Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

An Arty Weekend is Coming! Two Events....Kapfer Exhibit and Wall Ball

17 Brazilian Ct, Ladue Bernoudy

Finally for you Bernoudy-lovers without a million to spend on a house....a Bernoudy in Ladue for only $589,000.

Located at the end of a private street in Ladue, this 2300 sq ft, 3 bedroom home on 1/2 an acre can be yours.

Offered by Peggy Liggett at Laura McCarthy  314-569-1177

(Update: 3-31-09...this is already under contract.)

Obama Orders Some Pizza Delivery

I understand that President Obama had a taste for some St. Louis Pizza again.  When he was in town campaigning, he was treated to some pizza from Pi on Delmar (across from The Pageant).  Well the owner of Pi and the chef were recently flown to DC to cook up some more pizza for the prez.  Pi really does have the best pizza.....the deep dish is to die for....cornmeal crust...yum!

Upper Ladue Remembers

Here is a real niche book...Upper Ladue Remembers.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Upper Ladue, it is a neighborhood in Ladue off of Ladue Road.  There are about 20 lovely homes on large lots on the street. I have not read it yet, though I hear it mentions my Uncle Ted (deceased before I was born). Someone interviewed in the book claims that he was the most handsome young man in the neighborhood.  My grandparents actually lived in a neighborhood the abutted Upper Ladue in the back of the street. 

Ferrowatt Bulbs

GQ magazine highlighted Ferrowatt bulbs in their recent issue.  They are retro and fun in the days of curly Q "green" bulbs.

Find them HERE.

Fun Lamps

These are wild and fun!  Read more about them HERE.

Spring is Early

After a long winter it is sort of nice to have an early Spring.  I am worried that it is only the end of March and everything is popping out.  The chances of a cold snap in April are pretty good.  Remember a couple of years ago when we had a hard freeze when all of the leaves were out?  I remember the trees turned brown and it was like a second Fall.  The Japanese Maples were especially hard hit.

The pics are from my garden this morning.

Vase Faucet

Here is a unique faucet for your bathroom.  The way I break things, I don't know if it is that practical.

50's Mailbox

I love everything about this mailbox.  It is in a state of elegant disrepair. Probably the only original mailbox in this neighborhood of mid-century ranches. 

Vituri Wine Aerator- Crate and Barrel

There is a mad rush at Crate and Barrel of people buying their Vituri Wine Aerator.  Only $39.95 and it turns Two Buck Chuck at Trade Joe's into something special.

 

Daffoldils!

I have become a little of a daffodil addict.  Every Fall I pick up a few more to put in the garden. They lift my spirits!

Brentmoor Park, Clayton

Brentmoor Park is one of the most sought-after private neighborhoods. Traditionally the In neighborhoods were the private streets of the CWE, though everything keeps pushing West in St. Louis over the years.  Brentmoor Park appealed to the owner who wanted more land and privacy compared to Westmoreland and Portland Places. In those days the residents of the CWE would spend the entire afternoon going from neighbor to neighbor dropping off their calling cards.  It sounds like a perpetual Halloween.

My great grandfather moved his family up from New Orleans to St. Louis around 1908 and built a house at #5 Brentmoor Park in 1911 designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw.  His wife was from St. Louis and did not think New Orleans was a place to raise a family....I think there were also malaria scares.

It is interesting that he moved his family to Westmoreland Place in the 20's. They must have not liked "the suburbs".

Here is a link to a document that discusses the planning and design of Brentmoor Park: LINK

5 Brentmoor Park

Historic Photos

7717 Gannon, University City

With so much money on the sidelines of the stock market, now is a good time to invest in incoming-producing real estate. 7717 Gannon just went on the market and is fully rented!  Just one block off of Delmar and North & South.  Only $499,000.

City Gardens

The City Gardens are coming together in the Gateway Mall downtown.  I think this is the most exciting thing to happen to the downtown since Washington Avenue has come alive.  I also really like Richard Serra's Twain sculpture.  I hope St. Louisians come to appreciate it more. 

Solar Outdoor Lights

Most of the solar outdoor lighting is pretty ugly and expected.  I saw these on another blog this morning.

George Clooney @ Mandarin in CWE

ALIVE Magazine had their St. Louis Fashion Week kickoff party at Mandarin last Saturday night.  I was there for a little bit, though left before George Clooney showed up.  He is staying at the Chase.

Big St. Louis House Tour, BLU condos and Charlie Houska

The Big St. Louis House Tour is coming up on Sunday, March 29th. Last night I attended a poster signing at BLU condominiums downtown.  Artist Charlie Houska painted the poster.

The BLU condos were cool and start at just $50,000 for a studio.  With the $8,000 tax credit I noted in yesterday's post, this is about the cost of a nice car.

"I Need a Stimulus Plan....or Maybe Just a Strong Cup of Coffee"

I stole my headline from a friend's Facebook Wall.....yes I am finally on Facebook.  It is a blessing and a curse.  Do I really want to reconnect with some of my college friends?  Now I have no choice.  Why are people that I hardly knew in college Friending me?  I find the comments that people write on their Walls can be very annoying..... "I am thinking tomorrow will be a great day!"  Well I am going to defriend you and take away a little of the joy you are expecting tomorrow.  The other day I wrote on my Wall, "I am knitting a tea cozy out of my cat's shedded hair."  Ok....back to the Stimulus Plan....

