Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

The Evolution of My Living Room

I still have some things to finish in my Living Room, though it is coming together.  I have ordered an Asian-motif rug from Stark and an going to have two side chairs redone...oh and I almost forgot....my designer, David Deatherage of Century Design tracked down a wonderful Paul McCobb cocktail table in Pittsburgh that is making its way to St. Louis for me.

The pictures below show the evolution of this room.  

This is an early picture of this room when William Bernoudy was a bachelor and his mother was living with him.

This is the picture from the Bernoudy book and was taken after Bill Bernoudy had passed away and his wife, Gertrude, commissioned the book to be written.

And here is present day with my influence.

Bernoudy-designed Glass Cabinet

One of my favorite features of my Bernoudy home is the glass cabinet in the kitchen. It is lite from underneath. Sometimes I feel like the crystal department at Famous-Barr, though it is cool.  I made sure only clear glasses are featured.

Ruth Schweiss

The other day I took these photos of a sculpture by Ruth Schweiss that sits outside of a Bernoudy-designed home. This work of reminds me of the Carl Milles sculptures in the Meeting of the Waters near Union Station.

Modern STL Holiday Party @ My Home Yesterday

Check out the pics (click "pics") from Modern STL's Holiday Party held at my home yesterday. Somehow I managed 70 people and 45 cars!

 

Old Sweet Gum Tree

Sweet Gum trees are one of the least favorite trees that people have in their yards. They were popular in the 50's so you see them often in the yards of ranch homes. The "gum balls" are a real annoyance. I have one in my yard that I really love.  The branches are low and stretch out. They are also covered with moss and turn bright green after a rain. Here is my tree on this foggy morning.

Ladue News Decorator's Show House 2012; Before and After; The Lower Level

Everyone's favorite store and design team, Niche, did wonders with the Lower Level of this stunning Bernoudy home in Town and Country.

Before

 

 

After

Ladue News Decorator's Show House 2012 Before and After Pictures- The Foyer

Arlene Lilie was assigned to decorate one the more dramatic spaces in this Bernoudy home. Her room looked out to an enclosed courtyard featuring a stunning Ernest T. Trova sculpture. The Trova Project, part of Ivey Selkirk, generously loaned close to 100 pieces from their gallery to help the decorators transform their spaces. It was fun to see the different phases of Ernie Trova's work throughout the house.

Before

After

Ladue News Decorator's Show House- Before and After Part VI The Guest Suite

I.O. Metro, located near Crate and Barrel off Brentwood, turned one of the upstairs bedrooms into a cool pad.

Did you know you can buy this lovely home....find out more HERE. 

Before

After

Ladue News Decorator's Show House- Before an After Part V The Family Room

Karen Pepper of Edwin Pepper Interiors decorated the Family Room at the lovely Bernoudy home on Conway Rd in Town and Country that was recently transformed by St. Louis's Top Decorators.

Before

After

 

Ladue News Decorator's Show House- Before and After Part IV, The Living Room

Alan Brainerd of Alan E. Brainerd Interiors was selected to decorate the Living Room of the 2012 Ladue News Decorator's Show House- a stunning Bernoudy on 18 acres in Town & County. At last year's Show House, Alan decorated the Dining Room at my listing- 15 Washington Terrace. 

Before 

After

Ladue News Decorator's Show House- Before and After Part lll The Dining Room

Carolyn Grove of C.V.Grove Interiors took on the Dining Room at the 2012 Ladue News Decorator's Show House. I am wild about the Clarence House wallpaper she used for one alcove.

Before

After

Ladue News Show House, Before and After Part II

Last year when Ken Stuckenschneider did the Master Suite in the 2011 Ladue News Decorator's Show House at 15 Washington Terrace....I was immediately a fan!  This year he transformed the Master Bedroom of the stunning Bernoudy home on Conway Rd into something special. 

Check out the before pictures....twin beds...some people call that Catholic birth control...after 7 kids for the original owners, I think it was a necessity.

Before

After

 

Ladue News Show House- Before and After Part 1

David Deatherage of Century Design took on the "men's study" which was once one of the boy's bedrooms.  The family that built the house had 7 kids....2 boys and 5 girls. David used Custom Furniture Works to transform the standard paneling into a visual delight. He also had them turn the closets into bookshelves. David is helping me with a few items at my new Bernoudy home.

Before

After!

And David even had a Bernoudy-design planter

Missed the Ladue News 2012 Decorator's Show House....Check out this link!

The 2012 Ladue News Decorator's Show House was a great success. St. Louis' Top Designers transformed this Bernoudy home into even more of a masterpiece. I am going to have a Before and After series after I get the photographs in my hot little hands.   In the meantime, check out Ladue New's Elegant Living Magazine at the news stands.....and this LINK.  This lovely home is for sale through me for $3.5 million...18 acres and the stunning home.

