The Mod Blog Celebrating Mid-Century Architecture in  St. Louis and Beyond

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.

Homely MLS

Sun, 7 Mar 2010 03:47:59 -0600

Ted Wight has been taking note of some hilarious bad realtor photography on his blog lately. One of his readers also linked to a choke on your coffee funny website called www.lovelylisting.com. Here are some more local MLS photos that will make you want to sleep in and skip the open house.

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.

iHop Raises the Roof

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:12:55 -0600

The iHop in Clayton reopened yesterday after a $400,000+ gut remodel. It’s amazing how much larger it seems even though no exterior walls were moved. The best thing they did was to reveal the vaulted chalet style ceiling. Overall, the place looks great and no more gum under the tables. Check it out anytime - it’s open 24 hours.

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.

St. Louis Lustron List

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:10:04 -0600

Carl Strandlund was an inventor best known for his 1950s pre-fabricated Lustron houses. Less than 2500 of these steel homes were built and we have a good number of them in St. Louis.

Today I discovered a great article from the Summer 2003 newsletter of the St. Louis Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians. In the article, Tom Bakersmith provided an impressive list of St. Louis area Lustron house locations. His list is below with a few updates. Take this list on a Sunday drive and see how many Lustrons you can find.

Learn more on our Lustron page. Thanks to Tom Bakersmith and St. Louis SAH for the information.

6352 Bradley, St. Louis
4848 Germania, St. Louis
6531 Marquette, St. Louis
6541 Marquette, St. Louis (below)

4123 McDonald, St. Louis
4122 McDonald, St. Louis
7003 Stanley, St. Louis
6848 Glades, St. Louis
930 Lindsay Lane, Florissant
856 Liggett, Crestwood
1166 Pembroke, Marlborough
6900 Woodrow, Beverly Hills
6906 Woodrow, Beverly Hills
232 Baker, Webster Groves
237 Baker, Webster Groves
324 Hazel, Webster Groves
330 Hazel, Webster Groves
208 West Old Watson, Webster Groves
604 Fair Oaks Avenue, Webster Groves
505 Ridge, Webster Groves (below)

540 Ridge, Webster Groves
224 Simmons, Webster Groves
226 Simmons, Webster Groves
228 Simmons, Webster Groves
241 Simmons, Webster Groves
411 Maple, Webster Groves
44 Hart, Webster Groves (below)

657 Elmwood, Webster Groves
676 Plateau, Webster Groves
124 Eldridge, Webster Groves
121 Eldridge, Webster Groves
2043 Westview, Kirkwood
8836 Moritz, Brentwood
2401 Annalee, Brentwood
8914 Litzsinger, Brentwood
8918 Litzsinger, Brentwood
8920 Litzsinger, Brentwood
8924 Litzsinger, Brentwood
8928 Litzsinger, Brentwood
8934 Litzsinger, Brentwood
8938 Litzsinger, Brentwood (below)

2001 Urban Drive, Brentwood
8500 Genevieve, Brentwood
8505 Henrietta, Brentwood
8520 Joseph, Brentwood
2529 Louis, Brentwood
1126 Vanetta Dr., Des Peres
1140 Vanetta Dr., Des Peres
1143 Vanetta Dr., Des Peres
7632 Flora, Maplewood
3035 Coleman, Maplewood
25 South Dellwood, Dellwood
4743 Theiss Road, St. Louis County
9407 Gates Manor, St. Louis County
1104 Pike, St. Charles
1157 Tompkins, St. Charles
403 South 6th, St. Charles
104 Ward Terrace, Crystal City
149 Ozark Drive, Crystal City
115 West Pitman, O’Fallon

University City Library Historic Photos

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:31:39 -0600

As a proud resident of University City, I enjoy browsing the University City Public Library historic photo collection of Edward Gardner Lewis (pictured above).

E.G. Lewis was the founder of U. City and began our great traditions of architecture, government and diversity. Many people are familiar with the U. City Lions and our City Hall - both of which were dreamed up by Lewis.

Below are some photos from the collection. Enjoy the complete Lewis Photo Collection here. Thanks to the University City Public Library for conserving and sharing this collection.

Recent Past Preservation Network

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:03:15 -0600

The Recent Past Preservation Network (RPPN) is a non-profit organization that promotes preservation and understanding of the modern built environment. RPPN focuses on the sliding timetable of fifty years from the present date since these resources are often considered simply “out of style” and not taken as seriously as older works. What a great idea!

