. We serve designers, architects, builders and remodelers to ensure their clients get technology that enhances the home and is integrated in a way the entire family will enjoy.
TRIED AND TRUE
The Sound Room has been the trusted technology advisor for over 40 years providing expertise with our client’s best interests in mind. If you have a vision for your home technology the Sound Room can make it happen with a seamless and manageable process Visit The Sound Room showroom and experience exactly how technology can enhance your home and lifestyle.
OUTDOOR MUSIC
The unique room shape and repetitive curves in the dining room design create an elegant and calming first impression. A glass chandelier highlights a faceted, vaulted ceiling, illuminating a large six-foot round dining room table with a walnut top and pewter metal base. Simple vegan leather chairs are anchored by a round contemporary rug that repeats the lines of the chandelier and the water ripples of two canvas prints.
Feels Like Home
By enlisting the design expertise of family members and good friends, a couple reclaims their outdated home with a transformative renovation that finally feels like them.
By Jeanne Delathouder
by
Alise O'Brien
Contactor Wise Brothers Contracting LLC
Interior Design Chelsea Design Company
Even after living in their home for ten years, Lisa and Scott Null never felt like it was truly theirs. Located in Wildwood, in the suburban hills of Chesterfield, the original layout and interiors didn’t match their tastes or personalities. When they purchased the property in 2012, the home’s color scheme was burgundy, beige and orange. “The colors were very dark and even with tons of windows in our house, it never felt like we had enough light,” says Lisa. “We wanted a brighter vibe on our main floor, and the kitchen had always been at the top of our renovation list.”
Luckily, the Nulls had close connections in the d esign community. Their niece, Chelsea Smith, owner of Chelsea Design Company, and her preferred building partner, Konnor Sincox, of Wise Brothers Contracting, were first hired in 2021 to remodel the couple’s primary bathroom. Once complete, they moved on to the kitchen. After many starts and stops—during which Chelsea and her husband welcomed two baby boys to their family—the Smith/Sincox team continued the home renovation plans and finished the 3,200-square-foot project in June 2024.
“What drew Scott and Lisa to this home ten years ago was the interior architecture,” says Smith, “specifically the ceiling lines and height changes that created a spacious and contemporary interior. They prefer a clean, calming and elegant yet comfortable environment that references nature and accentuates their beautiful windows and treetop views.”
As business owners in the tech industry, the Nulls wanted their home to be an escape from their work lives and reflect a streamlined, neutral aesthetic. Their new color scheme casually blends blues, greens, grays,
Photography
taupes and browns with modern patterns, organic shapes and artworks that do not compete with the architecture and views.
“The wide plank white oak floors throughout the main floor set the stage for the transformation of this place,” says Sincox.
“When we started, it looked like something out of the 90s—glass tile, bad paint colors, failing appliances and too much carpet. From there, everything started to shape up.”
The home’s interior architecture leans contemporary with interesting ceiling changes, angles, archways and open, twostory staircases. “When we installed the new white oak wood floors throughout the first floor, the interior footprint felt like it doubled in size,” Smith adds. “The treetop views, grand windows and a strategic tree planted just off the living room draw you into the house.”
The Nulls and their niece aligned on the notion of “ev erything having a place,” emphasizing organization and incorporating interesting details from early planning, such as the kitchen refrigerator columns, tiled
hood and the primary bathroom shower. They also enjoyed drawing inspiration from nature for a calming environment, and Smith pushed the homeowners’ style boundaries with exciting but easy-to-care-for finishes.
“Because these clients are my aunt and uncle, our communication was uncomplicated and cohesive, which kept us on the same page throughout the multi-year project,” says Smith. “They also put a lot of trust in Konnor and me, allowing us to curate a home aesthetic beyond what they could have imagined. They were also warm and understanding of my growing family and were able to plan timelines to work in both our favor. I am so thankful the stars aligned the way they did because it allowed us to spend more time than usual together during these precious, nostalgic moments.”
The architecture and views inspired the entire design aesthetic. Smith accentuated all these elements with the color palette and material selections, weaving the juxtaposition of natural movement with structured pattern
This incredible kitchen space was a gold winner in St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles' 2025 Kitchen of the Year contest.
The living room reveals a cohesive design as you enter the house, with a wall of windows spotlighting a plush green tree, a pair of stunning burled-wood entertainment consoles, and commissioned artwork by Susan Greene. The herringbone fireplace creates a dazzling focal point, harmonizing with this colorful space’s soft curves and textural details.
The upstairs primary bedroom features a bold paint choice with a moody turquoise hue, and a soft textural carpet complements the rich walnut cabinetry. A sculptural ceiling fixture reminiscent of clouds repeats the home’s curvy lighting theme. The room also displays a cherished collection of family photos and objects that spark personal joy with the homeowners.
in every detail. “We didn’t want one thing to pop and overwhelm the room, but instead allow you to sit back and enjoy the unraveling of natural materials as your eye works its way around the room,” she notes.
“The tilework by Luke Spain of Immaculate Tile was a game changer,” adds Sincox. “He worked with us on the primary bathroom and always does an incredible job. Running the backsplash to the ceiling and around the custom hood creates an interesting and unique finish that makes a big statement in the kitchen. Chelsea, Scott and Lisa also picked some unique cabinet finishes—the panel style on the walnut cabinetry is something I had never seen before, and it turned out very cool.”
Other statement features include the lighting selections—one requiring a winch in the attic to hang an eight-foot foyer light weighing over 200 pounds. For the main floor fireplace, the team was able to salvage the firebox and update the log set and valve, so the system runs on a remote control. A dynamic marble mosaic on the face of the fireplace gives the room an eye-grabbing visual wow factor. “One of Chelsea’s best strengths is understanding her client’s style and personal taste and incorporating that into her overall design,” says Scott. “Lisa and I are not flashy people—we prefer our home to be comfortable and functional for our family but also appreciate a beautiful space with details that feel personal and special. Chelsea and Konnor’s team kept our goals front of mind throughout the entire design process.”
