St. Louis Aquarium
201 S 18th St,
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 923-3900
https://www.stlouisaquarium.com/
See my other St. Louis Hidden Gems HERE.
Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts
Sunday, January 5, 2020
A peek at an afternoon at the new St. Louis Aquarium...
St. Louis Aquarium
201 S 18th St,
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 923-3900
https://www.stlouisaquarium.com/
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Iowa College tours, historic estates!
I have mentioned numerous times here on the blog over the years that I earned my real estate license while my youngest was in utero. The older he gets? There is no doubt that the love for historic architecture is in his blood! Hence, the perfect finale to his Iowa college tours? A tour of the lovely Salisbury Estate in Des Moines...
Built in 1923 by Carl Weeks, the inventor of foundation makeup, the estate was modeled after this beauty...
The handsome 14th century King's House in Salisbury, England.
The original projected budget for the Week estate started at $150,000... but ended with the final cost of a whopping 3 million. It is a spectacular blend of architectural styles and interesting salvaged architectural goodies from all over the world. I highly recommend a visit to the museum if ever in the Des Moines area.❤️
A teeny peek at our tour...
The original projected budget for the Week estate started at $150,000... but ended with the final cost of a whopping 3 million. It is a spectacular blend of architectural styles and interesting salvaged architectural goodies from all over the world. I highly recommend a visit to the museum if ever in the Des Moines area.❤️
A teeny peek at our tour...
Learn more about the history of the estate here...
As far as my boy goes...
While it has been fun times exploring the country with him this summer in pursuit of his dream college, now the choice is up to him! We shall see.
NITTY GRITTY:
NITTY GRITTY:
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Hidden Gem: Laumeier Art Hike and the Hedenkamp Estate
Taking advantage of the tiny window between my oldest's final day of high school and graduation...
... I stole a couple of hours from my work schedule to sneak off to Laumeier Sculpture Park with he and the pup.
Few people know that the main grounds of Laumeier are surrounded by miles of gorgeous wooded trails with hidden art installations scattered throughout. Besides being a shady spot to escape for a workout on a warm day... the element of surprise is oh-too-fun. You never know what you will bump in to. It is like one big treasure hunt!
The most intriguing spot on the Art Walk Trail for me?
Hands down, Pool Complex: Orchard Valley, 1983–85 by artist, MARY MISS (AMERICAN, BORN 1944). The NE edge of Laumeier Park contains the remaining artifacts of an old neighboring estate that was known as "Orchard Valley".
The ultimate architectural graveyard!
Per the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor website, this area was once a cow pasture and stock pond. In the early 19th century, the Hedenkamp Family built a sizable house and converted the existing natural spring pond into a stone and concrete swimming pool. An article titled "Old Pond Converted Into A Delightful Swimming Pool" was published in the August 4, 1934 edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat highlighted the project.
I scoured the Internet for a photo of the pool during its heyday. While I found numerous references to soirees and events held there, no photos found.
While the house is long gone, some foundation and the artifacts of the pool remain. During the early 1980's, artist Mary Miss built decking and trellises of treated lumber around the stone pool depression and remaining foundations to create her work titled Pool Complex: Orchard Valley.
Per the Laumeier website: Miss highlights the ruins of the estate while we explore her pavilions, platforms and staircases surrounding the pool. With the renewal of this dormant structure, and the purposefully evident aging of her own site work, the artist brings attention to the context of history and the continuum of time.
I can't begin to describe the feeling you get as you walk the pool and area. It is eerie and haunting. You truly feel lost in time and leave with the overwhelming longing for it to be filled back up. Maybe some day. 🙂
Very cool "hidden gem" indeed. See more of my local hidden gems HERE.
Visit and connect with Laumeier Sculpture Park...
12580 Rott Road
Saint Louis, Missouri 63127
314.615.5278
Web: http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaumeierSTL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaumeierArtStL
... I stole a couple of hours from my work schedule to sneak off to Laumeier Sculpture Park with he and the pup.
Few people know that the main grounds of Laumeier are surrounded by miles of gorgeous wooded trails with hidden art installations scattered throughout. Besides being a shady spot to escape for a workout on a warm day... the element of surprise is oh-too-fun. You never know what you will bump in to. It is like one big treasure hunt!
The most intriguing spot on the Art Walk Trail for me?
Hands down, Pool Complex: Orchard Valley, 1983–85 by artist, MARY MISS (AMERICAN, BORN 1944). The NE edge of Laumeier Park contains the remaining artifacts of an old neighboring estate that was known as "Orchard Valley".
The ultimate architectural graveyard!
I scoured the Internet for a photo of the pool during its heyday. While I found numerous references to soirees and events held there, no photos found.
While the house is long gone, some foundation and the artifacts of the pool remain. During the early 1980's, artist Mary Miss built decking and trellises of treated lumber around the stone pool depression and remaining foundations to create her work titled Pool Complex: Orchard Valley.
I can't begin to describe the feeling you get as you walk the pool and area. It is eerie and haunting. You truly feel lost in time and leave with the overwhelming longing for it to be filled back up. Maybe some day. 🙂
Visit and connect with Laumeier Sculpture Park...