According to RPPN, “The buildings, landscapes and sites are important pieces of the architectural, social and cultural fabric of our communities, just like their predecessors of earlier periods.”

The RPPN website contains photos and information about preservation projects and exhibits. The news page has links to stylish blogs like the one featuring the Futuro House above and St. Louis’ own Ecology of Absence by Michael Allen. The Bibliography is also a great source for books related to architects, building types and more.

Below are some pictures from the RPPN website and other websites linked to it.

Architecture on Ice

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 18:43:43 -0600

Late today I took a break from work and drove out to see the city in snow. I got chased out of Portland Place by a security guard, but not before I snapped a photo of the modern dream house at 45 Portland Place (above). More architecture in the snow below.

930 Dalkeith Lane, Copa Villa, University City, 1954:
506 Kingdel Drive, University City, 1949:

The Fairfax House, 9401 Manchester, Rock Hill, Circa 1841:
St. Louis Art Museum, Forest Park, Cass Gilbert, 1904 World’s Fair:
Jennie Booth House, 37 Joy Avenue, Webster Park, Webster Groves, 1890:
Luhr Library, Eden Seminary, 475 East Lockwood, Webster Groves, William Wenzler & Associates, 1968:
The Williams Villa, 32 Glen Eagles, St. Louis CC, Ladue, Bernoudy Associates, 1968:
The Harry Hammerman House, 219 Graybridge Road, Ladue, Harry Hammerman, 1952, award winning historic renovation by Ray M. Simon, 2008:
Frank Messina House, 6934 Waterman Avenue, Ames Place, University City, J. Hal. Lynch and Sons, 1926:

Must See City Renovation

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 18:37:09 -0600

3534 Halliday Avenue in Tower Grove East is a wonderful example of a historic renovation combined with modern decor. The home is clean and well appointed right down to the light fixtures.

The circa 1904 home is listed by Christopher Thiemet and Dawn Griffin of Circa Properties. Circa specializes in historic neighborhoods and properties with “personality” like Sugar Loaf Mound which was sold to the Osage Nation.

Check out pictures of 3534 Halliday at http://www.3534Halliday.com/photos.shtml. It’s a lot of style for just $425,000. Learn more about Circa and their real estate approach at http://www.circastl.com/index.html.

retrorenovation.com

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:21:20 -0600

Earlier this year I bought an inexpensive 1950s desk at an antique mall and put it in my office. I didn’t give it much further thought until I recently had to get a second computer for work and set it up on that desk. I decided to see if I could find out what year the desk was made - if I was correct to assume it was from the 50s. I googled the information printed under the pencil drawer and immediately found a wonderful website that revealed it was a Drexel Profile K95 Desk manufactured between 1955 and 1961 (catalog photo below left).

But the website itself was the most exciting find. It’s called Retro Renovation and it’s full of mid-century catalog photos, fabulous fabrics, and renovation tips. Be sure to click the Pam’s Kitchen tab to read about the author’s own amazing kitchen renovation (photo top copyright Kit Latham). Surreal catalog photos below are also from the site.

Best of the MLS

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:32:51 -0600

In all fairness, I should start showing MLS photos of tidy houses like these examples from $100-150K. (My sister accidently swiped my camera after Christmas anyway, so I can’t do much without it!) Kudos to these homeowners and realtors for their well appointed listings.

Bernoudys in Columbia, MO

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:46:30 -0600

Thanks to reader Dave who sent me a link to this recent article about Bernoudy designed houses in Columbia, Missouri. It contains a wonderful slideshow including pics of the insides of these houses. Read more about William Bernoudy here.

More Silly MLS Photos

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:36:38 -0600

I know I keep harping on this, but it’s just too easy. They make me giggle!

Strange MLS

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:34:56 -0600

More inexplicable St. Louis area MLS photos...

Fallingwater Legos

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:39:47 -0600

Update 1/2/10: It was a family affair putting together the Lego Fallingwater. My Niece Katie and Nephews Danny and Luke completed the first phase after Xmas dinner. I was in awe of their natural engineering skills. These things come so easily to the younger generation. After everyone headed home, my sister Linda and I completed the next phase. Over the last few days, Dave and I finished it up. It turned out to be a fun project for the whole family!

My favorite part of the model is the tower of windows that look like glass block. They do resemble the bank of windows on the original, but as the lego designer stated, this is not supposed to be an exact replica - it is his interpretation of the original. It’s also nice how he designed the completed model to slide apart into three pieces.