Progress @ My New House

I have been told that my blogging is a bit boring these days. It is a combination of managing home projects, a busy Real Estate market and U Verse Internet issues. My new house is a wiring nightmare having a main house and guesthouse....sounds fancy, though I doubt I have 2000 sq ft combined.

I was unable to salvage the cork floors in my bedroom. The carpet tacking destroyed them. I am laying new cork in that room. It is done now and I am finally out of the guest house.

I have been using my late fathers fancy shower with 6 body sprays. I have never been cleaner! The other bathroom has my mother's jacuzzi tub. She is from the bath set and I don't think has taken a shower. I have not used it yet.

I have acres of brick patio and walls. My masons have been busy. The lovely staircase will be acid washed to remove the white film.

My cat, Boo, is terrified to leave the house during the day though is happy going out at night. You would think it would be the opposite with owls, coyote and other wildlife around.

Ladue News Decorator's Show House 2012- Bernoudy-designed Home....Ends Sunday, October 21st

Don't forget to see this stunning Bernoudy-designed house on 18 acres in Town and Country. This is a must see and you only have 1 week left to see it! St. Louis' Top Designers have transformed every room. Buy your tickets HERE for $20 or at the door for $25. All proceeds go to charity!

Ladue News Decorator's Show House Featured on KSDK

Check out the Ladue News Decorator's Show House on KSDK's Show Me St. Louis. Click HERE.

See This Landmark Bernoudy Home in T & C Transformed! Ladue News Decorator's Show House Is Coming Soon! Get Your Tickets!

My Bernoudy- night picture by Wesley Law

Famed Photographer, Wesley Law, came over to my house last week to take a night picture of my new house. Dramatic and cool! Check out his fashion spread in the September 14th Ladue News. The pictures were taken at my Bernoudy listing in Town and Country that is going to be the Ladue News Decorator's Showcase in early October.

Bernoudy Stained Glass Window

My new home features a stained glass window created by the architect, William Bernoudy. I caught the sun coming through it a moment ago.

Fun Painting

I was at a fun gathering in Ladue celebrating my Aunt Bunny's new book. Check out the blog from a few days ago for more about her book. I love this piece of artwork in the gracious hostesses' screened porch. The lightbulbs changed patterns.

Also look at her Bernoudy-designed patio and "martini" pool. The house is not a Bernoudy, though she hired him to do some of the outdoor space.

My Martini Pool

Happy Labor Day weekend! Well here is my pool in the new house. It is original to the Bernoudy house though my parents restored it a few years back. No filter. You just drain it once in a while. Small pools like this are called Martini pools or "crotch-coolers".

Cork Floors Refinishing 2

Well it turned out that my cork floors could not be sanded. They were cured with some sort of oil. The plan now is to wax them with a heavy dark-tinted wax. See the sample spot in blue. I think it will be cool and almost leatherish when I am done.

The bedrooms' cork floors are going to have to be ripped out and replaced. The cork was too damaged by the tack boards for wall to wall carpet.

Revealing the Cork Floors

Today I have commenced the project to refinish the original cork floors in my new home....a William Bernoudy-designed residence from 1950.  The main house had a floating maple floor laid over the original cork with a lip when the floor transitioned to the brick tiles.  I want the flooring to be original and all on the same plane. I am also removing the wall-to-wall carpets laid over the cork in the bedrooms.  The cork will be sanded and refinished.The cork color is coffee. I am told that they created this color by baking the cork. It is going to make the house darker, though furniture and space rugs will lighten it up again. I am exciting about how quiet it will be to walk across them and the noise in the main house should be diminished during parties.

Before

Demolition Today....does not look that pretty yet....though I am happy that the cork is in good shape!

Stylish Bernoudy Featured in Town & Style Magazine

Check out the spread in the August 8th edition of Town & Style Magazine featuring Chris Panzer and Jim Bond's Town and Country Bernoudy home.

My Bernoudy Listing Will Be The 2012 Ladue News Decorator's Showcase House!

Last year I helped inspire the Ladue News to pick up the St. Louis tradition of decorator's show houses. The Symphony and Cardinal Glennon's used to have them, though they faded away. Last year my listing at 15 Washington Terrace was the show house.  This year I am pleased to announce that my listing located at 13428 Conway Rd in Town and Country will be the 2012 Decorators Show House. The home was built in 1961 by famed architect William Bernoudy and sits on over 18 acres.  The decorators will have strict rules detailing what they can do to the structure so that the integrity of the interior is not altered. This will be exciting....check back for more details....it will take place during two weeks in October.

http://conwayrd.canbyours.com/

My Conway Road Bernoudy Listing- Featured in the Ladue News! Big Spread!

