150 years old never looked so good!

When business takes you to Lafayette Square...

...you take your time to explore and soak in the beauty of the stunning 19th century architecture. It never gets old, friends... my heart pitter-patters every time I am here.❤️

Summer Fun in Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square Historic District is one of my absolute favorite St. Louis neighborhoods, between the gorgeous late-19th century Victorian architecture and the dozens of terrific shops and eateries. That being said, the true draw and charm of Lafayette Square is how cohesive the people that live there are. If you have never, head there this summer to enjoy some of their activities in the park which is the epicenter of activity in this special area... 

Great fun!

Spring in Historic St. Charles

Late 19th century Victorians and bearded irises... 

...my morning Springtime eye candy in the St. Charles Historic District. 😍

Architectural Goody Alert! Rare Crown Glass "bullseye" window.

It doesn't happen often...

... but I stumbled upon a hand blown Crown Glass "bullseye" window pane this AM! The center area where the punty was connected was considered an imperfection at the time and typically resmelted or used in a low end applications like a rear transom. 

This window, however, is front and center on a late 19th century Victorian.  I have only seen 2-3 in St. Louis over the last 15 years so I had to share. So rare, so interesting. ❤ 

The 2014 Lafayette Square Holiday Parlour Tour

If you have to choose one St. Louis Holiday House Tour...

This is it, locals!

The 2014 Lafayette Square Holiday Parlor Tour allows you the opportunity to stroll through beautifully maintained 19th century Victorian Architecture.  What makes Lafayette Square special?  

The gorgeous "painted ladies", of course!  Lafayette Square has and will always be one of my favorite neighborhoods to show properties. So much historical integrity remains in the area- so much neighborhood pride. Take a more in-depth peek at the neighborhood history HERE in one of my previous blog posts.  

Tickets for this house tour sell out quickly, so I would recommend reserving your spot now while there are still tickets available!   Visit the Lafayette Square website HERE for more information.

THIS is the Ferguson, Missouri that I know and love.

I originally wrote this blog post about Ferguson back in October of 2009.  I figured if there was ever an appropriate time to update and resurrect it, it is today. Ferguson, and St. Louis as a whole, has received extensive worldwide press over the last week in regards to riots and looting in response to the untimely death of local boy,  Mike Brown.   

Resurrecting this post serves as a gentle reminder from this Native St. Louisan, who suffers from a heavy heart this AM:  Ferguson, MO is not a war zone.  It is a beautiful community with caring residents, a rich history, and stunning historic architecture.  North County- I and your city rally around you and pray for peace and real conversation. 

When most St Louisans dream of sipping lemonade on the porch swing of a stunning 100+ year old century home like this...... 

...Webster Groves often comes to mind.

While Webster is indeed the home to a number of GORGEOUS century old properties, this particular home is in fact in Ferguson, MO- a suburb just NW of Downtown. For locals who are not familiar with Ferguson, their first visit to the area is often a surprising one!  Those of us in the real estate industry are well aware of the area's rich history, awesome hidden gems, and lovely historical properties. I felt compelled to share!

In the late 19th century, overcrowding, congestion, and unhealthy conditions in the City of St. Louis prompted urban residents to seek more quiet surroundings to raise their families. Both Webster Groves and Ferguson were developed around the same  time,  on opposite sides of the region, as a result of that congestion Downtown.

St Louis developers were initially drawn to both areas, due to their location directly on railroad lines, allowing a simple commute to the city. Webster sat on the Pacific railroad line to the southwest of the city, while Ferguson sat on the Wabash railroad line to the northwest of the city. Both areas offered residents superb housing options in a country-like atmosphere, as well as a swift commute to downtown St. Louis jobs.

As both cities were developed at the same time for virtually the same purpose and demographic... the architectural styles and finishes are almost identical.  Many of the homes originally built in Downtown Historic Ferguson are still there today, including the one at the top of this blog post.