Even before the renovation began, the Nulls had planned to remain in their house for the project’s duration. So, the team start ed by setting up a comfortable living space in their unfinished basement. They removed their existing k itchen cabinets and set up a temp kitchen equipped with a full-size sink, microwave and laundry. They even set up their T V, couch and dining table to ensure they would be as comfortable as possible in the basement while waiting for their new space.
“The joy of work ing on this project is one that we get to share on every project,” says Sincox. “For years, Chelsea and I have been building a group around us that makes going in and doing what we do feel good. Chelsea’s team, our electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, tile setters, painters, solid surface installers and hardwood guys are all the best in the business, and we are super fortunate to be surrounded by such talented and awesome people every day.”
The extensive project included the entire main floor and three bathrooms, areas of the home the family uses the most. The Nulls enjoy everything about their renovation and how it feels upscale and complete while still being comfortable.
“The kitchen is so much more usable and beautiful than before, and we love hanging out in our living room together, where there is plenty of seating space for everyone,” Lisa notes.
“My favorite part is that everything feels like us, even though we wouldn’t have been able to accomplish any of this without Chelsea’s incredible talent or Konnor and his team’s expertise.”
See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
Top: A powder bathroom off the living room emits a decidedly feminine aesthetic with a whimsical wallpaper enveloping guests with warmth and textural interest. Left: The primary bathroom reiterates the dwelling’s organic and structural balance with Venetian plaster walls by Susan Greene, vertical marble enhancements, and rich walnut cabinetry with matching grain slab drawer fronts. Large mirrors work to amplify the space visually.
The primary bathroom’s angled ceiling is accentuated by polished shower tile and a rain shower head, allowing for a spacious and bright space flooded with natural light.
The tall cabinets on either side of the counter conceal a coffee bar in one and a dry bar in the other. “These doors can close, and it all looks neat and clean,” says Molly, who notes the open counter area also serves as a buffet station. Pottery and accessories pay tribute to the family’s heritage.
FAMILY
By Kim Hill Photography Megan Lorenz Architect + Interior Design Srote & Co Architects Builder Tegethoff Homes
T AFFAIR
David Stine Furniture crafted the custom 66-inch round table for the family room. “We needed a large table like this to ground the space,” says designer Molly Archeski. “Any sort of ready-made coffee table would have felt like a postage stamp in this room.” Plum accent pillows add a shot of color.
Frontenac new build provides harmonious spaces for both private retreats and shared experiences for multiple generations of one family.
he owners of this home both grew up in multi-generational families, where grandparents resided with them. It seemed natural, then, the practice would continue, with the husband’s parents living with them when the couple started having children. It is an arrangement that has worked well for the extended family, but the couple felt it could be even better. They imagined a larger home with extensive public spaces for entertaining and gathering yet with ample private spaces for each family member, a place where the husband’s parents felt it was also ‘theirs.’ “When we built our previous home, it was all our choices and priorities,” the wife says. “Building this house would be the first opportunity to not only incorporate his parents’ ideas but our boys to some extent. That’s how we started.”
The husband says their goals included having two primary suites on the main floor along with open concept living, cooking and eating spaces for the family as a unit. The couple interviewed several reputable builders, but felt an immediate connection to Jim Tegethoff, owner of Tegethoff Homes. “We had an instant trust with Jim and his transparency in doing things,” says the husband. Jim introduced the couple to Robert Srote, principal of
Designer Molly Archeski is particularly pleased with the design of the family room, including the fireplace purchased from Forshaw. “The floating hearth highlights the beauty of the fireplace architecture. And it’s large — that’s an 85-inch TV over the fireplace — yet it doesn’t feel enormous in the space because we perfected the scale and proportion. We worked with Crenshaw Lighting to create a custom chandelier to center the space and draw your eye to the coffered ceiling.”
Top: Throughout the home, nods to the family’s Indian heritage abound. In the front entry, a table with an inlay ivory top anchors the space, while an intricately carved wood mirror hangs over a sleek modern bench. The entry opens to the family room with views of the lanai and pool beyond.
Outside: The award-winning lanai is a favorite of the entire family and the design professionals who brought it to fruition. The glass door retracts completely, helping blur the boundaries between the adjacent family room and the lanai and creating a fluid, dynamic space for relaxing and entertaining, says architect Robert Srote. Curved frames for the outdoor furniture soften the space’s harder angles, which features squared or rectangular geometry in the doors, board and batten siding, and the room itself, says designer Molly Archeski.
Right: The wife’s office is bathed in Sherwin-Williams Breeze, a relaxed slate blue. The lotus-shaped pendant light fixture nods to the family’s Indian heritage. “It just brings me joy to be in this space,” says the wife. On workdays, she’s often joined by Cody, the family’s Australian labradoodle.
Srote & Co Architects. “Designing a multi-generational home is a refreshing and rewarding challenge,” says Robert. “It requires an artful balance of crafting spaces that honor the unique needs of each generation while weaving them together into a cohesive and functional design. The intrigue lies in harmonizing diverse lifestyles under one roof, creating a home that feels both connected and accommodating.”
Part of the functional design included emphasis on the public spaces including the kitchen and outdoor areas. “Cooking and eating are a big deal in our family,” says the wife. And the husband laughs that “cooking is my mom’s love language. She was very involved in the layout and functionality of the kitchen design.”
And the boys, now entering their teen years? “They were Team Pool all the way,” says the wife. “And the movie theatre was very important. We love watching movies together, so that shared space in the basement was also a priority.”