12580 Rott Road
Saint Louis, Missouri 63127
314.615.5278
Web: http://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaumeierSTL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaumeierArtStL
Monday, March 13, 2017
A weekend in Chicago: Art, Architecture, and Anniversary fun!
If you follow me on Instagram, you are aware that my husband recently surprised me with a long weekend trip to Chicago to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary...
NOTE: Despite numerous trips to Chicago over the years, we have never taken the Amtrak. What an incredible alternative to driving and flying?! The ride was comfortable, scenic, and oh so EASY. Once in the city, Uber was a dream. Highly recommend.
Blessed with a gorgeous and unseasonably warm forecast...
While the entire weekend was perfection, one of the highlights for me was an afternoon in Oak Park...
Frank Lloyd Wright, 1867-1959, was the ultimate trailblazer in American architecture. I have toured HUNDREDS of late 19th century homes over 15+ years as a Realtor and none of them aesthetically compare to a FLW home. His design was way before its time- clean, seamless, practical, thought out, and purposeful. I highly recommend reading "Loving Frank" for a closer peek into the his life and work. Entertaining read about a very complicated yet brilliant man.
Personally, I have always been drawn to the symmetry, simplicity, utility (genius built-ins), and organic nature of his design. Wright strived to have the interior and exterior of a home interact with one another to create a harmony of space and nature, achieved by the use of angles and intricate stained glass. The end result? Clean and bold geometric design drenched in painted natural light. Truly glorious!
Per the video above, the property in Oak Park is significant as it is the VERY first home that he built and is essentially where his career began . While the property is not as pristine and original as many of the other FLW homes I have toured, it is no less important. In fact, Steve and I found it interesting that MANY of the features of this home are key elements in most of the FLW designs to follow, like the signature fireplace nook.
This property uniquely offers a $5 press pass, allowing me to share photos with my blog. Um, yes please. Without further ado, here is teeny peek inside the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio through my eyes, friends.
The residential home:
The attached work studio:
There are many spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Chicago area. I highly recommend touring one (or more) the next time that you are in the area! Regardless, I had to share.
(Video format may not play on a mobile device)
NOTE: Despite numerous trips to Chicago over the years, we have never taken the Amtrak. What an incredible alternative to driving and flying?! The ride was comfortable, scenic, and oh so EASY. Once in the city, Uber was a dream. Highly recommend.
Blessed with a gorgeous and unseasonably warm forecast...
...an Executive level room at the historic Palmer House, circa 1875...
... and sought-after tickets to Hamilton ...
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... it truly was a weekend to remember! Yes, Hamilton lives up to the hype. It was incredible.
We enjoyed the sights under blue sunny skies...
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Shared a number of memorable meals...
Soaked in the historic architecture...
... and shared many lazy hours at the museums...
Steve certainly knows how to make a girl feel appreciated and loved, not just this weekend but every single day. I am so fortunate. 🎔
While the entire weekend was perfection, one of the highlights for me was an afternoon in Oak Park...
(Video format may not play on a mobile device)
If you have read my blog for awhile, you know my love for historic homes and my affinity towards local real estate when I travel. That being said, however, I have a pronounced connection with Frank Lloyd Wright homes and always have. The fact is, I am the daughter of two FLW aficionados. I grew up touring his properties and enjoying books of his work, which sat on the coffee table of my childhood home.
Frank Lloyd Wright, 1867-1959, was the ultimate trailblazer in American architecture. I have toured HUNDREDS of late 19th century homes over 15+ years as a Realtor and none of them aesthetically compare to a FLW home. His design was way before its time- clean, seamless, practical, thought out, and purposeful. I highly recommend reading "Loving Frank" for a closer peek into the his life and work. Entertaining read about a very complicated yet brilliant man.Personally, I have always been drawn to the symmetry, simplicity, utility (genius built-ins), and organic nature of his design. Wright strived to have the interior and exterior of a home interact with one another to create a harmony of space and nature, achieved by the use of angles and intricate stained glass. The end result? Clean and bold geometric design drenched in painted natural light. Truly glorious!
Per the video above, the property in Oak Park is significant as it is the VERY first home that he built and is essentially where his career began . While the property is not as pristine and original as many of the other FLW homes I have toured, it is no less important. In fact, Steve and I found it interesting that MANY of the features of this home are key elements in most of the FLW designs to follow, like the signature fireplace nook.
This property uniquely offers a $5 press pass, allowing me to share photos with my blog. Um, yes please. Without further ado, here is teeny peek inside the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio through my eyes, friends.
The residential home:
The attached work studio:
There are many spectacular Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Chicago area. I highly recommend touring one (or more) the next time that you are in the area! Regardless, I had to share.
Thank you for a wonderful getaway, Chicago...
(Video format may not play on a mobile device)
Happy Anniversary and THANK you for the weekend of a lifetime, Steve!
Happy Anniversary and THANK you for the weekend of a lifetime, Steve!
(Video format may not play on a mobile device)
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