Great Bones
Written by Jessen O’Brien / Photography by Alise O’Brien
When Robby and Norma McGehee first laid eyes on what would become their family home, they knew immediately that it was perfect -- on the outside.
“We looked at it from the street and said, ‘That’s exactly what we want,’” recalls Robby, a former racing driver and the 1999 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. “Then we looked at it on the inside and said, ‘Well, this isn’t exactly what we want. But it has the perfect bones.’”
The 1917 Georgian Revival had been a designer show house at one point, and as a result the interior was a mishmash of different aesthetics, materials, and finishes which had little to do with each other, much less the home’s original design. Still, with its red-brick exterior, slate roof, and custom iron banister -- built on-site by German metalworkers more than a century ago -- the home had the craftsmanship and history the McGehees were seeking. It was also in the perfect location, on “a beautiful street” in Clayton that “feels really alive with runners, bikers, walkers, and kids going to and from school.”
So the McGehees decided to buy the house that was almost perfect and renovate the interior after they had lived in it for a few years. When the time came, they enlisted architect Paul Fendler of Fendler & Associates; Zak Baisch and Scott Pozzo, the co-owners of Chouteau Building Group LLC; and interior design duo Temple and Hentz to make the home just right for them. “It’s hard for people who haven’t physically lived in a house yet to know how their everyday paths are going to work. But the McGehees had a really good sense of what they needed because they had lived in it,” says designer Wendy Temples-Steinbecker.
What they needed turned out to be a way to infuse modern family life into a property designed for the routines of the last century. That meant a larger kitchen and living space; an attached garage; a mudroom; home theater; generous master suite; and a better bedroom and bathroom setup for their growing triplets. Fendler came up with a plan to create two additions on either end of the house, in keeping with the symmetry of the original design.
“The home we were starting with was a significant historic structure with amazing detailing both inside and out,” says Fendler. “It’s always a challenge to honor the integrity of a historic home while modernizing it to today’s living standards and wants, and then to find the skilled workers who can bring the design to fruition. When completed, I think the overall project was very successful in that regard.”
Chouteau Building Group, LLC, then worked to ensure that every piece of new construction felt like an extension of the original home. “I really trusted that they knew what they were doing and that they were going to make this home what we wanted it to be,” says McGehee.
“A thousand little details go into the final fit and finish to make the renovated spaces feel as if they have always been there,” says Baisch. “We took great lengths to match many of the home's architectural details, finishes, and original building materials. Custom millwork profiles for things like baseboards, window and door casing, and multiple-piece crown mouldings were matched to perfection. The species of hardwood flooring is custom mixed to match the charm of the existing floors.”
Besides the additions, one of the biggest changes to the floor plan was the decision to flip the original dining and living rooms, then open up the wall between the kitchen and new living area. This created an open-concept family space better suited to life with three kids -- and three dogs -- than the galley kitchen and large, formal dining room that had previously stood there.
The new living area is furnished comfortably and serves as a gathering spot for the whole family. It flows directly into the kitchen, which is defined by a striking island with a marble countertop that runs the full length of the room. But the biggest eye-catcher is the wall of custom pantries made from burled walnut and brass inlay by Classic Woodworking. Norma had the idea of creating a wall that looked like a piece of art, which inspired this striking built-in. “We wanted to create a distinctive piece that became the focus of this classic white kitchen,” says designer Sara Hentz. “So we created a focal point with this pantry, which nods to Norma’s love of Art Deco.”
“We had a great working relationship with Wendy and Sara,” says McGehee. “This is a very old, conservative house, but we wanted the inside to look modern and like a young family lives here. There are some rooms that they just went crazy on, and they turned out really cool.”
The couple brought along several Louis XVI style pieces which were carefully married with new acquisitions. Geometric patterns, metallic accents, and other Art Deco flourishes are embedded in decor and soft furnishings throughout the home. This approach allowed Temples-Steinbecker and Hentz to create a vibrant and modern interior without fighting the home’s more traditional elements. Take the kitchen’s Roman shades, made from an Hermès fabric, or the streamlined barstools. These items add to the room’s Art Deco appeal without detracting from its period details.
Custom pantries by Classic Woodworking create a wow moment in the kitchen. Adding a dual-sided eat-in area to the island allowed Temples-Steinbecker and Hentz to create distinct zones within the kitchen.
“Norma and Robby both have amazing taste and the fact that they are open to unique ideas makes for a successful collaboration,” says Temples-Steinbecker. “They were also willing to take some risks with color and fabrics.” One prime example is the butler’s pantry, which connects to the living area. While the floor is a classic black-and-white harlequin pattern made from reclaimed marble, the lacquered cabinets are painted a shade of teal that was custom mixed for this project.
That boldness continues in the formal dining room, where a deep, mink-colored paint is carried up to the ceiling to set off a custom chandelier made from Murano glass. Herringbone floors, judges paneling, and blue velvet drapes add to the drama. “Now when you walk in the front door your eye goes directly to the dining room -- which looks regal and elegant,” says Hentz.
Upstairs, the additions allowed for the children to have their own space, freeing up two small bedrooms next to the master suite. These were transformed into his-and-her walk-in closets and a sizable master bath in black, white, and gold. The bathtub, a glam number by Catchpole and Rye, and the vanities -- another commission by Classic Woodworking -- formed the foundation for the design.
A chandelier with feather detailing by Gaetano Sciolari and dreamy vintage painting add softness and depth to the master bath.
Entry to the master bedroom.
“Successful projects always start with homeowners who have confidence in their design team, which Robby and Norma certainly did,” says Fendler. “Wendy and Sara are highly creative and were great to work with. They were attentive to details and very organized which is a great combination of skills to have. And they have an excellent flair for blending the old with the new.”
That flair is especially evident in the bedroom, where two framed panels by Timorous Beasties -- a Glasgow-based wallpaper company known for its surreal and irreverent designs that Norma fell in love with -- set the tone for a playful collage of vintage pieces, including a pair of Regency mirrors, lucite lamps, and claret velvet-covered Nautilus chairs by mid-century designer Vladimir Kagan. It’s a room that reflects Norma’s love for finding unique treasures; she’s often on the hunt for pieces to cherish at estate sales or vintage shops around town.
The result is a mix that’s just right for the McGehees, which is part of the joy that comes from investing in a house that’s almost perfect: You get the opportunity to turn it into your dream home. Especially if you work closely with the team you’ve assembled.
“We love it when homeowners stay involved in the construction project,” says Pozzo. “When clients not only get to see how the sausage is made, but also help adjust the ingredients along the way, the end result becomes all the more rewarding and enjoyable for the family. In addition to being wonderful custodians of an historic property, they have put their own touch on it.”
“There are a ton of houses. What matters to us is that we could make a home for the most important thing in our lives, our children,” says McGehee. “Their rooms are designed specifically for them. And while our master bedroom would be pretty perfect for any couple, we built it how we wanted it -- and not for anyone else.”
Temples-Steinbecker and Hentz sourced a vintage marble and brass credenza by Ello to tie their design together for a timeless foyer into the home’s original green marble inlay thresholds.
