Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Westmoreland Place

Yesterday I was with a client showing a lovely home on Westmoreland Place in the CWE. Much of the house is in its original state which is so wonderful.  The bathrooms were fantastic.....and just think, most people would rip them out and put in new ones.

Look at the steel shower door.

 

 

Look at the picture above and then below....there is a secret door that goes from the nanny/maid's sleeping area to this adjoining bedroom/bathroom.

 

So many wonderful built-in closets....they put our modern Custom Closets to shame.

 

 

 

I can not figure out what this is....it is on the 3rd floor in a closet. I think it may be a water pressure tank or something in case of a fire.

I love basements....look at these old batteries for the phone system.

This is the old servant's call box.  The owners could push a button in many of the main rooms and then the servants could tell where they needed to go.

Benjamin Guffee Opens His Studio

Benjamin Guffee opened his new art studio in Maplewood on Friday night. It is located on Sutton in the old Hoffman LaChance Gallery Pictured here is Benjamin and fellow artist Charlie Houska.

 

Houska Sculpture

Today I helped artist Charlie Houska collect his sculptures from Craftman in St Charles for Bank of Springfield in Illinois.

Ten of their locations will be graced with them.

Tennis Racket Chair

For you tennis fans out there....a chair just for you!

Find out more HERE.

Thirst For Life Tonight

St. Louis Effort for AIDS' Thirst for Life is tonight at participating bars and restaurants.  The proceeds go to the PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) Program.  At least 25% of your drink proceeds go to this special cause.  I will be hosting Erney's 32 Degree vodka bar located in The Grove at 4200 Manchester from 6-8 PM.

Where is Mark Twain Buried?

This is not the beginning of a joke.....though did you know that Mark Twain is buried in Elmira,NY.  His wife was from Elmira and she dragged the Missouri boy to New York State to die and get  buried. Sorry the that pic is not more respectful....teenagers!

Farm Zinnias

I am spending a couple of days at our farm in Pike County. Mostly cleaning the house and gardening. I have not been out here for over a month and things certainly slip.

The zinnias are lovely this year!

Schnuck's Culinaria Is Now Open Downtown

Over the weekend I went downtown to visit the new Schnuck's Culinaria downtown. I was busy snapping pictures and one of the employees looked at me and said, "Is this your first time in a grocery store?" With amenities like a market in walking distance from your living space, I can start to imagine living downtown.

 

 

City Garden Fun!

I popped by the City Garden yesterday with one of my sons.  He is 16 so did not take part in the fun the other kids were having. This is such a great attraction for downtown. What other sculpture park would let kids climb on everything?

 

 

Blue City Deli

I have been hearing about the Blue City Deli near Soulard for a while and yesterday finally made it down there for lunch. On Saturdays they have a band. Very yummy!

 

 

Blackberry Picking!

It is just gorgeous today and how perfect to go pick some blackberries.  I have to admit that these pictures are from a blackberry/blueberry picking expedition last week in New York State, though St. Louisans can go HERE.

 

After 30 minutes picking berries I noticed Teddy did not have any in his pale....he was eating them too quickly.

Teens can even be cool picking berries.

U City Mid-Century House

This is one of my favorite mid-century homes in University City located on Kingdel Drive.  It is small and perfectly proportioned.  I think someone told me that a Washington University professor designed it for his own home.

By the way...look at the sky from today. It looks like something out of a cartoon....gorgeous.

Retreat for Sale- Deep Southern Missouri

A new property has come on the market in Southern Missouri....practically in Arkansas.  With 903 acres, a historic main house, 10 cabins, a 4-acre spring-fed lake, 1.5 miles of Big Sugar Creek frontage and a 20,000 sq ft mess hall.....you have your makings for a great camp, retreat, wellness center....or maybe you just have a large family. 

Offered for $4,900,000 by Gillian Noero of Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty  314-583-9204

1230 S. Geyer Road, Possible Harris Armstrong-designed House

This interesting home has recently gone on the market in Kirkwood for $349,900.  The owners think it may have been designed by Harris Armstrong. It does look like his design and is the right vintage. 

I will check with Harris Armstrong expert, Andrew Raimist, and see what he says.  Check back for an update!

Listed by Greg Leber, ReMax Premiere Realty 314-609-7390

4109 S. Botanical, Tower Grove

This 1-year old townhouse is your perfect Tower Grove pad.  Three bedrooms and 3.5 baths. Hardwood floors throughout the 1st floor with an open floor plan. The kitchen has Thomasville 42 inch cabinets, granite countertops, 9ft center island, state-of-the-art appliances, Viking stove w/up draft hood, Sub Zero refrigerator & dishwasher. Gas fireplace. Security system, intercom system, pre-wired smoke detectors, stereo system throughout the house and pre-wired for flat Screen TV over the fireplace. Large 8ftx16ft composite deck off of the 1st floor great room w/French patio doors. Oak Staircase to 2nd floor, 2nd floor laundry, Master bedroom w/walk-in closet, master bath w/garden Jacuzzi tub, dual vanity, walk-in shower and skylight. A true walkout lower level w/French patio doors, 8ft ceiling & full bath. Cute back yard. Sound-proofed walls between the units. Detached two-car garage. Very energy efficient! A ten year tax abated property!

