When visitors first pass through the quaint cobblestone entrance to this rambling property amidst a pristine landscape of boxwoods and white hydrangeas, they can't help but get a sense that the house may have been here for a very long time. And that's precisely how the homeowners planned it when they envisioned their new home nestled into a cul-de-sac in a partially wooded lot in Ladue. "In fact, when plans were being drawn for this home, I emphasized to our architect, Dick Busch, that I wanted the exterior to have the aesthetics of a home that has been here for years and years," says the owner. "But I also wanted to recreate the seamless indoor/outdoor spaces we grew up with in our native South Africa."

    Completed in 2018, the residence spans approximately 9,100 square feet of finished space on the first and second floors, plus 2,700 square feet on the lower level, its spacious proportions reminiscent of Old-World grandeur. "The owners were after a marriage of inside-outside living, and they achieved that spectacularly," says Busch, owner of Dick Busch Architects in Chesterfield. "The design of this home was influenced both by South African architecture and a home they liked in California."

    With an unmistakable emphasis on al fresco living, the expansive property includes an organically inspired water feature adjacent to the study and a lavish pool area directly accessible from the primary bedroom and veranda. "At just over 1,000 square feet, the covered patio includes a discreet cooking area, a fireplace and infrared heaters all protected by dual-roll insect and vinyl screens," says builder Kenny Brown Jr. of Minton Homes, LLC in St. Louis. "This ensures the space is comfortable and seasonally usable. The lower-level recreation space includes a pub, TV room and game room that opens to a wood-burning fire pit porch."

    The grand entrance to the home continues to make a lasting impression on first-time visitors as they pass through the impressive front door. An inviting cobblestone entryway reveals breathtaking living room views, featuring soaring reclaimed and weathered barnwood ceilings illuminated by elegant crystal chandeliers. Although adorned with sophisticated modern touches and antique architectural pieces, the home manages to resonate a simple, unfussy feel. The doors disappear on the back side of the living room onto a large veranda furnished with luxurious furniture that extends onto the pool deck. "All the colorings—from tiles, to paints, to fabrics—are muted and soft," notes the owner. "And everywhere you look, there are interesting features and authentic materials, including architectural antique doors, eye-catching fireplaces, wood-beamed ceilings, marble surfaces and cobbled floors."

    During the construction phase of their home, the owners enlisted the team at J.R. Zachary Design to assist them in selecting and refining the furnishings, fabrics, wall coverings and decor. "These homeowners already had a clear vision for the French country aesthetic of their house, so we set about helping them achieve it," says Zachary, co-owner of the St. Louis-based firm, who worked alongside his partner, Anne Albrecht, on the project. "We amplified the Old-World style with exquisite European wallpapers and European fabrics. Our goal was casual elegance, so we collected timeworn furnishings that could have been in the family for generations and also included rustic splashes that mingle with elements of grandeur."

    A firm believer that every room needs at least one antique, Zachary sourced exceptional furniture and accessories from across the country, including California, Texas, Mississippi and New York. "Antiques add a layer of warmth and character," notes the designer, "and one of my absolute favorite finds is the French sofa table in the living room—its marble top coordinates so beautifully with the pale blush velvet on the sofas." Infusing a few visual surprises throughout—yet another Zachary signature mark—is demonstrated flawlessly with citrine velvet chairs in an otherwise dark and masculine study, avian wire-adorned kitchen cabinet doors and luxe indoor furniture incorporated into an outdoor room protected from the elements.

    "The architectural design of the house strongly connects inside and out," adds Albrecht, "and the homeowners' love for their native South Africa was reflected in our emphasis on outdoor living and airy indoor spaces. Nevertheless, light and airy interiors also need to include some anchors with dark accent colors and substantial furniture pieces." The design team successfully achieved this by implementing stained ceiling beams that ground the living room and generous sofas in pale hues, which prevent them from appearing heavy. The light-colored living room draperies include a textural embroidery element that lends subtle visual weight to counterbalance the vast expanse of the windowed wall. "Sometimes accessorizing—the last step in the design—can be a challenge, but with this house it was different," notes Albrecht. "We used animals and sculptural pieces to add more interest to the tried-and-true European elements of florals and antique books."

    The handsome lower level exudes a warm, rustic vibe, featuring weathered hardwood ceilings and the same cobbled floors used in the entrance and kitchen upstairs. Its supple leather Ralph Lauren sofas finish off the area with elegance and charm. A custom wine cellar features shelves crafted from the same reclaimed barnwood used in the living room, and a ceiling handcrafted from staves salvaged from wine barrels.

    Designed for entertaining, the home is spacious yet warm and inviting, featuring doors from the hearth room, living room and primary bedroom that open onto the veranda and the pool. "Most of the lighting in the house was chosen with a French Provence feel in mind," says the owner. "I am very particular about creating the mood using lighting in a warm, soft hue to keep the home feeling cozy."  

    The architect adds, "What I appreciate the most about this home is the relaxed and uncommon aesthetics of the exterior look, followed closely by the same comfortable uniqueness in the way the outdoor space invites you to enter there. I joked with the owners that I had placed their home in my top three, and then, after revisiting it recently, I moved them up one notch to number two. Number one will remain a mystery for the benefit of all my other clients."  

Resources:

Cabinetry: Marc Christian  

Rugs: Scott’s Antique Market

Floor: Prestige Floor

Granite: Stone Fabricators

Technology: HD Media

Staircase: Kirkwood Stair

Appliances/Plumbing: Ferguson

Kitchen/Bath Design: Marc Christian

Sunroom/Screens: Broadview

Tile: SFI Tile