Featured Homes
Graceful Living
Breathtaking views of the city capture the hearts of Rosemary and Michael Wick in their high-rise home, where generosity, hospitality and personality prevail.
BY
Vicki Pickle
PHOTOGRAPHY
Michael Jacob


Roman shades hang beneath empire valances with Pierre Deux fabric.


A stunning dining room is illuminated by crystal chandeliers and replete with a William IV mahogany English antique dining table, chairs and sideboard.


A Maitland-Smith lacquered screen from Edwin Pepper Interiors with a Chinoiserie feel provides a focal point in the extraordinary master bedroom. A portrait of Rosemary's father being held by his aunt hangs to the right of the impressive master bed. (A portrait of Michael's mother hangs to the left of the bed.) Wellington poses for his photograph on an exquisite Empire-style bench.
For Rosemary and Michael Wick, the process of building their penthouse-style Clayton condominium was, from the very beginning, an exciting endeavor. Having lived in characteristically beautiful, yet previously owned homes, the Wicks took great joy in purchasing the high-rise condominium six months ago and customizing its spacious rooms. "All of our previous homes were pre-owned. This is the first place where we actually had the opportunity to build out and design from start to finish," says Michael.

With the help of interior designer Bob Steckenrider of Cosmopolitan Designers, Inc., the custom interior floor plan was modified to include a handsome den for Michael and a cozy wine cellar off the meticulously designed kitchen, perfect for either leisurely or more formal entertaining. The designer's considerations were directed around the Wick's desire for a home that radiated a Southern gentility, and took into account their heritages, 18th- century heirlooms and social lifestyle. The couple's English and French antiques enhance the home's beautifully appointed rooms. Using select reproduction pieces, each with an authentic period look, classically designed, custom-tailored rooms are complete with both English and French touches.

Having spent 10 years living overseas, Michael's business opportunities led the couple to enjoy quite an adventure of worldwide travels and a number of unique residences. Their chronicle of past homes includes a high-rise in Belgium and a contemporary-style home in Brussels, and afterward, a 400-year-old house in north London. The Wicks then relocated to Canada, where horses and stables added beautiful charm to an inviting home and landscape, before returning back to the United States.

Living 20 years in a large Ladue home, and then moving into the Chase Park Plaza, the Wicks fell in love with the Central West End and its friendly, lively atmosphere. "We came to St. Louis not knowing one person, and we've lived here longer than anywhere else. We love the "urbanness" of St. Louis and the organizations in which we are involved," says Rosemary.

Constantly uplifted by the people they meet, they expound on the generosity of the city and the dedication of St. Louisans – all committed to the city's betterment. To date, the couple has devoted their time and energies to several organizations about which they are most passionate, and recently hosted one of four dinner parties throughout the city to benefit the Des Lee Collaborative Vision. "The collaborative raises the profile, raises funds, raises awareness, and inspires organizations to work together – schools and institutions of higher learning," notes Rosemary.

With a love for sharing their inviting, spacious home with others, their philosophy is truly heartfelt. "A home is a place that has a certain serenity, and you must have others over to enjoy it. The more, the merrier." With the home's thoughtfully designed layout and ability to transform into an exceptionally elegant space for entertaining, the couple recently entertained 108 guests to benefit the charitable fund for St. Andrews Resources for Seniors (STARS). Both Rosemary and Michael enjoy cooking in their gourmet kitchen, which has multiple spaces for guests to join the couple while they prepare last-minute items. The Wicks love wonderful, invigorating conversation when entertaining guests for dinner and enjoy music from their antique grand piano at dinner parties.

A spacious foyer leads to both exquisite living and dining rooms draped in soothing shades of refreshing coral and soft greens. A sunlit morning room, designed especially for Rosemary, is the ideal spot for reading, corresponding and relaxing. On the shelves, books by John Keats, Robert Browning, Kahlil Gibran and Percy Shelley rest near a treasured photo of Rosemary's mother and a wedding portrait of Rosemary and Michael. A satinwood, inlaid period writing table displays a book entitled "Entertaining"– Rosemary's love and forte´.

Next to the morning room, the master bedroom showcases stunning French Empire furniture. A custom low-profile upholstered headboard allows for reading in bed. It is cleverly disguised by a Maitland-Smith six-paneled lacquered screen with antique crackle-glazed finish, creating a striking backdrop for the opulent master bed. Honed crema marfil marble floors encompass the master bath and match the polished vanities. An antique marble dressing table adds a sophisticated elegance to the space. A roomy custom-designed closet allows for an organized space to dress between the master bedroom and bath.

Believing that your own personality should shine throughout your home, Rosemary and Michael worked arm-in-arm with Steckenrider, while giving attention to the smallest details that exemplify the Wick's polished, yet comfortable sensibility. Family treasures are displayed with pristine care and the home is personalized with precious collections of books, photos and heirlooms. The home is dressed in stunning fabrics that exude a quiet refinement and echo an ambience of romantic days gone by. Displayed under the glass top of the coffee table in the formal living room are precious keepsakes that include: a Harpers New Monthly magazine; an old family album with photos dating back to the early 1800s; The American Farmer's Almanac from 1861; a treasured prayer book; Nathaniel Pope Esquire –The English Art of Cookery, 1791; and a prized cookbook by the chef at The Swan.

Subtle custom detailing and architectural elements complete the formidable design plan, and are impressive intricacies amid well-tailored spaces. The living and dining rooms are detailed with ribbon-reed moldings and acanthus leaf trim, while vintage chandeliers illuminate the dining space with a brilliant touch of elegance.

Using favorite, special dishes, stemware and flatware for even the smallest of gatherings is one of Rosemary's delights. She loves to incorporate one of several sets of china when entertaining, with her favorite being Billingsley Rose Spode, which  belonged to her mother and aunt in Virginia. Rosemary sets her tables beautifully with Waterford crystal and Buttercup Gorham and Kirk Repoussé sterling silver flatware. Treating her guests to a touch of formality, she uses her silver tea service as often as possible, for both intimate and larger parties, and generously displays fresh flowers throughout the year.

Using her much-loved collections whenever possible brings Rosemary closer to her roots, and with a focus on hospitality and giving, this skillful hostess loves to indulge her guests, finding comfort in the smallest of details and tasks. Before parties, she finds quiet moments to polish her own silver while she goes over last-minute particulars.

With gorgeous floor-to-ceiling views of Forest Park and beyond from every room in their home, the couple enjoys the annual hot air balloon races and July 4th celebrations, as well as afternoon and evening parties that include drinks on one of two terraces. The Wicks often open the terrace doors to enjoy the cool evening breezes along with the fabulous views of the city that they have come to call "home."

"We stay in St. Louis because it is by far the most wonderful place we've ever lived. It is always improving and always better – and is truly a reciprocal city. It has the best courtesies of the south and the uplifted manners of the Midwest with a faster pace and business sensibility – it is the nicest city in which we've ever lived because of that."