 

$349,000

 

Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty, 314-607-5555

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Town St. Charles Mansion

Wow...I have heard of New Town St. Charles though never knew that it had houses like this!

Over 5,000 sq ft, 4 stories and it looks over the grand basin and gardens of New Town's public area.

Yours for $1,495,000.

Listed by Gillian Noero of Dielmann Sothebys International Realty 314-583-9204

More Art Deco

When visiting Pittsburgh last week, I had an opportunity to go to the Mellon museum near University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon. 

I ran across a fabulous wall panel, The Chariots of Aurora, that once graced the SS Normandie.

 

 

Netherland Hotel, Cincinnati

Last week we made a stop and stayed in Cincinnati for the evening.  The highlight of the evening was enjoying some Graeter's ice cream at their new location on Fountain Park.

The other highlight was seeing the Netherland Hotel (Hilton) again.  The Netherland is one of the greatest American Art Deco buildings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mont Clair, Vincennes, IN

A highlight of my recent trip was visiting one of my ancestor's farm, Mont Clair. Mont Clair was built by Nathaniel Ewing around 1806 and was fancied-up in 1911 when the neo-classical columns were added.  The 500 acre farm has been in the Ewing family for seven generations and was recently put in a land trust to preserve it in its present state.

Mark and Becca Ewing were so gracious to receive us and give us a tour.  

My sons, Teddy and Nicholas, giving a drink to the massive great danes

 

The top hat owned by former St. Louis mayor, William L. Ewing, Sr.  He left St. Louis after losing his reelection and returned to the family home at Vincennes, IN.  Many of his possessions are still at the house.

 

Gracious hosts and current owners of Mont Clair, Mark and Becca Ewing

 

Fallingwater

I am back home after a grueling drive last night.  Somehow my sons convinced me to continue driving all the way back to St. Louis when we planned on spending the night in Columbus. 

Oh well at least we are home and don't have to drive today.

Fallingwater was an experience and I want it!  Seeing this Frank Lloyd Wright home inspires you to further appreciate the architect and his focus on integrating a house with its surroundings.I wish I could show you some interior pics, though the museum does not let you take them.  You can see how our local William Bernoudy used many of the same ideas as Wright in his homes.  The use of built-in bookshelves, seating, lighting, etc.  He also was great at bringing the outside in  with his use of windows, terraces and balconies.

 

 

 

Fallingwater

Today I was at Fallingwater in PA, the famous house Frank Lloyd Wright built for the Kaufman family You could see the influence Wright had on St Louis' Bernoudy. More of the interior finishes....though I couldn't take pictures.

Drive-in Movie

One of my favorite things about visiting my brother in Corning, NY is going to the drive-in movie

The theater is located up in the hills away from town. People bring picnic dinners and throw the football around before the show

We saw GI Joe which was action-packed and perfect for a drive-in show!

Fun Planter

I just saw this fun planter on the side of the road in New York State

Notice the lady at the door wondering what I am doing.

Sullivan Diner, Horseheads, NY

The Sullivan Diner is one of the original railcar diners that were delivered via train to their destination. They were not a dining car for a train, though just transported by train.

Horseheads, NY got it's name from a time when an army battilion wintered there and had to eat their horses to survive the harsh winter. By Spring, there was a pile of horseheads left ... Yuk!

Rooster Ties

I am visiting my older brother in New York state. This is a picture of his Rooster tie collection

I remember being a young boy in the 70s and only having Rooster ties like this to wear

I think it is about time for Rooster ties to come back

Texas Hot Restaurant, Wellsville,NY

Tonight we were treated to Texas Hots at The Texas Hot in Wellsville, New York

They are yummy hot dogs with meat sauce and onions!

Primanti Bros.

Sorry that I have not posted lately. I am traveling and have all sorts of fun photos to share. I need to get to a computer to use them. In the meantime, here is a photo from the famous Primanti Bros in Pittsburgh. Yummy subs piled with fries and cold slaw We are looking at Carnegie Mellon an U of Pittsburgh tomorrow with one of my sons

7453 Teasdale, University City

Located on one of University City’s most sought-after streets, this home has everything that you want that is hard to find in U City!  Three stories, four bedrooms and two full baths.  Stained glass windows grace the Living Room and separate, formal dining room. The eat-in kitchen is updated with custom cabinets, tile floor and Corian counters.  Off the kitchen is a large deck that overlooks a big, fenced backyard that is perfect for kids to play in and/or you beloved pet to romp. The yard also has an irrigation system. There is a charming, detached garage in the back of the property. $449,00

 

Listed by Dielmann Sothebys International Realty 314-607-5555

 

 

The Doors of Delmar

The other day I took a long walk going east from Hanley Road to 170. Notice that the styles of the doors span several decades of styles as you move West.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6906 Columbia, U City

Who needs to go on vacation when you can own this charming cottage right here in U City!

Just on the market for $324,900. Circa 1923 with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.

Listed by Christopher Thiemet, Circa Properties 314-412-0654