Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Lovely Listings

A few posts ago I featured some pictures from condo for sale in the CWE that were pretty bad.  I would like to make this a regular feature, though I am afraid I would not be very popular with the agents who took the pics for their listings.

Thanks to reader Tina pointing me in the direction of Lovely Listings, you can see the best of the worse listing pictures.  Enjoy!  Below are a few I found funny.

A princess must sleep here.


Honey...don't beep or you will wake up the baby.  You think the bars are to keep people out or keep someone in?



Look closely...that may be Wonder Woman's car.



As you can see below...realtors do love Paint Shop.

Spokane, WA

I got into Spokane, Washington late last night....what would have been 2AM Central time.  This morning  before I got busy, I took a long walk on their riverfront.  So pretty...a clear river....a waterfall....all downtown!

 

Charming deck with a view of the waterfall.

Pride Parade

What a gorgeous day for a parade!  The annual Pride Parade traveled down Grand today....what a colorful celebration!

How Not to Prepare Your Condo For Sale

Do you believe that these pictures below were used to market this CWE Condo? 

The messy office...where is the flat screen monitor?

I love the unmade bed.....this is what really gave me a chuckle.  Though what is in the lower right side of the pic....I think it may be a walker....now I am feeling bad that this person is handicapped and I am poking fun.  Don't you think the the realtor could have helped out and at least fluffed and spread out the duvet?

What is up with the ladder?

The Chancery

The Chancery on Lindell is one of the most unique mid-century buildings on Lindell.  Find out more about it HERE. 

You can see that building definitely has that mid-century Latin influence.  See the pic below of a building from the mid-century capital of Brazil....Brazilia.  If you click on the link above, you will find out a little more about the architect of the Chancery pictured above...the architect was from Peru.

Japanese Beetles

This week the Japanese Beetles descended on my garden.  Last year I used the beetle traps, though someone told me that they just attract more beetles.  Anyone out there know of other methods to control these pests....other than insecticides?

After they finish my roses....they will move onto my glorious Bee Balm.

Bee Balm....not beetle balm!

Flower Arrangements

I had a little gathering at my house recently and generally I order flowers to be brought in.  This year my friend Dean gathered flowers from my garden and prepared some exquisite arrangements.

San Luis.....to become a parking lot

I understand that the city approved the demolition of the San Luis.  Read more HERE.

Picture "borrowed" from the blog linked to above.

Houses of Missouri

Tomorrow night you can go to Missouri History Museum to buy a copy of the book Houses of Missouri.  The book features some of Missouri's most fabulous homes built between 1870 and 1940.

The authors (Cydney Millstein and Carol Grove) will be there at 7 PM to sign your book.

Rockcliffe Mansion (Hannibal, MO) is one of the incredible houses featured in the book. 

My Deck

Happy Father's Day!

Here are some pictures of my deck.  I found the gazebo at Target about 4 years ago and it is still holding up.  It is actually bamboo.  Notice the tablecloth....my brother had it made out of bandannas. 

The bamboo add a tropical theme.  I probably need some cushions on these chairs.

 

Harris Armstrong House in Oakland

Check out this LINK to find out more about this great Harris Armstrong home.  It is not for sale now, though it is interesting to see this home and how it is similar to the Cori Home that Harris Armstong built in Glendale on Berry Road.

 

The Cori Home on Berry Road in Glendale.

Morning Garden Pics

The Summer Solstice is coming and the summer garden is peaking.

Queen Ann's Lace is a weed, though I love it and brought it in from the farm.

What color....almost too much...I have to deal with a white plastic fence that my neighbor put up that is the background for this pic.  It is just too white and too plastic....I have some arborvitae that I planted along it that are slowly covering it.

The deck pots are beginning to fill in and take off!

That is Feverfew....another weed...though I like it also!  It reseeds itself throughout the garden with vigor.  I just remembered that I took a plant from a neighbor's garden when I was about 16...these are from the same plant.

My lavender is wonderful this year....though I have not seen bees on it yet.

