Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

ZAK+FOX

 

I love my  new ZAK+FOX pillows in their linen Tulu fabric. Thank you David Deatherage for finding them.

A New Attitude - RH Modern

RH Modern (Restoration Hardward) has decided to "go big, or go home". They have bursted onto the scene with a dramatic selection of products created some of the design worlds biggest names yet! "The past two decades have seen an explosion of interest in vintage 20th-century furniture, not to mention widespread revitalization of urban districts replete with open lofts that cry out for modern decor." RH Modern faces this problem head on, and it is simply fantastic.

 

Ladue News Show House Preview Party

2015 Show House

The fifth annual Ladue News Show House returned with a grand estate in the heart of Ladue. St. Louis' top designers showcased their talents throughout this coveted property at 1751 Woodlawn. The Preview Party included hors d'oeuvres from Bishops Post, open bar, and a first look at the newly designed 2015 Show House. What a great time it was!

Here a few pictures I snapped while I was there!

Buy tickets to view this magnificent home available to view through the 25th HERE

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Santa Barbara Umbrella

I think these umbrellas from Santa Barbara Umbrella are so cute!  Now I need a glamorous pool!

Pop Up Dinner! @ Hand & Hammer by Hiro

Earlier this week I attended a Pop Up Dinner hosted at super cool Hand & Hammer Imports and prepared by Berni Lee of Hiro. The food was creative and yummy. You have to check out Hand & Hammer's gallery on Lafayette just West of Jefferson.

Homestyle Hideaway

Future Ancestor offers a fresh and welcoming take on vintage home decor. Recently opened in the middle of a busy block on Cherokee Street by husband-and-wife team Brian and Julia Leening, is a great addition to the burgeoning arts district, offering a creatively curated selection of wares that include mid-century home decor and lifestyle goods. As well as 1970s kitchenware and handmade items from local and regional makers. Walking into the store is like walking into someone's beloved home with carefully merchandised vignettes, fashionable furniture and handcrafted gems. Home styling has never looked so chic!

Browse and Shop here

 

 

Details Magazine Article: 9 Ways to Get the Masculine, Minimal Look at Home

Men...get ready for some decorating advice! This article posted by Details Magazine gives you 9 tips to achieve the manly, minimalistic, yet chic look you are going for. Read the article HERE.

Your Own Little Rain Cloud

How many nights a year do you lay your head down and drift off in to a restful slumber during a thunderstorm? Think about being able to do that every night, even experience the bright flashes of lightning filling your room for a brief second. Sounds pretty amazing doesn't it? Well Richard Clarkson Studios has created just the cloud for you. A lamp that hangs from the ceiling and has full motion sensors, microphones, and high quality speakers to create just the storm you want. You have full control of the clouds, sounds, and the sensitivity it has to the movement around it. Check it out HERE.

Luminara Candles

I was at someone's condo last night and saw these Luminara candles- not real, though they really look perfect. I think they are more realistic than the LED candles. And they work on a remote control! I remember seeing them at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Holiday light show last year. 

"California Dreamin’" Town and Style Magazine

Check out the recent article in Town and Style Magazine featuring my clients!

http://townandstyle.com/california-dreamin/

Photo: Suzy Gorman

One of My Recent Ladue Listings- Featured in St. Louis AT HOME Magazine

I had the treat of listing and selling this fine Ladue home earlier this year- located on Godwin Lane. Before the family moved to Birmingham, they had St. Louis AT HOME magazine photograph their home. Super cute and stylish!

See the article and the magazine's pictures HERE. The pictures below are from when the home was listed. More listing photos can be seen HERE.

6 Things Your Home Can Live Without

Interesting article found on About.com

While there are some accessories every room needs to make it look complete, there are others that can attract the wrong kind of attention.  Visual clutter can detract rather than add to a home's beauty, not to mention its ability to function well.  Here are six common accessories your home can really live without. 

 

Pink Toilet Seat Cover. Gwendolyn Plath / fStop / Getty Images

1. Toilet Seat Covers and Rugs

No one needs a carpet-like covering for their toilet seat lid.  Nor does anyone need a matching rug that fits cozily around the base of the toilet. For one thing, these items are breeding grounds for germs and are just something extra to wash.  For another, do you really want todraw attention to the toilet by decorating it?  Better to allow the toilet seat lid to be naked and place a small, attractive throw rug on the floor a little ways out from the toilet.  

