Homely MLS Photos

Mon, 6 Sep 2010 05:08:27 -0500

Here are some recent St. Louis area realtor photos that don’t make people want to buy. Sometimes it’s best to just post a photo of the front of the house and leave it at that.

Dennis Hopper Home

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:48:26 -0500

Sadly, Dennis Hopper died of cancer on May 29th of this year at age 74. His 1969 movie Easy Rider was a counterculture megahit. He shot the movie for just $400,000 and it went on to make over $40 million at the box office. Over the years, Hopper collected modern art as well as creating his own films, photography and paintings. It’s said he bought one of Warhol’s first Soup Cans for $75 and the most recent one at auction fetched over $11 million.

Hopper’s home was as magnificent as his talent and personal taste. The main home in his Venice California compound was designed by the “Bad Boy of Architecture” Brian Murphy. The property also features three condos by Frank Gehry and a pool with the quaint original pool house. The entire compound is for sale at $6.2 million. For more photos of the home, go to the listing here. To see more of Brian Murphy’s portfolio, click here.

MCM St. Louis Article

Sun, 8 Aug 2010 13:04:19 -0500

Thanks to Michael Allen of Preservation Research Office for sharing this very interesting 2007 article he found about St. Louis Mid-Century Modern architecture. A snippet is below. Click here to read the complete article. Clayton home by Nagel & Dunn shown above.

“...For a small city, St. Louis has an extraordinarily rich history of modernist architecture. Isadore Shank, William Adair Bernoudy, Harris Armstrong, Frederick Dunn, Charles Nagel, Ralph Cole Hall, Edouard Mutrux, Hank Bauer, and Eugene Mackey were all based here at one time or other. Most of their designs -- located in the wealthier, green and leafy suburbs west of the city -- were built during the golden age of St. Louis Modernism roughly between 1930 and 1970 when status was not to be distinguished solely on the square footage of a home...”

Trova at White Flag

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:13:34 -0500

The work of acclaimed local artist Ernest Trova was featured at White Flag Projects until July 17th. The exhibit honored Trova who sadly died last year at the age of 82. Trova is best known for his Falling Man series of sculptures and screen prints. Click here to read an informative interview with White Flag director Matthew Strauss. Many of Trova’s large sculptures can be seen around town (Clayton above) and at Laumeier Sculpture Park. Below are some photos of his work including shots of the exhibition.

Cape Cod Houses

Thu, 8 Jul 2010 19:42:32 -0500

Just got back from the family trip to Chatham, Mass on the elbow of Cape Cod. I’ve been going there with family since I was in diapers. Chatham has great traditions of 4th of July festivities, Chatham A’s Baseball and Friday Night Band Concerts. My Uncle Ray plays sax in the Chatham Band. We love the historic houses, beaches, Cape roses and hydrangeas. It’s Americana at its best.

Bernoudy Tour Pics

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 12:56:54 -0500

We enjoyed the tour of William Bernoudy homes on Sunday, sponsored by the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park. It was a lovely event and a unique opportunity to see homes rarely on display like Bernoudy’s own home shown above.

It was also a treat to meet Ozzie Overby in person - author of the book William Adair Bernoudy, Architect - the best resource on Bernoudy and where I get most of my information.

The 1952 home at 3 Sumac is for sale and I hear they are about to lower their price. I was beautiful inside and out. Click here for the listing.

Click here to learn more about Bernoudy. Click here for tour information on the adorable Frank Lloyd Wright House in Kirkwood.

Ugly MLS Photos

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 12:37:57 -0500

Do these local real estate listing photos of clutter, dirty gutters and basements-from-hell make people want to buy?
For a good laugh, go to www.lovelylisting.com.

Award Winning Modern Home for Sale

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 12:29:03 -0500

This modern, environmentally friendly home at 12624 Robyn Road in Sunset Hills is for sale at just $860,000. Built atop a bluff on 2.35 acres, this award winning design includes a gourmet kitchen and 3 tier-deck with built-in spa. Click here for the complete listing on this spectacular, secluded home.

The Brinker’s Lustron

Tue, 8 Jun 2010 12:16:18 -0500

Peggy and Wayne Brinker own this Dove Gray 1948 Lustron at 403 S. Sixth Street in St. Charles. They bought it in March of 2005 for $75,000. It is now available for lunch and tour by appointment. Call 636-946-6388 for more information.