One of the project’s happy surprises was the family’s introduction to Molly Archeski, Srote & Co interior designer. “My husband had to push me to have Molly as a resource,” says the wife. “We are super organized people who make decisions quickly. I just didn’t think we needed someone to help us with design.” The wife quickly appreciated Molly’s expertise, organizational skills and productivity. “I don’t know if my experience would have been the same without having Molly,” she says.
The interior designer describes the couple’s design style as a “clean transitional” look. “They like clean lines and not too much fussiness when it comes to the details,” says Molly, who also incorporated low-maintenance materials throughout the home.
The vent hood and island are painted in Sherwin-Williams Waterloo, a deep blue with tones of warm gray. “It’s more interesting than the standard navy,” says interior designer Molly Archeski. “We used this shade in varying levels of lightness and darkness throughout the house.” Touches of gold in the Brittanicca colorway complement cabinetry hardware and the light fixtures. The Cambria quartz draws the eye to the range wall.
Molly’s pièce de résistance is the lanai, a favorite of the entire family and the design professionals. Visible from the home’s front entry, the space features an outdoor kitchen, mechanized roller shades to keep heat in and cold out, and a dazzling ceiling treatment which solves an engineering challenge beautifully. “The lanai has a very high ceiling, and we didn’t want to install ceiling heaters and have the heat dissipate before it gets down to where you can actually enjoy it,” says Jim. “We had the electrician run some calculations to determine how much the ceiling had to be lowered. Then Molly went to work coming up with a unique design to not only bring the location of the heaters down so you can appreciate the heat but also create a dramatic effect.” The end result is so beautifully clever it won the Grand Prize in an Outdoor Living Design contest sponsored by heater manufacturer Infratech.
Robert notes that the seamless connection between the lanai and the family room fosters a harmonious interplay between indoor and outdoor living. “This design blurs the boundaries between the two, inviting nature into the heart of the room and creating a fluid, dynamic space for relaxation and entertainment,” he says. A huge glass door retracts to help blur those boundaries, and the door’s installation flush with the floor allows for ease of mobility, especially as parents age, Molly notes.
Top:The owners’ suite is one of two primaries on the main floor. The accent wall is painted in Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore, a deep charcoal adding sophistication to the serene space. Right: Timeless and sleek, the primary bath vanity is bathed in Sherwin-Williams Waterloo, the same shade used for the mudroom built-ins and the kitchen range hood.
The wet room concept accomplished several design objectives, according to Molly Archeski. “They wanted a bigger shower and a freestanding tub, but trying to do those spaces separately wasn’t working as well. This helps us keep the footprint of the bathroom compact and still feel really spacious.” A frameless glass shower door showcases the tile, allows the room to feel larger, and is easier to clean with fewer nooks and crannies.
The vast lower level has multiple areas for a variety of pursuits, including a pool table, ample seating for conversation and watching TV, and a bar area. The black-and-white photos pay tribute to locations with special meaning to the family. Cody, the family’s pet, appreciates the comfy sectional covered in performance fabric.
The lower level is an entertainment mecca, with a bar area, pool table, a movie theatre and a golf simulator. “It kind of started as a joke that we’d make a space for a future golf simulator, and then they decided to go ahead and do it now,” says Jim. “It became a multi-function room with interactive games like soccer as well as the golf simulator.”
Tying all the technology together, from the lanai ’s motorized roller shades to the movie theatre, the golf simulator, multiple TV zones and outdoor audio/video, fell to HD Media Systems. “We provided the network, alarm, security cameras, all the distributed systems throughout the house,” says co-owner Drew Balsman. “This project had lots of different systems going and yet it just works because we kept it simple, using tried-and-true practices and gear that we know will achieve the desired outcome.”
The couple says the home has exceeded their expectations. “I think it has brought the family even closer together without us on top of each other,” says the husband. “My parents would probably just say how proud they are, but we notice they have friends come here on a regular basis. At our old house, they always went somewhere else with friends because it was just too tight. They have a larger social life now.”
Both owners give high praise to the entire team—Jim and Tegethoff Homes vice president Matt Cerretti, Tegethoff contractors, Robert and Molly of Srote & Co, and many others. “We loved how much pride they all took in their work, and they treated the house as if this was their own home,” says the wife. “I loved that.” The husband adds: “They all created our dream.” See stlouishomesmag.com for resources and additional photos.
The bar area is just one space in the lower level where guests can hang out, converse, catch a game or enjoy refreshments.
By Lucyann Boston
Photography by Kim Dillon
The Art of PATIENCE
Jesse Gilbertson combines his creativity and horticulture knowledge through the meditative study of bonsai.
esse Gilbertson first discovered the concept of bonsai during a landscape design class at the University of Missouri. “One of our projects involved a table full of small trees, a table full of decorative pots and piles of rocks. We had to take a tree and match it with a pot and match it with some rocks,” he explains.
While he doesn’t remember his grade for that project, the concept of matching small trees and pots and rocks developed into a lifetime passion. He shared that love with hundreds of others during last summer’s Missouri Botanical Garden tour of outstanding St. Louis gardens.
The concept of bonsai, developed over a thousand years ago in Japan, is basically the process of growing and shaping miniature trees in containers to mimic the appearance of an old tree in nature. “Bonsai,” Jesse notes, roughly translates as ‘tree in a tray.’”
There is no question why the concept of creating an exquisitely beautiful piece of living art appealed to Jesse, who began his studies at Mizzou as an art major. He switched to horticulture when his interest in landscapes was noted by a faculty member who suggested he investigate landscape architecture as a three-dimensional outlet for his creative instincts.