Here is a peek at some of the other historic architectural goodies in Ferguson, via photos that I copied this AM directly from the St. Louis MLS system.  This, locals/nationwide/worldwide audience, is also Ferguson, Missouri...

Just For Fun: A walk around Lafayette Park...

Surrounded by the most lovely 19th century Victorian "painted ladies"...

(some of the oldest and most ornate architecture in St.Louis )

...sits St. Louis's oldest public park (and the first park west of the Mississippi River)!  Circa 1836, the 30-acre Lafayette Park sits as the focal point to the historic Lafayette Square neighborhood.

I, like most local Realtors, spend a lot of time in and around the uber popular Lafayette Square area showing properties.  Not often, however, do I take the time to park the car and stroll through the park grounds even though I love it. 

This week, I enjoyed an afternoon spell at one of my favorite city hidden gems with Reed, and decided to stroll through the park with him for giggles.

 A peek at the time...

Lafayette Park is as picturesque and filled-with-character as it looks.  I encourage you to take 10 extra minutes out of your day next time, and park the car!

The ULTIMATE Makeover...

BEFORE:
A rustic 9-by-10-foot hunting shack, with a porch roof supported by white willow tree trunks, in the heart of the Catskills...
AFTER:
A dreamy and romantic Shabby Chic Victorian cottage studio, carefully constructed and decorated with every little detail tended to...
Yesterday, I bumped into this New York Times article, "In the Catskills, Comfort in a Gingerbread House", written by Joyce Wadler and accompanied by these gorgeous photos by Trevor Tondro. I was incredibly struck by their story of a woman who with VERY little money and a LOT of creativity and hard work... created her dream space. Her ultimate retreat.

With the current state of the economy and people feeling a tad stifled by their lack of capital, I HAD to share Sandy Foster's story. Obviously, I have a love and fascination for all things old and love the idea of recycling / repurposing items, particularly where architectural goodies are concerned. I think that we all have a little something to learn by visionary Recessionistas like Sandy, who prove that heart trumps money any day of the week. Amazing, amazing job and so incredibly inspiring!

Check out Sandy's space...






To learn more about Sandy's project, you may find her on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE, in addition to her blog.

Pop Quiz...

Another style quiz... love these! This one is hosted by mylifetime.com, and predicts your dream home style by analyzing your style photo choices. Super fun, super easy, and once again... I was PEGGED.

My result...

Historic Fixer-Upper

For you, they just don't make 'em like they used to. That's why nothing compares to your dream home — a historic fixer-upper. It appeals to the artist, dreamer, nurturer and historian in you. You can see potential in a rambling, run-down Victorian or a crumbling brick row house. Nothing excites you more than the possibilities: With a little research and imagination and a lot of planning and work, you'll enjoy the home you've always imagined, custom-renovated with lots of love.


Yes, it has me written ALL over it. Give me the big, broken down Victorian with stories embedded in EVERY wall, original fixture, and stained glass transom and allow me to give it new life! Heaven.

Click HERE to start your quiz!

#108 East Second St. - Hermann...

This beautiful 1879 Hermann Victorian, the former Angels in the Attic Bed & Breakfast, is for sale again. Last time it was on the market, it was for $461,00 in 2004. It hit the market YESTERDAY as a short sale. It is currently available for $279,000 by Drewel Realty.

This GORGEOUS piece of property boasts 3 full stories and 4500 square feet, including 7 bedrooms, 9 baths (each bedroom has a private bathroom), original carvings and millwork, original stained glass windows, a newer 3 story fire escape, a professionally finished lower level with a second kitchen (additional 1500 sq feet not included in total sq footage), and a carriage house with separate utilities and a fireplace.

This is an AMAZING investment opportunity, particularly if interested in opening your own B& B smack in the middle of Missouri Wine Country, a little over an hour from St. Louis, and only blocks from the river and the Hermann train station. HERE is a link to a virtual online tour for a more in depth view of the property. For more information or a personal tour, please email me at cdnandthecity@charter.net or call me at 314-452-7575.