Grand South Grand House Tour

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
We had been looking her for over 8 months. We heard about the "Fall for Shaw" event where all homes for sale were open in one day. We came down and had decided if we didn't find anything, we were looking in the county. The first house we walked into is the one we live in today.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
My neighborhood means so much to us. It allows are daughter to grow up in an area with diverse cultures and people. Our neighborhood has so many opportunities to be involved in making it better and you really get to know your neighbors. It showed us that City Living could be so gratifying. Also, you are close to so many St. Louis treasures.. Forest Park, MO Botanical Garden, and the City Museum.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Both are the same. We love living here because we have the best neighbors who look out for us. Our home is 100+ years old and it is so different than the "cookie cutter" subdivisions of the surrounding county.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I would like to see Crime at its lowest level ever. Not just because the efforts of law enforcement but also due in part to neighbors looking out for each other. I love the current mix of socio economic backgrounds and I hope that in 5 or 10 years we grow even stronger in that area.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I call my house the "Magic House" because it has a special charm for me. It was built in 1878 and is quite unique in every way. I particularly love the side yard with its large old trees, the wanton ivy that threatens to consume the front walk every summer, and the play of light that changes by the minute within the house from the skylight over the stairs and the tall windows that reach almost to the high ceiling. After retiring I looked in the city for two years for just the right place. With the help of neighborhood friends and some very good luck I found my dream home and have loved every day here since. My "Magic House" has history, mystery, and I sometimes think a soul of its own.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
My neighborhood has a rhythm of its own. Open friendly people jogging, walking their dogs, smiling and saying "Hi" as they walk by. I live across from an elementary school and there is the weekday surge of children coming and going. It is basically a quiet and serene area. I am close enough to neighbors to feel a sense of community but at the same time have space enough to enjoy my privacy.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
To both family and friends I would emphasize the delight of living so close to Tower Grove Park, the Missouri Botanical Gardens, and the great Grand South Grand area. I adore the variety of restaurants and little shops, charming and convenient. No boring "Big Boxes" here. In my neighborhood you have easy access to a diversity of people, activities, and scenery. It is a stimulating and enjoyable environment.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I would like to see more of the same. There is still an amazing amount of development going on here, both rehabbing and some new construction. My fondest hope for the future would be that this area continues to develop in the same direction it has already taken toward a great quality of life with a warm and diverse community of good neighbors.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I spent 2 years looking for a house in Shaw...I loved the neighborhood, but needed the right house. The one I found has tons of original woodwork, stained glass, mantels to die for, etc. I knew I had to have it while still standing in the foyer. And don't think it was done...I bought it and redid the kitchen and all bathrooms, etc...but it was and still is definitely mine.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
I love the location. I stay for that, the house and my favorite neighbors.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
I describe it to everyone, lovingly as the "upscale ghetto". The neighborhood has come a long way in the 3 years I've been here. I also refer to it as home.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
More retail and business shops in the neighborhood. Cleaner.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
It was a sunny day when I entered the house on Connecticut and saw the light blazing thru the stained glass window at the top of the landing of the magnificent stairway and knew the house would be mine.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
The neighbors care for there property by evidence of the rehab, planting etc that goes on continually. Centrally located to the shops on Grand and within walking distance to Tower Grove Park, who could ask for more.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Its a must see to appreciate.

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
I wouldn't change a thing, though I know some of the stores will be different.

Tell us the story of how you chose your house. What makes your house your "home"?
I grew up in Shaw neighborhood and always dreamed of coming back. When my husband, a United Methodist Clergyman, retired he said that after tagging after him for 40 years, I got to choose where we settled--and we settled here. Since our son lived in Shaw, just up the street from the home we own, we had driven past it many times; always commenting on the ragged but still pretty garden out front, wishing someone would buy the empty house and love it.....then on april 1, 1999 we did. In the British Isles tradtion, our house is named---Ty Cydweli--"Kidwell's House" in the Welsh language of my husband's ancestors. Also, in the style of many hoes there, our house is "semi attached" to the one next door. to reach the back garden from the front, one descends a short flight of steps, through an iron gate, and along a walk under our house--then through another gate to the back garden. At the very back of the garden, behind the Lowes shed masquerading as a little Victorian garden house, is a tiny secret sanctuary garden replete with a fountain bubbling through shiny black rocks. We have spent many, many hour s stripping layers and layers of paint from beautiful oak and birds Eye Maple mill work--and developing our gardens. At the end of each day of hard work, this place became more and more an extension of us.

What does your neighborhood mean to you? Why do you stay?
We are native urbanites and for us Shaw represents all that is good about urban living: neighborliness, sidewalks, proximity to shopping, great parks a short walk away, diverse, interesting people. There is noting homogenous about living here! And we thrive on that.

How do you describe the neighborhood to your family? your friends? Are the two descriptions different?
Since one of my sons has lived in Shaw since 1986 and another lived here for two years, they understand why we love it without being told. To others we voice what I wrote about what the neighborhood means to us. For the few, and getting fewer, friends who fear and distrust city living we usually joke about wearing their bullet proof vests when they come to see us!

Tell us about your ideal snapshot of the neighborhood in 5 years. In 10 years.
In five to ten years I would like to see all the corner stores and other remaining store fronts housing ecclectic businesses. I would like to see our two grade schools, Mullanphy and Sherman, the hub of neighborhood activity. I would like to see accessible housing for senior citizens I would like more vest pocket parks