George Frederick Couch, an Englishman who sold imported wallpaper, tile, and furniture, operated out of a shop in St. Louis and later expanded to Kirkwood where, in 1850, he built this Gothic Revival, dubbed Couch House, as his family home. In 1909, the 60-acre property was divided and sold to create the Louisa Heights subdivision. For years to come, the home would change, too, as its wood details were removed sometime in the 1920s and its board and batten siding was replaced with stucco.
In 1960, Chris Franks’ parents purchased the home, and the Couch House became the backdrop to his childhood. When his mother passed in 2014, he and his wife, Sherry Franks, set out to polish and renovate the historic home before selling it. With Jane Ann Forney of Forney + Architecture at the helm, with assistance of Melissa Hummel of The Great Cover-Up design firm, the renovation has brought many additions and restored the home’s previous gems.
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You can see the couple’s updates from the curb, including the restoring of the 1000-square-foot wraparound porch with Brazilian walnut and wrapping of its nineteen columns in Azek material. Chris and Sherry returned the staircase boxes featured on the front and side of the porch and the wood gable details that were removed in the 1920s. The home’s entrance, now fit with new six-by-eight, mahogany double-doors, was relocated from the parlor to now face Altus Place.
Inside, red oak flooring spans the main level, a new open staircase anchors the space, and Pella Architect Series French doors lead to the back porch. The parlor room boasts original woodwork and Jefferson windows—whose original hand-made glass has since been repurposed for display cabinets in the kitchen.
The home has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The Franks have added a small family room that connects the garage to the main house. The quaint room features a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and a 9-foot tall wall of Pella windows, offering a view of the backyard and means for ample light to pour in.
Explore the property to find other luxurious updates including a kitchen with 11-foot ceilings, Shiloh Inset cabinets in Polar White from Beck/Allen Cabinetry, a Kohler Farmhouse white ceramic sink, and a few sets of French doors sprinkled throughout.
Although recent renovations give it the look of a new-build, Couch House is a hallmark of Kirkwood history and has a spot on the city’s historical register.
See the home for yourself at its premier open house 1–3 p.m. on March 31.
The Address: 315 Altus
The Price: $750,000
The Agent: The Pat Coursault Team, Keller Williams Realty St. Louis, 314–677–6050