My Bernoudy listing in Town and County on 18 acres was just featured in the June 22nd issue of the Ladue News. Pick up your copy now!

http://conwayrd.canbyours.com/

 

 

After-Work Bernoudy Schweiss House Tour on Thursday, June 14th

 

After-Work Schweiss House Tour on Thursday, June 14

Photograph by Ted Wight. Join Modern STL for a casual after-work happy hour tour of William A. Bernoudy’s Schweiss House! Thursday, June 14 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 4 Daniel Road Free and open to the public In 1951, Bernoudy-Mutrux (the firm of architects William A. Bernoudy and Edouard Mutrux) designed a small, innovative house for sculptor Ruth Schweiss and her husband Frank. This house was laid out on a plan of parallelogram modules, and featured a central hearth and carport integrated in the design — details congruent with Frank Lloyd Wright’s approach to the noted Kraus House (c. 1949 – 1956) in Ebsworth Park. In January, there Schweiss house was for sale — with the dreaded “tear-down” as a possibility. Realtor Ted Wight and others wrote blog posts and led tours to showcase the significant home and its plight. The owner has since taken the house off of the market, but its future is far from secure. Please come see the potential, and spread the word!

Check Out Our Forum

Don't forget that you can chat with fellow mid-century modern enthusiasts about architecture, furnishings and renovation projects on our forum! Check it out today!

 

The Sheldon's Mid-Century Modern Event

The Sheldon's Mid-century Modern event was a great success on Sunday. Attendees were treated to an Isadore Shank home in Westwood CCG, A Paul Rudolf home in Warson Woods and a Bernoudy in Town and Country http://conwayrd.canbyours.com

The Bernoudy is one of my listings....where we had the VIP After Party. It was fun to see this house full of people and live music...the deer even came close to see what was up. The VIP guests also got the bonus of seeing a fabulous Ted Christner home in Westwood.

 

Special Bernoudy Home on 18+ Acres OPEN HOUSES

Please join me for a rare opportunity to view a stunning 6600+ sq ft Bernoudy home in its original state. The home is located at 13428 Conway Rd between Mason and Woods Mill Rd.

Open Tuesday, April 17th 11-1 PM and Sunday, April 22nd 1-4 PM

http://conwayrd.canbyours.com/

Bernoudy Home on 18 acres- 13428 Conway Road, Town and Country COMING SOON

This is a rare opportunity to not only buy a pristine William Bernoudy home that has been unaltered set on 18 gorgeous acres in Town and Country. Architectural experts have viewed this home and stated that it is one of the best Bernoudy homes built. The home has been lovingly maintained by the original family and is ready to be passed onto the next discerning owner. The perfect home for entertaining. It will also be your country retreat where you can relax and view your expansive vistas and abundant nature. You will have a feeling of remoteness, though it is only 20 minutes to downtown St. Louis. This home has expansive windows from every room that let you enjoy your views. Gorgeous terrazzo floors throughout most of the main level. Main level Master Bedroom Suite with a fireplace. Over 6,400 sq. feet of living space, not including a partially finished walk-out lower level.

http://conwayrd.canbyours.com/

$3,499,000

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

 

Landmarks Association Tour of Schweiss Home and Bernoudy's Private Residence...A Success!

Yesterday we had two sold out tours of 25 architecture enthusiasts through the Schweiss Home and Bernoudy's own private residence- both off of Litzsinger in Ladue. The day was crisp and sunny. Everyone seemed thrilled with the experience.

I need to note that the Schweiss Home was likely designed by Edouard Mutrux who was partnered with William Bernoudy. Edouard Mutrux preferred an exposed wood ceiling, where Bernoudy's ceilings were usually plastered.

Please notes that this tour is in an effort to save the Schweiss Home.  We need to find a buyer before the property is sold to someone who just wants the lot.

My mother owns the Bernoudy home that we toured which she bought from the William and Gertrude Bernoudy estate after Gertrude passed away.  Her fearless friend, Lucy, a Westie, helped guide people through her home.

Below is a picture of a sculpture outside of the Schweiss Home.  It is a plaster-caste version.  I am assuming it is by Ruth Schweiss, though it looks a lot like one of the sculptures of Carl Milles who did the Meetings of the Waters down near Union Station.

8970 Moydalgan, Ladue, Bernoudy FOR SALE

Here are some exterior pics of this lovely Bernoudy-designed home on 1.26 prime Ladue acres.

"Stunning Bernoudy designed home in prime Ladue location! Modern architectural design is in harmony with sophisticated surrounding landscape. Private terraces and an oversized spa enhance the beauty of the outdoor spaces. The living space is dramatic as the dining room flows down to the living room with walls of glass in both rooms creating wonderful natural lighting. Materials from the exterior such as glass, brick and wood are carried to the interior to accentuate the overall design of this smashing home. Hardwood floors, coffered ceilings that jump to 12 feet, designer lighting, three brick fireplaces, built in cabinetry, generous 6 foot hallways, and gourmet kitchen, all contribute to making this great environment. The master bath has a heated marble floor and steam shower. A smashing black granite wet bar and powder room are adjacent to the family room."

