Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

A Picnic @ Our Farm in the 60's

Here is another wonderful family photo that was recently rediscovered. It is my grandfather, aunt and late uncle having a picnic in the woods at our farm in Pike County. I love that my grandfather is in a jacket and tie.  Do you remember the days of the thermos?

3217 Longfellow, Compton Heights...The Video

791 Bismark, Glendale MO "The Famous Tree House Home"

Check out my latest video! You will love this home! So cool!

My Grandmother in Nantucket

My brother found some photos on my late father's computer that he shared with us this Christmas. This one is of my paternal grandmother on Nantucket sometime in the 60's. So stylish! She died shortly after I was born. Notice the large Nantucket basket next to her.

4976 Pershing, CWE For Sale

This lovely CWE home is for sale. $999,000   6972 sq feet.

Home combines the elegance of ages past with modern amenities. The Tudor Revival w/ Arts & Crafts'' was designed by Laurence Garden (projects include the Chicago Art Museum & Library) as a special favor. *See history. The home was built in 1905 as a warm family home and for gracious entertaining. It has timeless updates & restoration w/meticulous attention to historic detail. The kitchen features an original Magic Chef 6 burner, 2 oven range. Kitchen updates include marble island w/storage & stainless steel wine cooler. 1st flr has a solarium, terrace & kitchen porch. 2nd floor has 4 BR, 3 full BA & sunny office. The master bath has 25 sq ft shower, 8' vanity, 6' soaker tub, & TV. 3rd flr includes a family room w/porch & mini kit, 2BR/1BA, hidden gazebo room, massive storage, office/pool room & potential rooftop garden. Yard large enough for kids, pets & pool! Gated street w/low fees. CWE location near park, hospital, main restaurant & entertainment area.

Listed by Jonatha Swatek, Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty, 314-725-0009

 

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Italian Creche Scene

Yesterday I went to Christmas mass at Priory's Abbey Church in Town and Country. They have an old, Italian creche that has been there for years. I took some pictures with my iPhone and Hipsomatic Ap.

 

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays

This is the first year I did not send out Holiday Season cards. Time just got away from me. Here a a quick one I made this morning to give to my mother. My sons and me at the Veiled Prophet Ball on Thursday night.

Artist- Charlie Houska- Herman Miller Chair

Okay last minute shoppers....here is a fun gift.  One-of-a-kind!  Hurry....there really is only one!

http://houskaart.typepad.com/blog/

www.houska.com

Herman Miller Houska Chair

Icebox Cake

One of the simplest and yummiest dessert you can make is Icebox Cake.  The only hassle is that you need to make it 24 hrs in advance.  Think of it as the ultimate cookie and creams dessert.

To make it, pick up chocolate wafers in the cookie lane. Not Orios.  There are just plain wafers.  Whip up a lot of heavy cream....like a quart.  I did not sweeten the cream, though just added a little real vanilla. Then you just layer the cookies in a row and put a nice spoonful of cream in-between each cookie. Keep going until you have used all of the cookies. Finally cover the cookie roll with the rest of the cream. The next day I whip up some more cream, flavor it with vanilla and a little sugar and add a fresh frosting to the log.  Yum!

  

 

Cool 70's Home Replaced by Orlando Pace's Mansion

Here is the new house going up on Conway Rd in Westwood.

 

Look at my Flickr set of pictures of the cool 70's home that was taken down.  I love the fixtures, accessories and furniture!

Daniel Gale- architect

Check out this vintage article in American Homes magazine talking about the home that architect Daniel Gale built for himself in St. Louis. As you can see, he style resembles the Bernoudy houses. A gentleman in Rochester NY contacted me to say that he and his wife built a home from these plans up in Rochester. The house pictured in the article is in St. Louis... Ladue I think.  If any of my readers have any information on Daniel Gale or where this house is located, please contact me.

  

(Update from the Rochester home owner: "I finally located the house shown in the December 1963 issue of American Home Magazine. It is number 26 Brookwood Drive. Subsequent owners added a Bedroom/Bath/Garage wing off the end of the fireplacewall - approximately 560 square feet.")

(Notes from one of Gale's children: "I checked the google maps air photo for our other family home my father designed and built in St. Louis in the mid-70's - this is the one I mentioned at 35 Glen Eagles Drive in the St. Louis County Club and it looks the same as I remember it, at least based on what I can see from the air photo."

 

Columbarium and Missouri Crematory

Located on Sublette near Arsenal are two historic structures. They close to the St. Louis Lunatic Asylum that I talked about recently. Lovely structures!  A columbarium is a place to hold urns with ashes....I had to look up this one.

(Update:  there is actually a book about these buildings. Find out more HERE.)

Hidden Pool

Check out this super cool patio that turns into a pool! You will be wowed!  Thank you Stacey for sending this to me to share!