While he admits he didn’t know a lot about horticulture originally and had some catching up to do in terms of his plant knowledge, his “fascination” with trees had been there from childhood. “One of my earliest memories is the smell of crabapples in bloom,” he recalls.
“When I was young we lived in Germany for a while. There was a plum orchard behind our house and a remnant of the Black Forest. Many humans’ first memories actually involve trees,” he says. “We take them for granted. We don’t take the time to stop and appreciate these beautiful organisms for what they contribute to every part of our lives.”
Following college, his first job involved living and working at the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, where, “I got to experience working with native plant landscapes hands on. It was a great experience.” From there, he moved on to the Missouri Botanical Garden itself, where he helped maintain the historic area of the garden, surrounding garden founder Henry Shaw’s Tower Grove House and the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum building. “I fell in love with Henry Shaw’s concept of bringing gardens to the general public,” he says.
Jesse did just that when he became a horticulturist, designing and maintaining landscapes at Forest Park Forever. When U. City in Bloom was looking for a director of horticulture to manage the team that oversees over 70 public garden spaces, a volunteer at Forest Park Forever suggested they contact Jesse. He has headed that program for nearly 11 years. In addition, he has his own business, TreeStyle: Aesthetic
“There
are trees in Japan that have been passed down generation to generation and are hundreds of years old.
Pruning, working for a select group of clients with Japanese-style gardens.
Throughout his career promoting and maintaining public gardens, Jesse was privately kindling his growing passion for creating landscapes in miniature through the study of bonsai. Following college, he joined the Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis in 2000, as one of the youngest members of that group. He has since gone on to serve two terms as vice president and two terms as president of the society.
One of the things he most enjoys about the art of bonsai, Jesse says, is that he is always learning. “I have had many mentors and teachers.” His current teacher, who was trained in Japan, lives in North Carolina and comes to St. Louis three times per year to work with a study group composed of the most serious members of the Bonsai Society.
In practice, bonsai specimens are kept
—Jesse
small by the size of the container and by repotting each tree every few years, pruning off the larger roots while maintaining the smaller feeder roots. Branches can be positioned with copper wire to “represent nature in miniature.” Bonsai specimens are “like a Phoenix, always rising,” he explains. “They may be very old, but they are reinvigorated every time you prune them and repot them.
“There are trees in Japan that have been passed down generation to generation and are hundreds of years old. I still have some that I started with that are 25 years old. “I am always starting new trees and projects to improve my collection of about 80 trees,” he continues. “I particularly like to work with hardy deciduous trees; Japanese maples, hornbeams and elms. I also love traditional junipers and pines. All trees have different requirements.” Keeping them healthy
“requires a lot of knowledge,” he notes. He sees bonsai as a way to bring something from a natural environment into a small, urban space.
If he had to pick a favorite tree, it would be a maple for beautiful buds and electric silver bark in winter and the bright leaves and small flowers that emerge in spring. “In summer, they just remind you of a shady tree you would want to sit under, and in fall, the leaves turn to yellow and orange, even pink.”
While the type of tree is important, so is the choice of container, Jesse notes. Intrinsic to the art is selecting “a container that accentuates and highlights a tree,” he explains. “There are some things that need more water, but you have to select a pot that is proportional to the tree, so the tree becomes the focal point. I enjoy collecting pots from Japan, China and the United States.” Even so, he adds, “sometimes it seems I never have the right pot for the tree. I’m continually playing with the right tree and pot combination.”
Jesse’s bonsai specimens are displayed on platforms and tables throughout the fountain-centered back courtyard of the brick, federal-style home in South City he shares with his wife Amy. Low-growing perennials and shrubs soften the property edges and allow the bonsai to shine. “Our house is very formal, and we wanted to create an ornamental garden that respects that,” he explains, noting that Amy put her territorial stake in the ground with the creation of a vegetable garden and by helping with general landscaping. “I don’t do anything in the garden without her approval. Without her the garden wouldn’t be nearly as pretty.”
In growing season, Jesse begins each morning “watering my trees while I sip some coffee and make sure everything is happy and healthy. It is my morning meditative routine. I love that I have been able to model a career that I enjoy and a hobby that is my passion and do it in my own garden where I find peace and solace.”
The Bonsai Society of Greater St. Louis meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Garden’s Commerce Bank Center for Science Education, 4651 Shaw Blvd., 63110. For additional information visit the Bonsai Society’s website at www.stlbonsai.com. To see some of the beautiful work U. City in Bloom does in University City, visit ucityinbloom.org. See stlouishomesmag. com for resources and additional photos.
A Natural Nuisance
Battling weeds can be one of the most difficult parts of cultivating a garden. Knowing what you’re up against and the solutions available to you can make kicking out unwanted weeds a breeze.
March might be too early to officially start your planting, but it doesn’t mean it’s too early to continue preparing your garden for the warmer months. One of the biggest challenges gardeners face are weeds. Classified as any plant growing in the wrong place, weeds can choke out your plants causing them to grow slower or smaller and forcing them to compete for nutrients and sunlight. Weeds can also become homes for garden pests that can further harm your plants and make it difficult for you to create the garden of your dreams. To ensure you have all the tools you need to combat weeds and protect your plants, it’s important to have a solid grasp on weeds and their role in your garden.
Productive Pests
Weeds aren’t completely bad. In your garden’s ecosystem, they can serve some helpful purposes. Soil left completely bare can fall victim to strong winds and storms that are common in the spring. Soil that is covered and protected by weeds is less likely to be blown or washed away. In addition to this, the roots of the weeds can provide
nutrients to the soil and enrich the area as they decompose.
