Some homes bring to mind words like ‘warmth’ and ‘family’ before you even step inside the front door. This stately but inviting two-story residence in the Ladue School District fits that description neatly with its welcoming spaces and cheerful mood. Owner Julie Stewart says it was built to make family and guests feel happy and comfortable.

She worked with an architect to custom-design the house for her busy family of five children. “I love how open and inviting the floor plan is,” she notes. “The spaces are really kid-friendly, too. This was the place where our neighbors and the kids’ school friends loved to gather.”

The seven-bedroom house on nearly an acre offers 6,500 square feet of living space, with ‘living’ the operative word, Stewart notes. She says her family has put every room to good use in the 13 years they’ve lived there. The home has plenty of gathering and relaxation spaces that make it perfect for entertaining family and friends, including two large family rooms. The interiors are naturally lit by large windows, Stewart notes. “The house always feels light and happy, even on cloudy days.” In the backyard, people gravitate toward the swimming pool and deck, she says. “We’ve had so many gatherings and parties there. We’ve welcomed lots of guests with music and barbecues,” Stewart recalls. “Sometimes we played the music a little too loud, but everyone always had a great time.”

A spacious formal dining room and large chef’s kitchen with center island allow for seamless dinners and enjoyable family gatherings. One of the home’s most striking features is the large, first-floor master suite with sitting room and huge walk-in closet, Stewart says. Her most cherished space is the living room, which looks out onto the pool deck through elegant French doors. “I love those doors, and the windows at top,” she says. “They make it such a bright, sunny room.” Stewart’s fondest memory is from her daughter’s wedding day two years ago, when bridesmaids got ready at the house. “Everyone was around the dining table having their hair and makeup done,” she notes. “That was one of my favorite days.” Now, as her children grow up and move out, it’s time for her to relocate to Chicago to be closer to some of them. But she’ll definitely leave a huge part of her heart and a large cache of memories behind, she says.

listing price | $2,395,000
listing agent | keith manzer of laura mccarthy real estate