Susan Newman Jay Baker

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Set among clusters of centuries-old trees, the silhouette and atmosphere of this well-lived and impressive Ladue home are as far away from its humble beginning ascan be. With its natural surroundings as a luscious backdrop, the subtle yet exquisite interior design plan has flourished over time.

The property has been owned by several St. Louis-area families since the mid-19th century, including descendants of the Litzsinger family. Philip C. Litzsinger, who emigrated from Limburg-on-Lahn in Germany in 1840, settled the original 80 acres with his family in this serene setting.

Nearly 160 years later, current owners Tom and Marilyn knew the house was meant for them from the beginning. Along with their three teenagers, the family has made the home, originally a farmhouse, their signature space since December 2000. Acquainted with the owners who were moving away, the couple had always loved the look of the land and the old sprawling house, and wanted spaces that weren’t big, showy and brand-new. “We liked the feel of this one. The house is rather small and tucked in the back of the property, which is different from others on the street. We loved the yard. And it had a history,” says Tom.

The family replaced windows, renovated four bathrooms and entirely decorated and furnished rooms with the help of interior designer Carolyn Grove, who had previously designed the couple’s office. “We started with a blank slate essentially. And as we worked together, my taste evolved,” says Marilyn. “Carolyn created an elegant interior in sync with the exterior of the house, with its original fieldstone foundation.”

Designing the main living area could have gone in many different directions. But Marilyn wanted understated elegance and neutral colors. “I especially like the fact that everything in the room feels warm without being heavy or floral. These are fabrics and furniture that are truly gender-neutral. They appeal to everyone.”

The original dining room is now the study. Tom and Marilyn had relaxed entertaining in mind when they combined the living and dining areas of the house. “Friends and family can move between spaces all evening, depending on the flow of conversation,” says Tom.

The living room walls, once covered in plaster, have been taken down to wooden bead board from the home’s pre-Civil- War rendering. Walls are covered with the couple’s cherished art from travels all over the world. This formal space includes a vintage marble scrolled fireplace (an exact replica of one in the Chatillon-DeMenil House), built-in bookshelves, and room for a cozy round dining table and chairs.

Marilyn is partial to the draperies at the front of the house, which are constructed from three different fabrics that allow sunlight to burnish the room’s already-golden glow. “The ivory, taupe and gold-colored swags and jabots are made from Bergamo silk taffeta with Schumacher silk taffeta panels. They are designed to be luxurious, yet casual,” says Carolyn.