Grasses and Weeds
Missouri is home to four main categories of weeds. These categories vary based on the time of year they thrive and how they grow. Annual grasses are weeds that grow from seed each year and are able to be prevented with pre-emergent herbicides before they germinate in the spring. Perennial grasses are weeds that return each year once they’ve been planted and can spread from above or below ground through stems or rhizomes (a horizontal underground stem). Annual broadleaf weeds are another category of weeds that grow from seeds each year. Summer annuals germinate in the spring and die by early fall or the first big frost. Winter/spring annuals germinate in early fall, begin slow growth in winter and grow rapidly in spring. These weeds will die by early summer. Finally, perennial broadleaf weeds come back each year once established and can increase in size. If allowed to seed, these weeds can spread rapidly.
Earlier the Better
One of the easiest ways to prevent weeds is to start prevention methods early. An example of this is creating a garden that supports healthy growth and discourages weeds. To do this, be proactive about where you place your plants. Put plants that love sun in well-lit areas and those that prefer shade in more covered parts of the garden—and don’t forget to keep the area moisturized! Plants that grow well take up more space and leave less room for weed growth. It’s also helpful to regularly check your garden for weeds and to pull smaller weeds before they have a chance to grow and spread. A great time to do this is after it rains when the soil is a little looser and the roots come out easier.
KNOW YOUR WEEDS
Dandelions (Taraxacum)
These perennial weeds are some of the most notable and easiest to identify. Known for their bright yellow flowers, dandelions appear in early spring and last through the fall. They spread through their puffy seed heads that are blown in the wind, spreading the seeds throughout gardens and yards.
Tip: Dandelions can be treated by hand digging them out of your garden or spot treating them with weed killer. Shading them out, covering them with black plastic or cardboard, can also work to kill the weeds.
Crabgrass
Growing up to 18-inches tall and 20-inches wide, these grassy annual weeds are common in lawns. Crabgrass grows in any spot where its stem makes contact with soil with its seed heads spreading out like four fingers.
Tip: Pulling crabgrass by hand, using a pre-emergent weed preventer or a spot-treatment after its emerged can help control the spread of the weed throughout your yard.
White Clover (Trifolium repens)
These common perennial weeds are prevalent throughout the United States. Growing from May to September, clover is identifiable by its compounded leaves with 3-4 broad leaflets and the small white flowers that grow atop their stems.
Tip: Much like dandelions, clover can be treated with spot treatments using weed killers or by manually removing patches through digging.
Poison Ivy
Commonly encountered on hikes, poison ivy can also pop up around your yard near trees or in shrubs. This broadleaf perennial can grow up to 15-feet tall and wide in the form of a vine, shrub or groundcover. Poison ivy is identified by its three leaflets that sometimes sprout clusters of green berries.
Tip: A deep layer of mulch can be used as prevention against poison ivy. If it has already started growing, spot treating it with a herbicide or manually removing the plant (be sure to use a plastic bag if using your hands) are also effective methods of removal.
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
If a weed killer is needed, natural and homemade weed killers are a more organic and eco-friendly option compared to a store-bought brand. It’s important to keep in mind that homemade weed killers are often less effective in taking out the root of the weeds and can have more short-term effects compared to store-bought brands.
Soap, salt and vinegar is an easy recipe for at-home weed killer. Combine one gallon of white vinegar, one cup of salt and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. The acetic acid from the vinegar and salt will draw moisture from the leaves and they will begin to brown and wither. Make sure to be mindful of the plants you don’t want to kill when spraying the mixture and keep it on hand for small touch-ups that pop-up throughout the season.
Combining 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol with 1-quart of water is another easy mixture that is great for killing weeds. This weed killer should be used with caution as the rubbing alcohol can make the surrounding soil infertile if overused.
Boiling water is also an easy, quick solution to small bits of weeds that may pop-up around sidewalks and patios. While the boiling water won’t impact the roots of the weeds, it will defoliate the plants, removing the opportunity for photosynthesis and declining plant function. Be careful to not burn yourself when transporting the water from inside your home to your patio or garden!
If you’re looking for a pre-emergent herbicide, corn gluten meal is a great organic option. Simply scatter the corn gluten meal over your soil and water where weeds are a problem. This will inhibit root growth but if used too close to other plants, the meal will inhibit their growth as well.
Centennial Celebrations!
With over 18 miles of trails through 2,400 acres of diverse habitats, visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of Missouri’s natural landscape, enjoy spring wildflowers in bloom and explore the Nature Reserve’s unique history with the guidance of a local expert.
History of the Bascom House, Thursday, March 6th, 10a.m.–12p.m.
This picturesque red brick house was built in 1879 by former Confederate Colonel Thomas William Bouldin Crews. The two-story modified ItalianateVictorian home was the center of one of the five working farms purchased by the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1925. Learn about the people who lived here as we walk inside the home and around the perimeter. Discover how we restored and utilized new green building standards in the home and learn about the history of the Whitmire Wildflower Garden surrounding the building.
Cypress Slew Hike, Thursday, March 29th, 10a.m.–12p.m.
Join Shaw Nature Reserve's long-tenured education employee Rachel Weller for this 2-mile hike on the River Trail to Cypress Slew and back. This off-the-beaten path area was planted in the 1930s and passes by a recently abandoned bald eagle nest.
What’s in Bloom
History of the Daffodils, Thursday, March 17th, 10a.m.–12p.m.
Come for a 1-mile walk on rolling terrain to view the thousands of daffodils blooming at Shaw Nature Reserve in late March and early April each year. Hear the history of how the plants came to be here, learn about our different varieties and how to grow them, and view the spectacular display.
Shaw Nature Reserve is home to the premiere Whitmire Wildflower Garden where visitors can see the wide variety of Missouri’s native wildflowers in bloom each spring. Those exploring the trails through the forests, prairies, wetlands and other habitats found at the Nature Reserve can also spot daffodils, bluebells, trillium, phlox and more.