Click here to learn the history of Lustron. Click here to find out where you can find Lustrons around St. Louis.

Butterfly House for Sale

Tue, 11 May 2010 14:10:14 -0500

Thanks to realtor Ted Wight for showing me the atomic butterfly-roofed house in Copa Villa. It’s one-of-a-kind and has amazing potential. Click here for the listing.

Harris Armstrong Tour Pics

Tue, 11 May 2010 13:59:44 -0500

Thanks to The Sheldon and all the homeowners and volunteers who hosted the amazing Harris Armstrong Tour on May 2nd.

Colorful Kitchens and Baths

Wed, 5 May 2010 09:05:48 -0500

Retro tile and appliances...and some new ones too.

Classic in the CWE

Mon, 3 May 2010 21:28:06 -0500

Last Sunday we had a yummy breakfast at Duff’s in the Central West End. The meal got even sweeter when our friend Karen invited us to tour her house for sale around the corner.

I hadn’t been in the house since 1984 so it was fun to see it again. It’s a beautiful Tudor Revival with three floors and eight bedrooms! It includes the two story former portrait studio of Charles Galt which you look down over from the first floor.

This century home at 4505 Pershing is listed for an amazing $539,900. Click here for the complete listing or to arrange a showing.

Forlorn FLW

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 20:13:34 -0500

Update May 2010: Happened to drive by the house last week and noticed that it had been completely razed. Glad I got some pictures before it was gone.

There is a little known Frank Lloyd Wright design off Carman Road in Ballwin. From what I’ve been told, it was built using Wright plans with no involvement from Wright. The L-shaped frame and concrete block home was built in 1956, later rented out and is now slated to be torn down.

I think it’s sweet that someone wanted to build a Wright home albeit with modest materials. It has all the earmarks of the Usonian style including exterior wood cladding, vaulted ceilings, extensive interior wood detailing, cantilevered fireplace, built-ins, clerestory windows and a carport. The inside of it reminds me of the Bernoudy designed Schweiss House during its rehabilitation.

This humble home clearly isn’t salvageable and may never have been destined for greatness, but is an intriguing house none-the-less.

MCM in Brentmoor

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 08:07:27 -0500

I’ve long admired the house at 12 East Brentmoor and was happy to see the recent listing so I could learn more about it. This 1954 gem was designed by Fischer-Campbell in collaboration with Frederick Dunn.

Dunn is well known for his works with partner Charles Nagel. Excellent examples of the work of Nagel & Dunn are the 1938 Sherman and Maremont Houses at 306 and 312 DeMun shown below.

Unfortunately, the house at 12 East Brentmoor is being marketed as a possible tear-down. It is a bit gutted on the inside but is potentially the hippest house in St. Louis. The inside features lots of windows and natural stone columns. The yard is thick with mature specimen trees and shrubs including a gorgeous stone and wisteria trellis.

The home is listed at $1.25M and is open this Sunday 4/11 from 2-4. Click here for the complete listing.

Elkington Design in Westwood

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:43:18 -0500

The City of Westwood and Westwood Country Club are full of interesting mid-century homes. A 1977 home designed by Robert Elkington has recently come up for sale at 11401 Conway Road in Westwood.

Elkington (1915-1994) of Ballwin was considered a master of modern architecture. His own home off Carman Road is pictured below.

Elkington’s design at 11401 Conway has striking rustic stone inside and out as well as some beautiful built-ins. It’s landscaped with flowering bushes and trees and has a golf course view. This unique home is listed at $750,000 and is open Sunday 4/11/10 from 1-3. Photos below. Click here for the complete listing.

New Bernoudy Photos

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 09:54:20 -0500

Thanks to agent Rose Lynn Sokol for sharing the latest photos of her listing at 2 Deer Creek Hill. This Bernoudy-Mutrux-Bauer home was built in 1959-1960 for Mr. and Mrs. John Childress. Click here for the complete listing of this gorgeous secluded home.

Ridgewood Home for Sale

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 09:41:36 -0500

Thanks to Nathan Wilbur of the Ridgewood Subdivision blog for letting us know that this home in Ridgewood is again for sale. It was originally sold by Brad Elsner to Alex Tilford who gave it a facelift and put it back on the market.

