Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

Ashburton, Pike County Missouri

Across the street from our farm in Pike County, Missouri is one of the original plantation farms of the area....Ashburton.  John Winn Davis bought a large tract of land from Walker Gilmer Meriwether who owned Aberdeen, a 1233 acre tobacco plantation. Mr. Davis build Ashburton in 1840.  It was a duplicate of his home in Hanover County, VA and also the Davis home in England....both houses were also called Ashburton.  He used slaves to accomplish this over a five year period. It is noted that he had 20 slaves. Mr. Davis fired bricks to build his house in his own kiln and even fired an additional 500,000 bricks to build nearby St. John's Episcopal Church in Eolia, Missouri....which is the oldest Episcopal Church west of the Mississippi. In the late 1800's they added a third story on the house. I had the treat of visiting this farm for the first time today. It could be for sale for the right offer....over 350 gorgeous acres....contact me for more information.

Everyone loves kittens!  They sell houses and farms!

Boston Ivy- Can be a pain

I have Boston Ivy growing above my garage in town and then on our smokehouse out at the farm.  I love it....though it is a pain to keep it trimmed since it grows very quickly.  I find that you need to keep it at a height that is easy to trim with a small latter.  This poor homeowner in the Lake Forest neighborhood has lost the battle....a little Grey Gardenish.  The other problem is that when you do pull it down, all of these little suction disks are left on your bricks and windows. 

Executive House, CWE

Yesterday I was showing a friend/client a condo in the Executive House in the CWE.  I think that the Executive House is a hidden gem.  The views are lovely...it has a pool...doorman...and they have recently done some major renovations. The pricing compared to some of the newer high-rises in the area is a bargain. For $299,000 you can get a two bedroom, 1600+ sq ft condo and a balcony with a great view of Forest Park.  This pricing is on the high-end..there are also studios without balconies for the mid- $150,000s.

Alton's Levis Mansion is For Sale

For $2,500,000 you can own the fabled Levis Mansion in Alton, IL.

"Welcome to the Levis Mansion built in 1925. Over 18,000sf of magnificence! Notable feautures include sculptured stone ceilings imported from Europe as well as a 600 year old fireplace which is documented. The rear patio is built around the original Alton Courthouse staircase which hosted the Lincoln~Douglas Debate of 1828. Incredible home featuring 8 bedrooms.Six of which feature their own private baths. The remaining two bedrooms share a unique jack and jill bath. The formal dining room is adjacent to the kitchen with seating for 30+ ppl! The entry foyer is another impressive notable feature of this home. The foyer staircase was constructed with hand carved rail road ties! The setting is unique and serene with a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Missouri and Missippi Rivers!"

Listed by Shawna Holtman @ St. Louis Realty 314-481-4371

Pencil Sharpeners

A few weeks ago I was showing some property in Brentwood and Rock Hill.  My client mentioned that she thought it was so funny that a lot of these houses had a pencil sharpener in the basement somewhere.  It is sort of funny if you think about it... a flashback to the age of sharpening pencils.  It reminds me of when I was a kid and had to empty it at school and how messy it was....the smell of the shavings....the big pink erasers...chewing on pencils...breaking a pencil and then sharpening both ends....seeing how short you could get the pencil before throwing it away.....carrying a pencil in your pants pockets and having it poke you...

Well I was showing another house in Brentwood yesterday....and there it was again...a pencil sharpener.

Bettye LaVette @ The Sheldon Last Night

You know I have never been to a performance at The Sheldon until last night.  I had the treat of seeing Bettye LaVette in concert....and you know I had never heard of her before last night also.  What a surprise and treat to see Bettye at The Sheldon.  She is a blues dynamo!  She recently performed at Kennedy Center Honors and President Obama's Inaugural Concert.  Wow...check her out on the YouTube at the bottom of this post.

 

Earthways Green Homes Festival- This Saturday!

Don't forget to hit the Earthways Green Homes Festival this Saturday down on Grandel Ave in Grand Center.  Find out more HERE.

Indoor/Outdoor Fireplace

These fireplaces are so cool.  Perfect for a loft without a fireplace.  This model can be brought outdoors and then come in!  Find out more HERE.