Throughout 2025, Shaw Nature Reserve is celebrating its centennial year with special events and experiences. In March, this Nature Reserve will be offering several guided hikes and tours for those who would like to learn more about the history of this division of the Missouri Botanical Garden.
By Jessika Eidson
The Nature Reserve will have more events and experiences scheduled throughout the year for those unable to join us in March. The Nature Reserve is also open for daytime visitation throughout the year for those looking to explore the area without a guide. Find out more at shawnature.org/events.
VALLEY NURSERY
Chesterfield
celebration of HIS beauty.
CAPTIVATING CONSERVATORIES
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Greenhouses, or small garden structures, are tasteful additions that add character to your outdoor spaces. These small structures are great for plant storage, tool storage and even a personalized outdoor escape. To ease the process, these structures can be purchased from companies such as Hillbrook Collections, pre-built and delivered right to your yard. For homeowners looking to take a more hands-on approach, these sheds can also be built by hand for complete customization or can be transformed from a standard shed from a local garden center into the hideaway of your dreams.
One of the most important items to consider when placing a garden shed or greenhouse into your yard is its location. If you’re looking for a getaway like a writing or yoga studio, does the structure have
enough shade or space to breathe? You should also consider accounting for add-ons like small porches, steps or patios. Some home gardeners even plant their vegetables and flowers around their greenhouses for close proximity to their garden tools. This is also a handy way to save on space and provide additional shade to accommodate for windows and doors that may trap heat within the space.
Some homeowners choose to use the small structure as an addition to the home. Build-outs from the dining room, like the greenhouse created by Conservatory Craftsmen, brings the outdoors in with wide windows and outdoor views in an additional dining space. Details like gothic arches and mahogany bring extra personality into the space.
Greenhouses, garden sheds and small structures bring interest to outdoor spaces.
By Ashley Campbell Interior Design.
By Hillbrook Collections.
Hillbrook Collections custom makes garden houses that add a charming yet functional touch to your garden. Each garden house is made to order so each one is unique. This garden house is situated in St. Louis, MO. Photography and landscaping by Melissa Gerstle Design.
By Conservatory Craftsmen.
By Chace Architecture.
This yoga studio was conceived as a modern interpretation of a Japanese Tea House perched at the edge of a dry pond amidst a traditional walking garden. The studio is lifted above the ground by two large carrying beams providing the sense that the structure is floating at the edge of the stone pond. The studio itself is designed as a glass lantern, wrapped by a wooden screen with sliding glass doors extending the studio space onto the deck. Photography by John Egan, Land Design Associates.
This steel substructure is concealed in mahogany fabricated from Sepele Mahogany. The interior is trimmed with the same wood and the structure features gothic arch muntins that make the room unique. The homeowner has even held a family gathering inside the conservatory! Photography by Matthew Werre.
CASUAL CONTRASTING COLORS
Kitchen remodel project creates brighter, much more interesting space.
By Julie Brown Patton
Bath
In kitchens, light unabashedly symbolizes joyful happiness. Creating lighter possibilities within a darker k itchen was the exact mission of a St. Louis family of four when they contracted a remodeling project. Enter Ladue-based Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath designer Christine Paul and team to this renewal rescue.
“The contrast of dark and white sets the tone for a fusion of elements in this kitchen remodel. The homeowners’ main renovation objectives were to increase the natural light and to use lighter finishes. We first enlarged the kitchen window and relocated the refrigerator to allow passage of more natural light,” Christine says.
The ‘before’ kitchen in this modern Victorian-style home built in 1988 included dated, dark-stained cabinets, black countertops, inadequate lighting and bulky soffits. Christine says those soffits were removed, and functional lighting was generated with decorative pendants and sconces.
“The area’s whit e perimeter expands and brightens the previously dark, closed-in kitchen. A full-height, shingle-pattern backsplash tile quietly glimmers as a backdrop, adding some subtle texture,” Christine explains.
She says the clients of this project expressed an interest in a pewter range hood, and she was able to find a custom hood
Kitchen Design Alspaugh Kitchen &
Photography by Alise O’Brien
company located outside of Missouri to manufacture the delicate design needed for the brushed finish to enhance the kitchen’s new look. The hood is lined with brass strapping and catches people’s attention as the main focal point, she affirms.
“Warm brass elements are sprink led throughout the kitchen, on the faucet, cabinet pulls, wall sconces, pendants and brass caps on the island posts,” Christine says.
Dynamic, new pendant fixtures used in the remodel were predetermined by the client. When the double kitchen islands were established to create an easy walkway to the new refrigerator location, the selection of two pendant fixtures were ideal, states Christine.
She adds that she also wanted to improve the function of the space for this family. So, within the area, Christine created a new, walk-in pantry behind the refrigerator, installed a butler’s pantry adjacent to the dining room and transformed a previously unused desk area into a walk-up bar. The same dark finish adds drama to the bar, complete with a wine cooler for 42 bottles,
beverage center and lockable cabinet for valuable vintages.
The former kitchen island was long and included a shallow area for bar-height seating. Christine says the new design breaks the space into two islands, providing an aisle for easy access to the new refrigerator location.
“Designing the seating area at counter-height integrates it and keeps the kitchen feeling open. The dark gray finish crisply contrasts with the white perimeter and Calcutta-style quartz tops,” she adds.
The designer says a gray faux-oak porcelain backsplash tile provides a linear element that balances the full-height wall towers, and a mirror-concealed television can be conveniently viewed from the island seating.