The address is 1712 Ligget in Crestwood and the price is $159,900. This is a great opportunity to buy an atomic ranch in a wonderful neighborhood. Click here for the complete listing. MLS photos above and below.

See the Ridgewood blog for information about this Ralph Fournier / Burton Duenke neighborhood and see cool retro photos from a 1953 Better Homes & Gardens feature.

Preservation Magazine House Listings

Wed, 7 Apr 2010 09:26:49 -0500

Preservation Magazine by The National Trust for Historic Preservation posts monthly listings of historic homes for sale on their website. A few are mid-century like the Connecticut waterfront home featured in this posting and all of the homes are breathtaking. Click here to see this month’s listings. There is also a link at the top of that webpage to go to the prior month’s listings. Happy browsing!

Crooked MLS

Sun, 4 Apr 2010 14:40:42 -0500

Drink much? These are all local photos. See more hilarious MLS photos at www.lovelylisting.com.

Happy Birthday Harris Armstrong

Sun, 4 Apr 2010 14:35:11 -0500

April 6th would have been Harris Armstrong’s 111th birthday. Click here to read about this local favorite architect. Click here to find out about the Harris Armstrong house tour on May 2nd.

Spring Is Here

Sun, 4 Apr 2010 14:24:21 -0500

Spring is here and the magnolias are in bloom. Better get a photo before all the flowers are gone!

New Bernoudy on the Market

Fri, 2 Apr 2010 10:44:08 -0500

On Tuesday, I enjoyed a visit to the newest Bernoudy on the market at 2 Deer Creek Hill in Ladue. This gorgeous 3000+ square foot home was originally built for Mr. and Mrs. John Childress by Bernoudy-Mutrux-Bauer in 1959.

It’s located on a secluded three acre lot off Log Cabin Lane. The owners have done an elegant remodel since they purchased the home in 2002. In fact, the house was previously featured in St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles magazine. The landscape architecture is also first rate and affords the house even more privacy.

The list price is $1.5M. Here are some current MLS photos. They don’t really do the house justice but the agent will be posting some new photos soon. Click here for the complete listing.

Harris Armstrong Tour

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:39:44 -0500

More exciting news for St. Louis architecture lovers! The Sheldon Art Galleries are sponsoring Harris Armstrong: A Modernist for Today, Sappington Spur House and Garden Tour on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 2-5 p.m.

“Take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view four significant homes designed by innovative St. Louis modernist architect Harris Armstrong (1899-1973) in the Sappington Spur enclave in Oakland, near Kirkwood. Armstrong was one of the first architects in St. Louis to employ the tenets of the International style, and took inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs. The homes, three of which he designed for himself, are examples of some of the best modernist/mid-century designs in St. Louis.”

Tour tickets start at $25. Click here for more information on the tour. Click here to read more about Harris Armstrong. Click here to read about 3 Sappington Spur which is currently for sale.

Harris Armstrong is shown on the left of the photo above with George Kassabaum and Hari Van Hoefen from a 1964 Life Magazine article. Below are some of Armstrong’s works in St. Louis.

Chicago's First Lady of Modernism

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:22:37 -0500

I’m always wondering where all the great women architects are. This is largely due to my lack of awareness. However, architecture has long been a male dominated profession and the men tend get all the press.

I was happy to read about Gertrude Lempp Kerbis, FAIA (b. 1926) in a recent email from the National Trust. While at the University of Wisconsin, she read a Life Magazine article about Frank Lloyd Wright and immediately hitchhiked out to Taliesin see his work. She ended up sneaking into the house and spending the night. She decided then and there to become an architect.

Kerbis went on to study at Harvard under Gropius and the International Institute of Technology under Mies van der Rohe. She opened her own firm in 1967. She is the principal of Lempp Kerbis Associates, a design-build firm in Chicago. In 2008, AIA Chicago honored her with a lifetime achievement award, recognizing her as a pioneer who has worked for equal status for women in architecture for over 50 years.

Click here to read the complete article. Click here to watch a fascinating 2008 video interview with Kerbis. When I have time I hope to start a series of postings about modern women architects - if you have someone to recommend, please email me.

Below are examples of Kerbis’ work.

