The spacious living room is a blend of both traditional and modern styles, with fabulous textures and color on upholstered pieces. A charcoal and pastel drawing by local artist Fredrick Nelson, entitled "Opportunity to Cry," hangs above a beautiful sideboard adjacent to French doors leading to a handsome study.
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High Style
A Clayton high-rise draped in Park Avenue glam sparkles against the city skyline.
BY
Vicki Pickle
PHOTOGRAPHY
Rob Grimm


Andy's Angles
Interior designer Andy Villasana of Lawrence Group provides timeless tips on how to add modern elements to a traditional room with just the right slant.

1. When selecting a color for a scheme, think beyond white, taupe or beige; choose a color that you love – blue, green, red – anything goes. Select the color that is your inspiration for your color story and then choose various shades of that same color. It is the different tones of a color that make a monochromatic color scheme work. Then add a bold accent color for that strong contrast.

2. Subtlety is key – especially with fabrics. Instead of doing the obvious and using very distinct patterns (florals, stripes, prints) that catch your eye, choose fabrics that stimulate your sense of touch.  Fabrics that have various textures – silk, mohair, velvet, linen, cork, leather and suede – give just as much dimension to a room (and help maintain a monochromatic color scheme – they are all shades of the same color).  And consider fabrics that have pattern in the texture.    

3. It is all about strong contrasts, simplicity and subtlety, and the juxtaposition of contemporary and traditional. Don't be afraid to mix and match. Create a modern look with a contemporary fabric on a traditional piece of furniture, such as a shiny vinyl fabric upholstered on a fauteuil chair for the perfect contrast – not to mention a very chic piece in your room.
For newly appointed St. Louis homeowners, working with interior designer Andy Villasana of Lawrence Group to decorate their high-rise residence at The Plaza in Clayton was an ideal choice. Busy with careers, and traveling between Florida and St. Louis, the ease and security of living at The Plaza provided a setting that was just right for the couple's active lifestyle. Having previously lived at the Chase Park Plaza, the Clayton neighborhood and nearby Forest Park matched the appeal of the Central West End, with specialty shops and neighborhood markets all within walking distance.

With Andy's fabulous interior design finesse, the couple's family heirlooms were blended with transitional pieces and unique works of art in striking combination, with rooms designed in seamless relationship to one another. Heirloom scalloped-back lounge chairs upholstered in luscious midnight blue, a modern sofa table and traditional chairs covered in cut velvet with touches of sophisticated whimsy add a comfortable yet custom look to the open living area. The blended styles created an elegant juxtaposition, and according to Andy, it was “a planned contrast.” Wanting a space designed for relaxation, comfort and entertaining – with rooms flowing one into the other – the couple worked with Andy on all the details to achieve the perfect balance of styles, eras and moods.

His plan – to showcase classic architectural details against a touch of unexpected modern design – comes alive in the magnificent and dramatic entryway. Inspired by the sophisticated allure of a Park Avenue penthouse, Andy selected an artistically designed wallpaper with an art deco appeal to highlight the space in dramatic style. When Andy presented the wallpaper to the homeowners for their consideration, they fell for its eye-catching geometric style. The paper, which is hung vertically, has both a horizontal and vertical pattern.

The striking space leads to spacious living and dining rooms with views of the magnificent cityscape. For the couple, the wonderful terrace was perfect for them with its urban panoramic backdrop. With the homeowners loving the “green view” that looks both north and east, downtown landmarks take center stage. And at the end of the day, the couple frequently enjoys dinner in their elegant yet comfortable dining room, which leads to the terrace. It's the perfect place to sip a glass of wine and unwind – with beautiful doors ushering in cool breezes. A gold-leaf medallion anchors an antique chandelier above a spectacular mahogany and bird's-eye maple dining table with striking hand-painted black stencils and textured silk upholstered chairs.

French doors lead to the home's handsome, sun-filled study, where an heirloom desk pairs with a custom-made walnut credenza, hand-made in Trosbe, Scotland. A mohair lounge chair with a Greek Key motif provides the feeling of antiquity to the space. The homeowners enjoy relaxing among the mixture of generational and custom furnishings, and breathtaking views of the city. Starting traditions of their own, the homeowners purchased pieces, including their exceptional dining table and library credenza, in hopes of passing them on to their grandchildren as family heirlooms.

In the master suite, the soothing tone-on-tone design was inspired by the neoclassical look of the drapery fabric and exudes a dreamy, glamorous ambience. One of the homeowners' favorite heirloom chests partners with another similar piece, serving as his-and-hers night tables, adding a traditional element to the room's rich, elegant design. A magnificent Lalique light fixture that Andy found in New York, while shopping in SoHo, illuminates and softens the space and is in keeping with the homeowners' treasured collection of Lalique crystal.

The spectacular entry foyer sparkles with a black-and-white marble floor and vintage chandeliers and sets the stage for the magnificent home.
With Andy as a team player on the home's interior design plan, the homeowners happily remark that “we had a majority vote” in regard to each purchase. Working together with ease, the collaboration was a rewarding and comfortable union. The home's feeling is reflected in artwork by local artists and pieces collected from travels. Using luscious textures with impeccable flair to create custom, polished spaces embellished with impressive details, Andy brought “the unexpected” to the project, according to the homeowners, who love to entertain and share their home with extended family and guests.

Working his magic to tie the spaces together for entertaining, Andy worked with the couple to create a well-planned kitchen space that allows for gathering and flow to the spacious dining room, perfect for formal dinners. A combination of natural and striking patterns and textures accent the welcoming, chic, monochromatic space. With dinners often catered by the chef from the nearby Ritz-Carlton, the home's spaces are perfect for evenings with guests, who enjoy dining on simple, elegant Cartier china or beloved heirloom Haviland Limoges china. The heirloom china was a great-grandfather's purchase for his daughter, passed down through the generations.

With a home designed for formal and casual entertaining, all the details were carefully considered. The homeowners agree that Andy's ability to blend traditional, heirloom and modern furnishings was exceptional. Enjoying all of the well-planned spaces, the couple loves the recuperative feel of coming home at the end of the day.

And on a typical Sunday morning, a leisurely breakfast with homemade waffles and coffee is accompanied by a copy of the New York Times. Embracing the neighborhood feeling of Clayton, a trip to the Farmer's Market or local coffeehouse is part of the couple's weekend plans. With their home as a haven, it is the place that these Clayton homeowners love to be. “We love our ‘nest', with a bird's-eye view of the city.”