In addition to an extremely clean look, Christine says the white design was accented with Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore paint to balance with the kitchen islands, butler’s pantry and bar, with remodeling concluded in approximately four months. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Savoring the CITY LIFE
By Gina Parsons / Photography by Kim Dillon
Family swaps rural setting, for a St. Louis urban adventure
Seeking a life makeover, the Lindons left their 10-acre farm in Virginia in 2016 and bought a 1904 World’s Fair showpiece house in the Central West End. “There are street parties, and it’s easy to get together with people for a glass of wine or walk over to a restaurant,” says Dr. Britt Lindon, of their neighborhood. “We have our annual Easter egg hunt that we all cook a lunch dish for. It’s extremely social and kid friendly.”
The home they chose was large enough to accomodate their family and had stunning original woodwork in the entryway. “We kept as much of the original woodworking as we could,” says Britt, a psychologist and owner of SENS Psychology. She was the designer and general contractor for their home’s renovation, which she calls a labor of love.
The family—Britt, her husband JP, and their kids—love to cook, be creative and do DIY projects, so Britt renovated the house with that in mind. “I usually find one or two pieces and that sparks the rest of the design process,” Britt says.
They combined two rooms to create a “long room,” to have a large entertainment space. Britt wanted a round piece of furniture in that room. She purchased a tree ring she’d seen at an outdoor store in Virginia and it fits perfectly, providing a unique place for seasonal
displays, plants and seating during parties. JP also spent weeks redoing the room's floors in a Swedish wax-finish after they were unable to find someone locally who could do the technique. Additionally, they installed a swinging love seat by Serena and Lily. “It lets us see the garden in the back,” she says.
Britt designed the kitchen—the family’s hub—to have large display shelves to showcase art and dishware. In addition to the original butler’s pantry, they converted an old bathroom to add storage space. “It may not seem like the most practical for most people, but as a cooking-oriented family it is extremely functional and perfect for our everyday routine,” she says. She and her daughters create many of the items in the pantry, including herbs and teas dried from their garden.
Britt loves auctions and estate sales, and bid on a taxidermied sheep, now on display in the stairway landing, at an auction near their home. “I got outbid on all of the practical things that I set out to get and only came home with the sheep,” she says with a sheepish grin.
The prints on the stairway landing wall featuring birds are by French artist FrançoisNicolas Martinet and were obtained from online art auctions.
Britt sought out the whale-themed bathroom wallpaper aft er seeing it in a restaurant in New York City. She had plain black tile replaced with tiles depicting waves to tie in with the ocean theme.
In her psychotherapy practice, that she runs out of her home, as well as her offices in D.C., New York City and Palm Beach, Florida, Britt often guides high achieving clients through their own life makeovers, which can include using her design skills to help them update their spaces. She says her clients see that she has reimagined her life in a nontraditional way, and it gives them hope that they can change their own lives. “You can find ways to do something differently at any point in your career,” she says. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
Places to go, things to do and see and people who are leaving their mark on the world of style.
BRANCHING OUT
Studio Gang uses thoughtful design and out-of-the-box elements to reach their sustainability goals.
Denver, Colorado
Located in downtown Denver, Populus, a 135,000-square-foot hotel with 265 guest rooms, combines creativity and conservation. “Denver strikes a unique balance between being a vibrant city and a gateway to some of the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landscapes,” says Jeanne Gang, founding partner of Studio Gang. “Our goal was to draw from this distinct urban character and rich ecology to create a building that would help define the skyline of this thriving city.”
T he hotel and social center draw inspiration from Colorado’s native Aspen trees or Populus tremuloides. On the exterior, acid-washed glass fiber-reinforced concrete panel cladding and distinctive windows draw the viewer’s eyes to the building. Populus sits on a corner site with all three sides featuring the same unique exterior design. An interesting exterior feature includes the vertical scallops that texture the building’s facade and correspond with
By
Maya Brenningmeyer Architecture by Studio Gang
Photography by Jason O'Rear
the width of the guest rooms. This reflects the design of Aspen tree branches. Similarly, each of the unique windows varies in size based on the type of room within.
T he building’s location connects Denver’s civic, arts and commercial districts. Emphasizing this pedestrian-oriented area, the windows on the ground floor rise to 30 feet to frame the hotel’s entrances and views into the hotel. From inside the building, guests can enjoy views of the Colorado State Capital, Civic Center Park and the Rocky Mountains. Some rooms even provide built-in window seating that invites guests to feel closer to nature. Additional amenities include Stella Jay, a rooftop restaurant open to both hotel guests and the public, as well as the restaurant’s outdoor bar and terrace.
Designed with sustainability in mind, Populus has many design aspects that were specifically chosen to reach Studio Gang’s sustainability goals. “The building is designed
to maximize the use of its compact, triangular site and foregoes any space dedicated to parking - a first for a newly built hotel in Denver - to encourage greener modes of transport,” says Studio Gang. “Its concrete structure incorporates fly ash to minimize the need for cement, lowering the amount of carbon emitted during the construction process,” they continue. Additionally, exterior “lids” on the windows help shade interior spaces and channel rainwater. On the interior, much of the structure remains exposed to
reduce the use of finishes. Where finishes are necessary, many of them use high recycled content such as the recycled leather veneer in the elevator cabs and guestroom desks. The showstopping geometric design of Populus’s exterior is just a preview of the amazing interior amenities and the hard work that went into creating a sustainable, distinctive space. See stlouishomesmag.com for resources.
PULLAUPCHAIR
Get a little insight into the history of some of the world’s most iconic chairs.
Chairs are an essential part of our homes. We use them in living rooms, dining rooms, entryways and bedrooms. They’re a convenient place to sit and put on your shoes at the start of the day and a welcome respite as you wind down in the evenings. From their form to their function, chairs are an irreplaceable piece of furniture in your indoor and outdoor spaces. We’ve gathered a collection of iconic chairs from the past to learn more about the all-important furniture piece.