10 Westwood by Isadore Shank

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:27:13 -0500

On Sunday I enjoyed the open house for the Isadore Shank designed Flance House at 10 Westwood Country Club. Peter Shank and his brothers were also there visiting their father’s work. The new price on this wonderful home is $595,000.

The house is in amazing original condition, especially the St. Charles Kitchen. They had the original plans on display. The furniture is also for sale and the buyer will get first dibs. This house is two doors down from the Isadore Shank design at 12 Westwood that sold in 1998.

Thanks to Dielmann Sotheby’s agents Marcia Harris and Gabriele DeHart for letting me visit and take pictures. Click here for the complete listing and agent contact information.

Retro Recipe Books

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:13:29 -0500

I found these adorable retro recipe books at an antique mall. The 1950s wife was literally barraged with absurd recipes from manufacturers like Campbells, Spam and Jello, and trade groups representing dairy, lard, prunes and pineapples. The result was a veritable smorgasboard of classic dishes like Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Velveeta Macaroni & Cheese, and French’s Green Bean Casserole.

Click here to read some actual retro recipes from Clamato Cocktail to Tomato Soup Cake that will turn your stomach yet reflect the charming naivete of the era.

Vintage Drinking Toys

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:20:54 -0500

Our new vintage bartender toy looks like actor Dennis Farina. It was made in Japan by TN Company. He’s supposed to light up, pour a drink, turn red in the face and blow smoke out of his ears. Alas he doesn’t work. We still like him tho.
Drinking toys were quite popular in the fifties. Japanese manufacturers like Rosko and Linemar made many similar versions including Charley Weaver, Calypso Joe, Blushing Willie, The Drinking Captain and The Playboy. The toys did elaborate movements like smoking, hair standing on end and, of course, drinking. Below are some pics of these hilarious yet politically incorrect toys.

Click here to watch a video of a Charley Weaver in action.

See more of these toys at:

http://www.bigolboys.co.uk/Toys/Toys.html

http://www.jeffpidgeon.com/2010/01/toy-otd-rosko-toys-battery-operated_23.html

Retro Family Photos

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 04:25:21 -0600

Don’t you just love family photos? My parents look like movie stars in old black and whites. I wasn’t born until 1966 but the world when I was a kid was still in the 1950s style. Maybe that’s where my obsession with 50s culture comes from - magical memories of my childhood surrounded by knotty pine paneling.

My folks were children of the depression. Mom was shanty Irish. Her family didn’t have a car or a phone. Dad‘s family always had money because they owned a grocery store. Mom said she never knew if Dad was going to pick her up for a date in a Cadillac or a delivery truck. They were married in 1954. Here are some of our classic family photos.

The Bry House by Bernoudy

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 20:03:53 -0600

Here are some more photos of the beautiful Bry House in Ladue by William Bernoudy. Click here to read about the upcoming Bernoudy tour sponsored by The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park on Sunday, June 6th. The tour will culminate in the Bry House hosted by owners Debbra and Paul Schneider.

The home was designed in 1964 for Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Bry by Bernoudy-Mutrux-Bauer. Bernoudy liked to give each home a unique theme and this one has a large oval motif seen inside and out. The Schneiders have done a beautiful renovation of the home.

Barns of the Fox Valley

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 19:10:07 -0600

I had a wonderful week taking care of my nieces in Batavia, Illinois which is in the Fox River Valley southwest of Chicago. Below are photos of some beautiful barns in the area like the one at Mooseheart shown above.

To learn how you can help preserve barns in Missouri, contact Bill Hart, Field Representative of the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation at 314/691-1941 or at mpfieldservices@yahoo.com.

Bill has organized a statewide alliance, Missouri BARN, to draw attention to the plight of our highly endangered agricultural buildings. Bill will also be talking about this initiative and showing his extensive collection of barn photos from around the state on Friday, March 12 at noon at Architecture St. Louis. For more information on Bill’s talk, click here.

Barns and farms of the Fox Valley in Illinois:

Bernoudy Tour

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:27:28 -0600

Save the date! The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park will be holding their annual celebration of Wright’s birthday on Sunday, June 6th with a tour of William Bernoudy homes! This is a rare opportunity to see the work of William Bernoudy, a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice and one of St. Louis’s most admired architects.