First time home buyers (or really anyone who has not claimed mortgage interest in the last 3 yrs.) can get up to an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit.  You need to close on a house by the end of November 2009.  The tax credit  begins to lessen for individuals who make over $75,000 or couples who make over $150,000.

This is real money.  Let's say you are getting $1,000 back in your 2009 taxes....with this, you will get back $9,000!!!!!

Here is a note I got from a Tax Expert as a follow up to my post......

Hi Ted, 
 
Bob and I were checking out your website this morning. I have two tax offices and want to share something with you: anyone who qualifies for the 2009 $8,000 first time homebuyers credit can amend their already filed 2008 tax return and receive the up to $8,000 refundable credit now. They do NOT have to wait until they file their 2009 taxes. Also, Missouri has a program whereby a person qualifying for the credit can actually receive an advance loan from Missouri (I believe it's 90% of the credit) before they actually close on the home and use the funds for their down payment. 
 
Call me if you have any questions. 
 
BTW, we enjoy your blog very much. 
 
Gary Mudd 
314-874-6865 
gary.mudd@hrblock.com 
www.hrbtaxandbusiness.com 

 

Mailboxes

I never really thought about mailboxes much....until I read this BLOG this morning.

Ernie Trova

The great, local artist, Ernie Trova passed away over the weekend. The pics are of a wonderful lithograph I was given by a gracious client last year.

Artist- Ken Konchel

One of the first pieces of artwork that I purchased from a local St. Louis artist was a photograph by Ken Konchel.  Ken is St. Louis' preeminent architectural photographer. Featured today is a new piece, Arrangement.

Here is a link to Ken's WEBSITE.

"In the right foreground, a portion of ʽJoeʼ, Richard Serraʼs torqued spiral sculpture at the Pulitzer Foundation, by Pritzker Prize-winning Japanese architect Tadao Ando, 2001;  in the left background, a portion of the eastern exterior of the Contemporaryartmuseumstlouis, by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works of Portland, OR, 2003; and in between, the fence that separates the buildings"

21 Westmoreland Place

This lovely Westmoreland Place home in the CWE is on the market for $1,295,000.  With the prices Westmoreland, Portland and Lindell homes are fetching....this seems to be a nice buy! 

"This elegant Georgian Revival home was designed by Gale Henderson, noted architect for many St. Louis mansions. It is situated on the north side of Westmoreland separated by nearly an acre of beautiful landscaping from the home to the east. The home was built on the foundation of the original 1888 home and much of the original paneling was incorporated, including quarter-sawn oak in the LR and native red pine in the DR. The home is a manageable 4,600 SF. A bonus is the 6,000 SF carriage house from 1888 w/4-car garage, 2nd-fl, 2,600 SF private guest quarters. An additional 1st-floor studio is located in the original stable area, finished with seasoned oak and white stucco."

Available through Cathy O'Neill  Coldwell Banker Premier Group  314-647-0001

Bernoudy Home for Sale- 935 Barnes Road, Ladue

This stunning Bernoudy home located on Barnes Road in Ladue is on the market for $1,549,000.  I have been through it a few months ago and thought it was wonderful.  The rooms feel more open with taller ceilings than many of the earlier Bernoudys.  This house is large with almost 7,000 of space.  The back of the 2 acre lot adjoins Emily Pulitzer's wooded estate. All this and an indoor pool!

For more information contact:  Elaine Medve of Helix Realty  314-376-7646   Open Sunday, March 15, 1-3 PM.

Wall Ball....Mark Your Calendar!

April 4th, 2009.  7pm to 11pm
Where: Third Degree Glass Factory, 5200 Delmar, St. Louis, MO 63108
Ticket Depots: (Available March 13) UMA, Left Bank Books (CWE), Local Harvest Grocery
Tickets online: www.wallball.eventbrite.com All proceeds benefit SCOSAG, including the cash bar

My Date With Marlon Brando.....well more like my 80 yo Aunt's

Read about my Aunt Bunny's date with Marlon Brando......HERE

Ste. Genevieve Retreat

Look at what is for sale just a little south of St. Louis in Ste. Genevieve.....your own little retreat!

"Purchased in 1977 by the World Plan Executive Council, this property was developed as a learning center for transcendental meditation and Vedic techniques. The center endeavored to be self-sufficient, as evidenced by the greenhouses still on the property. It was last used for these purposes in the early to mid-nineties. Currently, it is listed as a mostly untouched 552 acres that backs to National Forest in the heart of Missouri wine country. There is a small farmhouse that has been remodeled, a year 'round creek and a large lake site. The possibilities – and the peace and quiet - are endless."

Yours for $1,500,000.  For more information contact: Roni Van Fossen at United Country Big River Realty  573-756-7000

Hirshfeld Egg

A few years ago I attended a charity auction that featured eggs decorated by celebrities. I bought this egg created by the late Al Hirshfeld. His beard has three Ninas in it. Hirshfeld incorporated his daughter's name in his artwork.