After being transferred to St. Louis for a job four years ago, Jeanine and Mark Lohmann looked for a home suitable for their family of four. They wanted a great public school district, a cozy neighborhood and a home that could contain two growing boys.
They found just what they wanted in the four-bedroom, 5,300-square-foot home on Windrush Creek, located in the Ladue School District. With a finished basement and plenty of room for their kids to run around, the Lohmanns had just one issue: the backyard.
“The only thing we didn’t like about the house was the backyard, because at the time it was ugly,” Lohmann says. “So we added land and acreage, and we embarked on a one-year project to put in landscaping, a pool and hot tub.”
After buying some land from the neighbor behind their home, the Lohmanns created a space that provided many of their greatest memories during their four-year stay in St. Louis. “I just loved the general feel we had in the back,” she says. “Putting the fence in was amazing because our two dogs could run free. And when we sat outside, it was so secluded and peaceful. You could listen to the birds, have some wine and relax. No one could see you. We designed the area to create a park-like setting, it really made the house feel complete.”
Because of the St. Louis weather, Lohmann says they spent much of April through October in their yard with family and friends. But when the weather turned cooler, plenty of entertaining took place indoors as well. She loved spending time in her kitchen, which is centrally located in the open floor plan. The basement was also a favorite spot of the family. “I loved the basement because it didn’t feel like a basement,” she says. “Just the windows and size of it made it a great gathering space. We had a pool table, full bath and even turned the extra room into a fitness room.”
The Lohmanns, who experienced another job transfer, already miss the complete package they left, with the school district, the yard and the interior. “The fact is that it has the best entertainment flow and so much space to live,” she says. “That, to me, is what sold it to us, and I would hope someone else feels the same way.”
listing price | $1,195,000
listing agents | kathleen lovett and laura donovan of janet mcafee real estate
Interier photos: Steven B. Smith Photography
Exterior and cover photo: Joel Marion Photography