Danger

Well the author of St. Louis Style almost met his maker yesterday. With all of this talk of preserving the buildings in the CWE and stopping the demolition....one of the buildings almost got me yesterday. I was driving down Euclid near the Ettrick Building. Seconds behind me I heard a crash... a brick wall came tumbling down and landed on Euclid. No one was hurt...the the diners across the road were in shock and I counted my blessings that my car was not under that wall.

These pics are of the site today...most of the building is down now.

Plant Bulbs Now For Spring Color

I know it is easy to get tired of gardening this time of the year, though don't forget to plant some Spring bulbs! You will certainly thank that you did next year.  (U City in bloom has their annual bulb sale October 10th and 11th in The Loop near Bread Co.)

Below is the Geranium breed to daffodils...I like them because they bloom after all of the other daffodils are spent.

Mid-century Renovation

It is fun to see a tired mid-century home get a fabulous overall.  Check out the BEFORE and AFTER pictures.

2 Sleepy Hollow, Olivette Open Sunday, Sept 20th 1-3 PM

I will be holding open 2 Sleepy Hollow in Olivette today from 1-3 pm. Stop by to see this fun ranch!

Mid-century Ladue

Ladue is probably the best treasure-trove of quality mid-century finds in St. Louis.  All you need to do is find a ranch that has been lived in by its original owners and you are set.  Can't wait for the estate sale for this house! A little Brady Bunch, though fun!

Designer Computer Cases

This is a fun and whimsical way to protect your MacBook.  Available HERE.

Isadore Shank- 10 Westwood Country Club Grounds....For Sale!

I have not seen an Isadore Shank home come on the market for a couple of years.  Here is a piece of history located in the lovely grounds of Westwood Country Club.  This is a rare opportunity to buy a mid-century gem!  $645,000

"Isadore Shank Modernist Gem *Construction personally supervised by Mr. Shank *Present owners built this home 50 years ago to be in harmony with nature and have lovingly maintained it since *Soaring beamed ceilings throughout, gleaming parquet and glazed brick floors, lots of glass, superior craftsmanship *Spacious, light-filled and serene *Original St. Charles kitchen *Great Room and Master Suite open to private brick patio and gardens *3 additional bedrooms and 3 full baths *Pella windows *2 furnaces and 1 AC 2007 *45 piers under concrete foundation *Full basement with temperature controlled wine cellar and darkroom *Specimen trees and shrubs."

Listed by Marcia Harris of Dielmann Sotheby 314-725-0009

A New Website to Search the MLS Like An Agent

Did you know that real estate sites like Realtor.com are great, though they are not updated by the MLS for over 24 hours.  I just signed up for this new service that is in-sync with the MLS real-time.  This puts you at a competitive advantage of finding out about new listings as soon as an agent does. Click HERE for more information. This site also showcases some of my recent listings.

2 Sleepy Hollow, Olivette

Here is a classic ranch home that is coming on the market this week.  4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, renovated kitchen, finished basement, hardwood floors....and much more!  This house has the great vaulted Living Room and Dining Room ceilings with coved lighting that is so cool in mid-century homes. All yours for $425,000.  Open Sunday, September 20th from 1-3 PM.

Listed by Ted Wight  Dielmann Sothebys International Realty  314-607-5555

 

Family room that is open to the kitchen. I love the fireplace brick-work.

Brentwood Stone Houses

Located on Litzsinger Road just East of Brentwood are a few of these charming stone houses in Brentwood.  They are sort of Deco.  I know there is a story about them, though I forget it. Something about a quarry in the area in the early 1900's. There are dozens of house in this style located in the Brentwood area. Below are two different houses...a fun game you can play with the kids is figuring what if unique about each house!

Fun Bathroom Decor

Over the weekend I was showing a client a cute house in Brentwood and came across this bathroom. I have not seen them before, though I guess these are press-on, vinyl stickers.  Sort of cute, different and cool.  ?? where to get them.

 

 

 

 

Morning Glories

Good Morning...Morning Glory!  I love the rich colors and am always glad this time of the year that I planted the seeds in the Spring.

