When did you start your Instagram feed?
I started last year. When I was 15, my dad would take me to neighborhoods with mansions to practice driving, and I used to pick up those “homes for sale” brochures in the grocery stores. I loved to look at all the beautiful homes and dream about what kind of home I’d own one day. I’ve followed the @archi_ologie and @oldhouselove feeds for a while and wanted to start something similar for Missouri. But I wasn’t sure how to get user submissions for a new account, so I decided instead to take my own pictures to share.
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What feedback have you gotten so far?
My initial goal was to have 500 followers, and I have well surpassed that. I hear from people who grew up in the area and have moved away, people who currently live in Missouri, and people from around the world who appreciate beautiful homes. Some of my favorite comments are when homeowners come across their own house. It can be a bit awkward to take pictures of people’s homes—I’ve had many times when people walk by and look at me suspiciously—so it’s rewarding to hear good things from those whose homes are featured.
What do you like about St. Louis homes?
Some of my favorites are the Second Empire and Italianate homes in Lafayette Square, as well as the mansions in Compton Heights. I’ve found architectural surveys of neighborhoods through the Division of Natural Resources, and love to look up the history of homes when I photograph them.
Why is the photo we chose beautiful to you?
The Central West End has a wealth of amazing older homes. For this particular home, I love the Tudor style combined with the beautiful brickwork. I saw in an architectural survey that the architects initially intended the half-timbering to be for the entire second story, but I like the ultimate decision to limit it only to the bay.
What do you love most about your own house?
I live in an 1860 Gothic Revival home. I fell in love with it because it retains so many historic elements—the original hardwoods, the transom windows, the hitching post. There is a never-ending list of projects to tackle in a historic home, but it’s worth it.
