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When I had been married less than a year, my husband and I (with some not-all-that gentle prodding from my parents) decided to move out of Soulard and into the ’burbs. Having lived all my adult life in rented apartments, the prospect of finally owning a home of my own thrilled me. I couldn’t wait to start shopping.
So, lead by our faithful real estate agent, Raye Zeigler, we were off to houses in University City, Clayton, Webster, Kirkwood and beyond. We either couldn't afford or hated them all. Immediately the sweet man I married lodged a dislike of more than one type exterior. Therefore, any brick and siding combos were eliminated from the list. I was more concerned about the interior. For weeks on end, we walked in and we turned around. I do think the lovely Mrs. Zeigler was starting to lose patience.
But, she insisted that I check out a small house in Kirkwood, then owned by the incomparable Tim Rohan of T. Rohan Designs. I grabbed my oldest niece and goddaughter, Jennifer, and we headed off. It was perfect. The décor was gorgeous; the size just right; we put in our bid and bought it as fast as we could.
That was a little over 18 years ago. Through the years we have made improvements: the upstairs porch and downstairs den were removed to make a master bath, study, and larger bedroom for my daughter upstairs and larger den below. My daughter’s room has been redecorated several times as she has progressed from toddler to teen. The kitchen was completely redone. When we had the fire on Thanksgiving two years ago, the dining room was overhauled. In fact, the only rooms that remain untouched are the bedroom and the living room.
That is until now.
After visiting the home of John Houser, an interior decorator (see the May/June issue), I asked him for some help in refurbishing the two rooms that so desperately need it. Not that they aren’t fine, but the last time the rooms were done was nearly three decades ago.
Many a style and trend has come and gone since then.
So, I am giving you the before pictures (slightly altered since John moved furniture around) and the plans for the update. Also, for those who think I’m throwing caution and all my cash to the wind, this is being done on an extremely (emphasize that word) tight budget.
What it is now: The walls are a deep red, handpainted by the Dale Mara. The draperies are floral. The room is jampacked with furniture I adore— a pie crust top table from my parents, a lawyer’s desk Michael and I found in Pocahontas, Ill., a chest we saved for and bought from Tim Rohan. In truth, there is way too much furniture but, well, there is no where else to put the pieces and there's no way I'm getting rid of them. And due to the budget, we won’t be replacing the sofa and matching chairs—which we bought with the house.
The plans:
The red Schumacher fabric will go on the large pillows and will be trimmed in the light blue frette design; the red frette fabric will be on the piano bench and the small pillows on the sidechaisr; the blue will be on the middle pillow on the loveseat.
The walls? Benjamin Moore’s Penny (brown).
The draperies will be replaced by wooden blinds. When I have saved some more moolah, we will add linen panels back on the carved curtain rods.
Fingers crossed, the entire project will be completed by mid-July.
Stay tuned.
Christy Marshall, editor-in-chief, St. Louis AT HOME