Original Post 12/12/09: Thanks to my thoughtful husband Dave for giving me the Lego Fallingwater set for Hanukah. It includes a nice booklet with interesting construction photos of the real thing. Can’t wait to put my kit together! (Click here to see the mod doll house he gave me for our anniversary.)
In July of 2007, we went to Pennsylvania to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. We also rented a Wright Usonian house for our stay - The Duncan House in Polymath Park. If you make the trip, also be sure to visit nearby Ohiopyle State Park.

Can’t get to Pennsylvania? Tour Wright’s charming Kraus House in Kirkwood, or opulent Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, Illinois.

What Was It? 7315 Olive

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:09:28 -0600

Last year, this building at 7315 Olive in U. City was carved up into retail space. Before that it was a ministry. But what was it originally? The 1931 Gables Tea Room designed by Harris Armstrong.

I love that the building reflects two of Armstrong’s passions: Norman Architecture and Modernism (notice the detail on the porch column). Learn more about it and see old interior and exterior photos on Andrew Raimist’s flickr site.

Harris Armstrong's Evarts Graham House

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:07:10 -0600

Overlooking the Missouri River in the northern part of Florissant is Harris Armstrong’s 1940 design for Dr. Evarts Graham.

Dr. Graham (1883-1957) was professor of surgery at Wash. U. and surgeon in chief of Barnes Hospital. After his retirement, he did important research on the link between smoking and lung cancer. His wife, Dr. Helen Graham, was assistant professor of pharmacology at Wash. U. She remained in the house until 1968.

In 1935, Haris Armstrong built a home in Glendale for Nobel Prize winners Gerty and Carl Cori (below) who also worked for Wash. U. Medical School. Perhaps that was how Armstrong met the Dr. Grahams and earned this commission.

The Evarts Graham House, with its striking stone wall, was completed in 1942 and includes 5 bedrooms, 5+ baths, 3576 sf and a newer pool. See more photos of the house at Andrew Raimist’s flickr site. Learn more about Harris Armstrong on Andy’s blog, Architectural Ruminations.

If you’d like to do a drive by, the address of the Evarts Graham House is 18 Jamestown Acres in Florissant. On your way back from visiting the house, be sure to stop at nearby Sioux Passage, a St. Louis County Park. If you keep driving to the very end of the park road, you will gain Missouri river access and a beautiful view of Pelican Island. Hopefully you’ll get to see some pelicans.

La Bonne Terre Subdivision

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:02:09 -0600

Acres and acres of Florissant along Patterson Road are devoted to La Bonne Terre Subdivision circa 1961. These mini-martini houses just dare you to outlaw adorable carports like Maryland Heights recently did. The average price for these tidy homes is just $100,000.

Crestvale Neighbors Subdivision

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:38:22 -0600

Hidden away in Rock Hill is the 1958 neighborhood of Crestvale Neighbors. This small, tidy subdivision is completely made up of colonial and contemporary ranches. 507 Marick is currently for sale at $160,000. Two MLS photos of this home are below along with pictures of some other contemporaries in this adorable neighborhood. Love the asymmetrical rooflines incorporating the carports!

Twin Fawns by Ralph Fournier

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:19:00 -0600

Thanks to reader Peggi who shared her experiences as a resident of Twin Fawns Subdivision designed by architect Ralph Fournier. Current photos of Twin Fawns below.

I stumbled upon your site today, what a wonderful find! I live in a 1963 Atomic Ranch designed by R.A. Fournier and Associates. We purchased the home "as is" in 2005 and it is a true gem. I spoke with Ralph Fournier recently, I called him to thank him for my home. He remembered designing for our subdivision, Twin Fawns Estates in Frontenac. Most homes in our neighborhood are traditional, there are only a handful of mid-century ranches. Not sure if he designed the others but I would love to find out.

Sunswept by Ralph Fournier

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:05:58 -0600

Off Lindberg south of Olive lies St. Louis architect Ralph Fournier’s 1957 Sunswept Subdivision. This leafy neighborhood is a testament to not only Fournier’s talent for gracious ranches, but also his mastery of laying out neighborhoods in nature.

In a rare 2007 interview, St. Louis Magazine reporter Diana Aitchison asked Fournier the question, “When you designed a home, what did you set out to do?” Fournier’s response was, “I started from the site, from what you could see outside - trees, expanses. I would lay out a plan that had a view from every window.”

Sunswept is a marvelous illustration of Fournier’s approach. Learn more at the Sunswept website. Read the complete St. Louis Magazine article here. See more Fournier house photos here.