 

 

Alex Wilson/Photodisc/Getty Images

2. Lots of Picture Frames

Lots of mismatched picture frames hung on the wall or sitting on a table--particularly ones that are too small or are cheaply made--are distracting.  Family pictures are important, certainly, and it's hard to let go of some for sentimental reasons.  Instead, select some favorites and give them a place of prominence by putting them in nicer frames and displaying them with more purpose.  Create one gallery wall, for instance, or line your staircase with your favorites.  Make a console table home to a handful of tastefully framed photos, and donate the rest of those frames to a good cause.

Alternatively, you could spray paint mismatched frames the same color so they look more cohesive when displayed as a group.

 

Floral Curtains. Ingrid Rasumussen / Getty Images

3. Outdated Curtains

You may be surprised to hear that some rooms don't need curtains.  Yep, you read that correctly.  There are a number of reasons you may be able to do without them.  First, if you are lucky enough to live in a home with beautiful windows--perhaps you even have original woodwork--then maybe you shouldn't be covering it up with layers of fabric.  Secondly, if you live in a rural or wooded area, there are some rooms in your home that don't need the privacy curtains afford.  Finally, to put it plainly, some curtain choices are just not the most flattering.  Take a look at your curtains.  Does the print or style seem dated to you?  Are they faded by the sun?  Are they too short for the window?  If any of this rings true for you, it may be an interesting experiment to take them down and live without them for awhile.  You may just enjoy the view enough to leave your windows uncovered; however, if you want or need to replace them with something, try bamboo shades or shutters topped with a simple valance or tailored panels.  

 

4. Florists' Vases

 Who doesn't have a lot of these stuffed in a cupboard?  Cheap glass vases are something else your home doesn't need.  Get rid of them! Aim to have three to four pretty vases in different sizes to use for fresh flowers, but that should be plenty. 

One exception to this, however, is if you can use these glass vases for something else.  I spray painted my collection of florists' vases white to create a collection of faux milk glass that I have displayed in our bookcases.  If you're looking for ways to fill your built-ins, this could be an easy and inexpensive solution; but, otherwise, ditch the extra glassware.

 

Artificial Flowers in Basket. hudiemm / E+ / Getty Images

5. Fake Flower Arrangements

Some artificial plants--such assucculents, for instance--can actually look great; however, if you have any large, artificial flower arrangements in your home, chances are they're dusty and dated.  This goes for fake trees, too.  Since every room needs something living, though, consider a live tree, easy-to-grow houseplants, a small vase of fresh flowers, or simply a bowl of fruit on the table.  

 

 

Lots of Knickknacks. Swell Media / Uppercut Images / Getty Images

6. Too Many Knicknacks

Accessories are great--even important for adding personality to a room--but too many of them can make your home feel cluttered and messy, even when it's clean.  If you have large collections with which you don't want to part, simply rotate out the pieces from time to time.  There's no need to display everything all at once.  Resist the urge to cover every surface with tons of tiny tchotchkes and instead, follow this fool-proof rule of thumb: choose three objects in a larger scale (rather than a lot of small things) in varying heights for your coffee table,nightstand or side table and you'll be able to cut the visual clutter and achieve a more professional look.  

Read the whole story HERE

 

Crazy Walls- Ladue News Decorator Show House- Family Room

Check out the transformation that Crazy Walls did to the Family Room at the Ladue News Decorator's Show House.

AFTER-scroll down for details and the BEFORE photo. Close up of white birch plaster and metallic plaster. Glass Bead Counter Tops!  Glass Bead Wall Finish!!! But what did it look like before????? Mike Brady Called......He wants his paneled den back!!!! Seriously, You don't have to live with outdated paneling or endure demolition and remodel.  All plasters were applied directly on paneling and laminate counter tops and even brick. Plus, they aredurable, pretty and unique. A word about the  LN Show House If you made it to the Ladue News Show house this year-Huge Thanks! Two great causes Cardinal Glennon and Autism Speaks.  If you are not familiar with a show house, it is where a bunch of designers/contractors/artists completely transform an outdated house into a show place over the course of about 2 weeks.  Time and budget constraints definitely play into the creative process.  It is truely an inspiration to see it all come together in controlled chaos.  There are a lot of BIG HEART-ED  people in the St. Louis Design community.  I'd like to ThanksJeanne Lashmett for bringing me in on the project.   www.crazywalls.com 314-265-7762 Ready to transform something in your home? Call today for a COMPLIMENTARY consultation! Decorative Plasters Airy Glazes Custom Painted Cabinetry and Furniture Art Work