The Bistro Chair (1889)
An iconic and immediately recognizable chair, the Bistro Chair was created by Fermob in 1889. The design was made with French cafe owners in mind. Easy to fold and store away, the chairs made it simple for Parisian customers to have a place to sit and spared cafe owners of additional rent on their terrace.
By Maya Brenningmeyer
Wiggle Side Chair. Photography courtesy of FAIR-Design.
Arne Jacobsen’s The Egg Chair (1960)
Designed by Arne Jacobsen, a Danish functionalism architect, the Egg Chair was initially created to buffer the sounds that circulate through the SAS Royal Hotel’s busy lobby. Instead of the typical hard framed wood, the Egg is shaped from a hard foam material that is then padded and upholstered. At the head of the chair, the upper corners fold in at the sides, blocking whoever is seated in and creating a private space in a busy area.
The
Ray & Charles Eames Lounge Chair (1956)
Often accompanied with an ottoman, this chair was created with the intention of recreating the feel of a “well-used first baseman’s mitt.” The chair made its initial debut on television in 1956, appearing on an NBC network television home show. The chair is as stylish and chic as it is comfortable with plastic and plywood being the base materials in its design.
Wiggle Side Chair (1969)
Designed by architect Frank Gehry in 1969, the Wiggle Side Chair is part of his ‘Easy Edges’ furniture series. The curved, sculpted seat is constructed out of cardboard and offers an eye-catching place to rest. The main material used to create this futuristic chair is cardboard. Each cardboard piece is placed in an opposite direction, this allows the cardboard to hold a substantial amount of weight and provides a more economical design material.
Womb Chair (1948)
Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948, this chair was requested by furniture designer Florence Knoll who was looking for a cozy chair to curl up in. Saarinen wanted to create a chair that was comfortable because of the shape of the shell, not the depth of its cushioning. A boat builder in New Jersey assisted with the fiberglass and resin used to create the fiber-reinforced plastic of the chair with additional elbow room for added comfort.
The Wishbone Chair (1949)
Inspired by the thrones of the Ming dynasty, Danish designer Hans Wegner created the Wishbone Chair with a high-backed wooden frame and wide woven seat. Its comfortable design and durable materials make it a common choice for homeowners looking to incorporate new, long-lasting chairs into their homes. The paper that is woven into the seat has a life cycle of about 50 years and the design has remained popular over the chair’s 75-year lifespan.
MARCH 2016
FROM THE GROUND UP BUILDING A VIEW
TUCKED ALONG THE RIVER’S EDGE IN WASHINGTON, AN INDUSTRIAL-INSPIRED HOME BRINGS THE VIEWS FROM EACH LEVEL.
When the Missouri River is just a stone’s throw out your back windows, you make sure every room in the house takes advantage of the picturesque view. That is exactly what Washington natives Rich and Donna Speckhals did when designing their new home in downtown Washington.
When the Missouri River is just a stone’s throw out your back windows, you make sure every room in the house takes advantage of the picturesque view. That is exactly what Washington natives Rich and Donna Speckhals did when designing their new home in downtown Washington.
Born and raised in the small town, just 50 minutes west of St. Louis, the Speckhals decided that after years of living in the country, it was time to move back to town, and a lot they owned was the ideal spot to build. “We are close to the river, trains, restaurants and shops,” Donna says. “Washington is such a great community, and we can walk everywhere.”
Born and raised in the small town, just 50 minutes west of St. Louis, the Speckhals decided that after years of living in the country, it was time to move back to town, and a lot they owned was the ideal spot to build. “We are close to the river, trains, restaurants and shops,” Donna says. “Washington is such a great community, and we can walk everywhere.”
You don’t see too many homes right on the banks of the river in Washington, so when the couple started designing their new property
sure it aesthetically fit in with its surroundings. “One of the design goals of this project was to have the exterior of the new building complement the historical surroundings, particularly the adjacent industrial warehouses,” says Steve Strubberg of Horn Architects. “People think it is an old building that has been here forever, but it is brand new,” Rich says.
MARCH 2007
Cover story: Barbara Firlit’s penthouse terrace garden brightens the urban landscape with vivid color, a touch of whimsy and a creative outdoor gardening style.
Photography by Jay Baker.
MARCH 2011
On the cover: A downtown loft is alive with modern design and a touch of the unexpected.
Photography by Ashley Giesking.
they worked hard to make sure it aesthetically fit in with its surroundings.
"One of the design goals of this project was to have the exterior of the new building complement the historical surroundings, particularly the adjacent industrial warehouses," says Steve Strubberg of Horn Architects. “People think it is an old building that has been here forever, but it is brand new," Rich says.
As far as the home’s interior goes, the Speckhals were inspired by their experience in the travel industry and time spent traveling the world. Industrial design and a clean, minimal look would take the place of their previous European traditional home. Perhaps more important than the colors on the walls, furnishings or light fixtures was the view the couple sought to highlight. And that view gets better as you go up each flight of stairs.
You don’t see too many homes right on the banks of the river in Washington, so when the couple started designing their new property they worked hard to make
As far as the home’s interior goes, the Speckhals were inspired by their experience in the travel industry and time spent traveling the world. Industrial design and a clean, minimal look would take the place of their previous European traditional home. Perhaps more important than the colors on the walls, furnishings or light fixtures was the view the couple sought to highlight. And that view gets better as you go up each flight of stairs.
See more on stlouishomesmag.com
MARCH 2016
On the cover: Three stories in total, the home’s layout is nontraditional in that the bedrooms are on the first floor while the main living area is on the second story with a bonus indoor/ outdoor entertainment space on the third story. Photography by Anne Matheis.