San Luis Hearing is Monday

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has finally opted to put its demolition plans before the city's Preservation Board this Monday, June 22nd. The board convenes at 4pm but could vote on the San Luis at any point throughout the meeting. If you are not able to attend, PLEASE send a letter on the building's behalf to Preservation Board Secretary Adonna Buford (address comments to the Preservation Board), Alderwoman Lyda Krewson, and Monsignor Gardin, Moderator of the Curia. Feel free to use the sample letter below, and make sure to note if you're a resident of the Central West End. Don't underestimate the impact of your voice!

 

Also distribute our newest flier throughout the Central West End and across the City!        

 

The Preservation Board meeting will be held downtown at 1015 Locust, Suite 1200.

 

Webster Groves Modern- 306 Webster Glen Ct.

Modern homes are pretty scarce in St. Louis. Here is one that hit the market in Webster for $585,000.  A conservative Webster front with a dynamic interior.

Listed by Damien Gerard @ Serving St. Louis Realty  314-614-4377

Farm Pics-2

Back in the 70s my grandfather put in a small in-ground pool up at "the house on the hill".  It makes a hot day on the farm bearable.  Don't think it is too fancy....you are always swimming with frogs, grasshoppers.....and Saturday we were attacked by flies from the neighboring cows. 

Farm Pics

Yesterday I was able to carve out some time and go out to our farm in Pike County.  It is nice that it is only an hour away and I can go out just for the day.

The house was built in the 1850s.  It looks bigger that it is....the brick section is only one room deep.

You can see below that there is a frame part of the house in back.  This was probably built before the front section.  Notice my bamboo is going crazy....I am going to have to do something to restrict it, though have not had the energy.  I think I need a panda.

The smoke house.

Free-range beef!

Barb Flunker Event!

Whoever thinks Ladue is the land of stuffiness has not met artist Barb Flunker.  A large branch fell down in her yard this week and she decided it was a sign to make art.  She invited some friends and fellow artist to adorn the branch with everyone's creative whims.

Barb!

A couple of her other sculptures

Art Unveiling!

Last night I attended a lovely gathering to unveil a special gift for my Aunt Bunny.  It was sort of an early birthday present or more likely just an appreciation gift from her friends and family.

The gift was poster from a section of a large circus billboard.  Aunt Bunny was in the circus as a young woman.  Read more about her adventures....HERE.

The party was hosted at a fabulous CWE condo with the largest terrace in town!

14 Brazillian Ct., Ladue

This fine mid-century home in Ladue was designed by William Bernoudy, though completed by someone else. It is located next to another fine Bernoudy on a quiet cul-de-sac. In fact, when I first saw that house was on the market, I thought it was the Bernoudy next door that was back on the market. Remember that house sold very quickly this Spring....so hurry up if you are interested in this one!

It is offered at a reasonable $699,900 and is almost 2900 sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths.

Offered by Karen Seigel @ Laura McCarthy Real Estate  314-725-5100  Open this Sunday.

(Update....Under Contract in 8 days.)

Composite Pavers

It is nice to see that there are new uses being created for all of the plastic that we are recycling. These are composite pavers.  Think how good these would be on a rooftop!  They are lighter than masonry pavers.  Find out more HERE.

More Frederick Dunn

Yesterday we featured a remarkable mid-century building that Frederick Dunn helped design.  Today I am featuring one of my favorite houses in Ladue that Frederick Dunn designed.  Built in 1961, this house reminds me of an Italian pavilion house reminiscent of Pompeii.

National Council of State Garden Clubs Building on Magnolia

I have driven past this building for years and always admired it, though never stopped by to say hello.  Yesterday I drove past...stopped and turned around to find out more.

This fine building was designed by Frederick Dunn and Nolan Stinson, Jr. in 1959.

The granite grill sculpture was designed by William Talbot and originally was part of a fountain. Vandals caused some problems and it was turned into a planter. I think they should consider turning it into a fountain again.