What is the process for working with Crazy Walls? Let's talk about your next project.  DeirDre will come check out the space.  Ask tons of questions about what you like and don't like.  What is staying in the room (if anything), what are you adding to the room?  How do you use the space? Budget $? She also brings a huge portfolio of wall finishes from past jobs.  Lots of colors and textures to get ideas from! DeirDre puts together a customized plan and a bid for your project. If you accept the bid, LARGE 2'x2' samples are made specifically for your project. If you like them, we schedule the start date of your project, if they need tweaking, DeirDre tweaks the samples and then we schedule your project. You work directly with DeirDre the entire process.  She designs and installs your wall finishes.   It's that simple!  What are you waiting for??  Call today!  314-265-7762

Ladue News Decorator's Show House

Last Thursday I took my dear mother and handsome son to the Preview Party for the 2014 Ladue News Decorator's Show House. We loved all of the designer's rooms....and especially the Master Suite designed by David Deatherage. The show goes through October 19th....so hurry.

34 Briarcliff in Ladue

Order tickets  HERE

 

New Jonathan Adler Animals

I like the new Jonathan Adler animals that I saw at a shop in Provincetown. I brought the baboon home!

Tillandsia

Yesterday I adopted a new design trend....using Tillandsia.  I found mine at Bowoods in the Central West End.

Check out Pinterest ideas HERE

Make sure you get care directions.....you do have to give it moisture to survive.

Bowood has a whole wall of them to choose from in various sizes and colors.

Pink Sideboard

This is "super cute"!  Seen in a Clayton home recently.

Designer Jacob Laws- Opens His Own Firm

Local Socialite and Interior Designer, Jacob Laws, has opened his own firm.  There are rumors of a reality show in the works!

Jacob Law's website!

Bad Table

I love the title of this cocktail table- Bad Table.  Not sure how functional it is.  Seen HERE

I also think this chair from 4AXYZ is interesting.

(An example of furniture that stealth startup 4 AXYZ proposes it could make with a yet-undisclosed 3D printing process and materials.)

Marbles in a Fence

I love this idea of drilling holes in your fence and sticking marbles in the holes to catch the light.  HERE are some other ideas on how to make your yard cool this summer.  Some of them seem a little far-fetched.

Bernoudy Home Decorating

Decorator David Detherage has been busy helping one of my clients decorate her Bernoudy home that she bought through me last year. I can't wait to see the finished product!

Glowing Jars!

I am definitely going to try this for a coming party!

Recipes can be found HERE
 

Before and After: Shades of Blue

Everyone one loves Before and After features.  Check out Shades of Blue blog.  I am told that she is in St. Louis and would love to redo your furniture!

St. Louis Resources For Old Home Parts

Check out this POST from local blog- STL Homes with Soul by Shannon Howard

8 Luxury Bathroom Designs

Sotheby's International Realty highlights 8 Luxury Bathroom Designs. See them all HERE.

Fortuny

I have always been a little obsessed with Fortuny fabrics. Long considered the ultimate fabric to decorate your home. The fabric starts at $500/yard. Check out 1stDibs Fortuny offerings HERE. I am splurging and having a headboard upholstered in a more modern Fortuny fabric. Here is a pillow from David Deatherage's room in the 2013 Ladue News Decorator's Show House.

The Ladue News Show House- 3rd Annual

This week I attended the kick off party for the 3rd Annual Ladue News Decorators Show House. Several of St. Louis' best talent transformed the stately 23 Lenox Place into something very special. The show is going October 5-20th, Tues- Wed 10 am - 5 PM, Thurs., 1-6 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1-5 PM. The home is closed on Mondays. You can Meet the Designers on Oct 10th and 17th from 6-8 PM.

