Name: Devyani & Mitchell Hunt
Location: Lafayette Square — St. Louis, Missouri
Size: 3,300 square feet
Years lived in: 5
Saint Louis has a way of drawing its natives back into its fold. After years of living in other cities, Devy came back to her hometown five years ago, where she now raises two children with her husband Mitch.
They made their home in Lafayette Square, a neighborhood with National Historic District distinction, and a vestige of Victorian times. Word is that their turn-of-the-century house (one in a row) was built by a father for his married daughter, with doors cut through the adjoining walls for easy passage between. Remains of the metal door jams can be seen in the exposed brick upstairs.
Inside the house, what's old is new again. The couple regularly draw from their travels, choosing modern decor and mementos that remind them of the many countries they've visited. From the cool blue of their bedroom, to the rich red accents of the dining room, this couple hits every hue in the spectrum.
Decorating this lovely Saint Louis home was a family affair. Devy's mom, an artist, painted the animal-themed murals on their son's walls. It was his idea to have monkeys "swing" from the light fixtures. Devy's cousin's collages are throughout the home (including the art lining the brick hallway). And in case you were wondering, the orange wall downstairs (with stenciled longhorn mascot) is a proud nod to the couple's alma mater, the University of Texas. The resulting home is personal, without being overly indulgent.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Blend of old and modern
Inspiration: Mostly from our travels
Favorite Element: Old brick wall
Biggest Challenge: Finding unique affordable pieces
What Friends Say: They love the open feel, the simplicity and the kids rooms
Biggest Embarrassment: The carpet stains — we have a bad dog!
Proudest DIY: Kids rooms &mdash paint and FLOR carpeting
Biggest Indulgence: Exterior Paint and New Deck/Landscaping
Best advice: Don't pass up a unique/one of a kind item.
Resources:
City Sprouts &mdash Great children's boutique &mdash toddler bed, map in kids room
Intaglia &mdash couch, metal art above fireplace
Thanks, Devy & Mitch!
Images: Ann Manubay, Dabney Frake
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Completely in love with the front of the house, and the fireplace tile, too!
Love, love, love. As a Saint Louisian I appreciate the charm of these old buildings and, as someone who grew up in one, I know the work involved! Great job guys.
I am IN LOVE with that metal wall art piece above the fire place! Anyone know where it's from?
Can you provide me some info regarding the rug in the living room....please?
Beauty!
This home is beautiful. Well decorated and simple.
What a lovely home -
So so pretty! I love the way it's decorated, I would love to vacation in that home :) Beautiful bones, btw.
Wonderful! The artwork, the exposed brick, the nursery wall, the fireplace, the ANT FARM... love it all!
Beautiful home! Can you share the name of the paint color in the living room please?
I REALLY like that grid paint-job in the nursery - it's so simple - and perfect!
I love so much about this house: The paintings in your child's room, the blue fireplace, the exposed brick, the marvelous wooden fireplace surround of the blue fireplace, the PUG!
Love the bones! If I didn't love living in northern CA, I'd move to your town just to find a house like that.
Or...move back to my hometown of Cincy and find a home like that.
Lots of interesting architecture in this home!
I love the kid's space. SO clever and interesting for a small child. The monkey decals (or is that painted?) swinging from the sconce is adorable.
And I really, really like the mosaic fireplace.
love this! and oh yeah... HOOK 'EM!
I used to live in St. Louis and my husband and I would walk around the square and I always wanted to get inside one of them. THanks for showing such a beautiful home!
This is just really fabulous. From the bright exterior to the whimsical (but still tasteful) child's room. I might try a decal like that (or is it painted?) in my guest room for some fun.
Oh - and that tiled fire place wants to live at my house, I think.
Lived in the Shaw neighborhood many years ago and had a fireplace mantel identical to yours -- quarter-sawn oak, double pillars. But my tiles were no where as interesting and fun of yours. So many nice details here, but doesn't seem fussy in any way.
Love the picture of the pug straddling the chair arm and window sill to get a proper view.
Thanks for all the love! The metal art above the fireplace is from Intaglia. Unfortunately the store in St Louis closed, but I believe they still have stores open in Chicago and Atlanta.
I hate to admit it, but the rug in the living room is from Overstock.com. It was a really good deal for a large wool rug.
I actually don't know the paint color in the living room. It was the same color when we bought the house. We've done touch ups, but just brought a sample into the store to get it matched.
The monkeys in the kid's room are painted on the wall, along with the giraffe and flowers by my Mom...an amazing artist.
Thanks again for all the great comments. We really love our house and neighborhood.
Wow, your mom is quite a resource! Those critters are so lovingly painted, I should have known they weren't run of the mill decals. I just love it.
Can I borrow her?? ;)
This is really great. Original and unpretentious. I love it.
I went to the intaglia website, but could not find that metal thing. Can you please be more specific on what it's called and how I can get one? Thank you.
Beautiful, light, airy home!
Is there a story behind the tiny UT longhorn and the orange wall? My husband has been threatening to paint an entire room UT rusty-orange. I've been reticent, but your bright orange wall is inspirational.
Gorgeous and lovely home! Im from the N. J. and haven't seen a home with a vestibule in ages. Love the archway, brick wall, colors, everything.
Can't imagine anything but a loving & happy family in this home!!
You are the Earl of Colour! Awesome job! A lot of thought and patience went into things for the sake of the balance of color. The cubic wall paint in the kid's room... fantastic! Nice, sparing use of Ikea... and never apologize for overstock.com No need to be an elitist snob... they're usually stuffy people. I'm so impressed!
Super awesome house, love the brick wall and personality. Do you have a source for the mirrors and lamp in the little boy's room? Thanks so much for sharing.
Love the color choices - the living and dining rooms especially. Really nice home.
Hey thanks again for all the kind words first of all...very flattering. To answer the questions...the metal wall art piece I believe is called "Flower Burst" but was purchased a couple years ago so they may not carry it anymore. The mirrors are IKEA baby, and the lamp is from a Missouri country store called Home (?) that I believe only has a website presence currently. As for the orange and longhorn, yes there is a story...I had painted the wall white first, then applied longhorn stickers before painting the wall BURNT orange. I then peeled the stickers off. I had them all over the wall...until my wife got home and left me with just one:(
Love the child's bedroom -- but is the color in the photo off? Some things look yellowed that I believe are white.
Hmmm, which picture exactly cuz the colors are pretty accurate. We don't have any yellow...about the only color we didn't use in the house!
damhunt1, it's the image named 14-072110hunt_kids1.jpg. The white paint on the ceiling and around the grids looks yellow. Perhaps it's a reflection off the brown wall? The crib looks white.
The ceiling and grid lines are white...in fact, I painted the wall white first, then taped off the grids before applying the color paints. Then peeled off the tape ASAP, and voila!