The video:

http://www.wimp.com/everyoneneeds/

 

Here is the company website. http://www.hiddenwaterpools.com/

 

St. Louis Lunatic Asylum

For years St.Louisans have used an off-colored joke that when someone is acting a little strange...."It is time to take you to Arsenal".  Below is an portion of the article from HERE that talks about this lovely and historic building in more detail.

On April 23, 1869, St. Louis County Lunatic Asylum opened its doors to 150 mentally ill people. Work began in August 1864. Designed and built by architect William Rumbold, it is the second governmental facility in the state to serve this population. Rumbold's vision was to recall Imperial Rome, resulting in the cast-iron-dome and plans that called for fine imported marble pillars for the front portico.

Rumbold's cast-iron-structured dome on the old St. Louis County Lunatic Asylum, now called St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center has dominated the landscape of south St. Louis for over a century.  In the beginning, it was generally held to be magnificent after which  the fashion for ornamental extravagance faded and it came to be considered everything from monstrous to quaint.  Now, however, it has regained a place of architectural importance, not so much by being beautiful, as by being old.  It is also one of a unique matched pair in St. Louis; the other being Rumbold's dome over the old Court House at Fourth and Market Streets.  The dome is even a sort of skeleton cousin to what is probably the most widely recognized dome in the world; the one surmounting the Capitol in Washington, D.C.  Rumbold may not have been the prime architect for the great dome in Washington, but he was an  honored consultant at least.

Danforths Pictured in Vanity Fair for Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy

It is nice seeing St. Louisans pictured in the January issue of Vanity Fair. Senator John Danforth and William Danforth received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

Ladue Bernoudy Coming on the Market

A stunning Bernoudy home is coming on the market soon in Ladue. The price will probably be around $1 million. Lovely pool....updated kitchen....most of the original Bernoudy fixtures are in-place....very private lot. Contact me for more information:  314-607-5555 or tedwight@aol.com

791 Bismark, The Famous Glendale Home with 2 Treehouses....Open Sun., Dec 18th from 1-3 PM

If you have ever driven down Berry Rd in Glendale Missouri in the winter time, you have caught a glimpse of this cool house with two treehouses in back.  These are not treehouses that Dad built out of old lumber. These are built on metal support beams, have electricity, one has a toilet and sink....the other a fireplace. This is a wow property. Everytime I go over to see this unique home, I am tempted to buy it. Imagine entertaining on this huge deck....taking a nap in one of the treehouses on a summer day....starting your dinner party with wine and cheese in a treehouse.....having your children/grandchildren spend the night in a treehouse....be unique....be fun!

http://791bismark.canbyours.com/

Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty, 314-607-5555, tedwight@aol.com

Historic Owensville Home on 77 Acres with the Option to Buy the Herd of Buffalo!

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GIVE ME A HOME WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM! AND HERE IT IS! ONE OF MISSOURI'S MOST NOTABLE, HISTORIC LIMESTONE HOMES; early 1800's, 5bd/4b, 2 story built for Judge, A.F. Brinkmann, includes a 2 story limestone barn, smoke house/summer kitchen, & PART-TIME JAIL; when Gasconade Co. jail was full, Judge Brinkmann housed part of the overflow. The main home & outbuildings were totally renovated beginning in 2006, in keeping with the historic period. The 77 ACRES is a balance of level fenced pastureland, cropland, & woods with a very pretty creek flowing through the valley. 2 LAKES, ONE IS 6 ACRES, WELL STOCKED, & HAS A RESTORED LOG CABIN ON THE BANK OVERLOOKING THE CLEAR WATER. WONDERFUL, SERENE COUNTRYSIDE, DISTANT VIEWS & WILDLIFE HABITAT. A LARGE ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDEN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, ENABLING YOU TO GROW YOUR OWN HEALTHY VEGETABLES FOR THE TABLE. More acreage possibly available, as well as BUFFALO from the owner's herd.

$1,188,000

Listed by Roberta Rollins and Tom Jose of Prudential Alliance Realtors 636-390-0505

3440 Wieda Rd, Lonedell MO 40 acres FOR SALE....new video!

Check out my latest video on 3440 Wieda Rd, Lonedell Missouri.

 

Parkview Home Featured in the Nov-Feb Issue of American Bungalow

Check out the new issue of American Bungalow...one our town's Parkview Homes was featured in the issue....very exciting!  Check out my previous post HERE on this fine house.

 

Excited now .....check out this open house!

1017 Mississippi # D Lafayette Square.... The Video!

This is my first real video to highlight one of my listings.  They will just get better and better.  Any feedback is always appreciated.

Cool Mid-century Lamp

The other day I was up in Pike County looking at a house that someone wants to sell next year. I came across a few cool, Mid-century finds!  Love the lamp!  I think the grandfather worked for Chevy and was given this lamp.