Who Made It? Sculpture

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:12:23 -0600

This steel sculpture is in front of the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles. It’s maker is a prolific St. Louis artist whose works appear all around St. Louis and have been installed around the world.

Who made it? Brother Melvin Meyer a.k.a. “Brother Mel.” You can learn all about him, The Marianist Galleries and his new book by clicking here.

What Was It? Wei Hong

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:48:27 -0600

This 1937 Art Deco building at 7740 Olive Blvd in U. City was repurposed as a Chinese restaurant in 2006. It is also on The National Register of Historic Places.

What was it? The Beverly Theater designed by architect O. W. Stiegemeyer. In the 1960s it became the Fine Arts Theater - notorious for showing X-rated movies. Its run as a theater ended in 1986.

Here’s a link to the National Register application by Karen Bode Baxter and some photos before it became a restaurant and banquet hall.

Confusing Iconography

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:28:17 -0600

Beit B’ReSheet means “House of New Beginnings” in Hebrew. You’ve probably seen this temple off Hwy 170 in St. John with its giant menorah on the side. It also has puzzling glass block crosses on the front and rear walls.

Turns out they’re an Assembly of God Church and messianic Jews, meaning they believe in Jesus. Hence the unusual combination of religious symbols.

What Was It? Agape Academy

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:07:30 -0600

Agape Academy & Child Development Center has been a Christian head start program in U. City for 30 years. But their modernist building and gym at 7400 Olive Blvd were built in 1961.

What was it originally? The Yalem branch of the Jewish Community Center. In the photos below you can see the Chevra Kadisha Ohave Sholom Cemetery that still resides behind the bushes in front of the gym.

At the bottom is a picture of the Yalem house at 9930 Litzinger Road. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yalem were philanthropists who also originally funded the St. Louis Children’s Zoo.

What Was It? Frank & Helen's

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:48:35 -0600

Frank and Helen’s Pizza in U. City is a treat. The restaurant was founded in 1956, but what was their building at 8111 Olive Blvd originally? A car wash. Current photos below.

Esley Hamilton, Preservation HIstorian

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:05:54 -0600

On October 12, Aimee Levitt published a thoroughly researched article on St. Louis County Parks Preservation Historian Esley Hamilton. Her RFT article, To Preserve and Protect, reflected how people in the St. Louis preservation community and beyond love and respect Esley.

As I began my hobby website that you’re reading now, I searched the web for information on St. Louis architects and mid-century modern homes. The first reference I found was by Esley - an excellent report he wrote in 2007: Modern Architecture in St. Louis - Outstanding Examples Worthy of Preservation. The next treasure I discovered online came from Esley and his department at St. Louis County Parks.

A few times I emailed Esley with questions about some of the references on the County Parks website. He encouraged me to join the St. Louis Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians and sent me past newsletters.

I’ve since enjoyed many of Esley’s informative and witty History Hikes through historic neighborhoods and cemeteries - the best kept secret in town at $3 for a two hour tour. I also frequently reference The Past in Our Presence - a book Esley edited and another bargain at $6.

In May of this year, Esley received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters from UMSL. It stated that he “is considered the most knowledgeable and admired figure in historic preservation in St. Louis.” I’m sure this award was one of many he’s earned in his career.

As Levitt stated in her RFT article, “Hamilton himself if pleased - but slightly embarrassed by all the praise.” I always say he’s a walking encyclopedia - and a lovely person as well.

MLS Nightmare

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:12:25 -0600

Tsk tsk. The MLS photos of this house in U. City are a disgrace. I apologize if the owner passed away or was moved to a nursing home, but would you have posted these pics?

From what I can tell, the home is not in foreclosure and the taxes are paid up, so I’m guessing that a family member allowed this. I wouldn’t have let the world see the way my parents or family had been living. I would have cleaned it up first, or at least only permitted a photo of the front of the house and left it at that.

MLS: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:02:18 -0600

These photos from current listings in our area speak volumes. They say things like, “Gee - was this the day they were coming to take photos?” and “Why bother?” I don’t know whether to feel sorry for the selling agents or to say shame on them.

In comparison, at the bottom are photos of how homes for sale ought to be shown. These homes are still lived in - not just staged. Seems obvious doesn’t it?

More Ranches for Sale

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:59:42 -0600

Two more fun ranches for sale - this time in Clayton and Webster Groves. Info and MLS photos below.

315 Oak Manor Lane, Webster Groves, $189,900
840 Wenneker, Clayton, $384,900

The Mod Blog Celebrating Mid-Century Architecture in St. Louis and Beyond