$999,000

Listed by Elaine Medve, Upper End Properties, 314-369-0075 

 



  

 

 

Ladue Bernoudy

Yesterday I visited a lovely Bernoudy home in Ladue that was sold last year. The new owners have done a wonderful job of restoring and decorating the home. The owner noted that the home has proved to be a perfect family home.  With the easy access and relationship to the outside, his children relish going outside. He says that his family now congregates in the open family room rather in their private spaces. Good architecture works to create a true home!

Bernoudy-designed house: 8970 Moydalgan, Ladue FOR SALE

I am showing this house to a client this week and will snap some pictures to share with my readers.

"Stunning Bernoudy designed home in prime Ladue location! Modern architectural design is in harmony with sophisticated surrounding landscape. Private terraces and an oversized spa enhance the beauty of the outdoor spaces. The living space is dramatic as the dining room flows down to the living room with walls of glass in both rooms creating wonderful natural lighting. Materials from the exterior such as glass, brick and wood are carried to the interior to accentuate the overall design of this smashing home. Hardwood floors, coffered ceilings that jump to 12 feet, designer lighting, three brick fireplaces, built in cabinetry, generous 6 foot hallways, and gourmet kitchen, all contribute to making this great environment. The master bath has a heated marble floor and steam shower. A smashing black granite wet bar and powder room are adjacent to the family room."

$999,000

Listed by Elaine Medve, Upper End Properties, 314-369-0075

Bernoudy Designed- 935 Barnes Rd, Ladue FOR SALE

"One might ask can ART exist in home design or only on canvas, in sculpture or music? The answer is a definitive yes, if it was designed by famed architect, William Adair Bernoudy, a disciple and apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright. This is a breathtaking, expansive mansion, in the very heart of Ladue and a rare matchless opportunity, some would say "once in a lifetime" find, for the astute buyer to acquire not only a large, secluded lot but also a legend's incredibly built masterpiece home. Art comes in many forms,and this resort-quality home with it's indoor pool, spa and sauna is your matchless opportunity to own a "piece" at an unheard of acquisition price. This expansive manse and lot are believed to be among the largest that Bernoudy ever built. Add your name to it's ownership registry during this first offering of true genius blended with the elements that makes a home an internationally recognized architectural masterpiece. This home won't linger in any market. SOLD AS IS."

$999,900  This home was on the market a couple years ago for over $1.5 million.  On almost 2 acres in Ladue!

Listed by Bessie Thrasher and Barry Rickell, Keller WIlliams Realty St. Louis, 314-677-6000

Landmark's Association to Tour Two Bernoudy Homes- Sat. Feb 25th 1 PM

Make your reservation and mark your calendar for the Landmark's Association tour of two very special Bernoudy homes in Ladue: the imperiled Schweiss home and Bernoudy's own home. These are two wonderful examples of some of his smaller homes.

Click below for more information:

http://www.landmarks-stl.org/events/tour_of_two_william_bernoudy_designed_homes/

Schweiss Bernoudy Home in the Snow- 4 Daniel Rd, Ladue, MO

My blog does have readers!  I have been getting a nice response from Bernoudy/ architecture/ MCM enthusiast who want to make sure that this treasure is not lost. Everyone is just in love with the small home. There is real danger of the property being purchased just for the valuable Ladue lot. See my previous post HERE. There are some serious parties, though there is no resting until "they put their money where their mouth is!"

The Schweiss Bernoudy Home- 4 Daniel Road is Quietly For Sale

The lovely Schweiss Home designed by William A Bernoudy is available to purchase. This is a rare opportunity to buy a gem of a home located on a quiet Ladue lane- Daniel Rd.  The lot is large and private....which is a problem....the lot is too valuable. This house is in real danger of being torn down by someone who just wants the lot. The price is somewhere around $410,000 which is also a good price point to buy a lot in Ladue. Someone needs to step up and buy this treasure before it is lost. The current owners would hate to have the house torn down, though economics become a reality. This home is small  and would be ideal for a single person or close couple. It would also be a great St. Louis pad for a person or couple who travels a lot. The concrete flooring has a diamond motif that you can find at the Frank Lloyd Wright house at Ebsworth Park in Kirkwood. New HVAC, electric, plumbing....and more, though still needs some finishing work.

Find out more about the Schweiss and see more pics HERE

For more information, contact Ted Wight 314-607-5555   tedwight@aol.com  (Please note that I do not have this home listed and can just connect you with other parties. It is not listed or in the MLS at this time.)

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