Sunday Open Houses- 12-11-11

1017 Mississippi, Lafayette Square  1-4 PM......this is during the Lafayette Square Parlor Tour

$235,000

http://1017mississippi.canbyours.com/

3217 Longfellow  1-3 PM

The most affordable home in Compton Heights!  You deserve to live here!  $379,900

http://3217longfellow.canbyours.com/

 

Mesker Brothers

The Mesker Brothers were based in St. Louis and manufactured iron storefronts for buildings across the nation.  They did most of the iron storefronts that you see on Laclede's Landing.  Today I was driving through Eolia, MO in Pike County and stopped by a store.  I noticed that this storefront was also built by Mesker Brothers.

Below is from the Illinois Historic Preservation Committee:

Many Main Street commercial buildings of the late 1800s and early 1900s reflect the widespread availability of mass-produced building parts, which ranged from individual components to entire building facades. While prefabricated architectural elements were available from a number of manufacturers, no other companies better exemplify this niche than the Mesker Brothers Iron Works of St. Louis, Missouri, and George L. Mesker Company of Evansville, Indiana. They specialized in ornamental sheet-metal facades and cast iron storefront components, which were ordered through catalogs and easily shipped by rail to any interested building owner. Their extensive product lines not only featured embossed sheet-metal panels and cast iron but also entire storefront assemblies, as well as tin ceilings, fences, skylights, and freight elevators.

“Meskers”, as they are called, are found across America. However, because the companies were based in the Midwest, they are particularly plentiful in Illinois and are part of the state’s rich architectural history. Made of galvanized steel and cast iron, these durable facades often survive, despite the occasional neglect and lack of maintenance. While not all buildings may feature elaborate sheet metal facades, individual building components, such as cornices and window hoods, are quite common throughout the state, especially in smaller communities. If your town has a Mesker facade, we would like to know about it. The goal of our ever-expanding Illinois database (PDF file) and this website is to recognize the historic significance of the Mesker companies in the shaping of our downtowns’ architectural fabric.

Stonehenge of BBQ pits

This is located behind a CWE building.

Stike and Spare Bowling Lanes- N Lindbergh Near JCCA....Coming Down

The fun building on N Lindbergh before Page Ave near the JCCA is coming down.  The windows are boarded up and fencing surrounds the perimeter. Sad. I wrote about this building on my post HERE.

Ranked as #3 in the Top 10 Realtors in Town and Style Magazine

Wow!  I was ranked as #3 in Town and Style's Top Agent list.  Check out the Dec 7th issue! 

1017 Mississippi #D, Lafayette Square FOR SALE Next to Vin De Set & 1111 Mississippi!

Priced to sell! Gorgeous townhome! Sparkling clean and in mint move-in condition. Chef's kitchen with custom cabinets, granite counter-tops & stainless steel appliances. Kitchen opens to a patio perfect for grilling & entertaining. Open floor plan on the main floor with hardwood floors. Vent-free fireplace in the living room. 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 2nd floor laundry. Finished lower level. Freshly painted. So close to Vin de Set, 1111 Mississippi and PW Pizza restaurants that you may be tempted to give your gourmet kitchen the day off. Walk to Lafayette Square and all of the fun restaurants, bars & entertainment in the park. 2-car garage.

$235,000

http://1017mississippi.canbyours.com/

(Open Sunday, December 11th from 1-4 PM......this is during the Lafayette Square Parlor Tour)

Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty, 314-607-5555   tedwight@aol.com

Compton Heights Holiday Lights

Over the weekend I drove down Hawthorne in Compton Heights to go to a party....look at this beautiful display!  I will have 3406 Hawthorne open this coming Sunday from 1-3 PM. They always decorate beautifully.

Modern STL Holiday Party

Tonight I went to the Modern STL Holiday party at a fun Sappington/ Crestwood house.  What a fun crowd!  Mid-century (MCM) enthusiast....design enthusiast....just cool people! You need to join this organization. Click HERE for more information!

Charlie Houska Art Opening- Edwardsville, IL

Last Friday, artist Charlie Houska had his opening at the Edwardsville Art at the Edwardsville Art Center. Big crowd! His show runs through January 6th, 2012.

Sunday Open Houses December 4th 1-3 PM

This fabulous, Frank Wright-inspired home is on 40 acres and is only 45 minutes from Sunset Hills. It could be a primary residence or a close-in country retreat. There is an option to buy the adjoining 20 acres if you want to add to your parcel. Make the road trip and come see this beauty! $569,900

http://3440wieda.canbyours.com/

The most affordable home in Compton Heights!  You deserve to live here!  $379,900

http://3217longfellow.canbyours.com/

Local Artist, Charlie Houska Featured in Edwardsville, IL Newspaper

Local CWE artist, Charlie Houska, has been getting front-page coverage in Edwardsville's local paper The Intelligencer.....he was also featured in the paper's weekend magazine. Houska's art will be showcased at the Edwardsville Art Center this Friday through January 6th, 2012

Noosa Yogurt

I don't usually do product endorsements...though Noosa Yogurt is so good. It tastes like a yummy dessert! You can find it at Straub's.