Photography by Alise O'Brien.
Summer time means different things to different people. For those of us who work on At Home, a big part of the season consists of the many weeks spent editing the Most Beautiful Homes issue. Here is what we learned along the way to discovering exceptional properties in our area.
1. St. Louis homeowners love to share the story of their homes.
We’re constantly surprised, and always pleased, by the number of people who respond to our requests for a photo and interview. Not everyone says yes, but those who do share a similar enthusiasm and pride for the place they call home.
2. Beauty is found behind a row of hedges.
One of the most satisfying aspects of reporting this feature is the opportunity to share pictures and stories of homes that are for the most part out of the public domain. We delight in bringing our readers a close-up look at some of St. Louis’ hidden gems.
3. What a difference a little color can make.
Some home renovations are mind blowing in scope while others achieve a similar wow factor with a simple change of color to its exterior walls. Two homes on our list were brought back to life after receiving a fresh coat of paint.
4. Natural surroundings create a calming atmosphere.
Being at home in the outdoors is a theme we heard over and over again. It seems homeowners appreciate the proximity to living close to nature. Witnessing a family of deer in the backyard or a flock of geese flying overhead through floor-to-ceiling windows doesn’t hurt either.
5. Love at first sight is real.
If we had a designer light fixture, sofa, and chair for every time we heard this…
6. By the same token, unexpected finds yield beautiful results, too.
Maybe that dream home was out-of-reach financially, or perhaps the housing market didn’t turn up quite what you had in mind. Surprises are often masked as treasures whose riches are waiting to be discovered.
7. Let the house speak to you.
Homeowners can impart their desires on pretty much every facet of their homes. In the case of the Georgian Revival on our cover, the weather played an important role in selecting the statement shade of its outside shutters. Design advice comes in an array of unexpected ways.
8. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
We are reminded of this every year when the issue hits subscriber mailboxes and area newsstands. Beauty is subjective but everyone agrees that a variety of architectural styles, located in a number of neighborhoods, are always in style.
9. Take a lesson from history.
Much of St. Louis architecture is rooted in the city’s history, and many of us at At Home have a soft spot for the historic preservation of beautiful homes and buildings.
10. There’s always next year.
Narrowing down the list of homes can sometimes feel like heartache. Many of us who are involved in the process of selecting the final 10 tend to have our (secret) favorites. When one of those gets the axe, let’s just say it’s no fun. The upside is that there’s always next year.
If you have a favorite house that you think would be a good candidate for our Beautiful Homes issue, let us know about it. We can be reached at vtheodoro@stlmag.com.