 

 

 

CWE Art Openings- Friday Night- Duane Reed Gallery

I popped by the Duane Reed Gallery Friday night for the opening of exhibits from artist Luisa Mesa and Sun Smith Foret.

Wonderful pieces....you need to see the SHOW.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Night CWE Art Openings- Atrium Gallery

Clayton was not the only place hopping with Art last night.  The McPherson/Euclid Galleries were open and busy with the artsy set.

Atrium Gallery had a wonderful exhibit by artist, Kirk Pedersen.  The works were from his new photography pieces.

(below...Atrium Gallery owner- Carolyn Miles and artist Charlie Houska)

 

An Arty Weekend

This is going to be an art-filled weekend!  The St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton is going on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The Contemporary has its new opening Friday night at 7 PM. And the McPherson/ Euclid area of the CWE is having its Art Walk on Friday night.

Here is information on The Atrium Gallery's (on McPherson across from Centro) new exhibit opening Friday night.

KIRK PEDERSEN

"Urban Asia"

an exhibition of new paintings and photography

September 11 - November 8

Opening Reception for the artist, Friday, September 11, 6-9 p.m.

KIRK PEDERSEN, “Red Wall, Dalian, China,” 2008, lambda digital C print, 40” x 60”      Please join us as we open the Fall Season with a  dynamic solo exhibition of new works by California artist, KIRK PEDERSEN.  “Urban Asia” will feature paintings and photography drawn from Pedersen’s recent journeys through Asia where he has taught and exhibited as well.  The images are lush, beautifully composed views of everyday sightings from urban Asian streets.  Subjects are cropped views of structures, occasionally including figures, vehicles, foliage and of course his signature bits of graffiti.  Results are elegant, visceral and compelling.  The exhibition opens with a reception for the artist, Friday, September 11, 6-9 p.m.  and will include a book signing for his recently published Urban Asia, from 6-7 p.m.  The show continues through November 8th.

Ken Konchel Exhibit

St. Louis Through the Lens 2009 Exhibition

Irv Shankman Memorial Photography Contest

Host:	Fans/Collectors of Ken Konchel Photography
Network:	Global

Date:	Thursday, September 10, 2009
Time:	5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location:	Gallery 210 - University of Missouri - St. Louis
Street:	44 East Dr., TCC/1 University Blvd.

After Labor Day Garden

After Labor Day the garden takes on a different flavor. The annuals are peaking, the summer perennials look bleak....though there are some highlights....ornamental grasses are at their best, some sedums are blooming and the fall clematis is in full show.

 

8727 West Kingbury, U City

This charming home is located so close to everything, Clayton, Ladue, The Galleria,Schnuck’s, the airport and has easy access to 170. Located in University City, though it has the fancy 63124 zip code. Open Living Room and Dining Room with a wood burning fireplace. Ground level 2 car garage enters right into the kitchen- making it easy to unload groceries. Large, level backyard perfect for a pet. Newer wrap-around cedar deck off of the kitchen.  Three nice bedrooms. Remodeled main bathroom with new tile and new fixtures. Newer energy-efficient windows. Lovely hardwood floors throughout the house. Finished, large lower level with a half bath.  $299,000

Listed  by Ted Wight  Dielmann Sothebys International Realty 314-607-5555

 

 

 

Special Toasters

We have seen the washer and dryer transformed from the plain white version to fun colors and designs....now someone is paying attention to the toaster.

Gorgeous in Claverach Park, Clayton

Yesterday I went through the most amazing house in stylish Claverach Park, Clayton.  The house has hardly been touched and updated....which may sound horrible to some....though it is nice that this house is in its original state and did not undergo a bad 80's renovation.  This could be your own little Sunset Boulevard mini-mansion. $700,000

 

 

 

Artist Jeff Kapfer's Birthday

Artist Jeff Kapfer had a milestone birthday on Saturday at his cool loft.

New Straub's Clarkson/Clayton Rds

I have always loved my Straub's in the CWE and Clayton.  It is easy to get in and out,the people are friendly and yummy samples are all over! I was out visiting a new listing in Wildwood over the weekend and had to pop into Straub's new store. It was huge, glamorous and a little empty of shoppers.

 

 

 

 

They have a bar in the store where you can grab a beer!