Immediately following, guests will celebrate Wright’s birthday at the Bry House designed by Bernoudy. Yesterday I visited the home, shown above and below, and it is an architectural gem. Festivities will include delicious food prepared by Something Elegant caterers, gelato and birthday cake in honor of Wright’s 143rd birthday.
Individual tickets are $125. All proceeds will benefit projects, programs and maintenance of The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park. Stay tuned for more information on this event and more pictures of the beautiful Bry House.

To tour the delightful Kraus House in Ebsworth Park, shown below, click here.

Willow Brook Subdivision

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:29:57 -0600

Willow Brook Subdivision in Olivette has some nice examples of late 1950s ranch and split foyer homes. In particular, the homes on Willow Brook Drive have many elements of a classic Cliff May California house including low slung roofs, floor to ceiling and clerestory windows, board and batten siding, exposed beams, rustic stacks, and carports.
Click here for more photos of St. Louis area ranches. To learn more, read The Ranch House by Alan Hess.

You Can't Take It With You

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:16:30 -0600

In University City, on the southeast corner of Blackberry and North & South is the former Sheerith Israel cemetery. These 1.3 acres were later combined with B’nai Amoona’s cemetery on the northeast corner of the same intersection.

Sheerith Israel dates back to 1871 but is no longer being used for burials. Sadly, it’s becoming dilapidated and overgrown. The Miller crypt has no doors (possibly stolen), the stained glass has a hole punched through it, and the floor and ceiling are caving in.

I must admit that I found the cemetery sublime in its decrepitude. It seemed to whisper, “You can’t take it with you.” Just the same, I’d like to see the B’nai Amoona congregation take some responsibility for this landmark and show a little more respect for its residents. They are, after all, setting the standard for how their own remains will be treated in the future.
See more cemetery photos here.

Castlewood State Park

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:03:04 -0600

The Missouri State Park System is run by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It has been ranked as one of the top four state park systems in the nation. A wonderful example is Castlewood State Park in Ballwin.

Castlewood has an interesting history. According to the Castlewood webpage, “Between 1915 and 1940, thousands of St. Louis residents traveled by train each weekend to the Castlewood area for water fun, dancing and clubhouse partying. Today, the 1,818-acre Castlewood State Park preserves the history of the former resort. The park stretches for nearly five miles, straddling both sides of the Meramec River. It incorporates much of the old resort area, including the grand staircase that once led revelers up to the large hotels and clubs. Although the hotels and clubs are gone, the staircase and the lure of the region remain.”

Below are some pictures from today along the Lone Wolf and River Scene Trails.

The T-Box

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:56:49 -0600

The Ruth Park Golf Course Pavilion is a very sophisticated shack. It was built in 2009 by students from the Washington University Graduate School of Architecture. “The T-Box” is nicely sited at the top of a hill between the fifth and sixth holes. The intention was to create “a floating geometric form that offers a sense of enclosure while remaining open to the surrounding views.” Props to the students who designed and built an aesthetically pleasing and beautifully placed structure for less than $18,000.

Westover Lane Subdivision

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 12:00:31 -0600

Westover Lane is a small retro subdivision in University City near the intersection of Groby Road and Westover Place. The snazzy rooflines reflect the mid-1950s when the neighborhood was built. It’s near Chinatown where housing is still affordable and increasingly desirable to rehabbers. For example, you can buy 1055 Glenside from Fannie Mae for $114,000.

A Most Unusual House

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:47:11 -0600

The house at 960 Mulberry Lane in University City looks like any other residence in the neighborhood. But on closer inspection, it’s really just a shell. Inside is the Groby Substation.

Substations take electricity from the source and lower the voltage to distribute it to homes and businesses. Below are some photos that reveal what’s really inside this most unusual house.

Silly MLS Photos of the Week

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:18:13 -0600

MO History Museum Historic Photos

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:57:34 -0600

The Missouri History Museum Digital Content Collection is a huge digital library available through their website. You can search for photos and other documents like old newspapers, pamphlets, letters, maps and more.

There aren’t a lot of mid-century images but any architecture lover will enjoy perusing the wealth of historic images this website has to offer. I searched on “Chase Park Plaza” and found the circa 1940 image above. Try the search words “architecture-commercial” or “circa 1950” to find images like the ones below.

Thanks to the Missouri History Museum for providing such easy access to this collection.