Art Opening

Last night I attended the art opening for a duo of great artists, Julie Malone and Caroline Blaker.  The show is at the Concrete Ocean Gallery on Jefferson.  It was nice seeing some action on Jefferson which has been a rather rundown street in the past.  It definitely is showing some signs of life!  Next to the gallery is a new chocolate boutique, ka.ka.co, located at 2301 South Jefferson.  They had some samples at the Gallery and it is exquisite chocolate!



A piece by Caroline Blaker





Miniatures by Julie Malone





Charlie Houska and Julie Malone

Sunday Open Houses

These two fine homes will be open this Sunday from 1-3 PM.

Ladue Home on 3 acres with a pool and tennis court.....5 bedrooms!

85 Sorrel Lane  A great value at $795,000

6137 Waterman

4 large bedrooms, great stained glass features, located in the Washington University development area....so you lucky Wash U employees can get some nice $ from your employer to live there!

$289,000

Both properties are offered by Dielmann Sothebys International Realty Call 314-607-5555 for more information.

Looking for Something to Do Tonight?

Blaker / Malone: “Still Within” at Concrete Ocean Gallery

Opening reception Friday, June 5, 2009, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Concrete Ocean Gallery, located at 2257 Jefferson Avenue (at Shenandoah). The exhibit continues through June 29, 2009.

Artists Caroline Blaker and Julie Malone come together to share the celebration of their survival and inspiration gained from their battles with cancer. Malone, a highly respected and collected artist in St. Louis was recently cleared from her diagnosis of thoracic cancer, and will be exhibiting paintings that celebrate her battle with the disease. Blaker attended Washington University and stayed in St. Louis until 2006, just two months after she finished treatment of a diagnosis of stage II breast cancer.

Pulled from THIS local, art blog that will tell you more about the artist and their work.

Ron Arad Clover Chair

These chairs would be so much fun on a patio or deck!  Find out more at this BLOG.

Costa Rica Here I Come!

FOR THOSE THAT HAD ANY CONNECTION WITH THE 727….THIS MAY BE INTERESTING.

727 Fuselage Home

Hotel Costa Verde is proud to present its newest lodgings:

The fully outfitted, meticulously detailed, two bedroom, Boeing 727 fuselage suite. We have refurbished a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe, which in its prior life shuttled globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines ( Colombia ).

Our phoenix is now ready for its future duty as the most exclusive hotel suite in Costa Rica .

 

727 Home Entrance

We salvaged this airframe, piece by piece, from its San Jose airport resting place. We carefully transported the pieces on five, big-rig trucks to the jungles of Manuel Antonio where they have been resurrected into a unique jumbo hotel suite. Our classic airplane, nestled on the edge of the National Park in our Costa Verde II area, is perched on a 50-foot pedestal. At this height, you will enjoy scenic ocean and jungle views from the hard wood deck built atop the plane's former right wing.

The plane's interior is Costa Rican teak paneling from the cockpit to the tail. Furnishings are hand-carved, teak furniture from Java , Indonesia . Our 727 home features two air conditioned bedrooms--one with two queen sized beds and the other with one queen sized bed, each with its own private bath—a flat screen TV, a kitchenette, dining area foyer; an ocean view terrace; a private entrance up a river rock, spiral staircase; and 360 degrees of surrounding gardens.

Enjoy an evening on the terrace while sipping a glass of wine and observing your tree top neighbors: sloths, toucans and monkeys...............

Our refurbished Boeing 727 home is not the only such dwelling in the world: We were inspired by a Forbes Magazine article about a company offering hurricane-proof living via surplus Boeing 727 airframes! Of course, we were intrigued and found some new ways to introduce convenience and luxury to this very prosaic bit of aluminum scrap. We are sure that you will agree with us!

TV Area

kitchentte Dinning Foyer

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Second Bedroom

Wing Balcony

Ocean View From 727 Balcony

Amplified Balcony View

Morning Garden Pics

I am always glad in the spring/summer that when I have writer's cramp I can just go into my garden and find material.  Here are some pics from my garden this morning.

Design Fun

I ran across this fun design pic in this BLOG this morning.