Furnishing Tips for Historic Homes in St. Louis
St. Louis is home to dozens of historic houses -- from the Thomas Sappington House to the famous Field House. Some historic homes in St. Louis have been converted into museums, galleries and boutique hotels. However, others remain in the hands -- and hearts -- of private homeowners. While beautiful and rich with centuries of history, such homes can be difficult to furnish. However, an older home is not necessarily a poorly built one. Shelley Little explains. She writes that “the custom, hand-crafted qualities of an older home usually mean long-lasting value." They might also offer "a durable structure that one cannot find nowadays.” Furthermore, new homes are often built in undeveloped neighborhoods. Older homes are often found on “tree-lined streets” in “quaint neighborhoods” with tons of established appeal.
Types of Historic Homes in St. Louis, Missouri
Most historic homes in St. Louis date to the late 18th century through the late 19th century. Famed historic districts in St. Louis include Benton Park, Lafayette Square, Soulard, Holly Hills, Gravois Park, Compton Heights, Dogtown, Old North St. Louis and Skinker–DeBaliviere. Most single family historic homes in St. Louis reflect the fact that the state was once controlled by France. Preservationists believe that two-thirds or more of pre-Civil War homes in St. Louis were built in the French Colonial style. Homes built in the late 19th century -- such as those found in Compton Heights and Lafayette Square -- were often designed in the Victorian style. In districts planned during the early 20th century, one might find Art Deco styles, Tudor Revival homes and bungalows.
One of Our Favorite Historic Homes -- the Tower Grove House
One particularly interesting historic district in St. Louis is the Tower Grove / Shaw Historic District. Nestled between the Missouri Botanic Garden and Tower Grove Park, the Shaw Historic District offers a gorgeous setting for historic homes in St. Louis. The Shaw Historic District is home to one of St. Louis’ most popular historic home destinations -- the Tower Grove House. Nottingham-born architect George I Barnette designed the Tower Grove House in 1849 for Henry Shaw, who founded the Garden.
Barnette engineered the home in a traditional Lake Cuomo Italianate style, honoring the Italian heritage of many St. Louis residents. George Barnette designed many 19th century historic buildings across St. Louis, including the Old Courthouse, the Grand Avenue Water Tower, the Missouri Governor’s Mansion and the Henry Shaw Mausoleum. Those interested can find the home in the Lichtenstein Victorian District of the Missouri Botanic Garden.
3 Tips for Furnishing a Historic Home in St. Louis
#1 Consider Classic Color Schemes for Home Staging
First and foremost, one should consider historically appropriate color schemes for each space. Kristie Barnett offers her advice in a recent article for Houzz which was reposted by North of NYC. Barnett recommends Airbnb owners “choose a color from a period-inspired palette.” To avoid a stodgy, outdated appearance, “use fresher, cleaner historic options, such as Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue, Adams Gold or Georgian Green.” In her article “Historic Paint Colors” for This Old House, Kate Wood provides a handy list of tones that work well for historic homes.
For Victorian styles -- of which St. Louis has many -- Wood suggests layering different shades of bright or saturated colors. Her favorites are green and yellow. In Craftsman style homes, she suggests warm tones throughout and for mid-century she suggests something a bit bolder and more graphic. Colonial home interiors -- perhaps the most common type of St. Louis historic homes -- should be softer and more muted with a few darker accents here and there. For more about painting historic home interiors as you stage for sale, read through Old House Journal’s “Guide to Period-Appropriate Historic Paints.”
#2 Never Distract from the Architecture
As mentioned above, guests interested in your historic home are attracted to the historic details and incredible architecture. To avoid distracting from such important elements when furnishing, keep furniture and decor streamlined and simple. Avoid large area rugs that cover original wood floors and keep furniture away from unique molding like wainscoting and carved dados. I
Goad recommends paying special attention to the windows -- especially in dark Victorian houses. He writes that one should “remove fussy window sheers and heavy draperies from the windows…[because] gone are the days of elaborate festoons, jabots and swags.” When homeowners remove heavier window treatments, they “reveal the beauty of the window trim." They also "make the rooms appear bigger by letting in more natural light.” Above all, Goad recommends homeowners “keep it neutral...keep it simple and let the house speak for itself.”
#3 Clear Away Clutter for a More Open Feel
As such, homeowners must “exaggerate [their] space to make up for these outdated proportions.” Removing heavy furniture, adding mirrors and choosing colors wisely can go a long way to making a small space feel larger. Homeowners should specifically focus on the living room, parlor and other social spaces when staging their historic homes.Monique Valeris explains in Elle Decor, writing that social spaces are “a main focal point—if not the focal point—of any home.” Take Coral Nafie’s advice in her article “11 Easy Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger” for The Spruce. When staging your historic home, clear clutter and move furniture around to create walkways. Also, “coordinate wall and furniture colors,” add reflective surfaces and let as much light in as possible.