A Place in History

A glistening entryway with gilded touches and a dramatic coffered ceiling form a backdrop for the home’s sweeping staircase.

Tucked quietly on Kingsbury Place, one of the most beautiful, private streets in the Central West End, is an historical residence extraordinaire. Entering through majestic stone gates, the divided, tree-lined boulevard is secluded and hushed, with its stately mansions no doubt acting as buffers for the sounds of traffic and city life only steps away.

The oldest home on the street, completed in 1904, was designed by the architectural firm Barnett, Haynes and Barnett, the same company that provided plans for The Palace of Liberal Arts at the St. Louis World’s Fair, as well as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (aka, the ‘‘new’’ cathedral). Originally built for Henry Elliot, a railroad industrialist, today this gorgeous Beaux-Arts home is as welcoming as it is magnificent. The Bedford limestone façade is the same material used for the gate marking the entrance to this grand avenue, and both glow warmly against the lush green backdrop of trees and manicured lawns.

The kitchen transformation resulted in a gourmet space that features a six-burner gas cooktop and oven imported from France.

The current owners of this historic estate have created a warm and inviting interior environment, no small feat in a setting that could easily become museum-like in the wrong hands. “Two of the rooms are somewhat over-the-top formal,” one of the homeowners laughingly admits, but the rest of the house bears their casual, Euro-chic style and beckons both family and friends. “I love city living, and the proximity to Forest Park and the restaurants and shops of the Central West End certainly figured into my decision to live here.” As the seventh owners, they are acutely aware of the home’s impressive history and clearly enjoy sharing anecdotes from the past with glimpses of cultural and societal customs of days gone by.

Crossing the threshold is indeed like stepping back in time. The impressive entry hall is bright and airy, thanks in part to a sweeping curved stairway illuminated from above by a Tiffany-style skylight. The lovely cloud mural is a recent addition, painted by local artist Phil Jarvis. As the sun shifts and light changes throughout the day and evening, the mural also appears to subtly change colors, its soft iridescence reflecting the panels of the colored glass skylight above. Halfway up the stairs is an alcove with a comfortable window seat, a space used previously as a musician’s gallery during parties and celebrations that called for a small orchestra.

The grandeur of the master bath is reflected in the shimmering marble and mosaic artistry.

Further evidence confirms that the entire home was conceived for entertaining. From the side carriage entrance – where guests arrived in horse-drawn buggies – to the architecturally unique round receiving room and formal parlor and dining room, there is an abundance of space for mingling. Beautiful hardwood and parquet floors shine underfoot, and walls are faux-painted, glazed, wallpapered or paneled, resulting in a rich variety of textures and finishes that form a beautiful backdrop for the furnishings. The dining room showcases stunning features, including hand-printed panorama wallpaper designed by Zuber and Company of Paris, set within columns faux-painted to resemble malachite. A library paneled in rare old-growth mahogany and a unique wine room modeled after those in European chateaus offer cozy settings for after-dinner drinks. A charming, trellised solarium promises comfort for plants and people alike and is a cheerful setting for a meal or afternoon tea. 

The basement of the home, now used as a media room, was initially a ballroom. This space figured prominently into the ‘‘wedding of the century,’’ the marriage of Elizabeth Elliot and Edward Mallinckrodt, when the house was transformed into a veritable rose garden and the ballroom ceiling was festooned with 10,000 flowers for the occasion.

The private space upstairs includes five bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and a second media/family room. In an earlier era, some of these rooms were the servants’ quarters, accessed by a kitchen staircase. The space is now suited to a more contemporary lifestyle, configured as guest bedrooms, office space and sitting areas. The glamorous master suite opens to a private rooftop terrace, a dressing room and a spectacular bathroom, the floor of which boasts a mosaic created by an artist who worked on the mosaics at the Cathedral Basilica.

A chic cabana space outlined with a Greek Key motif is perfect for relaxing and poolside dining alfresco.	The outdoor setting is classically inspired, with lush plants and statuary with an Old World feel. The manicured landscape is replete with striking sculpture.

Furnishings throughout are a blend of old and new, and the owners worked with designer Janis Becking to arrange their furniture and accessories in the most pleasing fashion. “Many of the older pieces are from antique markets in Alabama, where we lived previously,” one of the homeowners explains, “and probably eighty percent of what you see here was purchased before moving to Kingsbury Place.” Initially having some doubt about whether their existing furnishings would complement the elaborate Beaux-Arts style of the home, the owners consulted design books. These books, featuring the grand houses of Europe, provided the inspiration for a finished look that accommodates their larger-scale pieces and lends a more timeless feel to the interior spaces.

One of the biggest changes the current owner made to the home was to update the kitchen, which now has a Country French feel, with a Lacanche six-burner stove, limestone fireplace, and honed black granite island. Full glass doors were added to flood the room with natural light and provide views of the stunning pool, cabana and carriage house. A century later, it is easy to imagine the regal past of this well-appointed house, yet there is no denying its contemporary relevance as a family home that bids you welcome and envelopes you with warmth.

To see more photos of this historic home, pick up a fabulous issue of St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles at your local bookstore or market.