23 Lenox Place is listed for $1,195,000 by the Warner Hall Group at Dielmann Sothebys International Realty, 314-725-0009

 

Woodard Sculptura Chairs

My Woodard Sculptura Chairs look stunning with their new green paint! I have been getting so much done!

Mid-century Hardware Resource

Check out Atlas Hardware for their fun Mid-century pulls, street numbers and more.

Is White Ice the New Stainless Steel?

Slow down a moment if you are running to get stainless steel appliances for your kitchen. You may be putting in the equivalent of an avocado-colored appliance for future home-buyers. The new color is White Ice.....think of the lovely Apple gadgets.  Read more HERE. Now granite may be the next casualty. I have been seeing some lovely marbles, quartz and more.

Flowering Kale and Cabbage

Check out the enormous Chinese Flowering Cabbage that I found at Garden Heights Nursery on Big Bend.....sooo gorgeous!

And then look at the fun Hydrangeas and long-stalked kale I found at Whole Foods for a table arrangement. This should last for weeks.

Paint and Apples!

I think I have driven myself and the local Sherwin Williams store crazy getting paint samples. For my house in town, I went through 12 whites until I found the one that I wanted to paint the interior walls, ceiling and exterior underneath of the eaves. I finally settled on Pacer White, which really is perfect.  It looks darker here, though it says white when on the walls:

I am painting a room at the farm house a soft green. I keep seeing this color in houses that I am selling and really think it is soothing and fresh. I never realized that it is so difficult picking out colors. I put up samples of about 8 colors that I though looked like what I was seeing and none of them were working. Yesterday I put up Honey Dew and it was lovely:

It is going in this yellow room.  I love the yellow, though it needs to be freshened up. 

By the way.....I have apples at the farm!  Over 10 years ago I planted an apple tree and it never produced apples. Well silly me did not realize that it needed a mate. Well, last year I planted 3 new apples tree from Stark Nursery in Louisiana, MO....and voila....we have apples.

Before and After: The Back Patio is Done!

My back patio is finally done!  I added some teak love seats and a coffee table from Restoration Hardware's Leagrave Collection. They are on sale now.....you can also find some at the Chesterfield Outlet store, though not all of the pieces.  The original Bernoudy wall cabinets were restored. I am ready for some Fall entertaining.

After

Before

Renovated Outdoor Cord Furniture

My parents brought this set of outdoor furniture back from San Diego when they were settling his estate.  I had Custom Furniture Works redo the set with the guidance of my designer, David Deatherage. The design is in the style of Walter Lamb, though we are uncertain who designed/manufactured them.  Maybe from Brown Jordan?? Anyway the chairs are really comfortable. The cost to redo the set was sort of crazy, though it is very time-intensive to sandblast the framing, paint it and re-cord the set. I still need a new glass top made.

23 Lenox Place- Ladue News Decorator's Show House

The 3rd annual Ladue News Decorator's Show House is coming next month.  The last two were at one of my listings- 15 Washington Terrace and the Bernoudy-designed Horan Estate in Town and Country. This year the Warner-Hall Team from Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty had their lovely listing at 23 Lenox Place selected. I can not wait to see what the designers do to this gem!  More information on the dates and times to come.

Maplewood Galleries

Over the weekend I stumbled into a new antique store- Maplewood Galleries. They had some really interesting items for sale. I wish I had more room in my house!

They are located at 7415 Manchester Rd.

Below is an interesting, reverse-painted lamp with creatures from the deep. Put a different shade on it and it could be very cool.

Restoration Hardware Outlet- Chesterfield Valley

I have never really been into Outlet Malls, though had to check out the new Restoration Hardware Outlet in Chesterfield Valley. They had great stuff and wonderful prices. The store receives about 2-3 big shipments a week and the staff says they are cleaned out quickly....so you have to go often. I just bought a teak set for my patio via the catalog and saw a few pieces from the line in this store....not what I ordered...thankfully...or I would have been upset that I did not wait.

New Pillow

I love my new pillows that I found at Eclectic Home in New Orleans.

Place Setting in New Orleans

I am visiting a stylish friend in New Orleans this weekend. Check out the cute place setting.

Carol Fertig Designed Melamine Tableware

As seen in Elle Decor Magazine....I love these items from designer Carol Fertig's Sea Life collection.  Find them at www.thesupplemental.com